Posts Tagged ‘linkedin’

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The True Gentleman

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Michael Angelo Caruso true gentleman blog leadershipPeople are truly creatures of comfort. 

Recent surveys show that when it comes right down to it, most employees prefer a “comfortable” job over a bigger paycheck. Tweet This

Small wonder, really.  Society has become much more casual in the last decade, right?

The examples are numerous:

/Written and verbal language structure has been compromised.  Spelling isn’t nearly as important as it used to be; auto-correct or bust!  Complete sentences?  A thing of the past.   :-)

/Formalities are viewed as mostly superfluous.  Few people address others by “Mr.” or “Ms.”  Many of us don’t answer the phone or respond to email.  RSVP deadlines are a joke.

/Casual Friday has become Casual Every Day.  People wear blue jeans to funerals and guys wear pants well below their hips. 

 

But a gentleman is still a gentleman

Recently, I ran across a bit of prose that addresses a concept that should never change–the definition of a true gentleman. 

Hopefully, this reminds you of some men that you know.  I’ve reformatted the text to make it a bit more reader friendly.

 

The True Gentleman

by John Walter Wayland

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies…

Who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity…

Who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another…

Who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements…

Who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy…

Whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own…

And who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

 

Thanks for keeping the bar high

Michael Angelo Caruso motivation speaker author

Fortunately, I meet the coolest people when I’m on the speaking circuit. 

My customers and clients are usually true ladies and gentlemen who are into self-improvement and professional development. 

The people who read my e-mails and blog posts are the best people on the planet.  Of course, I’m referring to you.  You’re welcome.

 

Good etiquette is habit forming

Aristotle said, “You are what you repeatedly do,” only he said it in Greek, wearing only a robe. 

It’s never too late to create good habits such as being on time, using good grammar, displaying strong communication skills, being more organized, and dressing nicer. 

One tip for changing your behavior is called “habit replacement.”

Learn more about creating success habits from my audio CD, Create Success Habits

 

See you online!

Let’s connect on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter & Google+

Oh, and I’ve posted new videos on YouTube!

 

7 reasons why your password sucks

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Qwerty keyboard password security michael angelo caruso blogEasier is not always better.

Protecting your online identity by using the name of your first born child or your beloved canine as your password might seem an appropriate homage and easy to remember.

But “easy” passwords can result in dire consequences for users.  In fact, the simpler the password, the faster a hacker can gain access to your protected information and wreak havoc on your finances and your life.

Data from recent password breaches at Yahoo, LinkedIn and Rockyou.com reveals that some passwords are particularly vulnerable.

For example, all lowercase password with 6 characters can be hacked into within 10 minutes.

But by using a few additional upper case letters, numbers, and symbols you can extend that time frame into decades and even forever.

 

Common components of easy-to-hack passwords

Once you the most commonly hacked passwords, you can easily figure out how to make your accounts more secure.  

Here are some passwords that you should never use: (more…)

Video makes using the phone fun, again!

Friday, June 1st, 2012

Telephone calls are so old-school. 

Everyone’s talking about how nobody answers their phones anymore and how people would rather text than make a call.  But they aren’t discussing this on the phone. 

What is this romance with texting?  Some people text me to request that I call them.  Um, why not just call me?

While land lines have been disconnected all across the fruited plain, recent technological developments have made video–to steal Ma Bell’s old long-distance advertising slogan–”the next best thing to being there.”

Skype and various webinar platforms have “webolutionized” communication and are fast making phone calls so … yesterday.  My Skype name is: michaelcaruso4

Emily Hay skype interview michael angelo caruso Here’s one of my early Skype calls; a recorded interview I did with the great Emily Hay.  Our topic is how to use “image marketing” via social media.

Emily is one of the leading social media experts in Michigan and I like her style. 

Now, Google+ Hangout is on the scene and the party has really begun.  Video is adds a refreshing component to what might normally be a drab telephone connection.

 

Video communication is really fun! 

