Going Beyond Business As Usual This Holiday Season

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    • AlainaFrederick 0 comments
    • This looks interesting! I'm looking forward to the ideas and tips to work into this year and to improve on for next year!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Jenrab 0 comments
    • I'm super excited about participating in this chat. I always appreciate Barbara's honest advice when she's on the Today Show.
      about 1 year ago
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    • v2br 0 comments
    • This comes at exactly the right time for me. Thank you!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Cooper 0 comments
    • So excited for our talk with Barbara today! Be sure to share pics of your PictureItPostage stamps - we'd love to see!
      about 1 year ago
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      Erin O

      Love your logo!

      about 1 year ago
    • Mishelle Lane 1 comment
    • Here's my Picture It Postage business stamp! I love it!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Erin O 0 comments
    • Can't wait to chat with all of you! Come with questions for Barbara - she has great advice on how to best take advantage of the holidays to thank clients, among other things!
      about 1 year ago
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      inkscrblr

      Have fun at the feasts..sounds yummy.

      about 1 year ago
    • juliepippert 1 comment
    • I wish I could be here for this -- but I'm definitely checking it out after I get back from both of my kids' Thanksgiving Feasts at school today. What a great topic -- I'm sure there will be so many awesome ideas!
      about 1 year ago
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      Momtrends

      Love your design! So cool.

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      Looks great. Love the colors!

      about 1 year ago
    • Grace Hester 2 comments
    • I do not have my order yet but here's a screenshot of what I ordered. It's to promote my personalized family holiday cards and includes my website address. Can't wait to receive it!
      about 1 year ago
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    • MompreneurEllen 0 comments
    • Hi Everyone, I can't wait to join the chat either. So happy to be one of the co-hosting bloggers
      about 1 year ago
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    • Kate 0 comments
    • Mine just arrived... Here's a screen shot of the order.
      about 1 year ago
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      Mishelle Lane

      Kate, those are ADORABLE!

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      Kate, those are so adorable!!

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      They're really true to what you designed. It's cool to see the comparison - thanks Kate!

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      Cute! That avatar looks like me on a shopping frenzy. ;o)

      about 1 year ago
    • Kate 4 comments
    • And here's a photo of the real thing. They look great!
      about 1 year ago
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      inkscrblr

      These stamps are so cute. Available in Canada or not?

      about 1 year ago
    • JodiG 1 comment
    • Hi everyone! I JUST got my stamps a few minutes ago!!
      about 1 year ago
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      Kate

      Thanks, Piera. :)

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      So glad to see you all here!!!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Hi Kate--your stamps look awesome!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      Hi Piera.

      about 1 year ago
    • JollyMom 4 comments
    • Hi everyone! Excited to be here : )
      about 1 year ago
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      MompreneurEllen

      Hi Em

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Hi Ellen!!!

      about 1 year ago
    • MompreneurEllen 2 comments
    • Hi everyone! Glad to be part of this
      about 1 year ago
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    • Erin O 0 comments
    • Hi everyone! Thanks for being here – we’re looking forward to a very fun and informative chat! I want to welcome Barbara Corcoran, who will be here to talk with us. She is the spokesperson for PictureItPostage (http://www.pictureitpostage.com ), real estate contributor for the TODAY Show, and author of "Use What You’ve Got," an awesome bestselling business book. She has fabulous ideas about ways you can reach clients during the holidays, so let’s get started! :)
      about 1 year ago
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      JollyMom

      Those look great, Mishelle!

      about 1 year ago
    • Mishelle Lane 1 comment
    • Hi Everyone!! I'm here, holding (caressing and loving on, really) my new lens. LOL Don't mind me, just happy that my business is becoming successful enough for me to add to my lens collection. The stamps with my logo are an added boost.
      about 1 year ago
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      Kate

      I'm excited to see what you have coming, Nicole!

      about 1 year ago

      Momtrends

      Thrilled to hear your tips on how to grow a business. I'm in that scary place of starting to invest $$ in the biz to see it grow.

      about 1 year ago

      inkscrblr

      Hi! I just love the shark tank. Had to say it! Big fan.

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      Hello, Barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Hi Barbara! So nice to "meet" you!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      Hi Barbara, as a new homeowner, I love watching your Today Show segments.

