I was introduced to Laura via Nicole Fende (aka The Numbers Whisperer) and immediately took a shine to her writing. And not just because she works under the Flying Pig banner (have you ever seen my personal blog, Whole Hog Marvels?), but also because she’s smart AND funny. Two traits I simply cannot resist. It wasn’t long before our Word Carnival group felt the same and so she’s also been sharing her smarty-pants ways with us since January.

How long have you been at this? and What inspired you to start this business?

I’ve been working in communications for the totality of my professional career. I started off working in the political world, first for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in D.C. and then on my own as a political consultant. My business just sort of grew and changed as I grew and changed. We’ve really grown up together.

Where does your biz name come from?

When my business morphed into what today is Flying Pig Consulting, it was due to a need I saw in the small business and non-profit market for affordable, practical and effective communications consulting and strategy. The idea of a flying pig really resonated with the need of a small business owner to beat the odds, defy the rules and fly despite the obstacles they faced (in structure, size, resources, etc.).

• Share one of the most joyful times you’ve ever had in your business.

Honestly, when I’m doing coaching and there is that moment when all of a sudden a client ‘gets it’, you just see something flip in their head and you know they are going to be amazing on their own….that makes me giddy every time!

What’s your #1 goal for this year?  What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

I co-host an online business talk show, Call a Biz Hero, with the amazing Nicole Fende. The show is a weekly 30 minute interview style show that brings the best of the best entrepreneurs and experts together to help all businesses owners recognize, attack and destroy their ‘business kryptonite.’ We have a lot of really exciting things coming up this year, like a crowdfunding campaign that launched this week, a fun and useful entrepreneur board game called “The Idea Incubator” and much more. I’d love to really see it expand its reach and viewership since I 100% completely believe it can help any and every entrepreneur (plus is a super fun break in the often stressful world of business ownership!)

Describe in 25 words or less, your ideal client:

A small to midsize growth stage business or non-profit looking to expand their outreach, strengthen their brand and grow their business.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

I want to start them all myself! Haha!

What’s your theme song?

There is no song that has yet been written that suitably defines me. I am therefore in the process of writing one myself. It is soon to be released and should go multi-platinum overnight.

What TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

duh…Q from James Bond. With a brain like that behind me I’d be unstoppable! Petrolino World Domination FTW!!!

What kitchen utensil would you be and why?

Well my favorite and most used kitchen utensil is my Ninja Mixer and I think I’m sort of like a ninja myself (not to mention I constantly refer to myself as a ninja!). I’m small but powerful and can mix lots of different things together to produce something absolutely delicious!

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

Hahaha! Anyone that knows me knows that I not only fully admit to loads of embarrassing things about myself, I promote them. So, really who is to choose just one?!? I welcome anyone to follow or friend my personal page on Facebook and you will be overloaded with enough “Laura Fails” to keep you perpetually laughing.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

Oh geez! I definitely have my top ten list, but just one is rough! Probably Ben Franklin, he was the prototypical entrepreneur and innovator. His ideas, his spirit, his perspective on people, life and the world in general are all constant sources of inspiration. To just sit and learn from him would be incredible.

Where can we find you online?

My website/blog: FlyingPigConsulting.com and Call a Biz Hero (and associated Facebook pages for both).

The post Hall of Fame: Laura Petrolino of Flying Pig Consulting appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

This Hall of Fame spotlight is long overdue. Sharon and I’ve been working together as Word “carnies” for nearly two years now (see WordCarnivals.com for more on that). And she’s definitely someone worth knowing! A freelance writer who proudly wears the polymath title, Sharon’s interests keep her (and her readers) very busy. Let’s get to know her even better, shall we?

 

How long have you been at this business? and What inspired you to start?

I’ve been freelancing for about 8 years now, though I’ve been writing for much longer. As with most things in my life, it was a combination of serendipity and necessity. Serendipity, because I had the chance to leave my lecturing job and still get paid for a few months. Necessity, because on a personal front I wanted a job that would let me spend more time with my young daughter. And I doing so much teaching that I was missing writing so all in all, it seemed like the right decision at the right time. Of course, I didn’t think of it as a business, then. That came later.

What was one of the most joyful times you’ve had in your business?

