Archive for May, 2009

Positive Power of Principled Profit, May 2009

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

–> Positive Power Spotlight: Southwest Airlines
In a business as bureaucratic as the airline industry, Southwest Airlines has always impressed me with its willingness to go against “normal” policy in order to do right by its customers. Not surprisingly, this positive attitude extends to doing right by its employees as well. And was probably one of the factors that led Southwest to maintain profitability–alone among US airlines–in the aftermath of 9/11.  Click here to continue reading.

–> Another Recommended Book: CauseWired
Are there lessons from the nonprofit and social change worlds for business? Watson’s new book proves that the lessons not only are there for the taking, but that they’re numerous–particularly in the way they use new technologies to build communities poised for action.  Business is ultimately about… Click here to continue reading.

–> In these tough times, I want to do my part. I’ve just released some things to save you money: A brand new e-book called Painless Green: 111 Tips to Help the Environment, Lower Your Carbon Footprint, Cut Your Budget, and Improve Your Quality of Life—With No Negative Impact on Your Lifestylehttp://www.painlessgreenbook.com – and a website where you can get that e-book and all my books at a discount: http://www.RecessionBusterBooks.com

–> Become a Published Author! Join Get Your Book Done: Shel Horowitz’s Ethical Expert Publishing Program 12-week coaching program covering how you can position  yourself as an ethical expert, nine reasons you need a book, and the many steps you need to finish and publish your book, seven different publishing models, 18 crucial things to know if you’re launching your own publishing company, and more. Seating is limited to 30 seats at the Silver level, and just five seats at the Platinum level, which includes three private coaching sessions. Click here for more information
–> Hear & Meet Shel

  • If you’re going to either Sam Horn’s seminar at the National Press Club in Washington on May 15 or Ryan Lee’s amazingly value-packed Continuity Summit that same weekend in Stamford, CT, please say hi. I’m not on program for either event but I’ll be there (though I have to miss a chunk of Ryan’s in order to attend Sam’s).
  • Shel will be interviewed by Colleen Lue of Lit Media Reviews about how authors can become successful.  May 17th at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT.  
  • Book Expo America:  Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers, Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. Foreword Magazine/Greater New York Independent Press Center, Javits Center,  New York City.
  • Diedre Hughey interviews Shel for Author Buzz on BlogTalk Radio, June 10, 2 pm EDT.
  • Shel is the very first interview conducted by Factor 77 TV, a new venture offering support to businesses that want to “do what you love and take your business to the next level.” Shel talks about frugal and ethical marketing, how to avoid customer service pitfalls, and more.
  • Paulette Ensign’s Publishing Prosperity Mastermind is another high-value, low-cost teleseminar series that’s already started, and again, you get all the recordings. I’m speaking on September 17 on “Frugal, Ethical, and Creative Book Marketing–By the Book, Or By the Boxcar”
  • Principled Profit: The Good Business Radio Show, alternate Mondays, 4 p.m. Eastern, over http://www.valleyfreeradio.org (in the Northampton, MA area, 103.3 FM).

–> Friends Who Want to Help
  • A couple of months ago,  I got to look at the manuscript of Judith Sherven and Jim Sniechowski’s new book, The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back. And now it’s finally available, and Judith and Jim are sweetening the deal with some bonuses, including one from me.–as well as David Riklan, Mark Joyner, Christine Kloser, Scott Martineau, Jody Colvard, Hay House… http://theheartofmarketing.com I liked enough not only to recommend it here, but also to review it in last month’s newsletter AND to quote it in my forthcoming book.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know this husband-and-wife psychology team and feel their soft-sell message is a breath of fresh air in our hard-sell world.
  • Michael Port just keeps writing great books. His latest is The Think Big Manifesto: Think You Can’t Change Your Life (and the World)? Think Again. I haven’t gotten my copy yet but it sounds like a perfect fit for my philosophy. I’m included in the book–I believe he discusses the Business Ethics Pledge campaign (and if you haven’t signed yet, please take two minutes out of your day to visit http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org and do one small part to make the world better).  He writes, “Hey, Michael here, calling on all you big thinkers. I’m talking about the biggest, brightest, forward-thinking, still dreaming, hard core intellectual thinking, down-to-earth realistic-being and even the most unconfessed, self-professed and secretive big thinkers (and, that pretty much covers everyone). The think big revolution is in full swing. There’s no stopping it. Thousands of revolutionaries are coming together to collaborate, cooperate and combine forces to yes…  think bigger about who they are and what they offer the world.” The landing page is a bit hypey, but click through. Nice bonus package, too.
  • When Mark Joyner and Joe Vitale team up, you can be sure you’ll learn something useful from these two visionary marketers. Start with the first of Joe’s five “Missing Secrets” that he thinks should have been included in “The Secret” (where he’s one of the featured Law of Attraction teachers, by the way) – oh yes, and if you’re reading this on May 5, tune in at 8 p.m. EDT for a broadcast with Joe: http://www.simpleology.com/courses/loavideo3/prinprofit/
–> In the Media