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Welcome Barbara--thx for being here!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Welcome Barbara!!!! We're so pleased you're here with us today!!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 8 comments
    • So nice being here with all of you!
      about 1 year ago
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      Audrey

      It was so great seeing you on Monday! Your son is adorable!

      about 1 year ago
    • Jenrab 1 comment
    • Hi everyone! I love seeing everyone's cool logos.
      about 1 year ago
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      Justice Fergie

      Gorgeous!!

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      I love the way you can coordinate the side to match your image.

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      OMG, I LOVE!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      LOVE that. The logo is gorgeous.

      about 1 year ago
    • Melissa 4 comments
    • Mine aren't here yet, but here's a screen shot!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Cooper 0 comments
    • Hi all, welcome! Thank you so much Barbara for being here! We are big fans! and a big thank you to PictureItPostage.com as well! Your stamps rock! So looking forward to everyone's creativity!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Steph 0 comments
    • Hi Barbara, I can't wait to get some new ideas... this is great timing since we are entrenched in holiday marketing! -Steph
      about 1 year ago
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      Momtrends

      Yes, I used my logo--loved the way I could also personalize the color scheme of the stamps.

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      That's my plan, too. Did you use your logo, Nicole?

      about 1 year ago
    • Momtrends 2 comments
    • I cannot wait for mine to come in the mail. I'm going to use them to send my holiday cards out to my writers and other supporters of Momtrends!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Erin O 0 comments
    • Barbara, how important is it to thank clients during the holidays? It seems like a great opportunity at least to remind people about your business.
      about 1 year ago
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      Brandie

      Love!

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      Love the family photo!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      LOVE!!!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      too cute, Audrey!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      So cute, Audrey! I would love to order some with my kids' photo. Soon. (but that would mean having to take their picture, too.)

      about 1 year ago
    • Audrey 5 comments
    • Here's mine!
      about 1 year ago
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      Erin O

      Ellen, tell us about how the the virtual Secret Santa works. This idea sounds awesome.

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      I so agree!

      about 1 year ago
    • MompreneurEllen 2 comments
    • Not only will I use the stamps for my biz holiday cards, but will use them for the virtual Secret Santa we do over at MompreneursOnline.com
      about 1 year ago
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      inkscrblr

      Clutter is the perfect word. Especially difficult to have a work at home business at this time of year. Now expected to entertain family over Xmas and squeeze work in and parenting with more people in my workspace/ home.

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Yes, I totally agree!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      Agreed! In the piles of mail we get, vibrant colors and personalized mailings always get opened first over here.

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      So well said, Barbara!!!! There's so much I want to do, and the time just flies at this time of year!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      my clients (the editors I write for) have told me they love getting cards instead of emailed greetings cause it's less overwhelming and it's something tangible

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      Every bit to stand out helps - including personalized mailers AND postage!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 6 comments
    • The hardest part about the holidays is there's so much clutter. When I say clutter I mean a lot of competition from businesses, family, commerce all vying for your attention. So whether you're a mom at home just trying to manage all the extra stuff that lands on your plate over the holidays or whether you're a young business trying to get noticed over the holidays, or even more trying to sell your wares over the holidays you'll have quite a challenge making yourself heard.
      about 1 year ago
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    • Audrey 0 comments
    • I'm ordering tons of them for all of my Holiday cards. I love them! My SIL bought a bunch this past weekend.
      about 1 year ago
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      Laura

      Hi everyone and thanks! Interesting site and great way to chat and exhange ideas.

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Hey Laura and welcome!!

      about 1 year ago

      Laura

      Oh, thank you. Such a newbie mistake. :)

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      Laura welcome! This is a text-only chat so no audio. Just refresh to see the latest comments. :o)

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      Hi Laura! It's an all-text Talk, so no audio required!

      about 1 year ago
    • Laura 5 comments
    • Hello, sorry I am new to the talk and cannot seem to hear. Any tips?
      about 1 year ago
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      Audrey

      These are amazing.

      about 1 year ago

      Momtrends

      I like what you are saying about cutting back on the clutter. How do we make our businesses stand out this time of year?

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 2 comments
    • Beyond reminding people about your business Erin, for a lot of us it's the most crucial time of the year to sell the products we make. So you have a double challenge, so much more than the rest of the year. That being said, every clever entrepreneur manages to find a way to reach their market during the holidays and let me tell you about a recent success I had using PictureItPostage!
      about 1 year ago
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      BarbaraCorcoran

      Funny enough JodiG, I too thought electronically was by far the best way to reach my audience, particularly because real estate agents usually spend more than half their day on their blackberries. So learn a lesson from me here & save some money! I'll finish my story ...

      about 1 year ago
    • JodiG 1 comment
    • How can we thank our customers/supporters electronically (e-mail holiday card, perhaps?).
      about 1 year ago
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      Justice Fergie

      Agreed. A personal touch goes a long way.

