Today is Your Day...

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HAPPY SOCIAL MEDIA DAY! 

   
For the simplest of online users to those who write code... it's your day.  Thanks to the volunteers at the Social Media Club of Kansas City for organizing and promoting the event and now the dual and new members of the Social Media Club of Johnson County (KS) for getting the word out too.

I'll be celebrating in Kansas City at Johnny's Tavern on 119th and Metcalf, with other like minded social media fans, at 6pm this evening. Join us in raising a few glasses to an industry we're appreciating and enjoying very much.


*cheers!*

Of All the Things To Do This Summer...

I'm really looking forward to doing a lot of this...

A little bit of this...

I want to see a lot of these...

I know I'll be found here...

I'll catch a handful of these... hopefully these guys (Train) too...

But most of all, I'm so happy the house will be filled with sounds of running, laughing, jokes, probably a few tears, and chitter chatter from these two monkeys...

Thanks to Jaime Jensen for her photo of the beer, poolside with me the first week of summer.  As well, the "Flying Squirrel" photo is of a high school friend and which one escapes me... I'll have to find out.

Fly On a Wall

I recently had lunch with two of my favorite people in and out of social media ... Zena Weist (H&R Block) and Christine Hamele (Parris Communications).  We met up at Smashburger in Leawood.  It was a lovely day and one of the few over the last two weeks that wasn't raining.   Some how, some way, these two wonderful Kansas City ladies had never met.  It was my pleasure to introduce them.

Right away through regular ol' conversation, they rattled off a half a dozen names of people they had in common and had worked with.  Over the course of the next hour and 40 minutes, they engaged in some wonderful social media/marketing/public relations related conversations that left me feeling crazy fortunate to witness.   Of course they were inclusive with me during these discussions, but I didn't want to muck up the quality.  So I was the quietest I may have been in a very long time.

These are two great minds sharing ideas, experiences and opportunities...   would I have looked ridiculous taking notes?  I really wanted to.  I smiled ear to ear, like the village idiot and soaked up all the goodness they were providing. I was the happiest fly on a wall.

If you want to meet some great minds in Kansas City too, the Social Media Club of Kansas City has done an incredible job of pulling like minded folks together.  It's FREE... check them out.

Thanks Christine for treating us!  Here's our delish spread at Smashburger...

Just What I Needed "An Unexpected Delight"

A friend of mine, Jennifer, recently said "I love how women take care of women".  I had one of those lovely moments a week ago.  I had just taken my husband to the airport (San Fran bound) and he'd be gone for a week.  I asked my children after he left, "Did Daddy have anything set up for me for Mother's Day?"  They blankly looked at me and then each other, shrugged their shoulders and said "No".  Hmmm...  really?   Crap.  I thought maybe he'd hand them a $20 and tell them to take me out to Sheridan's for ice cream.... or something.  My daughter said she made something at school and my son said he had something of his own too... and that's wonderful!  I was also hoping for something a little "grown up".  Does that make sense?

The day was fully under way and by noon, a knock at my door by a lovely delivery woman holding a large box, smiled and handed it to me saying,  "Looks like a winner to me."   

I hesitated opening it thinking for a moment it came to the wrong home.  The box was so beautiful and besides, the driver quickly drove away. I couldn't resist.  So I tore into it.  Lots of beautiful tissue paper (only a woman would appreciate that, right? LOL) and the first thing I pulled out was a gorgeous green etched glass pitcher!

Wha??  Certainly this isn't for me.  Who is this from?  I found a gold card with a hand written note from my friends via social media (and one from SME too) Christine Hamele and Kelly Cooper of Parris Communications.  "We wanted to recognize all of your efforts as a social media maven and Mamapreneur.   Hope you enjoy the exceptional gift experience from Cambria Cove!".   I had to sit down.


I was so excited and so happy they did this for me... just when I was feeling on the verge of neglected... and they saved the day!  I didn't open anything else but instead went right for the phone to thank Christine.  I was gushing, talking too fast and I hope she could tell just how appreciative I was.  Keep in  mind, I hadn't even seen the rest.  LOL!   Here is the jackpot they sent me... 