The best moment in my early freelancing career was when I landed a gig to write for a travel blog and made the transition from writing SEO articles to blogging professionally. I’ve been doing it ever since – and I love it! It’s great to get paid to do this.

What’s your #1 goal for this year? What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

I’m writing a course to help freelancers get on the road to earning money. My main goal this year is to finish it and release it into the wild (er, the interwebs) so that people can get some benefit from it. There’s a way to go yet, though. I’ve drafted some marketing info and about half the content and have two domain names. Once it’s out there, all offers to spread the word will be gratefully accepted.

Who is your ideal client (be specific!)?

A small business owner or entrepreneur who needs great content to build authority. S/he recognizes the value of good writing in boosting the business.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

Does it have to be a real one? Because I would totally like someone to get the Star Trek transporter into production. On a more serious note, I’d love a single piece of software that would simplify ebook creation in multiple formats, including the ability to input covers, blurbs, descriptions and so on, then press one button to publish everywhere.

What’s your theme song?

Depends on the day, but I waver between I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan) and RESPECT (Aretha).

What TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

Mr. Spock – he’d be a whiz at coming up with logical solutions to problems and could keep track of the money in his sleep. I’d obviously have to bring the creativity and emotion – that could work.

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

I can trip over nothing so I’ve had some pretty interesting falls – and the bruises to go with them. It’s one reason why I tend to wear flats.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

That’s a tough one, but today I’d pick Maya Angelou, because I find both her journey and her writing inspiring.

What’s your favorite blog post (written by you)?

Funnily enough, my favorite post has nothing to do with writing, blogging or marketing – it’s about defining your identity: Who Defines You? More Thoughts On The James Chartrand Story.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me on sharonhh.com or check out my other social media hangouts on my Google+ profile.

The post Hall of Fame: Sharon Hurley Hall, Freelance Writer appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

Question: There are SO many resources, opportunities for learning, mentors, etc., how can I efficiently choose the marketing technique(s) that will most likely align with my business plans, goals and industry?  How do I best allocate my limited resources (time/$) to actually grow my business (while avoiding Bright Shiny Object Syndrome)?

The simple answer is: Know Thyself.

If you’ve done the homework and have true clarity about who you are (your strengths and weaknesses), what your resources are (time, money, people) and what your goals are (mission/vision/values), you’ll be able to hold anything up to that and very quickly answer the question, “Does this serve me?”

The challenge is to do the homework.

So let’s look at what that means in depth…

Know your Strengths and Weaknesses

Your strengths are the intersection of your natural talents and skills and the things you love to do. When you know what these are, you’ll look for strategies that fit best with these.

For example, if you love to speak in public (and you’re good at it), this is a marketing strategy you should probably add to your mix.

In those places where you’re weak, and it looks like a particular strategy needs to happen given your target market, you’ll want to hire that out to someone who’s great at doing the work.

For example, if you’re not comfortable with technology, but you know that email marketing needs to happen, you’ll need to find a virtual assistant.

Know your Resources

Have you created a marketing budget? Do you know how much money you have to invest?

Do you have a clear calendar of scheduled and unscheduled time?

Do you know who your support team is?

If you haven’t done these things yet, it’s time to tackle them.

A marketing budget should flow naturally from your business/marketing plan (so start there if you haven’t created one yet).

If you don’t have a support team yet, it’s time to start building one. That means: a mastermind group of peers and colleagues; a trusted mentor; skilled professionals who help you with the tasks that aren’t in your purview (lawyer, accountant, marketing consultant, etc.).

If there’s clarity around understanding what resources you have available to play with, you’ll be able to say yes or no much more quickly. And when you get stuck on the answer, you’ll have folks you trust who can advise you appropriately.

Know your Goals

Have you properly researched and written a business and marketing plan? This must-have tool is crucial in your fight against Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. Knowing your target market inside and out and having a clear vision for where you want to go and what you want to accomplish, will go miles toward helping you know which strategies will work for you.

Most of the time, when we end up on a path that wastes our time and money, it’s because we never understood where we were going to begin with.

Obviously, the antidote to all this confusion is clarity.

And clarity comes from thoughtful research and planning.

You’ll never have a crystal ball. There are no guarantees.

But you can do the research, write the plan, know who you are and what you have to work with. You can then hold up any opportunity against that knowledge and be much better situated to discern your answer.

