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5 Creative Ways to Start a Conversation

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Hmmm In my booklet, Hmmm . . . Little Ideas With BIG Results, I write “people are your greatest resource.”  The art of conversation brings your greatest resource closer to you.  Everyone seems to believe this, but most people aren’t very graceful at starting conversations.

Former basketball coach Phil Jackson writes that the champion Los Angeles Lakers were great trash talkers during games, but withdrawn and quiet during important meetings.

Kobe BryantUse these tips the next time you want to strike up a conversation with Kobe Bryant.  Apparently, he won’t be taking the initiative to speak first.  Here are 5 Cool Ideas* on how to start a conversation.

1.  Work with a conversation-starting quota.
The next time you go out to lunch, pledge to yourself that you will start at least four conversations.  You might speak to someone on the elevator, on the way to your car, while waiting to be seated at the restaurant and maybe in the lobby of your building upon your return.

2.  The person who reaches out has the power.
In her book, How to Create Your Own Luck: The ‘You Never Know’ Approach to Networking, Taking Chances and Opening Yourself to Opportunity, author Susan RoAne reminds us that luck is a “make-it-happen” communication process.  I’ve learned that the person who initiates the conversation usually has influence and power over the conversation.

3.  Open with small talk, but not too small.
If you initiate conversation about sports and the weather, most of your conversations will be about sports and the weather.  On the other hand, if you open with fast-lane topics like politics or sex, you may be moving too quickly for the other person.

4.  Treat the other person like a celebrity.
Ironically, the best technique for starting a conversation is asking a question and then listening to the answer as if the other person is the ultimate authority on the subject.  Ask people their opinions and then hang on every word.   Smile and nod your head frequently.

Soliciting an opinion is kind of like asking for help.   People love to help.  People also love to be helped.  Most people won’t ask your opinion because they haven’t read this book.

5.  Give people what they want, unless what they want is negativity.
Conversation isn’t always about what you want.  Shared dialogue is primarily about what the other person wants.  Go with the flow if the dialogue is fun and good-natured.  Nurture conversations that are positive and up-beat in tone.  Excuse yourself from gripers and complainers.  There are over 300 million people in the United States. Let’s start talking.

* 5 Cool Ideas is a book series by Michael Angelo Caruso

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Posted in Communication, Entertainment, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Success, Uncategorized, problem solving | No Comments »

When is a hot dog not a hot dog?

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Another fabulous Fourth of July weekend is history and this year, without knowing it, we probably consumed just a few more hot dogs than we did last July.

Why?  Because of something called product differentiation.

Whether you’re marketing a product or a service, it’s critical to differentiate the benefits of your offering.  When consumers appreciate the difference between your product and the competitors, they become interested in purchasing.

George and Rich Shea

George and Rich Shea

Yet, differentiation can be a challenge, especially when it comes to mundane products such as hot dogs.  Brothers George and Rich Shea have brilliantly differentiated the Nathan’s brand of hot dogs by holding an annual hot dog eating contest.

The contest, started in 1961, is now televised on ESPN.  This year, the New York Times ran a giant newspaper column that provided thousands of dollars in free advertising.

When is a hot dog not a hot dog?  When it’s the featured product of  a televised hot dog eating contest–every July 4.  Brilliant!

Feel free to comment with an example of a product or service differentiation that impresses you.

How do you differentiate your hot dog?  With mustard?  Catsup?  Onions?  Chili?

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Posted in Communication, Creativity, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Success | No Comments »

5 Cool ideas for writing and selling your book

Monday, May 31st, 2010
Your info is worth money

Your info is worth money

Everyone has a “how-to” book in them.  Your lifetime of experience and acquired skill sets should probably be required reading for the next generation, yes?

That book is easier to write than you think.   Once written, you can market your knowledge to people more than willing to pay for it.  Social media can be a cost-free delivery system.

Use the profits from the book to pay down bills, shore up your battered 401K, buy a car or just have some fun.  Here are 5 Cool Ideas for writing and selling your book.