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      Erin, my post turned out to be a love letter of sorts :) http://nextkidthing.com/?p=4520

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      totally agree. it makes such a difference

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Hey girls! Doing good, Audrey--excited about the holidays--how about you? Miss you!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      I feel that way about family holiday greetings, too. I like knowing someone took the extra moment to say something to ME - goes a long way in business and personal relationships.

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      Jen, share a link to your post!!

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      I agree with you 100%! How are you sweet girl!?

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      totally agree. I just blogged about how I appreciate personalized, even handwritten notes, both business and personal.

      about 1 year ago
    • JollyMom 8 comments
    • I also think it's important to include a personal message to your clients/associates and not rely on preprinted cards, etc. I think it makes you stand out above everyone else.
      about 1 year ago
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      Erin O

      A lot of people have posted photos of their PictureItPostage stamps below! They look so good!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      Barbara, I am definitely going to try this idea with our mompreneurs(R) local groups! what fab advice

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      What an amazing resource you will be creating.

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Barbara, that is such a great idea! I can only imagine how much realtors will love it!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 4 comments
    • Obviously, quite a few of you out there are familiar with the product and I'd love to hear from each of you how you creatively took advantage of it. Here's my story: I had been trying very hard to start a club of sorts among real estate brokers across the U.S. I knew it would prove a good business if only I could reach out and invite the brokers to join my new group and actually BE HEARD.
      about 1 year ago
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      Justice Fergie

      Last year the Blogalicious ladies included single packets of margarita mix with the note "See you In Miami for Blogalicious 2010!" They were a hit ;)

      about 1 year ago

      Steph

      Chip clips are an awesome idea!

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      I lov getting magnets - it is my belief you can't ever have too many. Those and chip clips - I use them often! (Both to get the number again and for their practical use LOL!)

      about 1 year ago

      Steph

      We send pens with our website printed on the side. Pens are something everyone can use and they are unlikely to throw away!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      For my blog, I try to send home baked goods to business associates, etc. For our property management co we send out calendars or magnets...something useful that's tastefully branded with our logo--that way they will actually use it and not throw it away LOL.

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      I'm hoping to do something like that this year.

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      Erin, I sell personalized prints and paper goods and with each order, the customer receives 1 personalized notecard with their name on it. If they are sending it to a recipient, I use the notecard to note the customer's desired special message. The little gifts have resulted in personalized stationery orders so it's a win-win for me as well!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      Yes, we have a magnet that looks similar to the stamp, except it has our taglilne in addition to the logo, and we'll often include that in holiday cards

      about 1 year ago
    • Erin O 8 comments
    • Does anyone include little gifts in their mailings? Magnets, small calendars, etc...
      about 1 year ago
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      Steph

      I agree that electronic does not always work, probably because of the "clutter" Barbara mentions. Only 30-40% of our "icontact" emails are opened even though the recipients subscribed to receive the emails and we never send more than 6 a year. I don't like a cluttered inbox, either!

      about 1 year ago

      Laura

      What does that mean Barabara...you were in a for a surprise? Hello, btw. I am new here and interested possibly in doing some sort of partnership.

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 2 comments
    • I tried a variety of means and spent far too much money experimenting on the best way to reach my target market. Because I had so many real estate brokers' email addresses it seemed sending an evite was the most economical and practical way to reach out, but I was in for a surprise!
      about 1 year ago
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      Brandie

      Sometimes they can work well, other times, not so much. I just won one where only myself and one other person entered. However, there are lots of ways to get your give-away out there - but I think that draws in a lot of your not normal readers, and I'm not sure how long they stick around after the drawing, kwim? Wondering if anyone has numbers that deal with that!

      about 1 year ago
    • Steph 1 comment
    • I have checked out a lot of the blogs that are on-line today and see that many do "giveaways" with products. How successful are these?
      about 1 year ago
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      JodiG

      Wow.

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Yikes - you think it was the evite itself? I know with some of my relatives, evites are just the most horrible thing ever invented. I personally think they are great, but sometimes they can get lost amongst all the other e-mails.

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      Whoa!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Seriously!?! Wow.

