My apologies to all, I’ve been on a hiatus due to two recent passing’s of family in the last six weeks. I’ll be back very soon. Taking the time to heal, think and remember.

I subscribe to several branding and marketing email newsletters. This one rolled into my in box this morning from Marcia Yudkin of The Marketing Minute. I thought. Wow. Simple and effective.

Behavioral Branding
The impression people have of you as someone to do business with comes only partially from carefully orchestrated sources like your web site, appearances on stage and writings.  It derives just as much from informal settings and interactions.

Use these questions to assess whether you are coming across in a way that highlights your values, skills, character and distinctive strengths:

If someone happened to look at the 2-5 posts showing today on the front page of your blog, would they understand why fans avidly refer business to you?

If someone looked at your most recent 20 tweets, would they get what you’re about or think you’re a lightweight complainer, a hypercritical heavy drinker or something else unflattering?

The same goes for your newsletter.  Are there patterns in what you write about (and how) that suggest a skewed picture of your temperament or priorities?

Other points to audit are how you answer questions from potential clients, how you debate with colleagues and how you sound in your voice mail.

Today’s let-your-hair-down business environment might be encouraging you to sell yourself short.

Some very good food for thought.

I’ll be back on the blog program next week. I’m frantically interviewing and writing a very last minute article for YMN. It’s absorbed the last 32 hours and counting. Truly, truly sorry.

My deepest apologies, I’ve not been well. I’m working with Doctors this week to sort out what’s what. I’ll be back next week.

Leslie

TNNA, Columbus, OH

I’m here at TNNA with several clients and before I head off to get ready for AKD’s ‘Get to Know Us’ event I thought I’d share the what and why of this blog.

The genesis was (is) simple. I have a belief that enough business exists for everyone. That ideas shared can help others. That in helping needlearts businesses, knitwear designers, retailers and organization with marketing and public relations that they cannot only sustain business, but retain AND build business. And that in building an online resource, that is open to all, that conversations can (will) happen and that we will all grow.

I’ll be posting – once a week – an idea, a how to, interviews and resources. We’ll tackle big topics like creating a marketing plan, engage in conversations on social media, events, brand vs. product, etc. The list truly goes on.

My hope is that this blog will help and inspire you. More importantly that it starts a conversation..

I encourage you to share your ideas, comment via email or phone. I’m interested. Good, bad. All.

Leslie