Category: Monday Mash-Up

Categories
Monday Mash-Up

2018.08.20

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

Sorry I didn’t send anything last week. I was stuck in the Alaska back-country. The bush plane that was supposed to pick me up was grounded because of monsoon winds. So I spent last Monday dodging raindrops (hard when the rain is blowing sideways) and grizzly bears. More on that story in one of my Wednesday emails. 

– Tom 
Monday, August 20, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up
The Power of Self-Talk

Thanks to Cindy McDaniel, a group chair for Vistage private advisory boards, for sharing this in her great email newsletter this morning: In this short video, Author Daniel Pink (“Drive,” “To Sell is Human,” and “When”) shares research about the benefits of self-talk and describes the best way to benefit from talking to yourself. 
 Cold and Flu Prevention Tips from “Dr. Dan” 

I caught a cold over the weekend. That reminded me that cold and flu season is just around the corner. My cold isn’t keeping me from work. But you may not be so lucky when you catch a bug. So here’s some great advice from Dr. Dan Fazio about flu and cold prevention. Dan is a physician who focuses on helping individuals identify threats to their health and make the changes necessary to overcome those challenges. He presented these tips during an event hosted by Experts 4 Entrepreneurs in St. Louis, MO. 
In Case You Missed It…Recently Published on the MarketVolt Blog
Doublespeak Makes Prospects Sick

Doublespeak is language that disguises, distorts or reverses the meaning of words. It litters too much marketing copy and prospects see through it. Here’s how to identify and avoid doublespeak…I’m Watching…
NBA Star Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles 

Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Lowe suffers from anxiety and depression. He discussed his struggles this morning on the Today Show. Powerful stuff. 

I share this because we all have to get past stigmas attached to mental health issues. Those who struggle are better served when they know they are not alone. We all have friends, coworkers and relatives who struggle, and we serve them better when we understand more about what they’re going through. 

I’m Listening to…
John Hiatt, One of the Greatest Songwriters on this Planet

John Hiatt is celebrating his 66th birthday today. Never heard of him? You’re not alone. Better late than never to discover John Hiatt who is one of the great songwriters (and guitar players and singers) around. 

Here’s one of my favorites: “Have a Little Faith in Me.” 

***Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.08.06

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 
Monday, August 6, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpValuable Resource
Discover Whether Your Info Has Been Compromised 

Seems like we hear about another major data breach every week. But how do you know if your personal information was among the compromised data? A website called “Have I Been Pwned” can tell you.

Go to the site (haveibeenpwned.com), enter your email address, and you’ll see a list of data breaches that contained that address. The site will tell you the nature of the breach (i.e. whether passwords, credit card numbers or other sensitive data was captured). If you have been “pwned” (slang term, popular among online gamers for “owned”), you can react accordingly. Change your password. Cancel the captured credit card. And so forth…

The site doesn’t have records for all data breaches. But it has enough info to be very helpful.

How-To…
Prevent Videos from Auto-PlayingI can’t stand it when I’m visiting a website and a video begins to play automatically. I found this useful article in the New York Times that describes ways to prevent videos from auto-playing. Enjoy the silence! 

Shout-Out For
An Excellent Graphic Designer and Digital Marketer

Looking for someone who can create a great logo, design a kick-ass graphic or flyer, help get your site to the top of the search rankings, write a compelling blog post or manage your social media? Check out AdrienneLuther.com. We hired Adrienne for the summer. She left us this month to complete her final semester at the University of Missouri. Meanwhile, she continues to work as a freelancer. We highly recommend her. You’ll find her contact information on her website. I’m Reading
The Story of Hiroshima, As Told By Six Who Survived the Bomb 

Seventy-three years ago today the U.S. dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. John Hersey was among the first American reporters to visit the ruined city where he interviewed countless survivors. The New Yorker magazine devoted its entire August 31, 1946 issue to Hersey’s work — a 30,000-word piece that tells the story of six survivors.

This is a brilliant, moving, frightening article that was ground-breaking then and remains pertinent today. It’s must-reading — regardless of your politics. Quote that Still Resonate Today

Why have I shared this article and the quotes that follow in a weekly email intended to educate and entertain? Well… Brilliant journalism is educational and entertaining — even when it covers the darkest subjects. To explain my thinking further, I share this quote from the New Yorker Editor’s Note that preceded Hersey’s work…

“Few of us have yet comprehended the all but incredible destructive power of this weapon. Everyone might well take time to consider the terrible implications of its use.”
***Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.07.30

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 
Monday, July 30, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpRecommended Resource
A Quick, Affordable Way to Transcribe Recordings

A friend of mine used a voice recognition application recently to transcribe an audio recording… Then she spent an hour correcting all the transcription errors. I told her about Rev, a service that uses humans, not machines, to transcribe for $1/minute of audio. Just upload your audio or video file and within minutes, you receive an email telling you your transcription is ready. A huge time-saver!

