Newsletter Top Ten

Here are my top ten reasons for small businesses to send a regular newsletter:

1. Customer Retention: Regular newsletters help keep your business top of mind and remind clients that you are an expert in your industry.

2. Establishing Credibility: Well-written and relevant newsletters help establish your credibility. An article on American Express discusses the benefits of becoming recognized as a thought leader in your industry and the many opportunities for secondary revenue that result.

3. Secondary Revenue Source: Once you've established credibility, a paid newsletter version with premium content and tips can become a source of revenue in itself.

4. Build Your Brand: Whether you want to take a technical approach or have a more lighthearted tone, newsletters help establish your brand. One of our clients, a production company offering a wide array of creative services, sends a "Totally Useless Newsletter" each month, establishing the company as fun and edgy.

By taking this approach, the newsletter has high click through rates and receives positive feedback from recipients who appreciate the break the newsletter provides. Along with "useless" content, the newsletter also highlights current projects and company updates.

5. Expand Your Network: Your contacts will forward relevant content to their network, increasing your reach.

6. Lead Generation: When your contacts forward your newsletter, new recipients become aware of your product and may sign up to receive your newsletter, or better, discover that they need what you offer.

7. Increased Business with Existing Clients: With a little luck, your client will receive your newsletter just when they're thinking of a need you can fill.

8. Affordability: With email distribution services like Constant Contact, newsletters are an affordable marketing tool and vehicle for information distribution.

9. Tracking: Such Email programs also provide click-through and open rates, helping you see what information your clients find most valuable so that you can tailor future communication to their needs and desires.

10. Added Value: By providing expertise and tips, your product or company becomes that much more valuable to your clients.
A warning: Keep in mind that a poorly written newsletter or one with an unappealing design is worse than no newsletter at all. Clients are quick to judge based on what they see alone so if your newsletter (or website, logo, etc.) doesn't appear credible, or if your content is filled with grammatical errors, you could do more harm than good.

Annie Cooper: Remembering the woman who put a face on police brutality in the Civil Rights Movement.

Though Ms. Annie Cooper grew up in a system that honored skin color above character, her parents worked hard to provide for her and her 10 siblings.

As a wife and mother, Ms. Cooper had already experienced a full life before she put a face on police brutality in Selma, traveling and working as a nurse.

When she heard about the nonviolent effort to gain voting rights, Ms. Cooper set her course towards justice. She attended mass meetings and stood in voter registration lines. For that, she lost her job. For that, her family’s lives were threatened. And for that, she was beaten.

On Jan 25, 1965, four Selma police, including Sheriff Jim Clark, beat 53-year-old Annie, who was unarmed, after she punched the sheriff. One blow to her head was so severe that it continued to cause health problems long after the beating. Ms. Cooper went to jail that night and was left untreated. When she finally reached the hospital, the only care she received was a bandage to cover the gash.
 

Ms. Cooper didn’t know that the photos of police brutality would be printed in the New York Times. She didn’t know that they would spark outrage and thus, support, from across the nation or that the support would lead to the passing of the Voter Registration Act of 1965.

And she didn’t know that one day she’d be living on a street that bears her name.

Ms. Cooper, a true foot soldier of the Civil Rights Movement, didn’t fight for recognition. She fought to change the world.

And she did.



Note: Annie Cooper died today. I am so grateful for her contribution to the movement and honored to have met and interviewed her.

Excepting Business Cards

Let's just start at the very beginning--commonly confused words.

Accept is to take or receive something (as in, business cards).

Except means with the exception of or excluding. So this would mean they are excluding business cards. And maybe accepting everything else?

The good thing about the English language (or maybe the credit belongs to the human brain) is that we can get the point even when grammar isn't perfect. This is an amazing example of how true that is.

Life is...

Advice from a Four-Year-Old

Four-year-old: "I gotta pee and I ain't gonna do it."

Mom: "Why not? That doesn't seem very comfortable."

Four-year-old: "When I'm here, I wanna run around and play. I don't want to miss anything!"

Here's another potty-related laugh, courtesy of Far Side.

Smoke Sausage

I just want to know how they get the smoke to stay in the shape of a sausage.

Feed Um

Um?

Friday Flash 55: Priorities

Well, yesterday I found out that I write like Mario Puzo (the man behind the Godfather). So I decided to try my hand at mob fiction. All of the dialogue below comes straight from the Godfather movies. To join in the Flash 55 fun (and it is fun), visit Mr. Knowitall.