If you’re not already there, start by scheduling some CEO time for yourself every week. At least one hour to review your progress, compare it to your original plans, and investigate opportunities.

If you find it hard to keep that appointment with yourself (or, you’re not sure where to start), you might consider working with a trusted mentor or coach.

And if your budget won’t allow for that, seek out free resources like your local small business development center or SCORE. They offer free to very low cost assistance.

And finally — make sure you’ve got a solid group of peers and colleagues you can go to in a pinch. A mastermind group is invaluable for brainstorming, accountability and regular reality checks.

If you feel like you’ve done all of those things and you’re still struggling to make good choices, then you might just be a person who needs to take a bit longer to make decisions. That’s okay, too.

My guy likes to make a spread sheet of options before making a major purchase. If it helps you to see everything on paper first, work with that. (I’ll just point out though, that you’d need to know your strengths and weaknesses in order to know that this is something that would help you.)

Still stuck? If you’ve got a specific question about a specific marketing strategy, go ahead and ask it below in the comments. I’m happy to see if I can help you get clear about your best option.

And if you’d rather chat privately, I offer free 20-minute mini-consults to potential new clients.

The post Table Talk Q&A: How Do I Pick the Best Marketing Strategies for My Business (and Avoid Wasting Time/Money)? appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

Rebecca Clark, Nudge Village

Allow me to introduce you to Rebecca. We met on Twitter. She’s a generous woman full of positive energy and enthusiasm who works tirelessly to help her budding community reach their goals.

How long have you been in business? and What inspired you to start?

I started Nudge Village in 2011. I actually work full-time for the Department of Defense. At that time it was a bit more stable. (-: But, I had many talented friends that were out of work and trying to make a go of it on their own. I thought I’d help by creating a site to highlight them. It quickly turned into highlighting everyone that was following their personal big idea and encouraging them to keep moving forward!

Where does your biz name come from?

It came from the MSWord right click function! Seriously. I sat down one night to think of a name and I just made a list of words. Once I made the list, I selected each word and right clicked on them to see what alternatives came up in the synonyms list. I knew that I wanted to give people a little “push” to move their idea forward and I also knew that I wanted a community atmosphere – giving, sharing, promoting, etc. Nudge Village came out as my favorite combination of words.

Tell us about one of the most joyful times you’ve ever had in your business.

The greatest moments are when I see people in Nudge Village connecting to each other in some way – sharing ideas, promoting each other, and actually doing business together! It re-inspires me to share and continue to build people up.

What’s your #1 goal for this year? What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

My goal is to clarify the purpose of Nudge Village and offer products, services and support that are aligned with that purpose. We’ve grown slowly and I’m fine with that, but now is the time to really organize that growth into clear, tangible support for the community and those who’d like to join us.

How can you help us? If you see anything on Nudge Village worth sharing, please share it! We hope to attract people by offering support and resources that are useful! We are always open to suggestions on how we can improve as well!

Who is your ideal client?

Anyone wanting to take their idea to the next level and wants a group to hold them accountable. We need both to make a community.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

Oh my. So many ideas, so little time, right? I wish someone would start a company that had all kinds of products for tall people. I know that they exist in pieces and parts, but it would be great to have houses, tables, beds, cars and luggage that was just all proportioned a bit better. You can’t tell me that Shaquil O’Neil is really comfortable in that car they have him driving in the ads.

What’s your theme song?

I am late to the game on this one. I need to pick one! I still always get chills from Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.”

What TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

Tyler Perry. He is creative, has created this great niche and …I just love his character Madea. That is one tall and tough grandmother!

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

Hmmm. I have no control when it comes to cookies. My man has to hide them in the trunk of HIS car so that I don’t sneak into them! I lost focus at work the other day because I knew there were extra cookies in the conference room downstairs. I consider myself the unofficial chair of Cookies Anonymous. Hopefully The Word Chef recognizes this as a legitimate food dilemma.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

Oh wow. Too many to list. I think Richard Branson would be a fun lunch. Plus, there is power of having a guru like that sitting in front of you, looking you in the face and telling you to “Go for it!” and to keep being creative.

Where can we find you online?

We are at NudgeVillage.com and invite folks to join our Facebook Group.

