What’s wrong with this picture?

In a web forum, there is a discussion about Oprah and some recent guests on her show. I have, thus far, successfully resisted the urge of asking the question, Who is Oprah? I think it would be funny, but the forum is question is sometimes oh-too-serious about stuff, so, you know, must resist the urge to entertain…

Anyway, one way of getting traffic is by appealing to the baser instincts. An example of this would be putting up a photo of a nude woman, like this:

Nude Woman Posing Naked on the Beach

Oops. Sorry about that sheet of frosted glass getting in the way. Better luck next time!

Another method of generating traffic would be to write articles based around keywords used by your demographic in searching for the stuff you sell. That sounds like complicated stuff. Website log analysis. Keyword research. Demographics. Target audience. Is your head hurting yet?

Well, another, perhaps less effective method is to ask your readers. This would be heavily slanted since most people really don’t know what they want until they actually come to the point where they need it, otherwise they think they need this when really all they do is want this, but really they need something completely different.

But, it’s easy, so, you know, easy is good. So, I asked my Twitter followers what I should write about today. Normally, this generates a number of responses. Unfortunately, Twitter seems to be having issues tonight, so the responses are rather scarce. How inopportune timing since I want to finish this blog post tonight, not whenever it is that Twitter is fixed and running up to snuff again.

Up to snuff? Why is that considered good? Have you seen what the stuff can do to your mouth? Is that something to which to aspire?

Anyway, I have no doubt completely let down my Twitter followers by not taking any of their suggestions. Here is what they had to say…

@jerzegurl of the Bluestockings blog was quick to suggest that I write about whether the Technology Gap is replacing the Age Gap. That is a mighty interesting topic, and one that I have touched upon before (many moons ago, not on this blog). However, it would require too much heavy thinking for the night and it’s been a long day and I’m tired and I don’t have the energy to put into it right now. But, perhaps that can be saved for a rainy day.

@YUDU, in a shameless act of self-promotion, suggested that I blog about the ePublishing marketplace, www.yudu.com. Like I’m going to fall for that trick and give the site a link or something.

@ChimeraCrochet, who sells handmade goods, suggested that I blog about the CPSIA. Been there, done that, never even received my lead-tainted t-shirt.

@publicrelations, another shameless self-promoter, suggested that I write about her. Why do these people think they can fool me so easily? Like I’m going to link to her blog, Ladies of Liberty, or something. You’ve got to get up pretty early in the morning to trick me into just giving away links like that. I know their game!

Also, Awake in Rochester has a prayer request for a friend with cancer and also needs help coming up with something to blog about. Maybe she can write about yudu.com, because I’m not going to be tricked into mentioning them and giving them a link!

Oh, and don’t forget about my new business community and garden blogs. Both of them have Top Commentators spots wide open!

My neighbors, if anyone saw me, probably think I’m nuts. I’m guessing most grown men don’t go outside at midnight, snap a few pictures of the snow pile in the corner of the sidewalk and then promptly go back inside.

But, I’ve got a blog to run here, dang it! And people on Twitter that want to know what’s going on in the world!

Anyway, as I mentioned in my comment to Speedy, we had ice and snow Tuesday night and Wednesday. First snow, then freezing rain, then some more snow. So, late last night, as shown in this icy photo, there was a sheet of ice covering the snow.

Wednesday morning, there was snow covering the ice. So, it was like a cake! Snow, frosting, then more snow. Cool! Literally!

I mentioned, in my comment to Speedy, my snowball too. I was too tired to take pictures before, after shoveling and plowing the driveway, so the sample sheet of ice and my snowball sat out there in the freezing cold. Melting as the temperature goes up. Front Yard Warming, or something. I don’t know. Ask Al Gore.

Well, I figured I can’t let you guys and gals down. You want to see it, right? Thus, at midnight, I had to get my coat on and head outside to take pictures. So, even if you didn’t want to see it, you better look! I went outside at midnight, looking like a crazy person in front of any of my neighbors that may have seen the flashes of light from the camera as I took my shots!

Anyway, the ice was only about 3/8 of an inch thick, not the half inch or more I told Speedy. It might be a half inch if you count the frozen snow on the bottom layer, where some of that freezing rain formed a not-so-solid layer of ice below the solid ice sheet.

As for the new blog, well, while winter may not seem the time to think about gardening, actually it is! If you plan on having a garden this year, now is the time to start planning. Or, even if you just want to learn more about taking care of your houseplants, well, we won’t forget about those either. Yesterday, I launched a new blog, the Canville Gardens, which will cover all sorts of gardening and flowery goodness, so please be sure to check it out!

Oh, and remember I said the ice was like a piece of cake? Well, bon appetit!

Psst. Please don’t tell my neighbors about this last photo…

A couple weeks ago, I posed this question on Twitter: “Sales is convincing someone to buy what you’re offering and marketing is getting people in the door. Agree?”

