To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. ~ Albert Schweitzer

If you are reading this it is because you believe there is more for you in life than what you have sitting around in the physical form. Something inside has compelled you to reach out for answers. You may be at the beginning of your awakening or somewhere along the path.

I have a question for you today...are you finding that you are racing on the hamster wheel of life? Racing as fast as you can, grabbing snippets and nuggets of enlightenment and assistance as they spin by... and all the while running, running, running on the wheel that is your life.

If you find that you are in the same place (or an even more negative energy) today as you were a year ago, it may be time to get off the wheel, take a look around and really do something about your life.

Phrases such as "yeah, but I...", "Kim, you just don't understand...", "I would but...".

The Internet is a buzz with the new phrase, Social Media. Everywhere you turn, you repeatedly hear those two words. People both young and experienced are tossing around site names like, Face book, You Tube, My Space. It seems like a new social media site pops up every day.

You may be thinking that those types of sites are only for teenagers. They are totally irrelevant and useless for a business owner. I beg to differ.

Let me begin with a brief definition of what social media is as described by the social media source, Wikipedia. "Social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words and pictures. This interaction, and the manner in which information is presented, depends on the varied perspectives and 'building' of shared meaning, as people share their stories, and understandings." It can take many forms, thus the confusion. Some examples are: Internet forums, blogs, podcasts, references such as Wikipedia, and photo and video hosting sites just to name a few.

Now that you have a handle on what social media is let's look at how it can benefit you as a business owner. Clearly utilizing these services will take time to get set up. Your first task is to create your account and build your personal page on their server. Choose one for now get it up and going, then after you have established your presence branch out with another in the same way.

Subject: Postal Rates Increasing Again!

Dear [firstname],

The Post office is doing it again! They are raising their rates again on May 1, 2008. It seems like we just had a rate increase and now they are raising them again. I don't know about you, but for me the bottom line means I loose, again. With increased postage come increase costs.

I just can't sit idly by and watch you delay taking advantage of [our high quality products/our services] that you have been keeping on your wish list. After April 30th I will have to raise my pricing to cover the increased costs. So I know you will want to take advantage of the savings by purchasing all the items on your list today.

Before the rates increase, you can take advantage of the savings on [the entire line of products/my services/special offer]. From now until April 30, 2008 you will receive [10% off/buy one get one].

Call me today [to place your order/for a rate quote] at [phone number] or e-mail me at [e-mail address].

Enjoy these savings while they last. Don't delay, contact me today!

Thanks,
[Your name]
[Your contact info]

PS Be sure to pass the savings on to your friends. When they mention that you sent them, and with their first order, you will receive an additional thank you gift. Or to find out more contact me at the number above with your friend's contact information. Your thank you gift will be in-line with your specific needs so don't forget to refer a friend.

This is just one idea for an actual email campaign that we welcome you to personalize and utilize. If you need a complete email campaign or phone script specific to your industry or service please contact us at info@nibrocmarketing.com and we will be happy to assist you.

From time to time, I'll give an overview of one broad MediaShift topic, annotated with online resources and plenty of tips. The idea is to help you understand the topic, learn the jargon, and take action. I've already covered blogging, citizen journalism, widgets and various other topics. This week I'll look at the social networking phenomenon.

Background

Social networking websites help people connect with others who share their interests, build online profiles and share media such as photos, music and videos. The idea of social networks has been studied by sociologists for decades as they analyze the ties between people in families, organizations and even in towns or countries. According to Wikipedia:, "Research in a number of academic fields has shown that social networks operate on many levels, from families up to the level of nations, and play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which individuals succeed in achieving their goals."

Early Internet applications such as Usenet and bulletin board systems allowed people to communicate and network, often in closed systems. But with the advent of the web in the mid-'90s, people could connect in more visually appealing and public ways. Classmates.com let people connect with old classmates online, and SixDegrees.com offered a way to meet "friends of friends" - with its name referring to the six degrees of separation between everyone in the world.

What does Mary Poppins know about marketing? Come on over and ask her a question or two and find out. We have implemented a new question and answer column with the famous finger-snapping marketing guru of them all--Mary Poppins.

I feel the wind changing directions and those that have followed my life understand that means I will be following that wind to a new and exciting adventure. I must bid you all farewell. May each of you pop through a few chalk pavement pictures during your life time.

The Poppins Principle(TM) of Success Kim Mutch Emerson

Nibroc Marketing Solutions © Copyright 2007, except where indicated otherwise.

All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All contents provided as is. No express or implied income claims made herein. Your business success is dependent on many factors, including your own abilities. Advertisers are solely responsible for ad content.

If you've recently upgraded to PowerPoint 2007, some familiar tasks may not look so familiar. Previous upgrades have been pretty seamless, but 2007 can be a challenge initially. The folks at the PowerFinish template site have a couple of new tutorials available. Get a quick visual step-by-step on applying new templates and backgrounds.

While you're there, take a look at their templates.

You'll find some of the best templates available anywhere and new high definition templates, too! There are over 15,000 templates and backgrounds that you can download right now.