Bread Crumbs; They Aren't Just for Ducks!

As a business owner, how many times have you sat there scratchin' your rear end wondering, "How can I get my customers engaged?" Or if you have employees, "How can I get my staff's attention in a new way or win them over with an idea?" Want to stand out and be different? You might call it lying, but I like to think of it as getting creative. Here are some personal examples of how I have used lying creativity to engage my "customers." The examples are all over the board, but my hope is that they might ignite some ideas for you!

Email:-How to engage your customers or employees and get their attention with email.
We all receive so many emails, so how do you ensure that your email will not be overlooked? It's all in the subject line! Make your subject line stand out and get noticed.  Now assuming that the recipient of your email recognizes your email address and it's not pegged as spam, you can get creative with the subject line. A few years ago, I sent an email to 60-plus members of a non-profit organization I was involved with. The recipients recognized my email address, but the problem was nobody seemed to be opening and reading the emails due to the fact that there were so many being sent by so many members and unfortunately, some of them were trivial. They were simply being overlooked. Yet, isn't it interesting that when I typed "Inappropriate Photos" in the subject line, 93% of all the recipients not only opened the email but they read the email. Now of course there weren't any inappropriate photos but I knew that those two words would grab anyone's attention regardless of how naughty or nice they were. And once they opened and began reading the email, I stated, "Now that I've got your attention, please be sure to..." So yes, get creative with your subject line! Fibbing a little and making it all in fun can actually yield great results when sending an email blast.

Winning over your employees  Employees are a lot like children. I'm a former elementary P.E. teacher and getting 10-year-old boys and girls through a dance lesson wasn't always the easiest task. The girls who were in dance 5 days a week at the local studios felt like Cotton-Eye-dJoe was beneath them. And the boys would rather be playing tackle football. After years of dreading the dance lesson, I realized I had to rely on lying creativity to not only teach them the dance but more importantly, enjoy the dance! It went something like this..."Show of hands, how many of you have ever wanted to be on TV? Ya know, be famous? Oh wow, that's all of you! Well kids, I have great news! Today, we have a chance at being on TV! Last week, I received a phone call from a producer who is looking to film a video on HOW to dance. They need elementary-school students who are athletic, good looking, and, most of all, great dancers. Now I know, we don't love to dance, but we do love to pretend, don't we? If we pretend that we love to dance and we look like we're having fun and we follow the choreography, we just might have a chance at being on TV! That means big smiles, high energy, positive attitudes, and sharp, crisp moves. Just think, we might even get paid to dance! Last night, the producers installed microscopic cameras right above our TV monitors. If you look up, you can still see some of the dust from the installation. Who's in?" And the rest is history. They loved dancing that day and they didn't want it to end! My gut tells me, that most of those kids knew it was a lie creative teaching, but they played along since it allowed them to be free and not feel self conscious about doing the Cotton-Eyed-Joe dance!

Networking/Presenting your business I recently attended a social media training, and halfway through the class, the instructor asked all 29 of us to stand up one-by-one and give an explanation of our business. We've all been there; Rambling Roberta talks too long; Sell It Sam goes for the high- pressure spiel; Can't Hear You Candice is so soft spoken we don't know when she began or ended her explanation; Too Much Info Ernie tries to explain every detail of his business in 60 seconds only to find that he's about as engaging as an DMV employee without the 44 oz. Mountain Dew. Since I was the 26th speaker and it was pushing 9pm, I had no choice but to stand up and say, "I'm the proud owner and creator of It's a Crumby Life. We sell bread crumbs. Ya know, those leftover pieces and particles of flour that you wipe off the kitchen table. We sell them for profit. We have white, wheat, sourdough, and soon-to-be marble rye. As you know, people nowadays are really trying to cut down on the amount of carbs they eat; eating a full piece of bread is just too much for them. That's why I invented It's a Crumby Life. They're just crumbs! They might be small but at least they're dry. Bread crumbs; they aren't just for ducks!" I quickly saw that I had everyone's attention, whether it was out of total disbelief or genuine intrigue over, "Hey, this gal is on to something," I didn't care. The point is, I got their attention and they were engaged.

