A glass of wine, a paintbrush and a pot of varnish…what could possibly go wrong?

.

P.S. The late night varnishing is with regard to the beautiful floorboards I had forgotten about after 6 years of them being protected by an old bit of carpet. More photos coming soon.

P.P.S. The wine is with regard to the lovely multi-talented Phill Mason’s 40th birthday – I said I’d raise a glass to him!

Uh-Oh – another Social Media “Expert”!

I’ll be honest, I’ve always been a bit wary of people who bill themselves as a Social Media “expert” or similar title. That’s not to say there aren’t some experts out there – there are those who have definitely earned that title (but few of them choose to use it).

I always felt that first and foremost people should be experts at relationship building, customer service, marketing and simply listening to others, and then social media becomes a great tool for people with those skills to connect with customers and clients.

Through Ed Dale, I became an early adopter of sites like Twitter and Facebook, and I’ve enjoyed great success with using YouTube for building business and traffic.

Clearly, my enjoyment of these platforms, and my ability to use them effectively was evident because I was approached by an online friend and asked whether I would consider becoming a Social Media Manager for her business. I jumped at the chance!

What is a Social Media Manager?

A Social Media Manager may well be described (and is by some) as a community manager. Their role is not to allow you to hand over all responsibility for social media for your business and let you put your feet up and relax.

Far from it!

A Social Media Manager’s main role is to streamline the process and manage the day-to-day admin in order to enable you to become more involved and build relationships in the right way.

So I have to do MORE work with a Social Media Manager?

No, a social media manager should enable you to spend less time doing more of the good, relationship-building, valuable communicating stuff instead of spending hours clearing out spam messages or working out whether to follow someone back.

They can monitor your brand so you know what is being said about you and whether you need to be concerned by that – making sure the good stuff is shared across your network of profiles. They can schedule important information to go out across different time zones, let you know which people need a personal reply, draw your attention to important developments in your field and advise on the best way to handle any bad press or nasty comments.

If you have multiple departments a Social Media Manager can make sure the right departments are seeing the information and communications most relevant to them and offer suggestions on how to respond and provide value.

A Social Media Manager can also administrate your blog and forum, and provide some content creation.

I Don’t Like Social Media, Can’t Someone Do It ALL for Me?

Firstly, when people say they don’t like Social Media, it’s usually sites like Twitter and Facebook they don’t like (or don’t understand fully). Social Media is more than these sites and includes your blog, forums (your own and others within your market), video sharing, podcasting and more. All things I’m sure you’ll agree are important to an online business.

My advice is always that you take time to connect with your customers and others in your market, but some of you will just not want to commit to the time required to be active in social networking daily.

A Social Media Manager can be responsible for doing it all for you and then drawing your attention to important issues and items they cannot (or should not) deal with themselves.

Having a Social Media Manager using Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin in your name is probably not a good idea unless they know your business explicitly and have a similar voice to your own, but there’s no reason you can’t have them interacting as a member of your team with their own Twitter account, forum login or as an admin on your Facebook page, as many businesses do.

So, that’s what I’ve been doing recently and I look forward to taking on a couple more Social Media Management clients. Let me know if I can help you.

Why did I succumb on this occasion?

I already own the .com, .co.uk and .net of my name, and have for many years (way before I even understood why it was important – but thankfully my ex-husband and my best friend both saw the benefits).

Whenever a new domain extension has come onto the market I haven’t bought into the hype and felt the need to add to my collection. After all, nothing beats the .com on a global scale or the .co.uk for my home country.

But, I now have a “celebrity” competing for the same name (OK, she has a Wu between the Lisa and Hartwell but many people don’t remember that) as well as many more Lisa Hartwells around the world who are becoming savvy about the Internet. My name is my main business name so, at least for the time being, it is important to me to be easily when clients search for me.

And it struck me that while .co is never going to be as popular as a .com just how easy it can be to mistype .com and put .co.

So, although I did buy (slightly) into the .co hype, it pretty much came down to that: if someone mistypes the .com in the url I want them to find my site and no one elses.

And if .co takes off and becomes popular (Google have announced they will treat it as a global domain extension) then maybe I’ll do something different with it.

I’d love to know if you bought any .co domains and why…share your reasons below…

Following a Tweet from the very gorgeous Gary Sinise I followed a link to a video on YouTube for his Public Service Announcement on behalf of The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

As you can see you can donate right on the page below the video. This is immense for non-profits, as donations are most likely to come as a result of an emotional response to something that has been seen or heard. Any barrier between that response and the opportunity to make a donation (such as going to a totally different site) will reduce the response.

