Going to Vegas. BRB
So in less than 48 hours, this is where I will be… chilling with (hopefully) a fruity drink in my hand rearing to go and enjoy beautiful Las Vegas. I’ve needed a vacation for awhile now, and it’s good to go on a real vacation.
Of course, trying to get a bunch of projects done in time to go without worrying about work is almost impossible. It’s like the fates align to send every new project possible right into your inbox the day before you’re set to leave. Today was my last day in the office until next Tuesday, so of course new affiliate projects came across my desk, problems with mailing services customers happened, a new email marketing campaign launched, and I was IMed about a thousand times.
If only my vacation started tomorrow! While I won’t be in the office, I’ll instead be down in San Jose attending the Search Engine Strategies Expo at the Convention Center. They have a Social Media track of educational sessions that should be very informative and give me some good ideas for that task here at PsPrint in the coming months. I’ll be there in classes until about 2, then I’m going to walk around the expo and check it out a bit.
Afterward, that’s when my vacation starts! First I’ll be meeting up with a friend from out of town in San Jose to go to the Winchester Mystery House. It’s amazing how terrible of a tourist one can be in their own area… I’ve never been there, despite being fascinated by it’s history since 3rd grade. So going there, then Friday morning flying to Las Vegas. I can’t wait.
So, I bid this blog adieu until the 28th when I get back. I leave you with a question: what did you do on YOUR summer vacation? 😛
Read MoreHats, Hats, Everywhere!
Have you ever noticed that right before you’re supposed to go on vacation, everything piles up out of nowhere? Things that weren’t even on your radar before are suddenly paramount priority. Last week my lovely manager Anne mentioned that I’ll be taking over e-mail marketing for PsPrint. I assumed this would be happening within the next month. I get into the office today to see an email from her with details for an email to be sent out Wednesday. Good thing I was prepared!
So I’ve been working mostly on that today, ironing out some kinks and playing that good old Waiting Game for the copy and other information. I’ve been chipping away at this ever increasing task list (thank the stars for the Tasks feature in Outlook) and most of the things on the list are due in the next three days before my vacation.
About a week ago, we were invited to post in a blog called PrintSalesPros as a sort of guest author. I wrote a blog post for them about our 100% Recycled Matte paper stock in response to a request for articles about green printing they posted on Twitter. Feel free to check it out HERE. Another contributor also posted an article about green printing entitled Green printing can make a great impression, and it’s a good one too.
So I’ve added another hat to my closet, so to speak. Mailing Services, the Affiliate Program, E-Mail Marketing, Social Media Marketing, trade show assisting, some really general assistance in advertising and promotional deals… I finally feel like I’m in marketing!
Read MoreMy Special Place
My special place is where fields are green, trees grow back instantly, and I can see the Ikea wood grain of my desk instead of a sea of paperwork!
I finalized the details with the Think Green folks and got that project rolling today. We also discussed some take away lessons from the blogging and social media sessions I attended at the Inman Real Estate Connect show last week. All good stuff… I’ve yet to type up my notes for the benefit of my coworkers, but I’ll get to it right after I get to checking everything else :p
Finally late last week I was able to get the details all fleshed out over at AffiliatePrograms.com to have a directory listing for the PsPrint Affiliate Program. It was a bit harrowing due to our main contact being on her honeymoon, but it’s finally done! I’m proudly sharing the link with everyone since it ended up being such a chore to get it done, so check it out!
Other things we’ve been working on that I haven’t been so involved with is our deal with NAR, the National Association of Realtors. PsPrint has been actively reaching out to Real Estate agents, brokers, and other professionals in getting our name out there for printing. Our awesome business development manager, Chris Hendricks, was integral in making this happen. I leave you with the press release for the venture!
Go to http://www.psprint.com/about/pr/072607.asp
Read MoreSo many new things my brain may explode!
With all the exciting things we’re doing here, it’s no wonder I’m buried under a sea of paper on my desk. Lots of very interesting projects rolling across my desk. I can’t wait until they all come to fruition!
First, we’re going to be assisting with a music festival promoting green thinking and environmental awareness. We’re a pretty green company ourselves, using 100% recycled matte paper stocks and soy inks. So we’re stoked to help out the organizers of this event. If you’re a green minded person and want to check out some great tunes for a great cause, jump on the bandwagon over at Think Green-World Music Festival The show is September 8 in Napa, CA. Don’t miss it!
Second, but only chronologically, we’ll be exhibiting at eComXpo October 9th – 11th. eComXpo is a 100% virtual trade show for eCommerce Marketers. We’ll be exhibiting amongst the likes of Google, LinkShare, and more! The show is completely online and free to attend. I just started working on our virtual booth today and I’m really excited about the presentation at the show. I slaved on the booth all day!
Okay, it was really easy. But it’ll be a great event! I encourage anyone out there in the eCommerce world to check out the show.
There’s more in the hopper too for sales & marketing here, but it’s not fleshed out yet. Needless to say, I’m really excited about all the new things we’re doing that will have great potential for the company. It’s really thrilling to still be on the ground floor of this place, so to speak!
Read MoreThe Long Days Journey Into Trade Shows
Some of my most useful immersion into the professional world recently has been my attendance at trade shows. I attended Affiliate Summit East in Miami at the beginning of July and just this week attended Inman News Real Estate Connect in San Francisco. Both had their benefits, although I enjoyed the Miami show a bit more.
There are a few reasons for this. For one, I didn’t feel like a child at the Miami show. The crowd there was a lot younger, fresher, relaxed. Of course, the affiliate marketing industry is a newer industry, not like real estate. Real estate is a very traditional industry, with a lot of older, established professionals. Which don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing either. The purpose of the show was connecting new technologies with agents & brokers to improve the business.
I also learned a bit more at the Miami show that’s relevant to my professional life. It was also my first trade show, first business trip, so I was super pumped to get back and apply all the new things I learned. Connect was valuable, but reiterated a good deal of what I learned in Miami. But it gave me a good reinforcement that the tips I got from one industry are universally applicable to other industries.
A moment about keynote speakers… both conferences I went to had incredibly engaging keynote speakers. AS East had Ze Frank, a very funny and smart guy. He was very vivacious, and presented his message in a roundabout way, but hilariously entertaining. Connect invited Hugh McLeod, again a very intelligent and funny gentleman. His message was more direct but still engaging. I encourage you to check out their websites and if you ever get the opportunity to hear them speak, take it.
Read More