Must-See Movie
The Most Thought-Provoking Film I’ve Seen in YearsI saw “Three Identical Strangers” on Friday. My recommendation: Watch the trailer and then go see it. After you see it, let me know what you think. I can’t stop thinking about this remarkable documentary. 

What I’m Reading
Everything You Need to Know About Wildfires

We’re waking every morning to more news — worse than the day before — about wildfires. If you want to understand why this is happening, check out two fascinating articles from this month’s Harper’s Magazine that dig deep into the topic:  Combustion EnginesThere Will Always Be Fires More Business Lessons from Southwest Airlines

Southwest has had a tough year. They lost $100 million following a fatal mid-air accident in April. But Southwest is staying true to its brand promise, rather than making changes that could generate more short-term revenue. Here’s a quick read from Inc. Magazine that explains Southwest’s approach. Read the quote in the last paragraph from CEO Gary Kelly. It’s a great example of a business that understands what its customers want and consistently delivers on its brand promises. A great lesson for all of us.Happy Birthday Arnold

Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 71 today. Here’s a great interview Tim Ferriss conducted with Arnold three years ago. His story is fascinating. I knew that before I heard the interview. What surprised me most: The great business lessons I learned listening to this interview. 
***Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.07.23

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 
Monday, July 23, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpRecommended Resource
Zoho One Packs It All in One Affordable Package

Here at MarketVolt, we’ve used Zoho’s CRM and Help Desk manager for years. Last month, we signed on for more — Zoho’s entire suite of products (more than 40) for just $30/user/month. In addition to CRM and Help Desk, Zoho One gives us online invoicing, a chat/support engine for our website, project management, online document signing, an office suite, online document storage, password management, social media campaign management, webinar/presentation software and more. Zoho One apps have replaced other apps which, combined, cost us way more than $30/user/month. It’s an excellent deal. 

Great Article About Email Marketing Dos and Don’tsEmail “remains the most effective channel marketers have for initiating a conversation and reaching out to their prospects and customers,” according to this great article in Entrepreneur magazine. But too many marketers are running their email campaigns incorrectly. 

We say it often: Sending everything to everybody every time, regardless of their interests, will undermine your email campaigns. Targeting subscribers with personalized relevant content is the key. 

This article gets to the heart of this idea. 
Cutting the Cord with the Help of Tablo

Cable and satellite services are too expensive. I’m cutting the cord. To get my local stations, without satellite, I’ve purchased a Tablo digital TV tuner and an inexpensive indoor antenna. You hook the antenna to the Tablo which you connect to your home’s wi-fi router. You can then add Tablo as a channel to your smart TV devices (i.e. Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, etc.). Tablo generates a viewing guide with all the channels your antenna can pull (40, in my case). You can view on any TV connected to your wi-fi network, and you can pause and record live TV. It’s a great way to significantly cut television costs, without losing your local stations. Nelson Mandela’s 100th

Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918 — 100 years ago this week. To honor his memory, I found two great biographical videos that I share with you now. 

From the Biography Channel (approximately 3 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnJD09cPWD8

From the Nelson Mandela Foundation (approximately 13 minutes): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQBoXsxr8w
Inspiring QuoteI serve on the board of a foundation that awards grants and loans to students to help them pay for college. I attended an awards ceremony last week for some of these students. The keynote speaker launched her presentation with the following quote from Nelson Mandela. 

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
***Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.07.16

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 


Monday, July 16, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpRecommended Resource
Google News: My Go-To Feed

A few weeks ago, Google revamped it’s News application for iPhone and Android devices. It’s great. Simple, clean interface. Fast downloads. Personalized content selection. Easy content sharing. If I like or dislike articles about a certain topic, I can tell Google to “show more” or “show less.” 

Learn more here: Android verson ~ iOS VersionTechnology EvolvesOn this day in 1926, National Geographic photographers captured the first underwater color photo near the Florida Keys. You won’t believe how the photographers illuminated the shot. National Geographic shares the photo and the wild story of its production here. Let’s just say underwater photography has come a long way.
Gratitude
Customer Service Shout-Out for ZeroUV
I bought some inexpensive sunglasses ($10) recently from online vendor ZeroUV. They have a great selection, decent quality for the price and a friendly return policy. The glasses I ordered didn’t fit quite right so I filled out the form on their site to return them. Minutes after requesting the return, I received the following email:”Thank you for requesting a return! To make this process as easy as possible, you will not be required to send back the item at this time. You may gift the item to someone you know that would enjoy the glasses on behalf of zeroUV. With that said, I’ll be happy to help you with a free exchange or refund for the item. I look forward to your response!”I chose a different pair and notified them by email. Four days later, my new pair arrived. Wow! What great service. Their cost for gifting that first pair of glasses? Well under $10. Their reward: A VERY happy customer who’s telling people what a great company this is. 

