A sad day indeed. We morn the loss of our beloved Tim Russert. One of the good guys. One of the journalist that you wanted to see because he didn't dig for the dirt and the bad in people, but just the opposite, he'd go out of his way to find the good. He was friendly and warm and the type of PR leader you strived to be.
Like most Americans I felt I knew him personally. I'm not sure how. It's probably because if I was switching through the stations and I saw him on, I'd stop and listen to what he'd have to say. He cared.
When my husband came home today his first words were, did you hear about your friend. I was almost taken back, because he realized the dept of how I felt. I did feel I lost a friend.
My son graduated college this year too. I felt that same pride.
As a publicist, I feel such a professional loss. It was great to have someone like him to look up to.
I just wish his family my best. -- Diana
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Small Firms Stung By Late Payers
The Buffalo News recently ran a story about how the economy and late payments are hurting small businesses. In the article, it states….
“Diana Ennen, owner of Virtual Word Publishing, a publicity firm based in Margate, Fla., said she first started seeing a slowdown in payments about six months ago.
“In the last four months, it’s gotten really bad, and almost at a critical point,” she said.
Ennen’s late payers tend to be people who work as independent contractors for companies which, because of the uncertain economy, suddenly decide to end the relationship. The independent contractor isn’t getting paid anymore, and in turn is having a hard time paying Ennen.
When clients are behind, Ennen said she’s careful about how much new work she’ll do for them.
“I try not to get too far in advance, and I have to see some payment,” she said. “You can’t do a lot of work now and hope the payment will be there.”
Friday, June 06, 2008
Sell Real Estate Without Selling Your Soul
For Immediate Release
Contact
Jennifer Allan
http://www.sellwithsoul.com
jennifer@jenniferallan.net
Phone 720-536-5908
Sell Real Estate Without Selling Your Soul - Newly Released Book Shows You How
Denver, Colorado (May, 2008) Even in so-called “boom” markets, rookie real estate agents almost always find their new careers to be harder than anticipated, but today, even experienced agents are failing in record numbers. Statistics quote figures ranging from 70% to 95% dropout rate for first‑year agents and it’s common knowledge in the industry that only a small percentage of the licensed agents are making enough money to live on.
Why is the failure rate so high? Is it a matter of unrealistic expectations? Maybe. A lack of enthusiasm? Probably. A lack of support and training? Definitely.
What agents need is good solid training on how to competently sell real estate and Jennifer Allan’s book Sell with Soul offers just that. The second edition of Sell with Soul (ISBN #978-0-9816727-0-0) will be released in early summer of 2008 and has been updated to reflect the realities of today’s more challenging real estate marketplace. The book takes on the tough issues of survival in a slowing housing market and provides a blueprint for success to help new agents navigate the critical first year and beyond. Sell with Soul comes complete with checklists to help agents keep on top of listings and contracts, step-by-step guidelines for building a thriving real estate practice as well as anecdotal examples of real world real estate dilemmas and solutions to them.
Yet the book is so much more than a rookie survival guide. The author, Jennifer Allan, discusses such touchy subjects as commission discounting (she’s all for it), buyer agency (don’t push it), prospecting at open houses (do so with caution) and generating bidding wars (it’s your duty). Practical advice is offered on everything from building a loyal client base to marketing listings to negotiating inspections and even handling pricing objections.
Allan writes regularly for Realty Times and other online newsletters, and is one of the industry’s most popular bloggers. She began her writing career after 10 years as a successful real estate agent in Denver, Colorado earning top producer status in her office from 1999 to 2003, among other honors. She founded her own real estate company in 2004 and currently divides her time between her two careers of real estate sales and writing, speaking and training.
Pre-order a numbered, autographed paperback copy of Sell with Soul and receive a special edition eBook version of the book upon receipt. Just visit Allan’s site at http://www.sellwithsoul.com for details and instructions. While there, sign up for one of Allan’s free newsletters for tips on successfully selling real estate -- without selling your soul.