I’ve been having a blast with a video through a Google+ feature called “Hangout.” It’s sleek, simple, and fun. 

Here are the easy steps for doing your first video chat via Google+ Hangout

1.    Get a free Google account, including a gmail address.
2.    Go to http://www.google.com/tools/dlpage/res/talkvideo/hangouts/ and download the free plug-in.
3.    Watch the one-minute demo video.
4.    Go https://plus.google.com/ and start a profile
5.    To participate in a video chat just pull up Google+ and click “Start a hangout” in the upper right corner.

The above set-up process should take about ten minutes total and you only have to do it once. 

After you’re set-up, just click the Hangout button and invite whomever you’d like to the call. 

Find me on Google+ and we’ll Hangout!

 

Note:  The above article is available for republication on your blog, website, and in your newsletter.  Simply send a message stating your intent through the Contact form at www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com.

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Want to learn more?

social media training cd michael angelo carusoUse video to strengthen your brand and make the cash register sing.  For more information, order Michael’s Social Media For Work, a 4-CD package that has tons of tips for using “image marketing” on Facebook, Linked, Google+, YouTube and Twitter. 

Automated marketing will set you free

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Michael Angelo Caruso ipad head shot Bill Cowger Acacia Photography Detroit MichiganAs this blog post goes live, I’m not quite home from Thailand and back to work.  

I should be back to work–it’s Monday, but my speaking/consulting/publishing business is on auto-pilot as I traveled in Asia.  

 

During my trip, I used marketing automation to:

1)  Share links  to  helpful articles on marketing via Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

2)  Generate two keynote requests from people who saw my posts. 

3)  Process several orders for my my info products–the money was directly deposited  into my bank account while I was sipping Singha beer poolside in Bangkok.

4)  I’ve “automatically” sent you this message to promote today’s webinar on how you can automate your business (details below).

 

All of the above are automated processes that were put in place before I left the United States.  Best of all, I can tweak the processes a bit and repeat the entire sequence whenever I like.

You can use similar strategy to take an extra vacation this year!

 
 
What biz wouldn’t benefit from automated marketing?
 

Marketing automation has become all the rage lately as businesses try to find the best ways to take advantage of drip campaigns, e-commerce, and auto-responders.  

Think about it.  How can a prospect or client ever forget about you, if they are regularly being reminded about the benefits of working with you?
 
Plus, referrals, almost always the result of good timing, are much more likely to happen for you when customers and partners are always buzzing about you.  

It doesn’t matter if you work for a small business or a Rotary Club.  Automated marketing is your ticket to a more vital organization and a brighter future.  

 
    
You can do this!
 
Today, May 14 at 2PM ET, I’m speaking  on a free webinar with a few of my marketing buddies.  
 
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about automating your marketing and growing your great business.  
Michael Angelo Caruso ipad head shot Bill Cowger Acacia Photography Detroit Michigan
 
We’re all using a nifty piece of software called Infusionsoft. 
As a satisfied customer and affiliate, I can’t say enough about how this great automation system has improved my business and my life.  
 
There is no obligation and no hard sell, I promise.  Just tons of great info on how you can automate your biz and get more time off.  
 
I look forward to talking with you or someone from your team at 11 PM PT, 1PM CT or 2 PM ET time today.
 
Again, to get more info and to register for the free webinar, click on this link:
 
Your work life will never be the same again. 
 
Guess I should get back to work now. 



 
 

Top 13 ways to build your list

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Michael Angelo Caruso list buidling blog webcam Google guru, Steve Holt and I recently discussed the art of list building on a Google Hangout

I hold this free call every Monday from 4 to 4:30 PM ET.  The call-in codes are posted on my calendar.

As usual, it was a fun call!  I took some notes, too.

 

13 top ways to build your list

1.    Offer of a free report on your website.  Make sure the opt-in window appears “above the fold” in the upper-left corner.  Just ask for the person’s first name and e-mail address if you want the maximum number of people to sign up.  See how I do this on my website.

