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The Protocol Post
Tips, Tools and Resources for Polished Professionals
September 2009
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 Greetings! If you want to experience the kindness of strangers try traveling with your dog! I took Oliver, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, on his first airplane ride last week. The purpose of our trip was to see my sister, Nancy Smith, compete in the National Developing Horse Dressage Championships in Wayne, IL. No doubt, Oliver was very popular. It was interesting to see so many people smile, laugh, and go out of their way to pet and shower him with love and compliments. I quickly learned how a cute and cuddly creature can melt the hearts of even the stressed, irritated and anxious.
I must admit that when I travel alone, I don't go go out of my way to talk to strangers. Yes, I might make brief chit-chat with my seat mate before opening a book or putting on my iPod. But I learned that when you travel with a dog that is as sweet as Oliver, there's no time to read, sleep or do much of anything else. I was simply too busy answering a barrage of questions concerning his name, breed, age and the fact that he is a certified therapy dog.
However, the most touching part of my trip was when Oliver and I were coming home from Chicago and we sat next to a young soldier. I don't know if you believe in fate but I know that we were meant to sit next to this young man who couldn't have been more than 19 or 20 years of age.
"Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier.
"Afghanistan," he replied.
At that moment, no words could express the appreciation and pride I felt sitting next to him. During the two-hour flight from Chicago to Atlanta, the soldier took comfort in gently stroking Oliver's little head without saying a word. I thought to myself that perhaps this would be one of the last images he would have in his mind before departing the United States. Sitting next to him was no accident. I am grateful that Oliver could bring a little sunshine and happiness to this soldier before he embarked on a journey that would forever change his life.
We often forget that we have the ability to reach out and touch someone's life and leave a positive imprint -- just like our animals. My hope is that as you go about your daily life you find ways to leave your unique, positive imprint on others. The imprint might be as simple as giving your attention or saying "Good morning" to someone. Try a kind word, a small compliment or a big one!
Life is good,
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Pick the Right Jacket Style
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 Nothing looks finer than a well-dressed man! If you're not sure whether you are a double or single-breasted guy, here are some guidelines to help you choose the jacket that is right for you.
Double-Breasted: Conveys a formal, elegant image. Not only should it always be buttoned, but it should also be either a blue blazer or part of a suit, otherwise, stick to single-breasted.
Single-Breasted: A traditional design with two or three buttons. It can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned and is always appropriate. Leave the bottom button undone.
Extra tip: Be sure to remove the string from the vents on the back of a jacket after purchasing it.
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How to Send the Right E-Mail to the Right Person
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
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Do you dash off e-mails and hit "send" without a second glance? Whether we choose to admit it or not, most of us are guilty of doing this. My husband, Brian, is an outstanding REALTOR however he recently admitted to sending an e-mail to the wrong person by mistake.
Just today, he told me that he meant to send one of his clients an e-mail containing an important contract. The client's e-mail was something like, "JohnQPublic@hotmail.com." As Brian hastily typed the e-mail, he accidentally forgot to include the "Q" in the address bar. As a result, the e-mail was sent to "JohnPublic@hotmail.com."
The recipient, John Public, was so irate when he received this e-mail that he responded with an e-mail that read, "Please desist all correspondence to this email address. You do me, yourself, and your clients a disservice by not verifying the address to which you send sensitive and private documents."
Point well taken. The lesson learned is to always check and double-check a person's e-mail address prior to sending sensitive or confidential information. If you don't, it could end up in the wrong hands.
Have you ever sent an email that you later regretted sending? If so, let me hear from you at info@etiquetteexpert.com. I may share your story on my blog.
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Ask the Expert - Group Introductions
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 Q: Dear Jacqueline, I am the president of a civic organization and frequently have to introduce newcomers to others in my networking group. What is the proper way to make a group introduction, especially if I can't remember everyone's name?
A: When introducing a number of persons, say the new person's name and then give the names of the others in the group. If you can't remember all of their names, it is correct, acceptable, and practical to say the new person's name and suggest that the others introduce themselves:
Hello, everyone. This is John Blades from The Canner Corporation.
Please introduce yourselves to John.
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Building Buzz: The Art of Promoting Your Etiquette & Image Business
An interactive tele-seminar and webinar series to help you grow your business and expand your income potential
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Are you ready to make a quantum leap in your career? Are you ready to catapult yourself to a whole new level as an etiquette or image consultant? Well, the time is finally here!
Over the years, I've developed a uniquely powerful Train-the-Trainer Program that will help shape you into the best etiquette and image consultant you can be.
