What's in a Name? Interesting Job Titles

IN THIS ISSUE

1.    What's In a Name? Interesting company Titles
2.    What's New at Marketing Idea Shop?
3 .   Quote of the Week
4.    Brainy Mailbag
5 .   Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers
6 .   A Little Fun
7 .   Smell the Coffee


Don't forget to tell all your friends and business associates about this informative newsletter! You don't want to be the only smart one in your group, do you?

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1. What's in a name? Interesting Company Titles: What's the best one you have heard?

Debbie Giosanni, owner of Real Life Lessons, LLC in Redwood City, CA, sent me an announcement yesterday about her new column "Real Life Messages" that debuted recently. She also writes a column called "Be Happy" and has dubbed herself the "Goddess of Happiness." I love the title. It brings a smile to my face just looking at it. Too bad Debbie doesn't live near me so she can spring over here and sprinkle happy dust everywhere each day. Then perhaps my teenagers and my husband would get along better.

Some traditional titles can be hard to understand, like the chief executive officer (CEO) or the CTO (chief technology officer). Before the Dot-Com Bomb a few years ago, technology companies typically had many unusual titles for their managment staff. Yahoo! is no exception. The top person at Yahoo!, for instance, became the "Chief Yahoo" and he continues to hold this title today!

When I began my company, I struggled with what title to use. Did you? With only one person in the company at that time, it seemed pompous and stuffy to call myself "president." By becoming an entrepreneur, I found that I automatically gained stature in the eyes of my prospects and clients simply by starting my business. Have you experienced this, too?

What's the best company title you have ever heard? How did it affect your thinking about the company or the person you were dealing with? Did it change your opinion about the company or the person? Please email me with your favorite company titles and your thoughts about whether company titles should be traditional or can be creative, and in what instances. I'll share them in a future newsletter, along with your name, company name and a link to your website. Send your comments here. Thanks!



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2.  What's New at Marketing Idea Shop?


• PR Pitching Guide Available
  
  With the plethora of media pitching articles and advice out there, it's hard to know the best practices of pitching to the media. At PR NEWS they know your biggest competitor is time, so they've created a guidebook that will both save you time and a lot of effort. PR NEWS' Media Pitching Guide includes PRNews editors' picks of 50 media outlets and insight and tactics into getting positive media exposure. Whether it's on MSNBC, in Ladies' Home Journal or in the Financial Times, they'll show you how to pitch, when to pitch, and what not to pitch.
  
  Look to the PR News Media Pitching Guide as your desktop reference. In addition to the skinny on 50 media outlets, the guide includes media relations articles and journalist profiles. In short, this 65-page ebook is what you and your team will use year-round for effective media relations.
  
  Order today, and take advantage of the charter rate of $249 for PR NEWS subscribers and $299 for non-subscribers. We hope you'll enjoy the PR NEWS Media Pitching Guide -- and here's to positive press for your organization or your clients! Learn more or buy it here.
  
  
  
• New Articles in Brainy Article Bank
  
  
  Yes, as usual, there are new articles in the Brainy Article Bank. You'll find these new ones when you visit:
  
  "Avoiding the Sales Talk Sledgehammers" by Dr. Joseph Sommerville
  "What Women Business Owners Want" by Lois Carter Fay
  "10 Steps to Sales Success for Women" by Lois Carter Fay
  "The Second Reason Customers Don't Buy" by Sean D'Souza
  "14-Point Web Copy Analysis" by Yanik Silver
  
  And, of course, many articles have been there for awhile but are still fresh and useful. I know you will enjoy them. Why don't you read some of these? They, too, are F~REE.
  
  "Just Say Thank You" by Martha Retallick
  "99 Cows" (ebook) by Seth Godin
  "Testify!" (ebook) by Ben McConnell an Jackie Huba
  "How to Pick a Shopping Cart System that Makes You Money" by Tom Antion
  "PR Coverage for Special Events" by Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound
  "Glossary of Marketing Terms"
  
  
  Take a look!
  
• Brainy Blog
  Also, be sure to visit our blog. You'll find articles, resources and interesting tidbits at our Marketing Idea Shop Blog.
  
