We are having a conference for small businesses in the middle states of the US to learn how to use social media.   We want to make it easy to drive to a smaller town for our attendees.  We also want to be sure they have a great time.  And walk away with information that they can apply to their business when they get home.

Let me tell you a story.  I started using twitter about a year and a half ago.  I searched for social media types to follow.  I found a lot of them.  One of those people was Becky McCray.  Turns out Becky is the point person for small business and social media.  Becky paid attention, and learned that I live in a small town and believe in the power of community.  Becky introduced me to Cody Heitschmidt.  Cody invited me on a bloggers tour to Hutchinson Kansas.  I went.

Because of all the hard work Cody put into that bloggers tour, I fell in love with Hutchinson.  I also met other key players in this social media sphere.

Those key players suggested we have our Summit in Hutchinson Kansas.  I agree.  We’re going to Hutch!

I went through my 20′s in the 70′s.  We caught the tail end of the Vietnam War, the very very last of the hippies and all of the disco songs.  It was a glorious decade to be young and stupid.

One song stands out in my mind today from that decade.  It was sang by Teddy Pendergrass and Harold and the Blue Notes.  I’ve been known to sing this song very loudly (and some say badly) over the last 4 decades.  I don’t care.  This song represents who we should be.  Lyrics follow.

Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed
No more backward thinkin time for thinkin ahead
The world has changed so very much
From what it used to be so
there is so much hatred war an’ poverty
Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way
Maybe then they’ll listen to whatcha have to say
Cause they’re the ones who’s coming up and the world is in their hands
when you teach the children teach em the very best you can.

The world won’t get no better if we just let it be
The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Wake up all the doctors make the ol’ people well
They’re the ones who suffer an’ who catch all the hell
But they don’t have so very long before the Judgement Day
So won’tcha make them happy before they pass away.
Wake up all the builders time to build a new land
I know we can do it if we all lend a hand
The only thing we have to do is put it in our mind
Surely things will work out they do it every time.

The world won’t get no better if we just let it be
The world won’t get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Lead Song on Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes Album from 1975 — Lead sang by Teddy Pendergrass who died Wednesday.  May he rest in peace – thanks Teddy for the music.

Listen to the song

Just you and me — wake up everybody.

Really? Are you sure?

I got asked again today.  “Is that social media really working for you? ”

Then she said “Well, teach me so I can get more clients too.  What are you doing?”

In this age of immediate gratification, she expected a five minute answer that would solve her problems. It appears her biggest problem is she doesn’t want to talk to anyone.  She’ll email, chat online, write things on facebook.  When she gets ready to.  Not in any specific, intentional manner – just kinda willy nilly.

But pick up the phone?  No – see, that takes too much time.

Let me tell you a secret.  To make a sale, you almost always have to pick up the phone.  Or meet them in person.  You always have to TALK to someone.

In social media, we learn to carve out ways to have conversations with people we don’t know very well.  It could be your neighbor, or a person across the world.  It always involves having a conversation – along the lines of :

• I like this
• I don’t like that
• here’s a link about the red dog you were talking about
• did you see that story about Patagonia
• I wrote a blog post today, check it out here
• Can you recommend any good books about small business?

NOT EVERY CONVERSATION IS ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.

Let me say that in another way – it’s a two way conversation about things in life.  You’ll mention your business of course, you won’t scream about it, make that the only thing you talk about. Think about the conversations after church – is the only thing you talk about your business?

So what does it take to make social media work?

A commitment.  Drew McClellan told me “plan on 12 to 24 months to commit to social media for your business.”  He was right.  I’ll add that it’s a good idea to make a plan, work it, adjust it as needed.  Oh yeah, and have conversations with others who are using social media.

Then — pick up the phone.  Make a call.  Have a real conversation.

I spent last year defining, revising, and creating my company Debworks.  If you take a look at the About Me page you’ll see some of the things I’ve done.

This year is all about you.  Debworks is committed to helping you grow.  We’ll be creating events for you to attend.  We’ll show you how to generate more revenue right around what you already do.  We hope you’ll read our posts and use what you need out of them.

Sometimes we will have a little advice for you — and sometimes you will have a little advice for us!

The picture is from Aaron Steinman of Silos and Smokestacks – one of the clients we work with in association with the Old Stone House.

