Guest Host Lisa Wilber "On Being the Host"

When Joanne e-mailed me a few weeks ago asking whether I would be interested and available for guest hosting on her radio show "New Hampshire Women In Business" I couldn't help but think of Les Brown and how he had waited for his opportunity to be on the radio and how one day it came. (if you haven't heard Les' story, search "Les Brown rock radio" on YouTube - it's awesome!) I didn't have to wait for the host to fall off the wagon, she only had a schedule conflict! Of course, I cleared my schedule and said YES! I had been interviewed on radio a number of times in the past, but I knew hosting would require a new set of skills and I was ready for the challenge. Although Joanne didn't ask me to, I wanted to line up my own guests so I could experience what her job is really like. I decided to devote the first hour to my love (Direct Sales) and the second hour would be a guest from another industry. When I began calling New Hampshire direct sellers that I knew I was surprised how many of them did not think this type of exposure would be good for their business! Many of them did no marketing what so ever so they did not realize how important it was. I quickly realized that I needed to focus on people I knew in direct sales in New Hampshire that I already saw were marketing themselves, because they would immediately realize what a great boost radio exposure can bring. My first hour line up brought Joanne Johnson with Discovery Toys and Kerriclaire Hodson from Athena's Home Novelties. Because I know that our industry is not taken as seriously as most, I also asked industry giants Nicki Keohohou from the Direct Selling Women's Alliance (DSWA) and Keeper from www.DirectSellingLive.com to call in during the second first half of the show to share testimonials about our industry and profession.

In the second hour I switched to non-direct sales with a business colleague from my home town: Master Suzanne Couhie from RTH Martial Arts and Wellness. She and her husband are the highest ranking and accomplished Taekwondo masters in all of the United States yet few in our town or state are aware of their accomplishments. I was just sure if more people in our area knew of their school, they would be making that drive to Weare -- especially to have their children train during vacation and summer camps -- with the Masters. Master Couhie was a delight to interview and I walked away thinking "I hope I can leave a life legacy as rich and full as the Couhie's".

The two hour show went by faster than I imagined it would. Mr. George was very helpful assisting me with all of the ins and outs of being on the radio, even when I was kidding him that his show that precedes "New Hampshire Women in Business" should be called "The Man Show". I had a great time, learned a lot and really appreciate the opportunity to flex my on air muscles. My hope is that Joanne found me a good choice for a guest host and that the listeners walked away feeling that they received good value for their investment of their time. I always like to shoot for Win-Win and it would be great if this was a Win-Win for us all and I know it was for me!

Lisa Wilber
www.winnerinyou.com
www.facebook.com/winnerinyou

Information is POWER! Support local radio!

As you may know, I host a weekly radio program, NH Women In Business, each Friday live from 11-1pm. When I started the show almost 2 and a half years ago, I did it for selfish reasons, to have credibility with my radio sales accounts (I know, right?). Instantly, however, I began to see the power behind radio and it grew into what it is today: a strategic marketing tool that business owners, women and men alike, can use to promote their business or upcoming event. Post production includes follow-up on Facebook with the podcast links and each guest receives a QR Code for the mobile podcast site. This means that they can use the QR Code on all marketing materials, including their appreciation marketing with Send Out Cards, as well as on their website and business Facebook page.

This week I am looking for businesses that would be willing to underwrite this important programming. For the cost of 10 :30 second ads on another radio station, sponsors can have the same ad run 6 times each week during the show and be mentioned numerous times on the return of breaks. They also have an open invitation to be on the show once a month at their convenience. Their website link is added to my website, and of course I tell everyone in the world who they are and how much I love them.

For more information, email me at joanne@leapyearmarketing.com or call 724-603-LEAP

Business Page "LIKES"

There is a very good reason why businesses should all LIKE business pages of our professional associates. When one business LIKEs another on Facebook, it is considered a professional courtesy. It is what I refer to as a gentle recommendation. It lets other people and businesses know that you recommend the other business from your own business, not just yourself personally. This is just like walking into your client’s office and referring one of your networking group members while you are there. It also reflects your attitude around your business community by showing that you recognize the importance of businesses working together.

