2009 November — Get In Front Communications

Communicating Kindness with 29 Gifts

I just finished reading a new book titled 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. It’s written by Cami Walker.

In 2006, Walker was 33 years old and had just gotten married. One month later she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After battling depression, substance abuse and being a corporate workaholic, her life spiraled into a deep and dark abyss. An African meditation woman she knew, Mbali Creazzo, urged Walker to get rid of her negative thoughts. The prescription: Give away 29 gifts in 29 days.

Walker’s heartfelt book reveals how her health, life, mindset and spirituality improved by doing one simple good deed a day. Creazzo said, “By giving, you are focusing on what you have to offer others, inviting more abundance into your life. The gifts could be anything, but their giving has to be both authentic and mindful.”

Over the course of her 29 days of giving, Walker called a friend, offered spare change to a homeless man, and gave a Kleenex to a woman in her support group who was crying.

These small acts of kindness transformed Walker’s life and motivated her to launch a website, http://www.29gifts.org/. Followers in 38 countries are blogging on the site and sharing their own stories. It’s all about people looking to change their lives and the world. She’s gotten national media coverage. The message of communicating kindness and goodness is spreading.

Today is Thanksgiving. I decided it would be a perfect time to start my own journey of giving. After I joined Walker’s website, I got right to work. I sent an e-mail to a dear friend and mentor in New Jersey to thank her for recommending 29 Gifts. I went on to share with her how much I appreciate her friendship, wisdom and inspiration during these last 10 years.

How about you? Are you willing to commit to communicating kindness and goodness to someone else, even people you don’t know and will never see again? Are you willing to join the adventure of 29 Gifts?

As Mbali Creazzo said, “It will shift your energy for life.” I’m in.

(Photo Credit: Procsilas)

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Communication, News, Writing Tagged With: 29 Gifts, Cami Walker, communicating, giving, health, kindness, Mbali Creazzo, meditation, spirituality

13 Communication Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

by Susan Young at 9:20 pm 4 Comments

I usually blog about business communication tips but since most of us won’t be working on Thanksgiving, we’ll have to communicate with relatives and/or friends. It may be easier to go to work!

Here are 13 quick communication tips to help make your day festive and enjoyable. I’m posting these early as you may need to practice before Thursday.

1. Forget previous holidays, discussions, disagreements and conversations. Go in with a clean slate and an open mind that you will have a fabulous and relaxing day.

2. Have a drink. I didn’t say get drunk, because things could turn ugly. One drink can help you relax and take the edge off.

3. Remember, not every comment or statement requires an answer. Silence and a smile can be very powerful. In other words, bite your tongue.

4. If Uncle Grouch starts in at the table with off-color remarks, use the phrase “Isn’t that interesting?” These three magical words neutralize virtually every situation and can’t be answered. This phrase leads to a verbal dead-end. Then smile politely.

5. Mingle with the kids. This can bring levity to the day.

6. Take a walk. Invite someone special, or the entire group, to take a walk around the corner. The dynamics will shift, the conversations will lighten up and the fresh air will be rejuvenating.

7. Keep a few friendly and neutral small-talk starters or stories in mind. Be ready to drop one in if things get awkward or tense.

8. Pass on being a “topper.” If Uncle Fred is bragging how he was in Florida for a week, let him have his moment. Don’t chime in that you just returned from a free month in Bermuda because you were the #1 sales rep.

9. Be nice. As much as gossip often rules at family gatherings, steer clear of pettiness. Don’t say anything behind someone’s back that you wouldn’t say to their face.

10. Avoid touchy subjects. There’s a lot of angst out there with unemployment, money and everyday life. You don’t know everything that goes on in other homes, marriages or relationships. Focus on positive topics and stay away from turning your feast into a “pity party.”

11. Cite three good qualities of someone who is with you that you dislike. Think of these qualities before you join the crowd so you can get rid of “old baggage.” Plan to relax and have a good day!

12. Offer to help. Some of the best conversations I’ve had with my family and friends are while we were clearing dishes, taking out the garbage or loading the dishwasher.

13. Communicate your gratitude. Regardless of how happy or unhappy you were during your visit, tell your host that you appreciate their efforts and invitation.

If you’re hoping for a stress-free Thanksgiving, just think about the hardships the Pilgrims had to endure. You’re good.

(Photo Credit: Garrettc)

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: Business, Communication, conversations, family, stress-free, Thanksgiving

How to Develop Your Own Personal Brand

by Susan Young at 11:17 am 9 Comments

With the burst of technology and competition we are seeing in the marketplace, it’s critical to carve out your personal brand and rise above the noise and clutter. Whether it’s networking “human to human” at events or with Social Media, it’s time to get noticed.

