When you show up at a meeting, you’re actually doing the best thing in the world to market your business.
I’m not talking about selling. Just by showing up, you’re marketing yourself.
A quick conversation reminds them you’re out there, ready to do business with them.
But after the meeting, the people you’ve just seen are off to take care of the rest of the things they had on their list for that day.
And the next day? You’ve probably been forgotten, because they’re now headlong into the rest of their week.
It’s been long known in the business world that it takes between 7 and 22 “touches”, to get someone to do business with you. Even if they already know you, it takes more than that one recent encounter to generate a sale.
A “touch” may be another meeting, a follow up call, a card, an email, a social post, a text – any way that reminds them about you, and gets you back to the top of their list of people to connect with.
22 touches seems like a lot – and you’d be right to think that way – but in this world of instant communications – where we are barraged by people wanting to reach us – it’s important to show up on a consistent basis.
Email is by far the best way to consistently show up.
It’s easy to create, easy to send, and stays visible in the recipient’s inbox, until they takes action on it – a passive reminder that you’re out there, ready to do business with them.
Your emails don’t have to be long, they just need to be sent.
Just show up.
And this newsletter is a gentle “touch” reminding you that I am here, always ready for you if you need help.
Let’s start with a simple truth: if a customer has to work to contact you, they won’t.
They’ll just tap the next business on Google Maps and move on with their day like nothing ever happened. Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely. We live in a world where people want instant food, rides, answers, and yes… communication. If your business only offers one outdated way to get in touch (looking at you, “call us during business hours”), you’re creating friction. And friction is the silent killer of conversions.
Now for the good news, Google just made this easier than ever. You can now set your primary communication method directly on your Google Business Profile, whether you prefer a text message, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or phone. Our recommendation? At the very least, enable texting. People LOVE texting businesses, because it’s quick, low-pressure, and lets them reach out without committing to a full conversation. Right now, go into your profile attributes, and make sure your preferred communication method is clearly set, so Google knows how to connect customers with you. Think of it this way: you’re not just giving options, you’re removing excuses for customers not to contact you.
The easier you make it to reach you, the more leads you’ll capture, simple as that. Businesses that win on Google Maps aren’t just the most visible… they’re the most accessible. If this all sounds like one more thing to manage, don’t worry, that’s something we do automatically for all of our managed, or marketing accounts.
FREE TIP: Be sure your contact information is showing on your email signature. You can write a great email, but if they can’t easily find you, prospects often won’t search any further.
If your digital archives still house rows of DOC files, you’re essentially using old and insecure files. It’s time to trade them in for the DOCX standard.
It’s been nearly two decades since Microsoft introduced the Office Open XML standard with Microsoft Office 2007, yet these legacy DOC files still haunt our hard drives, and linger in email attachments.
DOC’s internal structure is much harder for security tools and forensic software to analyze, than that of modern structured formats like XML. Back in the day, DOC files were commonly exploited for macro viruses. A hacker could hide malicious, self-executing code inside a document, and you wouldn’t know it was there until your files were encrypted or your emails were hijacked.
When Microsoft switched to DOCX in 2007, it didn’t just add an “X” for style—it completely overhauled the file architecture. By separating document content from executable code, DOCX drastically reduces the risk of hidden macros running without your knowledge. In contrast, old DOC files could quietly harbor malicious scripts, making every attachment a potential security trap.
The old DOC format was built for an era of floppy disks and local storage. DOCX uses ZIP compression, which Microsoft says can make files “up to 75% smaller” than their legacy DOC equivalents, saving you precious gigabytes of cloud storage space.
Upgrading to DOCX unlocks the full power of the modern cloud, and it is easy to do. Simply use the SAVE AS and select DOCX as your file type when working with your files. Avoid SAVE AS a DOC file whenever possible.
Located in the Clearing neighborhood of Chicago, ASM Auto Parts stands out as a premier destination for automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike. Situated near Midway Airport at 5617 W 63rd St, this locally owned warehouse offers a comprehensive selection of both new and vintage OEM car parts. Unlike typical chain stores, ASM prides itself on specialized inventory, stocking thousands of “new old stock”—out-of-production vintage parts that are brand new and sourced directly from dealerships.
ASM Auto Parts in Chicago
Beyond standard car and truck components, ASM Auto Parts serves broader industrial needs with a massive stock of industrial hoses, belts, and air filters. Their commitment to the community is evident through competitive pricing—often beating major retailers like Autozone or Advance Auto Parts—and convenient services such as free local delivery to homes and businesses.
Customer service is central to their operation, with expert staff available to help identify difficult-to-find parts. They even offer value-added services like free rotor grinding. Open six days a week starting at 5:30 AM, ASM Auto Parts combines the reliability of a modern supply store with the unique catalog of a vintage warehouse, making them an essential resource whether you are repairing a daily driver or restoring a classic.
What do nuclear missiles and your Wi-Fi have in common? Apparently, not much, except maybe … a really bad password. Take a guess which of the following was actually once used as a real computer password at a U.S. nuclear missile site for years: A) Password123, B) LetMeIn C) 00000000, or D) GodMode4Launch.
The answer: C) 00000000. Yep. During the Cold War, U.S. nukes were protected by a password flimsier than a free yogurt lid. Eight zeroes. Because nothing says “nuclear deterrent” like the digital version of leaving your front door open with a sticky note that says, “Please don’t.”
Why? Because military leaders were afraid complicated codes would slow down a launch in a real emergency. The Permissive Action Links (PALs), which are supposed to prevent unauthorized missile launches, were set to all zeros from 1962 to 1977. So for over a decade, the keys to global annihilation could have been guessed by a toddler.
Which brings me to my point. Even the government’s best and brightest make silly mistakes with passwords. Don’t you do it! A password of at least 8 characters, which includes both caps and lower case letters, numbers and symbols is good. Better is 12 characters.
And remember, the days of using your spouse’s middle name are over.