The post Hall of Fame: Rebecca Clark, Nudge Village appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

Carol Lynn is one of the smartest people I know. She’s also a beloved Word Carney (a witty writer who gives fabulous advice) and part of my mastermind group (aka The Blog Posse). We may live on opposite sides of the country, but I rely on her wisdom and generosity every week. She’s definitely someone you want to know.

How long have you been in business? and What inspired you to start this business?

I’ve been in business for just about 15 years.

I was a teacher before that and working in a private school that was a lot like working at a startup. It was a brand new school, they had no curriculum and I basically created it from scratch and to a large extent did the marketing to the parents who needed to know they were paying to send their kids there for good reason.

When the company my husband was working for went out of business a week before Christmas, we had to figure out what to do next. He had years of experience in the creative and development industry and some people who were ready to work with him so we took the leap and opened our own creative services business. We were both enticed by the idea of striking out on our own, being our own bosses, making our own rules and building something great together.

Where does your biz name come from?

We have very proud, geeky roots in Dungeons and Dragons. “Rahvalor” is the name of the character my husband played as a kid. His sister came up with it because she said he needed a “Rah! Rah!” character and a valorous one. It’s pronounced a little differently but it’s Rah and Valor put together.

What was one of the most joyful times you’ve ever had in your business?

The first time I saw my name on our business cards. That was me! With a logo and a title! It was official. I felt like I suddenly had real ownership of my business and my destiny.

What’s your #1 goal for this year? What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

I want to finally start publishing some ebooks. I’ve got a few started, drafts and outlines and even chapters but haven’t pulled it together yet. Mostly I debate what people would really want to read or learn about, so the answer to that question would be priceless!

Who is your ideal client?

A small business owner, passionate about their business, who may not know much about marketing but knows its value and is open to new ideas.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

I want someone to find a way to manage, organize and centralize online contacts. Then I can remember where I met people, who I want to follow up with, when to congratulate/wish happy birthday/ping or otherwise connect with any one of the thousands of people I’ve crossed paths with online. Right now it’s like having a million sticky notes that all lost their stick right before a good wind blew through.

What’s your theme song?

I’ll have to go with Thank You by Alanis Morissette. It reminds me that being an obsessive cog in the rat race is not necessary or helpful. Sometimes you have to let go and live, be at peace with yourself and the world and appreciate the failures for what they have to teach as much as the successes you work for.

What TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

[Chef] Robert Irvine. He’s a no-nonsense badass who tells it like it is and gets things done. And he always puts family and people at the center of business. And he cooks.

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

This is more general than specific but I’m bad with names and on more than one occasion I’ve been in a meeting or at an event, talking with someone for a while, then I’m in a position where I have to make introductions and I blank on the person’s name and either have to ask again or stumble my way around it. Either way it’s mortifying. I’m not always good with faces, either. I tend to pick up on things like what people are wearing or what their hair looks like so God forbid someone changes clothes or gets a haircut, I might not even recognize my own mother. In business situations it’s pretty embarrassing to constantly be that person who never remembers you. Take that as a warning for when we meet in person. I probably won’t have any idea who you are.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

I would love to have one more lunch with my grandfather. He was a businessman and owned a shop that manufactured silk flowers for department stores and displays. As a kid and even as a teenager I spent many hours working with him, learning how to make the flowers and fill the orders. I always thought if I was old enough and rich enough I would have bought that business and kept it running! I often think of things he said and did, how he ran his business and dealt with people and it would be awesome to sit down and have a grown-up conversation with him given the perspective I have now. I bet he could still teach me a thing or two.

What’s your favorite blog post (that YOU’VE written)?

It was one for the Word Carnival called Small Business, Big Lessons: How To Learn The Hard Way And Live To Earn Another Day. It was the first really revealing, personal thing I’d put out there.

Where can we find you online?

My company website rahvalor.com and our marketing magazine websearchsocial.com.

The post Hall of Fame: An Interview with Carol Lynn Rivera, Rahvalor appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

“Does this business make me look fat?” Illustration courtesy of graphics and more by evan austin

How’re you feeling about your business and where it’s headed?

Hunky dory? Or just hunky?

Is there a nagging voice in the back of your head screaming that your projects will never be Grade-A material?

Are you constantly taking one course after another in order to get to the place of I-Know-What-the-Hell-I’m-Doing so you can launch that thing already?

