What Am I, Nuts?!?!? Day 2 of the 28 Day Blogging Challenge
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on February 4th, 2010
Today is Day 2 and I wanted to take a step back and explain a bit more about what this Challenge is, why I’m partaking, and what you can expect over the next 26 days.
What is this 28 Day Blogging Challenge?
A few days ago, Scott Bishop posted a blog about how he was going to Blog 28 days in a row as opposed to his normal routine of weekly to bi-weekly with the goal of increasing trraffic and subscriptions. A friend of his decided to join in on the fun and that spawned the 28 Day Blogging Challenge. It’s a challenge to post something each day for 28 days in a row. Dozens have joined Scott in this challenge, including myself, and are listed on his blog.
Why am I partaking in this challenge?
Back in December, I had the pleasure of meeting Matthew Sapaula and something he said resonated with me. He said “It’s okay to not be perfect (in your blog writing). People want you to screw up and be human.” By nature I’m a perfectionist, and my frequency of posts has suffered because of this. I’ve joined Scott in his challenge to help shift my mindset to “delivery over perfection”.
What can you expect over the next 26 days?
* Lots of posts! 26 to go!
* Variety of topics
* Perhaps some video (Jumping out of my comfort zone here!)
* Fun and laughter!
Enjoy the flurry of posts and feel free to comment!
Talking To Myself: An Apology To My Blog
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on February 3rd, 2010
Talking To Myself: An Apology To My Blog
Reddsmitty: Hi Blog.
Blog: Hi Reddsmitty.
Reddsmitty: I’ve missed you.
Blog: I’ve missed you too.
Reddsmitty: Sorry it’s been a while since I posted.
Blog: A “while”? That’s an understatement…it’s been 5 months and 3 days.
Reddsmitty: How have you been?
Blog: Lonely…bored…bloated with drafts. How could you leave me like that?
Reddsmitty: I’ve been…busy.
Blog: You’re unemployed.
Reddsmitty: Hey now, I’m starting a new job next week! And you know I only write when the spirit moves me.
Blog: I thought maybe the spirit buried you. Congrats on the new job, by the way. Perhaps that will “inspire” you to visit more often. What inspired you to visit today anyway?
Reddsmitty: I joined Scott Bishop’s 28 Day Blogging Challenge
Blog: You’re going to blog 28 days in a row? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! You can’t be serious.
Reddsmitty: I am serious! It was the least I could do to make it up to you. Well, that and the flowers.
Blog: The flowers are a nice touch. Thank you.
Reddsmitty: You’re welcome. So am I forgiven?
Blog: I suppose. Committing to 28 blogs in 28 days is, well, an overwhelming and generous gesture. So yes, I forgive you. I do have one request.
Reddsmitty: Anything.
Blog: Could you outfit me with some of those snazzy new buttons and perhaps update the About page?
Reddsmitty: I’ll see what I can do. Good night Blog. Talk to you tomorrow!
Blog: Goodnight Reddsmitty.
Bouquet of Flowers courtesy of p_jp55 and Flickr
How To Throw A Killer TweetUp
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on August 31st, 2009
How To Throw A Killer TweetUp
Have you ever wondered what your Tweeps are like in real life (IRL)? Ever wondered if they really look like their avatars? Why not host a TweetUp! No matter where you live or what you do there are others on Twitter nearby and there’s nothing quite like meeting your favorite Tweeps in real life (IRL). Just ask @RobinWalker or @MisterNoodle…I hugged them when I met them at a TweetUp. Besides hugs you may also find job leads, sales leads, new connections, and folks with whom you can barter entrepreneurial services…I know I did. So what’s stopping you?
Here are 7 tips for hosting a successful TweetUp in your neck of the woods:
1. Select the Venue - Choose a location that’s central and easy to navigate. Find a spot with plenty of standing room as well as seating for those with “barking dogs”. Convenient parking and/or public transportation is key. Free WiFi is a consideration if the event is in the morning or midday when Tweeps are tethered to their laptops. Be sure to talk to the owner/manager of the establishment prior to the event for their blessing and possible sponsorship. Make sure you visit the venue before publicizing the event.
2. Choose the Date - These days it seems there are local social media events every night of the week. Try your best to avoid scheduling conflicts. Run some dates by a few of your local Tweeps before committing.
3. Tweet it Up -Spread the word via Twitter. Invite local celebs, Twitter Elite, bloggers, entrepreneurs. Use www.twtvite.com or www.meetup.com to collect RSVPs and share more details than a single tweet allows.