A busy few months with the media.

–> Which of Shel’s Books is Right for You?

–> New on the Sites, May 2009

–> Administrative Information
Subscribe, unsubscribe, back issues, etc.

–> Don’t forget to play our games, at the top of any page on FrugalFun.com– no fees to play, prizes to win, and you help me continue to bring all this good information to you.

Published monthly since May, 1997 by Shel Horowitz
16 Barstow Lane, Hadley, MA 01035 USA
413/586-2388

Positive Power Spotlight: Southwest Airlines

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
This post (along with about 300 other articles) is available exclusively to subscribers or to members of the Clean and Green Club. If you are a subscriber or Club member, please login at www.thecleanandgreenclub.com/members If you are not a subscriber or member, please visit www.thecleanandgreenclub.com

Another Recommended Book: CauseWired

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
This post (along with about 300 other articles) is available exclusively to subscribers or to members of the Clean and Green Club. If you are a subscriber or Club member, please login at www.thecleanandgreenclub.com/members If you are not a subscriber or member, please visit www.thecleanandgreenclub.com

Frugal Fun Tip, May 2009

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

–> Fare Trackers Can Save a Bundle on Airfare
Learn how you can save hundreds on air travel.

–> In these tough times, I want to do my part. I’ve just released some things to save you money: A brand new e-book called Painless Green: 111 Tips to Help the Environment, Lower Your Carbon Footprint, Cut Your Budget, and Improve Your Quality of Life—With No Negative Impact on Your Lifestylehttp://www.painlessgreenbook.com – and a website where you can get that e-book and all my books at a discount: http://www.RecessionBusterBooks.com

–> When I spoke at Willie Crawford’s conference in Orlando in March, I almost skipped the weight loss and body image session given by Laura Fenamore. I’m so glad I went after all! She has a very fresh approach, rooted not in diet or exercise or “shoulds” but in empowerment, positive attitude, and self-esteem–an approach that came out of her own troubled adolescence in an abusive family, but which she was able to channel into this deep and wonderful place. In fact, I was so impressed that I signed up as an affiliate. See for yourself at http://www.itsnotaboutdieting.com/

–> Hear & Meet Shel

    –> Friends Who Want to Help
      –> In the Media

      –> Which of Shel’s Books is Right for You?

      –> New on the Sites, May 2009

      –> Administrative Information
      Subscribe, unsubscribe, back issues, etc.

      –> Don’t forget to play our games, at the top of any page on FrugalFun.com– no fees to play, prizes to win, and you help me continue to bring all this good information to you.

      Published monthly since May, 1997 by Shel Horowitz
      16 Barstow Lane, Hadley, MA 01035 USA
      413/586-2388

      Frugal Marketing Tip, May 2009

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

      –> Free as a Biz Strategy
      Do you offer any freebies to build your business? I sure do!  I’ve built my business on giving away vast quantities of information–but through that, selling both information and brainpower as an author and speaker, and as a consultant and copywriter. Google loves my sites because… click here to continue reading.

