By Karen Post, on March 16, 2011

Preparing for a far away trip can be challenging. Karen Post and the Oddpodz team learn how to take a stressful situation and turn it into an achievement. If you missed last weeks wrap up, click here.

1 – Sponge Bob would be proud of me. I’m soaking up stuff at a very high speed. Traveling is only part of the adventure.
2 – Ouch! Global travel can hurt. How to manage your health on the road. An education on why to take extra precautions.
3 – Why being in the right state is critical. And I’m not talking about Florida. What happens when goofy thoughts enter your brain.
4 – How to reduce the sting in charging service fees. Being nickel and dimed may turn out to be a valued convenience.
5 – 18 steps toward stress-free, fast-lane, more fun and darn good writing. Tips that will make you want to dump your notes.

Be sure to also check out:
Are you brand battle ready at the frontline?
Top 10 best brand stories
How two websites almost killed a baby

By Karen Post, on February 8, 2011

Starting this week, we are providing a weekly wrap up email from Karen Post’s Oddpodz blogs on marketing, branding and entrepreneurial matters. In case your week went flying by, here is what you’ve missed from:

1 – 2nd chance. 2nd book cover. 2nd wind. When something does not work the first time, don’t give up – just give it another shot.

2 – If you have ever tried calling internationally, then you will relate to Global phone mess – a lesson in assumption and learn why you should always plan ahead.

3 – Can a good tease convert, engage and conquer customers? We think so. Learn how to get attention from your market, before you give them all the goods.

4 – In 5 Super Bowlicious marketing practices for any size business, discover the trends and how to apply big game marketing strategies to your own business.

5 – In How to make achievements a national holiday, learn 5 ways to turn your achievements into a holiday and why it’s important to celebrate them.

6 – Don’t even think about calling me a senior or reminding me that I’m over 40 is a reminder that marketing towards the young boomers has changed.

7 – Have you learned How to juggle multiple projects and keep your cool? If not, here are two approaches that can help.

Too much email, but still want easy access to the content for from Oddpodz the place for creative-minded entrepreneurs? Then, sign up for the RSS feed and read via a feeder or in your web browser.

And thanks for your continued interest and support!

By Karen Post, on January 19, 2011

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the deluge of email newsletters and blog updates? I was until I started using a RSS feed reader. I use Google‘s, but there are many that will do the trick. See the link below for the detailed skinny. Many browsers, like Fire Fox also let you build your list of favorite sources and view the titles as they syndicate. These are called live bookmarks.

RSS (Real Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) solves a problem for people who regularly use the web. It allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites you are interested in. You save time by not needing to visit each site individually. You ensure your privacy, by not needing to join each site’s email newsletter.

Oddpodz has a feeds for all 3 blogs as do most all content rich sites. Just click on the orange icons and you are ready to read without having to schlep through 50 million ezines.

Everything you need to know about RSS feeds
By using a feed reader
By using a browser like live bookmarks in Fire Fox

Also, check out: How much is too much email?

By Karen Post, on January 17, 2011

Need to know something important? And get some feedback on a critical project?
Getting the best advice on anything is always a tricky task. Many of us gravitate to asking our friends. This is generally not wise and a big waste of time.

• Your friends hopefully like you, so they will say nice things about you.
• Your friends are also often not experts in what you are asking them for advice on.
• And free advice is also often aligned with quality (you get what you pay for).

A couple of weeks ago I was wrapping up a very important book proposal. This was a second chance to score with a big publisher. My first submission was kicked back (with important publisher/editor suggestions) that I needed to add or change. I knew it was now or never. While I felt good about my revised draft, I was not willing to risk the result (or my investment to date over 100 hours) without running it by a proven expert.

I remembered a coach I had worked with in the past who had written some books with this same publisher that I was having dialogue with through my agent. I shot him an email, explained the situation. He agreed to provide a read through and some counsel for $1000. In making my decision, I looked at what this book deal was worth to me, certainly that figure times at least a 100 times, and I knew this consultant/expert had the experience I needed with this publisher and many publishers.

So I fired off my draft with an email summarizing many things that I thought were important for the consultant to know. He fired back a short email. “Karen, you need to be more concise in your emails, I don’t need all of that. And your first draft gets a C”. He also provided very concise bullet points on what I needed to improve.

Our subsequent conversations were also very direct, no sweet candy coating, in fact, they were Sergeant-like blunt.

I got to work. I didn’t get emotional about him not blowing sunshine up my skirt or feeding my ego, which my friends would have done if I asked them for feedback.

After 8 intense days of focus and reworking my proposal, following my consultants advice, I sent him back the new draft.

