When you’re running a business there is a TON you have to get done, and now it’s clear that social media is a “have to do” item on your marketing to do list. But as i’ve mentioned before, you have to be comfortable with what you’re doing. We all know I refuse to join Facebook, and that’s OK. 9 times out of 10 when I tell someone this, their response isn’t “well you should” it’s “I’m so jealous” or “I wish I hadn’t.” Social media and all marketing are a responsibility. I’d rather do a couple of things well, than everything half-assed. If you have to ask “do I have to?” you’ve already answered your question.

If you don’t want to do it and it’s a burden, you won’t do it. If it’s something that you believe is integral to the success of your business and you have the budget to bring someone on to manage it (or another team member) then that might be a workable solution. However, if it’s just you, and the idea of one more thing to check/update/pin/retweet a day makes your head want to explode, then you should say no.

Take a few minutes to reevaluate your current sales and marketing efforts every few months. Is what you’re doing working? Are you “pinning” and it’s not bringing in new business? Then go ahead and stop for a month, or reduce the time spent and increase it in areas that you are seeing results from.

And if you need someone else to give you that permission, Hank & I are always happy to let you off the hook.

I often get introduced to people who end up being a great connection, or at the very least, good to know and be aware of in the community. And while I’m good (I hope) at following up with the person I met and sending them any information I said I would, or connecting them to someone else, I’m usually pretty crappy at circling back with the person who introduced us.

I ran into a friend last week at a luncheon and he asked if I knew someone, and I realized HE had introduced me to this person. Whoops, guess I didn’t circle back to thank him for the connection.

I know it’s one more step and easy to forget or leave out, but when I introduce two people, I honestly think they’ll be a great fit and should know each other. I’d like the feedback of “that was great, thanks” and I’d also like the “that person’s an idiot what were you thinking.” So, the next time you meet a new person for coffee, text/tweet/fb/email the person who connected you and thank them. And also let them know if it wasn’t a good connection. No one wants to waste another person’s time or send them the wrong leads.

Thursday, May 3^rd

Geekwire Presents: Seattle 2.0 Startups Awards

I’m excited to catch up with the Geekwire team and the great community of innovators and supporters they always manage to bring together. The Startups Awards are also a great opportunity to catch up on the big startup news of the past year and get a glimpse of what’s ahead! Let me know if you’ll be attending!

Friday, May 11^th  

NWEN Breakfast Buzz

NWEN is one of my favorite organizations; the breakfast buzz is a great opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and service providers around the Puget Sound. Plus, the breakfast rotates between Seattle & Bellevue – this month it’s in Seattle, unless the week gets too crazy, I’ll plan to be there! If you aren’t a member and want to check out NWEN let me know!

Wednesday, May 16^th

Seattle Chamber Tradeshow

I have to say, I’m really excited to attend the tradeshow this year for the first time as an attendee NOT a vendor. I know some great folks who ARE vendors at the tradeshow, let me know if you need tips of the right folks to connect with. If you’re attending let me know so we can meet up!

Thursday, May 17^th

eWomen Network

This is a fantastic networking event each month and THE place to learn how to most effectively network I believe. While 100 women might sound overwhelming, and it is, it’s one of the most welcoming and inviting networking groups I’ve ever seen.

Friday, May 25^th, 11 AM

Dog Park Networking

This month let’s go back to Marymoor. Redmond is rarely the most convenient place to get to on a Friday, BUT after all the swimming and chasing after tennis balls, Hank needs a bath, and the best dog wash in the Puget Sound is at Marymoor –  so let’s go!

Last week I had one client apologize that they weren’t going to meet a deadline (that we created), and another client say that they were avoiding emailing me because they hadn’t replied to another email I sent.

So, that makes a girl feel good…Actually, it was a good reminder that I need to be clearer with my clients about expectations and timelines that we make up.

I find that setting goals and timelines is helpful to create some structure with sales and marketing efforts. The reason people usually hire me is that they’re tired of saying “we should do that, we should try that” they want to START doing and trying new marketing efforts. But these are timelines and goals that we have setup and decided on together, I’m just the reminder and maybe enforcer (see Nagging Wife)

You want any consultant you are working with to help push you forward but don’t hide from them, it won’t do anyone any good. If a client is taking a lot of your time right now that’s OK!  Be clear with the person you’re paying that you need to push a project out a week. Don’t avoid them.

Hank favorite treat, finally something that lasts more than two bites!

In case you don’t subscribe to my newsletter – then you may have missed that Hank’s 6th Birthday is this Thursday and we’re heading to the dog park on Friday morning! I hope you and your pup are able to join us. If you don’t have a dog but need a dog fix, Hank is happy to help you out there too! Here’s the details:

Friday, April 27th 11 AM
Hank’s 6th Birthday Party!

