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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!

 

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. 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!!!

 

– Audrey, Mom Generations
– Candy, Mommypalooza
– Clarissa, Diary of a POSHpreneur
– Dawn, My Home Sweet Home Online
– Ellen, Mompreneurs Online
– Grace, Grace Hester Designs
– Jen, Next Kid Thing
– Jodi, Mom’s Favorite Stuff
– Kate, The Shopping Mama
– Melissa, Girlymama
– Mishelle, Secret Agent Mama
– Nicole, Momtrends
– Piera, Jolly Mom
– Stacey, Mama Law

 

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

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62106

Today in TheMotherhood, social media moms tapped their creativity, sharing a variety of easy, fun ways to make annual holiday mailings to friends and family a little more special this year.

 

A big thanks to PictureItPostage for sponsoring the Talk – use the coupon code MOTHERHOOD to get $4 off an order of custom stamps (before Jan. 31, 2011) at http://pictureitpostage.com/!!  Your purchase will enter you to win a $500 prize!  (See entry rules below.)

 

Read on for some more great ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

 

 

– Get Motivated: Host a homemade brunch or other get-together with friends, and commit to making and addressing all of your cards by the end of the morning.

 

– Use Holiday-Themed Rubber Stamps: This is a quick method for creating homemade cards. Rubber stamps make it easy to do a bunch of cards quickly, and you can coordinate the ink colors to match any paper.

 

– Empty Your Button Drawer: Use buttons to create an easy design, like a triangle Christmas tree in green and red.  Just glue them on cardstock, add a message and send!

 

– Take a Family Photo: Getting the entire family together for a holiday photo can be a challenge, but it’s worth it!  Your friends and family will love to see you and the kids.  Can’t decide which photo to use for the card?  Use one to create custom postage, and another for the card, so you can share both photos.

 

– DIY Photo Cards: Take your own photo, scan the Web for free print offers (such as Winkflash and Kodak), then buy blank cards and envelopes at Michael’s or another inexpensive craft store.  You can simply cut out shapes from holiday scrapbook paper and glue it all together!

 

– Repurpose Recipe Cards: Use a recipe card with a small photo of the kids baking treats printed on it, and write your favorite holiday cookie recipe on the card.  Your friends will be able to use it year after year!

 

– Have Your Kids Sign the Cards: Your little ones’ signatures create instant personalization on store-bought or mass-printed cards … and for younger kids, it’s a great way to have them practice their signatures.

 

– Use Customized Address Labels and Stamps: The holidays don’t have to be limited to the inside of the envelope!  Personalized holiday address labels and stamps add an extra-special touch to your mailings. See below for some fabulous examples of PictureItPostage stamps our bloggers made themselves!

 

– Give the Gift of Postage: Customized stamps (made through PictureItPostage.com), using a photo of your kids, would also make a great gift for grandparents (who tend to not “want anything” or already have everything). They are fun and practical.

 

– Send a Letter with Your Card: One great way to keep far-away friends and family updated on your life is to include a brief “newsletter” about your doings during the year in your holiday card.

 

– Make Ornaments to Use as Cards: You can find bare wood ornaments at craft stores like Michael’s – they’re just flat wooden cutouts in different holiday shapes. Add a picture on one side and a greeting message on the other, and send it as a card and gift all in one.

 

– Get Your Kids Involved: Make holiday cards an art project for your kids.  For example, a white handprint can become Santa’s beard (just add construction paper cut-outs for the hat, eyes, etc). You could also use a child’s thumbprints, in brown paint, to make Santa’s reindeer. Draw reindeer faces on them, and you have a cute, meaningful card.

 

– Recycle the Cards You Receive: Reuse the holiday cards you get in the mail for other crafts, like making a holiday card wreath or hole-punching one corner of a card, putting ribbon through it and hanging it on your tree.

 

 

GREAT LINKS!!

 

PictureItPostage, to create customized postage – even your envelopes can get into the holiday spirit!  http://pictureitpostage.com/

 

How-to video for making easy, handmade holiday cards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXEp2e3jGHE&feature=related

 

Martha Stewart, the holiday craft guru!   Here’s an example: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stamped-holiday-cards

 

Kaboose: http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-cards.html

 

Family Fun: http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-cards/

 

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com

 

On Etsy, check out TheMotherhood member Grace Hester’s designs!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracehesterdesigns?section_id=6101242

 

And TheMotherhood member Joy Charde’s, as well!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60493829/printable-and-customizable-kawaii

 

 

Another thank you to PictureItPostage and our inspiring blogger co-hosts!!!  Don’t forget to use the coupon code and order your custom postage to spice up your holiday mailings this year!!!