I’ve observed all kinds of business and nonprofit professionals who want to promote their organizations and “be seen.” Most admit they don’t know what their brand is or how to effectively communicate their message. Sound familiar?

Seems we’re all in search of that elusive, punchy sound bite that cuts through jargon and brings swells of hot leads, qualified prospects, wealthy donors and generous partners into our lives.

Whether you’re trying to promote and publicize your own small business, a nonprofit, a huge corporation, or yourself, you must be able to convey a crisp, compelling and concise message. This certainly holds true in your Talking Points for media interviews, Facebook profiles, blogs and more.

What’s your message? How do you capture the essence of what you do to help people get positive results? Your sound bite should differentiate you from everyone else, especially your competition. All you need is one or two lines or 140 characters to develop your own personal brand. It should be:

Relevant
Distinctive
Valuable
Memorable
Repeatable

Write a top-notch nugget or phrase that focuses on outcomes for your listener and not your own accomplishments. Make sure you can deliver it in a superior way. Be able to articulate your message in a friendly, charismatic and genuine style that draws people to you.

Let’s face it, there’s plenty of people who provide the products and services that you do. It’s called your competition. People will buy from you if they like you. Like and relationships come first; trust is second. If someone is confused by your message or brand, you get ZERO.

Be clear on who you are and how you can help others.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: articulate, Business, charisma, Communication, competition, message, networking, nonprofits, Relationships, Social Media, value

Communicating with the Dishes and Blankets

by Susan Young at 4:28 pm 3 Comments

If you’re like me, when you think back to your childhood and the parties and holidays at your house, you recall helping to clean and get things organized. Mom would take out “the good dishes” and us kids would get our rooms ready with the “good blankets and bedspreads.” Everything had to look just right.

After the company left and the festivities ended, the “good stuff” would be put away, often for months or years.

My husband and I are married for 20 years. Much of the cut crystal wine classes, high-end china and beautifully trimmed blankets and pillows are practically new. I’m embarrassed to tell you that some of it is still in the original packaging.

Are we not worthy of using the “good stuff?” If I die tomorrow, I will never have had the chance to truly enjoy what is tucked away in our closets and dining room. Are we not worthy of the gifts that people gave us? The “good stuff” will have been wasted.

Often times the messages we send to ourselves is that the old blanket with the worn fabric will suffice. The incomplete set of dishes with the missing bowls or faded design will be fine for dinner. “It’s just us.”

I’ve made the executive “MOM” decision that we need to celebrate every day. Yes, my husband and I and our two teenagers have every right to use the nice china all the time, not only when company arrives. Who was I saving it for, and why?

It’s time to communicate empowering messages to ourselves and children. To truly believe we are worthy of the good things in life. Tucking the dishes and blankets away is demeaning.

How about you? Is it time for you to break out the “good stuff” and enjoy it-guilt-free!

(Photo Credit: Webponce)

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: celebrate, communicate, family, holidays, messages, worthy

Huge PR Window for You to Get Publicity

by Susan Young at 3:25 pm 4 Comments

There are certain times of the year that news comes to a screeching halt. One of these times is staring us straight in the face: the long Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. State legislative sessions are typically on break, school is out, people are traveling, shopping and stressing. This is an ideal time to develop and pitch stories.

Even though business and government may be slower than usual, newspapers are still being printed and TV and radio stations still have on-air programming spots to fill.

You can help.

After spending 10 years in a busy radio newsroom, I covered the same holiday stories that the media covers today–gas prices, airline travel, food, relatives, stress, shopping, house guests and football games. Sound familiar?

Consider this. Many stories that may seem weak or tough to pitch during a busy news cycle can easily grab the attention of a reporter during the slower holiday season. Thanksgiving is here and Christmas and New Year’s are right around the corner. It’s time to be proactive.

Here are 3 quick and easy tips for getting coverage on long weekends. By the way, #3 can be used for your blogs or e-zines too.

1. Remember that Thanksgiving Day is on a Thursday. Many people take off the entire week, through Sunday, November 29. If you send out your press release or pitch on Monday or Tuesday (11/23 or 11/24) , the reporters can use it anytime over the course of the next seven or eight days. The media is open 24/7. Your sleeper story on a busy news day could be a big headline over the extended holiday.

2. Keep it undated. If you have an “evergreen story” with no real date attached to it, that’s ideal for coverage over a long weekend and slow news cycle. You may send the release out as a Thanksgiving story and be pleasantly surprised to see it was picked up by reporters a few weeks later.

