Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

My Vacation Plan…

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mai tai on vacationI’m going to Maui next week and I can’t WAIT! But being away from my business means a lot of planning so I can read, relax and drink mai tai’s!

I’ve talked before about why it’s important to take vacation but it’s also important to plan so you can truly relax. Here’s a few things I’ve done to prep:

  • Communicated Clearly with My Clients – Every client knows I’m going on vacation and they know what needs to get done before I leave or won’t happen till I get back. And they’re all on board and hustling!
  • Not Schedule Meetings – The week before vacation it’s easy to think you should schedule that meeting NOW instead of in two weeks. And I did some of that, but I knew I needed a few clear office days to get all my work done. That last week of April is looking pretty busy already…
  • Follow Up – I’ve had a few recent conversations with prospective clients and I keep doing my follow up. I also communicate that I’m going on vacation next week so if I don’t hear back from them this week I’ll follow up when I return. Setting expectations up front, and in writing, always helps!
  • Saying No – I haven’t had to do too much of this yet, but the week’s not over. As we all know, your lack of planning doesn’t constitute an emergency on my end. By planning in advance and setting clear expectations my clients and I know what’s needed and what’s outstanding and what can wait till I return.

What do you do in your business so you can truly relax and unwind on vacation?

March Pop Culture Round Up

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crooked mediaI have to say, as much I am TOTALLY OVER this ridiculous amount of rain, it was a good excuse to stay inside. Which was nice because my favorite show is back, my new favorite show arrived and I discovered the greatest podcast I didn’t know I needed…how was your March?

Watching

Holy crap Legion is so minding bending-ly crazy and fantastic and weird and visually stunning. WOW. Aubrey Plaza deserves all the awards. So does creator Nathan Hawley. And hooray for the return of Jean Smart (she was great in Fargo Season 2 if you missed it…). Wow. Still processing that finale but it what a fantastic season of television.

The Americans can do no wrong. I’m really enjoying the Paige storyline this season and watching her learn more about joining the family business.

Feud – I didn’t know much about Joan Crawford and Bette Davis and Feud is making me regret waiting so long to learn. It’s 1960’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Billions sure seems to be hitting a little too close to home lately. One too many times this season did I learn something that came in handy while watching the news a day or two later.

The Age of Spin: Dave Chapelle Live – was a fantastic comedy special. I never watched Chapelle Show when it was on, and I really just discovered how amazing Dave is when he hosted SNL right after the election. This special was really great and makes me glad that I’ve finally found him.

I LOVE Big Little Lies on HBO. I read the book a few years back so I know who dies and why, but I didn’t remember a few of the other plot lines so am exited to be reminded of how they wrap up! PS: Liane Moriarty’s books are great if you’re looking for a good beach read…

Reading

I didn’t read a book this month, but I do have 4 books packed for my vacation in a week and hoping to get through them all. I did however get caught up on a few comics and discover a new one…

I finally read Bitch Planet by local author (and world famous comic book writer) Kelly Sue DeConnick. I know as a woman I was supposed to love this, but for some reason it didn’t grab me. I’m glad I finally read it though. Maybe I’ll try it again in a few years.

I went to the comic shop and was surprised at how much was in my box! I got caught up on The Walking Dead (can’t wait for the show to do a time jump so I can come back to it…) and I was pleasantly surprised to see a new issue of Sex Criminals in my comic box after a way too long hiatus. I appreciated the excellent story telling of why it was on hiatus to recap. And, I swear, the comic isn’t what it sounds like…

Listening

If you haven’t discovered Missing Richard Simmons, stop reading this and go download it. I didn’t realize that Richard Simmons disappeared three years ago, but for the past month I’ve been enthralled with what happened.

Every Podcast on Crooked Media has been at the top of my podcast consumption list lately.

Andy Greenwald’s interview with Noah Hawley on The Watch made me VERY excited for the return of Fargo in a few weeks. Somewhere in a Watch Podcast lately they also referenced that Steven Soderbergh keeps a media blog of every single piece of media he consumes for the year. I love this idea but it overwhelms me a bit to think about. I may however try it for a month at some point in the not so distant future, you’ve been warned…

You’re Using Social Media Wrong

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Norm, Kenzie & Tucker!I’ve had a few too many conversations lately with clients and potential clients who have been spending a lot of time (and money and effort) on social media with no results.

I really wish I were surprised by this, but I’m not. Social media marketers really want Facebook to be the next big get rich quick scheme. And it’s not. That’s because it’s not a sales funnel. It’s a lead nurturing tool.

Everything I do on social media has the ability to bring people to my website to learn more about me. All of my profiles are fully filled out and tell people that I run Yellow Dog Consulting with my yellow dog Norm. Now, not every social media post is about marketing or my business, but if they like something I say, they may just head over to my site to learn more about this twisted mind of mine. I don’t expect someone to see a tweet, come to my site and hire me. It hasn’t happened yet.

BUT, when I’m out networking I use social media in my follow up. I connect with everyone I meet on LinkedIn. I follow everyone who has their Twitter handle on their card. And I may even check out their Instagram to see if they’re as obsessed with something as I am (#mydailynorm). I might drop it after a week or two if I don’t love it, but more often than not, I start to engage with them. No sales. No obnoxious message. I’m just a real live person having a conversation with them.

In a few months I may see them at another networking event and we decide to get coffee. And when the time is right, maybe the hire me.

Social media isn’t about getting the sale, it’s about growing and nurturing the relationship. Becoming human so when the time comes, they know who you are.