This time he responded, “Excellent! Well written. Fascinating chapter angles. This is ready to send to the publisher”. The consultant also offered to write my forward and any testimonials. WOW! This consultant has written 30 titles in 9 languages. That said a lot.

Was it a joy and pleasure working with this very smart dude? NO. It was not like paling with my buddies.

Did his contribution significantly increase my work product value and the likelihood of me winning a great contract. Oh YES!

For more advice, check out: Mind freeze, is there a fast way to thaw your thoughts?

By Karen Post, on January 10, 2011

Off to a mondo start for the New Year, we hope these stories add to your life and success.

1 – In 3 gifts that should be on everyone’s holiday wish list, Karen mentions three entrepreneurial qualities that will help any business owner to move forward. If you have not offered yourself anything during this holiday season, it is now time to make it up with (a) intention, (b) empathy and (c) confidence. Karen lets us know why this combo will make you a successful entrepreneur here.

2 – In How to turn competition into sales, Karen explains a mantra that we have all been hearing in business: “Competition is good!”. In this article, she shares one of her experiences listing three tips that will help you to make allies out of your current competitors. Read how to use competition for your business’ sake here.

3 – In Entrepreneur Corner features Karen Post on branding your small business, Karen invites us to listen to the Entrepreneur Corner online show hosted by her friend Lisa Malloy on January the 10th. The show can be seen here. Karen and Lisa will bring their expertise on branding development during half an hour. Check the program of the show here.

4 – In Step up your progress, passion and perspective, Karen wraps up 2010 by listing several moments that made her year a success. But, as usual, she also gives us the takeaway lessons that she learned on the way. Check out the Karen’s lessons of 2010 here.

5 – In How I earned the #1 spot on Google, Karen talks about the one thing every entrepreneur wants for their business: Get top ranked in Google search. Thanks to different tasks based on keywords, content publishing and tags, the Branding Diva made it to the top for the “branding speaker” search.

6 – What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word ‘price’? In Mystery of pricing exposed. How much would you pay to look smarter? Karen Post talks about a fabulous new book she recently read that will get you thinking about how critical and motivating prices in our lives really are. To read more about this book, and to read Karen’s review, click here.

Check out the ta-do list and follow the same path here! And congrats Karen!

By Karen Post, on January 3, 2011

2010 was an amazing year for me. I had a killer year – revenues rocked, I grew my mental capacity, along with my waistline, and I learned a bunch of new skills.

All were positive as they added and challenged my adventure, bottom line and awareness journey. Here’s my recap and what I took away.

Most meaningful moments
1) When I witnessed the BP explosion flying to Baton Rouge, LA for a meeting.
Takeaway-Life is short and at any given moment it can change.

2) When my mom watched me play tennis for the first time and I won. I’ve been playing for ten years.
Takeaway-Even when you are 50, parent’s involvement still matter.

Proudest moments
1) When I discovered I was the #1 Google search for branding speaker.
Takeaway- Content writing has value.

2) When I lead the launch of a global green brand called Earthwise.
Takeaway-Branding, Twitter and hard work payoff.

3) The progress we made on Oddpodz.
Takeaway-If something is a long tail venture, do the best you can, keep pushing, keep learning and don’t give up.

4) I scored over 25 major media new stories (FOX over 10 times, NY Times, Forbes, Miami Herald).
Takeaway-You must be assertive, reach out to the media often, with newsworthy ideas, and then do an awesome job adding to their show, whether it’s print, TV, radio or online.

Best business changes
1) Hired my sister to manage my books.
Takeaway- How did I ever do it without her? This business relationship has strengthened our bond and drastically reduced my tax challenges.

2) Invested in expert coaching.
Takeaway-When you fly a company with a small, virtual team, you need professional, high-level paid sounding boards. Asking friends and business colleagues who like you will slow down your progress.

3) Getting rid of my big office.
Takeaway-I’m not an office girl. I’m most productive when I work in my cave, on the street and by my rules.

Biggest lessons
1) Email is not the best way to communicate.
Takeaway- If you put it in writing it can live on and bit you back.

2) Hiring great people takes time, testing and more testing.
Takeaway-Hiring great people takes time, testing and more testing.

Things I still don’t understand
1) How the Gap could have launched such as ugly, new logo.
Takeaway- Even big companies do really stupid things.

2) Why Brett Farve took so long to retire and is such a public cry baby.
Takeaway-There’s a lot I don’t know, especially about guys.

2) Why Tony Robbin’s Show got canceled and The Jersey Shore is breaking rating records.
Takeaway-A lot of people will buy things I would not.

Coolest things
1) Toking oxygen and drinking champagne at the St Regis Spa in Aspen.
Takeaway- Money is not the end all, but sure pays for some crazy fun.

