------- Clearing Up the Confusion E-Zine ------- Vol 1, Issue 9 I spend a lot of time in these newsletters talking about the neat gadgets, tools and applications which I've found out on the Web. With that as subject matter, I doubt that I will ever lack for something to report. This time, though, I thought I would take a slightly different tack. Some of the most valuable things I find out on the Web are a bit more nebulous: Ideas. More in this issue's article. ---------------------------------------------------------------- In This Issue... ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Article: My Trusted Advisors 2. Blog Posts 3. Guest Article: 3 Ways to be (Somewhat) Predictable 4. Shameless Self-Promotion 5. The Fine Print ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Article: My Trusted Advisors ---------------------------------------------------------------- More valuable than all of the gadgets of Google, more economical than free software, and more mind-expanding than writing my blog are all of the ideas I've found floating around in cyberspace. At times I feel like I have my own little cabinet of advisors from whom I receive pages of concepts and insights which help me run my business, have better relationships, and lead a better life. I thought I would share some of my favorite blogs and newsletters which have informed my life. I hope you'll check them out and let them inspire you, too. Blogs: In no particular order, these are the ones I read on a daily basis (or at least whenever they publish a new post). * Seth's Blog: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/ -- Seth Godin, author of a variety of books about marketing, riffs and rants on a plethora of new marketing topics. He often makes me think about how my day to day activities market me -- for good or bad. * How to Change the World: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/ -- Guy Kawasaki, former Apple Evangelist, interviews authors, reports on his travels, and writes about memorable behaviors by companies at all levels. His interviews have informed a number of my recent book purchases. * Debby Peters, Networking Guru: http://cnpofohio.blogspot.com/ -- Debby Peters, the Networking Guru, relates stories from the world of networking. Since I've actually taken her networking class (http://cnpofohio.com) twice already, I can identify with a lot of the lessons she writes about. * Escape from Cubicle Nation: http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/get_a_life_blog/ -- Pamela Slim talks about the joys and challenges of being an entrepreneur. She's been working on her own for more than a decade now. Her trailblazing is making my own transition a heck of a lot easier. She also hosts a podcast which regularly makes it onto my MP3 player. * TechCrunch: http://www.techcrunch.com/ -- Michael Arrington edits this great blog about all things new tech. He tracks company happenings, business dealings, and, of course, the coolest new widgets and gadgets on the Web. * HELLO, my name is BLOG: http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/ -- No list would be complete if I forgot to mention my buddy and hero, Scott Ginsberg. Recently featured on 20/20 as one of the luckiest people around, Scott takes personal branding and networking to a whole new level. I can't say enough good things about all of his offerings. Newsletters: I've fallen a bit behind on my newsletter reading, what with all of the great blogs that are out there. Still, here are one or two that you might consider: * TIPS for Extraordinary Living: http://www.philiphumbert.com/ -- Philip Humbert is an author, speaker and personal success coach (or so it says on his site). I don't know about all of that, but I do know that he has some good, thought-provoking ideas on living an extraordinary life. * Jeffrey Gitomer's Sales Caffeine: http://mailer.salescaffeine.com/KadroServer/maillink/102014/52/10089600 -- Jeffrey Gitomer dispenses sales advice to all and sundry. He also includes excerpts from other sales experts. If you have any aspect of sales in your career (and who doesn't?), you should definitely check this one out. * Gizmo's Support Alert Newsletter: http://www.techsupportalert.com/al_subscribe.htm -- If you have any interest in maintaining your own computer or in free software for same, you can't afford to skip the Support Alert newsletter. Gizmo compiles lists of free software, security advice, and tips to improve your computing experience. I've said before that you can find a lot of great, free software out on the 'Net. Gizmo will tell you where and whether it's worth the time. One of the rallying cries of the Internet has been that "Information wants to be free". The sources I've listed here are only a bare fraction of the wealth available for that low, low price. I haven't even touched on community-specific forums, podcasts and videocasts, and, of course, the wonderful world of Wikipedia. If you have any choice sources that you use on a regular basis, I would love to hear from you. Drop me a line at gpeters@cyberdatasolns.com. Copyright 2007, Greg Peters ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Blog Posts ---------------------------------------------------------------- Links to posts on the "Clearing Up the Confusion" Blog from the last year: Friday, June 01, 2007 -- I Are Smart http://clearing-confusion.