Here were the responses I received from some of my followers on Twitter:

@cheapcheapcheap replied “Sales is building a relationship and getting what they want. Marketing is getting people to spread the product name.” (Blog: How to Save Money)

@LStacey replied “That pretty much nails it.” (Blog: Lee Stacey)

@big_b_rad replied “Without a doubt, Marketing = Awareness, != closing the deal… That’s where sales staff is needed… IMO” (Site: Powered Production)

@ScottBradley replied “Totally agree” (Blog: Networking Effectively)

@CoriBrackett replied “Sales should be re: fulfilling a need & marketing helps in awareness-hopefully re: what folks genuinely need or are interested in.” (Site: Sweet Remedy Radio)

@alienate replied “Marketing is convincing someone they need some thing they don’t already have. Sales is getting them to need your particular thing.” (Blog: Sunshine Cupcake!)

@TerenceChang replied “I think it’s opposite direction. Sales is the one get you in door. Marketing is the one make you want to open your wallet.” (Blog: The Internet Entrepreneur Diary)

@petsaretalking replied “Sales is building the relationship and selling, Marketing is setting the playing field and getting people to play.” (Blog: Pets Are Talking)

@davewoodson replied “I could not agree more” (Blog: Dave Woodson)

@JulieFBT replied “Definitely agree. Marketing is the creative and sales is the charm.” (Site: Free Birthday Treats)

@katanabarnett replied “Marketing, IMHO, is finding the people who are interested; Sales is when they agree with you. Same thing, small diff. lol” (Blog: Katana Barnett)

@phyllisshabad replied “Marketing is more than the door if you want repeat clients. If your product isn’t branded there is no affinity in a bad economy.” (Site: Phyllis Shabad, Executive Brand Coach)

@AnthonyRusso replied “In marketing, aren’t you offering them the idea of going through the door, hence it is sales as well.” (Blog: Great America Networks Conferencing Blog)

@DoreenBatesart replied “-and marketing is the hard part on the internet–getting ppl to your door!” (Site: DoreenBatesart Handmade Artisan Jewelry and Fine Art)

@glwallace replied “Answer: It depends on the industry. Sales is connecting with people on a personal level to give them info they need to make a good decision. Marketing is connecting with the masses to bring awareness of your product or services so that a sale can be facilitated.” (LinkedIn: Larry Wallace)

@caohaoim replied “Get to the door in the mood to buy.”

@dianatimmons replied “marketing is where you decide how best to present your product, and sales is when the customer agrees with you on your decision.” (Site: Diana Hathaway Timmons)

@rcarney2201 replied “You’re so right.” (Blog: Rcarney12’s Blog)

@xylus replied “agreed - although sometimes sales people market and sometimes marketing people sell and sometimes product managers do all” (Facebook Profile)

@DianaRusso replied “sales is what happens when the buyer and the seller are on the same page and marketing is showing the buyer what page you are on” (Site: Earth Connections Kuranda)

@jesseluna replied “That’s pretty accurate. Marketing is getting an at bat. Sales is convincing them to buy the bat and be ready for the next pitch.” (Blog: Build Your Fan Base)

@KaNani2008 replied “yes sales is getting some 1 to buy what you are offering..but successful marketing is getting them 2 return again & again.. JMHO” (Site: Ka Nani Essentials Artistic Natural Bath Products)

@peterburkecbf replied “in my opinion that is right - too many peope try and sell at the marketing stage” (Site: CBF International)

@BHN replied “Believe marketing is first letting people know there even IS a door.” (LinkedIn: Barb Nagell)

@ElmerHurlstone replied “Marketing: Intel & Strategy; Sales: Tactics” (Blog: Elmer Hurlstone)

@Astrogirl426 replied “disagree. Respectfully Marketing = simply getting a potential client’s attention. Sales is showing that potential client the need of theirs that your service/product can fill.” (Blog: Notes from the Bunker)

@awakeinroch replied “Yes. No. Maybe … You can pick the correct answer to post. ;o)” (Blog: Awake in Rochester)

@Loreen72 replied “I agree. But they work hand in hand. Mktg supports the products and Sales should stand by the marketing.” (Site: TLM Photograpy Studios)

@sundaycosmetics replied “Disagree Marketing is getting people into the door to buy.” (Site: SundayCosmetics™)

@arronlock replied “yeah I would say that is basically it.” (Blog: Organized Chaos)

@PamperingU replied “I’m no sales/marketing guru but your assessment of both sounds reasonable. I’d love to hear what the experts say have to say.” (Site: Pampering U)

@kirstenwright replied “Marketing is explaining how the product benefits the user. If done right, all sales involves is collecting their money.” (Blog: Wright Creativity)

@AdamCarn replied “I think I can agree with that.” (Site: Syte Black)

@AndrewWindham replied “sales is not a convincing process of any sort, marketing is about raising awareness around availability” (Blog: Andrew Windham)

@dhelbig replied “mktg is getting your message in front of others, sales is matching their need to your offering” (Site: Seize This Day Coaching)