1.  Do it yourself, the publishing industry is broken, anyway.

Self-publishing e-books is an easy, very lucrative way to create passive income.  The process can be as simple as writing a 20-page e-book and saving it to a .pdf.  Arrange a payment gateway through Google or PayPal and start telling Facebook friends about your creation.


2.  You can publish a book, even if you’re not a writer.

Mark Victor Hansen simply collected stories others had written and titled the book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul.  Another great idea is to create other types of information products, instead of books.  Audio programs, for example, are very popular and in some cases, sell better than printed material.   And get this–audio programs are even easier to create than books.


3.  A writing “system” can help you be published in less than 90 days.

I often write books by accumulating information.  My 5 Cool Ideas books have been the result of collecting info, reworking the content and formatting related ideas in groupings of five.


4.  Blog your way to authorship.

Web logging on Typepad or WordPress is a an easy way to develop your voice and build a following at the same time.  Just post a few paragraphs twice a week and you’ll be amazed at how much content you can originate.


5.  Think about what comes next after what comes next.

Celebrate your finished book as a great achievement,  but remember that a book is almost always more powerful as a means to an end.  Being a published author opens the doors to many opportunities, including speaking gigs, consulting work and media attention.  Consider having other products and services to promote when your book is released.


Get good advice on how to write your book . . .

Attend the Write/Sell Your Book seminar and get time-saving tips and valuable marketing idea so you can finally write that book.  Register at http://bit.ly/WriteSellYourBookJune9 or visit http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/calendar/ to find a program near you.

Expect to learn a ton about creating, selling and re-purposing information products. You’ll also learn how to:

- Become a published author in less than 90 days
- Use information products to become more employable
- Build a distribution list so you’ll always have customers

- Write an e-book that will make your print book an even bigger success
- Leverage Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to grow your biz
- Self-publish your information products and earn more profit

- Write Web copy that sells
- Repurpose content so you can get paid over and over
- Create multiple information products

- Convert your new found “expert” status into even more opportunities
- Use video to promote your work

Can’t locate a live program?  Would you rather order the audio CD/e-book on the subject?  Go to http://bit.ly/CreateSellYourInfoProducts

Good luck and keep writing!
Michael Angelo Caruso, Author of the 5 Cool Ideas books and creator of over 75 info products

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Posted in Career development, Creativity, Growing Your Business, Information products, Internet marketing, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Success, Writing and Publishing, social media | No Comments »

The accidental marketing of Dennis Hopper

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Dennis Hopper finally died.

There’s no denying that the man had rough life.  Many people wondered how Hopper lived as long as he did.  Some thought he had died again, such was the tumultuous existence of this Holly-world and real-world rebel.  When you consider all Hopper’s associated weirdness and drama, it’s a wonder the actor was able to cobble together a decent career.

Here are 5 Cool Ideas on the accidental marketing of Dennis Hopper, inspired by the New York Times obituary written by Edward Wyatt.


1.  Adversity can be a trump card.

Dennis Hopper was born in Dodge City, Kansas, home of many a showdown between good guys and bad guys.  During his life, Hopper had constant showdowns with alcohol, drugs, directors,  wives (five marriages), nature (a fire claimed his Bel Air home in 1962) and finally, prostate cancer after a 10-year battle with the disease.


2.  Dennis Hopper almost accidentally defined cinematic cool.

This guy starred in some of the coolest movies ever made including, Easy Rider, Blue Velvet, Rebel Without a Cause and Cool Hand Luke.  The parts came to him sporadically and Hopper often fell into great roles despite a bad reputation.  In many instances, he did well due to his proximity to greatness.  For instance, Hopper credited Marlon Brando with the idea of having him portray a gonzo journalist in Apocalypse Now.


3.  An early victory can make you a “success” for life.

Easy Rider won the prize for best first film at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival, perhaps because it faced only one competitor.  This victory put Hopper on everyone’s radar.  He also shared an Oscar nomination for writing the movie, so the phrase “Oscar nominated” applied to Dennis for another, oh, 41 years.