3. Get creative! Stay away from the typical seasonal stories that reporters cover. Hard news and business stories are ideal for these time periods. Cause-related marketing with nonprofits are newsworthy too. For example, most groups hustle for holiday food drives in November and December yet there are plenty of hungry people in July. Does your company or family volunteer year-round? If so, pitch the story. Organize an off-season beach cleanup with your co-workers. Announce a new program or partnership on mentoring with a school or community group.

Take advantage of this window of opportunity by planning ahead and developing new ideas and energy. The reporters will appreciate your efforts and you can build critical relationships with them for future pitching and coverage.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: Business, holiday, media, News, news coverage, nonprofits, PR, publicity, reporters, Thanksgiving

12 Secrets to Networking Success

by Susan Young at 4:20 pm 20 Comments

Whether you own your business or work for someone else, effective networking (face-to-face, not online!) will add to your success. It will also help build your self-confidence and communication skills. In the end, networking leads to new and improved relationships. It also brings referrals. It will help you make more money.

Use these 12 strategies to sharpen your networking and communication abilities and widen your business circles. Don’t collect business cards; build relationships!

1- Arrive in a good mood. If you go to a meeting, event, or trade show with a positive attitude, everyone you encounter will notice. Decide ahead of time that you will have a great experience and meet your ideal clients. If you think you’re wasting your time, don’t go. If you had a bad day, skip the event and attend another when you’re in a better mood.

2- Set a goal. Consider why you are attending this specific event. Know your ideal client. If you do business in the real estate industry, determine where the decision makers spend time. Go find them. Travel in their circles.

3- Stand by the door. Arrive early and hang around by the entrance to the room. When people register and begin mingling, you’ll be one of the first people they see. This is especially helpful to others who may attend alone and could be looking for someone to break the ice.

4- Forget the food and drinks. Do not focus on your appetite; you are there to mingle and do business. Food can easily become a distraction. Celebrate at home after the event with a drink, having met your networking goals and ideal clients.

5- Sit with people you don’t know. It may feel awkward but introduce yourself to new people with a smile and friendly demeanor. Find a table that has an empty chair and ask if you can join them. Your goal is to meet new people; not spend time commiserating with those you already know.

6- Be aware of your body language. Avoid “darting eyes” and stay focused on the person you are speaking with. Stand tall, strong, and proud.

7- Prepare your “30 second commercial.” This should be a quick description of the results you get for clients. Dump the cutesy catch phrases that confuse people. Structure your commercial by this example that I use for my public relations company: “I work with businesses and nonprofits to increase their publicity, credibility and revenues.” Be clear, concise, and compelling. Don’t sell. Solve a problem.

8- Make small talk. Even if it’s simply the weather, a local sports team, or vacation plans, be sure you know how to strike up a light conversation with strangers. Avoid touchy topics including politics, religion, and jokes. Try to stay up-to-date on current news stories. Also, don’t fall into the trap of adding to a conversation that’s filled with negativity. It’s poison; try and gently move the conversation onto something more positive. Or mingle with a new group.

9- Ask good questions. Steer conversations towards the other person, their business, challenges, and needs. When someone asks you what you do, answer in a quick line or two and suggest, “I can share more about my business in a minute, but I’d really like to learn what your company does.” Listen closely and you’ll soon be able to determine if this person could use your expertise. Dig deep.

10- Work the room. If you’re in a conversation that seems to be a dead-end, politely excuse yourself to use the restroom, make a call, or find an associate in the room. Spend a few minutes with each person instead of an hour with one individual.

11- Bring plenty of business cards. Remember, the reason you’re attending the event is to meet people! If you forgot your cards, you may seriously want to consider going back to get them or skipping the program. Be prepared. Also, don’t feel obligated to give your cards to everyone you meet. Hand them to people who request them.

12- Dress appropriately. Wear business attire and look polished and professional. Check the mirror and brush your teeth as needed…and ladies, only touch-up makeup — including lipstick — in the restroom.

Bonus: During sit-down programs, don’t check your calendar, messages, tweets, or texts. Use good manners and pay attention to the speaker and those around you. People are watching. Be congruent — from the inside out.

For more communication tips on building business, sales, social media, and PR, sign up now for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.”

Filed Under: Business, Interpersonal Relationships, networking Tagged With: Business, Communication, events, networking, Relationships

How to Dig Into Your Business

by Susan Young at 7:47 pm 3 Comments

I often describe myself an an “Emotional Archaeologist.” In my public relations company, I bring my invisible shovel to meet with clients. I dig away at their stories. After all, I was a news reporter and reporters ask a lot of questions.

