Why Me? Why You?

In a recent post @dannybrown asked folks to introduce themselves - so I did.  I read his post on Monday, the same day I wrote my "Pay It Forward" post.  One of the questions he asked was about what blog post defines you - Ironically it was the post I wrote that very day.  I live my life on the premise of paying it forward.  If you haven't read it yet - it's a must read!  :)

@ChazAtCaz and I discussed this today in the office as well - it's just too true!  We reap what we sow, I cannot say that enough.

So I ask you this...  Why Me?  Why should you connect with and get to know me?  

Because I care.  Show me that you care and I'll promote the heck out of you.  Show me what you are passionate about and I'll share your passion with everyone I know!

My areas of expertise include internet marketing, project management, web development, living a Christ centered life, parenting (not really an expert, more of a work-in-progress), and am in the process of working my way up in the ranks of the social media arena.  I am passionate about all that I do, and all that I am.

We all have something (lots of things) to learn, and I know that I can learn from you!  What can YOU teach me?  Though there are too many to list, some of my recent "teachers" include @auctiondirect, @dougmcsorley, @markfrisk.  I am always learning from @chazatcaz!  I hope to return that favor one day.  To them I say thanks!  To you I say - thank you in advance!

To build on what Danny did, I say to you - what can we learn from each other?  Please leave me a comment with answers to the following questions:

What are you passionate about?

Who are you favorite Tweeps and why?

What can I share with You?

Where can we connect?   FB, LinkedIn, Twitter, Other?

Paying it Forward

I have to say, that I generally don't pay attention to TV commercials.  If I am to buy something, it is because a friend recommended it, or I've done the research (more than likely online).  Tonight, this commercial captured my eye...  I watched all 60 seconds of it.

What I love about it is not what they are selling, but the message in general.  I passionately believe that we reap what we sow, and if this commercial is any indication of how Liberty Mutual treats their clients, then it's a product worth having.

A fantastic ad, which should be applied to every business.  I live my life this way, letting the person go in traffic before me, holding the elevator, or pausing for a few seconds to hold the door for someone whos a few steps behind.  These little gestures can go along way, and that chance encounter and the smile you bring someone - will more than likely be shared with someone else, and so on and so on.

Just a few weeks ago I was pumping gas, and this adorable elderly man was cleaning his headlights, windows and windshied at the next pump.  I jokingly said "hey when you're done with yours you can do mine" with a big old smile.  When I came out from paying for my gas, there he was washing my windshield.  He informed me he had not done his good deed for the day.

The world needs more of this!  THAT I am passionate about.  So when you do find yourself a few steps ahead, take the extra 15 seconds to hold the door... And do it with a smile, inside and out.

Internet Marketing Taskmasters

If you are like any of my clients - they tend to get a bit overwhelmed when told what to do!  What I quickly learned upon kicking-off the marketing of a freshly launched (or re-launched) website is that clients often become overwhelmed when they realize the real work is just beginning.

Common misconception:  If you build it they will come... (see previous post - this is not the Field of Dreams!)  

You must work and rework your site, monitor traffic sources, statistics, conversions and about a gazillion other factors to determine where to focus your energies - and then you need to put the time and energy into it - REGULARLY!

When I review a website's marketing plan with a new client - I warn them...  ::: your eyes will glaze over about half way through this, don't be alarmed :::  There is a ton of information and activity surrounding an effective internet marketing plan - and the best type of plan?

A simple plan!  Keep it simple!  I tell my customers they will get no more than 3 tasks at a time from me.  I try to keep the work in small manageable chunks, so when they accomplish a task, they feel great about it.

Not only that, but when you are reviewing website content and updating it, I find it better to do in small chunks to start getting the new web pages indexed while working on others, so you aren't waiting 6 months to promote a whole new website yet again.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!