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Ouch!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      So the moral of the story is ... people want a personal touch in this high-tech era?

      about 1 year ago

      Momtrends

      That is completely shocking. That said I get 400 emails a day--so invites often get lost.

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      Wow

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 8 comments
    • I sent 2,000 evites out to everyone to join my organization and hired the best person I could find to design the evite that would get everyone's attention, make them smile, react with "how clever is this!" and simply sign up with the click of a button. But two days later we had a total of 3, yes THREE responses, and I was shocked.
      about 1 year ago
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      Erin O

      I love it!

      about 1 year ago

      JodiG

      Beautiful!

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      That is just gorgeous! Your mailings will have the loveliest stamps for sure!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      That's beautiful!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Those look great Dawn!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Dawn; it's perfect!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      So pretty, Dawn!

      about 1 year ago
    • Dawn Camp 7 comments
    • I don't have mine, yet, but I chose a photo that seemed distinctly Christmas, for the time of year, plus one that is getting extra attention right now as the (in)courage November calendar shot:
      about 1 year ago
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      Brandie

      We have a local photographer who went around to all the local businesses and gave the owners (and their family) free sittings. Now almost every business in my town has a gorgeous (huge!) photo in their office. And they are all gorgeous. Of course, with a sign saying who did it and how to contact them. I actually called to set something up because the photos were so beautiful, however, it was out of my range. But it caught my eye a lot!

      about 1 year ago

      shahrzad

      Really great idea! One of my best friends is a photographer and the best responses she's had were from friends of clients who loved seeing how much my friend really cared about each of the weddings / baby sessions / etc. that she covered.

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      shahrzah: Absolutely! I was even thinking about printing 4x6's of THEIR sessions as a thank you!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Laura: no need to apologize. I'd love any and all suggestions!

      about 1 year ago

      shahrzad

      Great suggestion -- and as you said, word of mouth is so important, so personalization is key. You should be sending hand-written notes to existing clients checking in on their new marriage, baby, whatever. It really resonates with people.

      about 1 year ago

      Laura

      Oh, my apologies. I did not see you directed that to Barbara.

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Laura, that's going on my list!! Thank you.

      about 1 year ago

      Laura

      Send out Photo Cards to show off your work and offer a discount if they bring in your card for your services. :) If you are interested, I can get you a good price at PhotoCardsDirect.com. :)

      about 1 year ago
    • Mishelle Lane 8 comments
    • Barbara, I am looking for ways to market my photography business. Right now, so much of it is word of mouth. I am thinking about ways to market, and would appreciate any advice!
      about 1 year ago
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      Melissa

      thanks for the tip, barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      Melissa, I wish you luck with the 20% design discount, but I don't think it's the way to go and let me tell you why. First people won't believe it's a real discount when they get it, they'll think it's a gimmick you manufactured just to hook them in. Second I receive a thousand cards offering this and that and although I like the idea of a postcard to reach people because it's easy to read, the fact is it can't possibly convey anything substantial enough about your business that would be convincing enough to make them give you a shot. I think a much better approach would be to review people's blogs and actually re-design a tiny piece of it and send it their way with your pitch. This way they can actually see how good you are at what you do and everyone respects somebody that goes above and beyond the call of duty in selling their product and are willing to actually give out a free sample.

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      Oh, I wish I had the skills to redesign all the time. I hate depending on others for that part of the "business".

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      aww - thanks everyone :-)

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Great idea!

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      Thanks, Kate! I think people sometimes feel bad asking for a blog redesign - like I'll be offended that they want something different. (when I redesign my site all the time ;-)

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      Smart!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      That's an awesome idea, for sure!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Smart!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      Yes! Great idea Melissa. I just got a card from an event planner who did something similar... and you can be sure I kept her card...right. over.here.

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Sounds like a great idea!!!

      about 1 year ago

      inkscrblr

      That is smart. I like coupon codes.

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      GREAT idea!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      That's a great idea, Melissa.

      about 1 year ago
    • Melissa 14 comments
    • I have a blog design business, so I'm sending out cards offering 20% off a blog redesign! Hoping a coupon code will make people hang on to the card ;-)
      about 1 year ago
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      Brandie

      Ouch again. But, I'm guessing you didn't give up?

      about 1 year ago

      Laura

      Interesting. So what worked for you?

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      After all that work!?!?