4. Invite the Media – Contact your community newspapers, business mags, etc via phone, email, or Twitter. Tweet your local TV anchors and invite them to attend. You may be pleasantly surprised at the attention you receive.
5. Feed the Tweeps - Find a Sponsor or see if your venue will “throw in” some food for your hungry mob. Even if Tweeps have to pay for food individually make sure it’s available. If it’s an after-work event no-one’s probably eaten since lunch. Fed Tweeps are happy Tweeps!
6. Wear Nametags - Not everyone is great at remembering names. Providing nametags will save Tweeps from possible discomfort and/or embarrassment. Be sure to use 3M nametags (Yes splurge. The adhesive will stick to all fabrics and the backing comes off easily). Consider bringing sharpies in various colors, pens, a sign-in book (notebook, guestbook, sheets of paper, etc), a fishbowl for biz cards, and a stack of your own cards.
7. Have Fun! - No matter how many or how few, how hot or how rainy, enjoy yourself and your TweetUp guests. Expect hugs!
So start planning your next TweetUp today…your future awaits!
Additional Tips or Questions? Please Comment below.
Thanks to Flickr and RevMike88 for the use of the photo.
An EXTRA SPECIAL thanks goes to my Napertweetup co-host @foiledcupcakes !
Anatomy of a Friend
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on July 1st, 2009
Anatomy of a Friend
I’m not a sappy person by nature, but I have recently been overwhelmed by the love and generosity of friendship.
- Friends are there with hugs and flowers when your spouse is not
- Friends are there with food and wine when grocery money is tight
- Friends are there with stories more horrific than your own
- Friends are there to make you laugh despite your situation
- Friends do not judge
- Friends are there to listen and love
- Friends are there with laughs and smiles when all you have is gloom
Are you a good friend? To many? To someone?
Reach out to someone as a friend and you WILL make a difference.
Thank you to my friends who have lifted my spirits! You know who you are 
<HUGS>
Kim Redd
Diaper Diving For Diamonds: Tales Of A #Badmother
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on June 9th, 2009
Friday morning my 18 month old son swallowed my diamond and platinum wedding band. Let me repeat: Friday morning my 18 month old son swallowed my diamond and platinum wedding band. How does that happen you ask?
He was playing “Catch me if you can” after swiping my jewels off the dresser. I was blow-drying my hair after showering. I halted my beauty regimen once I saw the mischievous look in his eyes. As soon as he started choking I performed the infant procedure for removing airway obstructions (pounding his back and fishing for items in his mouth). Success! Or so I thought. He coughed up two stud earrings and one engagement ring. Where is the other ring?
After a hard gulp and a few tears, he smiled and ran off. Oh $#*&%! Trying to remain calm and prevent a panic I thought “Perhaps he didn’t swallow the wedding band but merely dropped it somewhere”. I feverishly tore up the bedroom suite in search of the ring. Nothing. He swallowed it.
I considered the options:
1) Run straight to the ER
2) Call the pediatrician’s office for guidance
3) Finish the blow-drying and make-up application that was interrupted (Am I a bad mother if I finish blow-drying my hair and put on make-up prior to going to the ER?) (Pardon me, I hear DCFS ringing my bell downstairs).
I opted for #2 which resulted in the allowance of #3 (whew!). Doctor’s office said if he wasn’t choking (not anymore!) and his breathing was okay it will pass…literally.
So we waited.
Doctor suggested “lots of juice” to keep things soft and moving. This kid was so hopped up on non-diluted apple-juice… Still waiting. He performed twice each morning and twice each morning I mined for platinum. Still nothing. Doctor did mention it could take up to two weeks. Ugh. How about broccoli and cheerios for dinner kiddo? More juice?
Monday arrived. Still nothing. I’d almost gotten used to the sifting through the soft BMs with leftover corn and peas visible. No platinum band though. Friends started calling and facebooking with horror stories of ER trips and swallowing nightmares. That’s it. I can’t take it anymore! I’m taking him the to the ER to see if it’s “stuck” somewhere. Did he aspirate it back into his lungs perhaps?
After a $50 co-pay and a “full-trunk” film we got the “all clear” from the ER doctor. No ring in sight. Whew! No ring stuck inside baby boy!
Wait! But, I knew this meant one of two things were true:
A) The ring was lost somewhere in our bedroom suite which I’d already searched…twice.
B) The ring was inside a dirty diaper in the garage.
Following a third, almost forensic search, of our bedroom and as I was about to call the insurance agent, Hubby stepped up and offered to search all the poop bags. “Great!” I said, I’ll go buy some wine.” As I was at the checkout I got a call, “I got it!.” Armed with rubber gloves and a screwdriver we struck platinum.