2) Going to see Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in NYC and Second City in Chicago.
Takeaway-Comedy is as important as food, my bed and black shoes.

3)  Hanging out with a hot former Russian hockey player & slamming shots of horseradish-infused vodka  while enjoying crepes and caviar was quite the fun night. And best part of it is – I’m here and he’s way over there.
Takeaway-Simple, random and kind of crazy encounters with no expectations are pretty amazing moments in life. I’m keeping my eyes open for more.

NEXT YEAR I’ve got my eyes on a few new adventures too.

I’d like to attend the American Music Awards, Saturday Night Live or Fashion Week in NY.

I like to have a major new book under my belt.

And meet any of these inspiring folks and have a coffee, like Lady GaGA, Tony Robbins, Michael Phelps or Richard Branson.

I’d also like to be featured in the Wall Street Journal.

How was your year? And what’s next for you to step up your success?!

Don’t forget to check out: Leadership = the quality of your presence.

By Karen Post, on December 27, 2010

Last Oddpodz wrap-up of 2010! The O-Team wishes you happy holidays and hopes 2011 will bring you much joy and success.

1 – In Mind freeze, is there a fast way to thaw your thoughts? , Karen shows us the extent to which procrastination hit her during one weekend. For those who know Karen, this doesn’t sound like her. But hey! We all have our ups and downs and it’s okay. What really matters is our ability to always challenge ourselves to find new efficient ways to beat procrastination. Karen also gives us an insightful source that I advice you to check out. Read Karen’s article here.

2 – Yeah we all have ups and downs, and in Tiger Woods and other Monday morning losers, Karen gives her 7 insights to get through an unsuccessful period for whatever you are doing. Read Karen’s 7 steps to be a winner here.

3 – In Can a monkey make our mail better? , Oddpodz switches email services to Mailchimp from Feedblitz. Is this tool the best solution? Karen talks about why the company changed, new features and challenges. Read email story here.

4 -In Trading your time for money is a mind set you can no longer afford, Thomson Dawson shares his point of view concerning a matter that we all meet in our business: time. He argues the fact that in the society we live in, getting paid on a timely basis is no longer what needs to be done. It is now all about the value you add to your customers’ business and the level of satisfaction they get from it. Read Thomson’s ideas here.

5 – In Do you have what it takes to be an unstoppable entrepreneur?, Karen becomes a box office critique. Her entrepreneurial lifestyle got energized with a movie break. Karen gives us the take-away advices she brought back from the viewing of Unstoppable (With Denzel Washington and Chris Pine) and her thoughts on Love and other Drugs. Check Karen’s few entrepreneurial-minded thoughts here.

7 – In If you are going to tweet, why not make it really sweet, Lauren Angrick lists 5 tools which help your business to manage its twitter account and followers. FriendOrFollow, Twitoria, WeFollow, Twellow and Just Tweet it all get Lauren’s thumbs up. Read Lauren’s reviews here.

6 – In Coupons, Groupon and gambling with a brand, the Diva is back and we love that! Karen hits strongly and tells us why she is not a coupon fan. According to her, if you are peddling a premium product or service, couponing can hurt a brand. However, she also understands that the world is made up of many diverse market segments and a discount play can work for some offerings. Also check out her thoughts on Groupon, this startup which deny Google’s $ 6 billion offer here

8 -In Inspiration and gratitude from 30,000 feet, Karen shares her experiences from a week in the Big Apple. NYC is such a source of inspiration for any entrepreneur and KP filled up the box of ideas and kept us updated on what’s hot in Manhattan! Thanks to Google’s holiday gift, this article was sent from the sky via FREE Internet service to all on her flight, check it out here!

9 – In Hitting the streets in NYC, flavors, history and tired feet, Karen shares her journey from the streets, food tours, dining and marketing. Have a bite of the Big Apple experience here.

10 – In What Jimmy Fallon taught me about marketing, Karen tells us the insight she got from attending NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show. From customer service, to enhancing the brand experience to how humor feels good and should be incorporated in business. Great points to read and get inspiration from here.

11 – A weekday radio program geared towards small businesses invited Karen back to their show. View Small Business Advocate radio show to feature Karen Post to learn tips on how to retool, recraft and reinvent your venture and stay tuned for the posted radio segment here.

2010 was great year. We hope you gained as much as we did from our journey together. If there are specific things you’d like to learn about next year, please drop us a note.

By Karen Post, on December 14, 2010

Happy delayed Thanksgiving! After this holiday, the O-team keeps on giving- advices and freebies are on the menu. Here is what you’ve missed these pasts few weeks:

1 – In 3 Free Twitter account management tools, Lauren Angrick gives us three useful applications that will make your Twitter experience easier. TweetDeck, Hootsuite and CoTweet get Lauren’s attention, what gets yours? Check Lauren’s selection here.

