Yes, that’s a challenge.

I have made a commitment to blog more often. One reason, of course, is for all the reasons we’ve been telling you to start or be actively blogging… become a trusted resource on your industry, it’s great SEO (Search Engine Optimization), develop a conversation around your industry, product or service, cause, or personality. To be honest I have many of the same limiting beliefs as most of you. What do I write about and who actually wants to read what I have to say. Well, I guess we’ll find out! I know what you’re thinking “but you give hands-on workshops on blogging“? The brains and brawn of that division of Core Zero is Eric. He is an absolutely beautiful writer and speaker. Listen, I know my strengths and I am all too aware of my weaknesses but I am teachable. And so are you which is the point of this experiment. You know how much we love our experiments!

First, I will tell you what my qualifications are so that you will want to follow EVERYTHING I have to say… there are none! Well, mostly none, but that is exactly why you are going to want to follow my blog posts.

I am an artist. I enjoy holing up in my studio and not having contact with the outside world for long periods of time. I call it “catching a groove”. When I’m in it, don’t bother me. Just ask my family. They all know what it means when I tell them to “pretend that I’m not here”. I am NOT a writer! I have no idea where to put comma’s (as I’m sure you have already noticed) I just start putting them wherever I think it looks good or where I would naturally take a breath while speaking. I also write like a speak so grammar is right out the window. I am thankful for spell check. Use it, it’s your best friend (read about my other new best friends) but don’t get too hung up on the occasional spelling error, it’s not that big of a deal. My only advice is that you try to know the difference between words like there, their, they’re, here and hear, and when to use desert and dessert as we all know that dessert is the most important meal of the day.

So what are some of the things I’m going to write about? Hmmm, good question I’m still not sure but my guess is that I will be sharing what it’s like to “be” in our office. Maybe a little about the musings of working with your spouse, and hopefully some helpful tips on getting YOU started/inspired/off your duff to create your own blog.

The gauntlet has been dropped!

Well, July is almost over and I’ve neglected to post on a couple of great events we’ve been a part of this month.

First, on July 7, 2010, Eric Bryant had the honor of doing a special breakout session on Social Media for Maine Successful Thinkers and on July 22, 2010 Core Zero Creative hosted a face-to-face networking event at Margarita’s in Auburn, Maine with guest speaker Debra Ann St. Hilaire of Menda-A-Body. Both events were well attended and many great connections were made.

Jeff Ball of Maine Successful Thinkers and Debra Ann St. Hilaire of Mend-A-Body are both exceptional people and business owners with the highest integrity! We are honored to have been paired with them during these events and pray many blessings on their endeavors.

Hang around these two, take lessons, and pick their brains if you want to know how to be successful.

Today we had our first Social Media Lunch & Learn at Margarita’s in Auburn, Maine. Everyone brought their questions, concerns, and gave great input. Margarita’s served a great lunch and as usual, great service.

We talked about concerns regarding time management, the differences between the different platforms, and what you should be doing online. The participants have given a lot of positive feedback.

Thanks for the Lunch & Learn on July 6 at Margarita’s. Your presentation was clear and informative. Thanks for answering questions in a way I could easily understand and will be able to use the information immediately. I’m looking forward to future lunches.

Freddie Collins
Next Level Business Coaching

We are so pleased with the turn out and are really looking forward to future Social Media Lunch & Learns.

On November 7 at the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce AND available through Webinar, Core Zero Creative will be presenting workshops on various topics.  In the morning session we will show you the value of developing your social media presence through some of the top social media sites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Blogging. Then Tony Crawford from Weeple, Inc. will present Appreciation Marketing™ where he will also show you how to “Be Remembered, Recognized, and Raved About”!

The afternoon session is a 3 hour hands-on workshop on Blogging using the WordPress platform.  Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one!

Available Dates

Register Here

Core Zero Creative announces that each of our Social Media Marketing Workshop Series are now available by Webinar!

Can’t make it on a Saturday?  Live too far away? Have to stay at the office? Would rather stay in your jammies by the fire?  NO PROBLEM!  You can still attend all of our fantastic, informative workshops and learn to make quality contacts, get more referrals, and use your social marketing efforts efficiently and profitably.

Register for our next seminar and let us know you would like to attend through our webinar interface.

Date: October 17, 2009
Start Time: 9:00
End Time: 12:00
Location: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
Register here
Description: The content has the potential to literally launch your business (and profitability) by showing you how to get started building a Social Media Presence. Not only on the Internet, but also in your day-to-day interactions with customers, clients, and prospects. Businesses using Social Media Marketing and Appreciation Marketing are seeing astronomical increases in customer retention, repeat business, and referrals and I’ve designed a 3 hour seminar that jump starts you in both areas.

The seminar covers two major topics: Social Media Marketing and Appreciation Marketing. Social Media Marketing is the act of using social influencers, social media platforms, and online communities for marketing, publication relations, and customer service. Social Media Marketing tools include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogs, Digg, Delicious, and hundreds more.

Appreciation Marketing is in and of itself as powerful as Social Media Marketing. It’s about being fresh, creative, and unpredictable in a positive way. You separate yourself from the masses when you take the time to communicate something personal or memorable to a client or prospect. Appreciation Marketing is the act of building someone else up. It’s about standing out from the crowd, being different, being amazing, and making someone’s day. I’ve also got a great digital new-school twist on an old-school marketing technique for you.

Upcoming Dates: Check our website for other available dates.

Registration Info: The seminar fee is $49 payable to Core Zero Creative. Advance registration is required.

If you have any questions at all please contact us at 207-212-2432 or send email for more info and for available dates and times.

