Archive for the ‘*General Business & Social Media Articles’ Category

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What happened to IMPACT Radio Channel?

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

In 2010, I started a Blog Talk Radio Program.  It has been an incredible year.  I have interviewed many indivduals who are making lasting Impact on people’s lives.

This past Spring, I put the show on hiatus for a month or so to deal with a family tragedy.  During that time, I received several emails from my fans asking for transcripts of my previous shows.  While I did not offer transcripts of the shows, the thought occurred to me, my fans wanted transcripts not audio recordings.

After discussing ideas and insights with many others, I have made the decision to cease the radio show and will now conduct my interviews in print form.

What this means is that you will be able to read the interviews as a blog article on my website.  This provides you, my fans the opportunity to scan and re-read the information in the written interview and not have to listen to an entire segment.

Taking this information to a focus group was very well received.

Stay tuned – as I will be posting my first interview under the new article format and many more to come!

Thank you to all my wonderful Radio guests during my first year.  It was a pleasure and honor to get to know you and highlight your respective businesses.

If you know of a person or a business you believe is making a lasting Impact on the lives of others – please feel free to contact me for consideration.

 

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV

Half-Marathoner, Business Blogger, Public Speaker
~My Facebook Fan Page ~Follow Me on Twitter

Posted in - Social Media | Comments Off

“Who Knew?” (it would be Twitter)

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Last August, I wrote a blog about meeting one of my favorite TV personalities, Christopher Lowell (Interior Designer) if you have not read it – CLICK HERE

Since that time, it has been an incredible journey getting to my new friend (Christopher) and having the opportunity to work along side of his production team to see the launch of his high anticipated webseries, Ask Christopher

Is the webseries wonderful? If you have not watched it, please do and share with your friends!

As many of you know, I am part of the Social Media Management for Christopher Lowell.  I tweeted about him and on his behalf from his personal account @Clowell from Vegas World Market this past week.

I felt I would take this opportunity to address some of the questions I have received since Christopher had made the announcement that I am part of his team.

Those who follow Christopher on Twitter, it is not a secret that Christopher and I are friends.

What many have asked me in recent days is how did Christopher meet and how did it come about I would be a member of his team.

One word:  Twitter

Yes, the 140 character social media medium brought Christopher and I together.  But, not in the way you might think.  I found him on Twitter through his official website www.christopherlowell.com and followed his twitter account through there.  I was brought to his attention because we both have an autism connection.

When we first “met” – early Spring of 2010 – he had no idea my business backround and niche was Social Media and I never connected with him with the intent to find work with him.  Let me repeat, I never connected with him on the intent to gain business from him.

My expectations were zero

We struck up a simple 140 character connection – and as luck would have it, he came to the Vegas World Market in August and I had the chance to meet him and his staff.

We continued to be friends and along the way, he found out what my work was and it was a match for what he needed.

Do you see where I am going with this?

Twitter was a medium to meet a man and him to meet me.  We would of never met face to face.  It opened a door for conversation and chit chat.

Had I started to Pitch/Try to monetize my connection with him from the beginning.  As true as I am sitting here writing this blog, I can tell you – I know we would of never became friends.

Taking it from our cue – Social Media has one purpose and one purpose only.  To meet people you would not typically meet face-to-face.

I have other Social Media clients.  Some “get it” and some “don’t” – those who don’t get it, their businesses will be short lived and one is on the verge of folding.  Why?  Lack of acceptance and fully utilizing the Social Media medium to meet people.

It’s the relationship that matters, regardless if it adds to your bank account or your online credibility.  The measure of your credibility in life is the people who are a part of it.

I am blessed to have Christopher Lowell in my life, as many of his T-pals are grateful to be able to connect with him, too.  He is a friend to many off and online.

I am glad many of you enjoyed my tweets from @Clowell about his time at Vegas World Market.  Here are the pictures from that event CLICK HERE

Next time you connect with someone on Twitter.  Remember, there is a real person, with a real life behind that profile page.

If you don’t like to be “sold” – then don’t “sell” to someone else

You just never know you will meet on Twitter…

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and Host of IMPACT Radio Channel
-Follow Me on Twitter

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Editorial | The Truth is in the Middle

Monday, January 17th, 2011

The Truth is in the Middle

I have always believed that we are Black or White/Wrong vs Right

Make good choices – good things happen to you

Make bad choices – bad things happen to you

While it may be our desire to be more neutral – society and laws are not always that way

We either follow the laws or not

But I have learned that often the Truth is left up to one’s interpretation and value system

What concerns me is that people often believe what they hear to be TRUTH – when in fact; they were not involved in the situation.