@jshuey replied “there are many analogies, but ducks is a good one for mktrs. Mktg gets the ducks to the pond. Sales shoots (collects) them.” (Blog: The Intersection of People and Progress)

@JudithandJim replied “No. Marketing is preparing your customer to buy. Selling provides incentive(s) for customer to make the decision they know they want to make.” (Site: Bridging Heart & Marketing)

@easytechtalk replied “i would say that marketing brings people TO the door, and then sales would bring them in” (Blog: Easy Tech Talk)

@salesrecruiter replied “sales =get the agreement..strategic mkt=sets direction product portfolio…tactical mkt=support sales & creates + buying bias” (Site: PHC Consulting)

As you can see, there are a variety of differing opinions. The bottom line, though, is that sales and marketing, however you choose to define them, must work together as a team in order to be effective. Whether that team is a group of people or one person doing it all, it’s important that everyone be on the same page.

Communication is a key aspect to coordinating that effort. Even if you’re a one-person sales & marketing team, it’s helpful to stay in touch with other people doing the same types of things you are in order to learn from them and pass along your own knowledge.

So, in an effort to help foster that kind of community, I am launching a new business website, the Canville Business Community. The goal is help grow a community of business-minded people interested in running their businesses in an economical, efficient and ethical manner. I hope you’ll check it out and join us!

1936 Alan Alda
1944 Susan Howard
1959 Frank Darabont
1959 Randi Rhodes
1962 Keith Hamilton Cobb
1965 Lynda Boyd
1968 Sarah McLachlan
1969 Kathryn Morris
1969 Mo Rocca
1972 Gillian Vigman
1977 Joey Fatone
1980 Nick Carter
1981 Elijah Wood

This is the view of my front yard tonight. Well, actually from about 15 minutes ago.

It’s basically a sheet of ice. It was covered in a couple inches of snow, but now there’s a sheet of ice covering the snow.

It’s kind of pretty, actually. But, probably won’t be a fun drive to work in the morning.

I was going to announce not just one but two new blogs tonight.

I mentioned previously that The Thrifty Entrepreneur dot Com would be getting a new look and a new name. Well, after looking at it, I decided there really was not much advantage in doing so versus just starting a new blog from scratch. The Thrifty Entrepreneur dot Com does not have a lot of content and not a high PageRank, so it really doesn’t lend any advantage to a new site. So, I will keep it running as is, maybe update it now and then, but start the new one from scratch.

But, recent events have kept me from working full steam ahead on it.

Anyway, I started on getting it setup tonight but it’s not likely that I’ll finish it tonight. But, soon!

Oh, and I’ll be starting yet another blog too.

So, stay tuned for announcements on both, hopefully very soon.

On Thursday, we found out my grandmother had some medical issues, and the nursing home was going to keep an eye on her and possibly send her to the hospital if it need be.

My grandmother was taken to the hospital on Friday, so I was out of town for the weekend. I didn’t have my computer or Internet access, so I was unable to post.

Back home now. Hopefully, everything will be okay. The initial symptom has cleared up, and the tests they’ve done so far haven’t revealed anything yet. She’s having another test today, and I hope that it will turn out to be something minor and easy to fix or cure.

Don’t know though. Apparently, it doesn’t sound like a viral infection, which she’s had before and which we were sort of hoping it was again as, while unpleasant, at least medication and time will take care of it. So, don’t know what it is, which is scary.

Anyway, so Friday night, I just put together a quick bunch of blog posts to appear throughout the weekend.

Johnny had told a falsehood and his mother was anxiously talking with him.

“The Bible says, Johnny,” she told him, “that no one who tells lies can go to heaven.”

“Mamma,” he asked, “did you ever tell a lie?”

“I dare say I did, my son, when I was very small like you, and did not realize how wicked it was.”

“Did papa ever tell a lie?”

“Perhaps he might, when he was a little boy; but he would not do it now.”

“Well,” remarked the young philosopher, “I don’t know as I care about going to heaven, if there isn’t going to be anybody but God and George Washington.”

~ Anonymous

If you’ve anything good to say of a man,
   Don’t wait till he’s laid to rest,
For the eulogy spoken when hearts are broken
   Is an empty thing at best.
Ah! the blighted flower now drooping lonely
   Would perfume the mountain-side,
If the sun’s glad ray had but shone today
   And the pretty bud espied.

If you’ve any alms to give to the poor,
   Don’t wait till you hear the cry
Of wan distress in this wilderness,
   Lest the one forsaken die.
Oh, harken to poverty’s sad lament!
   Be swift her wants to allay;
Don’t spurn God’s poor from the favored door,
   As you hope for mercy one day.

Don’t wait for another to bear the burden
   Of sorrow’s irksome load;
Let your hand extend to a stricken friend
   As he totters adown life’s road.
And if you’ve anything good to say of a man,
   Don’t wait till he’s laid to rest;
For the eulogy spoken when hearts are broken
   Is an empty thing at best.

~ Unknown