And then I noticed that YouTube has a whole program dedicated to NonProfits (OK, maybe this has been here a while and I just didn’t know about it) – currently available for the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

I’m seeing more and more new possibilities appearing on YouTube that I’m loving (like being able to embed custom width videos – YAY!).

Meanwhile, since Gary Sinise’s tweet prompted the blog post here’s the video he linked to:

Pretty soon I’m sure they’ll find a way to add a donation button on the end of videos like these with a call to action. In the meantime, click the video to visit YouTube if you want to donate to this cause.

]]> http://www.lisahartwell.com/social-media/youtube-donate-button-youtube-for-nonprofits/feed/ 0 http://www.lisahartwell.com/internet/who-is-ryder-darzynkiewicz/ http://www.lisahartwell.com/internet/who-is-ryder-darzynkiewicz/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:44:38 +0000 Lisa Hartwell http://www.lisahartwell.com/?p=154 I’ve had some weird captchas in my time online but this has to be one of the strangest and most complicated:

So, who is Ryder Darzynkiewicz?

I had to find out…

Ryder Darzynkiewicz doesn’t exist

After the builders had been here just a few hours…

…they had decimated my kitchen

Background on my Home

I bought my 1903 terrace house (built just as Britain was moving into the Edwardian era) over 6 years ago in a terrible state. It had 4 walls and a decent roof but not much else.

I couldn’t even live in it immediately as it needed spraying for woodworm, rewiring and the central heating put in. After about a year of paying out for all sorts of jobs (and doing quite a few myself) I ran out of money and decided not to do anything else until I had the money to get the kitchen completed.

My Kitchen Then

When I bought the house, the kitchen was literally a low Belfast sink with old taps that sprayed anywhere but the sink, a small piece of worktop, an old washing machine, one cupboard, one drawer that kept falling apart, a gas cooker that was so old when we disconnected it we flooded the kitchen with gas because there was no cut-off at the connection, ugly brown ripped lino, ugly bright yellow walls and even uglier brown flowery tiles. Oh, and extremely dangerous polystyrene ceiling tiles.

I pulled up the lino, put down cheap flooring, painted everything white and put in my fridge/freezer, washing machine and a microwave (it took me a year to buy a cooker – but only because I worked evenings and didn’t really need one).

I lived with it like that for 6 years.

• 6 years of trying to wash up in a miniscule low sink.
• 6 years of getting soaked unless I turned the taps on just right.
• 6 years of slugs and woodlice crawling in through the various small holes in the walls.
• 6 years of only having 50cm of worktop (the other 50cm was taken up by a drip tray drainer).
• 6 years of not being able to buy much food because I had nowhere to store it.
• 6 years of having all my utensils and cooking equipment stored in the dining room or boxes.
• 6 years of crumbling walls and peeling paint

It’s amazing what you’ll live with once you get used to something!

My Kitchen Now

To some of you, this kitchen will seem tiny and you’ll wonder what the fuss is about – one thing these old terrace houses don’t have is a lot of space (but they do have lovely high ceilings and wonderful original features – but more on that another time). To me this kitchen is like a Martha Stewart paradise!

I have worktops, running water that hits the sink instead of me, cupboards for food, crockery, and utensils, a draining board, Laura Ashley wall tiles, sandstone floor tiles, smooth walls, a proper loft hatch, insulation…

I even have my tumble drier IN the kitchen (did I mention it has been living in my spare bedroom for the past 6 years?)

As you can imagine I’m reveling in my new space – watch out for some photos of my cooking creations in the future (I did miss making bread and other baking that requires a little space).

And maybe I’ll take you on a tour of the rest of my house and show you some more before and after shots.

P.S. I am aware that none of the links on my site are working at the moment. I’m having theme issues (none of my changes seem to be making the blindest bit of difference) but never fear I have employed the services of a Wordpress expert so they should be clickable soon.

]]> http://www.lisahartwell.com/lisa-hartwell/my-new-kitchen-6-years-late/feed/ 0 http://www.lisahartwell.com/lisa-hartwell/seeking-a-new-adventure/ http://www.lisahartwell.com/lisa-hartwell/seeking-a-new-adventure/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:52:11 +0000 Lisa Hartwell http://www.lisahartwell.com/?p=87 I’m not quite sure how to start this blog post or even the form it is going to take, but a few weeks ago I asked on Twitter for everyone to wish me luck and send me good vibes…and I promised to explain why when I was able.

