eNewsletter

Happy Perihelion Day!

Obviously, I’m not quite ready to give up the holidays. It seems I’m looking for any excuse at all to continue the festivities, so here’s to a warm and cheery Perihelion Day!

Perhaps you already knew this — I did not until I saw it on my Wisconsin Phenology Calendar —but perihelion is the term for when the earth is closest to the sun. You wouldn’t think we’d celebrate this during the heart of winter but as The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains, it’s the tilt of the Earth’s axis that affects our seasons, not our distance from the sun. So go ahead, raise that last bit of eggnog to being 3 million miles closer to the sun than we are in June.

Looking ahead to 2019

Getting back into the groove after 12 days of Christmas is hard— yes, we really did do the traditional 12 days of Christmas! We had a memorable season with family celebrations, worship services, movie, light show, hiking and an overnight trip. And don’t forget the food, lots of very good food.

Now today, Perihelion Day, it’s time to get back to work. Sigh.

In truth, I think I’m set to go. Yesterday as I cleaned my office and organized Adunate for coming year, I found myself feeling excited, optimistic and full of prayerful confidence. I’ve got some interesting projects in the pipeline. I’ll be working with fascinating people: foodies, farmers, non-profits and businesses, all of whom care about making things better for others. And I’m challenging myself to step further beyond my comfort zone—that’s where those prayers come in handy!

A Toast to 2019!

Here’s to many blessings in the New Year. Let’s keep in touch. I’ve got lots of ideas to take your business to a higher level!

Monthly News You Can Use!

Hunkering Down for Winter

homemade spaghetti sauce

This is my favorite time of year. Once I accept the inevitable shortening of days, I love how the season slowly downshifts from the intensity of summer to a gentle ripening of autumn. I love that cozy sense of tucking in and preparing for the long winter ahead.

So, yes, I’m in the midst of canning tomatoes (there are tomatoes ev-er-y-where in our house). I’m also thinking about business. I’ve been planning next year’s goals and wondering if there’s anything I should do now so they’re ready to implement come January.

Here’s one thing I’m contemplating: an e-Newsletter. Ilise Benun, of Marketing Mentor, swears by them. Since I’m overflowing with helpful marketing and communication morsels—things like “6 ways to get your newsletter read” or “10 reasons a blog will increase your business”—maybe I should share them.

So, what do you think? Would you be interested in receiving a monthly email with helpful, newsy tidbits? Add your email to my list and come January when it’s cold and windy, I’ll send a nice, summery surprise (kind of like opening one of these jars of fresh, savory spaghetti sauce).

And what about you? What marketing plans do you have for your business next year? Is there anything you need to do now so you’re ready to go in January? Like, what about an updated logo? Or a customized blog? Or a header for that e-Newsletter you’ve now decided to start?

Give it some thought and drop me a line. But don’t wait too long—those cold winds will blow soon enough!

Gen Y, Social Media and Chocolate

Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur, photo by Jordan Ferry, Oh Happy Dayphoto by Jordan Ferney: used with permission

Maybe it’s because I have Gen Y kids. Or maybe because, as a late bloomer in the academic arena, my fellow collegians were Gen Y. Anyway, I think this age group is pretty impressive.

Gen Y officially consists of those born between 1982 and 1995, give or take a few years. They’ve ambled into adulthood with the most unprecedented ideas, and, with their 24/7 technology connection, they’ve completely transformed the rules of doing business. Interestingly, they’re proving quite successful.

Here’s an example.

Jordan Ferney is an entrepreneurial party planner, letterpress printer and writer. She’s also a blogger who captures up to 600,000 readers a month on Oh Happy Day, a lifestyle and design blog.

Right now Jordan is celebrating her blog’s fifth anniversary by giving away a trip for two to Paris. As in Paris, France. Linking to her site means I’ve entered her contest, and if I win, I’m definitely taking her suggestion for hot chocolate. Really, is this brilliant marketing on Jordan’s part, or what?

And what does this brilliance and faithful readership translate into? How about advertising dollars, exposure to her businesses, and marketing benefits many of us oldsters just can’t seem to fathom.

What’s with us oldsters?

Should we be paying attention to these kids? (I know, they’re not really kids…) Should we, like them, be using the internet and social media to bring awareness to our business?

You bet we should. We should be looking at what they’re doing and think how we can apply it to what we’re doing. If you’re a numbers person, here are stats affirming that social media has become our marketing mainstream. The link is to an over-a-year-old YouTube, which by today’s standards is way outdated—all the more reason your business needs to act now to get with the times.

Blog, e-newsletter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and more…need help understanding all these social media and how they can grow your business? Drop me a line. I’ll bring you so up-to-date you’ll feel like a kid again.