Or, maybe you just hate to delegate? Still doing everything yourself (mostly because finding and training someone to do it right would cost you more in time and money than it’s “worth” to your sanity)?

I have news for you, my friend.

You’re a perfectionist.

(And YOU are your own worst enemy.)

If you’re like the rest of the humans on this planet, you will — from time to time — find yourself in despair over your progress (or, lack thereof).

After all, just look around you — there’s a crap ton of people who are so much farther ahead than you. He’s got three times as many Facebook fans. And she’s got a list that’s twice the size of yours.

The over-achiever in you wants to be The Best. Perfect. A True Example of How to Do This Thing Called Building a Business.

And you may not want to admit it, but when you see someone else succeeding — in spite of the fact that their stuff isn’t polished to a high grade shine — you get a teensy bit jealous. 

I get it. Those thoughts plague me too, on occasion.

I confess: when I look in the mirror, I’ve yet to see myself as a bad ass unicorn.

More often than I’d like to admit, I see all the lumps, bumps and bloated ideas that need work. The processes that need streamlining. And the To Do list that I’m avoiding…

Causes of Perfectionism (I know whereof I speak)

Those of us with the perfectionist gene usually learned early in life that other people valued us because of how much we accomplished or achieved. In my family, getting straight A’s in school was the default expectation. If we missed that mark, there was something very very wrong.

Or at least, that’s what I thought. And I took that mindset with me into adulthood.

Maybe you did, too?

In business (and especially online) we see countless messages about how to “Get 10,000 Fans,” “Make 6 Figures in 60 Days,” and “Explode the size of our email lists overnight.” These headlines imply (in not-so-subtle ways) that unless we’ve got a huge following, we’re big fat failures.

We base our self-worth (and by extension, our level of success) on external standards. Which means we become overly sensitive to the opinions and criticism of others — even when that criticism is a voice in our own head.

Here’s what you need to know: Perfectionism is just a self-defense mechanism.

It’s there to protect us from slanderous assaults and defend us against things like bankruptcy, homelessness or simple rejection. It’s the worn out blankey we keep in our back pocket to feel safe.

The big problem? Perfectionism also keeps us from “shipping” the projects we need to finish if we ever want to make money.

And it keeps us in “shoulding” on ourselves (see that list of To Do items that shows up every time you try to relax) when we’d be better off just getting some stuff done.

What to do About Perfectionism

Like all great first steps to recovery, the best way to begin your shift is to really see how perfectionism impedes your growth. In short, you begin with awareness.

After that, you might find some of the following strategies helpful:

• Set realistic and reachable goals based on your own wants and needs — not on what you see “out there.” If you don’t know what you want, it might be time for a little self-reflection. Or a lot. And the only way to get that done is to make an appointment with yourself to do the work. A great place to start is my Find Your Secret Sauce class.
• Set new goals just outside your comfort zone (not someone else’s). As you reach a goal, set your next goal one level beyond your present level of accomplishment. You want a bit of a stretch but not something that’s so crazy scary you can’t act.
• Experiment with your ideas about success. Choose any activity and instead of aiming for 100 percent, try for 90 percent, 80 percent, or even 60 percent success. This will help you see that the world doesn’t end when you’re not perfect.
• Focus more on the journey, less on the destination. Enjoy the process more by making a conscious effort to stay present. Be curious. What can you learn from what’s happening? Evaluate your success not only in terms of what you accomplish but also by how much you enjoyed yourself.
• When you notice yourself feeling anxious or depressed about your progress, ask “Have I set up impossible expectations in this situation?” If your answer is, “Yes,” then it’s time to dial things back a few notches.
• Confront the fears behind your perfectionism by asking “What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing that could happen?” And then make a plan to deal with that worst case scenario.
• Try to see mistakes as learning opportunities. Forward progress in business requires constant improvements made incrementally over time. If you never try anything (or make a mistake), you’ll never learn anything new.
• Avoid all-or-none thinking in relation to your goals. Learn to prioritize all the different tasks on your plate. Which are less important to you? Which are less important to your bottom line? Those are the ones you can relax a bit on.
• Find a mastermind group to help you regularly check the reality of your thoughts. (If you need some help with that, I highly recommend this upcoming webinar.)
• Work with a coach or a mentor to get specific advice on the things you’re doing. Often, just having someone on your side that’s been down that road before can help save you loads of time, money and needless worry. And yes, this is a service I offer.
• Give yourself deadlines. And make sure you’ve got someone there to keep you accountable. When you know you’ve got to turn in that project in a week, your focus will change from making it perfect to making it the best version you can. At which point you’re then free to release said project into the wild and see if it flies. Again, if you don’t have someone to help you stay accountable, start here.

