Personal development - How to stand out from the crowd

I was looking around for a good quote about standing out in a crowd and i came accross this great article that lists a few essential habbits that you can form to help you diferentiate yourself from the mass. Reading thorugh it, i couldn't avoid analizing my own traits and evaluating whether i need to improve on any of them, or even pick up a new good habbit.

Charles Marcus' article outlines the following traits:
1.Make it a habit to follow-up with people promptly.
2.Take the time to respond to people who leave you messages.
3.When you are speaking to people, give them 100% of your attention (this is a good one!)
4.Send a hand written note or card to someone who has given you an order, or been helpful to you.
5.Acknowledge people - even if they didn't give an order or purchased your product
6.Get involved [wholehartedly] in that association or group in your personal or professional life.
7.Invest one hour a day, at least, in your own individual personal and professional development.
8.Stretch your comfort zone; do one new thing every day - even if you think you can't.

Read the entire article - go to http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Marcus3.html

International Forever Rally 2011 - Washington DC

There is a lot to be said about the power of the mob. I just came back from Washington DC where my husband and I met with our life-long friends and also  had the privilege of experiencing the incendiary atmosphere, motivational energy and empowering presentations put on by Forever Living Products, Intl.

People from 220 countries - distributors, managers, directors and friends of FOREVER - came to Washington this year to share their experiences, positive attitude, knowledge and motivation with everybody else. Brazil was substantially represented, as it recorded the largest sales volume in the past year. But the African countries delegations got my attention, with their beautiful costumes, their joix de vivre and their applauded achievements.


My friends from Romania were also nothing less of impressive. Special kudos to my favorite people ever - Mary and Danny - who are amazing friends, fun party-ers and dedicated professionals. Their team spirit and friendliness made even the team from Japan cheer them while on stage being recognized for their accomplishments.

It's a beautiful thing to experience a world-wide mob of over 7000 people in one space celebrating in one voice all the good things that come with being part of the big FOREVER family. What a great business to be in! They work hard, no doubt about that, but they definitely play hard too!

And the slogan was... Be Free, Forever!

To learn more about Forever Living Products visit http://ForeverHealthyUSA, call: 502.619.3055 or email: c21laura@yahoo.com.

L:D

Makedonsko Devojce

For those who have not listened yet to my second YouTube song, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5isNjew_RF0

Vanja Buric plays guitar (rythm and electric)
I sing main and second voice.
The song is in Makedonian language, which I know from years ago.

The processing is minimum to none, but I like it! we had good feedback from Sarajevo, Bosnia and from Makedonia.

I hope you will enjoy our song as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

Laura :D

Video Testimonials

Another good sample of video testimonials comes from a design institute (RISD) Web viewbook. The tone, attitude and the overall feel of the message (and the way they are directed/ produced) is great - positive, natural, honest.

Students and faculty can easily produce this type of testimonials - a little preparation goes a long way: prepare few main ideas, or if necessary write a brief script for the subject; set up the recording in a quite room, in the cafeteria, outside in front of the school, or anywhere else as appropriate.

Be aware of those "negative" sounds and images, such as screaming in the background, loud trains going by, loud church bells, people fighting or cussing around the subject, etc. (you get the idea...).

Emphasize the main benefits of the program/product/service, share personal impressions and invite the prospects to make the step forward and apply/enroll/make the purchase.

http://www.risd.edu/undergraduate/Default.aspx (click on View Videos)

If you have other samples worth sharing, please post.

L:D

Video Testimonial Sample link

In support of my previous post, I am listing one of the best video testimonials we came across recently -http://www.peddie.org/InteractiveTour/index.html.

You can click around and see a video of all people involved in producing this testimonial.
I'm not saying that all schools or businesses should take this road of a supper extensive video, but if you can post some impressions from your customers and students, parents and faculty, you will be in a very good shape.

Student and faculty testimonials

In many cases, colleges and universities forget to bank on a very precious asset - their current students and alumni.

My top advice (and most simple tactic): collect testimonials from students and graduates (even from prospects) as well as from faculty and staff and use them in print materials and in web content (web site, landing pages, email ads, etc.)

This tactic is not only fun to implement but is also FREE - and who doesn't like the sound of that word?

So, dust off your video camera and get to work - the quality doesn't have to be studio-like and you don't need to process it or enhance it. The standards today have lowered considerably when it comes to video testimonials posted on the Web.

All it matters is the message and the emotion it transmits - happy students talking about their experience, success and dreams it's all you need.
L:D

Marketing with Web 2.0

Web 2.0 for Online Degree Programs Marketing
I am opening this post to anybody involved in higher education who is wondering how the Web (and Web 2.o) can be used in increasing enrollments. Post your question here.