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Why my own father doesn’t like me

HiRoad Communications recently launched a Facebook page. And yes, it’s true. My own father doesn’t like me, but you can.By clicking on the Facebook logo, you can join the conversation about what’s going on at HiRoad Communications. That can be the Word of the Day, a business tip, a link to a previous blog post or Changing Lanes, or just something I stumbled across that tickled my fancy.

As for Dad, don’t worry about him. He eventually embraced the fax machine, cell phone and e-mail. Social media won’t be too far behind and he’ll be “Liking” his only son someday soon.

 

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Why Constant Contact works for Coach DQ.

Why Constant Contact works for Coach DQ.
Coach DQ

Career Life Coach Dawn Quesnel, AKA Coach DQ, Quesnel is a professionally certified coach and an accredited member of the International Coach Federation (she recently received “Coach of the Year” honors from that organization’s New England chapter). In addition to coaching clients, Coach DQ frequently appears on local and national media outlets, including ABC-TV, FOX-TV, WGBH-TV, NYC Neighborhood TV Network, Disney Radio and Blog-Talk Radio. She most recently penned a chapter for SelfGrowth.com Founder David Riklan’s new book, “101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career”.

How long have you been using Constant Contact?

DQ:  Since 2004.

  

What Constant Contact products do you use?

DQ: I’ve used e-mail marketing and their survey product. 

 

What do you use it for?

DQ: To keep in touch with clients, associates, friends and family. 

 

What do you like about it?

DQ: It’s easy to use.

 

What’s been your biggest challenge in using Constant Contact?

DQ: Getting around spam filters

 

How successful has Constant Contact been in helping you grow your business?

DQ: Very helpful!  I love getting those e-mails saying, I’ve been on your e-zine for years and I’m ready to set up a coaching consult with you.

 

If you could cite one reason why companies, small business owners and organizations should use Constant Contact, what would it be?

DQ: It’s a great way to keep in communication with customers and clients.

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Why business is personal

We’ve all heard the much repeated line from the Godfather films “it’s not personal, it’s just business”. Yet whether you realize it or not, business is personal. If two vendors vie for your business, all things being equal, which one do you choose? More often than not, it’s going to be the one you are most comfortable with. Or, in simpler terms, the one you like better.

Recently, yours truly wrote a press release for a PR Works client, Haley’s Tire & Service Center, with four locations in Maine. The owner, Tim Haley, was diagnosed two years ago with Stage IV colon cancer. After several operations and treatments, he received the go-ahead from doctors to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge, the 192-mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Haley raised $25,000!

This year, Tim is cancer-free and participating in the 2011 PMC. In working with Tim on a PR campaign for his four stores, we asked how he felt about using his story to promote his business. He wasn’t sure and asked a legitimate question, “wouldn’t it be exploiting his condition just to benefit his business?”

Not really and it goes back to the original point: people want to like who they do business with. Even more, they want to be inspired. If your business makes contributions to specific charities or you do volunteer work for certain causes and you use that as part of your marketing and PR, it is inspiring. Far from cheapening that effort, it brings attention to the cause, perhaps even making others want to contribute or volunteer.

Most of all, if you’re a small business owner and the face of your company, who you are and what you do in the community does impact your business. People will still make their buying decisions based on what fits their needs. But if there’s a chance for them to do business with somebody they like or admire for their efforts in the community or somebody they really don’t know, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know who will get their business. So why keep who you are and what you do secret?

Tim Haley didn’t’ and thank goodness.

An inspiring story is worth telling and certainly worth hearing. To read Tim’s story, here’s the articlethat appeared in the Portland Press Herald. If you would like to make a  contribution to Tim’s Team Headstrong, go to  www.pmc.org, click on the logo at the top left, and enter Tim’s EGIFT ID TH0130. All major credit cards are accepted.