We may think we KNOW the facts, when In fact we don’t

Unless you were THERE

Unless you SAW

Unless you HEARD

You do not KNOW

End of Subject

Doesn’t matter who told you (and they were THERE) – doesn’t matter what they say they SAW or HEARD – YOU were not there and believing the Report of another person leaves it open to self-interpretation

Interpretations are not facts

Interpretations are are just that – interpreting their point of view from their point of value system

So – before you hurdle out more gossip because you received an email “that you know must be true – just look at who sent it, they would never lie!”

Or receive a phone call from what you believe is a truth worthy source –

Think again

What’s the purpose of those so-called trustworthy sources telling you such things?

What do they hope to gain?

What do they hope to accomplish?

I say those who establish themselves as “authorities” in situations they know nothing about are nothing short of gossips, blabbers and immature tongue flappers.

I receive countless emails and phone calls claiming to tell me some juice tidbit about a company, a person a product or whatever.  I don’t open the emails to read them and I don’t return those calls.

I will not wallow in someone else’s situation so I can be the Office Gossip and appear to be an authority

There are always three sides to every story:

Yours

Theirs

And then somewhere in the middle, is the Truth

“He who is without sin – should cast the first stone”

Surely, as I sit here – those who choose to hurdle to others – you will be the next one on the chopping block – and then you can watch how others (who you thought were your trusted friends) will gossip about you

For me, I support my friends and know they have made mistakes, as I have made many mistakes myself

I prefer to keep my opinions to myself

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker & Host of IMPACT Radio Channel
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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By the Hour or Expertise? | How do you pay?

Friday, January 14th, 2011

I received a thought provoking email message today

“How much do you charge an hour for Social Media Consulting?”

For some reason, a vision of a McDonald’s or my first clerical job popped into my head, where I did get paid by the hour

Now, don’t take me wrong – I realize it IS common practice to pay an employee by the hour.  I have done it several times – but…

Would you pay by the hour or for someone’s knowledge and expertise?  For me, I would rather pay on expertise and their contribution to the project or team

Is this how we have placed value on other people’s work?  What about the countless people who are volunteering their skills to help out an organization?  Don’t they provide value?

Does paying (or charging by the hour) provide you with assurance you will receive the best advise during those few hours?  It doesn’t.

For me, and I challenge you to think differently for a moment (I know I am) – what is more important to you if you are going to hire a freelance worker?

Their time or their expertise?


For me – I want their expertise and skills.

I have been in Marketing for over 30 years – been working with the Internet and Social Media since it’s inception.  You can’t put an hourly rate on decades of experiences.

If you hired a web designer for $25/hour and it took them 4 hours to fix your website, but then you had to go back and have them fix it as they didn’t not fulfill their work within the job’s perimeters.  Then, you are charged more money PER HOUR.  You see where I am getting?

I believe a business person’s value is not based on the amount of hours – but their knowledge.  You pay for a college education – they why not hire someone based on their expertise, when in fact – you are also learning.

Hire someone based on their expertise, not their $ by the hour

My reply to the original email message?

“I do not charge by the hour, as it takes many hours to fulfill projects.  What you pay for is my expertise to be able to assist you in achieving your goals.  By charging you by the hour, will only escalate my fee”

Sound fair enough?

What do you look for in a freelancer?
____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker & Host of IMPACT Radio Channel
-My Facebook Fan Page   -Follow Me on Twitter

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Editorial: Is Your Business on Life Support? | (Time to Change)

Monday, December 13th, 2010

As a 30 year veteran of Direct Sales/Network Marketing/MLM – I have observed and also involved in the up and down of the business.

Well, let’s face it – what business has not had it’s up’s and down’s.  MLM industry is no exception.

There are many who believe that MLM’s are “mumbo jumbo” – “scams” – “ponzi schemes”

Before I continue to share with why I wrote this article – please allow me to address the accusations that are often hurdled at this industry

1.        It is not a scheme.  Keep in mind – Bernie Madoff, WorldComm, Enron and Banks scammed and schemed people.  While any industry will have it’s share of crooks and liars – my industry did not cause the Recession.

2.       Whether you believe it or not – each and every company has “multi-levels”.  All Corporate jobs have one President and a WHOLE bunch of employees underneath.