Apparently, midway though the past four days it was passed and resting comfortably. The ring has since been though several cleaning and sterilization processes. And NO, it was not shinier a la Marley & Me.
*Photo courtesy of DeBeers
14 Insane Twitter Tips For Business: What I Tell My Clients
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on May 26th, 2009
Recently, I have found myself passionately sharing Twitter advice with not only clients, but with friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even strangers. Some think I am iNSaNe over this “twitter thing”. What better reason to write a post!
As a business, you have three main goals when it comes to Social Media: Monitor your brand, build your brand, and increase sales of your brand. Twitter is just one facet of Social Media. Here is what I share with my clients…and strangers…and now you!
14 Insane Twitter Tips For Business: What I Tell My Clients
1. Follow everyone back…yes even the porn stars! Unless someone offends you, spams you, or uses foul language, follow them back. It’s courteous and will win you more followers (i.e. customers/prospects) organically. Do you care about what your customers are saying? Then show it by following them back.
2. Change the avatar to your head shot. Yes, YOU! Choose a picture where you have a big smile. People buy from people they like, not companies. Humanize your business. It’s the only way to succeed on Twitter. IMPORTANT: Once you select your avatar, do not change it. It becomes your personal brand.
3. Put YOUR name in the Profile. It’s okay to keep the Company or Brand name as the name that shows up next to the Avatar. This will help you build your personal brand as well as your company brand. If you are worried about stalkers, don’t use your last name.
4. Engage your followers. Talk to them. Cultivate them. First rule of Social Media is “be interested, not interesting”. Have you reached out directly to any of them yet? This is a huge opportunity to interact with your customers/prospects. Don’t blow it.
5. Find more followers. A following of 28 is not going to increase traffic in your stores or on your website. Run searches to see who is chatting about your brand and your industry. Start following them. Begin following the competition, other marketers, and Twitter superstars. As you interact with each of these segments you will see your following grow naturally.
6. Listen. Have ongoing searches running for your brand, company, industry, and pertinent topics. Stay on the pulse. Nip issues in the bud. Offer advice when questions are asked. Great opportunity to make a good impression.
7. Be Active. Tweet at least once a day but not more than 10/day (unless you are having a conversation: then it’s okay to go over the threshold of 10). You need to commit time each day to actively listen and tweet.
8. Be thankful. Thank those that Retweet (RT) your tweets. Always give RT credit if you RT another tweep. Thank those that recommend you on #FollowFriday.
9. DO NOT USE AUTO DIRECT MESSAGES. Nothing bothers tweeps more than auto DM’s filling up their inbox. It’s okay to auto-follow for complete coverage, but please don’t send impersonal automated messages. You will be unfollowed and/or blocked. That won’t help your brand.
10. DO NOT use DMs for pitching products or special offers! Do I really need to expand on this concept?
11. Tweet conservatively. The internet is permanent. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want posted on a billboard in front of your home and/or office.
12. Compliment others, generously. If you see a great tweet with interesting articles about your industry, marketing, etc give the tweep kudos by retweeting their tweet. This will help build your following and your credibility. Great way to make new Twitter friends and build your brand.
13. Schedule a Tweet Up in your area or attend one. By meeting other tweeps, marketers, prospects you can gain insight, advice, and/or possibly new drinking buddies. Look for local folks to follow. Same applies when you are traveling for business.
14. INSTALL TWEETDECK! If you haven’t alreadydone so download it now. http://tweetdeck.com It’s a fantastic way to organize your followers and conversations. Use it in addition to twitter.com
WARNING: These tips are MY opinions and there are other schools of thought out there.
FEEDBACK: Let me know which tips are your favorites, how many you found helpful, and which ones suck. It’s okay to disagree with me too… just tell my why. Send me an @reply or leave a comment here.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Flickr and Little Miss Sunshine.
Save the Centerfold or Why We Owe it to Playboy
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on May 12th, 2009
Save the Centerfold or Why We as Americans Owe it to Playboy
As a long-time subscriber (annual Valentine’s Day gift for my husband I began many year’s ago) the news of Playboy’s dismal Q1 financial results saddened me. Here is an American icon, like no other, that is on the verge of vanishing from mailboxes and bathroom’s everywhere. Here is why we owe it to them and how we can help.