 

– Ellen, Confessions of an Overworked Mom

– Tesa, 2 Wired 2 Tired

– Amy, The Finer Things in Life

– Shannon, Potamus Prefers

– Kim, Crafty Mama of 4

– Aracely, Daytripping Mom

– Julie, The Other Boufs

– Monica, 3 Crazy Monkeys

– Suzanne, Mom Confessionals

– Jo-Lynne, Musings of a Housewife

– Amy, Selfish Mom

– Jessica, The Unemployed Mom

– Kim, Savor the Days

– Melanie, Coupon Goddess

 

 

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

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62105

Social media moms gathered in TheMotherhood to talk about a common affliction – colic, which affects 25 percent of all babies.  Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, author and pediatrician at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, answered questions about colic from the community.

 

There is no known cause or cure for colic, so all parents can do is wait it out – creating a stressful time for both baby and mom and dad.  Moms who had “been there” pooled their advice and suggestions on how to get through the months of colic.  Read on for great tips and insights!

 

Making Baby Feel Better

 

– If you are breastfeeding, you should think about your diet. Certain foods you eat can make your baby’s colic or fussing worse. Foods to watch out for include: citrus fruit, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, spicy foods, caffeine and beans.

 

– While method of feeding (breast or bottle) isn’t directly connected to colic, style of feeding can make a difference. “Active” feeding, where your baby controls milk flow, can help reduce colic symptoms. The Philips AVENT bottle encourages babies to feed in a way that is similar to breastfeeding as it has a naturally-shaped nipple with a skirt that flexes to prevent vacuum build-up, allows baby to control milk flow, and has an anti-colic valve that limits the air your baby ingests.

 

– In addition to reducing the amount of air your baby swallows during feedings, keep your baby moving. White noise can help, too, as it’s a reminder of the noises heard in the womb. Also consider trying a pacifier/soother, warm bath, gently massaging your baby’s tummy, or swaddling.

 

– You can try the “Happiest Baby Program” – The 5 S’s: swaddling, shushing sounds, side/stomach positions, swinging, sucking as a calming reflex.

 

 

Making Mommy (and Daddy) Feel Better

 

– Getting time away is VITAL!! Talking it out is also important. Having a baby with colic can really be hard on a couple too, so getting time together without the baby can really help.

 

– Something that helped me is taking a minute to do something that made me feel good about myself. I like a hot shower and a mini home facial. Made me feel fresh even when I was exhausted.

 

– If you’ve tried different tactics we’ve discussed here, and nothing has soothed your baby in the least – or anytime you are concerned for your little one’s health – take him or her to your pediatrician. It always helps to get an expert opinion and nothing is more valuable than peace of mind!

 

 

About Colic

 

– No one knows for sure what causes colic. Common theories include tummy spasms as the digestive system learns to process food, excess gas from air swallowed while feeding, lack of good bacteria in the gut, and allergies to cow’s milk. Although we don’t know for sure, fortunately colic is not a serious medical condition!

 

– Colic typically appears by the third week life and peaks around six weeks. It usually disappears when your baby is around three months of age.

 

– Pediatricians often use the “Rule of 3” to diagnose infant colic. Has your baby been crying for three or more hours a day, at least three times per week, for the last three weeks (from about three weeks to three months of age)? If so, he or she might have colic. Other signs of colic include crying in the late afternoon or evening (usually after feeding), high-pitched crying and screaming, a red face, clenched fists and scrunched up eyes, legs drawn to the tummy, a distended abdomen and frequent passing of gas.

 

– There’s really no way to predict colic – it affects just as many girls as boys, and birth order doesn’t make a difference either. There are risks factors that are correlated, though – such as moms who smoke during pregnancy and through their baby’s infancy. There doesn’t seem to be a hereditary link.

 

 

Thank you to the wonderful Dr. Jen, AVENT and our fabulous blogger co-hosts!!!

