Maggie Rants [and Raves]

Social Networking

by Maggie Franklin | August 20, 2012 | Bookmark +

So one of my clients has opened a dance studio.

This would ordinarily fall under the category of "stuff my clients do in their personal life that makes for interesting conversation but doesn't really involve me" — except that I kinda keep volunteering to be involved.

The problem is that I'm a marketing nut. Every time someone I know starts any sort of business — from Scentsy rep to dance studio — I get all excited and start babbling about all sorts of ideas for marketing. Mostly, these people sort of tune me out once the pitch of my voice raises by three levels. Once they realize that their excuses about not being able to afford "advertising" are moot and that I have a zillion ideas that require minimal cost — but actual effort — they just sort of nod and smile and pretend to like the folk and bluegrass music I'm so fond of.

But not Beth. Beth has been getting her nails done since her oldest daughter was about 2 months old. That was 10 years ago. Her oldest daughter is now a competitive dancer with a 4-year-old sister and a former dance studio owner who um ... [cough cough] ... well, let's say that she wasn't cut out to own a dance studio.

Xtreme Dance Tulare is now a labor of love that represents a true grass-roots community spirit. The hairstylist across the hall from my salon is now the head dance instructor — she danced from birth to college and has instructed before. (It's a good thing Beth didn't hire me for the job, I rock "the elevator" — it has no steps.) The BF's (yes, my BF) coworker's baby sister is one of the instructors, and I seem to have stepped into some sort of graphic artist/marketing v.p./cheerleader role.

And yes... I realize that I am nearly out of space for this post and it still has nothing to do with doing nails.

Except it does — not nails, specifically, but running a business. Because I just spent some quality time trying to edit Beth's website (she'll be getting a new website when I have time) and banging my head against a cyberwall, trying to add a Facebook Fanbox to her site. And giving her a lecture which she was way too willing to listen to, about using Facebook to her advantage.

But I'm not going to get this post published at this point because I am babbling. I feel better about my efforts to help a client establish a business. But I am so way off topic! LOL! I'd better start over ...

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