photo credit: stevendepolo  Everyone I know is over-stressed. Those who are looking for jobs are stressed about eating and paying mortgages. Everyone who’s still working is doing at least 3 jobs. Even though they’re thankful to still have jobs, they’re finding it nearly read more

photo credit: srqpix Hard to believe, but I was actually asked this question today by a business owner who still thinks he can use Yahoo Mail for email marketing. If you, too, don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, then please read this post. Q: We are looking for bulk read more

As you know from my regularly scheduled appearances on my soapbox, I believe the ONLY #1-sure-thing, guaranteed-successful ROI is marketing to your existing customers. No one does it  enough, and then they whine when a good account goes to the dark side and buys from a competitor. But read more

So the question is…Does Sage Software “get it” about social networking and the integration it should have with CRM? Like integration with your online and offline persona (and that of your contacts). This has always been the Holy Grail in Listville. Or is ACT! by Sage Software, read more

For several months I’ve been asked almost weekly to help someone who’s just lost a paycheck to find their next one. (I don’t say “lost their job” because that’s like saying “work at home mom.” Everyone thinks they’re underpaid while read more

photo credit: leoplus Here are the last 7 ways to segment your database. (Go here if you missed Part 1.) There are many more than 14 ways, but these will get you started. Niches lead to riches. The more niche markets you discover in your database, the more compelling your messages are when read more

  photo credit: Tim Morgan What will you do differently this year to offset the unacceptable possibility that 2009’s sales will be down? Have you committed to ONE NEW BIG IDEA and refused on principle to go down without a fight? Or are you one of the “wait and see” frozen read more

photo credit: Glutnix When times are tough, my mailing list business picks up. I’ve been a mailing list broker for 28 years, so I’ve witnessed a lot of business booms and busts. One of the first reactions (and I do mean REACTION) business owners and salespeople have is: “Oh read more

For the past few years I’ve been a rather passive fan of “This I Believe,” a story-telling segment on NPR Radio. The stories are “user generated,” meaning they’re recorded by real people describing a pivotal moment in their lives, a learned lesson, a funny read more

  Without a doubt, 2009 will be the year of zero tolerance for business mistakes. So here is my annual Top 10 list for what you must do now to maximize your #1 business asset (your customer list.) Think of these as New Year’s resolutions for your database… 10. I will clean up read more