4.  When it comes to marketing, you get points for what might be true.

Hopper was romantically linked to Natalie Wood and Michelle Phillips.  Extra points!  Again, the proximity factor.  These dalliances were never officially documented.  Hopper got credit for possibly sleeping with both women.  Note:  When it comes to marketing, getting points for what might be true can work for you or against you.


5.  Versatility is an excellent marketing device.

Paul Newman, as photographed by Dennis Hopper

Paul Newman, photographed by Dennis Hopper

When acting gigs were slow, Hopper learned to paint and write poetry.  He also became an accomplished photographer known for his “intimate and unguarded” images of Ike and Tina Turner, Andy Warhol and Jane Fonda.


Goodbye, Dennis

Dennis Hopper, like so many other talented people, succeeded in spite of himself.  But for all his mistakes and missteps, the accidental marketing of Dennis Hopper was made easier thanks to his habit of breaking bad in real life as well as in front of the movie camera.

See ya, Dennis.  Rest in peace, finally.  Again. 

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Posted in Career development, Entertainment, Entreprenuers, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Success, Writing and Publishing | No Comments »

Good communication on the bike, in the board room

Saturday, May 29th, 2010
The earpiece

The earpiece

Communication is critical in any team endeavor, even the Tour de France. 

Forbes’ Rich Karlgaard reminds us that the first thing Johan Bruyneel did when he became Lance Armstrong’s bicycle team director in 1998 was fit the entire team with radios and earpieces.

The Tour de France is a three-week endeavor.  Communication is an important way to minimize costly mistakes.  As a team director, Bruyneel has eight wins and one third place in the Tour de France.

Good communication is key to Detroit’s success, too.  That’s why it’s important to hold events like the annual Mackinac Conference.  This year’s speakers will no doubt give us ideas on how to handle our many challenges such as the prolonged recession, a humbled automotive industry and insolvent municipalities.

Featured keynote speakers this year include former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich and Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne.  Of course the media will be there in force, including WDIV’s news anchor, Devin Scillian, an excellent communicator, himself.

Communication is important on the bike and in the boardroom.

-Michael Angelo Caruso

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5 Cool Ideas–Speaking tips from the pros

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Rotaract talk in LA face right 0608 WEBImprove your presentations by modeling famous speakers.  Here are practical tips inspired by five great orators: John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar, Bill Clinton and Robin Williams.

5 Cool Ideas–Speaking Tips From the Pros

1.  Say it in a special way. John F. Kennedy is known for his inspiring, almost poetic, phrasing.  JFK kept a notebook of inspiring quotations that he adopted and adapted in his speeches.  The famous phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country” was his, but JFK also borrowed verbiage from others.

Kennedy seldom credited to his primary speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, but you should always provide attribution when “borrowing” language from another person.

2.  Tell a good story. Everyone loves a good story.  Motivational speaker and legend, Zig Ziglar, mesmerized audiences with his funny and informative stories.  A Zig story could go on for five or six minutes as he interjected anecdotes, developed motifs and leveraged humor.

Zig used to drop to one knee for all of six minutes.  He would often prompt a rousing  ovation just for finally standing up again!

3.  Smile with your eyes. Words are important during presentations, but non-verbal cues are even more critical.  Bill Clinton uses a terrific technique I call “smiling eyes.”  He even used this strategy during his impeachment proceedings when he looked into the camera and said, “It depends on what your definition of the word ‘is’ is.”

4.  Tell the audience exactly what you want. So many speakers and presenters obscure their messages in fancy language and pretense.  Take a cue from Nike’s “Just do it” slogan and just say it.  Ronald Reagan was famous for his plain talk during speeches.

In 1987, Reagan spoke at at an event celebrating the 750th anniversary of Berlin.  He used the speech to directly appeal to Mikhail Gorbachev, then General Secretary of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party.  Reagan famously said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

5.  Get emotional. Robin Williams is not a conventional presenter, that’s for sure.  What he lacks in diction and structure, he more than makes up for in energy and enthusiasm.  It’s hard to ignore a person who’s excited about his own message.