2.    Collect emails at presentations.  You might have to give something away to get audiences to play with you.  But this kind of permission-based marketing is very lucrative, providing the business cards you collect actually end up in your data base and you don’t chase people off  by sending bad content.  By the way, legitimate bulk e-mail platforms such as Constant Contact and Infusionsoft only tolerate one spam complaint per 1,000 e-mails. 

3.    Advertising opportunities.  People surrender e-mail addresses for tons of reasons.  Honor the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and most business associates won’t mind you adding their name to your newsletter distribution list.  The CAN-SPAM law requires that people sending bulk e-mail include a physical address and an unsubscribe link at the bottom of all e-mails.

Michael Angelo Caruso list buidling blog webcam4.    Social media is a free way to build your list.  Stop thinking in silos.  Be clever about getting Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and Google + friends to give you their e-mail address.  Again, the trick is to get them to opt-in.

5.    Buy or rent a list.  Neither Steve or I recommended this.  Even if the list contains good e-mail addresses, solid prospects for your business, these poor people will have no idea why you are contacting them.  Since they haven’t opted in, you’ll seem like a spammer, so they will report you as one.  I know I would.

6.    Give people opportunities to share your info.  The easiest ways to do this involve sharing via social media buttons and such.  It doesn’t hurt to encourage people to share, unless you constantly pester people to Like, Share, Add, etc.

7.    Directly ask for additional contacts.  This assertive technique can be fun for everyone if you do it right.  I teach presentation skills, so a lot of my messaging and content is geared for leaders and salespeople.  “Share this with the most successful salesperson you know,” I request.  And people do!  Somehow, it’s easy and fun to identify such a person and comply.

8.    Provide a “Flinstone” sign up list.  Yep.  A clipboard with a piece of paper still works for collecting email addresses.  I urge retail clients to give customers access to a computer so they can do their own data entry or Like my clients’ Facebook page.   

9.   Provide quality content and audience will find you.  Athletes use the phrase, “put the ball in play.”  Amazing things happen when you create, post, and distribute original, high-quality information.  The right people find you.  See how I generate keyword-rich articles for my blog.

10.   Get your articles into existing customers’ newsletters.  When you bother to create short, useful articles people will fall over themselves asking you for permission to publish them.  Be sure to request attribution, which will help you build your list.  

11.   Put a connection offer onto all physical products.  Retail establishments are now putting a “Like our Facebook page” sign on their front doors.  A law firm in Royal Oak Michigan has a bunch of QR codes on their windows.  I spent 15 minutes one cold morning walking around the building scanning the damn things, curious about what info awaited me.

12.   Article swaps and guest blogging.  Remember those articles I mentioned in #10?  Offer related, non-competitive companies a chance to swap articles.  Offer to give them one of your articles even if they can’t reciprocate and you still win!

13.   Place a subtle offer in your e-mail signature.  People forget that your e-mail signature file gets viewed thousands and thousands of times in a single year.  True, many of the people you e-mail are already on your list, but the people they forward your message to are not.  See how I do this.  Click here, then type “Sig file” into the Subject line and I’ll send you my current signature file. 

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Michael Angelo Caruso speaks on Facebook

You’re welcome to publish this info!

The above article is available for republication on your blog, website, and in your newsletter.  Simply send a message stating your intent through Michael’s website at www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com

Top 10 excuses for not being great

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Top 10 Excuses For Not Being Great
from www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com

Michael Angelo Caruso and Oscar blog greatEveryone has the ability to be great.  In fact, greatness is probably the most natural of all achievements.  So why don’t more of us achieve greatness?  One reason is that we get in our own way.  Another reason is that we often don’t receive the right amount of encouragement.

By the way, there are varying degrees of greatness.  You may never win an Oscar, for example, but you may get to hold one.  :-)

Here are the top ten excuses for not being great, along with some quick  advice on how you can achieve greatness.


Top 10 excuses for not being great


1. You don’t know how.

Huh? You’re kidding, right? You don’t know how to do something? I have one word for you: Google.