Playboy as Americana
Hef launched his first issue in 1953 with Marilyn Monroe on its cover. Since then hundreds of celebs have graced its cover, pages, and interviews. Actresses such as Farrah Fawcett, Drew Barrymore, Linda Evans, and Shannen Dougherty have posed to perhaps extend or reignite their careers. Musicians posing silently on the pages range from Nancy Sinatra to Debbie Gibson. Even athletes along the lines of Amanda Beard and Katarina Witt have shed their sports gear for Hef. And who can forget all the pop-culture-tarts to have their day in the Playboy sun: Darva Conger, Chyna, Kim Kardashian, and Cindy Margolis (For the record, I had never heard of Cindy until I read her story in Playboy – yes I read the articles!). And would we know the name Anna Nicole Smith if it weren’t for Playboy?
Beyond the gorgeous women who pose in Playboy there are many other iconic features: the artwork, the literature, and the interviews.
Art: Beyond the Photographs
Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of visiting the Chicago HQ offices of Playboy, will recall the amazing art gallery that routinely rotates 4500+ pieces of original art . Playboy owns one of the largest private collections of modern art in the world. The collection includes work by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, LeRoy Nieman, and Patrick Nagel…many of which were commissioned for Playboy. Even Playboy’s own cartoonist, Alberto Vargas, has celebrity status within the art world thanks to Playboy.
Literature: Someone Must Be Reading the Articles
Many writers over the years have blessed the pages of Playboy with their words including P.J. O’Rourke, Arthur C. Clarke, Ian Fleming, Ray Bradbury, and Shel Silverstein (Yes, the children’s author and poet!). And what about the joke writers? Those Playboy Party Jokes have come in handy over the years.
Interviews: Hef’s Not So Shallow After All
Playboy’s 20Q may only have been around since the late 70’s (Cheryl Tiegs was the first if you were wondering) but Playboy has been publishing the interviews of some of the most brilliant Americans since the 1960’s. Some historic interviews include Miles Davis, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, John Lennon (all right so he wasn’t an American), and Jimmy Carter.
The Plan
Interim CEO Jerome Kern announced on their May 11th investor call that they will consider instituting price increases, a reduced number of issues, and a reduction in the total number of magazines printed to counteract plunging revenues and profits. This precarious financial situation and meek plan for survival disturb me for 4 reasons:
- Fewer issues: The monthly gentlemen’s magazine will no longer arrive on a 30 day schedule to your mailbox or newstand. Instead of looking forward to seeing Miss October you will anticipate Miss Q4
- Already the issues are printed on thinner paper and are 50 pagers shorter on average. With this change alone, are they worth the paper they are printed on? Will they last as long? My husband still has the Darva Conger issue and it’s in great shape! I can’t even remember why she was famous for 15 minutes.
- If Playboy magazine as we know it goes away, how will future generations come of age? Will I worry when my sons bring their Kindle or laptop into the bathroom? Should I be more worried about electrocution?
- The prudes of the world may finally win by joining forces with the environmentalists to abolish Playboy with a “Print Smut/Kill Trees” campaign.
How You Can Give Back to Playboy
- Pick up a copy on your newstand or subscribe
- If you can’t afford the $5.99 current (and about to go up!) cover price pick up a share from your broker. The stock floats around $3.21 share these days.
- Tweet @Playboy with your ideas for content and cashflow
How will you pay back Playboy and save the centerfold?
* About Top 8 Ways to Tell Your Spouse You Lost Your Job
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on April 20th, 2009
Three weeks ago, while traveling for business in San Francisco, I was notified that my position had been eliminated. Ouch! What’s a sales & marketing diva to do? But my response was “Woo Hoo!”. Was I in denial of my impending financial ruin? Was I feeling a sense of freedom, an escape from working for a multi-national multi-billion-dollar behemoth? What WILL I do now? The bigger question became ”How AM I going to spin this one in a positive way to the Hubby?” Here are a few ideas:
8. ”Hi Honey, I’m Home! …for the next six months…”
7. ”Hi Honey. Great news! I’m coming home early from San Francisco…and then some.”
6. ”Hi Honey! Remember when I told you my role at work would be changing on April 1st?…”
5. “Hon, would you please tell the hot nanny that her last day is today? We really can’t afford her anymore.”
4. “Hi Honey! I just joined this fabulous new club…it has millions of members…and we get paid to stand in line together!”
3. ”Hon, you know, I’ve been thinking I should really spend more time with the kids…”
2. ”Sweety, I realize our Anniversary is coming up but you don’t need to buy me anything this year…”
1. (The Winner via sms) “Wine. Buy lots of wine.”
The best way to survive a lay-off is to surround yourself with supporters… and laugh.
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