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Help a Soldier Out

July 16, 2010 by Trisha

Many of you have asked how you can help Rob and I, and I wanted to give you some ways that you can make a difference in a soldier’s life. 

Loneliness and isolation are feelings that are pervasive in the lives of deployed soldiers.  Separated by thousands of miles from their loved ones for months, or even a year at a time, with no common experiences to share, can weigh heavily on their psyche.  There are also thousands of men and women who have no support systems – no families to write them and send care packages. 

Fortunately, there are organizations that can help with this.  They connect deployed troops with people like you here at home in a pen-pal like arrangement.  I’d like to encourage you to take a moment, check them out, and see if it’s something you and your family would be interested in doing.

I have 2 organizations that I’ve worked with for years that I really like: Adopt A US Soldier and Soldiers Angels.  They are fully registered 501c3 non-profits, run by volunteers, and have been featured on several tv news programs.  If you choose to go with another org, just be careful.  Never give your money or credit card info to any organization that claims to send that money to our soldiers – no reputable charity will charge you to be a member.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • You can only ship via U.S. Postal mail.  The post office offers flat-rate boxes, and if you’re sending to a military base, they will discount the shipping rate.
  • Packages and envelopes can take anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks to arrive.  Keep this in mind when you decide what to send (chocolate WILL melt!).
  • If you are sending a care package, check with your soldier before sending homemade food to make sure they are comfortable with it.  Soldiers are advised not to eat homemade food from people they don’t know for safety reasons, so make sure you don’t waste your time.
  • Our troops are stationed in a number of different situations.  Some have free access to internet, and will be able to communicate with you frequently.  Others may never be able to write you back.  Please be understanding, and know that even though they may not be able to say it, your kindness is appreciated.
  • There is only as much cost associated with this as you choose.  While sending care packages with food, books, magazines, etc is always appreciated, what these men and women need most is just a connection, and a reminder that they have not been forgotten.  This can be done with just an email or letter once a week, or care packages at whatever size and frequency you wish. 

If you decide to adopt a soldier, and have questions or need ideas on what to send, feel free to ask me. 

I’ve been so fortunate to have so many people support Rob and I through the last few weeks.  Thank you seems a hollow expression to show my gratitude, but it’s all I have, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

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Protected: I’m tearin down your balcony

July 14, 2010 by Trisha

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Pure Michigan Adventure

July 13, 2010 by Trisha

One of the coolest parts of my job is the work I get to do with Pure Michigan.  I work on their email program, their blog, and I’m the voice behind their Twitter account.  It’s a great team to work with – these are people who really care about the work they’re doing, and have been willing to take some risks and push the envelope to succeed.

This summer, my role with Pure Michigan got even better.  I’ve been given the opportunity to attend some events around the state, and write about them.  Seriously – does it get better than that?

I thought I would share a few of the events I’m going to be at in the next month.  If you were planning on attending, let me know.  If not, I hope you’ll consider it.  Michigan is a pretty unique state, with so much to see, do, and explore. 

  • This weekend I’ll be joining the sailing celebration at two separate Pure Michigan events. 
    • On Saturday (7/17), I get to attend the Tall Ship Celebration in Bay City, MI.  This is a pretty cool event, and the biggest one in four years.  The magnificent Tall Ships will line both sides of the Saginaw River in downtown Bay City.  I’ve never made it to see the ships, so I’m pretty pumped to be able to do this.
    • Sunday and Monday (7/18-7/19) I’ll be on Mackinac Island, preparing to welcome the boats in the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race as they cross the finish line.  Not only do I get to spend a couple of days in one of my favorite places in the world, but I get to watch as these beautiful yachts sail in!
    • On July 26, I’ll be heading up Traverse City for the Traverse City Film Festival.  While I won’t be there for the entire week, I will be there for the opening party and film.  I’m so excited to be a part of this – it is quickly becoming one of the premiere film events in the country.  Also, I hear that Jeff Garlin and Larry Charles might be there.  As a huge Curb Your Enthusiasm fan, I can’t wait.  I’m going to have to control my fangirl energy.
    • And finally, I’ll be returning to Traverse City Friday, August 20 through Sunday, August 22 for the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival.  A weekend with friends, drinking fantastic Pure Michigan wine, AND a chance to see the talent of our local artists?  Come on – it doesn’t get better. 

I’ll be tweeting live from all of these events, and blogging afterwards, both here and on Pure Michigan Connect.  If you can’t make it, I hope you’ll follow me virtually on my adventures!

