Great Advice From Unexpected Places

I learned this treasured piece of advice while shopping with my daughter for shoes, many years ago. The very nice, older shoe salesman was talking about his marriage and why he felt it was a success. What he told me was gold, and I've since used his advice in our business as well as in my personal life.

He said, "The most important thing in relationships is what happens first and last. That's what people will remember, no matter what happens in between."

He went on to explain that in the morning when he and his wife got up, they tried to make sure the first thing that happened was pleasant, and the last before they went to sleep.  A kind word, a shared moment, a smile, a hug.  

I've read the same advice in marketing books, about how your first and last contact with people are the most important moments. That's what they remember. It's absolutely true. It's not about selling, but it is ALL about building relationships.

Think about it and notice how many times throughout your day you have opportunities to make your firsts and lasts special.

7 Essentials of a Well-Written Email Newsletter

Email newsletters should be an essential part of your marketing. They are low-cost and give you the opportunity to connect with the people on your mailing list.

To make sure that your newsletter isn't dry as dust, follow these seven simple guidelines from Michael Katz of Blue Penguin Development. I have learned so much from his newsletters and classes: 

How to Be Unhappy

"Buy things you can’t afford or don’t want. Either choice is a sure fit for unhappiness. When you buy things you can’t afford, you go into debt, which limits the other choices available to you. When you buy things you don’t want, you lie to yourself about the real source of your unhappiness.

"Compare yourself to others. The love of comparison is the root of much misery. Therefore, judge your success or worth based on other people, especially those with a different background from you. Do this on a continual basis, always looking for a new idol or competitor in which your ideal unhappiness lies.

"Take no joy in the journey. Focus only on the destination without appreciating the ride. Fail to celebrate small successes, and neglect to pause for reflection on how far you’ve come."  ~ Chris Gullebeau.

He's got more ways to be unahappy on his blog (and a lot of other good stuff too).