The occasion was my first proper job interview in….well, forever! I can’t remember the last time I had a job interview. Apart from being self-employed most of my adult life, even when I have taken on contract positions with radio stations I have kind of just “fallen” into the job (usually someone would say “do you want to do X show”, I’d say yes and – bang! – deal done). So, it’s been at least 10 years since I went to a formal interview.

I Never Get Bored

Why on earth would I choose to get a “proper” job?

I need an adventure!

I’m not someone who gets bored. I can always find something to do (or enjoy doing nothing) but I crave new experiences and “adventures”. It’s been a while since I had my last adventure – even my last mini adventure. There’s a difference between being bored and getting itchy feet… and my feet are really itching!

Many of my friends crave stability and comfort, and I have no problem with that, but I get uncomfortable if things have been the same for too long. I like change (the good kind, of course).

Unfortunately, events over the past few years have meant I’ve been quite tied down to being in the one place.

So, for some time I have been looking for an adventure – a new experience – that ticks a few personal boxes:

1. Something I have never done before (although it can utilize skills I already have).
2. Something that will take me out of my comfort zone and be a challenge.
3. Will pay for itself (i.e. cover the cost of the adventure and to keep my home expenses paid while I’m away)
4. Will enable me to maintain my commitments (and even focus more) on my online business (I’ve been finding myself pulled in many directions lately and I am gradually trying to focus in on the most important stuff).

What Was the Job that Could Provide All That?

It’s a tall order to tick all those boxes but then I saw an advert for a job to go to the Falkland Islands for a year to work as a radio presenter/producer for the BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).

It would mean living on the forces’ base (Navy, Army and RAF), on one of the most remote places you can imagine, presenting a show and putting together interviews, features and news stories aimed at the armed forces.

A Lesson in Selling Yourself

I knew that, although I could do the job, it had been a few years since I was last on-air on a commercial radio station and I have no formal journalism training – everything I’ve learned has been on the job and in a freelance capacity. And I was aware a standard CV and demo wouldn’t sell me as well as I wanted.

So, I created an “unofficial” application and pointed them to it in my cover letter.

I’m told that many people applied (which might come as a surprise but they are a good, creative company to work for, at a time when most radio stations are owned by big corporations and heavily formatted with few staff) but only 10 people were interviewed. I was one of those and it was my unofficial application that secured me the interview.

I was pretty nervous about the interview and the adrenaline was flowing fast, but I think it went well.

Are You Going to the Falkland Islands?

No. I wasn’t offered the job. I’m told the person who was chosen has been out to the Falklands before and this was something the selection panel thought was highly beneficial as they were concerned the person might not adapt well to the surroundings.

During the interview they tried their hardest to put me off the experience. They showed me the basic living conditions (the room reminded me of university halls of residence back in the early 90s), talked about how the base was often cut off even from the nearest town (30 miles away), and told me that it would be like living in a fish bowl with everyone knowing my business (sounds like Twitter!). I would be thousands of miles from my family in a place that is largely forgotten by the world but still the source of international tension (between the UK and Argentina).

That didn’t put me off, but I did leave with an uneasy feeling about it…something I just couldn’t put my finger on. Over the next few days the feeling remained although it dissipated a little. I still haven’t worked out what the issue might have been but suspect it was related to having a “proper” job and that they might not be receptive to me continuing my other online business activities. In the end I decided that if they offered it to me my gut would tell me if it was right or wrong for me.

What is My Next Big Adventure?

It wasn’t the right opportunity but I’m still glad I applied. It was exciting to consider such a big leap and to hear my friends and family’s reactions to the idea. Anything I come up with next will be much less of a shock so, if nothing else, it’s a great way to make them more receptive to my next choice (unless I decide to disappear into the jungles of Papua New Guinea for 5 years).

That means I’m still on the lookout for the next opportunity. Something that will: use my skills, but offer me a challenge; be different and preferably in a totally new location (or involve travel); enable me to maintain my online business (even be a part of my online business); pay me a decent fee (the adventure is more important than the money but I must cover a number of expenses).

It doesn’t have to involve remote islands in the Atlantic, penguins or Forces’ personnel (although those do sound appealing)! It doesn’t need to be radio – I actually said I would never work as a full-time radio presenter again but this was one of the rare occasions when I was prepared to eat my words due to the creative environment.