I came across the following article on a Neal Donald Walsh email newsletter. I believe this point of view needs to spread about.

Losing My Religion for Equality by Jimmy Carter

July 15, 2009

Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.

I HAVE been a practicing Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention’s leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be “subservient” to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women’s equal rights across the world for centuries.

At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities.

The impact of these religious beliefs touches every aspect of our lives. They help explain why in many countries boys are educated before girls; why girls are told when and whom they must marry; and why many face enormous and unacceptable risks in pregnancy and childbirth because their basic health needs are not met.

In some Islamic nations, women are restricted in their movements, punished for permitting the exposure of an arm or ankle, deprived of education, prohibited from driving a car or competing with men for a job. If a woman is raped, she is often most severely punished as the guilty party in the crime.

The same discriminatory thinking lies behind the continuing gender gap in pay and why there are still so few women in office in the West. The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us. The evidence shows that investing in women and girls delivers major benefits for society. An educated woman has healthier children. She is more likely to send them to school. She earns more and invests what she earns in her family.

It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population. We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices — as we are seeing in Iran, where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy — and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and have recently published a statement that declares: “The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable.”

We are calling on all leaders to challenge and change the harmful teachings and practices, no matter how ingrained, which justify discrimination against women. We ask, in particular, that leaders of all religions have the courage to acknowledge and emphasize the positive messages of dignity and equality that all the world’s major faiths share.

The carefully selected verses found in the Holy Scriptures to justify the superiority of men owe more to time and place — and the determination of male leaders to hold onto their influence — than eternal truths. Similar biblical excerpts could be found to support the approval of slavery and the timid acquiescence to oppressive rulers.

I am also familiar with vivid descriptions in the same Scriptures in which women are revered as pre-eminent leaders. During the years of the early Christian church women served as deacons, priests, bishops, apostles, teachers and prophets. It wasn’t until the fourth century that dominant Christian leaders, all men, twisted and distorted Holy Scriptures to perpetuate their ascendant positions within the religious hierarchy.

The truth is that male religious leaders have had — and still have — an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world. This is in clear violation not just of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, Moses and the prophets, Muhammad, and founders of other great religions — all of whom have called for proper and equitable treatment of all the children of God. It is time we had the courage to challenge these views.
(Jimmy Carter was president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.)

Of course you do. Even the smart folks at the Small Business Administration (SBA) think so. They call your retail identification sign a silent salesman, advertising your business day and night.

But what if you have a home-based business out in the country, or feel that people are driving to the big box store down the street because, after all, their sign is more visible?

The SBA has the statistics that show how adding one more on-premise sign increases sales:

On average, one additional on-premise sign resulted in an increase in annual sales revenues of 4.75%. This translates to a $23,750 increase in average sales revenues for a typical store in the study group with annual sales of $500,000.

What if you added a second, or even third, sign to entice new and existing customers? Does that seem over-the-top extravagant?

The statistics above show that it’s not at all extravagant, but you may be restrained by your town’s sign ordinances, or your landlord’s lease restrictions, and are only allowed a single sign.

The good news is that signs come in all sizes and shapes, and for budgets both big and small. Some signs are even portable.

Here are three (plus one extra) simple marketing opportunities you may have never considered where signs will bring your business added visibility like that described by the SBA:

1. Sponsorship banners for events. Ask your church, civic or school organization to purchase or trade banners where all of the sponsors’ names are listed (and you are a sponsor at one of these events, right?). Hang the banner where it will be most visible to people attending.

2. Travel in style with magnetic signs on your car doors. People are curious and love to see what you’re advertising. . .on your car! Buy a pair and as you do your daily driving routine, you’ll be branding and marketing your business. When you’re not CEO of your business, the magnetics go into storage.

3. Window graphics. For a retail location, this can be part of your merchandising efforts. Perhaps quarterly, or every other month, you can change out the text and images on your windows so that they match your current season, special events, or sales effort. Think about using photographic images and attractive fonts that set you apart from your competition.

As you gain customers, ask them how they heard about you, and don’t be surprised if they say, “It was your sign.” Signs have advertising and branding power, and they don’t have to be terribly expensive. Go ahead and check out which one of these three suggestions works best for your business.