  
• New Mini-Ezine (Brainy Flash) Coming--Sign up Now
  
  Would you like to receive one extra tip or resource each week plus a special offer just for subscribers every week? If you do, sign up for our new Brainy Flash announcement. We'll start it this Friday. If you haven't already done so, please sign up by sending an email here.
  
  
  
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  3.  Quote of the Week
  
  "All successful employers are stalking men/women who will do the unusual, men/women who think, and who attract attention by performing more than is expected of them."
  
  David J. Schwartz
  (American Trainer, Author)
  
  Thanks to Krystyna Bublick at
  Krystyna Virginia Beach Jewelry Design
  for sending this to me.
  
  
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AND NOW, A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS...


What's your definition of success?
Email your comments to me.


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4.  Brainy Mailbag

Thanks to everyone who wrote to me recently about my ezine and website. I really
appreciate your feedback and support.

Here's what Eric Olson of Concept Dimensions had to say:

"Left a message earlier telling you what a great site I think you have,
and expressing interest in knowing more about what you do.

"You see, I'm new to this area, and have an extensive marketing and
design background. I'm in the process of defining 'what I want to do
when I grow up' -- that is, re-inventing myself creatively. One thing
I've considered is creating some kind of online presence but not sure
how that would work, and I'd love to talk to you sometime about your
experiences and how your business works for you.

"I'd also like to discuss ways to contribute to the Marketing Idea Shop,
for example by writing articles on marketing for small and medium size
businesses. [Just send me an email pitch letter or the complete article
in the body of an email--Lois]

Another is something I'm calling the Idea Generator, which is a device
that anyone can use to open their personal creative gates to help them
generate ideas. Not sure if any of this would be of interest but if so I'd
love to chat about these and other ideas.

"Once again, congratulations on a very handsome and useful site. I
really like the personal touch - it shows that one can be professional
and yet warm and human at the same time.


"Well done!"

When I wrote about how to avoid "unpaid consulting," I received this
from T. Coulter:

"Hi Lois,

"I am curious how in your example of how to avoid unpaid consulting gigs,
it would have been effective in stopping the marketing director from still stealing
the gal's ideas and giving it to his pal the marketing consultant?

"He still would have done it because that was his character, to steal from people.
You can't change a leopard's spots!!!

"Human debris is still human debris no matter how much you schmooze it, coming
from someone who has had thousands of dollars of ideas stolen or not being paid for.
I was even once attacked in public because I would not deliver the last part of a
proposal until I was paid for it! Imagine, the nerve of me!!!

"Please unsub me from your ezine, Thanks!!"


From Jim Bacon, editor of Bacon's Rebellion and VA Newswire:

" I'm a frequent reader of your newsletter. Very nicely done. A good advertisement
for your writing and marketing skills."

From Harold Mayo:

"Well, the only thing I can see wrong with your new endeavor [i.e., my Brainy blog],
is the fact that I am a VERY healthy male that is still a heterosexual, regardless
of the trend of the 'modern? world.' If you promise not to discriminate against me
for that fact, I will be glad to read what you have to say.

"Harold Mayo Cherokee Proud!"

From Jan Glas, my childhood friend,

"Hey, Lois. I love your Brainy Tidbits. I usually learn a little something each time
I read the newsletter or at least get a little more in tune with what marketing is!

"I visited your blog. Cool deal, but I must be a putz because I cannot figure out
how to post a comment..."


From Ina Baker, sales rep with The Vernon Company,

" Lois, thanks for the "blog" updated info - good picture and impressive profile."
and also, "Lois, your resources must be unlimited! These newsletters are always
FULL. Thanks for sharing."

From Dick Cook of Norfolk Wholesale Floral:

"Enjoyed the Media Room piece. Thanks for the byline on the jokes, too. Pua"


From Thomas Holley of Toddler Play Ideas and Lady Bugged
and Art of Exceptional Marketing,

"Hi, Thomas Holley here.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed your newsletter.

"I joined during Mark Hendrick's 12 Days promotion. Yours is one of the
few newsletters that I have stayed subscribed to (and read).

"As an aside, I met Mark at Willie Crawford's seminar. Nice guy." He
went on to say that he's started an Internet business and [like everyone I know]
business has been slow the last couple of months."