"The boss says he'll come in a separate car. He says for you to go on ahead," said Willi.

Tom dropped his fork, "That is out of the question."

Willi's eyes flickered like the Ristorante de Pucinella sign outside, "It's just business."

Tom passed Carol the keys and whispered, "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

I Write Like

Mario Puzo, apparently.

The site analyzes your writing based on word choice and style.

It's fun. As for accurate, I really don't know. Puzo wrote The Godfather, which I've neither seen nor read.

Maybe tomorrow's 55 will be mob-themed.

I write like
Mario Puzo

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Perspective

I met a woman at the bank today. Her left leg was missing from the knee down, her left hand was immobile, and her head was permanently tilted at an angle that seemed like a recipe for constant neck pain. She was interested in everyone around her, learning their names and comparing accents.

Before she left, she told me a bit of her story. She was nearly 50 and had an automobile accident when she was 17 and she had some advice for me. I didn't hear a bit of self-pity in her words, just a desire that I would benefit from her experience.

She said, "You can clap with both hands, drive a car, and hug someone's neck with both arms. Don't take a bit of that for granted."

Commonly Confused Words--Persecute versus Prosecute

There are a number of problems with this sign, but we're just going to focus on the part that says that anyone caught throwing trash in or digging inside"will be persecuted."

I see this one often. Persecution and prosecution are very different things.

To persecute: 1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, esp. because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.

The Bible offers examples of proper usage of this word. For example, Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

To prosecute: 1.. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).

Prosecute would have been the appropriate word for the sign, since the writer intended to say that violators would be subject to appropriate legal proceedings rather than subject to "harassing or oppressive treatment" due to their "religion, race, or beliefs."

Just another grammar lesson on commonly confused words.

Both definitions from Dictionary.com.

Life's Cycle (according to a three-year-old)

A direct quote: "First you're a baby, then you're a kid, then you're a grown-up, and then you're fat."

Robin Hood

Despite the title of yesterday's post, I have to admit that, in an odd way, the stranger next to me enhanced my experience rather than detracting from it.

Maybe that's because the movie was exactly what you'd expect from a flick called Robin Hood with Russell Crowe as the lead. It was packed with fight scenes and overt manliness, then softened by a pretty lady, who happened to be quite the fighter herself. In short, it was very Russell Crowe-y.

So I didn't really feel like I was missing anything groundbreaking even when my neighbor leaned over and said, "See what's happening now is..."

So, thank you, fake Englishman, for a truly interesting cinematic experience.

Cinematic Torture

I saw Robin Hood tonight and sat next to a guy who was alone. As soon as I sat, he offered me popcorn, but it didn't stop there. He also explained key plot points and read everything that came on screen (city names, intro paragraphs, etc.) aloud.

He also hummed along to the soundtrack and told jokes. For example, when the city name Hampton came on screen, he said, "The only Hampton I know is the Hampton Inn."

And he did it all in a fake British accent.

A bad one.

Flash Fiction Friday--Snow Cone Stand

I'm back with a Flash Friday 55:

Ginny dropped two quarters into her apron pocket and said, “Hey girl!” as Julie approached.

Julie’s pigtails and shoelaces flapped with each step, “Hey! One rainbow snow cone with extra syrup.”

“Seventy-five cents, please.”

“Even for me?” Julie asked.

Ginny tapped the sign—extra syrup, 25 cents— and said, “I’ve got a business to run.”

Flash Fiction Friday 55: Summer Camp

I missed last week. And I was on such a roll, too. But I'm back with a summer-themed ditty this week. Here goes:

Some things were given—songs around the campfire, sand in her shoes, and carpet ball. But would she make a lanyard keychain or a sand-filled bottle? Swim or hike? Eat grilled cheese or pizza? Would her cabin earn teepee privileges? Julie fastened her Velcro sneakers tight, linked arms with her new BFF and skipped outside.

Flash Fiction Friday 55: A Day in the Life of a Sportscaster

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for giving me something to blog on consistently, G-man! I love it. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words (thank goodness for long titles!). Head over to Mr.Knowitall's place to join in. Here's this week's:

Drew chuckled at the newest addition to his wall of fame. Along with the usual profanities, the email read, "Even my dog hates your voice!"