"Building Buzz: The Art of Promoting Your Etiquette &
Image Business," is a live, six-week tele-seminar and webinar series that will help you earn more money, garner more media exposure and position you as a high-quality, dynamic etiquette and image expert.
All
classes are one hour in length. Can't attend all six sessions? No
problem. All sessions are recorded and will be available to
download and replay at your convenience. During this fun and
interactive series, you will learn:
Course 1: You: Managing Your Personal Brand
· What is branding and why is it so important?
· How to design a 12-month marketing plan.
· What's in a name? Do you need a logo?
· What marketing materials you REALLY need and what you can live without.
· Why collateral consistency is key.
· How to develop your niche and separate yourself from your competitors.
· Timely topics to talk about and how to connect with an audience.
· When to speak in your community and how often.
· How to identify your customers and potential customers.
· Why paid advertising hardly works and drains your wallet.
· Why you are your own best business card.
Course 2: Print & E-Marketing Strategies
· Writing a winning news release and when and where to post it for maximum exposure.
· Seven deadly sins of a news release.
· When and where to send a photo opportunity release form.
· How to establish a web presence.
· The truth about online advertising.
· Why your website is your most indispensable marketing tool.
· Top five website mistakes.
· The benefits of a blog.
· Low cost or no cost publicity ideas.
· How to capitalize on your personal accomplishments.
· How to tie your area of expertise into the holidays.
Course 3: Essential Elements for Radio & Television Publicity
· What reporters look for in an expert.
· How to increase your chances of getting interviewed.
· How to pitch editors, reporters and producers.
· What to say and do if a producer calls you.
· How to thank a reporter without looking like you're trying to win favor.
· How to develop your media kit.
Course 4: How to Make a Profit in the Etiquette & Image Industry
· Making a profit. What to charge and how to get paid what you're worth.
· When to charge an honorarium versus a fee.
· How to determine how much revenue you need to make on a monthly basis.
· Fee alternative ideas -- what to request when a speaking fee is not offered.
· How to write professional business proposals that get you booked.
· Essential elements of a contract.
· How to avoid the "what do you charge?" trap.
· How to avoid the "hourly wage" syndrome.
· How to design and promote a profitable public seminar.
· How to avoid paying unnecessary public seminar expenses.
Course 5: Social Media Strategies to Grow Your Business and Build Your Brand
· Use social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to grow your business and build your brand.
· Discuss the etiquette dos and don'ts of using social networking tools.
· Learn when and what to post that will establish you as an expert in your industry.
Course 6: Taking Your Business to the Next Level
· Garner exposure through speaking at conferences and seminars.
· How to get hired by universities, spas, tea rooms and department stores.
· Why cold calling and mass mailings never work.
· How to create spin-off products that will supplement your income.
· How to become a corporate spokesperson.
Class Dates: August 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2009 (Yes, you can still register! The first class was recorded for you and will be e-mailed to you after your payment is received.)Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern, 12pm - 1pm Central, 11am - 12pm Mountain, 10am - 11am Pacific Investment: $299.00 includes all six classes, handouts and the downloadable recording of each class. Class size is limited to the first 20 people who register. Note: If you're a member of my mastermind group, The Consultants' Connection, you will receive a 50 percent discount off of the tuition price. 
Tax Deductible:
You can't afford not to invest in yourself and your business. Tuition is tax deductible. All expenses of continuing education taken
to maintain and improve professional skills are tax deductible
according to Treasury Regulation 1.162-5 Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203
F2d 307. Please contact your accountant for details.
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Save Your Shoes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  If you want your expensive shoes to last, don't wear the same pair every day. Although women who own lots of shoes can't fathom doing this, many men break this rule. Alternating pairs allows shoes time to dry between wearing, which makes them last much longer.
One of my favorite accessories are shoe trees. Insert them into your good shoes immediately after taking them off at the end of the day. Shoe trees help maintain the original shoe shape, keep your shoes from getting those ugly creases, and will keep your shoes looking newer longer. Shoe trees are available in plastic which are light and great for travel or wood (usually cedar) which absorb moisture. |
Jacqueline's Favorite Beauty Items Under $20
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 Ped Egg Pedicure Foot File, $10.00. Don't slip into your favorite sandals without using this product first! Removes callous, dry skin from crusty heels and makes feet soft and smooth. And yes, men should use this product too!
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash, $9.00. This all-in-one wash is not just for babies. Love the smell and the way it lathers!
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