Presented by Eric Bryant – Core Zero Creative

Date: October 17, 2009
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 4:00
Location: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
Register here

The Core Zero Creative Social Media Marketing series continues with an in-depth hands-on workshop on using Facebook as a Social Media Marketing platform to brand and build your business. This is a hands-on workshop with plenty of lab time, so bring your wireless notebook. You’ll create and develop your Facebook page, and learn how to use Facebook to find new prospects and communicate quickly and effectively with your current customers and clients.

You’ll learn about Facebook groups, fan pages, events, photos, and tagging. Here are a few topics that will be addressed:

• Who is using Facebook?
• What can you find on Facebook?
• Why are people using Facebook?
• What kinds of third-party programs can you add?
• What are advertisers doing there?
• Who else is joining the Facebook network?
• What groups are now on Facebook?
• Why is Facebook so popular for sharing photos?
• How do you find old friends and new colleagues?

You’ll also learn about free third party tools that greatly expand your reach and save you time, too. There will be plenty of power tips, tricks, and traps to watch out for, and a few Facebook success stories as well!

Upcoming Dates: Check our website for other available dates.

Registration Info: The seminar fee is $49 payable to Core Zero Creative. Advance registration is required.

If you have any questions at all please contact us at 207-212-2432 or send email for more info and for available dates and times.

Presented by Eric Bryant – Core Zero Creative

Date: September 26, 2009
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 4:00
Location: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce

The Core Zero Creative Social Media Marketing series continues with an in-depth hands-on workshop on using LinkedIn as a Social Media Marketing platform to brand and build your business. This is a hands-on workshop with plenty of lab time, so bring your wireless notebook. You’ll create and develop your LinkedIn profile, learn how to make connections, get referrals, profile your company, and even add your resume. LinkedIn is a very powerful tool for finding new prospects and business partners.

You’ll learn how to:

Build a profile that attracts attention and builds personal brand.

Add recommendations to your Profile that enhance your brand and reputation.

Customize your LinkedIn experience by adjusting your account settings.

Manage your privacy to control who sees your profile and connections.

Stay in touch with your network.

Share your status and track the activities of those in your network.

You’ll also learn about what matters most, common mistakes made, and free third party tools that greatly expand your reach and save you time, too. There will be plenty of power tips, tricks, and traps to watch out for, and a few LinkedIn success stories as well!

Who Should Attend: Small Business Owners and their Advertising and Marketing Staff, Sales Professionals, Consultants of all kinds, Business Development Staff, Editorial Staff, Online Marketing Directors, PR Directors & Support Staff, Customer Service Managers, Community Managers, Account Managers, and Creative Services Team Members.

Participation: This event is casual, so please dress comfortably. Bring a notebook computer to do the lab work. Wireless internet access is available. Though a notebook computer is not required, you’ll want one to get the most value from this workshop.

Upcoming Dates: Check our website for other available dates.

Registration Info: The seminar fee is $49 payable to Core Zero Creative. Advance registration is required.

If you have any questions at all please contact us at 207-212-2432 or send email for more info and for available dates and times.

Presented by Eric Bryant – Core Zero Creative

Date: September 26, 2009
Start Time: 9:00
End Time: 12:00
Location: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
Register here
Description: The content has the potential to literally launch your business (and profitability) by showing you how to get started building a Social Media Presence. Not only on the Internet, but also in your day-to-day interactions with customers, clients, and prospects. Businesses using Social Media Marketing and Appreciation Marketing are seeing astronomical increases in customer retention, repeat business, and referrals and I’ve designed a 3 hour seminar that jump starts you in both areas.

The seminar covers two major topics: Social Media Marketing and Appreciation Marketing. Social Media Marketing is the act of using social influencers, social media platforms, and online communities for marketing, publication relations, and customer service. Social Media Marketing tools include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogs, Digg, Delicious, and hundreds more.

Appreciation Marketing is in and of itself as powerful as Social Media Marketing. It’s about being fresh, creative, and unpredictable in a positive way. You separate yourself from the masses when you take the time to communicate something personal or memorable to a client or prospect. Appreciation Marketing is the act of building someone else up. It’s about standing out from the crowd, being different, being amazing, and making someone’s day. I’ve also got a great digital new-school twist on an old-school marketing technique for you.

Upcoming Dates: Check our website for other available dates.

Registration Info: The seminar fee is $49 payable to Core Zero Creative. Advance registration is required.

If you have any questions at all please contact us at 207-212-2432 or send email for more info and for available dates and times.

Presented by Eric Bryant – Core Zero Creative

The Core Zero Creative Social Media Marketing series continues with an in-depth hands-on workshop on using Twitter as a Social Media Marketing platform to brand and build your business. This is a hands-on workshop with plenty of lab time, so bring your wireless notebook. You’ll create and develop your Twitter profile, and learn how to use Twitter to interact with Web 2.0 social sites to find new prospects and keep your current clients close.

Every day, millions of people use Twitter to create, discover and share ideas with others. Now, people are turning to Twitter as an effective way to reach out to businesses, too. From local stores to big brands, and from brick-and-mortar to internet-based or service sector, people are finding great value in the connections they make with businesses on Twitter.

As a business, you can use it to quickly share information with people interested in your company, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and other people who care about your company. As an individual user, you can use Twitter to tell a company (or anyone else) that you’ve had a great–or disappointing–experience with their business, offer product ideas, and learn about great offers.

In addition to learning how to use Twitter effectively, you’ll also learn about free third party tools that greatly expand your reach and save you time, too. There will be plenty of power tips, tricks, and traps to watch out for, and a few Twitter success stories as well! The workshop runs from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce office at 415 Lisbon St, in Lewiston, ME, and the fee is $49. Advanced Registration required. Call 207-212-2432 for more information.

Core Zero Creative is a Maine Website Design and Internet Marketing firm delivering cutting-edge websites that bring your company and brand to life on the internet.