And finally, from Kate Green, author of THE HUNDREDTH WOMAN :

"Dear Lois, I just wanted you to know that I spent some time with your blog
yesterday and my main enjoyment, I found, was learning more about you, your
values. I didn't know before about how much you value helping women. Since
helping women is my life's work. I'm a transformational life coach working with
women to help them live their dreams to the max, and an author. In fact, I've
written a book you might love about women turning this crazy world around,
The Hundredth Woman. Anyhow, after spending time with your blog and the
links, I felt as if we were having tea together and pleasantly chatting about it all.
I'm about to begin an ezine for women about honoring our calling and other
spiritual girlfriend things... may I add you to my list? Keep up the wonderful work!
May bright blessings bloom in each moment"

[If you would like to subscibe to Kate's new ezine, send me a note
and I'll forward it to Kate.

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5.  Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers

• Beautiful paintings and blown glass show. (Okay, so this isn't a marketing resource, but you have to have some beauty in your life, don't you?)
  
  Will you be in the Philadelphia area sometime between July 18 and September 5? Then I suggest you visit "The Color of Light" art show by Judy Fowler and Tom Rupnicki, artist friends of mine. Their "oil and glass" show is being held at Show of Hands Gallery, 1006 Pine Street, Philadelphia PA 19107. Call 215-592-4010 for details, times and directions.
  
• Learn how to avoid identity theft.
  Karen and Jeff Solochek were victims of identity theft. Don't let it happen to you! As a result of their problem, Karen researched and wrote an ebook, DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. AMERICA'S IDENTITY THEFT NIGHTMARE. It's just 143 pages, filled with ways to prevent this disaster from happening to you and complete with a special section for victims to direct them to the help resources they most need. Talk about taking lemons and making lemonaide! It will be the best $19.95 you have spent in a long time.
  
  Read more about it and buy it here.
  
  
• Free teleseminars
  
  Each Wednesday and Thursday at 1:00 pm Eastern, Annie Jennings holds f~ree teleseminars about a variety of issues, mostly related to book publicity and promotion (her area of expertise). You can read more about it and sign up to attend her sessions here.
  
  
• Branding Trellis Blog Debuts
  
  One of my subscribers, Dave Dolak, has started a branding website and blog. It's filled with lots of great information. Why don't you take a look?
  
  
• Let Google Be Your Clipping Service
  
  Did you know that you can sign up for news alerts from Google to let you know every time your name, company name, competitor, subject, etc., is included in an article that has a web link? Now you can find out if your product release is successful by asking Google to send you the links.
  
  Go to Google.com and click on "news." Do a search for whatever topic, company, or person you wish to track. When the response is returned to you, you'll see a link at the bottom asking you if you'd like to sign up for Google news alerts. Click on this link and fill in the form that pops up. Then, once a day or as often as you request it, Google will spider all the sites to find the pertinent links for you. And best of all, it's FREE.
  
  
• PRWeb Helps You Know How Effective Your News Release Is
  
  I've told you previously about PRWeb, the free new release distribution service, but did you know that if you contribute just $30 for the distribution of your release, you can see how many people accessed the release, how many printed it using the "print release" button, and approximately how many stories were generated from your news release? That's right, statistics for just $30. That's still a lot cheaper than the other wire services. You'll have to register, but it's an easy process and there are no fees involved.
  
  Go to PRWeb.com to upload and distribute your release to test the service. To track the open rate on your release, you must contribute at least $30, but it is possible to use the service totally for FREE.
  
  
• Check out these Blogs!
  
  Kirsten Osolind of re:invention has created an outstanding daily blog for women entrepreneurs. It's so good that it was featured in an article in Inc. Magazine. I suggest you look at it. Here's the link.
  
  If you're into the Tour de France (biking), you'll enjoy Lance Armstrong's BIKE'S Blog. That's right. His bike is keeping a diary of the Tour. Here's the link.
  
  
• Did you see this week's "Guerrilla PR Insights" the a free weekly email resource for people who would like to learn and apply the PR secrets of Michael Levine, publicist to hundreds of Hollywood superstars and author of "What is 'Guerrilla P.R.' Anyway?" in our Brainy Article Bank? One of my articles was featured in the ezine yesterday. You can also read the article, "Make Sure Your Media Room Rocks." in the Brainy Article Bank:
  
  
• 2004 Venture Funding for Women Entrepreneurs Available
  
  Are you looking for venture capital? Here's a terrific resource for you! In this 400-page downloadable ebook, you'll find all of the contact information for 200 venture capital firms and investors who recently invested in companies that are women-owned or women-led. You'll also have access to all of the contact information for the 671 companies led by women that received funding. This is a wonderful tool for you. And you get it all for just $249. Read more about it or buy it here and begin your financial investment ride.
  