A wonderful candle in a pink ceramic container, WITH lid.  A gorgeous set of notecards that remind me of Amy Butler fabrics.  A gold and white zenia patterned journal that has a nifty built in pocket in the back.  Christine never could have known, but I love that stuff!  I tuck things away all the time ... now I have a spot with my journal!  Brilliant.  The two white doves are soap!!!! They came in the cool bird nest and there's a white ceramic little bowl they are sitting in too.  

Now look at this gorgeous bracelet!  KABLAM!  There's my Mother's Day jewelry I always secretly want!  Bonus: It's silver!


I am thrilled to the core with my unexpected gifts.  They were just what I needed.  You have no idea.  Well... maybe Christine and Kelly actually did.  I have been online with Cambria Cove this last week and on their Facebook Page which looks relatively new... so "like" them if these type of goodies are right up your alley.  The website has great ideas for Father's Day... calling them "Handsome gifts for dashing dads".  Love it!  


Thanks again Christine and Kelly for your timely thoughtfulness.   You are a shining example of people doing things right...  making someone feel valued.   MWUA!  XOXOXOX  

I'm a forever fan of Christine and Kelly. I'm a new fan of ...

They Have Far Exceeded My Expectations

I love a great sale and I adore great customer service. 

Give me what I want and based on that, give me something more that you know I'll need soon.   Convey to me you are the expert I will need when I have a question about your industry.  Leave me uttering the words "Wow".  Make me smile the entire conversation because you've not only fixed my challenge but cut another one off at the pass... one I didn't even know was looming off in the distance.   Leave me with the sincere impression that you care about my business and how I can help the businesses I care about too.  Actually give me the inspiration to write your name and direct number/email down when you offer it up unsolicited.

Then... two days later, send me an email you're having a 2 hour FREE seminar 5 miles from my house in the same month on the same issue I was contacting you about.

OMG...  Constant Contact.  I love you.

OMG! The Sun Has Risen in the West!

As you know I love social media and social networking.  I love the people, the nature of engagement, on my terms, on my time.  So when I meet people who don't "get it" and don't see the value, I can't help but feel a little sorry for them.  For them and the boat they have turned their backs on and are now missing. 

My twin brother, Owen, (the blonde toehead on the far right) is an excellent example of this resistance. He says he doesn't have time to sit there and "chit and chat"... "I hardly have my time to do my work and then I go home and do THAT stuff... it's a full day."   OK, I get that.  But all work and no play make Owen a dull and bitter boy.  You have to engage with other people about things you like... hobbies, passions, movies, music, etc...   There are a million ways to connect and it can be as little or as much as you want.  Staying connected makes us human again. It raises our awareness and compassion. If anything it's good for a really good laugh, at least once a day.  

Owen is a sales manager for Neal Harris Heating & Air Conditioning & Plumbing & Duct Cleaning & Frontal Lobotomies & Dry Cleaning...  the last two are jokes, but they actually do a lot and have been servicing Kansas City since 1953.  I know!!!  1953!  They were bought out by a national brand a few years back but maintain their hometown personalized service.  The "Mother" brand has allowed Neal Harris to keep their longstanding name as a distributor of their products.   I can't help but think with their history and the national brand behind them, that no way do they not have a fan page on Facebook at the very least! 

I've been encouraging Owen for the last 9 months to get Neal Harris in the game.  He'd probably call it hounding.  It's pretty clear that times are changing and his business needs to evolve.  Go where your customers are when they are there.   It seems so easy... because it is... more than ever now!  Then I got the ... "our customers are older. They aren't on computers." (our 81 year old father is... I rest my case)  My comeback for that flim flam excuse is... "Your customer base is dying off and you don't want new customers?  Younger customers (65 and down) who can be loyal to for the next several decades?  You don't want those people?"   You'd be surprised how many people with businesses, I have had that casual conversation with and that is their defense for not changing what they do.   Unless you're selling Geritol or Depends, you should be reaching out to qualified demographics for your product or service, don't you think?  Incredibly discriminatory and naive to think younger adults don't have heating & a/c problems.  On the contrary... they are probably buying older homes that come with those exact kinds of problems.  Who are they gonna call?  They are going to ask their friends on Facebook and Twitter for suggestions and their personal experiences ... they are going to Google and Yelp for local businesses doing a good job.  They are going to ask their peers, who they trust, to help them decide.  Where would Neal Harris fall into that discussion?  Neal Harris and other non evolving companies have marketed the same way for years... doing the same things and getting the same responses.  No wonder they have the same database. 