You can't sell or invite or train anyone on anything unless you get them engaged first! Let me repeat that. You can't sell or invite or train anyone on anything unless you get them engaged first!

So the next time you send an email, teach, or train your employees- or a bread crumb gets stuck on your cheek- I hope you think of me and remember to lie get creative so you can engage your customers/audience! And when you do, send me your lie creative idea. I'd love to hear about it!

Jenny
Jenny@creativemessagemedia.com
480-225-0128





           

Turn Blah into Oh Yeah!

Employee Training Videos: Turn Blah into Oh Yeah!

Whether you have hundreds of employees or you’re considering adding your first one, your goal as the business owner is to share your company culture with the newest members of your team. You want them to understand your policies and procedures, how to treat your customers, and generally what’s expected on the job. But will a barrage of information given in a bulky manual get the point across? You tell me? Do you like reading dry information typed in size 10 point font only to be broken up by bold print headings that read, "Policies and procedures to ensure accurate and appropriate administration?" And to top it off, you now have a paper cut from vigorously turning the page in hopes of finding a cartoon or two to keep you engaged! We at Creative Message Media strongly believe that your best option is to make it fun and memorable through the use of a great employee training video.

Set the Tone of Your Company Culture

Is your company already fun or would you like it to be? "Oh goodness no, we don't believe making money should be fun! In fact, if I see anyone in this organization crack as much as a smile or giggle, their company logo coin purse will be take away and given to the next employee that's begging to not work here!" If you want your employees to be engaged and supportive of your mission then you need to start them out on the right path. There are a variety of ways to set the tone for your new employees: as we all know, you can choose individual training sessions (i.e. time consuming glorified baby-sitting), a thick employee manual (i.e.also a cure for insomnia ), or ordinary corporate videos (i.e. typical staff member who looks like they've been held at gun point to present). None of which is exciting or memorable. It's time to add some fun folks!

Create Buy-in from the Beginning

Back in the day, companies would either just throw an employee behind the register or out on the floor and hope she’d absorb everything via osmosis or — for the more forward-thinking companies — partner them with a mentor who would guide them for their first few days. How much more effective would that mentoring relationship be if the employee already had a sense of the expectations, learning through humor and fun how to engage customers.  Let’s face it, training for a new job can be a little intimidating or just plain boring. But if you give them a good laugh with a funny employee training video, it can work wonders for setting the tone.

Update Existing Employees’ Skills

While employee training videos may work wonders for setting the tone for new hires, it's not the only purpose they can serve. What if you are changing policies or adding new technology to your company’s operations? Your employees will need to learn how to be effective in a changing work environment. Your success rate in making that happen will be magnified exponentially if you make training fun.

Why not get Customers in on the Act

You can share some of your best training tips with your customers via YouTube and let them in on the “secret” company culture you’re striving to create. Starbucks is a master at sharing their employee culture, as is Southwest Airlines. There’s no reason you can’t do the same. A few clips from your humorous employee training video can be added to your company YouTube page and shared on other social media platforms. And when your videos are funny, there’s a much bigger chance you’ll get likes and shares.

Creative Message Media has the answer!

We will identify exactly what you need to share and write the content, provide the talent, and edit it all together for a video that supports your company culture and shares your message in a humorous light. Contact us today at 480-225-0128 to learn more!

Humor is Nothing But a Huge Interruption!

Bear with me for the sappy tone that's to come your way, but my one-and-only daughter Lindsay turned nine today. Ever since she was born, I have tried to journal both monumental milestones as well as funny things she would say or do. Nothing fancy, just short hand documentation of the fact that yes, she was once young and yes, she did once say, after a successful commercial audition, "I parked it out of the knock!" instead of "I knocked it out of the park!" If you're a parent or aunt/uncle, you know kids say funny things, but if you don't write them down, you'll forget! After reading a few pages of old entries, I realized that this child of mine has been nothing but an interruption in my world. Yes, you read that right. She is a HUGE INTERRUPTION!  On the days when I was busy cleaning, cooking, working or driving all over town for her activities or my errands, she was an interruption. When I was tired and trying to focus on the computer or completely deprived of energy, she was an interruption. And when I was bored and stuck in a rut, she was an interruption. When I say an interruption, I mean a great interruption! She made me laugh. And based on my records, she made me laugh and smile when it was least expected and yet, most needed. And I think the combination of least expected and most needed is what makes laughter so powerful!