3.       Not all individuals in this business are scammers, liars or “sales people”.  Some of my long standing and honest friends I have met through this business.  The mistakes of some are not a reflection of the masses who are working hard to build a business to take care of their families

So, why do I say that MLM’s are on Life Support?

The intent of MLM’s is to promote/sell products to be sold face-to-face and if you wish, build a team to do the same.  The intent was NEVER “just build a team and don’t worry about the products”

Unfortunately, there are many who have worked diligently to build business teams and forget that a product or service must be sold in order to make a profit.

Many have forgotten the value of face-2-face or phone connections

Many have forgotten that “Internet Marketing” is only a tool to help you meet other people.  It is not a business unto itself.

The joy of meeting other people has faded away to many

The joy of receiving the phone calls to hear from a happy customer who enjoy what you offer – has faded away

The joy of knowing you provide a quality product, has faded away

Instead, by sure greed of many (but not ALL) – they focus on the temporary rewards of whatever the company is offering and not about what they can offer their future clients.

I still remember the first (but not the last) phone call I received praising the benefits of my company’s product.  I can’t remember my first commission check.

I still remember the first phone call I received where a woman was crying to tell me how my company products changed her life.

What do YOU remember from your MLM business?  If you only remember the fancy prizes (many, I have received – btw) and not the lives that you have helped in a physical way (not financial) – you missed the mark of what you should be doing.

For that – I believe the true purpose of MLM is dying.  And I am so sad.

And who is killing MLM’s?  The Internet

Yes, Charlene Ragsdale – who is a Internet maniac and Twitter-aholic is saying that the internet is killing the industry.

Instead of using it as a tool to meet people (you typically would not meet face-2-face) it is now a tool (aka EXCUSE) to send out worthless links and overload people with information to “join me, you can be rich!” attitude.

Oh come on now…we all have seen it and done it.

We all have been wrong in our thinking and it must stop.

Your job as a Network Marketing is to share your products.  Share your products and you will build your team, organically and authentically.  Share your Biz Opp and you get just that – a bunch of Biz Opp people who are hopping from one company to the next.   So much for building a business, huh?

Share your product and you have a team and also customers who are committed to what you can offer.

Brand loyalty is not about a Biz Opp, but a product.

Are you making the decision to take your business off of life support?

Keep at it and you will have to made the decision to kill your own business.

I built my businesses by sharing my product.  I am not the least bit concerned about anyone joining my team, I didn’t want to have “Professional Marketers” on my Team.  What is my focus? To enrich people’s lives with health and a better quality of life.  It’s been my focus since 2008 and it stays that way.

I am not ready for a funeral, are you?

What about you? Will I read about your business in the Obituaries or will you be in the Living Section?

It’s not to late to bring MLM’s back to life…

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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“There is GOLD in the Hills” | The Downfall of Many Network Marketers

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

As a 30+ year veteran of Network Marketing/Direct Sales/MLM’s – I have seen A LOT of trends, fads and a lot of missteps.   I have experienced some misguidance, chosen the wrong company about a decade ago (oh well – moved on).

However, in recent years – I have seen an dark trend that leaves me speechless.

To say the actions of a few have ruined it for most is incorrect.

The actions of A LOT of individuals have ruined it for those who work in this industry.

The unprofessional, unethical and down right game-playing of many makes my job harder to build a great team.  Those individuals have brainwashed so many to believe that “we” are all the same:  Ruthless, cut-throat and only out for the almighty dollar.  I hear it everyday, and it is embarrassing.

“oh, Charlene – you work in THAT industry”

I see the eyebrows go UP and the rolling of the eyes

Unfortunately, due to the actions of MANY – this industry has not moved forward we have moved back.  Despite valiant attempts by most, if not all the Industry leading Corporate Executives to halt these actions – the Independent Distributor actions have not changed.

What a sad time we have in this industry, to know that the good intended founders and executives of many companies are often left powerless due to the action of their company independent sales force ruining it for others.

Who are these people?  If you work in Network Marketing – you either know them or you are one of them.

Let me introduce you to The Gold-Diggers of Network Marketing

Just like the 1800’s when Gold Rush took place – thousands upon thousands of people followed the pack to find their fame and fortune in Gold.

They followed the promise of “get rich NOW”

They followed “all you have to do is pan for Gold to make it RICH”

How many people in our history actually made it RICH in the Gold Rush?

I am a big history buff and I am left without an answer to that question.

Are you chasing after a new company every 6 weeks or 6 months for the elusive “Get Rich NOW” concept?