A great customer service lesson!Inspired By…
The Story of Ida B. Wells

Born on this day in 1862, Ida B. Wells was a former slave who stood less than five feet tall. But she was a giant in her day — a crusading journalist who exposed lynchings and battled racism. 

In the May 21 Mash-Up, I shared “Overlooked,” a collection of after-the-fact obits published this year in the New York Times. Wells was one of the women overlooked at the time of her death. Here’s her better-late-than-never obituary in the Times.  

Quote I’m Pondering

“The appetite grows for what it feeds on.”

– Ida Wells
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.07.02

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 



Monday, July 2, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpRecommended Resource
A Great, Free Screen Capture Application

I recently discovered Recordit, a free tool (Windows or Mac) for creating screen capture videos. Here at MarketVolt, we use Camtasia for sales and training videos. But that software and its license fee may be overkill for many of you. Recordit is a great way to get started with video screen capture for quick demos or how-to videos. It’s July 2. Happy Birthday, AmericaThat’s not a typo. On July SECOND, 1776 The Second Continental Congress declared its independence from Great Britain by passing an 80-word resolution that said, “…all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

After the resolution passed, John Adams declared, “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.” Of course, Adams was wrong.

A couple of days later, Congress went a step further, adopting the Declaration of Independence (1,325 words) which was, in effect, a legal document designed to justify independence. 

Here’s a quick TEDed video that reveals a few things you might not know about that fateful week in July 1776. 
I’m Listening to…
The Greatest “Americana” Album Ever(?)

Speaking of the Americans and the British… 50 years ago while the “British Invasion” (Beatles, etc.) was in full swing, a band called The Band released its first album, “Music from Big Pink.” Here’s a link to listen on Spotify (you can join and listen for free). No one was calling it “Americana” music then. But 50 years later, this may be the greatest album in that genre. 

Ideas Worth Sharing…
Link-Worthy Content

Here’s a great blog post for anyone searching for content ideas for email, blogs or other online media: “5 Powerful Types (And Examples) of Link-Worthy Content.” Wise Words from Thurgood Marshall

Marshall, the first African-American justice on the US Supreme Court was born 110 years ago today. He said: 

“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.06.25

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 


Monday, June 25, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpQuick Tip
How to Add a Countdown Timer to Your Email

A friend forwarded an email recently with a countdown timer. “Can you do that in MarketVolt?” he asked? Yep. The clock below counts down the time until the July 4th fireworks display I’m attending.There are many online services that generate countdown timers which you can embed in your emails. I created this one using a free service called Sendtric. Just fill in the blanks on the Sentric site, and paste the generated HTML code into your email editor. 

If you want a fancier timer, search online for “Countdown timers for email” and you’ll find many options — most of which require a small fee. I’m Reading…
Made to Stick (Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die)Published in 2007, this book by Chip Heath and Dan Heath remains relevant today. Here’s how the publisher describes it:Whether you’re a CEO or a full-time mom, you’ve got ideas that you need to communicate: a new product coming to market, a strategy you want to sell your boss, values you are trying to instill in your children. But it’s hard — fiendishly so — to transform the way people think and act. In this book, you’ll learn the six key qualities of an idea that is made to stick. 
Recommended Viewing
Incredible Sequel

When The Incredibles movie was released in 2004, I thought it was the best animated feature I ever saw. Sequels often disappoint. But not Incredibles 2. A great movie! And the short feature before the main event is great, too! 
I’m Listening To…
Paul McCartney and the Beatles Again

Last week, I shared Rolling Stone magazine’s list of Paul McCartney’s 40 Greatest Solo Songs in honor of Sir Paul’s birthday. 

Today is the 51st anniversary of the famous broadcast of the Beatles recording/performing “All You Need is Love.” The segment with the Beatles was part of the Our World television event — the first-ever live satellite broadcast. 

Here’s a fascinating article from Rolling Stone magazine that describes the event.  
Wise Words from George Orwell

“Sometimes the first duty of intelligent men is the restatement of the obvious.”
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.06.18

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 


Monday, June 18, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up

I’m Reading…
An Excellent Article About the Benefits of Email Marketing

Last week, I found this great article on MarketingLand.com that describes email marketing as “oft-overlooked backbone of successful content marketing & SEO.” 