Now here comes the video plug...dum, da, dum, dummmm! That's what a humorous custom video does for your employees! It interrupts them! No, I'm not talking about distracting them; I'm talking about interrupting them when they need a good dose of humor, positive energy, or plain silliness! So when exactly should you interrupt your employees with a Creative Message Media video? Any time you find this happening...

-When your information has facts, figures, numbers, or fancy words
-When your employees look as glazed over as a donut
-When your staff looks as bored as a midget in a theme park
-When your audience has the attention of a fruit fly 
-When your year end company party is using Power-Point to excite the crowd
-When your meeting attendees are dozing faster than Aunt Edna after a Thanksgiving meal
-And any time you have to deliver serious information before 10:00am or after 11:00am
 
So remember, laughter is nothing but a huge interruption! And if you allow it to come into your meeting, presentation, party, or training, you'll look back and realize it was the most powerful part of the event! 

And yes, our lines are now open if you'd like to sing the Happy Birthday song to Lindsay!

Jenny Locklin 480-225-0128

Let Me Be the Beast!

As I drove the morning school carpool I overheard my 8 yo daughter say to Laney, her 6 yo friend..."So, I've been thinking about our Halloween costumes (mind you, it's the month of July) and I think it would be great if we dressed up as characters from Beauty and the Beast. Harper (Laney's sister) could dress up as the tea pot, you could be the beast, and I could be the beauty, Belle. I could wear that shimmery yellow gown they sell at the Disney store with the matching light up shoes and I could do my hair all fancy with a diamond crown. And you could get that fake fur and stuff your clothes with cotton so you look big and puffy. What do you think?" Wow! That's quite a stellar sales pitch to a fellow girly girl who I would imagine shares the same obsession with beautiful princesses! As you can imagine, there seemed to be an awkward 17 minute silence as the image was less than appealing to Laney. She immediately suggested, she be the beauty and Lindsay could be the big, ugly, hairy, beast! Ya, that sounds better.

So, why am I telling you this? It dawned on me that when I create a video for your business I allow you to be the beauty and use me as the beast.  Since I star in the video, I'm the one who is toothless, haggard, ditzy, old, crabby and seen with bad hair. I'm the crazy beast that gets your message across to your viewers. And you remain beautiful, professional, and yet very likeable because you're the one sending your customers and or employees the funny video from Creative Message Media. And they remember you for it. 

You don't have to be in front of the camera, yet your message is coming thru the camera because the script is based on your needs, your challenges, and your information that you give to me in order to create the video. It's all custom created and very memorable, just like a Disney movie. Well, ok maybe a Disney movie performed by community theater. Or more like a Disney movie performed by a neighborhood talent show. Ya, that's it! However you want to describe it, it's magical!

Hire me and I'll be your BEAST friend!!

Jenny Locklin
Jenny@creativemessagemedia.com 
480-225-0128






   

Exterminator Wanted! Dead or Alive!

Hate to be a pest, but I'm lookin' for an exterminator. And here's why...
Imagine you just booked a new exterminator to come to your house and spray for bugs. The day before he arrives, he emails you a 60 second entertaining video reminding you to put the dog outside, remove items from the baseboards, and unlock your back gate. The video is created in a way that not only makes you laugh but you actually remember to do those things! You might even forward the video to a friend because it’s so unique and engaging and come on, how often does an exterminator send you a custom video that makes you laugh?  

Now you might be saying to yourself, "Well, most exterminators don’t do that." And that’s EXACTLY why they should!
So keep your antenna up. Because, Creative Message Media would love to create an entertaining video for the exterminator in your life! No need to bug them about it, just send them this blog. Who knows, the video could create such a buzz for their business that they make a real killing! 