If you have an opportunity in mind or know someone who might, feel free to get in touch. I’m prepared to consider most things as long as it fits my (somewhat unusual) criteria.

To contact me re: voiceovers please use my Contact page

————————————————————————————————————————–

As promised, although a little later than expected, here are my Winter Warmer Special Offers.

It actually warmed up a little in the UK, especially here in Plymouth, but it sounds like the cold weather is heading in again, so I think you need some nice warm, fuzzy feelings.

The aim of the sale really is to enable you to try out some of the audio marketing products you may have been putting off because of the cost. I’ve come up with some of my best and most popular services/products and given a full 50%+ discount on them.

But there is a catch.

So that I don’t over commit, I have limited the number of each product I have on offer and it’s first-come-first-served. The sale will end at midnight 28th January.

If you want one of the following, fill out the contact form on this site with your contact email and any pertinent information. I’ll then connect with you by email and sort out the details.

Winter Warmer Offer #1

Me Interviewing You About Your Business

Visitors to your business/website want to know who you are and what you do. What makes you stand out from others? How can you help them?

Having a free audio download can explain all those things to them and:

• help them connect to you and your business
• answer any questions they may have about your services/products
• reassure them as to why you are the best person to buy from
• help your company stand out from the rest

Oh, and you can even use it for lead generation by giving it away in exchange for an email or physical address (why not offer to send it to them on CD – along with your sales material, of course?)

I will liaise with you about what your primary aim is and what information you would like to get across. I will draft some questions, including any that you want to include, perform some background research, and then record the interview with you via Skype (up to 1 hour).

I will then edit the audio if necessary and provide it to you in an mp3 file.

I normally charge $250 for this but during the Winter Warmer this will cost only $125 (50% off)

Maximum 3 2 Interviews available

(If you want examples of my interviews, check out some of my podcast interviews at the Secret Women’s Business Network)

Please note, this is limited to me interviewing you. It does not include me interviewing a third party.  While I do offer this service I find the logistics are usually more complicated and take more time to arrange.

Winter Warmer Offer #2

Video Voiceover

You may already know that I create small business videos over at We Make Videos for You, but I also provide video voiceovers for people who want to make their own – everything from online business video commercials to inspirational videos and video blog posts. Only yesterday I recorded one for a musician to promote his new album.

If you aren’t video marketing you should be: YouTube is the 2nd biggest search engine; nearly 3.5million people visit YouTube everyday; and the search engines love the video sites.

I will liaise with you about the sort of video you are creating and record a video voiceover for you (up to 2 mins long). This will be only a voiceover recording – you will be responsible for any music you wish to include.

I normally charge at least $80 for a video voiceover but during the Winter Warmer this will cost only $40 (50% off)

Maximum 5 video voiceovers (up to 2 mins long)

Winter Warmer Offer #3

Professional Voicemail

Make your company sound professional by branding your company phone line with a professionally recorded voicemail message.

Too many businesses have a message recorded “in office” that sounds like someone has created it on their coffee break. A professional voicemail will make your business sound good!

Let me know what you want me to record; keep it short and simple but make sure you include all vital information like the company name (you’d be amazed how many forget this bit), how callers can leave a message, what information they need to leave and how long it will be before you call back (listen to some examples below for inspiration).

I normally charge at least $50-60 for a voicemail but during the Winter Warmer this will cost only $25 (over 50% off)

Maximum 5 3 voicemails available

So, if any of these take your fancy make sure you get in toiuch a.s.a.p via the contact form and make your booking.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Lisa

*All offers are in USD. Payments must be made via PayPal (unless you are in the UK, in which case GBP bank transfer or cheque will be accepted).

**Offers end Thursday 28th Januray, 2010. I reserve the right to refuse material I do not deem appropriate or am uncomfortable with recording. If you are not happy with my services for any reason, you will receive a full refund via PayPal. All audio is licensed to Lisa Hartwell and cannot be used for any other purpose except the purpose for which it was stated without her express permission.

So, I decided it was time for a Winter Warmer Sale.

Next week, I’ll come up with some special offers for you, but in the meantime let me know what you’d like to see in the sale.

Naturally, I’m thinking of products or services in the voiceover, audio, video or marketing areas (not hot water bottles and woolly hats)!

Tell me what you have been holding off buying for just such a moment, and I’ll see if I can set it up and offer some good prices.

Perhaps I’ll even give myself a new tagline: “the voice that melts snow”