Ultimately, it’s meaningless to compare your life and your business success to someone else’s.

Is it helpful to get realistic pictures of what others are doing (and succeeding at)? Yes! Just be sure you’re doing that and not trying to copy their roadmap.

There will always be people who are farther along the path. And for that matter, there will always be other paths.

You don’t need 10,000 fans to have a business that supports you and your family.

You probably only need five or six really loyal customers. Maybe ten.

Find those ten people. Serve them to your best ability. Helping even just a few people (versus the hordes that your competitors seem to be working with) will get you closer to your goal. Every time.

And you might not feel like a bad ass unicorn — yet. Just take baby steps every single day and that voice in your head will learn to be quiet soon enough. Promise!

What are you working on now that feels overwhelming? Share with us in a comment below.

This post is part of the awesome Word Carnival. Read more on this month’s theme: Vanquish Your Nemesis: A Guide to Conquering Small Biz Evils.

The post Does this Business Make Me Look Fat? (Or, How to Silence That Voice in Your Head) appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

When I stumbled across Nick’s website over a year ago, I knew he was perfect for the Word Carnival. His irreverent blog and sense of humor were exactly right for our little crowd. Recently though, Nick’s helped me co-host Prosperity’s Kitchen, proving yet again that his specific kind of genius is truly what every small biz owner needs.

How long have you been working at this? and What inspired you to start this business?

In 2009, I was working my last week at a job where I’d just been written up for being “overly direct” because I made a systems suggestion directly to the CEO instead of to my boss. I had resigned to pursue a job I thought would be my best bet at a secure future… and on my second-to-last day, I nearly died thanks to a rambunctious appendix.

A week late starting my new job, I realized that it was damn near impossible to program while high on Vicodin. About two weeks later when my boss asked when I’d be wearing pants again (hard seams, even on Vicodin, are not vogue when you’ve just had a shark-bite appendectomy), I knew I was about to be fired.

I pulled my 401K, which covered that month’s medical bill (a fraction of the $10K I owed), a month of groceries, that month’s rent, and bought me time to contemplate my next move.

Overall, I knew I was a solid coder. I had been studying this new thing called “social media” and realized it was exactly like something I’d done ten years earlier building community around my Star Trek fan fiction writer’s group (except instead of Twitter and Facebook, I was using AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo! Groups).

In college, I’d dreamed of being… something in the realm of Marketing. The term for it wouldn’t exist until 2010: community manager. So when I finally had the chance to be my own boss: that’s what I did, online community management for $350/mo per client.

Now, 4 years later, I’ve worked in various capacities to train or market businesses ranging from Fortune 100’s to tiny mom-and-pop shops. Day to day, I work to make marketing FUN for small business owners.

Where does your biz name come from?

WTF Marketing is a result of my ennui with traditional business marketing. Each time I’d tried to get a “marketing” job with a business, it ended up being a cold-calling sales job. I can’t tell you how disheartening it is to be a graduating senior and know exactly what you want to do – only to be about a year and a half too early for the market for it.

In 2009, there was a glut of “gurus,” and I decided I wanted to combat their inane prattling with my own practical advice based on old-school marketing techniques.

Plus, I’m a heart-felt rabble-rouser. I wanted a business name that spoke to that, would get attention, and challenged conventional thinking of what a “marketing professional” looked like.

So, WTF Marketing was born.

When was one of the most joyful times you’ve ever had in your business?

The day I created my first Public Service Announcement – “Are You Burnt Out.” Within a few days of posting on Facebook, it went viral on Reddit, hitting #3 on the front page and #1 on the humor section, reaching 60,000+ people and is still being rampantly shared on Facebook.