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      oh dear! that sounds expensive!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 4 comments
    • Back to the drawing board! And I designed beautiful printed invitations tucked into very expensive, great looking envelopes and hired some kids to hand write the envelopes in calligraphy. Result: 12 responses out of the next 2,000.
      about 1 year ago
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      Angie

      Deb - that's a great idea.

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Deb: I'm noting that one. A photo with a quote. Yes!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      Dawn, I sent exactly the same invitation because they were really well designed and carefully worded, and I couldn't think of another way to improve them. I also learned by calling the recipients that no one was opening my envelope.

      about 1 year ago

      debontherocks

      We do a ton of direct mail with one of our business streams and have experimented and tested persistently through the years. One of our small tests three years ago STILL pays off with sales--a small card that featured a beautifully designed quotation that was meaningful to our audience (pre-school teachers). They SAVED the card, pinned in on office bulletin boards. Have to experiment to find what is meaningful to your customer base.

      about 1 year ago

      JodiG

      Everyone fails but successful people try something different when they fail :)

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      That's awesome!!!

      about 1 year ago

      Momtrends

      Aha!

      about 1 year ago

      Cooper

      That is inspiration, Barbara! Persistence and creativity - unbeatable combo!

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      So you sent the *exact same* invitations, the only difference was the PictureItPostage?

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      What a great story!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Very cool!

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      Thats amazing Barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      JodiG

      Wow - great lesson though!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Wow. That's awesome! Maybe I should order some with me and my camera!!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      That's awesome!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      How awesome is that!?

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      boy, isn't that true... it was your own test marketing!

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      I love it... it really does define how amazing they are.

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 18 comments
    • Let me tell the end to the story, which is a happy ending using PictureItPostage. Alas! I put my smiley face, the same one you see in the blue blouse looking back at you, on the stamps and sent out the same printed invitation and a miracle happened: the real estate agents who never opened my first envelope saw my face, had the hoped for response that had previously escaped me, and overwhelmingly replied with "wow, how clever is that?!" Most importantly, they opened the damn envelope and actually read the invitation! To date I've had over 300 people signing up and I know the only difference between my failed attempts and the last one was using the PictureItPostage. Let me not forget to mention the other very important reason I got the successful ending to the story, was because I was willing to try a bunch of stuff until I landed on something that worked. I'm sure you've met this word before: persistence!
      about 1 year ago
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    • Erin O 0 comments
    • Hi everyone! Just a reminder about the awesome giveaway from PictureItPostage! If you use the code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order at http://www.pictureitpostage.com , your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize!! See rules below. PictureItPostage Giveaway with TheMotherhood.com OFFICIAL RULES 1. PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia™ is conducting a $500 prize giveaway. All PictureItPostage customers who enter code “MOTHERHOOD” upon checkout for purchases made on PictureItPostage.com from November 17, 2010 through December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time will be entered to win one (1) $500 cash prize giveaway. 2. One (1) winner will be selected at random on December 20, 2010 by PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, or DYMO Endicia’s designee. Odds of winning will be determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Winner need not be present at drawing to win. Winner will be notified by phone or mail no later than December 31, 2010. Entry into contest constitutes entrant’s permission for Endicia to contact entrant for sales and marketing purposes. 3. The prize package consists of one (1) $500 cash prize. 4. Contest is open only to PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia customers who are legal U.S. residents 21 years of age or older except employees of DYMO Endicia, its affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, or advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families and household members of each of the above. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law. 5. No prize substitutions allowed except that DYMO Endicia reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if an advertised prize becomes unavailable. All taxes on prizes are winner’s responsibility. Sponsor: PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, a Newell Rubbermaid company, Palo Alto, CA
      about 1 year ago
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      Grace Hester

      Barbara - that is the truth!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      Love those ideas, Barbara! I got the best reaction the year I gave amaryllis bulbs!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      I've learned over the years to keep it small. My editors tell me they'll think someone is trying to "suck up" if they buy them something too extravagant!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      The best gifts I've given always involve honoring the person's individual style. If I know someone likes flowers, I send them bulbs directly from Holland, and there are now, thanks to me, many tulip gardens in the New York area! If I know someone likes to drink, I make sure they get a very good bottle of wine. If someone adores their children, I've often wrestled their children's photograph from their secretary and had it printed 52 times on a custom deck of playing cards I've ordered online! In short, people feel flattered if they don't think you've ordered 50 of the same things and just sent them out.

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Good point Barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      I really like that idea, Barbara.