Williams presentations are an onslaught of ideas, foreign language accents and gesticulations that audience members cannot ignore.  Don’t try to replicate Robin’s wild man delivery.  Just amp up your emotion by speaking louder and moving your hands more.


Teleseminar May 25–How to Improve Your Presentations

Join Michael Angelo Caruso at 3:30 PM ET on Tuesday, May 25 to get more great tips for your next presentation.  Get more info and register here; ask questions toward the end of the call.  Invite your boss to attend at no extra charge.


Can’t attend the live program?

Order the audio CD on the same topic and listen as many times as you’d like.


Reprint the above article

You’re welcome to publish the above article in your corporate newsletter, on your Web site or blog.  Simply send a message here.

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Entertainment, Keynote, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success, Uncategorized, training | No Comments »

Why Facebook friends are better than real friends

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Facebook fThe topic of social media has moved from the break room to strategic planning meetings.  Thousands of businesses have started company pages on Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube.

Cynics still say things like, “Yeah, but a Facebook friend isn’t like a real friend.”

True, but if you run a Yellow Pages advertisement, you wouldn’t evaluate the results based on how many readers are ”real” friends.   If your income depends on how many people pay your company for products and services, Facebook friends are far better than real friends, especially once you’ve figured out how to monetize social media.


Why Facebook friends are better than real friends

Facebook buddies are:

-  More likely to be interested in your products and services (this is how keywords work)

-  Easier and cheaper to communicate with

-  Interested in what you’re selling (especially when you use my method of “friending”)

-  Likely to share info about your great products and services with their FB pals

-  Helpful and remarkably supportive


I can’t help you get real friends

You’re on your own when it comes to making true-life buddies, but I will help your company amass a ton of Facebook friends that will be interested in writing you checks.

In four weekly phone calls starting June 1, I will teach you or someone at your company  how to publicize, market, sell and even provide customer service using social media.

This teleclass is quite affordable and very useful, especially for small and new businesses.

“I’ve attended Michael’s great social media class and benefited from his info products.    Social media is a new world for me, but Michael makes it easier and fun.”      -Leah Dunn, The UPS Store

“Michael Angelo Caruso helped improve my business’s online presence in a very short    time.  I highly recommend him for your marketing needs.  Michael delivers!”    -Dr. Steven Ringler, Plastic Surgeon

The four phone calls are June 1, 7, 14 and 21 at 3:30 PM ET.  Playback recordings are available for 48 hours after each call.  The information given is NOT technical.

Register at http://tinyurl.com/SocialMediaJune1

Log-in to your social media pages before calling so you can make changes to your Facebook and Linkedin pages in real-time.  Pretty cool!   

Sign up today at http://tinyurl.com/SocialMediaJune1

Luckily, we don’t have to choose between Facebook friends and real friends, Michael.  You can have both!  I look forward to talking with you and/or someone from your biz starting June 1.

Your real friend,

Michael Angelo Caruso, Marketing Consultant and Keynote Speaker


P.S. You’re welcome to republish, repost or otherwise share this article.  Simply provide attribution by including my Web site, which is www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com.

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Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Growing Your Business, Internet marketing, Marketing, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Success, social media | No Comments »

Only one PowerPoint slide?!?!?

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

I haven’t used PowerPoint in over five years.

Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s more important to use business presentations to establish rapport, build relationships and develop conversation that helps clients.

I can’t understand why salespeople or other leaders would take the trouble to assemble an audience only to say, “Please look away from me to the screen while I turn down the lights.”

If you feel you must use a handful of PPT slides, put them in the middle of the presentation.  This way you can look into the audience’s eyes at the beginning of your talk and at the end.  The end, of course, is where all good presenters stage the “call to action.”

Recently, I started using PowerPoint again, but with a twist . . .


I now use a single slide during my talks

This one graphic image is so powerful, you can hear a pin drop when it appears on the screen.  This slide is all audience members can talk about when the presentation is over.  And get this–the slide usually has no direct connection to the subject of my talk!

What is this magic slide and how can you use a similar technique to strengthen your presentations?