What’s your #1 goal for this year? What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

I’m adding a product component to my business; my internal goal is that I want to make it 75% of my revenue stream by the end of the year. My external goal is to make these products some of the most interesting, common-sense-packed marketing tools small business owners have access to.

Who’s your ideal client?

My ideal client is a seasoned small business owner making between $80,000 and $8M per year, who has hit the end of their “out-of-the-box” marketing luck, needs new ideas, and is willing to experiment intelligently with their business.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

What’s funny is that it already exists: MakeLoveNotPorn.tv. I don’t know if I’d have had the foresight or the correct mindset to start that business, but I love the premise and sincerity.

What’s your theme song?

Real by William Shatner and Brad Paisley.

What TV or movie character would you like to go into business with?

Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager. Her efficiency would be super helpful day-to-day.

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

When I’m down, I sing and dance to Taylor Swift to get back in the groove.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

William Shatner. William Shatner without a doubt, because I would love to talk with him about how he gets all his projects done. Shatner is one of the most awe-inspiring people alive today and I hope to do something, someday, worthy of Bill’s attention.

What’s your favorite blog post (that YOU’VE written)?

I like most of my written work for the Word Carnivals, but in particular, “The Difference Between Love and Lonely Nights is Seduction” is probably my favorite.

Where can we find you online?

Visit me at my blog, WTFMarketing.com or say Hi to @WTFMarketing on Twitter.

The post Hall of Fame: An Interview with Nick Armstrong, WTF Marketing appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

In other words, sh*t got done.

In fact, the amount of progress made by the participants was so substantial that it almost had me start working on Season Two.

Almost.

Let’s be honest. It wasn’t all a bed of roses.

There wasn’t enough time to dive deep on any topic (and they were all topics that deserved a closer look).

There was too much desire to please the judges (even though I did everything I could to combat that tendency in our participants).

And there was simply not enough space to help out the technologically challenged.

So how could I take all that goodness and not do something with it?

Could there be a way to grow and evolve that program into something that worked even better?

Something that expanded on the best of PK (and left off the rest)?

Obviously, I think there is.

Which brings to me to my announcement:

I’m refocusing and revamping The Digital Dining Room.

Here’s what I’ve mapped out:

If that graphic leaves you saying, “Huh?” You might want to pop over to the page with all the details.

But hurry. There’s a huge discount that goes away at midnight PST on May 1, 2013.

The post Digital Dining Room: The Next Evolution of Prosperity’s Kitchen appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

Ever feel like all that marketing you need to do would be a piece of (ahem) cake if it weren’t for the technology?

Even those of us who’re comfortable with computers can bump up against cyber ghosts, monsters and brute force zombies.

Allow me to share a little story…

Mondays we broadcast Prosperity’s Kitchen. On one such fine day, while we were on-air live (and I was trying something new) my laptop decided to freeze up and then go into convulsions.

Thankfully, I was able to shut off the program that was causing the crazies and continue our broadcast relatively unharmed.

But later that day, while knee deep in the video editing process, the darn thing decided to segue into the Blue Screen of Death:

I’m not unfamiliar with these type of gremlins (having done a short stint on the Help Desk in college) so I tried to boot up in Safe Mode and see if there was something I could fix.

Alas, she was having none of it. I gave up and emailed Mr. Perfect a picture of the screen, my fingers  crossed that I hadn’t scared him off of coming home for dinner.

What’s truer than true is that the best laid marketing plans can’t ensure success – especially when you’re fighting off cyber monkeys. The best we can do is remember to have a Plan B (or as many letters as makes you feel comfortable), and to laugh (or, at least smile) when things go sideways.

My choice reaction on Monday? To distract myself with “Game of Thrones” and a double cheeseburger. Probably not the healthiest of options, but it did the trick.

Also? Mr. Perfect earned himself a cool 20,000 brownie points for working his magic. He’s a prime example of why God created the Buddy System. (He keeps me happy in so many ways!)

Which brings me to my point: Who will you call in a tech emergency? Do you know?

Are you prepared for the inevitable?

Most folks aren’t lucky enough to have live-in tech support like me.

If something were to gunk up your email or break your website, do you know the perfect genius to call?

If not, it’s time to find one now — before you need them.

I see this all the time in working with clients. Too many solo entrepreneurs struggle with the tech.

Getting started is hard enough. Sometimes the learning curve is so steep they throw their hands in the air and give up before they’ve rounded the first bend.