 

Alaina Frederick, My Heartfelt Life

Angie Knutson, My Four Monkeys

Clarissa Nassar, The POSHpreneur

Stacie Connerty, The Divine Miss Mommy

Victoria Mason, The Mummy Chronicles

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62087

Moms came to TheMotherhood today to talk about a very timely, seasonal topic – the importance of getting your flu shot.  Heather Bryant, a Doctor of Pharmacy and Walgreens pharmacy manager in Chicago, provided great advice and information, and five lucky moms won Walgreens flu shot gift cards to get immunized this flu season.  Read on for ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu!

 

– Who Should Be Immunized: Unless they are allergic to eggs, anyone over the age of six months is eligible for a flu shot.  It’s especially important for anyone with a chronic medical issue (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, etc.) to be immunized against the flu. It’s estimated that between 15 and 60 million cases of the flu occur yearly in the U.S., leading to about 24,000 deaths.

 

– Vaccinating Kids: Keep in mind that if you have a little one who has never received the vaccination before, they will get the dose over two separate visits, a few weeks apart. The mist is only available if children are over two years old. Walgreens Take Care Clinics are able to vaccinate children over the age of two years.

 

– Flu Shot v. Flu Mist: Both the shot and “mist” (nasal spray) are effective forms of immunization. Some people prefer the nasal spray in order to avoid needles. The shot is an inactive form of the flu strains, and the mist contains live flu viruses. People with compromised immune systems should not get the mist form of the flu vaccine. It takes about 2 weeks to develop immunity after being vaccinated.

 

– This Year’s Flu Shot: It’s not too late to be vaccinated.  This year’s flu shot protects you for the whole year, not just the season, and most of the flu shots are a combined dose of the standard flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine. There are no additional side effects compared to previous years’ shots.

 

– Dealing with Flu Shot Soreness: It is common to experience some tenderness at the injection site, along with some arm/muscle soreness, but use your arm instead of treating it gingerly just because you received a shot. The more you use the muscle, the less likely it is to hurt for more than a day or so.

 

– How We Get the Flu: The flu can be spread through the air from up to six feet away, or picked up on surfaces.

 

– Use Disinfectant on Surfaces: Depending on the surface, germs can remain “living” on surfaces for 48 hours or more. Think about all the “dirty” surfaces we touch on a daily basis – keyboards, doorknobs, telephones. Wipe those items down with alcohol to prevent spreading germs.

 

– The Myth of Vitamin C: Studies do not really support the use of high dose vitamin C for preventing or shortening the duration of a cold/flu. It is more important to rest and stay hydrated.

 

In addition to the accumulated wisdom of the Talk, here are some additional suggestions for flu prevention from our expert mom bloggers’ reader communities:

 

– Get Some Shut-eye: Experts recommend sleeping for 7-8 hours each night for a reason – regularly getting enough sleep at night keeps your immune system healthy and functioning properly.

 

– Avoid Cabin Fever: When it starts getting cold outside, people tend to spend more time indoors in close quarters, where germs can spread quickly.  Take opportunities to leave the house, school, office and other enclosed spaces whenever possible.

 

– Dust Off the Treadmill: Aerobic exercise helps to increase the body’s natural virus-killing cells.  Hibernating during the winter doesn’t mean you can’t be active!

 

– Stay Clean: Wash your hands frequently, try not to touch your face unless you know your hands are clean, and carry hand sanitizer for on-the-go.

 

– Take a Deep Breath: Excessive stress can suppress your immune system.  Find a way to calm down, whether it’s reading a book, enjoying a hot bath, yoga or deep breathing.

 

– Practice Safe Sneezing: Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, but don’t use your hands, which will spread the bacteria to other surfaces when you touch them.  Instead, carry a packet of face tissues, or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.

 

– A Pound of Cure: Getting a flu shot will minimize your chances of getting sick, but stock up on chicken soup and medicine in case you do.  The last thing you want to do when you have the flu is get out of bed and go to the store.

 

 

A special thanks to Walgreens, Heather and all of our mom experts!!  The awesome mom bloggers who co-hosted this Talk are:

 

Angie, My Four Monkeys

Caryn Bailey, Rockin Mama

Christina, Mommy Story

Connie Roberts, Brain Foggles

Elizabeth, Busy Mom

Ellen Christian, Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Jodi Grundig, Multitasking Mommy

Shannon, The Mommy Files

Stefany, To Be Thode

Suzanne Chan, Mom Confessionals

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62090