Category Archives: Diary of a Business Geek

Diary of a Business Geek: The Unsubscribe Page From Hell

Like most of us, I’m time poor, juggling the many hats as a micro-business owner, consultant,  lapsed housemaid, gourmet cook, wife to the Butcher and mum to three puppies.

De-cluttering my email inbox is my first step in reclaiming my time, with the newsletters that you sign up as a matter of curiosity but that have reached their limit of relevancy and insights a couple months on, being the first out the door.

I want a click and forget, one-step process, so imagine my horror when confronted with the below:

Ben Angel Unsubscribe From Hell Ben Angel Unsubscribe From Hell2

 

Oh lordy Ben Angel, your database is built on micro to small business owners and their consultants – they don’t have time for this mind boggling bs.

I’m unsubscribing from your newsletter.

Allow me to click and forget, please – you have a ‘One-Click Removal’ list this first, and then if necessary ask if I would like to provide you with further feedback.

However, my advice is to be proactive with your client tracking – rather than providing a Q&A after I have decided to exit your database by:

  • Tracking and monitor the return on investment for your marketing activity as it happens.
  • Know how and why I have entered your database; I shouldn’t have to explain my entry point into your sales funnel at the time that I am trying to establish an exit point.
  • The newsletter format is not relevant to my subscribe/unsubscribe preference.
  • Your Loyalty Program is a separate database – as such it should be a different communication and exit strategy. Reason being as there will be additional customer service issues to resolve and possible financial discussions to be had.

Best of intentions for your business success.

Rochelle @ Barefoot Basics

Diary of a Business Geek: Make Your Spine Count

After a whirlwind first half the month (March) driving up and down the coast between Noosa and Tweed Heads multiple times, I gained a crash course in respecting your body.

Whilst I love yoga and pilates during the hightail and whirlwind first half of the month they slipped to the side whilst I slotted in work and working on my business in between my time on the road.

The later half of March I paid my price, having spent camped out on my hallway or lounge room floor stretching my body and spine. Listening to each vertebrae needing to click itself into place.

The worst moment knowing that I would struggle to drive home from Noosa as the knot in my hips was so bad that I could barely negotiate the clutch and gears – I spent the next 5 hours stretching out the pain.

I had flash backs to my mother shattering her discs, only years older than I am now and being out of action for months – fear set deeply in. The kind-hearted advice from my Dr Brother of what signs to look for didn’t help either.

But with an ongoing plan to regain the strength and tone to the muscles in my back – two weeks on my back is ‘back’ on track.

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Diary of a Business Geek: Unleashing The Writer Within

I’m a Pisces. I have a wildly vivid imagination. I have trust that my ‘imaginary’ friends really existed, Puff the Magic Dragon (my spiritual guide) lived in the hills at Raby (his legacy is now tattooed onto my back) and of course, Dad named one of my favourite budgies (and one of our first babies) after Spango who lived at the Strawberry farm which is now part of Glenfield/The Cross Roads.

Ultimately, I have no doubt that my passion for creative writing and creating engaging story lines helped me to pass 2 unit English for my HSC – despite the fact that my class had no teacher for three quarters of Year 12 – so completely under prepared for the subject that would shape my whole career.

And unlike Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, it can’t be learnt from a text book.

In the years that followed words have flowed and even demanded at times to flow onto the page, my career focused within Publishing, Book and Print Media, before Marketing and Copy & Ghost Writing in the Business Coaching/Professional Speaking Industries and of course, back to publishing.

But this is the first in a new series of blog posts, Unleashing The Writer Within, you see I have always wanted to share my short stories, snippets of dreams (and my lordie are they out there), the beginnings of novels… and quite frankly my dear there is no better time to start…

(PS let me know if it captures your imagination – this one could become a a novel once expanded)

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It’s Time For Barefoot Basics to Sparkle with a Marie Forleo’s B-School Scholarship!

Professionally and personally I have huge plans for 2013, so the ultimate 33rd birthday present for me would be a scholarship to Marie Forleo‘s upcoming B-School.

My drivers for applying for the scholarship (or manifesting the coaching fee) include the opportunity to network with an amazing group of leading female entrepreneurs from all around the globe, plus the opportunity to learn from a woman who is respected as a business leader by Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins and Oprah!

I would appreciate your support for my scholarship application video below, share, comment or simply two thumbs up:

This years theme is ‘Make Money, Change The World’ – in 2013 I would like to build Barefoot Basics beyond its current foundation and towards launching a publishing & distribution division that provides seed fund capital (grants) for self publishing authors who wish to publish with purpose.

Much love xxx Rochelle

Diary of a Business Geek: 33 Is Balanced To Me…

Barefoot Basics Rochelle Stone Turning 33

When asked my age on any typical day I can guarantee you that I will never be able to remember, until I count the maths – subtracting the year we are currently in and the year I was born. Some days I feel ridiculously old – on others I feel the real journey is yet to begin.

With less than 2 weeks until I turn 33, its time to state my intentions for the year ahead – making sure that 2013 is lived to its fullest potential… Continue reading