      –> In these tough times, I want to do my part. I’ve just released some things to save you money: A brand new e-book called Painless Green: 111 Tips to Help the Environment, Lower Your Carbon Footprint, Cut Your Budget, and Improve Your Quality of Life—With No Negative Impact on Your Lifestylehttp://www.painlessgreenbook.com – and a website where you can get that e-book and all my books at a discount: http://www.RecessionBusterBooks.com

      –> Become a Published Author! Join Get Your Book Done: Shel Horowitz’s Ethical Expert Publishing Program 12-week coaching program covering how you can position  yourself as an ethical expert, nine reasons you need a book, and the many steps you need to finish and publish your book, seven different publishing models, 18 crucial things to know if you’re launching your own publishing company, and more. Seating is limited to 30 seats at the Silver level, and just five seats at the Platinum level, which includes three private coaching sessions. Click here for more information

      –> Hear & Meet Shel

      • Book Marketing for Authors, CAPA University in Hartford, May 9, (view/download the complete program here)
      • Social Media for Book Marketing: Build Communities of FANS! Self-Publishers Online Conference, May 13-15, online. Shel will be presenting the morning of May 14 (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT) on Social Media for Book Marketing: Build Communities of Fans
      • If you’re going to either Sam Horn’s seminar at the National Press Club in Washington on May 15 or Ryan Lee’s amazingly value-packed Continuity Summit that same weekend in Stamford, CT, please say hi.
      • Shel will be interviewed by Colleen Lue of Lit Media Reviews about how authors can become successful.  May 17th at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT.
      • Book Expo America:  Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers, Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. Foreword Magazine/Greater New York Independent Press Center, Javits Center,  New York City.
      • Diedre Hughey interviews Shel for Author Buzz on BlogTalk Radio, June 10, 2 pm EDT.
      • Shel is the very first interview conducted by Factor 77 TV, a new venture offering support to businesses that want to “do what you love and take your business to the next level.” Shel talks about frugal and ethical marketing, how to avoid customer service pitfalls, and more.
      • Paulette Ensign’s Publishing Prosperity Mastermind is another high-value, low-cost teleseminar series that’s already started, and again, you get all the recordings. I’m speaking on September 17 on “Frugal, Ethical, and Creative Book Marketing–By the Book, Or By the Boxcar”
      • Principled Profit: The Good Business Radio Show, alternate Mondays, 4 p.m. Eastern, over http://www.valleyfreeradio.org (in the Northampton, MA area, 103.3 FM).
      –> Friends Who Want to Help
      • Michael Port just keeps writing great books. His latest is The Think Big Manifesto: Think You Can’t Change Your Life (and the World)? Think Again. I haven’t gotten my copy yet but it sounds like a perfect fit for my philosophy. I’m included in the book–I believe he discusses the Business Ethics Pledge campaign (and if you haven’t signed yet, please take two minutes out of your day to visit http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org and do one small part to make the world better).  He writes, “Hey, Michael here, calling on all you big thinkers. I’m talking about the biggest, brightest, forward-thinking, still dreaming, hard core intellectual thinking, down-to-earth realistic-being and even the most unconfessed, self-professed and secretive big thinkers (and, that pretty much covers everyone). The think big revolution is in full swing. There’s no stopping it. Thousands of revolutionaries are coming together to collaborate, cooperate and combine forces to yes…  think bigger about who they are and what they offer the world.” The landing page is a bit hypey, but click through. Nice bonus package, too.
      • When Mark Joyner and Joe Vitale team up, you can be sure you’ll learn something useful from these two visionary marketers. Start with the first of Joe’s five “Missing Secrets” that he thinks should have been included in “The Secret” (where he’s one of the featured Law of Attraction teachers, by the way) – oh yes, and if you’re reading this on May 5, tune in at 8 p.m. EDT for a broadcast with Joe: http://www.simpleology.com/courses/loavideo3/prinprofit/
      –> In the Media

      –> Which of Shel’s Books is Right for You?

      –> New on the Sites, May 2009

      –> Administrative Information
      Subscribe, unsubscribe, back issues, etc.

      –> Don’t forget to play our games, at the top of any page on FrugalFun.com– no fees to play, prizes to win, and you help me continue to bring all this good information to you.