So this week, log into your business page as the business (not as yourself personally) and visit pages of businesses that you would recommend. Click the LIKE button to show your support. And while your LIKE button finger is warmed up, if you feel so moved, please visit and LIKE NH Women In Business and Leap Year Marketing.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Thank you to everyone this week for all the birthday wishes. I think the best app Facebook has is the ability to see who’s birthday it is. Facebook is a relationship developer and whether you see a person face to face or not, you can build a level of understanding about people. Watching interactions of words, photos, and stories allows you to comprehend people individually and as a whole. Just dropping a quick hello or happy birthday may not seem like a big deal but it is meaningful to the recipient. I received over 200 messages on Facebook this week and it really gave me a boost. If you want to make a difference to someone this week, take a minute to chat with them, even if it is for just a minute online. If you want to make a difference to a client this week, connect with them on Facebook and allow them to get to know you. Oh yeah, and ask them to like your page.
p.s. Please like my page!

Here is the Deal on Pinterest

I have received many questions from clients and others in the past few weeks about a new application called Pinterest. I tend not to be a fad follower, so it took me a little while to catch on to it myself. Basically, your account starts out as a blank "pinboard". You can search through various categories on the main page and if you see something you like, you can "like" it, or repin it to your own board. You have the option to follow other people you know to see what they are pinning. You can also post your own photos. Sounds pretty basic, so what's the deal?
Here is the deal. When an application like Pinterest takes off like it has, you can bet big bucks that it has commerce applications to it. Why? It is popular, it attracts people (potential customers), and it can be constantly updated. What could a restaurant do with it? Post their menu and specials. What could a photographer do with it? Post a business portrait gallery. What could a car dealership do with it? Post their newest arrivals. Got the idea?
On a personal level, you can use it for just about anything. Getting married? Start your own board for that and bring in ideas you like for colors and themes and honeymoon ideas.You can build a Dream Board of sorts by collecting photos and quotes you like. The list is endless.
I am building my boards as we speak. If you want to check it out, go to my Pinterest Board. Feel free to comment and repin. Call me if you have questions about how you can use Pinterest in your business. 724-603-LEAP

Never in my life would I have considered myself an expert in anything. That's the truth. I've always been very good at a lot of things. I never considered myself good enough at any one thing to be called expert. Recently, number of people I been working with on radio, marketing, and other projects, have been referring me to their friends as an expert. It sounded a little weird so I thought about my own definition of expert. I'm of the opinion that an expert, really, is someone who is not only knowledgeable about their subject, but has the desire to always be a mode of learning, constantly updating their knowledge and refining it in order to be the resource for others on their subject. Because I spend so much time reading articles and app reviews and the like, I sometimes assume that everyone else is also doing that. That is simply not true. Even if I am not an expert in a particular app, for example, I have done research on it to the point where I know what it is how it works, and how it might be used in marketing sense. So according to my own definition, I suppose I am an expert. I'd like to think that the only thing I am an expert in, is being people person. Because that's what really all boils down to anyway. Right?

Home Away From Home Office

I always knew I would be more productive if I had my own office space. I did not, however, realize how much I was not focused in my home office. I am like in super-speed mode at my desk, whipping through lists and files. Making calls, answering emails, sending quotes, suddenly looking at the clock and saying, "Wow, I forgot to eat lunch!" For the record, that has NEVER happened to me before.
Now that I am settled a bit in my new space, I will be hanging up some photos and other decorations. I will definitely be hanging up the photo of me on the ropes course in California. My kids will be up there too. I have scheduled time to make a vision board, which will hang right in front of my desk. My husband made and hung shelves for me so I have a place for all my business books. I think he secretly hopes to get the shelves in the dining room back, but whatever.
But for right now, the calm, striped white walls (thanks, Kitt!) have been my home away from home office. And it feels pretty good.