Recommended Resource…
Bananatag Email Tracking

Email marketers know the value of tracking who opens or clicks links in their bulk emails. Many people assume open- and link-tracking is not possible with one-to-one emails sent through Gmail, Outlook or other email clients. But it is possible with Bananatag. The free version allows you to track five emails per day. That’s a good way to get started with the tool. For $10/month, you can track up to 100 emails per day. 

This won’t replace email marketing services that are designed for sending bulk emails. But it’s a great way to track one-to-one sales or support emails. 

I’m Listening To…
Paul McCartney Solo Songs

Paul McCartney celebrates his 76th birthday today. He was only 27(!) when The Beatles broke up in 1969. He’s been on his own for 49 years. Here’s Rolling Stone magazine’s list of Paul McCartney’s 40 Greatest Solo Songs. I’m going to spend the day listening.  

I Recommend…
Documentary About Mr. Rogers

I was three years old when Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood made its national debut in 1968. The show was must-see-TV in my house. A new documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, tells the story of Fred Rogers and his television show. I saw it last night and loved it. 

Long before we heard the term “personal intelligence,” Rogers was teaching us about the importance of kindness and caring and open-mindedness and empathy. These were great lessons for children, and they’re important lessons today.  

Wise Words from Mr. Rogers

“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup #13 – 2018.06.11

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 


Monday, June 11, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up

I’m Reading…
Great Taglines

I found this article in my news feed this morning: 

13 Unique and Inspiring Tagline Examples From Different Industries.

Some great examples, along with some excellent tips for coming up with a tagline that works for your business. 

After reading the article, please reply to this email and let me know which tagline(s) you liked and which you didn’t. 

I’m Watching…
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students Ask “How About Love?”

Last night, four months after the shooting at their school, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School took the stage at the Tony Awards and performed “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent.

Here’s the video. This was a tear-jerker.  

Net Neutrality is No More. What it Means for You

Today is the day that “net neutrality” officially ends. Net neutrality was a federal regulation that required Internet service providers (ISPs) to give consumers access to online content on an equal basis, without favoring some sources or blocking others. The Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal net neutrality in December, effective today.

Here’s a good summary of what this means for you.  

Ending the Stigma Around Mental Illness

After Kate Spade committed suicide last week, I read that she kept her mental illness a secret because she feared the revelation might damage her fashion brand.

That’s not surprising. Our society stigmatizes mental illness and treats it as something to be ashamed of. Whether we realize it or not, we all have friends, relatives or coworkers who suffer in silence with mental illness.

The silence has to end. Its a matter of life and death.  

Actress Glenn Close, who has a sister who struggles with bipolar disorder, co-founded a nonprofit called “Bring Change to Mind.” The mission: End the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

I have learned so much by spending time on this site. Please check it out.

Wise Words from FDR 

I went to Washington, D.C. last month and visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Several great quotes carved in stone at the memorial. My favorite…

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.”
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom
Categories
Monday Mash-Up

Monday Mashup 2018.07.09

Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff.

– Tom 


Monday, July 9, 2018
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-UpRecommended Resource
A Simple, Powerful Tool for Creating Mockups

I’ve been kicking the tires on MockFlow. So far, so good. It’s a great tool for creating mockups for websites, email templates and other marketing pieces. The free version is a great way to start. Paid versions remove usage limits and add features. The Birth of “Fight Song”A few weeks ago, I highlighted my favorite podcast, Cal Fussman’s “Big Questions.” 

In a recent episode, Cal interviewed Rachel Platten, the singer who wrote and recorded the mega-hit “Fight Song.” 

The story of her career and the creation of that song is great. Dedication. Perseverance. Passion. Love. Faith. 

After listening to it, I immediately shared the link with my children and my wife. 

Now I share it with you: Click here to hear Rachel Platten’s inspiring story.

Resource for Music Lovers and Hunters
Music Map Reveals Related Artists You Might Like

If you like Rachel Platten, click here. That will take you to Music-Map.com, a site that reveals “related artists” in a simple, quick, visually-informative format. Enter the name of any musical artist and Music-Map will reveal similar artists whom you may want to discover. 
I’m Re-Watching
The Greatest Tennis Match Ever?

On this day 141 years ago, The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club began its first tennis tournament at Wimbledon, outside of London.

That bit of history prompted me to watch highlights from the Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe Wimbledon final in 1980. This was the greatest tennis match I ever watched. 

The great tennis players fascinate me. So much to learn and to emulate from their success. I’m not talking about McEnroe’s temper tantrums and juvenile fits. I’m talking about their training routines, on-court rituals and other practices. Next week, I’ll share a book that gets into this further. Wise Words from Bjorn Borg

“If you’re afraid of losing, then you daren’t win.”
***

Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.

Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.

Tom