Jenny Lockin 480-225-0128
Jenny@creativemessagemedia.com 

Funny Video Creates a Redneck Fortune!

I'm CindyBeth! This here is one of them testimonials. I luv Creative Message Media! Almost as much as I luv a good slab of Spam with a a dollop of Cheese Whiz.  Jenny made an entertainin' video promotin' my Bobby Ray's Fireworks stand and his sales exploded! Looks like lil' Bobby Ray Jr. is gonna be birthed into a family fortune after all! If you're lookin' to get more business, forgit advertisin' on the walls of them porta potties, cuz' video is the ticket! Them videos aint just FUNNY, they make you MONEY!

Fun at Grimaldi's Pizzeria!

Anybody who's ever heard of Grimaldi's Pizzeria restaurant knows that they're famous for the best coal-fired brick oven, New York-style thin crust pizza in the world! But did you know, that they're also famous for having the nicest and most fun loving employees in the world? 
Truly, they do! 
Creative Message Media recently created an internal video for the company. The video was used at their national training convention in order to get their corporate staff and general managers laughing and energized on the last day of an intense training. 
Thru the filming of this video, I had the opportunity to meet many managers, servers, and hostesses. And they all had such great customer service! Not to mention, their aim isn't so bad either!

Here's a snip it of the video...

 No dough was harmed in the making of this film.

Now go get yourself a Grimaldi's Pizza!

Podiatrists, Dentists and Hair Stylists Have it Made!

I envy podiatrists, dentists and hair stylists! Not because they get to, or have to (depending on your outlook) touch other people's body parts but because their job title is very clear to common folk. I doubt podiatrists ever hear, "OK, so you work with hands." Or a dentist hearing, "So, what exactly do you do with them teeth?" Or a hairstylist hearing, "So, once you get this hair in your hands, what do you do with it?" 

I recently went to a networking event where we had to deliver a 60 second commercial on our business or profession. I quickly learned that "I create videos" earned the response of, "Oh,ok so you're a videographer. I'm getting married in the Fall maybe you can film my wedding." To which I replied, "uh, no you're not in your video, I'm in your video!" She disappeared before I could even get a glimpse of her engagement ring. When I changed it to, "I make entertaining videos that are very creative" they replied, "Sweet, you're the camera woman for adult films?" These responses prompted me to make this video. How about you? I'd love to hear some of the responses you hear after telling people what your profession is!

Oh, you're a web designer? Cool, you ever get bit by those spiders?  

 

Creative Message Media 

480-225-0128

5 Reasons Why Videos Can Boost Your Business

• Did you know it takes the average person 2 min. to read 488 words of text. Which sounds more fun, watching an entertaining and humorous 2 min. video or reading 488 words of text?
• According to The Facts and Figures about the Power of Visual Content when it comes to social media, videos are shared over 1,000% percent more than links and text posts combined! 
  
• Video brings your business or organization to life!
• We remember very little of what we read, in case you forgot already, we remember very little of what we read. Video helps you remember and take action!
• Studies have shown, video in an email is said to be able to boost conversion rates by as much as 50 percent.

Unfortunately, creating, filming and editing your own video can be challenging. If you're video looks anything like Bettina's, you might need Creative Message Media's help!

Your Message Is 9 Times More Effective When You Use Humor

Want to sell a product or service? Add humor! Promoting an upcoming event? Add humor! Want a fast way to make a lot of money? Get into the adult film business! Well, if you don't want to sell adult films your next best thing is humor! Your message will be 9 times more effective when you use humor! Humor gets people to listen to you and before anyone will buy from you or take action on your message, you've got to get them engaged.  If you can make someone laugh, you’ve created an emotional connection with them. And anything you say beyond that is going to be more meaningful! Can you imagine how much more exciting it would be to read the owner’s manual for your new printer if they injected a little bit of humor? You just might actually read it!

When you’re willing to take a risk and add humor, regardless of your budget, your results will be better.  As we all know, Old Spice, Taco Bell, Budweiser, Groupon, Southwest Airlines and Dollar Shave Club, got noticed by using humor. 