Contact
Jennifer Allan
http://www.sellwithsoul.com
jennifer@jenniferallan.net
Phone 720-536-5908
Sell Real Estate Without Selling Your Soul - Newly Released Book Shows You How
Denver, Colorado (May, 2008) Even in so-called “boom” markets, rookie real estate agents almost always find their new careers to be harder than anticipated, but today, even experienced agents are failing in record numbers. Statistics quote figures ranging from 70% to 95% dropout rate for first‑year agents and it’s common knowledge in the industry that only a small percentage of the licensed agents are making enough money to live on.
Why is the failure rate so high? Is it a matter of unrealistic expectations? Maybe. A lack of enthusiasm? Probably. A lack of support and training? Definitely.
What agents need is good solid training on how to competently sell real estate and Jennifer Allan’s book Sell with Soul offers just that. The second edition of Sell with Soul (ISBN #978-0-9816727-0-0) will be released in early summer of 2008 and has been updated to reflect the realities of today’s more challenging real estate marketplace. The book takes on the tough issues of survival in a slowing housing market and provides a blueprint for success to help new agents navigate the critical first year and beyond. Sell with Soul comes complete with checklists to help agents keep on top of listings and contracts, step-by-step guidelines for building a thriving real estate practice as well as anecdotal examples of real world real estate dilemmas and solutions to them.
Yet the book is so much more than a rookie survival guide. The author, Jennifer Allan, discusses such touchy subjects as commission discounting (she’s all for it), buyer agency (don’t push it), prospecting at open houses (do so with caution) and generating bidding wars (it’s your duty). Practical advice is offered on everything from building a loyal client base to marketing listings to negotiating inspections and even handling pricing objections.
Allan writes regularly for Realty Times and other online newsletters, and is one of the industry’s most popular bloggers. She began her writing career after 10 years as a successful real estate agent in Denver, Colorado earning top producer status in her office from 1999 to 2003, among other honors. She founded her own real estate company in 2004 and currently divides her time between her two careers of real estate sales and writing, speaking and training.
Pre-order a numbered, autographed paperback copy of Sell with Soul and receive a special edition eBook version of the book upon receipt. Just visit Allan’s site at http://www.sellwithsoul.com for details and instructions. While there, sign up for one of Allan’s free newsletters for tips on successfully selling real estate -- without selling your soul.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Blog Talk Radio - Mompreneur Founder Interviewed & It Rocked
Tuesday on our weekly radio show, MomCast Live, Jill Hart and I were honored to interview the founder of Mompreneursonline.com and author of numerous books on starting a home-based business, Ellen Parlapiano. It rocked!! For the first time too, we were on the front page of Blog Talk Radio. YES!!
I've known Ellen for years and am totally addicted to her site. It is truly my biggest guilty pleasure in working at home. I get to chat with others who are absolutely going places and we get down and dirty on how to survive and thrive in our home-based businesses. But listening to Ellen herself was beyond words. I hope you all take a few minutes and listen to the archives. It will be so beneficial for your business. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/bc/momcast and don't forget to get her books if you haven't already! Mompreneurs Online: Using the Internet to Build Work at Home Success!
Here are just a few of the tips she gave:
1) Passion -- Find that business you are passionate about and learn all you can to succeed. Network with like-minded entrepreneurs.
2) Network locally and online. It pays to get dressed up and get out in your community to those networking events. Clients benefit from seeing your personality and that can not only mean more work, but a better understanding of the work you are doing.
3) Pitch magazines correctly. Ellen is a full-time freelance writer. She states when pitching national magazines know their time frames. Now is the time to be thinking Christmas. At Christmas be thinking Mother's Day. Pitch to the right editor. Take the time to know who to send to.
4) This was really good ... she states, it's okay to follow-up with reporters. However, be mindful of their time and their schedule and don't follow-up too much. She stated it was good to call. Her point was with emails, it's often so easy for them just to hit the "delete" key.
Some of the greatest parts of the show was the personal stories she gave in working at home. So many of us could relate to them. The red water balloon during an important interview is definitely the best. Go ahead and go to her forum www.mompreneursonline.com and see if you can get her to tell you that story. It's worth it! It will brighten any day.