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      oh that is a wonderful idea--love it!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      What a great idea! Never thought of that!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      great suggestion!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      I believe the best time to give holiday gifts to clients is in the Thanksgiving season, the week before or the week after. What Thanksgiving has over Christmas is less stuff coming at people and when you express your genuine thankfulness for their business during Thanksgiving it comes across as far more heartfelt.

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Great question, Ellen!

      about 1 year ago

      Audrey

      GREAT question!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Yes, I'm wondering the same thing!

      about 1 year ago
    • MompreneurEllen 13 comments
    • Barbara, I'm dying to hear what kinds of holiday gifts you've given your clients. What's worked? WHat's bombed?
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      Grace Hester

      LOL, love it!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      I know! I cannot WAIT to try them. We have a holiday version of our logo too where our mompreneur wears a santa hat. I'm going to get some of those as well

      about 1 year ago
    • Audrey 2 comments
    • What I loved about the stamps was that they really made you smile. It was different enough to make someone's day. And I love that about them.
      about 1 year ago
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      Justice Fergie

      too cute!

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      how sweet, angie!

      about 1 year ago

      Brandie

      Oh my adorableness!!! =)

      about 1 year ago

      Steph

      Adorable, must be sisters!

      about 1 year ago

      Dawn Camp

      Precious!

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      adorable!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      That's PERFECT, Ang!!

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      Oh my, so cute!

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      so cute!!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      too cute! I'm totally getting a family one, too.

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      Aww! So cute!

      about 1 year ago
    • Angie 11 comments
    • I LOVE my stamps! I'll be using them on some business mailings (I have a children's toy company).
      about 1 year ago
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      MompreneurEllen

      nope not yet...but next year they will be out by Thanksgiving! Thanks to Barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      Grace Hester

      I sent out my annual Q4 e-newsletter with an appealing BOGO deal as a thank you to my customers. It's what I can afford time-wise to do at this moment!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      I've thought about it, does that count ;)

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Me, too! Not yet, but soon. I'm hand writing them!

      about 1 year ago

      Melissa

      i wish i was that organized!! :-)

      about 1 year ago
    • Erin O 5 comments
    • Has anyone already sent out mailers?
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      MompreneurEllen

      Thanks so much Barbara! I learned some great tips!

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Thank you so much!!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      That's amazing Erin! I thought we had an hour together here today -- that half hour just flew by too fast!

      about 1 year ago
    • Erin O 3 comments
    • I can't believe how fast that 30 minutes went by!! I saw a ton of GREAT suggestions, and we will pull out all the highlights and put together a summary of the Talk as a resource for you! Barbara, thanks again for being here! Everyone feel free to stick around and keep chatting if you'd like. One more reminder about the giveaway from PictureItPostage - use the code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order at http://www.pictureitpostage.com , and your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize!! See rules in my post below. :)
      about 1 year ago
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      Jenrab

      What a great idea.

      about 1 year ago

      Momtrends

      Amazing tip! Thank you for your generosity.

      about 1 year ago

      MompreneurEllen

      That is an awesome tip!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 3 comments
    • I thought I should mention that I built my first big business over 25 years using the cheapest form of advertising I could muster and I learned early on that the single best way to build your brand identity all year long is by publishing a statistical report under your own name for the industry you're in.
      about 1 year ago
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      Dawn Camp

      Yes, thank you!

      about 1 year ago

      Kate

      What Piera said.

      about 1 year ago

      Mishelle Lane

      Word.

      about 1 year ago

      JollyMom

      Yes--thank you PictureItPostage and of course a big THANK YOU to The Motherhood ladies : )

      about 1 year ago
    • Emily 4 comments
    • Thank you so much Barbara for leading this great conversation!!! We all got such good ideas. Thank you wonderful bloggers for co-hosting and sharing your insights and experiences and creativity!! And thank you, thank you PictureItPostage for sponsoring today's conversation!
      about 1 year ago
    • X
    • JollyMom 0 comments
    • Thanks for all the great tips, ladies and thank you Barbara for being here and sharing your knowledge!
      about 1 year ago
    • X
    • Kate 0 comments
    • Nice to chat with all of you - and nice to see your stamps. :) Thank you everyone, and thank you Barbara for your great insights.
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      BarbaraCorcoran

      It's never too late tuning in -- just scroll on down and read it all!

      about 1 year ago

      Justice Fergie

      I'm going through the comments now!

