Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

A Good Speaker Intro

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WOW meLast week I attended a networking event and one of the sponsors (as usual) introduced the speaker. Now-I know that not everyone enjoys a microphone and speaking in front of people. However, lets stop reading the bio already provided to me and tell me something interesting.

I’ve been known to make up stuff just to see if the audience is listening (your 2012 Sprint Nextel Cup Champion ladies and gentlemen). While this may not always be the right solution, make sure to put something interesting in there. Spend 30 seconds with the person you’re introducing and ask them for something interesting that’s not in their bio. Family, hobbies, recent travels, weird party trick, etc.

If I can read the bio myself what do I need you for? And what do I want to listen to this speaker for if there’s nothing else interesting about them? The introducer is the “hey this person deserves you putting your iPad away and listening for the next 20 minutes or hour.”

Please, tell me why I need to pay attention.

Did Your Super Bowl Ad Fail?

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This years Super Bowl ads gave us a lot to talk, laugh and be disgusted about. From Clydesdale’s to Farmers to Amy Poehler, I was a happy camper on Sunday. But the ad that made me go to their web site and BUY the product was the Duluth Trading Company.

Yes, Buck Naked Underwear was my favorite ad of the day. The one that made me laugh, and go to their web site to find out just how much these no pinch, no stink, no sweat underwear would cost. So with my iPad in hand, I went to their web site. And waited, and waited. The thing is, if you’re going to spend $3.7 million dollars on a TV ad, you may want to make sure your website has the bandwidth to support the increased traffic.

During the power outage, I searched for their Twitter account. Which doesn’t exist. HOWEVER, a couple of their executives have  twitter accounts so I was able to back track into the web site, and placed my order. I know I’m among the few that would go to such length, so the real question is: how much money did they LOSE by not thinking through all the logistics? And when the web site asked if I had a discount code to use, I realized their ad SHOULD have included that. (use code SUPERBOWL for free shipping, valid until the end of the game).

The next time you place an ad or speak at an event or have an opportunity to drive people to make a purchase on your web site, make sure you’ve thought through all the logistics. No one wants to wait.

Network with Yellow Dog in February!

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Hank & VinnieThis month has a lot of great events going on. As I tell my clients (and nag you in my newsletter) you need to get out and network! Here’s a few ideas to get you going this month…

Wednesday, February 6th

Hire Smart: How to Build a Great Team and Avoid Hiring Mistakes

Turnstone is hosting a panel discussion on how to hire smart and how to build a great team. Panelist will be Phil Gordon, Kate Matsudaira and Scott Ruthfield, moderated by Rebecca Lovell.

Great networking, great people, and thanks to the fine folks at Turnstone, it’s FREE! Just make sure to RSVP!

Thursday, February 7th

The Harassment Free Workplace-Real Life Strategies for your Company 

If you know me, this one confuses you. And if you’ve worked with me, the phrase “HR nightmare” may come to mind. While I won’t be attending this workshop, some really great people are putting this on and I think it’s a great way to get that anti-harassment training your team has needed!

Friday, February 8th

NWEN Breakfast Buzz

You know how much I love NWEN breakfasts. And as usual this month will not disappoint (although I’m still dreaming of those scones from the Zaarly breakfast). Great networking, great people, great inspiration. If you are a startup, NWEN is the place to be!

Thursday, February 21st

eWomen Network Luncheon

As most of you know I’ve been a big fan of eWomenNetwork for a LONG time and the speakers scheduled in 2013 do not look to disappoint! If you can’t join the luncheon but want to check out eWomen let me know, they have smaller events throughout the month.

Friday, March 1

Femmenation- A Total Networking Event

I know I just blogged about this, but if you are a woman owned business in the Puget Sound, you really need to make this happen. I however, will be returning from a 48-hour birthday trip (for the BFF) to Vegas. Wish me luck.

If these events don’t suit your fancy, that’s fine. I also recommend checking out NWEN’s event calendar and the Puget Sound Business Journal’s events. Neither of them pay me to say it, I really think they do good stuff. And if you and your dog are out enjoying the sunshine (or rain, we don’t melt) let Hank & I know, we may just come join you!