It's Better Together » Better Mondays

Guest Post | Paloma’s Nest

Ashley Brooke Quintana — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:00:30 +0000

Today’s guest post is written by the lovely Caroline, Owner and Designer of Paloma’s Nest,

home to the original Ring Bearer Bowl™. First of all I can not say enough kind words about

Caroline and obviously her talent and heart shows in her work.

I just know you will love this post on obtaining press for your business as much as I do!

Thank you so much Caroline for this wonderful post!

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There is no secret to getting great press for your business, or to landing a product placement or blog feature. You never know when an opportunity will knock, or which great image will climb its way to the top of the “blogsphere.” Marketing and branding are important, but can vary so much from one business to another.

So when asked to write a few “pointers” about obtaining press, I have to admit- I was stumped. It took me several days to think about the question at hand. Was there really some code or some magic trick? Is it all luck? Nah.

In my experience, as with most things in life, it all comes down to the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Whether in email or social media exchanges, customer service, or in performing the service you provide, being nice and doing your best goes far. Really far.

Be gracious and show your gratitude: In a virtual world, manners are just as important as when you are face to face with someone. Always say thank you. Sometimes an email is appropriate, but other times a handwritten note is in order.In social media, be yourself. Let your personality shine through. You ARE your brand. However, always remember- everything you write is out there forever. Don’t say something you will regret, or something that may tarnish the brand you have worked so hard to create. Share bits and pieces of your real life, and engage in conversation with others; but just like you wouldn’t air your dirty laundry openly in a coffee shop, don’t do it on Twitter, either.

Be respectful of people’s time, knowledge, and interest in your work:

Whether it is a receptionist or an assistant, a beginning blogger or a newcomer to the industry, I personally consider everyone to be my colleague. And I treat all colleagues with dignity and kindness.

You never know who will have the next great idea, become the next famous stylist, or run the most popular blog or magazine. Nurturing and respecting all relationships, from the ground up, is not only the right thing to do, but is smart for your business.

For example, a woman I met several years ago used to be a photo shoot assistant at a big-name wedding magazine. Today, she is one of the editors at that same magazine. I remember her, and she remembers me. Our relationship began at our first encounter, not just when my business needed her.

Don’t brush off the little guy- instead, build bridges that benefit everyone.

Always put your best product or service out there:

You never know who is attending a event you are coordinating; who is reading your blog; who is ordering your product.

You never know who is watching.

Consistency is key- your marketing materials, the images of your work, even your Twitter feed- they all speak volumes about your business.

Treat every situation, every client, and every potential client with excellence, no matter what.

One of my first experiences with press coverage was with Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. They called to discuss featuring my product in their Holiday Gift guide. When I asked if they needed for me to send them samples, they replied : “Nope, thanks, but we already have several. Our editor has been a fan of your work for quite a while.”

I nearly fell to the floor. I never knew that one of my clients was a magazine editor; but I must have sent her a high quality, memorable product every time she ordered.

Ever since that day, I vowed that my company would process and package every single order as if it were being sent to an editor- and not just for good PR, but because every client deserves your best work. You wouldn’t have a business without them.

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Thank you again Caroline!

Paloma’s Nest

Caroline on Twitter

Caroline’s Blog

Better Mondays (even though it’s Tuesday night!)

Ashley Brooke Quintana — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:35:50 +0000

Two great webinars hosted by Liene From Think Splendid Communications

July 20th on how to effectively use Twitter for business.
July 13th on how to effectively read and use blog analytics.

IP Law for Startups has a great free E-book by Jill Hubbard Bowman.

“Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art.” Andy Warhol

Better Mondays

Trisha Hay — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:00:20 +0000

A few links from around the web to curb your case of the Mondays and start off your week inspired:

Leah Dieterich’s thxthxthx is her daily exercise in gratitude, including the gem above.
Grace from design*sponge shares how she deals with negativity in blog comments
The Good to Know Project is an online magazine full of advice and inspiration from artists/illustrators/designers on creativity and business. Issues cover topics like personal style, time management and plagiarism.
When more is decidedly less
34 entrepreneurs, celebrities, athletes and politicians share the greatest risks they ever took

Better Mondays

Ashley Brooke Quintana — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:00:13 +0000

Here are a few links to make your Monday a little brighter:

Pantone wall covering: Uncoated by Johnathan Nodrick
Humility via The Business of Being Creative by Sean Low
Quote: “The ability to change fast is the single most important asset in a world that’s changing fast.” – Seth Godin
As Real as it Gets…via Flickr by wandaaaa

Better Mondays | Never for cheap

its_better — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:29:40 +0000

Download the free wallpaper here (via design crush)

Better Mondays (even though it’s Tuesday)

Trisha Hay — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:11:37 +0000

Replace “camera” with whatever you do and hopefully you’ll still find this an inspiring and powerful message.

Our camera is such a powerful tool and we are blessed to be able to tell some of the most amazing stories through our lens. Stories of hope and heartache, tragedy and triumph, real, honest, emotional, stories that because of us will be passed from generation to generation to generation. Getting published is great, but it’s only a vehicle to allow us more opportunities for story-telling. -Garrett Nudd

p.s. Save the date for our next meet up on April 22! Yes, that’s next week and we’ll get the details out soon! Update: Sorry for the confusion, but we’re not hosting a meet up tonight, but we’re still working on organizing a meet up very soon! Will post details as soon as we have everything finalized!

Better Mondays

Trisha Hay — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:31 +0000

A few links from around the web to curb your case of the Mondays and start off your week inspired:

• 50 Steps to Simple Happiness (via a cup of jo)

• Biz Miss a small business blog for creative professionals (via design*sponge)

• Pr*tty Sh*tty interviews Paula Scher

• Sophistication is the craft of subtlety that goes noticed. – John Maeda

• DIY Butcher Paper Wall decor from Ruche’s spring lookbook. (via notcot)

Better Mondays: Are you a Lovemark?

Ashley Brooke Quintana — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:00:35 +0000

Do your clients see you as a “Lovemark”?

“Take a brand away and people will find a replacement.

Take a Lovemark away and people will protest its absence.

Lovemarks are a relationship, not a mere transaction.

You don’t just buy Lovemarks, you embrace them passionately.

That’s why you never want to let go.” -Lovemark Website

Better Mondays – Cliche’ Olympic Inspiration

Nate Robinson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:59:41 +0000

So far, my absolute favorite moment from the 2010 Olympic Games was watching Shaun White realize that he had won the Gold Medal before he had even taken his last run. He was in shock, and told his coach “I can’t ride right now… What should I do, just ride down the Middle?”. His Coach laughed at him and told him to go bigger and harder than he ever had, and pull out a trick that no one else had ever done, or even seen before, and he did, and outscored his already-gold-medal run.

It reminded me of how often I get comfortable and content in my own life, and how often I need to really push myself (or usually have someone else push me) when I feel like taking the easy way.

Also, for a little extra motivation on this fine monday, someone posted a link on twitter of some of the best pictures from the Olympics. These photographers did such an amazing job at capturing the emotion that is so present for these young people, whose entire lives’ worth of training culminates in a split second. Enjoy!

Better Mondays: Annabel Wright

Anna Bond — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:12:10 +0000

On a sunny but chilly Florida Monday morning I thought I would share a couple of Annabel Wright’s illustrations.. I love her style. It’s very mid-century, loose, colorful, and organic.

images via heart agency (who represents a slew of amazing illustrators)