Hey Guys! Welcome to ShamaTV. I got a really interesting question last week that said, “We have a company going, and we’re pretty busy already, so the social media stuff… we get it, we like it, we want to be a part of it, but we just don’t have the time and resources right now, so what can we do?”
I asked them if they were really interested in reaching this community, and they said yes. They want to be out there, they want to be reaching people, but they just don’t have the time.

Here’s my suggestion for them and anyone out there that’s in the same boat. Whereas, you realize the power of social media, and you realize how great it can be for your company, but you just don’t have time to get out there and start your own blog, or to do these things. Here is my best tip: Sponsor someone who does.

I saw Pepsi doing an excellent job at South by Southwest, and what was wonderful was that is seemed like they got a lot of bloggers together and sponsored them to hang out at their booths, and greet people. And these are people the community knows really well and already trusts. Since we trust them, and they trust Pepsi, hence, most people also trust Pepsi. This is a communication principal that I’m forgetting the name of right now, but this is something to really think about. Let’s say that you have a clothing boutique, for example, and you really want to get your clothes out there, but you don’t have time to start a blog, and you don’t have time to do your own thing. Try finding a video blogger (not me because I already have my own clothes), and sponsoring their wardrobe. Have you ever thought about that?
Let’s say you’re a hair and make-up design person, again find someone who does video blogging, and approach them.
Let’s say you sell a product for moms, find a mom blogger, a mommy blogger as they’re called, and sponsor their blog.

So again, this is a great way to reach people, and get your name known in the community, and do good work even if you don’t have the time… sponsor someone who does. Someone who has a good understanding of the community.

Hey guys! Welcome to ShamaTV. Last week I was at South by Southwest, and one of the great things about going to conferences is that you collect a lot of business cards! In my profession I see a lot of business cards as is, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a webisode on what makes a good business card. I just got mine recently made, and I figured I’d share with you guys some of the things I think make a business card stand out, and what you can do to make yours stand out.

One of my first tips is to always use both sides of the card. It’s good real estate, and I know you guys spend money printing them, so I’m always surprised when I flip a card over and there’s nothing on the other side. Use both sides efficiently, and I’ll give you a tip on what to put on the other side if you don’t have an idea yet.

The other thing is to use a good card stock. I have about a 15-point card stock, and I get it from overnightprints.com (I’ll put their address below the video). I really like them! They’re nice and sturdy. Sometimes you get those flimsy little business cards and they get stuck to other cards, or they may fly away, and are easy to lose. The ones I have are good quality business cards.

The other thing I learned from experience is to always make your name your stand-out point. When I first did business cards, I really made the company the big deal. Then I realized you’re business cards are about you. You are connecting with a person. And while they might be representing a business and a brand, you’re still connecting with that person, and you want their business card. So what I did this time with my card, was I really highlighted my name in bold, and made sure that’s what stood out.

On the front of the card, I listed a couple of things that I do: online marketing, WebTV show host, public speaker. I know a lot of you guys out there juggle multiple things, so this is a great little way to bullet point the things you do, and the things you want people to know about yourself. Now, here’s my point of advice on this point, if you do two very different things then I don’t recommend putting them here because “public speaker” and “WebTV show host” go together… that’s OK, there’s nothing wrong with it. But let’s say I also weaved baskets. I wouldn’t want to put on here “WebTV show host, public speaker, and basket weaver.” It just wouldn’t fit together.

Then I have my website addresses: clicktoclient.com and shama.tv. I also have my phone number and e-mail address. I don’t put my mailing address on cards because, for myself and for a lot of people I know, they work virtually or have a PO Box. And if someone really needs your mailing address they’ll e-mail you, so I don’t have my mailing address on my card. Now if you have an office and a suite, and you’re an attorney, for example, and lots of people visit your office then it might make sense to put your address on the card.

Now, the back of the card is something interesting… I offer my free online marketing guide. Most people take a business card, and they’ll e-mail the person, but they might throw it away. This is nice because even through my business cards, I’m doing something to provide a little bit of value. I’m letting people know, “Hey, I have a 28 page online marketing plan on clicktoclient.com, and they can go download it. This is great because it gives my work a little more exposure, and it allows them to get a taste of what we have to offer. And it gives them an online marketing plan!

So always use both sides of your card, and if you guys have interesting business idea tips, I’d love to see them in the comments section!

When I initially decided to launch the ShamaTV site, I had my designer and I asked her if we could do something fun and creative with this. So she asked me if she could turn me in to a cartoon a cartoon of myself. I have to tell you that at first I was a little skeptical, and kind of like, ah, I’m not so sure how that will turn out, but she took it and she ran with it and did an amazing job.

But something happened with it besides it being something I really liked and something people resonated with. What was amazing was how many people connected with this, what I’m calling, image personas: an image, just a j-peg drawn image,- a creative graphic image, and how people connected it with me and the ShamaTV brand. It’s really, really funny for me because I never expected this.

What was also unusual was that we started getting a whole bunch of e-mails and calls saying “who did this site?” We tell them clicktoclient, the company I run, has designers and developers, and they did it. And we got a whole bunch of requests for creating image personas for other people.

We’re intrigued by this because I think it really allows people to connect. I’m not even sure why this is… I haven’t figured it out yet. I’m not sure what aspect connects so well with them because there’s a lot of websites and things that have pictures of people on them, and for the longest time we’ve been told that a picture really connects with a person, but what about a graphic image? What about an animated sort of image? So we’re wondering if that can, just as powerfully connect with people because so far the experience I’ve had is pretty fabulous.

To tag along to that, when I went to South by Southwest last week, Dave Taylor was there, and lots of people know him from askdave.com. He always has these stickers with him – I wish I had one with me right now to show you guys- but it’s an animated little picture of him saying, “Ask Dave Taylor.” And we met someone when I was with him and he said, “Hey, I’m Dave Taylor,” and handed her a sticker. She didn’t recognize him by face, but when she looked at the sticker she goes, “Oh, you’re this guy! I’ve seen this before!” There was an excitement, and a genuine connection between the brand and the person.

So I’m wondering how powerful image personas can be in the business. So far, my experience has been that they can do a great job at connecting with the audience, and I’m excited to hear what your thoughts are on this.