Well, the slide is a very unusual graphic based on a personal story.

When my father was in the hospital a few years back, our family kept a journal at his bedside.  We used the notebook to  track Dad’s progress and leave each other reminders of what to ask the doctors.

Dad even wrote in the journal, especially after the medical team inserted an “NG tube,” and eating tube which kept Dad from being able to speak.

Anyway, about two weeks into his hospital stay, it became clear Dad was failing due to mysterious complications.

We were all looking for clues about how to help him get well, so in a quiet moment, I asked my father what he thought was happening.

Dad's parting words

Dad's parting words

He wrote, “I think I’m improving.”

And then, he died the next day.

Although this story and the accompanying slide are not usually the core message of my speeches, it’s incredibly easy to integrate its optimistic theme.  After all, a dying person who remains upbeat can teach us all a bit about having a better attitude.

Do you see how showing a single PowerPoint slide can be so effective?

I’ll bet you can make a similar arrangement with your speeches and presentations.

I’ll teach you how to use this technique and many of my other presentation tricks during the May 25 teleseminar, How to Give Killer Presentations.  A playback recording is available for this session, but you can order the audio CD version of this topic, if you’d like to listen anytime or share the info with others.

Can you say “no” to PowerPoint?

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When does “new” become comfortable? (Part 2)

Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International

Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International

Twitter has recently suffered a serious blow to its image.  People are talking (and tweeting) about how many folks sign up for the social media platform and then fall away in the first few months of membership.

This lack of involvement is a problem for many other organizations, as well.

I recently delivered a keynote speech for Rotary in Nashville.  The talk was on leadership, with an accent on membership retention.

Ed Futa, General Secretary of Rotary International and another speaker at the conference, reminded me that the first year of  membership in Rotary is critical because Rotarians who become actively involved during the first twelve months tend to become valuable members.  These people also remain members longer.

Getting people to become active in the organization is a problem that exists for many employers, too.

Employers all over the country are frustrated when they hire new workers only to have the newbies assimilate slowly or not at all.

It usually goes like this:  A first year-employee doesn’t engage because he is new.  The newbie doesn’t engage during the second year because he made it through the first year without really being involved.

During the third year that employee has developed a full-fledged pattern of non-commitment and in the fourth year, he starts looking for another job because he “doesn’t really fit in.”

Ironically, the solution is to raise expectations of the new person and communicate those expectations in no uncertain terms.

Rotary clubs can insist that new Rotarians attend their annual District conference.  Currently, only President-elects and other club officers are expected to attend the conference.

Employers can make certain types of employee involvement mandatory or a condition of employment.  For example, the employer might tell a job candidate, “You’re hired under the condition that you sign up for one of our work committees within the first 30 days of employment. ”

These types of measures help new people become comfortable faster, which is good for business.

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When does “new” become comfortable? (Part 1)

Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Old friends reconnect after 30 years

Old friends reconnect after 30 years

I had the pleasure of recently reconnecting with an old friend from college.

I hadn’t seen Chris (Rahi) Hassab for nearly 30 years.  We met as classmates at Wayne State University.

Apparently, our mutual friend, John Austerberry, mentioned my name to Chris so she reached out to me and we arranged lunch.  When we got together, it was like being reunited with a long-lost friend!

But here’s the weird part–Chris and I weren’t that close in school.

Time, however, has somehow made us closer and I felt like we had much in common, even though Chris and I had absolutely no communication for nearly three decades.

Our conversation was remarkably unreserved as we happily shared  personal details about our respective lives–information that we hadn’t shared with each other even back in the day.

How is this possible?  What suddenly made us perceive each other as “safe” confidants?

When does “new” become comfortable?  How can people develop the ability to help relationships blossom faster at work?

Salespeople covet skills that help shorten the selling cycle.  Managers would love to get new employees to plug in sooner rather than later.  Customers adore service providers who can practically read minds.  What is the secret sauce that allows relationships to blossom quickly and easily?

When does “new” become comfortable and how can we get comfortable sooner?

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