This post is an entry in Leanne Smith 's and Endre Barath, Jr. 's October challenge: Trick or Treat Time to share. Even though it's a Halloween related challenge, it's really about treats, not tricks. The mission is to share knowledge (two tidbits) we have received from other ActiveRain members in the past.
Tidbit #1
The first tidbit I'd like to share was provided to me personally, not via a blog (and hence there is no link to the source of the tip). I happened to be chatting with Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 after I had moved across the country and she was giving me ideas of things to do to get involved in the community. One of the things she suggested was that I should join my local Chamber of Commerce. So I looked into it and decided to take her advice and join. The benefits of doing so, and of actually being involved, were many:
At the time, the Chamber was doing online Zoom "coffee connects" which was an hour long meeting to introduce ourselves. It was during the beginning of Covid and was before we started getting together in person. Well, if I heard someone interesting talking, I would get in touch with them afterwards to see if they wanted to do coffee. In person. No one said no. I got to know a bunch of people as a result of doing so.
And at one of those coffee meetings, I shared with the person I was talking to that I wanted to start a cooking club. She thought that was a fantastic idea and when someone she knew walked by at the coffee shop, she grabbed that person and said, Kat, tell her your idea! So I did, and that person thought it was a wonderful idea as well and she wanted to participate. Which is how our cooking club got started and why we have a great group of friends who we see every other month to cook, eat and visit. (We also have a wonderful cookbook as a result!)
At another of those coffee meetings, I found out the title companies can provide marketing lists and that's how I started my post card campaign which got me quite a few sales.
I also just closed on a land sale from someone who found my marketing materials at the Chamber visitor center.
And on and on. I've met many amazing people who have become both business associates of one kind or another, and friends. All because of a suggestion from Eileen Burns!
Tidbit #2
My second tidbit, which was also personally given to me (not via a post), was provided after I wrote my very first blog in December of 2010. One of the first people who commented on that post was John McCarthy. I don't remember the exact words he used when we spoke on the phone (since it was over a decade ago) but he contacted me to share the "rules of the road" of ActiveRain. Specifically, he wanted me to know I should respond to people who comment on my posts. On that first post, I left a general comment thanking everyone but I just went back and checked my second post. On the second post, I thanked and/or commented personally to each comment. So a huge thank you to John McCarthy for getting me started on the right foot! Since then, I've always responded to each comment. And as a result, I've made friends and acquaintances. Communication is a wonderful thing.
Summary
These are the first two tidbits that popped into my mind when I read the instructions for this month's challenge. But there have been so many ideas I have received from ActiveRain. They have come from personal discussions over the phone or in person. They have also come from suggestions I've read on ActiveRain posts. There are way more than just two tidbits. There have probably been hundreds (or even thousands) of ideas I have taken notice of and many I have incorporated in my business and/or life.
Thank you to Leanne & Endre for this challenge idea!
And if you're still reading, thank you!
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