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The Fast >> Five
Every issue, we provide five (or more) links to great ideas or interesting articles we've seen since the prior issue. The only thing they'll all have in common is that they're worth clicking.
- Preparing for networking is halfway (or more) to networking success. Click here for eight easy steps.
- AAM is on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter! Join us, using any/all of these three links:
- No one's reading your blog? Here are ten reasons to keep blogging, anyway.
- Client referrals are one of the best ways to develop new business. But how do you go about asking for them? Click here to find out.
- Did you lose your last proposal on "price"? Never do that again.
- What should be included in a Communications Brief? And why you should use one.
- Have a Facebook site? Planning to create one? Here's how fans will use your page. Click here to read the article.
If you see any valuable links, please email them to AAM Headquarters so we can consider them for a future FAST>>FIVE. And many thanks to those of you who sent contributions this issue.
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People's Choice Holiday Card
Sara Robertson
You've barely finished the Thanksgiving leftovers and now it is time to get the firm holiday card out. Hopefully you've given the card some thought before now... Paper or electronic? Computer generated labels or hand written addresses? We know that our readers are putting out some great stuff. So as you rush to finalize your card and list of recipients, please consider entering your firm's card in our first ever People's Choice Holiday Card Facebook contest. We challenge our members, prospects and readers to submit their card on the AAM Facebook page to be judged by the AAM "fans."
The contest is simple - share your card and our Facebook friends will pick a winner based on the total number of "likes."
- Submit your card by sharing the link or uploading the file to the AAM Facebook wall (must be a JPG)
- The card with the most "likes" wins (plus, you will receive bragging rights and some press in the January AAM Minute)
The rules are simple: You must be a CPA firm and your one submission must be uploaded by, Monday, December 20, 2010. Good luck and may the best card win!
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What Does Your Marketing Budget Look Like...Really
It's one of my favorite days of the year--the day I get to meet with my firm's managing partner to review the marketing plan and budget. Here's what I'm pitching:
- Target the Bravo Real Housewives franchise--hire top PR agency to arrange a financial segment for us on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live! show.
- Add Jersey Shore cast to high net worth/1040 category of the pipeline. Fist pumping is the new firm handshake.
- All associates need to sharpen up their golf game, so we're hiring Tiger Woods to give lessons--his rates are lower than ever!
- Rent an airport body scanner to use as a 'busy season break activity.'
- We need to contribute to the economic recovery so we will begin a massive direct mail campaign--so what if it doesn't increase ROI, we'll save thousands of postal service jobs!
- Hire Paula Abdul to choreograph flash mob dance for associates to do at all networking events and trade shows.
- Professional headshots on our website need updated--we're going the high fashion route and hire photographers and stylists from America's Next Top Model. Get that PR agency to pitch a CPA before and after segment on Tyra.
Oh, all this would be fun! But, I'll get back to the reality and present the real plan and budget. |