Owen tells me it's not his decision. It's corporate's, out of Dallas. (since when was he such a rule follower?!)   I like the school of, you don't get anything unless you ask for it AND it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.  "Owen,  ask for the Facebook fan page or start your own, but do it now before this window of opportunity shuts on your fingers as you're peering in from the outside!"   I dread the extra work companies will have to do to catch up with those who were more willing to look at and do things different earlier in the game.  As for Owen and Neal Harris...  It was a no go. I'm not saying ditch traditional advertising and marketing, I'm suggesting adding on to it.  Social networking is FREE... today.  It might change.  Alas...  The status quo of snail mailed newsletters/postcards and a little email marketing to former customers... will continue.

I called him this morning to visit and prepare to post this blog.  Right away he sounded chipper and excited!  Low and behold, THE SUN HAS RISEN IN THE WEST!  Neal Harris started a fan page... TODAY!   I was the 28th person to "LIKE" it!   It's not being updated and managed by his office at his location, but it's up damn it and I couldn't be more thrilled for them!   Being a sister, I had to bring up "Owen, if you'd been on Facebook the last year, you'd more than likely have a few hundred local friends... and that's without even posting on a regular basis.  How nice that would have been for you to suggest to your friends your new company fan page to 'like' if they were inclined.  They care about you... they'd join.  SOCIAL BRANDING & MARKETING.  SOCIAL BRAND RECOGNITION.  WORD OF MOUSE!"


This is a big step and I realize it.   I suggested he become an administrator on his page, so he can see the insights provided by Facebook and the demographics of the fans who are engaging with the page and of those who have joined.  It'll tell him by age group and what sex the fans are of Neal Harris on Facebook. It's huge information as they begin their brave new world of social marketing!   I am so proud of them!  Now if I can just get the sun to set in the East and get them on Twitter, so they can see real time, who needs their services, locally!


Good job Owie!

You're My Hostage Now

My son is 11 years old.  We like to hang out.  Probably  more than his friends think is cool, but if he doesn't care, we'll just keep on keep'n on.  I find when I'm with him, I want to look at things through is his eyes, which isn't so tough, really.  I like to point out things I think he might like or think is funny.   The same things amuse me too, so it's like 4 eyes looking for a good joke, constantly.  He can easily be talked into running errands with me using the simple phrase "Come keep me company."  That's something I learned from my wonderful father and my obnoxious but charming twin brother... "It'll only take a few minutes".   That's code for "You're my hostage now".  Mwahahahaha!  Off we go.


I tend to take the scenic route when going to ... well... just about anywhere. Why? Because there's usually something interesting along the way.  On a recent errand back from renting movies, we drove past a slowly dying shopping center.  One of the ever changing restaurants was wisely holding a classic car get together.  Bring your classic car, pop the hood and we'll all walk around and admire them.  Sounds boring?  On the contrary, look at the beauties we found:

I told my son to casually lean on the car, as if it's his... but don't really touch it.    Mission accomplished.

This old one looks a bit like a spiffied up one my twin brother had when we were in high school. It was an antique then too.

hmmmm... I want to like it. Just not sure yet. I like the bones.

It should be luxurious but reminded Jackson and I of a hearst.  #FAIL

I want it.  Don't you? Yeah... I want it.

I had a dear friend in college that would see something unusual and not hesitate to pull over and check it out.  While vacationing with him in California, we saw a worm poop business and how it makes compost.  He turned into the long driveway as if that was the plan all along.  Pull up around the back of the barn, hopped out of the car and introduced himself, hand outstretched to the first person he saw... the owner.  We got the whole shebang on the worms and how they make the best damn compost and we even played with his puppies... for 2 hours.  We all hugged and said goodbye when it was time to go, like we were long lost friends bidding farewell yet again.  That's how he was/is... making friends all over this planet mainly because he was like a little kid...  always curious, respectful, interested and itching to find out something about everything.  He didn't drive past this place every day for 5 years wondering what worm poop was all about. He saw it, he went in to investigate and I was his happy hostage. He's an NFL football coach now... using his positive outlook and curiosity to make himself some of the finest quarterbacks in the league.  Many times over the last several years, I think of him when I see something that piques my curiosity.  I make a concerted effort to actually stop, investigate, engage with whomever is behind it all... and hopefully,  I will always have a happy hostage to enjoy it with me.

