David's comments

Hi Mike,

Funny you should ask. I just cancelled icontact after a few months.

I realized that I already have such a great contact database (free on my Mac), the ability to create my own HTML newsletter (free). So it felt silly to pay them anymore.

Besides that, I was hearing from my audience that they are getting inundated with e-mails like mine; they aren't turned off, but often don't even have the time to open it up and read.

I'm finding that my market prefers postcard mailings (we're talking art directors here) to e-mails when it comes to staying in touch.

Also... my web sign-up form? No hits. Not one in 5 months. I find that when people visit my page they view my portfolio and bookmark it, coming back every so often on their own. It just wasn't effective marketing for me.

I'm curious to know how it works out for you, Mike. Maybe you'll find hat your market works differently than mine!

Thanks, Ann. I'm always interested in hearing about more couples who work together. It's not for everyone and it's good to know which one you are. M hat is off to those who have decided it's not for them but continue the personal relationship!

Teri, I was one of those people! I was close to burnout before getting help. You've got a great business there, it must be rewarding!

Re my picture: thanks, Deidre! My head never looked so shiny, it's great.

It really can be hard to give up that control. The thought of explaining a process still holds me up sometimes, even when I know it's for the best.

How do you all handle feedback when you've delegated something that didn't come back as you expected it should?

There are so many opportunities here to promote virtual assistants. I think I may have just done the world's first VA commercial endorsement!

It's a great time now for VAs and people are just waking up to the idea of how much they can help a business. Yay VAs!

Since we're having a conversation here (which I love), one thing I'd like to explore more is delegating between business partners, employees, or even personal partners/spouses in small business.

What kind of experiences have Bizniks had with this so far? When has it worked well and when has it failed miserably? What would you do differently and what have you learned?

Oh, and the 13th looks good for me. Can't wait to see you host it!

Hey Christian, I'd love to buddy with you on this. Let's arrange it, just give me a call or shoot me an e-mail (I'll do the same and I'm sure we'll figure it out).

I don't think we officially decided on who to pair up with, but it would be great if everyone checked in with each other periodically.

I'm glad you all enjoyed it. Anytime you can work crayons into networking, I think it should be done.

I agree about the tables, but I feel bad because I built them from dead branches in the area, just before you arrived. The circle is a great idea, though.

Once again I got to meet with some interesting people and had the wheels in my brain turning again. Thanks to all of you for participating and being open to a pre-school activity!

Next time I need to remember cookies and Kool-Aid.

Brandi, I'm the worst control freak. Ever. Delegating anything is one of the hardest things for me to do. Sometimes you have to just dive in on one task and see how it goes.

Oddly enough, I'm working with a client who delegated something and the results were awful. He was expressing to me how unhappy he was (cranky) about it and wished he had kept it himself.

I think the lesson there is rather that he should:

1. Find someone who matches his skill in that area as closely as possible, and
2. Let go a little bit. It may not be exactly as he would have done it, but that's just a part of working as a team.

Kimberly, I'm glad you chimed in. The Virtual Assistant model is a win-win for both sides. I'm really starting to love the idea of handing these things off. Now that I'm getting used to it, it's awesome.

Actually, I would have contacted you, but I have a close friend who was already working in this area. However, the day will come when I'll need more help!

Thanks all for the comments on the title. I'm glad it caught your attention!

Thanks, Ben.

I also just sent a message to all RSVPers with more info. If you RSVP between now and Wednesday, I'll make sure you get the same info.

I'm blogging the event, so for the curious you can read a pre-event post at:http://snipurl.com/2rngm

Great, Leta!

We'll let you know how it goes and hopefully give you some insight to make yours even better.

As an FYI, I'll be sending a message out to all RSVPers with the final meeting spot a day or two before the event.

It will also have my cell phone number.

No worries!

Hey Benjamin! I know you'll find a way and I look forward to meeting you. This event is a day in the park. Literally.

Christian: Great news! Your fans were ready to scalp their tickets. It will be good to have you.

Thanks, Kaya, that's a great suggestion. I may be able to swing a portable cover-thingy as well - which will be good in case of rain (I hear that's rare here? Heh).

Christian: I would love to see you there, but you absolutely have to do the lunch. Who knows what kind of lead that could be?

And yep, Roberta, you hit the nail on the head! Let's set it up to keep it going.

Cool, things are shaping up!

Clarice and Susan: Glad you can make it, we'll do what we can!

Kate: Welcome! We're all about the juice. This should be an energetic exchange.

Emma: Awesome! The clown nose? Um... I put that somewhere... let me see... it was just here...