There is so much more.
Thanks Ellen for a fabulous interview. If you'd like to be on our show, email me at Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com
Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
I've known Ellen for years and am totally addicted to her site. It is truly my biggest guilty pleasure in working at home. I get to chat with others who are absolutely going places and we get down and dirty on how to survive and thrive in our home-based businesses. But listening to Ellen herself was beyond words. I hope you all take a few minutes and listen to the archives. It will be so beneficial for your business. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/bc/momcast and don't forget to get her books if you haven't already! Mompreneurs Online: Using the Internet to Build Work at Home Success!
Here are just a few of the tips she gave:
1) Passion -- Find that business you are passionate about and learn all you can to succeed. Network with like-minded entrepreneurs.
2) Network locally and online. It pays to get dressed up and get out in your community to those networking events. Clients benefit from seeing your personality and that can not only mean more work, but a better understanding of the work you are doing.
3) Pitch magazines correctly. Ellen is a full-time freelance writer. She states when pitching national magazines know their time frames. Now is the time to be thinking Christmas. At Christmas be thinking Mother's Day. Pitch to the right editor. Take the time to know who to send to.
4) This was really good ... she states, it's okay to follow-up with reporters. However, be mindful of their time and their schedule and don't follow-up too much. She stated it was good to call. Her point was with emails, it's often so easy for them just to hit the "delete" key.
Some of the greatest parts of the show was the personal stories she gave in working at home. So many of us could relate to them. The red water balloon during an important interview is definitely the best. Go ahead and go to her forum www.mompreneursonline.com and see if you can get her to tell you that story. It's worth it! It will brighten any day.
There is so much more.
Thanks Ellen for a fabulous interview. If you'd like to be on our show, email me at Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com
Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com
Monday, May 26, 2008
God Bless America
Happy Memorial Day!
As I sit here this morning, God Bless America is ringing in the background. We live across the street from a church and every day at 7:40, noon and 2:00 p.m., beautiful music plays. I almost use it as a timer, I've gotten so used to it. 7:40 time to walk Amber to school. Noon, I stop for lunch (I work at home). 2:00 pick up Amber.
But today it's different. Today, the songs are different. Now playing is "This is My Country, Land that I love!." Following by "...... And The Home of the Brave." And a song I know the music, but can't remember the words. These aren't the titles of the songs, but the parts of the songs that hit me the most as I post this.
What a great reminder. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the economy and the things that are going "wrong." that I forget the things that are going "right." And there are a lot of things going "right."
Today, I hope we all stop for a moment and remember those "right" things and the joy of living in America. I also hope we stop and say a special prayer for all our military families. My husband goes out of town for three days and I'm lost. And many of these families go year after year like this. Some even face something so hard to even think about or write about the loss of a loved one or a loved one injured. Thank you!
I also hope that between the picnics and fun you share the meaning of the day with your children. Let them know the importance as then future generations will as well.
God Bless America My Home Sweet Home ... and I'm so grateful for that!
Diana Ennen, Virtual Word Publishing
As I sit here this morning, God Bless America is ringing in the background. We live across the street from a church and every day at 7:40, noon and 2:00 p.m., beautiful music plays. I almost use it as a timer, I've gotten so used to it. 7:40 time to walk Amber to school. Noon, I stop for lunch (I work at home). 2:00 pick up Amber.
But today it's different. Today, the songs are different. Now playing is "This is My Country, Land that I love!." Following by "...... And The Home of the Brave." And a song I know the music, but can't remember the words. These aren't the titles of the songs, but the parts of the songs that hit me the most as I post this.
What a great reminder. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the economy and the things that are going "wrong." that I forget the things that are going "right." And there are a lot of things going "right."
Today, I hope we all stop for a moment and remember those "right" things and the joy of living in America. I also hope we stop and say a special prayer for all our military families. My husband goes out of town for three days and I'm lost. And many of these families go year after year like this. Some even face something so hard to even think about or write about the loss of a loved one or a loved one injured. Thank you!