• Good Marketing Forum
  
  The Turning Ideas Into Profit forum is very good. It is a paid membership site that is filled with knowledgeable marketing people who are willing to give you good, free advice. Check it out here.
  
• FREE! Marcia Yudkin's "Web Site Makeover Case Study"
  
  Are you thinking of changing your website? Has it gotten out of date? Has your business changed over the years so you need to promote your products or services better? When someone comes to your website, can they quickly see what you do?
  
  Marketing consultant Marcia Yudkin recently decided it was time for a makeover on her website. She felt it didn't look as up-to-date as she knew her information was. But she didn't want to lose the momentum she had created (not to mention all the incoming links!) since starting her business in 1998. Marcia gave it very careful study and the end result met all of those needs and then some. In fact, within 4 weeks she had 31% more visitors, 224% more subscribers, and a sales increase of 178% just by re-doing her website.
  
  Download this free report before July 31st and see how she did it.
  
  

   

  • Want to learn how to improve your sales? As a special treat for my readers, you can immediately download the table of contents and three sample chapters of SALES SUCCESS! STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN, our new sales training ebook, FREE with the click of a button. No shipping costs. It's a fully printable, self-study learning guide. Download it FREE here.
    
    

Do you like these resources? There are plenty more like these in my ebook, BUSINESS SUCCESS SECRETS: HARD-WORKING TACTICS & RESOURCES. 37 pages, packed with ideas you can use immediately ... to get more business, generate more traffic to your website and make improve your bottom line. Over 135 hyperlinks that can take you directly to a marketing resource or idea you can use right now...so you can save time and money. Beginning and advanced tactics to really make a difference in your marketing results...and you can make more sales with much less effort. Learn to save money on your advertising. Get a list of websites that would LOVE to post your articles. Get a list of websites that would LOVE to post your articles.

Read more about it or order it here.


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6. A Little Fun

From Colonize.com :

A customer called our airline's reservation office to pay for his ticket with a credit card. My co-worker asked him, "Would you please spell the name as it appears on the card, sir?" The customer replied, "V-I-S-A."

Help keep the smiles coming ... please send me your marketing, PR or sales jokes. I'll be happy to give you credit and list your website! Email me.


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7. Smell the Coffee...

Shiloh died on Saturday. He was our beautiful, red Beta fish that we've had since we got married two years ago. We used Betas as centerpieces on all the tables and asked the guests to take them home a the end of the evening. It was a very pretty and inexpensive way to decorate the tables. Surprisingly, out of 28 centerpieces, we only ended up taking 6 fish home. Most of them didn't last very long, but Shiloh (named after our kids' summer camp--Shiloh Quaker Camp), did fine until July 24th this year. I think there is only one fish left from the centerpieces—my daughter Erin has one (Sheamus) in her office in Milwaukee. He's doing just fine.

July 24th is the same day our neighbors, Steve and Debbie, got married, after only knowing each other for one month. Everything went fine. Everyone showed up and they went through with it. I received one inspiring story from my childhood friend, Jan Glas, regarding people who met and married so quickly.

Here's what Jan had to say: "Congratulations to Steve and Debbie. My husband Gene's first cousin John (once removed...I think that is the relation....) married his love of three weeks in the late 1940's. He was in the service and was being sent somewhere or other, so they married prior to his departure. They have been married for fifty-some years and are the cutest couple. Still ga-ga after all these years!" Please send in your love stories of people who met and married very quickly so I can share them with my neighbors. Send them to me here.   I'll print them in a future issue.


Doesn't this love story warm your heart? Sure does mine!

Lois



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Published by:
Lois Carter Fay, APR
Marketing Guru, Marketing Idea Shop, LLC
411 Rainier Road, Massanutten, VA USA 22840
Voice 540.289.3840 or 800.203.8660

Visit our blog.

© 2004 Marketing Idea Shop. All rights reserved.

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We value your privacy; we keep your email and info private.

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