Need a book? Your public library has thousands and you won’t have to wait in line because nobody goes there.

Need tutelage? Hire a coach.

Information is more accessible now than any other point in history and most of it is free. Get good at accessing what you need to know. It’s your ticket to greatness.


2. You don’t know the right people.

As with information, people are more accessible than ever before. Nearly anyone you need to know can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or YouTube.

Make yourself a little more available and you’re half way there.

The average person actually stops trying to be likable as he or she gets older. Most people on Facebook sign up about 145 friends and stop. Become a bit more psychologically attractive and you will connect with the right people.


3. You don’t have the money.

Dollar sign Michael Angelo Caruso blogThis is a math problem everyone can solve. There are two major ways that you can have more money.

The first way is to reduce expenses and save the extra money for whatever you’d like or need. Create a strict budget, and set aside a portion of your income. This may include sacrificing, a lost art among a society that strongly identifies with comfort.

The second way to have more money is to earn more. See “comfort” above. You can earn more by getting a better paying job, also known as “leaving your comfort zone.” Earning more often means working harder or at least applying yourself.

Would you like to double the amount of money you earn now? Get a second job! If you really want the money, you’ll do it.

One of the easiest ways to earn money is to proffer your intellectual property. You can do this by creating a short e-book that offers information on how to do something. You’re probably really good at something, right?

Tell others how to do it in a Word document, save the document to a .pdf that you can sell online and off. Sell ten e-books at $10 each and you’ll have an extra $100.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or what the economical climate is like. Money is all around you. Go get it.


4. Someone else is already doing it.

Which came first, Copyblogger or Problogger? Groupon or Living Social? Dyson or Hoover? Yahoo or Hotmail?

You don’t know? Very few will people will care if you’re not first to market as long as your offering has a unique and worthwhile value.

A guy named Elisha Gray filed for a patent on a new invention called the telephone three hours after Alexander Graham Bell.

Count on it. Someone, somewhere is already doing what you’re doing. Work around them.


5. You’ll get to it later.

Maybe you’ll be great later. But history teaches us that life introduces all sorts of distractions in the game of life.

Face it, you’re only going to get busier.

Now is the time to put “greatness” on your calendar. Schedule it, then accomplish it. It’s called “greatness” partly because it’ll make you feel great!


6. You’re not ready for that level of success.

Success is a head game of sorts.

You’re trying to achieve something new, so how do you ever really know if you’re ready? What does “ready” even mean?

Stop making excuses and realize you’ll like life better when you’re in a better place.

Oh, you’re ready, trust me. And if greatness occurs and you’re not ready, you’ll get ready in a hurry.


7. There are too many obstacles.

This is true, but it’s not a good excuse for dodging greatness.

Heroes do things that others are unwilling or unable to do.

To find the treasure, you must be born into misfortune, get beat up by bad guys, be betrayed by your best friend, find love and lose it, and have a really bad accident.

And then, after you’re totally exhausted, you get to slay a dragon.

Hey, if being a hero was easy, everyone would do it.


8. You don’t have a (good) website.

A killer website is always useful for success and greatness. But if you don’t have one, you have options. If your current crappy website needs a redesign, hire someone to redesign it.

Meanwhile, you can promote, brand, and even sell from a free blog site. Post on other people’s blogs, but never promote yourself without permission. There are clever ways to sell on social media platforms.

Many people make money from affiliate marketing, which allows revenue to flow to you after you recommend products and services to your distribution list.

Website, schmebsite.


9. You’re too tired.

Being tired all the time is not normal.

Good health is important and certainly makes it easier to be great. Sufficient rest is part of good health. Go to bed earlier, if necessary, but establish a working rhythm that feels like success.


10. You’re just not confident enough.

There are two ways a human being comes into intelligence: genetic predisposition and learned behavior. Confidence is a learned behavior.

