Video Bliss

I got a new toy/tool a couple of weeks ago, a Flip video camera. Have you seen one? They are literally smaller than an iphone, with great optics and only a couple of easy-to-understand buttons to push. A gloriously sunny NW spring day gave me an easy excuse to head out of the office to try out this new camcorder. My mission - to visit some of our advertisers in the hope of securing some impromptu testimonials.

My first stop was at Earthenworks Gallery in La Connor, WA. Earthenworks carries an amazing collection of Northwest art and also that fabulously painted fun and functional Sticks furniture - a piece of which I vow to own some day. Cynthia Hoskins, the gallery owner gave a wonderful video testimonial. Unfortunately, it was my first try with the camera and my video taping skills were inept. I only discovered this, however, when I downloaded the video to my computer to find out that you can't really turn the camera vertical like a digital camera. Gives me an excuse to go back and drool over a little more of Cynthia's art.

Next stop was at Childhood Bliss, the classical "I wish all my grandchildren were granddaughters" store. I can never escape without buying something for my sole granddaughter (of six grandchildren), and this time was no exception - the perfect fairy princess dress for her upcoming birthday. It just so happened that Julie, the owner, was in and graciously (no bribes involved) gave me my first, keep-able video testimonial for Destination Maps (our Washington Brand). She did it on the first take, and what you see here is completely unedited because I haven't figured out how to edit them yet. The video quality on my computer is as crisp and clear as can be, but it's grainy on blogger - must be them, can't be me! I'll need to play around with it more to understand how to get better quality - but you get the idea.

Moral of the story, multimedia is powerful and a video testimonial is much more compelling than words on paper. Everyone has clients who crow about how great we/you are - because we are! So, get one of these little pocket recorders (less than $200), get those testimonials on tape and don't hesitate to let your happy clients help to do the selling for you. That will make you happy too.

Discovery Map Will Work in Blogs!

So long boring Google maps, hello vibrant, exciting Discovery Maps in travel blogs! Soon, any blogger writing about one of our destinations will be able to embed a Discovery Map right into their blog just like this. And by the time we release our map widgets for public consumption, we will offer a simplified public version of Ad Wizard so that they can tag specific businesses or other destinations within our map along with their comments. We think this is pretty cool and hope you do too.

The Lives We Touch

I stepped outside the meeting room of the Cavalier Inn during a break in training in Charlottesville, Virginia and was greeted by this little angel poring over the map. She was searching out the hidden Presidents, chattering excitedly to her father as she pointed here and there. It made me smile - it would have made anybody smile.

I did a rough calculation recently and figure that over the past 23 years we have distributed some forty million maps. Discovery Maps have been held and used by more people than the entire population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix combined. Actually, more than double that. That's a lot of people. That's a lot of purchasing power. That's a lot of business for our clients and smiles and help for our readers.

When you're talking to your clients and prospects about your circulation and reach, I wonder if the number really hits them, or if it's just a number. If your circulation is 100,000 and reach 200,000 - how could you make that real for them? How about comparing it to the population of your town? Or the number of people in a nearby stadium. Can you paint a vivid picture of just how many people will be referencing your map this year, making a choice, spending money?

Make it real for you clients, not just a number, and watch their interest soar!

Making a Difference with Maps

53 years into my life's journey, 23 years into my map business journey, I find myself in front of the computer wondering what to write. Several friends and colleagues have encouraged me to start a blog to chronicle my business and life's adventures and thoughts, partly to invite a conversation about illustrated mapping and the map/small business world in general, partly to engage in the social networking ethos for the business benefits it's purported to deliver, and perhaps because they think I have something interesting to share or say that could help others on their journey.

Given how much there is to read on the internet, I have my doubts that many will find my thoughts interesting or inspiring. But if what I write helps just one person to journey a little further, take a risk, live life a little fuller, then I will serve my life's purpose of "paying-it-forward."

Don't we all want to feel like we've made, or are making a difference? Doesn't that fuel our quest for life's purpose and meaning? When it comes to our work and how we live our daily lives, don't we all want to feel that it's time well spent, that what we're doing is more than just about making money or taking up space? Well, I can say yes to those questions today, but there was a point in my life - a long stretch, where my primary purpose was just to get through the day. Forget all that do-gooder stuff. I just wanted to make the sale, get the paycheck, be loved, buy a house and basically fit in to society as I observed and understood it. I was an opportunist, not an idealist.

I'm not sure I chose my profession, I think it's more accurate to say that it chose me. In 1979 I took a job in advertising because it was the only job available in Sun Valley, Idaho at the time that seemed more promising than the prevalent service jobs usually found in a resort area. Selling advertising for a local media put me in front of people, small business owners, idealistic people who took risks and sought the dream. As my exposure to these individuals increased, my job became more than selling advertising; I realized that these business owners needed help. Even though I was just in my early twenties, had only a high school education and no formal marketing training, I believed that I could really help these people.

That's were the journey begins. It always begins with a belief, a belief in yourself. (And perhaps a small measure of denial with visions of grandeur.)

Start there.