I had many requests last week to give you a bit more information on Facebook . Here you go….

Those that have listened to me spout about Facebook through our association teaching calls have heard me refer to Facebook as the front porch.   ( visit www.arcsi.org and click on store…then click on Hot Topic downloads, type in my name and you’ll find 5 or so calls on marketing and/or Facebook for our industry) I have heard other social media experts refer to it as the house or your living room. I have a different view point. My living room is my website. I am drawing my friends and fans in through my front porch. I ultimately want to lead them to my living room (aka website). They get there through my front porch (aka Facebook). Is that a clear analogy for you? If not – I’d love to hear your comments and I’ll try to expand on that. Communication aka posts and comments on my page are like the telephone. Do you answer your phone? We all know as business owners, how very important answering the phone is right? We also know how important WHO is answering that phone IS. If someone calls for your service and has no response…. What’s your likelihood of booking service? I don’t need to answer that question for you … we have deeper things to talk about if I do, right?

Are you still fighting the social media bandwagon? Not very entrepreneurial of you… get on board my friend or be left behind!

Blogging, Face book, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google ads, Face book ads, Yelp, Angie’s list, internet forums, micro blogging, podcasts, wikis, email, instant messaging, video , websites … what a list eh?

It’s a lot to take in if you are not already integrated into the social world!   I coach face book… how crazy is that? The site I began playing with so I could keep track of my kids is now paying bills! I love it, it’s fun and it changes daily. I am also having a lot of fun running different pages for other businesses besides my own. It keeps things exciting! Just when I have the hang of it face book changes the rules again! I love a challenge!

We have been experiencing the BEST weather here in Iowa.  I went from Hawaii to … Hawaii?  Is this Iowa? Well … there are no oceans nearby but we do have an amazing river that flows through our town. I went downtown on St. Patrick’s Day for the first time in years… just to go downtown. I was carefree like I haven’t been since... well, I have no clue!  Our city experienced the power of a river and after several years it was exciting to see all the life and rebuilding that was happening.  Carefree was everywhere.

I have been contemplating that day as well as the last few years.  I feel like I am coming back alive too.  It’s not a super deep blog.  It won’t be long or super insightful.

How many of you are fans of Absolutely Clean?

Those of you that are, understand that I talk about time a lot. The importance of it, and why you should hire us to do the dirty work for you.    Today I am encouraging you to let the house get dirty!

Recently I posted on our fan page for a free clean and asked you WHY you should win.  I love hearing what you will do with your time, but it makes me a little sad sometimes.  It makes me sad because I am afraid if you don’t win, then these magical things you talk about will be put off…  this is what a few of you wrote:

Come join us tonight from 5-8 pm, for some FREE massages and wine tasting, and while you are here you can purchase AWESOME Valentine's Packages for someone special, or some items from our store (norwex, mutt mitts, urine off, numerous cleaning supplies, etc.) All proceeds are split between TIME IN A BOTTLE (non-profit organization that funds cleaning for families dealing with a child with cancer or other life threatening illness) and a local family who battling cancer as we speak. Every penny helps AND you get a massage and wine.....what more can you ask for?

Time in a Bottle, INC was born in April and unveiled on June 23, 2011. Thank You to all that made it happen and are still making it happen … it is an infant right now and keeping us up at night!

The mission of Time in a Bottle INC is to provide precious “time” to parents that are dealing with the hope and care of their children becoming survivors of not only cancer, but any other life threatening illness that requires multiple hours away from home and family.

I was recently SHOCKED to read an article some of my association friends were applauding the contributors for, "Secrets of a Housecleaner". I can ONLY guess there was lots of chatter and well …. You know how the press can “twist” things a bit?   I need to clear some things up here! I would imagine my friends who helped with this article are as upset as I am!

 

1. It’s the little things that make people happy. That’s why we make the little triangle at the end of the toilet paper roll. You guys love that.

AC: "Got that one right! we do this because it’s a nice detail.   I have actually had a client call me and complain that the team missed cleaning the bathroom …. We forgot the triangle, not the bathroom but that’s what she looked for when walking through her home."

My amazing husband...if you know him, you understand amazing is an understatement.  He is a teacher, consultant, listener, father, friend, confidant, son,uncle, and a better Catholic than I ever dream of being. Oh.....lover too. (blushing ....gross mom!!!) He is patient, kind and I would be lost with out him.

We have not had a trip by ourselves that has not involved our children or family in 14 years.

This year.... I am in charge.

Blog:  A shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences or hobbies.

You may have learned that this isn't your "normal" business and I really don't care about PC.  Part of this nation's problem is too much PC --- so phony.. this PC.  Ironic, eh?  So here is another out of the ordinary business "blog"...

Absolutely Clean is having a tough week.  I've said good bye to clients that expect two of my staff to spend 4-5 hours deep cleaning a house that hasn't been touched in a month for the same price as a maintenance clean ... our snow birds are flying away ( we tried to tell them there was no snow here so why not just stay this year???)  We lose clients to over spending at Christmas time (they will be back later.. )    Crystal's sister's boyfriend passed away ... Jean's daughter has cancer and Julie's husband had a heart attack tonight.   The list goes on ...

Boy are we praying.

Every wonder about all the "stuff" in someone's home?  Some have more than others... some have things that are just "decorations" and truly mean nothing more than making sure that it "fits" with the decor.

My house is a little odd to some... most everything in our home has some meaning. If you know me well, you can pick up just about anything and hear a "story".   MOST of the pictures on the walls are either pictures of my family or the picture has a story about something we all did together.  The picture in my basemet that looks like a beautful winter trail?  Just a picture?  no ... my husband and I ran 16 miles every Sunday together while training for a marathon that looks EXACTLY like the picture.  Story.

Time for me to be a little selfish.

You ever wonder what makes people give? what is the catalyst that says.. yep, I need to pull some change out of my pocket? I know what makes me give.  It's totally selfish.  I feel good after I give.  I get goosebumps when I see someone else happy.  It's a drug.  

So...we put out there that we were going to give 1,000 to a family in need - we got a few emails.  We set some parameters because we are looking for REAL, DESPERATE NEED.  Desperate as in DESPERATE.  After some research... they may be in need and we are completely compassionate but desperate?   nah