Listen to self-help programs and motivational messages. These total strangers will say things to you that your loved ones will not. It sounds implausible, but if you listen often enough to the right people, you will begin to believe there is greatness in you. And you know what? There is!

Yeah, you better not do social media

Monday, September 5th, 2011

social networking michael angelo caruso blogReaders always write . .  .

I wish I could use your social media marketing advice, Michael, but I work at a small business in an industry that hasn’t embraced Facebook and the others.

We’re an automotive supplier, so social media probably wouldn’t work.  We sell 60,000 lb. steel coils to the auto manufacturers through US Steel.  Facebook wouldn’t appeal to Honda and Ford.   :-)

-Eric in Ohio


Facebook can work for any size biz

Hi, Eric and thanks for your message.

Sounds like your mind is made up and that’s fine, although it seems to me that’s the type of thinking that got tanked  the automotive industry in the first place.  I notice you didn’t write to ask, “How can I get social media to work with my special circumstances?”

While it’s true that Facebook may never be the primary sales modality for your specialty item, there are dozens of ways that social media can serve your great company:

-  Salespeople can have personal pages that make the sellers more accessible

-  You can start a company or business page

-  Use social media to monitor vendors, business partners, and the competition

-  Practice “defensive marketing,” especially on Twitter

-  And much more…

 

Facebook wouldn’t appeal to Ford!?

Huh? Ford Motor Company’s Facebook Fan Page has more than 850,000 fans.

One might guess that Asian-owned Honda corporation would be less likely to embrace social media, but the Honda Facebook Page has over 1.2 million fans.  Honda even has Fan pages for individual products.  The Honda Civic Facebook page, for example, has over 415,000 fans.

Ford’s social media department is run by Scott Monty (2,847 Facebook friends), who oversees multiple pages on various social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook.

US Steel currently has a marginal Facebook presence, but that can change in a hurry.

So, there are  lot of good reasons that a company selling 60,000 lb. steel coils should be active on Facebook, but consider an even more likely scenario, Dale.


Results are in your future

You may not be doing what you’re doing now in ten or even five years. Perhaps you’ll want to start a business of your own or become a consultant one day.  Of course, you’ll want to work from an existing Internet presence and fan base, both of which you can develop using Facebook and other social media platforms.  Right now.

Dig the well before you need the water, brother.

Sincerely, Michael

P.S.  Let’s connect for fun on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and/or YouTube.  I’ll help you make money when you get there.  Order my “how to” audio CD/e-book when you’re ready.

We recycle garbage, why not compliments?

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Michael Wickett Michael Angelo Caruso

With the great motivational speaker, Michael Wickett

Everyone’s turning green!  Recycling trash has become a major initiative for most of us.

Why not recycle good vibrations, too?  Compliments, for example, can be re-purposed over and over.  Do it right and hardly anyone will think you are bragging on yourself.

Consider how Dean La Doucer, Executive Director of the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce in Michigan, introduced me at a speaking gig last week:

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing many of the speaking greats over the past twenty five years, including Og Mandino, Dr. Susan Jeffers, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Michael Wickett, and Les Brown. I include Michael Angelo Caruso in that company!”


Be your own publicity firm

I was very impressed by Dean’s kind words.  The audience was impressed, too.  And if I recycle this great compliment, others can enjoy the message.

Here are some ways I can re-purpose what Dean said:

- Share it as a post on my Facebook

- Create a Facebook Note like this one

- Ask Dean to post as a Recommendation on Linkedin

- Write a blog post about it

- Put the story in a speech

- Use the testimonial to show others how to recycle compliments

- Record a video of me telling the story; post the vid on YouTube

- Ask Dean to record a video testimonial

- Shorten the quote and post as a Tweet


Recycle the nice things people say about you

michael angelo caruso internet marketingBe strategic when using this marketing strategy.  Sharing these kinds of compliments can sometimes make you appear to be arrogant or cocky.

On the other hand, forwarding positive messages about your good work is in your best interest, right?  So, get out there and recycle!