I also hope that between the picnics and fun you share the meaning of the day with your children. Let them know the importance as then future generations will as well.
God Bless America My Home Sweet Home ... and I'm so grateful for that!
Diana Ennen, Virtual Word Publishing
Friday, May 09, 2008
Work At Home Parents Many Benefits - Being There for Their Sick Children
Margate, FL (May, 2008) Working parents everywhere are realizing the extra benefits of working from home including being there for their children when they are sick. In fact, Diana Ennen, president of Virtual Word Publishing was recently featured on CBS Channel 4 News in Miami, http://cbs4.com/video/?id=53473@wfor.dayport.com on a segment on working parents and handling sick children and states that one of the biggest advantages to being self employed is the ability to not send her kids to school sick.
Ennen states, “I’ve walked to school and seen the agony on a parent’s face when they have had to drop their children off at school ill, just because they couldn’t take time off from work. Not only is it sad for the parents, but also the other children in the classroom are now exposed to added germs as well. Changes need to be made.”
Apparently lawmakers think it’s a good idea too. Officials from 11 states are considering a bill that would make paid sick days a basic labor standard. Even Presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are involved, coming out in support of mandatory paid sick days. Also Congress may vote on the Healthy Families Act, which would require businesses with fifteen or more employees to give workers at least seven paid sick days per year.
These are changes that all should support. However, businesses don’t need legislation to make a change. A simple change in company policy is all that is needed to protect the health and well being of their most valued assets, their employees and their families. If companies allowed sick days for employees when they kids were sick, we would see a dramatic drop in diseases, and also employees would be more satisfied at work.
Some might also find it beneficial to do as Ennen did and consider working from home. By staying at home, Ennen has been able to work while caring for three children including her 10- year-old daughter Amber. “My hours are my own and the flexibility is just great,” said Ennen. Amber appreciates the added attention she gets and has told me that one of the greatest things about me working from home is that I’m there for her when she is sick. For her to realize that is gratifying.” added Ennen.
Ennen has been working from her home since 1985 when she decided to quit her job and start her own business as a virtual assistant, writing press releases, marketing authors and their books and offering coaching. Ennen has written several books about starting a virtual assistant business including Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA and The Corel Word Perfect, Virtual Assistant Solution Pack.
To read more about Ennen or view the CBS video in more detail go to Ennen’s site at Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com
Ennen states, “I’ve walked to school and seen the agony on a parent’s face when they have had to drop their children off at school ill, just because they couldn’t take time off from work. Not only is it sad for the parents, but also the other children in the classroom are now exposed to added germs as well. Changes need to be made.”
Apparently lawmakers think it’s a good idea too. Officials from 11 states are considering a bill that would make paid sick days a basic labor standard. Even Presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are involved, coming out in support of mandatory paid sick days. Also Congress may vote on the Healthy Families Act, which would require businesses with fifteen or more employees to give workers at least seven paid sick days per year.
These are changes that all should support. However, businesses don’t need legislation to make a change. A simple change in company policy is all that is needed to protect the health and well being of their most valued assets, their employees and their families. If companies allowed sick days for employees when they kids were sick, we would see a dramatic drop in diseases, and also employees would be more satisfied at work.
Some might also find it beneficial to do as Ennen did and consider working from home. By staying at home, Ennen has been able to work while caring for three children including her 10- year-old daughter Amber. “My hours are my own and the flexibility is just great,” said Ennen. Amber appreciates the added attention she gets and has told me that one of the greatest things about me working from home is that I’m there for her when she is sick. For her to realize that is gratifying.” added Ennen.
Ennen has been working from her home since 1985 when she decided to quit her job and start her own business as a virtual assistant, writing press releases, marketing authors and their books and offering coaching. Ennen has written several books about starting a virtual assistant business including Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA and The Corel Word Perfect, Virtual Assistant Solution Pack.
To read more about Ennen or view the CBS video in more detail go to Ennen’s site at Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com
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