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Every year, on February 14th, cards, gifts and expressions
of love are exchanged. Have you wondered where Valentine's
Day came from? Courtesy of The
History Channel, I found out a few possibilites.
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"According
to one legend, St. Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine'
greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine
fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's
daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before
his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which
he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still
in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends
is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a
sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure."
Another
story recounts:
"While
St. Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in
contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind
daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through
his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius'
daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and
paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her
"From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever
after."
Whatever
the roots of Valentine's Day, it can be a day that allows
us to openly and authentically express our love for those
dear ones in our lives. I hope you will take time to let those
you care about know they are loved.
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As
always, I
hope you enjoy the newsletter. If you have any topics that
you would like to see included in future newsletter, let
me know.
Happy
Valentine's Day!
All the best, Janece Clement
*This
newsletter goes out to my clients, friends, family and colleagues.
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:: BUSINESS TIPS ::
Junk
mail getting you down?
Here's the address for the Direct Marketing Association's
Mail Preference Service.
Mail
Preference Service
c/o DMA
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, New York 11735
All
you need to do is send a letter asking to be deleted from
national advertising lists. The service will pass your request
on a quarterly basis to many of the largest bulk-mailers.
It can take a few months to go into effect, and won't eliminate
all junk mail. However, it will lighten the pile that you
drag to the curb each week.
Tip:
In your letter, list all the variations of your name and those
of anyone else you live with.
"A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something."
~ Frank
Capra
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::
Business Tools & Resources:: |
MoreBusiness.com
provides business "how to's", templates, tools,
resource articles and a free newsletter. They have a nice
section on earning and maintaining business profitability.
You can find it here.
Do
you keep a Green Office?. Environmental Defense offers
businesses tips and tricks for a greener
office.
If you make slideshow presentations, Fast
Company offers these tips to make them better:
1)
Limit bullet points to 4 per slide.
2)
Use
only key words on the slides and fill in the main content
yourself.
3)
Choose simple, bold and readable typefaces.
4)
Don’t clutter your slides with excess clipart or logos.
5)
If you use graphics, rely on simple shapes rather than hard-to-see
detailed illustrations.
6)
Take a hard copy with you, just in case something goes wrong
with the equipment (it will).
7)
Don’t leave slides burning on the screen while you
talk about other things. Your audience will focus on the
slide and ignore you.
8)
Don't hide behind the computer or projector. The slideshow
is backing you up, not the other way around.
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::
MARKETING TIPS ::
Email Etiquette. Your business emails become
an extension of your marketing. They become your "ambassadors"
of your company reputation, branding and marketing strategy.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you hit
'Send'.
- Keep
it visually simple. Avoid the temptation
to use multiple fonts, colors or clipart attachments.
-
Keep it brief. If an email is too
lengthy, details can be missed. Unless the email communication
calls for it, say what you need to with concise and
effective language.
-
Keep tabs on your "tone".
Emails can be read 100 different ways. You can't completely
eliminate your reader interpreting what you've written.
However, you can help eliminate possible misunderstandings.
Have an office colleague that you trust read important
emails and provide you feedback.
-
Don't send attachments unless...
Attachments are always suspect in this world of worms
and viruses. If you need to send an attachment, let
your client know what it is and that it is coming.
Be sure to have a virus protection software program
to ensure that you aren't inadvertantly passing on
a problem to your client.
- Use
discretion.
There are some communications that shouldn't be held
over email. If something is getting confused, or needs
an extra careful touch, pick up the phone.
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Marketing Tools & Resources:: |
A
signature file, commonly known as a
sig file, is the set of text that you attach to the
end of all of your emails that identifies you, your
company, and your products and services.
Your
signature file should contain the following information:
Name
Business or Company Name
How to Reach You
Marketing slogan
Signature
files are a great way to promote your online business
without offending the people who read your messages.
If you offer free information, products, services, or
tips on your web site, you can also include a simple
line pointing people to your free products or information.
For example:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ABC Business
johndoe@abcbusiness.com
Get Our Free Report: "How-To-Win at Marketing"
http://sampleurl.com/winatmarketing.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
::
WORK/LIFE BALANCE TIPS ::
Lessen
The Stress: Learn to Live Simply, Focusing on What's
Truly Important (courtesy of Family Circle
11/96)
"As
a rule, men worry more about what they can't see
than about what they can."
~ Julius Caesar, during the Gallic wars
Stop
trying to please everybody. Start pleasing yourself.
Carve
out an hour a day for solitude.
Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.
For every "yes" let there be a "no."
Don't squander precious resources: time, creative energy,
emotion.
Never make a promise you can't keep.
Allow
an extra half-hour for everything you do.
Breathe
- deeply and often.
Cultivate
gratitude.
Be
instead of do.
Exchange security for serenity.
Luxuriate in your senses.
If you don't love it, live without it.
Move
- walk, dance, find a sport you enjoy.
Begin and end the day with prayer, meditation, reflection.
Strive for realistic deadlines.
Approach problems as challenges.
Honor
your aspirations.
Savor
beauty.
Don't be afraid of your passion.
Search
for your authentic self until you find it.
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::
CLIENT HIGHLIGHT::
I met Jackie Bivins through FrankelBiz's
listserv where the members are dubbed "FrankelBees".
Jackie posted to the listserv with the subject line
header: "NEED: Topnotch Web Developer". In
her mail, she indicated that she had become "totally
frustrated" in trying to find a topnotch web developer.
I responded to the ad and offered my help. She took
a look at my portfolio and we were off and running working
together. Cynthia Sutton & Jackie Bivins have created
ItzaTrend.com
to provide consumers with information on the latest
trends, as well as where to buy the hot products of
the moment. In addition, Cynthia presents themed segments,
featuring a unique and often unexpected array of products,
on leading television news and entertainment programs.
Here
was Cynthia's feedback after the site was launched:
"Working
with Janece was a most pleasant experience. She had
great ideas and considering she had to work with a team
located in two different time zones, it seemed she was
always there to answer questions, help with ideas and
submit changes; it seemed as if she was right next door.
Her design ideas for the site represented our thoughts
and ideas beautifully. We've also received lots of positive
comments from our clients in just the first few days
of the site."
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If
you or someone you know needs website design, please consider
referring me. Thank you.
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