Bye-Bye Boring Bio Book Review
December 14, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
The most difficult piece of collateral you produce could be your bio. As my creative coach says, “The secret is to make yourself sound interesting and at the same time put your readers’ interests first.”
Storyteller and publicity expert Nancy Juetten puts it a different way: “Now more than ever, a client-attracting bio is an essential success tool.”
The updated, revised and expanded second edition of “Bye-Bye Boring Bio,” makes it simple for anyone to tell their story. (After all, as Nancy says, telling a compelling story is a must to get compensated for your expertise!)
Juetten makes quite a case (143 content-packed pages) for when one must stand out: in a 160-character Twitter description, on Facebook, from the speaker podium, in a local business directory and in dozens of other situations.
She trains readers to identify four S’s: stunning results, succinct stories sassy sound bites and social information.
In an easy-to-read format, Nancy discusses more aspects of bios than I suspected existed. She offers examples of bios that attract clients, produce speaking gigs and garner media interviews. Her tips and templates make it easy to insert your information and jump-start the process.
The fun exercises led me to practice presenting my information in two-sentence radio introductions, bio-boxes, speaker introductions, media profiles and more. I invited friends to critique my made-from-template bios. I ended up with dozens of new ideas, many of which I plan to use.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely.
“Bye-Bye Boring Bio” offers resources, suggestions, questions, tips and more than 45 different bio examples. If writing is not your thing, this book is a find. If you’ve already got ideas, you’ll end up with even more as a result of your read. Best of all, if you buy the e-book from Nancy, you’ll get a variety of bonus items along with it. $47.00. In my book, it would be money well spent.
Disclosure: I met Nancy via phone after my blog post about bios generated a google alert for her. She later blogged about the chance meeting and invited me to review and become an affiliate for her book. I’ve not yet picked up the affiliate banner, but I have recommended the book to a number of people.
Content Planning for Large Companies and Large Websites
December 9, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
Ann, an employee serving as coordinator for a website revision project, expressed concern. How could she get buy in from her department, let alone the many department heads in the company?
In a short time we developed a list of options and a simple process to set a plan in motion.
She began by defining the project several ways: a two sentence statement, a one paragraph description and a one page summary that could work as a part of an executive plan.
Her initial goal involved selling her department. For that reason, she decided to treat the project as a product and develop a marketing plan for it.
“I don’t have to get this perfect,” she reasoned. “The department loves to brainstorm. I can ask for input in areas where I need additional proof. For example, I need more research and evidence for why the website upgrade is needed.”
“Some of the department heads will resist an interactive site since they don’t understand social media,” she added. “I want to present information persuasively enough so that those obstacles become moot.”
Ann quickly outlined the overview and drafted a mindmap. The mindmap presented a visual to which viewers could easily relate. In addition, the mindmap could easily expand and change.
She set definitive deadlines for the presentation to her department as well as completion of the mindmap. In a memo announcing the meeting she offered an agenda and stated a committee would be put together as lead for the project.
Prior to the meeting Ann gave consideration to her ongoing committee for the project. She described the personnel she hoped to include: a naysayer, a big picture thinker and a detail-oriented person. Such diversity of personalities, she reasoned, would more closely mirror the company at large.
Because preparation makes the best defense, Ann tried to think through the meeting from every angle.
Each time a new task for the committee occurred to her she placed it on the committee list. After only a few minutes, her list included:
- Make appointments with all stakeholders or department chairs.
- Plan the list of questions to present to stakeholders.
- Begin a survey by listing the questions for which we need input.
- Prioritize the list as a committee.
- Encourage each stakeholder to prioritize the list as well, thus gaining buy-in as well as a sense of priority from their vantage point.
How could preparation help define your next content project?
Other content options are discussed throughout week five of the Six Week Marketing Plan. What’s worked for you?
Small Groups Increase Entrepreneurial Support
December 6, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
You do everything touted to bring success: you network, you read in your field, you do social media, you work early and late and grab opportunities as they come your way. So why is it that you still feel behind?
How do you explain the sense of overwhelm and helplessness when you confront your Monday “To Do” list?
Why do you know in your gut you could take it to a new level?
When is it your turn to have “it” come easily?
These are the questions I regularly field from solopreneurs during workshops.
While some report unprecedented successor general vagaries about how well their business is now doing, my experience is it’s been a tough year.
The economic challenges combine with a learning curve spelled c-h-a-n-g-e.
I missed the Mark Zuckerberg 60-Minutes interview, but you can check out the highlights from Mashable. What an example of real-time media. Zuckerberg discusses changes to the Facebook platform to “better serve” the greater good. Do I hear “continuing learning curve?”
Facebook isn’t the only challenge. I know some who opt out of all planning, using the speed of change as a reason to quit. “What’s the use?” they say. “It’ll only change anyway.”
Have you looked at your upcoming year and determined priorities? Do you have a game plan? Because some plan increases the likelihood of goal achievement. Whoops. I forgot a question: do you have goals?
A small group of business owners agreed to meet to review and revise and activate their business marketing. The benefits include:
Commitment – each of the group signed a contract stating their intent and promising to do the work outlined
Alliance – working with like-minded individuals facilitates networking, offers opportunities and encourages support.
Synergy – thanks to small group interaction, ideas get a sounding board, suggestions create discussion, focus increases effectiveness and plans move from thought to action.
Staying “on top of your game” implies you have a plan, you’ve thought it through, and most importantly, you’ve begun a series of actions calculated to move your business forward. Magical.
Where are you in the process?
NOTE: Contact me if you’re looking for the accountability of a small group.
Completion Starts and Ends with Action
December 1, 2010 by Mary Ellen · Leave a Comment
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” – Leonardo da Vinci
Today’s blog post concludes a challenge begun October 1, 2010. The content outlined in 42 posts promotes the Six Week Marketing Master Plan, an e-book written for businesses overwhelmed with today’s marketing choices.
I started this series of 42 posts on a whim, promising to dedicate the information to the Smart Marketing Series, a class I was presenting for the University of New Mexico Continuing Education. As I complete the series, I find I’m excited about the completion, proud of the accomplishment, and just a little surprised about the ease of the project.
It’s my experience the real value of any program lies in action. Use comments from some of the class participants to fuel your own action:
In Julie’s words, “I’m determined to learn enough to direct the experts.”
Ann put it another way: “Wow. Just the resources you offer put me ahead of the game I was currently playing.”
Robert said, “I was hired to update a website that has no traffic. This gets to the heart of the problem.”
The principles discussed and content presented in these posts are not new. But the perspective may be.
Here’s what Karen said:
… “helped me develop a better marketing strategy and incorporated social media/networking into my overall plan. …provided valuable insight and worked in a creative yet methodical way that was unique.”
Congratulate yourself on what’s working in your business and create more of that. This program will help you.
Yes, it’s pushed me to a new level. Based on feedback I’ve received, this content will be incorporated into the second edition of the Six Week Marketing Master Plan. It may become a special report. (There’s ongoing work to be done.)
Meanwhile, I downloaded Michael Masterson’s new book, “The Pledge” on my Kindle today and can’t wait to begin that program.
What action will you put in place?
Need a different approach to your marketing? Today’s topic is the final day of a 45-day step-by-step marketing master plan. Choose to take your business to a new level topic by topic, day by day, with specific actions, based on clear worksheets. Act now to maximize your time and return on time invested. As a result, you’ll be in an entirely new position this time next year.
Search
Recent Posts
Categories
Useful Links
Archives