That’s right folks – Hank’s 6th Birthday is upon us! It’s actually April 26th (well he’s a rescue so it’s actually a totally made up day) and he needs to go SWIMMING! Join us at Hank’s favorite place on earth, Marymoor Off Leash, for some swimming, running for tennis balls and then my favorite- the after park dog wash! Let me know if you’re joining in the birthday fun!

Hank's HUGE head stuck through the deck - thanks www.lickedlens.com for the photo!

I had a meeting with a potential client the other day and one of the things that was brought up was how the leaders of the company didn’t set clear expectations. It wasn’t a “you’re doing this well” it was “you just crossed the line.”

If you know me, you know I’m much more of a beg forgiveness instead of ask permission kind of girl. And if you ever (tried to) managed me then you remember how much that infuriated you.

But here’s the deal, everyone needs to know their expectations. The reason you have high turnover for a position? Go re-read the job description (because you have on right???). And while we’re at it, you aren’t going to find an awesome sales person who is 100% commission to start out. You’re going to find someone desperate who will leave as soon as a job with a salary comes along.

You can’t expect someone to live up to your expectations if you don’t clearly write them out up front. Yes, WRITE them out.

I’ve always been the kind of person who’s in my car all the time. When you live in Issaquah you just get use to driving. I’ve tried listening to podcasts before and none really jumped out at me. But in the last year I’ve really gotten into it, and now I don’t pull out of my garage without turning on a podcast. If you’re tired of annoying radio ads and looking for something to fuel your pop culture needs, here’s a few I enjoy:

WTF with Marc Maron

Marc gets really incredible actors and comedians to come into his garage and talk about all sorts of things. The first 10 minutes of his interview with Molly Shannon might make you drive off the road- just know you were warned.

The Nerdist Podcast

As a self proclaimed Nerd/Geek I always enjoy this podcast with Chris Hardwick, who talks about all things pop culture when it comes to sci-fi, tech, and comedy. He interviews great actors and comedians as well. The interview last week with Marc Maron is a great place to learn a lot about both of them.

The Hollywood Prospectus

My brother Jake sent me this podcast as they were just starting out. 2 guys who write for Grantland have a weekly podcast where they talk about TV and movies. It’s always entertaining, often it makes me feel better for not loving the new hot HBO series (although I do love me some Game of Thrones!) and they even introduced me to Bent, a very short lived NBC show that you should check out.

So there you have it, a few great podcasts you can add to the MP3 device of your choice, and let me know if you have others you enjoy listening to, or find one here you like! Plus it’ll give us more to talk about the next time I see you…

Pippin: Refusing to leave Hank alone since 2010

It’s a very PNW attitude to not return phone calls or just ignore a situation until it goes away. And if you are in sales, you know it is really frustrating to just “give up.” However, make sure you’re mindful of the fact that sometimes, it’s just not the right fit. YES you have the perfect product for them, and YES their business would grow if they hired you. But here’s what will actually happen: they’re not going to say nice things about you all over town because you nagged and nagged and nagged them to hire you. You’re going to be “that desperate sales person” who people avoid at networking events. I know, I’ve heard it, and probably said it. If someone doesn’t want your product or service, don’t force them to buy it.

Give people an opt-out option. Make sure that people know what you sell AND make sure people know who your target market is so that if it’s not right for them, they can help you, not hide from you.

We know how to smell desperation in the Puget Sound, and I have yet to find someone who’s a fan of the scent.

Hank's birthday treat!

It seems like maybe (knock on wood) we’re done with snow for a while. My tulips are starting to pop up and it’s time to get out of our caves and network more! Here’s a few places you can connect with Yellow Dog Consulting in April:

Friday, April 13th
NWEN Breakfast Buzz
NWEN is one of my favorite organizations; the breakfast buzz is a great opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and service providers around the Puget Sound. Plus, the breakfast rotates between Seattle & Bellevue – this month it’s in Bellevue, hope to see you there! If you aren’t a member and want to check out NWEN let me know!

Thursday, April 19th

eWomen Network

This is a fantastic networking event each month and THE place to learn how to most effectively network I believe. While 100 women might sound overwhelming, and it is, it’s one of the most welcoming and inviting networking groups I’ve ever seen.

Thursday, April 26th
NWEN Pub Night

Pub night – I don’t only attend, I’m also the committee chair (surprise, surprise)! Come network with other entrepreneurs and hear 5 brave start-ups pitch their idea to a well imbibed crowd!

Friday, April 27th 11 AM
Hank’s 6th Birthday Party!

That’s right folks – Hank’s 6th Birthday is upon us! It’s actually April 26th (well he’s a rescue so it’s actually a totally made up day) and he needs to go SWIMMING! Join us at Hank’s favorite place on earth, Marymoor Off Leash, for some swimming, running for tennis balls and then my favorite- the after park dog wash! Let me know if you’re joining in the birthday fun!