Scared Straight in 2010

I've been swamped lately... but I made some time to share one thing going with one of my clients... Santa Fe Tow.  They provided two wrecked vehicles from drunk driving accidents, today at the St. James Academy in Lenexa, KS.  Not only did the high school age kids get to see these mangled wrecks, but they also got a nice demonstration about how the accident might have gone down when a teenager is driving under the influence of alcohol.  They were needless to say, VERY attentive.  Rightly so. 

The Lenexa Police Department, the Fire Department and the nearby hospital all worked seamlessly to show these kids what takes place with such an accident... how many people it takes to work on this kind of accident and what it takes to get it done.  Very sobering.  Like out of the Scared Straight movie from the 80's.

The victims and witness were 5 of the theater students from the drama club at St. James Academy and they did a very convincing job!  For a full view of the experience click here for Santa Fe Tow's Facebook Fan Page photo album of today's excitement.  Special kudos to the firemen, policemen and Med Act employees of Lenexa, who volunteered their time and talents to bring such an emotional and teachable opportunity.  Bravo to Santa Fe Tow for supplying the cars for these efforts throughout the metro, to hammer home "don't drink and drive" and "don't text and drive" to teens.

That's Not What I Was Looking For...

I went to Family Tree Nursery in Overland Park, Kansas yesterday, on a mission to find a small Rosemary sprig I could turn in to a topiary.  I know it takes patience and a lot of painstaking attention for it not only to live, but to get to the shape I want... a sphere.  LOL!  OK, so maybe not so painstaking.  Right away, as I pulled up in my Jeep, smack dab in the front of the facility are several topiaries. Not your average topiaries either. Different shapes, sizes and definitely not what I was looking for... but oh so much BETTER!

For instance, this cute baby elephant topiary is just about true to size. WOW!

This topiary bush looks like coral from way down deep in the ocean, which is a gazillion miles from good ol' Overland Park. It makes me want this even more!

Who doesn't want a llama?  Now you can have one that won't spit at you.

These stars are in two sizes... I couldn't help but think what fun all of these topiaries would be to have in the garden or on the patio with children around the house and neighborhood.

This isn't a topiary, but I like spheres. I couldn't resist the blue hydrangeas and the water feature.  Clearly from the pom pom shaped flowers and this cobalt blue fountain, I was in Nirvana.

I always love checking out the Koi fish pond at Family Tree, even when my kids aren't with me.  It has been moved to a different spot this year.  It now has a little waterfall feature and floating plants. However the fish are my favorite part.  They are HUGE in koi terms and act a bit like dogs.  Very friendly, want attention and you can even touch the fish.   Better yet, you can feed them!

To top  my visit off... I ran into local celeb and world reknown golf icon, Tom Watson.  "Hello Mr. Watson".  I got that boyish grin and a "What are you getting?" in return.  We talked topiaries for a couple of minutes. He had a lot of plants.  Now that I see he's a gardner, I adore him even more!

Social media note... Family Tree Nursery needs to be blogging daily.  You'll see from their so called current blog, they have a pitiful three entries between March 26th and Dec. 29th.   Really? Really.  They will never lack for content to photograph or blog about. Evah!  Plus, if they had a presence on Twitter, it would have reminded me it's that time of year to get my yard in shape and my garden prepared.  I think I'll have to pay them another visit.   : )

Joe Jaffe + 3 Minutes = Rockn Advice for a Service Driven Business

I went to a quick Tweet Up put together by the Social Media Club of Kansas City, because we had a social media hot shot, Joe Jaffe, in town.  The three time author was willing to have a few drinks with us and I was excited!  Here's his latest book... love it... about how to use your current customers to gain new ones.

We all met up at Johnny's Tavern Bar & Grill and we had a really nice time together.  I however, was more fortunate than most. I was prepared to video Joe for a 1 minute interview.  He said he was pretty good at turning a short story into a long one, so I am thrilled with the 3 minutes I received.  He is charming, gracious, animated, provided fantastic information and that South African accent sure makes him easy to listen to.


My question was ... Johnny's Tavern is a service driven business.  How does he see businesses, like them, marketing themselves going forward.  A loaded transition into Flip the Funnel... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6yiLlb09Ds 

and yes, you hear me say "I love you" at the end. ; )