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-are-smart.html Tuesday, April 24, 2007 -- Wiping the Slate http://clearing-confusion.blogspot.com/2007/04/wiping-slate.html ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Guest Article: 3 Ways to be (Somewhat) Predictable ---------------------------------------------------------------- by Scott Ginsberg Brands are expectations. Which means it's your job to prove customers right. To confirm their suspicions about the value you deliver and the values you stand for. It ALSO means you need to be (somewhat) predicable: 1. In person. 2. Via email. 3. On the phone. 4. Throughout your marketing efforts. Be (somewhat) predictable. Disney calls this "staying in character." (After all, their employees ARE called "cast members!") AND HERE'S THE THING: you're not that different! OK, maybe you wear a little less makeup. But the distinction is, instead of playing the role of Snow White, you're playing the role of YOU. SO, THE CHALLENGE IS: how do you become (somewhat) predictable? Here's a list of three ways to maintain brand consistency: 1. RECORD Brand Moments. Keep a log of your branding "moments of truth." For example, write down any time a customer says, "I figured you would do that!" or "It doesn't surprise me to see your company..." or "That's exactly what I expected your website to say!" After all, what people remember about you is what you are. 2. REMIND Brand Moments: in your office, post a bunch of sticky notes that read, "Is what I'm doing RIGHT NOW consistent with my brand?" This will keep you accountable. And if you're ever not sure if the answer is yes, well, consider that a hint. 3. REINFORCE Brand Moments: any time you do or say something consistent with your brand's values, tell people. For example, if you email a prospect and say, "Well, my consulting fees are available on my website," don't forget to punctuate that sentence with, "...because that's the way I do business," or "...because that's what clients have come to expect of me." They'll appreciate your integrity. And people respond to policies. ONE FINAL NOTE: don't seek to achieve 100% predictability. There's nothing wrong with throwing a few curve balls here and there. Just remember, consistency is CRUCIAL to successful branding. Because consistency is far better than rare moments of greatness. And... Consistency leads to familiarity. Familiarity leads to predictability. And predictability leads to trust. And TRUST is foundation of all business. Especially when it really IS a small world after all! LET ME ASK YA THIS... What's your most predictable brand moment? LET ME SUGGEST THIS... Post your answer on my blog for the world to see! © 2007 All Rights Reserved. Scott Ginsberg, aka "The Nametag Guy," is the internationally recognized author of four books, including "The Power of Approachability" and "How to be That Guy." He delivers speeches and publishes online learning tools that help businesspeople make a name for themselves - one conversation at a time. He can be reached at 314/256-1800 or you can email Scott directlyscott@hellomynameisscott.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Shameless Self-Promotion ---------------------------------------------------------------- The "Clearing Up the Confusion" E-Zine is a production of Greg Peters, owner, chief cook, and bottlewasher of Cyber Data Solutions. CDS has been helping nonprofit and charitable organizations develop their web presence for more than a decade. Visit us on the Web at www.cyberdatasolns.com to see how we can help your organization. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5. The Fine Print ---------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: You can subscribe to the "Clearing Up The Confusion" E-zine at: http://mail.cyberdatasolns.com/ezine/ Questions: If you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding the Clearing Up the Confusion E-zine, please email Greg Peters at: gpeters@cyberdatasolns.com This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright and contact information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Greg Peters is required, with notification to the original author. We never send the "Clearing Up the Confusion" E-zine uninvited, and we NEVER share, sell or rent our mailing list to anyone. Your privacy is safe with us.