Can you make a great living in Network Marketing?  ABSOLUTELY anyone can.  I know many, many who have made great incomes.  With hard work and determination.

How can YOU expect to be a Leader in this industry if you are claiming you found the “greatest” every 6 months or even every year?

How can YOU expect anyone to trust you to want to partner with you if you are jumping from company to company?

If YOU don’t stick it out with your company/product – then how can YOU lead your team to stick it out during the up’s and down’s of business?

Then  – of course, you find another  “New and Wonderful Company”

  • And you go on a vocal-binge to insult your previous company that gave you a car – oh excuse me, it was ONLY a Lease…that’s pretty lame of a company to give you the use of a car for FREE for a couple years…how dare a company do that to you, right?  Giving you a car for ONLY 2 years? You are entitled to more, right?
  • You insult the company that gave you an incredible all expense paid trip to some exotic locations.
  • You insult the company that gave you a product you believed in and you CLAIMED worked for you and your loved ones.
  • And let’s not forget you attend your company convention because you were “curious” to see the new product and in fact, you came out of selfish reasons for your own agenda to try to cast doubt because things aren’t going your way.

Yes, you know who I am talking to – and you will not be the first, nor the last who tries to hurt the company that treated you so well.   It will not happen.  There are reasons we have Giants in this industry – they will not buckle.  I tip my hat to many of those giant companies.

I believe in Karma.

All you Gold-Digging Network Marketers – you have shown your true colors and inability to lead when the going gets tough.

For me and MANY others – we selected our company for our own reasons.  We are loyal to the choices we made.  The selection of the company we have chosen to align ourselves with is very personal and certainly should not be taken lightly by anyone.   THAT my friends – is true leadership.  Loyalty.

I am always drawn to the company leaders who have been with their respective company for more than 1 year.  It’s sad to think that is not the norm.

For me, I am proud I chosen my company almost 3 years ago and I am not leaving nor even considering quitting.  I don’t need to pan for Gold – I found the stability and time-freedom I need.

Which type of Network Marketing leader do you want to be?  One that is trusted or leaves others wondering where you are going to jump to next?

I am sure in due time I will see your FB updates and Twitter updates claiming you “found the perfect company” (A-GAIN)

Be forewarned – there isn’t Gold in the Hills, only Fools Gold

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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The Power of Google Alerts | How It Can Keep You Informed About You

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Everyday – I connect with someone who has not used, nor how to monitor one’s online presence.  Clients have offered me huge amounts of money to monitor, and I refuse to do it.    Why? – you can do it for free.

Why pay me or someone else, if you can do it for free

Yes, folks – Free

Do a simple search of your name or business name and you can see the page rankings of your name/brand.

That is not enough to monitor and research your brand and what is happening on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.  Unless someone is tagging  you or FB or using your @ (for Twitter) you may be oblivious to what is happening with your name or brand.

A simple little step – will help you monitor what is being posted about you (or whatever name or topic you wish).

Google Alerts

It has become a valuable tool for my business and my social media clients

You can monitor any all web presence as often as you want – in the form of an email to your email inbox

http://www.google.com/alerts

  • SEARCH:  what do you want to search?  Name?  topic?

Preview (opt):  click on this to see what a possible search might look like (see Right-Hand Pane)

  • TYPE:  Choose what you want to view, Everything (as in everything that is on the web), News, Blogs, Updates, Video and Discussion.  My recommendation:  Unless you are very high-profile, newsworthy individual, I would choose “Everything”.  This ensures you see Everything, not just the Blogs or News.
  • HOW OFTEN:  How often do you want to receive emails from Google Alerts with the Search results?  As-it-happens or Once-a-day?

  • VOLUME:  Again, unless you are some newsworthy celebrity, choose “All Results”
  • YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:  Enter your email address that you wish to receive your Search results

FINAL NOTE:  You may change or opt out of your Google Alert at anytime


Take a few moments and educate yourself on what is happening on the web, daily.


I would love to hear how you have used Google Alerts to help you personally and/or professionally.

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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Operation Welcome Mat | How To Increase Your Twitter Connections

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

I joined Twitter in 2008.  Built a huge Follow list to about 15K.

This past June, I made the horrible error and deleted the account.  Warning:  Never delete an account in the morning, when you are multi-tasking.  Bad move.

So, I began the LONG journey of rebuilding my Twitter account.

A few months ago – after being so fed up with “Follow Friday” or #FF on Twitter – I decided I needed to do something different, than just do some ordinary recommends of other Twitter Pals.  Who wants to follow a bunch of people on a list?  I want to know something about that person, don’t you?