P.S. Before I forget, the fourth sign idea for you to consider is vinyl floor graphics. Graphics that go on a window can also be installed on your store floor, or the sidewalk leading up to your entrance. Perhaps a half dozen or so attractive shapes with a timely message may draw the attention your business deserves. Good luck!

This guest post was written by Paula A. Diaco, the owner of SignARama of Vermont. She and her business partner husband, Bob, opened their store in 1994 and have helped many small business owners brand, publicize, and market their businesses.

One of the principles of Feng Shui is that everything is connected ….and the Law of Attraction tells us we create our own reality.

If you wanted proof, quantum physicists have now proved the observer changes what is observed. Which means the very act of you observing something changes it and you’re creating what you see in your ‘reality’. You’re creating a whole world to fit your own story in every moment. And as part of this planet, your story is likely based on an illusion of limitation, scarcity, fear and all kinds of beliefs about how things are.

Now you may think this is woo woo, but when quantum physicists are telling us they have proven the observer changes what is observed – maybe it’s not so woo woo after all. This is by the way, the reason for double blind studies – they know researchers can easily skew results just by observing their subjects.

Given the mid life crisis the world is going through, looking at things from another perspective will help you navigate through the planet’s changes and your own too.

Acknowleging this connection gives you way to work with the parts of yourself that cause you distress. Others are a reflection of you because you are creating them. Without your judgements, irritation, dislike, hatred even, you might never know such stresses existed within yourself – which means you’d be at their effect and nothing would ever change.

For example: Think about money.

How do you feel about someone who has more money than you? Do you judge them in some way? Even just a little bit? This person represents part of you but they don’t fit your picture of how things ’should’ be for you so you judge them for caring more about money than people, or flaunting their money, or being out of integrity, or for having more than their share, or whatever your story might be about what people with money do.

Meanwhile apart from the stress these judgements cause, you’re sending out mixed messages to the Universe – asking to attract more money perhaps or asking for the means to buy a house or pay your mortgage, while rejecting those people (who are a reflection of part of you, remember) who do have money coming their way more easily. So you sabbotage your prosperity by rejecting that potentially prosperous part of yourself.

Taking note of the discomfort you feel gives you an awareness of the energy you’re sending out towards those who are more prosperous. Without that you might never know what blocks mo’ney coming your way.

Another example: when someone doesn’t keep their commitment to you, perhaps doesn’t pay you on time or doesn’t do what they said they would. They too are a reflection of you.

Time to take a look at where you’re not keeping your commitments. Where do you not show up as you say you will – perhaps not showing up to the gym as you said you would?? Where are you not showing up for yourself, or keeping a commitment to others? Look hard, there will be something you can clean up to get that energy flowing more freely.

Taking note of where you judge others gives you the opportunity to empower yourself. When you accept responsiblity for what you’re creating out there – rather than beating yourself up – you have the opportunity to choose to step into your power. Just thnk about how amazing it is that you created all these people, everything you see around you – it’s sort of mind blowing when you think of it. And this is a reflection of your consciousness – your default mode.

If you were powerful enough to create everything to appear so real, just think what you could create with a shift in consciousness and intention. Your new default mode would automatically create a different picture.

Just take this on for a moment. You created me writing this for you to read! You’ve created every person, interraction, relationship. Everything that comes your way. And I’ve created you to be reading this in my world. I’ve created you either resonating with this or thinking I’m being very woo woo.

It’s worth playing with this to see how it fits.

I find this incredibly empowering. Change does not come from what you’re doing. It comes from who you’re being. What you’re experiencing in your life is a reflection of who you’re being now and the stories you believe.

You can do, do, do all you like. But if you’re still in your limiting, scarcity, lack mode – you might as well just take the day/week/month off and stop trying to push things.

Take a look at what people in your life are reflecting back to you – your partner, your friends, people in the supermarket, your bank manager, your clients, the IRS or Revenue Canada even. You’ve created them to teach you something. Now – what can you learn about yourself from your judgements, and where would you like to make some tweaks in YOUR story?

C2009 Vicky White; reprinted with permission. Vicky White is a Certified
Feng Shui Consultant and Raw Food Coach who uses Inner Feng Shui to support
women in accessing and leveraging their unique brilliance to live creative,
passionate and inspiring lives. Get Vicky White’s FREE report, The 5
Biggest Attraction Mistakes at: www.LifeDesignStrategies.com