The invisible shovel is a metaphor for asking quality questions. To going beneath the surface and uncovering the good stuff. The stories and gems are always there, even when the the client humbly insists they don’t have a story. The only reason they believe they don’t have anything newsworthy is because they are digging in a different corner of the yard. Their minds aren’t on news.

They may be plumbers looking for leaky pipes. They may be graphic designers searching for a nifty font. They may be doctors conducting tests to diagnose a patient. They are using their own tools to dig in their own way.

What are you digging for? New business, new revenue streams, new publicity, new employees, new Social Media apps, new gadgets?

Before you start digging, consider these 5 points:

1. Are you digging in the right place? Are you laser-focused? Or are you 10 miles East of Ja-Bib, just a stone’s throw away from Crap’s Corner? Silly GPS didn’t work. Darn.

2. Do you know what you are digging for? Don’t dig because your friends are busy digging. If you think you’ll recognize the gold when you find it, that may not be effective in business development. It works in the mall for clothes and gift shopping, but not as a growth strategy in the marketplace.

3. What will you do with “it” when you unearth “it”? Or is finding “it” the thrill, and then “it” sits on the shelf as a dust collector nagging at you that you once again, fell short? You didn’t see it through. Enter unrelenting negative self-talk.

4. Who have you invited on your archaeological dig? Can they truly help you in creative and energetic ways to tear up that dense, tough soil and recognize and retrieve the hidden nuggets? Or are they standing by watching you sweat with calloused hands? They may not say it but they will be ready at the snap of a finger to celebrate the successful dig and reap the rewards of your vision and hard work. Sure, they were in the yard, near the shovel, but note to self: their hands are clean.

5. Why are you digging? What’s your real, no-nonsense purpose? To uncover the neat stuff and hoarde it selfishly, or to share it lovingly with your community and family? What contribution would you be willing to make when your shovel unburies the gifts and treasures you have been seeking? Do you have an ulterior motive attached to your shovel? Or is it authentic, pure and transparent?

Dig with humility, focus and purpose. Being in business means we are not afraid to get our hands dirty. The shovel awaits.

(Photo Credit: Mahalie)

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: Business, business growth, News, Public Relations, reporter, shovel, Social Media, treasures

25 Ways to Give

by Susan Young at 11:22 pm 2 Comments

Social Media and business is all about giving. Prospects and customers want to know what they will get from you (flip that around and it’s what will you give me?) It’s not about greed; it’s about value. It’s about feeling good.

In the book Why Good Things Happen to Good People by Stephen Post and Jill Neimark, the authors cite studies and research that conclude people who volunteer and give of themselves live longer, healthier and happier lives.

With all of the violence, sadness, anger and struggles of so many people around the world, consider shifting just a bit of your focus to create positive energy for all of us.

Here are 25 things you can give to people and to yourself. Each one communicates kindness in some way. They don’t cost a plug nickel (except #15) , but they are priceless. They can put us all in a better place.

1. Give the gift of your attention.

2. Give the gift of a smile.

3. Give yourself an occasional pat on the back.

4. Give someone the parking spot you were waiting for, even though you were there first.

5. Give someone eye contact.

6. Give someone a break.

7. Give yourself a break.

8. Give someone an hour of your time so they can “pick your brain”- no contracts or bill.

9. Give someone the free tickets to a sporting event or show that you just got from someone else.

10. Give someone some space.

11. Give something of value without being asked (free e-book, tips, white paper, or article)

12. Give a compliment in public.

13. Give someone a deposit in their emotional bank account.

14. Give a positive comment on a blog post.

15. Give the toll money for the driver behind you, even though you don’t know him.

16. Give up the concept of perfection and go for excellence.

17. Give without expecting anything in return.

18. Give up the “pity party” and find the good in everyone and everything.

19. Give without announcing that you are giving. It’s called humility.

20. Give away a few of your products or services (gift certificates) at business gatherings.

21. Give your expertise and wisdom to a young adult or newcomer to your field.

22. Give no excuses. Go the extra mile.

23. Give compliments first, then criticism

24. Give others a chance to share their story.

25. Give it a rest. Drop your old baggage and travel light.

My grandmother was a wise old woman who lived to be 95. She always greeted people with the same five words: “What can I give you?” She didn’t have money or diamonds; she gave of herself. You can too.

Anne Frank said “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

(Photo Credit: Moranga)

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Communication, Social Media Tagged With: blog, Business, compliments, expertise, give, products, Social Media, value

Creating social media storytelling, content, and brand journalism for businesses

Communicating Kindness with 29 Gifts

13 Communication Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Communicating with the Dishes and Blankets

Huge PR Window for You to Get Publicity

12 Secrets to Networking Success

Susan at Ragan Communications

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