I had an idea –

Part 1 of “Operation Welcome Mat”

Everytime a Twitter Account Follows me at @CRagsdale

I will welcome the new follower with the following tweet:

“Welcome New Follower: (@ name of the acct) “(a small cut and paste from their profile info)”

This way – I am acknowledging my New Follower (which I want to do) and giving them a @Mention on their account.

The results: Amazing! People have noticed my Welcome Tweets and some have gone out of their way to connect with me on a human level because I took an extra minute to Welcome them and mention their profile info.  In addition, people are asking me about my business and I have made strong connections.   I have achieved the best of both worlds – connecting with people and able to share my business, too

______________________________________________

Part 2 of “Operation Welcome Mat”

On my business account @SuccessCharlene – I would tweet:

Welcome New Followers: (and just list their @ names – no profile information) Looks very similar to a #FF

The results: VERY few Twitter Pals have acknowledged my welcome

Is it better to Welcome with a personal acknowledgment or just a name?  It’s an obvious answer.  Always acknowledge someone and they will remember you!

I will keep my Welcome Mat out on both Twitter and get to know my Twitter Pals.  If they follow me, I want to get to know them.

Follow Me:  @CRagsdale and @SuccessCharlene – I will welcome those who list great profile information and are not vulgar, slanderous, racist or overtly political in their tweets.

Remember – Twitter is SOCIAL Media – reach out and meet some great people.  You just never know who you will meet and if you have a business, they could benefit your business, too.

Please share your stories how you have connected with others on Twitter – I would love to hear them.

Happy Tweeting!
____________________

To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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Finding your Inner Child in Business | Are You Spoiled?

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Since creating this Blog Website and my BTR Radio Show – I have received countless requests for one bit of business building information.

The questions are varied, but the concept is the same.

“How can I get more people to buy from my website/capture page?”
“How do I get them to subscribe to my newsletter?”
“How do I get more sales?”
Etc

Do you see a common theme in these comments?

It’s all about the business person GETTING.

Let’s be blunt here – who is always about “me, me, ME!”

The Spoiled Child.

Are you a spoiled and selfish child in business?

A professional marketer is never about getting – it is about giving back or supplying a need of your client.

If you think you must get – then you will fail.    Or sure, you will find some you can “snag” for a sale or two, but it won’t last very long.

One thing is for sure – you will get exactly what you give.

-Why should a client buy from you?
-What can you offer them that no one else can?
-Why is your product or services unique?

Look for what you can give to someone – not what you will get in return.

Potential Clients already know what they want. It is your responsibility to give that to them.

It is not their responsibility nor obligation to fall into your trap of capture pages and flashy websites.

If you think your website is merely a trap to entice people to buy from you. Think again. The website has nothing to do with your needs. It is always about the clients needs and what they are seeking.

If they don’t find the answer from you – they will find it someplace else.

Get away from the “Gets” and look at your business as an opportunity to Give to another. Fulfill a need they are looking to fulfill.

What do you Get by Giving?

Do I really need to answer that?

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter

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My Google Voice Review | Better than I thought

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

In August 2010 – my online phone number stopped working.  I tried loading and reloading the download, with no success.

If you follow me on Twitter @CRagsdale – you read my tweets of frustration.

I heard about Google Voice – so I decided to try out  Google Voice for a few days – testing out all the features and re-testing.

Here is my conclusion:

  1. I love Google Voice!  I can have my own local phone number
  2. I can call from my cell using my Google Voice number (and the receiver of my call will never know my cell phone number)
  3. There is a Do-Not-Disturb feature
  4. I can control my messages and settings from my phone OR online

BEST PART:

  1. I receive a text message with any voice mail message left for me.  A transcribed message – so I can read the message, without ever having to check my voice mails
  2. In addition, I have my account set up – so I receive an email with the transcribed voice mail, also

How much is Google Voice?

Free.

This is a great way to have a separate number for your business, non-profit or other type of endeavor.  I am a big proponent of having my home number separate from my business – this serves that purpose.

Go ahead – try it out – see if it works for you.  I am glad I did.

www.google.com/voice

____________________
To Your Success,

Charlene L. Ragsdale – Las Vegas, NV
Award Winning Network Marketer, Business Blogger, Public Speaker and She hosts a weekly Blog Talk Radio Show
-My Facebook Fan Page
-Follow Me on Twitter



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