Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

What South Park Can Teach You About Your Newsletter

by // 1 Comment

south-park-yelpOh sure, you think this post is going to be a crazy stretch just so I can weave in pop culture don’t you?

A few years ago there was a documentary about how each week’s episode of South Park is made, and it’s great! The documentary is called “6 Days to Air” and that’s exactly right. From nothing to TV in 6 days. That’s why each episode’s content is so topical. While most TV shows are in production months ahead of time, and might be putting a few final touches on the episode a few weeks out (or days as I’ve heard) the South Park creators decided that they would take FOREVER with each episode given the opportunity. So, they decided to not allow it.

What does this have to do with your newsletter? Well, this morning I had 5 newsletter clients with newsletters that were waiting for approval or “just one more” edit. This post isn’t to pick on my clients, I love my clients, and they pay me to not be annoyed by this. AND I tell my clients that they have to like what they’re sending out, so if it doesn’t feel right to them, we can wait.

HOWEVER, let’s get this baby out the door folks! Way too often it’s an anxiety or wanting it to be PERFECT. Stop that. Done is better than perfect. Have another set of eyes look over your newsletter to help you if you’re stuck. If you’re doing it yourself ask a friend or spouse to take a look. If you’re working with someone like me, we’re both going to take a look. YES typos and broken links still happen on occasion. NO, no one has ever died because a newsletter wasn’t perfect.

When I write my newsletter I typically add it to my to do list on a Monday morning and don’t come up with content till Tuesday or Wednesday. I need to have conversations with clients and friends about what their current challenges are to spark my 3 ideas for the month. But it’s on my to do list and usually ready to send by the end of the week, and sometimes even sooner.

Stop dragging your feet to publish that blog post or send out your newsletter. I promise you you’ll feel relieved when it’s sent.

Why Aren’t You Using LinkedIn for Follow Up?

by // Leave a Comment

windowslivewriter10reasonstousefacebookforbusiness-95e1handshake-2I talk a lot about follow up. It’s one of my favorite things, as you may know if you’re a regular reader here on the blog. I’m continually amazed how many people don’t take advantage of LinkedIn! Yes, it’s Facebook for boring people business, but it’s a lot more than that.

When I’m at a networking event, occasionally I get someone’s card but don’t need to follow up with them. They were nice, but no spark at the moment. So what do I do? I connect with them on LinkedIn! “It was great to meet you yesterday at XYZ event” – and YES I do this the next day – out of sight out of mind! Don’t dawdle Amaryllis! The message can be short and sweet, there’s no need to make an offer or connection here. If you have their card and want to connect for coffee then call or email them. That isn’t the best use of LinkedIn.

I like connecting with people through LinkedIn because I make sure to post updates on a regular basis. My weekly blog post posts directly to LinkedIn and my monthly newsletter gets posted here. On a weekly basis on your LinkedIn homepage you just might catch my latest insights (like this one!)

If you work in an industry that frowns upon soliciting (I’m talking to you lawyers and financial planners), this is such a great and EASY way to get your name and face in front of them. It gives you a way to connect with them, without selling to them. If someone mentioned they’re need a lawyer but haven’t reached out to schedule that appointment, you can politely connect here. You don’t have to mention it, they’ll remember they need one.

I also like to use LinkedIn because people often use their personal email or they update their contact info. This way I know on a regular basis who’s moving where or starting what new company. And I can get in touch with them unlike an out of date business card.

Sure LinkedIn isn’t for everyone, but I bet you’re not maximizing the opportunities available to stay in contact with a larger network thank you thought you had.

September Pop Culture Round Up

by // Leave a Comment

this one summer and normSeptember is always a great month for pop culture. The Emmy’s bring a new season of TV shows, including some great new shows this year! And Banned Book Week is a great excuse to check out some fantastic books. Here’s my pop culture obsessions this month!

Listening

I’ve been listening to too much Jason Derulo lately, and a few podcasts. The debates on Monday night had me on high Keepin It 1600 watch, and with the new TV season, I’ve listened to a lot of great The Watch podcast episodes. But, The Nerdist had two great interviews, first with John Stamos who doesn’t do many long form interviews. I didn’t realize what a big Disneyland fan he is. That was fun to learn, Uncle Jesse’s a pretty cool guy still. Max Brooks was also on and had a great interview. He’s a fascinating guy, and not just because of who his parents are!

Watching

My BFF came to visit and instead of doing anything productive on a rainy Saturday, we binge watched Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and it did NOT disappoint. There’s at least two original musical numbers in each episode, and they are not always kid-friendly. The show got rave reviews when it premiered last year but the title was a turn off for me. I’m so glad I gave it a second chance, just like Jane the Virgin, don’t judge a TV show by it’s title.

I also FINALLY finished Season 2 of  Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! Tina Fey wins as a drunk therapist, and I loved the gentrification storyline, and Titus growing up. The cliffhanger leaves me excited for where Season 3 will take us! I hope it includes more Tina Fey!

Early September was all about catching up on TV show’s I was neglecting. In about a week I finally caught up and watched all of Orphan Black Season 4. I think this is a series that’s best binged. So much happens each episode and there’s so many characters (HOORAY for Tatiana Maslaney’s Emmy win, absolutely deserved!) I recommend the binge model for this show!

And Mr Robot ended Season 2 with some great cliffhangers, and I was very happy for that final scene and the return of Joey Baddass.

As a huge TV fan I’m in heaven and overwhelm with the fall premiers. I yelled and cried at the TV when I watched the pilot of This is Us, it’s the best pilot I think I’ve ever seen (well, after LOST). Parks & Rec is my favorite comedy ever so I had high hopes for The Good Place – Ted Danson and (my favorite) Kristen Bell? Yeah, it’s pretty fantastic and I’m very happy with it! This season of Masters of Sex is so far just okay, I find myself checking my twitter and Instagram while watching…The Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl premiers made me happy that those characters are back in our lives. Modern Family and Black-ish were also happy returns to my DVR last week! And I really enjoyed the pilot of Pitch which I wasn’t expecting to. The creator of Pitch also created This is Us – and if you’ve watched them both you know he is clearly working through some daddy issues.

The Parts Unknown premier in Hanoi with President Obama was really fantastic. I wish they’d spent more time on that part of the day, but still, very cool to see POTUS have a beer with Anthony Bourdain.

My dad had recommended The Fundamentals of Caring on Netflix and I watched it last weekend. It’s a very sweet story – and it has my favorite, Paul Rudd in it. If you’re looking for a feel good indy, this is the one for you!

Reading

As I mentioned last month, I read Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. It started out a little slower than I expected but it was a quick and very fun read. For a mystery/thriller with a what happened and who did it story line it did a great job of keeping the suspense going.

I had a few comic book friends recommend Clean Room by Nina Simone, a local Portland comic book writer. I picked up the first trade paper (which included the first 6 issues) and it was so fantastic I went to my comic shop to add it to my box and picked up the back issues I needed. It’s about a Scientology-esque “church” (you know I love a good cult!) and a reporter trying to learn more. I’m enjoying it…

Steve Duin is a columnist for The Oregonian that my dad has read my entire life. I follow him on twitter and occasionally read his column, which is always fantastic. He wrote a graphic novel a few years ago, and is a big fan of the medium. So I caught an article of his earlier this month on banned graphic novels, and picked up This One Summer at Powell’s the next weekend. I figured it was a perfect read for a sunny Sunday on the patio to kick off Banned Book Week. It’s a sweet story, nothing amazing, but a good coming of age story about two girls spending their summer at a lake and what’s happening in the town.

So those are my pop culture finds for September, what are you reading/watching/listening to lately?