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      Hi Stacey! Feel free to read back through the comments to get some great ideas!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Welcome Stacey!!

      about 1 year ago
    • Justice Fergie 4 comments
    • Ugh! Am I too late? Got sucked into a meeting. Sounds like the talk was fun!
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      Erin O

      Thanks Ellen! :)

      about 1 year ago
    • MompreneurEllen 1 comment
    • If anyone's interested, here's the blog post I wrote about PictureItPostage...it also includes what's worked for me in the holiday biz gift department www.mompreneursonline.com/blog/
      about 1 year ago
    • X
    • Steph 0 comments
    • Happy Holidays, all! Talk to you at the next Live Chat!
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      Erin O

      I'm laughing out loud. It's good to know your limits. ;)

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      So funny, Barbara!!!

      about 1 year ago

      debontherocks

      Ha! Truth!

      about 1 year ago

      BarbaraCorcoran

      Erin, I thought of that quite seriously but decided the minute a client didn't want to do what I thought they should do to build their business, I'd whack them over the head and immediately lose the job!

      about 1 year ago

      debontherocks

      You are absolutely right. It is amazing leverage for earned media attention too. We help clients do this, and it is useful in many ways. Everyone has an expertise that can be quantified.

      about 1 year ago

      Erin O

      Maybe you should start a PR business too, Barbara!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenrab

      such great insight, thank you!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 7 comments
    • Before I sign off let me give you just a little more detail on why a statistical report might sound boring but is the most powerful way to get noticed and build your brand. Reporters write stories every day and frankly they don't really need many opinions about what they're writing about. What they are desperate for are statistics that support the stories they're writing. One of our bloggers here today is in the photography business, another is in the design business, and I'm sure there are as many businesses represented here today as there will be ornaments on your tree next month. I was in the real estate business and published hard statistics on everything I could think of, and updated the statistics every six months, slammed them onto a piece of paper with items like "the profession of who's buying 1-bedrooms in NYC," "the average price of a penthouse," "the list of celebrities who recently moved from Hollywood to New York," etc. etc. By simply sending out that report under my company name, The Corcoran Report, I became the source of every statistic that was needed to write any story on New York City real estate. It didn't cost me much to send them out, and I wish we had PictureItPostage then, but it got me millions of dollars worth of publicity over 25 years. The photographer who wrote in today could publish a photography report named after herself on research she could do on her own industry. Reporters might be curious to find out details about the industry that she takes for granted & that other people out there just don't know.
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      Audrey

      such great advice.

      about 1 year ago

      Justice Fergie

      what a valuable piece of advice!