"What'd you do this time?" Drew's producer asked.

"Predicted Kansas would lose before March madness hit full swing."

Drew posted the email and stepped back. He'd soon need another wall.

Together Again

Hey Biggest Loser,

I know we had some rough times, but I'm glad we're giving it another try.

Yours (for now).

Friday Flash 55: Coin Collectors

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for the concept, G-man, this has become my favorite blogging activity of the week. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Head over to Mr.Knowitall's place to join in. Here's this week's:

Jason's well-trained eyes caught a glint in the road.

He pointed, but didn't have to say anything. Danny knew the drill--make a dash for it and get back before the light turns green. He slid into the backseat and handed his father the prize.

"Nice work, son--a penny saved is a penny earned."

Friday Flash Fiction 55: How I Met Your Father

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for the concept, G-man, this has become my favorite blogging activity of the week. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Head over to Mr.Knowitall's place to join in. This one is adapted from the beginning of a longer piece I wrote long ago. Here it is:

He put his hand first on his own knee, then moved it over a few inches to mine. He didn't kiss me, which filled me with such tenderness that I gripped his hand until he told me to ease up--he wasn't going anywhere. And it was true.

He was filled with the same tenderness.

Friday Flash 55: Cybil's America

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for the concept, G-man, this has become my favorite blogging activity of the week. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Head over to G-man's place to join in. Here's this week's:

"So, Grandma, how do you feel about having an African American president?" said Jen.

"Oh honey, it's never gonna happen," Cybil replied, "people are just too prejudiced."

Jen leaned forward, searching Cybil's face for a hint of humor. When she found none, she said, "Grandma, it has happened. The president is black."

"President of what?"

Friday Flash 55: What He Sees

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for the concept, G-man! I'm loving it. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Here's this week's:

Valentine's Day was barely a blip on his radar screen. He was more likely to compare her with Lucille Ball than with Audrey Hepburn. He never talked of the shape of her body or the hue of her skin.

He spoke of her spirit, her joy for life, and her klutziness. And she felt beautiful.

Signs of Spring

Signs of spring are here. Green returning to grass:

Leaves returning to trees:

turtles returning to logs (can you see him?).

Maybe Phil the groundhog got it wrong this year.

Friday Flash 55: Snow Rumor in the South

It's time for another Friday Flash 55 (a story in exactly 55 words), which I'm growing to love. Thank you, Mr. Knowitall! Here's today's:

Antone flung his apron onto the counter, "That's it!"

Lance retrieved it and held it out to him as Antone fumbled for his keys, "It's gonna be fine, man. Your apartment is a block away and it hasn't even started falling yet."

"Pfft," said Antone, "I'm outta here."

His customers sat, waiting for their salads.

Cranberry Chicken, a how to (and a how not to)

While I am mostly writing to share a tried and true recipe (it's easy, has only a few ingredients, and is a real crowd pleaser), I also had to share a few photos and an example of what not to do.

First, how to make Cranberry Chicken:

Ingredients:
4 Chicken breasts (cubed)
1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 bag onion soup mix
1/2 bottle creamy French dressing

Place ingredients in a crock pot or casserole dish and mix well. Cook in crock pot for 5+ hours or until chicken is cooked. If you prefer baking, cook at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour (or until chicken is fully cooked).

It'll look something like this (photo doesn't look the best, but I promise I have yet to hear a bad review).


















I like to serve it with rice and steamed broccoli and cauliflower on the side. Here's a random photo of a broccoli forest (any excuse to use the camera phone, I guess).


















How not to make cranberry chicken:
Follow the instructions above, except use chicken that's not fully thawed. Grody things happen--the sauce doesn't quite synthesize and forms in grainy lumps instead. It's hard to see but the slightly darker spots in the sauce are oily sections. See what I mean? Grody.

Friday Flash 55: Unspoken

I enjoyed doing this exercise (of MrKnowitall's) last week so I figured I'd carry on with Friday Flash Fiction. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words.

I do feel the need to clarify that neither story is autobiographical. :) Maybe next week I'll go the comedy route. Here's this week's:

She studied the shelves while Mom pumped gas and Dad jangled his keys at the register. Then she raced over with her selection--a mini can of barbecue Pringles.

"Of course you'd have to go for the most expensive snack in the store!" he said.

Her reply remained unspoken: "I got them for you, Daddy."