Top 10 reasons to attend my session on becoming an email ninja at Blog Indiana

So I found out this week that my session at Blog Indiana is at the same time as Kyle Lacy’s social media presentation. When I found this out I was, of course, a little concerned. Sure, everyone needs help with their email and pretty much all of us want to lower our stress levels, but Kyle is an awesome speaker and even wrote the book on Twitter marketing. How can I compete with that?

I started to sweat a little. What if there are hundreds, even thousands (or millions!) of Blog Indiana attendees out there who are on the fence and not sure which session they want to attend at 4pm on Friday? Such a quandary! Such angst that must cause!

Well, please allow me to offer you some advice. Here is why I would humbly suggest you attend my session on email management.

10. Sure, you could read Getting Things Done and learn all the stuff you need but as good as that book is, it’s honestly really boring. Wouldn’t an hour with me be more fun?

9. Inbox Zero is endorsed by Lorraine Ball. She even requires that all of her employees learn it!

8. Sure, you could go to another awesome social media presentation by Kyle Lacy but honestly, don’t you already know everything about social media by now?

7. Think of how desirable you will be to your significant other with your new email skills. It’s way sexier than bow-hunting skills…

6. How often does someone email you just to say “did you get my email”? Enough said.

5. There will be ninjas in the room.

4. Because 5,732 messages in your inbox is not good for your liver. It’s true… look it up.

3. Think of how much more productive you will be at work with your new email management skills. You might even get that big promotion!

2. C’mon, does Kyle’s ego really need your help?

And the number one reason to attend “Inbox Zero: How to Become an Email Ninja” at Blog Indiana on Friday:

1. Look at your inbox. Now look at mine. Now back to your inbox. Now back to mine…

See you there!

The problem with uncertain times

It seems like I can’t get away from the phrase “uncertain times” or “uncertain economy”. I hear it consistently and read it in marketing content all the time.

I’m sure you’ve heard it… the ads that say things like “in this uncertain economy” or “in these uncertain times, you need blah blah blah…”

Here’s my problem with it: when have times been certain? When has the economy automatically ensured success for you? One thing I’m certain about is that there are no free rides, and for the most part success is the result of hard work.

Here are some things that are true about today’s marketplace:

  • Businesses must work very hard to survive and succeed
  • Prospects demand value and want to make good decisions with their money
  • Businesses must be smart about where they are spending money
  • Smart marketing is critical to find new clients and retain existing ones
  • Business should create efficient systems to ensure that they are operating smoothly
  • Customer service should be high priority

If you talk to someone about today’s “uncertain economy”, all of these things come up as solutions to fighting through it. However, is any of this different than it was 3 years ago? 10 years ago? Shouldn’t these things always be a priority?

I don’t consider any economy “certain”. Success still takes commitment, hard work, and a strong work ethic. I’d rather focus on those things than the uncertainty of the economy.

We shape our own futures. Where is your energy going?