Do This Now! - Shawenon Communications Newsletter

SHAWENON COMMUNICATIONS

Effective Messaging

No. 45
December, 2009

Greetings!

The holiday season seems more overwhelming than usual this year. Maybe it's because I'm traveling more. Or maybe it's always this overwhelming, and I don't remember from one year to the next.

In honor of the general busyness, this month's Web Words only has one main article. But it's an important one--a reminder that in spite of everything, we need to acknowledge our successes. Do this now!

In place of the second article, take a look at last year's December issue for which I commissioned my very own poem. It's just as brilliant this year as it was when Judith Costello wrote it in 2008. Enjoy.

Happy Holidays. See you next year.

In This Issue

Toot Your Horn

Web Tips

Season's Greetings

Toot Your Horn

Some years back Andrea Feldman was the MC for a Berkshire Entrepreneurs Network holiday event. Always inventive, she handed out horns and masterfully led an exercise in which we each took our turn at blowing our own horn about business accomplishments. Then the assemblage tooted in acknowledgment.

This has not been a great year for many. While it's always good to recognize accomplishments, it's especially important in tough times. Maybe you kept things going in spite of everything. Perhaps you wisely cut costs to match lower sales and maintained your profit. Or you created a clever marketing strategy to get new clients. Whatever you did this year, take a moment to note your 2009 successes.

For Example

I got the idea for this article when I realized that I've published 45 issues of Web Words, without once missing a deadline! Toot, toot. Granted I was trained in the old school of magazine journalism where you got the issue out on time no matter what. And it hasn't always been easy. As with this issue, other priorities keep encroaching on the time I've set aside to get my articles written.

Shawenon Communications completed two client Web sites this year--Berkshire Hills Financial and Bryan Bergeron. We also helped several clients get their email marketing programs under way. Educational Lions and Klavens & Company have inaugural issues to put on their list of accomplishments.

I spoke at two Bar Camps sponsored by Berkshire Creative. And launched a sales page for Web Words. And though it hasn't happened yet, I promised myself I would get on Twitter before the clock strikes 2010.

Next Year

And now for a few New Years' resolutions: I really am going to redo my own Web site to reflect my new business direction. I'm also going to get an iPhone or one of its siblings or cousins. And I'm going to publish 12 more issues of Web Words--every one right on time.

How about you? Take a moment to look back and write down what you did right in 2009. And then turn the page over and set your goals for next year. Then send us an email, and we'll share your successes in the next issue. And let's all hope things are rosier this time next year.

Web Tips

December is a slow month for business meetings, but come January we'll all be eagerly launching new initiatives. Usually, that means scheduling conference calls and face-to-face events. When is Good is a free service that lets you find optimum dates for phone calls or meetings. Nothing to buy. You don't even need to sign up for an account, though doing so will make it easier to keep track of your efforts.

To initiate a meeting, you enter the dates and times that work for you. Then email a link to your invitees. You can ask for an email notification when people respond. And then you just look at the times that work for all and make your selection. If nothing works for everyone, you can make adjustments by viewing individual responses. In spite of the fact that it's amazingly simple, the site includes clear videos of the process.

One caveat, if you don't hear back promptly, follow up. Some systems may send the email to the spam folder.

And Finally . . .

Shawenon Communications collaborates with small businesses, solopreneurs, professionals and not-for-profits to get their messages across in the written word.

We specialize in electronic communications, including e-zines and other forms of email marketing, and Web site content. We also ghostwrite articles and other business communications. As a business partner, we resell Constant Contact's email marketing service.

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