If you’re not familiar with the Pure Michigan campaign, or even if you are, here is my favorite Pure Michigan ad from this year (although this seems to change on a daily basis):

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The Echo Chamber

July 11, 2010 by Trisha

Last week, like much of the rest of the world, I tuned in to watch “The Decision”.  I didn’t want to – I wanted to be above it, but I wasn’t.  Sheer train wreck-like curiosity pulled me in. 

What disappointed me the most wasn’t the decision that was announced – it was the ridiculously masturbatory nature of the spectacle.  It was one big ego stroke for James.  The super-secret location, the hand-picked interviewer pitching soft-ball questions, the hour-long analysis of how great he is, and how his decision would change the future of basketball, and the multiple references to the “King”.  I think the thing that bothered me most, though, was how he defended his decision by telling us that he had to choose what made *him* happy.  Wait a minute, buddy – who are you playing this game for?

I don’t deny that he’s a great player, and one of the best the game has ever seen.  His talent is surpassed only by his ego.  I guess that’s what happens when you put a great talent in an echo chamber of yes-men and media that worship at his feet.  In that situation, it’s easy to forget who it is you’re working for, and why you do what you do.

That brought me around to thinking about my own world.  As a professional marketer, I’ve really enjoyed getting involved in networking groups, both online and in person.  I devote hours to reading others blogs, chatting with others on Twitter, following online chats, etc.  These have all helped me grow professionally – no doubt.  The people I talk with are insanely smart, fun, and creative, and have inspired me to try to step my game up. 

But I wonder if some are sitting in that same kind of echo chamber as King James.  We sit around, talking with each other, debating the minutiae of our work.  I see many who write to impress other bloggers, but never actually have an example of successful execution. 

I’m all for finding joy and passion in your work – I’ve certainly found it in mine, and I think it’s what separates good from great.  But I’m starting to feel like we’re forgetting about the rest of the world.  You know – the ones who use Facebook to keep up with their friends and share pictures of their kids?  The ones who don’t spend their days hyper-engaged and immersed in every tiny detail of every single social network?

I’ve learned that the people I respect the most in our industry (and in life) aren’t necessarily the best known.  They are the ones who are making things happen.  The ones who have real execution experience.  Those that have real stories to tell about real clients and companies that they have helped succeed.

I’m not leaving my networks behind – I learn a lot from them.  But I’m going to make an effort to step out of the echo chamber more often, and spend some time with the rest of the world.  I think it will make me better at helping my clients.

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Happy Independence Day

July 4, 2010 by Trisha

As we all celebrate with bbq’s, boats, fireworks, family and fun, I encourage each of you to take a moment to acknowledge what it is we are celebrating.

Land of the free, Home of the brave

We are so lucky to live in the United States, where we have freedoms that other places can only dream of.  Yes, we have our flaws and imperfections, but the American Dream is still alive and well.

So thank you to all who work to provide the blanket of freedom we all sleep under.  The cost is high – you have given your time, your heart, your energy.  Some have given much more – your health, your peace of mind, your life.  Thank you to the families and friends who support our soldiers, police officers, and firefighters – I know the sacrifice you make, and it isn’t always easy.

I asked Rob once if it bothered him that no one seemed to care about the war he was fighting in Iraq.  It bothered me that our country seemed so far removed from what our soldiers were going through.  His answer surprised me, and it’s something I’ll never forget.  He said that was exactly what he wanted – the freedom for Americans to live without fear of violence or war. 

Happy Birthday to the United States of America.  May freedom forever ring over our land.

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Nothing New Under The Sun

July 4, 2010 by Trisha

I’ve been kicking around a few ideas for a more business-focused blog post.  After all, I’m a professional marketer, someone who spends her days buried in the social media and email marketing worlds, so I must have something unique to say, right? Nope.

The truth is, there isn’t anything new to say on the marketing front.  We can all keep coming up with creative ways to say the same thing, but the bottom line is this:  The tools might be new, but concepts aren’t.

Be real.  Care about your consumers.  Act in their best interests.  Be honest.  Talk with them (not at them).  Admit your mistakes quickly, and make them right.  Push the envelope.  Take risks.  Acknowledge fear, then push it aside.  Remember who and what you’re working for.

You want a big secret revealed?  Here it is: being a great marketer isn’t different than being a great person.  If you remember what it takes to build relationships in your personal life, you can build the same kind of great relationships in your professional life.

We relate to authenticity.  All the time.  So be a real person.  Care.  Think.  Feel. 

Yes, there are more complicated things to consider.  But the bottom line is this:  If you do best by your consumers, they will do best by you. 

There isn’t much more to say than that.

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Protected: Active Gratitude

July 1, 2010 by Trisha

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Protected: Life Altering

June 30, 2010 by Trisha

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