      about 1 year ago
    • BarbaraCorcoran 2 comments
    • The web designer is in a perfect seat to publish a statistical report on the new blogging industry - how many people blog, what's the most popular subject, how long is the typical post, how much can bloggers sell their ad space for, etc. Even if you're the smallest guy in your industry the best way to steal the market from your largest competitor is to steal the limelight. I had to run like crazy to keep up with my very public and powerful image in my industry, created by my report, and that forced me as a little business to grow faster than everybody else. Hope that's helpful! Keep pluggin' knowing I'm cheering you on!!
      about 1 year ago
    • X
    • Erin O 0 comments
    • Going Beyond Business As Usual This Holiday Season – Highlights from the Talk Business expert and PictureItPostage spokesperson Barbara Corcoran joined TheMotherhood today to discuss ways to cut through the mail clutter during the holidays to reach current and prospective small business clients. She was joined by a number of co-hosts, social media moms and small business owners, who all shared their collective wisdom! Barbara shared amazing insights and personal success stories to highlight her fabulous tips and advice - built on years of trial and error, persistence and success - many of which are shared below. Thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk and providing this special offer – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (offer expires Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/ !! Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize! (See entry rules below.) Custom stamps happen to be an excellent way to brand your mailings and catch your recipients’ attention! Read on for more great suggestions: - Why to Send Holiday Mailers: It’s important to thank both clients, for their business throughout the year, and anyone who has worked for you. People will appreciate your effort, and it’s a good way to remind them about your business – and sell your product! - Get Started Now! Send holiday mailings and gifts during the Thanksgiving season – the week before or after. People get fewer mailings during this time than they do around Christmas. - Cut Through the Holiday Clutter: A lot of businesses send thank-yous and small gifts to customers during the holiday season. To ensure your mailing gets noticed and opened, use vibrant colors and personalize each handwritten message. Branding your envelope with a cute custom stamp, like the ones from PictureItPostage, is another great way to catch the eye! - Tuck a Small Gift Into the Envelope: Items like magnets, pens, calendars or other small, useful items that are tastefully branded with your logo are a great way to keep your name in front of your customers all year round. - Snail Mail is Best: Sending an electronic card to customers may seem easier and more economical, but it is less likely to be seen and appreciated. Many such emails are deleted unopened or caught in spam filters. - Showcase Your Product: If you are a photographer, send holiday photo cards, using your photos – and order photo postage to put on the envelope. If you design personalized stationery, use your own work when you create your holiday mailings. It is a built-in advertisement for what you do. - Be Persistent: If your mailings don’t drum up the business you had hoped for the first, second or even third time, don’t give up! Keep trying new approaches until you find something that works for you and resonates with your customer base. - Personalize, Personalize, Personalize: If you give nicer gifts to regular clients, be sure to get them something that acknowledges their interests. In Barbara's words, if someone likes flowers, send them bulbs directly from Holland. If someone adores their children, have a photo of them printed on a custom deck of playing cards – or give the gift of custom stamps from PictureItPostage at http://www.pictureitpostage.com !! Another BIG thanks to PictureItPostage and our incredibly talented blogger co-hosts!!! Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to make your holiday business mailings pop this season!!! LEAD EXPERT, Barbara Corcoran: http://barbaracorcoran.com/ - Audrey McClelland, Mom Generations: http://momgenerations.com/ - Candy Tai, Mommypalooza: http://www.mommypalooza.com/ - Clarissa Nassar, Diary of a POSHpreneur: http://www.theposhpreneur.com/ - Dawn Camp, My Home Sweet Home Online: http://myhomesweethomeonline.net/ - Ellen Parlapiano, Mompreneurs Online: http://www.mompreneursonline.com/ - Grace Hester, Grace Hester Designs: http://gracehester.typepad.com/ - Jen Rabulan-Bertram, Next Kid Thing: http://nextkidthing.com/ - Jodi Grundig, Mom's Favorite Stuff: http://www.momsfavoritestuff.com/ - Kate Marsh Lord, The Shopping Mama: http://theshoppingmama.com/ - Melissa Angert, Girlymama: http://www.girlymama.com/ - Mishelle Lane, Secret Agent Mama: http://secretagentmama.com/ - Nicole Feliciano, Momtrends: http://momtrends.blogspot.com/ - Piera Jolly, Jolly Mom: http://www.jollymom.com/ - Stacey Ferguson, Mama Law: http://mamalaw.com/ PictureItPostage Giveaway with TheMotherhood.com OFFICIAL RULES 1. PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia™ is conducting a $500 prize giveaway. All PictureItPostage customers who enter code “MOTHERHOOD” upon checkout for purchases made on PictureItPostage.com from November 17, 2010 through December 15, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time will be entered to win one (1) $500 cash prize giveaway. 2. One (1) winner will be selected at random on December 20, 2010 by PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, or DYMO Endicia’s designee. Odds of winning will be determined by the total number of eligible entries received. Winner need not be present at drawing to win. Winner will be notified by phone or mail no later than December 31, 2010. Entry into contest constitutes entrant’s permission for Endicia to contact entrant for sales and marketing purposes. 3. The prize package consists of one (1) $500 cash prize. 4. Contest is open only to PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia customers who are legal U.S. residents 21 years of age or older except employees of DYMO Endicia, its affiliates, subsidiaries, sales representatives, distributors, or advertising and promotion agencies and the immediate families and household members of each of the above. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law. 5. No prize substitutions allowed except that DYMO Endicia reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if an advertised prize becomes unavailable. All taxes on prizes are winner’s responsibility. Sponsor: PictureItPostage by DYMO Endicia, a Newell Rubbermaid company, Palo Alto, CA
      about 1 year ago
Talk Description

Attention, entrepreneurs and small business owners! Join us for a live chat on creative ways of showing clients your appreciation this holiday season. Barbara Corcoran, spokesperson for PictureItPostage, real estate contributor for the TODAY Show, and author of "Use What You’ve Got", a bestselling business book, will lead the chat. She has some great tips on creative ways to thank your clients and break through the clutter to reach new customers. Talk with Barbara and a group of incredibly imaginative and successful mom bloggers who are also business owners themselves about their ideas and yours for taking extra special care of your clients this year! We'll have a special offer from PictureItPostage to give you the opportunity to increase your brand exposure and make your mailings pop - so don't miss this awesome, informative Talk!

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