Winter Wonderland End of Year Musings

Post #10–Two Women Business–Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler

Mini Cooper buried under a foot and a half of snow

It’s December 22nd. And optimist that I am, I’m looking forward to every day getting longer for the next six months. Believe me, that’s a good thing, given that it’s cold, windy, snowy and dark more than it’s light here in Downeast Maine. And as you can see, I have the pictures to prove it. The snow fell and the wind howled overnight. My white Christmas is guaranteed.

As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been making lists:

• Things I want to get done before January 1
• Things I have accomplished in 2008
• Things I want to accomplish in 2009

I thought I’d share a portion of my lists with you because I realize that so many people with traditional backgrounds in writing, publishing, business and marketing are looking at the social media and Internet marketing with a combination of interest, loathing, curiosity and confusion. What’s more, many of you are feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to begin.

I’d like to start by sharing a couple facts and a personal confession that may make the whole thing appear more surmountable. First My Confession: I’ve only just celebrated my first anniversary in Internet marketing. I’ve been writing, publishing and marketing for almost 30 years, but I too am a relative newbie to Internet marketing. My primary objective is to meld the best of traditional offline marketing/publishing strategies with the smartest online communication tactics.

And Now for the Facts: For all the people that appear to be engaged in Internet marketing, the truth is the vast majority are still on the outside looking in. Many more will make 2009 the year that they embrace some or all aspects of social networking and Internet marketing. Stay true to your personal passions and interests…use the components of social networking and Internet marketing that help you build on whatever it is you love doing. And finally, there is no right or wrong way path to success…they’re more like guidelines!

This year has been big for my business partner Matilda Butler and me. We’ve made great strides in putting the Internet to work:

1. Across Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Safari, Tribes and dozens of specialized social networks, we’ve made “friends” with almost 4000 people.
2. We’ve done three successful joint ventures to sell our book Rosie’s Daughters: The “First Women To” Generation Tells Its Story, resulting in hundreds of sales. And we’re on target to blow the 2008 numbers out of the water in 2009.
3. We’ve learned how to make and post audios and videos for training, coursework, interviews and salesmanship.
4. We’ve started teaching others to use the Internet more effectively in their businesses and book marketing–through workshops, coaching, contract work and presentations.
5. We’ve created our first sales landing page that leads directly into our shopping cart…and it works.
6. We’ve created three blogs and are guest blogging for Story Circle Network.
7. We’ve started our independent publishing venture (more about that next year) and already have clients.
8. We’ve started using technology (blogs, screen capture software and teleseminar conference calls) to teach online.
9. Matilda and I are both finishing up digital courses that we’re selling on our websites…both will be finished in early 2009.
10. We’re working with Story Circle Network to develop an Editorial Services program that will match writers in need of services with just the right editor or proofreader.