In this speedy 40 second Creative Message Media video, you'll see how Jenny can help you promote your business by using humor.  Whether it’s an upcoming event, fundraiser, or the premier of your latest adult film!

Even Nordstrom Uses Humor!

If you think your company is too professional to use humor think again!  Nordstrom, known for its amazing reputation and superior customer service knows the power of humor.  This permanent sign was mounted in the fitting room and I couldn't help but take a photo of it to share.  It's not exactly rolling on the floor funny but it does make you chuckle and take notice.  And isn't that what businesses are all striving for? To be noticed!

www.creativemessagemedia.com 
480-225-0128

Why You Should Put a Dog In Your Video

What has mangled under developed bottom teeth, pathetic blood shot eyes, and a talent for passing gas every other hour? Bella, my American Bulldog!

If you're a dog owner you know what it's like to be totally love struck over your mutt. She might fling her long goopy slobber on every guest that comes to your front door and you still think she's adorable. He might chew every pair of panties you own, even leaving you with crotchless bathing suit bottoms and you still think of him as your best friend. And if you have more than one, you know the chances of them getting into mischief are multiplied. Nothing like coming home to a knocked over garbage can with Q-tips, chewing gum, and hair balls strung all over the carpet. Or how about the time you leave her over Mother's Day weekend and you get the call from the 13 yr. old dog sitter that she had explosive potty problems all over the house and your dog sitter's Mom, who also happens to be your school's assistant principal that you're trying to score points with, has to come over and help clean up the mess on her special day. Yeah, it's a good thing Fido knows how to bring on the charm, otherwise there would be a litter box in every home!  

Aside from my dog being deathly afraid of water puddles, Mylar balloons, and the Shark steam cleaner, she's pretty tough. She even tries to bite the vacuum head as it's moving and she can snarl like nobody's business at a jumping cricket on the tile floor! Criminals beware!

All this being said, I've never been more proud of her than today! She was the perfect Hollywood star. Never once did she complain that the camera made her look fat, or the lighting was bad. Never once did she ask how much her cut of the production would be. Taping and re-taping over and over again and she never requested a touch up on her make-up or to be left alone so she could take her usual 3 hour nap. Hopefully, when you watch this Creative Message Media video, you'll look beyond her need for dental implants, eye drops, and Beano. And you'll see her as the perfect pooch like I do!

Don't Be a Boob, Send a Video Invite

So sorry, I can't make your party! My daughter has a 9 hour recital where she stars in a 46 second cameo that day.  I already committed to run an algae treatment on my son's fish bowl that day.  Oh bummer, I promised my grandpa I would trim his ear hairs that night.  Blah, blah, blah.  You wont hear those pathetic excuses as to why your friends aren't coming to your next party when you use a funny eye catching custom video invite by Creative Message Media!  How could they resist? You can even upload it to your Evite!

School Fundraiser Goes Digital!

Have you heard the latest complaint sweeping across the nation? And no, it's not about gas prices it's about the trees. That's right, trees! Trees are complaining that their fellow trees are being chopped down and killed only to be processed into neon colored fundraiser fliers that get overlooked and thrown in the recycling bin faster than a CostCo customer fighting for a free brownie sample.  But how can you blame them? Kids today, come home with backpacks full of announcements, newsletters, fliers and what looks to be a scribbled on scratch piece of paper only to find out, it's your child's most precious depiction of what Johnny Appleseed looked like! So the question is, how do you get parents to notice an announcement for your school's upcoming fundraiser?  And not just notice the fundraiser but get them excited about attending.  The answer is digital! You send a fun and eye catching video by Creative Message Media via email or better yet, post it on your school's website or PTA Facebook page. The trees will thank you, the environment will be better off, and your turnout will amaze you!        

  

The Secret to Loving Your Most Dreaded Chore

Let me ask you, what's your most dreaded chore? For me, it's grocery shopping! I would happily sign up for a root canal if it meant I could avoid having to push that cart with the wobbly wheel around. And depending on how long my produce list is, I just might even forgo the local anesthetic. 

