Lorraine Ball

When I was chatting with Michael Reynolds, owner of Spin Web, recently, we talked about Inbox Zero.   The concept of Inbox Zero is that it is a technique for managing your email instead of letting it manage you.

The goal of Inbox Zero is to clear your “inbox” every time you sit down to address email.  It sounds impossible, especially for someone like me who receives hundreds of emails, but it works.  At the core of Inbox Zero are four folders:

• Action Required
• Someday Maybe
• Waiting For
• Archive

Making the switch was difficult at first. As I used the system, I discover it is faster to find what I am looking for then it was when I had lots of folders.

Want to learn more about Inbox Zero?  Listen to today’s podcast, check out Michael’s blog, or even one of his seminars and you can become an email Ninja too!

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 Inbox Zero: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Recently, I sat down for a chat withMichael Reynolds, owner of Spin Web recently.  We talked about how small business owners can incorporate Twitter into their overall marketing strategy.

Michael suggests small business owners should make Twitter part of their overall networking plan, using it to extend relationships created at real life, “offline” events.

he “real time” nature of Twitter makes it a valuable search tool. Michael uses it to look for business opportunities and keep up with news and events.

In response to complaints that there is no time for Twitter, Michael says just like any other investment if it is “worth it to you, you make time for it.”

To hear the conversation simply click the link below.

 

 Twitter for Business: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I spent the early part of my career working in larger companies.  As many people who have worked in the corporate world know, the real decisions aren’t made in meetings: they’re made in the hallways and at the water coolers.

When I started my own business,  I missed those productive, daily conversations.  I knew those informal  ”water cooler” conversations were  important.  It just took me awhile to figure out that my water cooler has changed from a literal one to my local coffee shop.

The Subject of This Week’s Podcast is The Water Cooler – It’s where I get business done.

 

 At the Water Cooler: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For this second podcast,  I recruited my good friend Pat Milner to talk about  social media  from the perspective of a non-profit association.  Like me, she is a seasoned marketing professional, but  non-profit associations provide a set of challenges distinct from many of those in the for-profit sector.

Pat sees real opportunity for growth and message dissemination if non-profits  embrace social media.  It is a match made in heaven, allowing associations a chance to leverage their existing volunteers, and reach new audiences as well.

How are you using social media–in either sector? Leave a comment, I’d love to read it.

 

 Social Media and Non-Profit: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download