-Michael Angelo Caruso; let’s connect on Twitter

Have a Linkedin business page, yet?

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

Linkedin logoReaders always write . .  .

Here’s a great Linkedin question from  a clever guy who’s figured out how to put his business phone number into his “Name” field.  Very smart!

Michael,

Great presentation on Jan 14 in Macomb County!

Question: Even though Google doesn’t crawl LinkedIn, does a corporate website listed on a LinkedIn page still count toward adding external links to a site?

Dan Wolan, Director of Sales, Productions Plus – The Talent Shop

Dear Dan,

Hi, Dan and thanks for your kind compliment about my social media class.

Your personal LI page ranks on Google when you search your name and it will recognize your business page, as well.

However, Google does not crawl DEEP into Linkedin (LI) or, for that matter, Facebook.

Google, for example, may recognize the TITLE of the .pdf you post on Linkedin, but not the content.

Think of religion, as a metaphor.  People believe in God, but not enough to go to church every Sunday.  :-)

Class has ended, go in peace.

-Michael Angelo Caruso

P.S.  Do you have a business page on Linkedin, yet?

5 ways to promote a speaker

Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

Have you booked a speaker for an upcoming event?  Here are some easy ways to get the most people to attend and make this your best seminar, fundraiser, or convention keynote.


Rotaract talk in LA face right 0608 WEB1.  Get on the speaker’s mailing list.

You and your committee members should subscribe to the speaker’s mailing list as soon as you hire him or her.  (My free newsletter is available at 5 Cool Ideas newsletter ).

Once in the loop, you’ll receive periodic updates from your speaker that will keep you thinking of fresh ways to promote your event.  For example, my newsletter contains practical communication tips and  you can use the publication to attract interest and encourage registrations for your event.

You can republish these great communication tips in your newsletter, on your Website, and on blogs.  You may also forward the 5 Cool Ideas to your distribution list.


2.  Use positive adjectives.

Inform people of your special guest speaker by providing key links (one at a time).  People who hire me find it useful to provide these links:

www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com
www.michaelangelocaruso.com/michael-angelo-caruso-blog/
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael+angelo+caruso&aq=f

Always use positive adjectives to describe your event, the food being served, the entertainment, and your speaker.  Psychologists tells us that words such as fantastic, memorable, exciting, and funny are extremely effective persuasion tools.


3.  Social media is effective and free!

I have developed a HUGE Facebook following.  When you hire me, post details of your event on my personal page (4,600 friends) or fan page (look for the avatar with me holding a microphone).

Ask me to post a personal message on your Facebook group page.  Continue to build your following on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and YouTube and you’ll have less trouble getting audiences to attend your events.

You Tube logo resized disproportioned
4.  Video marketing is the best way to promote speakers.

In the old days—way back in the early 1990s,lol—the best way to promote a speaker was to distribute a flyer.  Now you have your prospective attendees watch and listen to a speaker on video.

This sells tickets like crazy, providing the video is well done and the speaker knows his stuff.  As an example, follow these steps to harness the awesome power of video marketing:

a. Search the name of your speaker or “Michael Angelo Caruso” on YouTube.
b. Select a video that you want to use.
c. Click the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons, so you’ll receive notification of whenever a new video is posted.
d. Post a Comment; say something nice about me and then reference your event.  Be sure to include a link to your landing page so people can register or buy tickets.
e. Share the video on Facebook, your other social media pages, and even on your organization’s Web page.
f. Copy/paste the video’s URL into your e-mail blasts along with your personal endorsement.  Never underestimate the value of your personal recommendation.


5.  Sell tickets five at a time.

People don’t like to attend events alone, so why sell tickets that way?  Ask your Web person to arrange an online registration page that defaults to ticket blocks of five and ten, with an option to order a single ticket.  You might offer a free ticket if someone purchases ten.

Have fun with your promotions and others will, too!  Best of luck with your event!

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More information, such as Michael’s bio, head shot, and client testimonials are available at www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com.

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