Small Business Talks Turkey with Steve Strauss of USA Today
August 26, 2008
In just a couple of hours I'll be in the car with Tom on my way to NYC (the Big Apple, to most). This is not a fun jaunt, off to see a play on Broadway, or to shop along 5th Avenue (that's where people shop, right?) It's a business trip.
As many of you know, just a few weeks ago Ford Motor Company invited a small group of bloggers to its media event - to test drive their new 2009 models (as opposed to their 'old' 2009 models; I'm feeling frisky today, can you tell?). Tom and I were there. Tom raved about the Mustang Bullit. I loved the Escape. I'm still on the fence about the Flex, a crossover. Not thrilled with its outer appearance, but I was impressed with it from the inside-out. Overall, the safety features and the attention to being "green" was the most impressive part of that whole day.
Well, almost immediately following that, a PR firm contacted me to ask if I'd like to be on an 'exclusive' panel of bloggers in NYC. Here is the actual pitch:
Ms. DiVita,
I'm writing to invite you to an exclusive blogger roundtable event in New York City on Aug. 27th, 2008 that I think may be of interest to readers of Lip-Sticking. The event, "Who Says a Slow Economy has to Slow Down Your Small Business?" will address concerns facing small business owners and employees in the current economic environment. It would be great to have you at the discussion and to hear your insights based on your professional background and experience with start-up companies.
The discussion is sponsored by Brother International and will be led by USA Today's own Small Business Expert, Steve Strauss, "A highly sought after commentator and media guest," so his bio says.
Well...I did have to stop and think. NOT about attending...it sounded wonderful...but, I had to review 
client work and talk to Tom about whether going to NYC at this time would be a good business move. It meant another 5-7 hours in the car, both ways (why fly...really, waiting, waiting, waiting at the airport; wondering what's in my luggage that I need, since it will likely get lost; wondering if I have something in my purse or on me that will set the alarms off; I'd rather drive)
We decided it was. We decided that we could learn a lot at this event for YOU, my Lip-sticking readers. This blog is all about small business, and Steve Strauss is a small business expert, so how can we lose? I especially like the title of this roundtable, "Who Says a Slow Economy has to Slow Down Your Small Business?" Well, who does? You? I hope not!
A slow economy is an opportunity...
- To rethink some of your products and services.
- To reevaluate your approach to business and to marketing.
- To concentrate on what's working and finally get rid of anything that isn't working.
I'm off soon. IF YOU have questions you'd like me to pose at the roundtable, email me at this address, and I'll check it first thing in the morning.
Stay tuned. I hear they will be offering video footage.
Small business
2) The Center for Media Research has released a study by Vertical Response that shows just where many of these ‘Main Street’ players are going with their online dollars. The big winners: e-mail and social media. With only 3.8% of small business folks NOT planning on using e-mail marketing and with social media carrying the perception of being free (which they so rudely discover it is far from free) this should make some in the banner and search crowd a little wary……….
www.onlineuniversalwork.com
Posted by: Robert | February 18, 2010 at 04:34 AM
Small business
2) The Center for Media Research has released a study by Vertical Response that shows just where many of these ‘Main Street’ players are going with their online dollars. The big winners: e-mail and social media. With only 3.8% of small business folks NOT planning on using e-mail marketing and with social media carrying the perception of being free (which they so rudely discover it is far from free) this should make some in the banner and search crowd a little wary……….
www.onlineuniversalwork.com
Posted by: Robert | February 13, 2010 at 04:07 AM
Often we forget the little guy, the SMB, in our discussions of the comings and goings of the Internet marketing industry. Sure there are times like this when a report surfaces talking about their issues and concerns but, for the most part, we like to talk about big brands and how they do the Internet marketing thing well or not so well.
www.onlineuniversalwork.com
Posted by: henrylow | January 23, 2010 at 03:30 AM