2 – In Hiring a coach is a waste of money, unless you show up, Karen Post shares her experience on how to choose a good coach. We all have to go through periods of doubts. And at times, buying the services of a professional adds great value to your business. See what you have to look for in a coach according to Karen here.

3 – In 5 promotional ideas to earn serious visibility for your venture, Karen talks about visibility and the impacts it can have on your business. She lists 5 ideas that you will get inspiration from. Therefore, get inspired reading Karen’s post here.

4 – When having a Mind freeze, is there a fast way to thaw your thoughts? In this article, Karen Post wants to know! Her weekend procrastination gave her stress, guilt and an excellent read on high-level creative thinking. To read this article and more, click here.

5 – Can a monkey make our mail better? We think so! And hope you like our new look. Since Oddpodz decided to switch email services, we’d love to hear your feedback. Sign up here to see our new switch and you will also receive a free eBook. For more monkey business, click here.

We hope you enjoyed this content. Stay tuned.

By Karen Post, on October 25, 2010

These past two weeks our mantra has been Quality over Quantity. Here are 6 posts that deserve to be read for their insight.

1 – In Does what’s after the @ matter?, Joe Melle gives us his point of view about folks who use gmail or yahoo email accounts for business purpose. No doubt, make sure you do get a few@yourbusiness.com for your own sake. Joe tells you why. See Joe’s post here.

2 – In 6 surefire ways to use internal links to keep visitors longer and get noticed by search engine spiders,Lauren Angrick let us know about the power of internal links and how to give a second exposure to previous stories. Lauren tells you how to do it here.

3 – In Blending in is so yesterday: Stand-up, Brand-up!, our Branding Diva, Karen Post, gives away a precious piece of advice when it comes to marketing yourself: Be different. In her post, Karen challenges us to re-evaluate our business and to which extent it stands out from the competition. But that is not it! You will find a test to check how outstanding your business is and 26 tips to be and remain one of a kind! See Karen’s post here.

4 – In How much is too much email?, Karen Post asks a simple question and the debate is open. Let us know, what do you think is too much email? It’s also the opportunity for our CEO to let you know how Oddpodz is going to work from now on. See Karen’s post here.

5 – In How social media can generate sales. 5 avenues to new customers, Jocelyn Ring highlights the power of a social media strategy for a business. She gives us an example about how she became the fan of an online brand thanks to their social media orientation. Make sure you read Jocelyn’s post here.

6 – In 5 inspirational ideas and 2 revelations from an adventure to Chicago, Karen Post shares her pastweekend highlights with us. She writes about inspiring places in the Windy City while, at the same time, sharing her not-so-fun experiences. You won’t want to miss Karen’s post here.

Let us know, which insight has been the most helpful for you this week?

By Karen Post, on October 1, 2010

Honestly other than the first two, I’ve rarely  met a bug that I truly  liked.  I know some eat other things that are creepier than they are,  but I’ve just never been a big fan of any critter.  And the only reason ladybugs make my cut is someone once told me ladybugs were good luck and I believed them. Plus, Ladybugs are aesthetically interesting, great color, nice dots. in other words, ladybugs are a styling insect and they don’t gross me out. In fact, this year I created a global brand and the ladybudy is one of our prized brand assets. And if you are feeling like you need some luck, you may be in luck. When I was searching for a good image of a ladybug for this blog post, I discovered that Sears sells the live lucky ladybugs for $19.99.

And who doesn’t love a Volkswagen bug. Whether you fell in love with Herbie the Love Bug or you are like me, it was the first car you drove, after first being terrified by that thing they call a clutch.

Bed bugs seem to be all the media rage, showing up in cities across America without an invitation leaving their nasty mark in the minds and bodies of many.  I’ve actually seen more news coverage on those blood sucking pests than on some political candidates that may end up running our country. That’s a scary thought.

But here’s the bug that really got under my skin this week, the technology bug. Defined by many as an annoying malfunction that happens to your website  and that takes a bunch of time to correct. Time that you could be using on marketing and writing interesting and useful blogs. We had one of technology bugs this week. Ours was concerning our twitter icon in the blog posts and in our ezine. It was not properly tracking all the blue bird Twitter love we were getting from our readers and that bugged me a lot. (which we very much appreciate, keep retweeting!!). So until we got it fixed the ezine was not buzzing into your in box.

Thank you Bryan our great IT leader and Phil our Feedblitz master.

Sorry for the delay, next week we’ll be back on schedule.

To read about our new newsletter service, view: Can a monkey make our mail better?