So tell me, do you share the same aversion to walking aimlessly through the frigid aisles only to get home and realize you forgot to buy cheese! And it's Tuesday Taco night! How does one forget to buy cheese when you're making tacos? I can remember the exact hair scrunchie I wore on my first date with my husband and the names of all of our friend's second cousins once removed but I can't remember to buy cheese for tacos! I'm tellin' you, grocery stores do not agree with me! Until now!

I finally discovered a fun way to shop! Wear a costume, bring props and start filming your own commercial in the middle of the soda aisle. I was there for the sole intention to film part of my latest Creative Message Media video, but you don't need a reason to do this. I chose to wear a white hand-me-down lab coat from my dentist, thank you Dr. Lawrenz of 32 years! Harry Potter glasses sans lenses, and what was described on the wig website as a Raquel Welch look alike wig, only it looked more like Cruella Devil meets modern day Billy Ray Cyrus. Let's just say it wasn't my husband's favorite character. You can choose any look you want. In fact, I highly recommend a variety of different costumes to spice it up! Trust me, you wont even need the cumin. The peculiar looks and rubbernecking you'll receive is well worth your time spent deciding between whole grain, multi-grain, or low sodium high fiber wheat thin crackers!

In 200 Feet Make a U-Turn and Strangle Your GPS!

Raise your hand if you've ever found yourself fighting with your GPS navigation system. OK, you can put your hand down now, that's what I thought! Every one of us has probably found themselves clenching the steering wheel and arguing with that bossy condescending lady that does not know how to properly pronounce your street name.  No, it's not Huh-zull-tin it's pronounced Hazelton sort of like hazelnut.  Looks like little Ms. Know it All was absent the day they taught vowel sound rules in 1st grade.  Pretty sure when "e" follows "z" the "a" is a long vowel sound. And no, I can't make a U-turn in 200 feet and no, no, no, don't tell me you're recalculating! I just happen to know this side street is faster than your gas guzzling route so put a sock in it lady!

My all time favorite navigation operator is the Arizona Road Assistance 5-1-1 operator. Oh, it all sounds great in theory.  Planning a road trip?  Simply dial 5-1-1 and tell the operator what information you would like regarding freeway closures and construction.  The cheery computerized voice asks you to speak your choice from the menu.  You can say, "roads", "transit", "airport" or "tourism."  Here's the evil part...although I don't know you, I'm going to bet that you know how to pronounce the word ROADS. Well guess what? I do too! Using a 76 decibel volume I enunciate the word ROADS as if I'm a speech therapist teaching a bilingual child how to pronounce the word. Within an instant, the cheery computerized voice who we'll just call Satan to keep things simple, replies, "ok, AIRPORT!" This is just the beginning. If your persistence is strong enough and you're determined to not to let this immortal faceless gatekeeper get you down you will eventually get information on roads.  That's where the real fun starts. You'll request information on I-17 Beeline highway and she'll give you the low down on the South 202 loop! It's not a big deal, it's only 117 degrees and you've got a suburban full of kids and melting coolers so you can certainly afford to travel aimlessly. Just when you feel the sudden urge to hurt someone in a malicious and gory way, she'll come thru loud and clear on your Bluetooth with, "Sorry you're having trouble." And you and I both know she has about as much empathy as the bully who stole your pb&j sandwich in the 2nd grade! 

This specific Creative Message Media video was inspired by many frustrating moments with my navigation system. I call it the Naggitator.  It nags and navigates you all at once! The message was specifically created to help the parents of Bright Beginnings school in Chandler, AZ. If you've ever driven a school carpool lane, you know it makes riding in a NYC taxi feel like meditation!  

    

School Uniforms Make All Your Dreams Come True

If you are a parent, teacher, or school administrator you probably already know that school uniforms can be a very controversial topic.  Creative Message Media highly recommends using humor and lightheartedness to persuade others to your point of you.  Whether your goal is to promote school uniforms, gay marriage, breast feeding in public, or encourage restaurant employees to remember to wash their hands, humor can be the ticket!