But to keep things humming — especially during an important launch or live event — you’ve got to be prepared.

Let’s help each other with that shall we?

Unfortunately, Mr. Perfect has no interest in working for Word Chef Enterprises as our community’s go-to tech guy. (I keep asking and he just chuckles quietly.)

Would you share your best tech resources?

I’ve created a Reader Referrals page just for this purpose. It’s a supplement to my short list of folks who know everything from WordPress to hardware.

If you’ve ever worked with a tech genius of any sort, please leave a comment below and share their name and contact info with me. Yes, even if that tech genius is you.*

Thank you! And your fellow Wordies thank you, too. We gotta stick together, right?

*Please subscribe to the PB&J emails (if you’re not already on the list) so we can include you as an official community member.

The post Like Butter! How to Keep Your Technology Humming So Your Marketing Does Too appeared first on Word Chef | Tea Silvestre - Marketing Consultant, Writer.

I found Sandy via her blog almost two years ago and realized immediately she’d be just right for our Word Carnival gang. And even though she lives on the opposite side of the planet (in Australia), she and I are closely aligned in how we see business and the role it can play through the communities it builds.

How long have you been doing what you do? What inspired you to start this business?

My first business was a two person graphic design studio in Zimbabwe which I started when I was 26. When we moved to Australia in ’84, I started a new business, which my husband joined and we ran for 22 years. It was a marketing communications company called ArtWords. I was the Art and he was the Words.

After that period of time, I discovered internet marketing and while starting a charity called KasCare whose mandate is to help the orphaned children in southern Africa, I also developed a passion for blogging. This has all come to roost in a business called The ClanMakers which is now just short of a year old, and helps business owners build advocating community online.

Where does your biz name come from?

Seth Godin owns ‘tribes’ and the word ‘community’ is overused and really speaks more to just interested people (not passionate, wild-about-you people, who shout your name from the rooftops and act if you ask them to).

‘Clans’ are edgy and like kilted warriors, fiercely loyal. I wanted to elicit that passion so people understand that there is nothing that cannot be achieved with a clan beside you.

When was one of the most joyful times you’ve had in your business?

The day my book — Clans, Supercharge Your Business — arrived from the printer. There is something divinely satisfying about knowing that you have unpacked your unique knowledge and experience and created a framework for doing something around it, sufficient to write a book about it. It also did justice to the remarkable world-wide online community I had the privilege of starting for KasCare.

What’s your #1 goal this year? What can we help you with in terms of getting there?

By the end of this year, I aim to have the 24 week, Clans Masterclass program ready to roll with up to 30 change-making, business owners who are ecstatic to be taking part in early 2014.

To do that, I need to refine the message and find the right people to deliver it to. This is a challenge. So I would be very grateful for some cut through on a step by step process to do that. I have some of it in place but would love feedback on what I’m doing.

Who’s your ideal client?

They’re an ambitious, passionate business owner wanting to make a difference. They understand the concept of community and being online, but not how to do it.

What company do you not want to start but wish someone else would?

An affordable, mobile massage business for desk workers, who’d come once a week to massage your neck and shoulders. Fabulous.

Whats your theme song?

Borrowed Heaven, by The Corrs. Fabulous combination of Irish and African voices.

What TV Character would you like to go into business with?

Martha Costello from Silk (BBC drama). She is awesome. Fierce, loyal, vulnerable, brilliant at what she does and highly moral.

What’s the most embarrassing thing you’re willing to admit here?

Years ago, I was seeking help on handling a client from my online coach. They arrived early and had been shown into the room without my realizing it. Although I was wanting to better serve them, it didn’t quite go according to plan!

If you could have lunch with anyone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

Jamie Oliver, providing he made the lunch. He is delicious, as is his food AND he’s passionate about making a difference.

Also, at the risk of sounding smarmy, I’d love to have lunch with you. I imagine it would be a talk fest, we’d discover much in common and I’d come away with a head full of new ideas. If you were up for inviting some of the other Carnies, that would be great fun too.

What’s your favorite blog post (that you’ve written)?

One that I wrote for the Word Carnival: How to Fall in Love with Your Business Blog

Where can we find you online?

WhyYouMustBlog.com and TheClanMakers.com

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