      Published monthly since May, 1997 by Shel Horowitz
      16 Barstow Lane, Hadley, MA 01035 USA
      413/586-2388

      Fare Trackers Can Save A Bundle on Airfare: Frugal Fun Tip, May ’09

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

      We were in Spain and Morocco last month, visiting my daughter who’s studying in Granada this semester. When we first found out she was going, airfares were very over $700, and with three of us, we didn’t think we’d make the trip.

      But we signed up for a fare tracker to let us know when the fare went below $600 per person. When it did, we grabbed the flight. Even got a nonstop from New York to Málaga, amazingly enough.

      Ours was on Orbits, I think (might have been Travelocity). You can also sign up for fare alerts and e-newsletters at several dedicated websites, including Kayak.com, FareCompare.com and Yapta.com, as well as my old standby SmarterTravel.com. And of course, most airlines have an e-bulletin too, with some pretty amazing deals sometimes.

      For more frugal travel tips–a whole chapter, in fact–check out Shel’s 280-page e-book, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist. At $8.50, it’ll save ghe typical reader hundreds of dollars every year on FUN.

      New on the Sites, May 2009

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

      Global Travel Review

      Global Arts Review

      Down to Business Magazine

      Ethics Articles

      Free as a Biz Strategy: Frugal Marketing Tip, May, ’09

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
      This post (along with about 300 other articles) is available exclusively to subscribers or to members of the Clean and Green Club. If you are a subscriber or Club member, please login at www.thecleanandgreenclub.com/members If you are not a subscriber or member, please visit www.thecleanandgreenclub.com

      Hear & Meet Shel, May 2009

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

      Book Marketing for Authors, CAPA University in Hartford, May 9, (view/download the complete program here)

      Social Media for Book Marketing: Build Communities of FANS! Self-Publishers Online Conference, May 13-15, online. Shel will be presenting the morning of May 14 (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT) on Social Media for Book Marketing: Build Communities of Fans

      If you’re going to either Sam Horn’s seminar at the National Press Club in Washington on May 15 or Ryan Lee’s amazingly value-packed Continuity Summit that same weekend in Stamford, CT, please say hi. I’m not on program for either event but I’ll be there (though I have to miss a chunk of Ryan’s in order to attend Sam’s). I’m especially excited to finally meet in person a lot of people I really admire, including Mark Joyner, David Frey, and Mat Bacak, among others. Mark Victor Hansen, Russell Brunson, and Stephen Pierce are also on the program, and I’ve heard a rumor that the amazing Carrie Wilkerson (Barefoot Executive) may show up. The price is very reasonable. And since I’ve been thinking about a membership site for several years, I know I’ll get a lot of value out of being there.

      Shel will be interviewed by Colleen Lue of Lit Media Reviews about how authors can become successful.  May 17th at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm PT.  

      Book Expo America:  Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers, Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. Foreword Magazine/Greater New York Independent Press Center, Javits Center,  New York City.

      Diedre Hughey interviews Shel for Author Buzz on BlogTalk Radio, June 10, 2 pm EDT.
      Shel is the very first interview conducted by Factor 77 TV, a new venture offering support to businesses that want to “do what you love and take your business to the next level.” Shel talks about frugal and ethical marketing, how to avoid customer service pitfalls, and more.

      Paulette Ensign’s Publishing Prosperity Mastermind
      is another high-value, low-cost teleseminar series that’s already started, and again, you get all the recordings. I’m speaking on September 17 on “Frugal, Ethical, and Creative Book Marketing–By the Book, Or By the Boxcar”

      Principled Profit: The Good Business Radio Show, alternate Mondays, 4 p.m. Eastern, over http://www.valleyfreeradio.org (in the Northampton, MA area, 103.3 FM).

      • 5/18: Lisa Vote, Mixed Greens Eco-Boutique
      • 6/1: Christine Takacs, eco-friendly graphic design and printing

      Follow me on:

      Friends Who Want to Help, May 2009

      Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

      A couple of months ago,  I got to look at the manuscript of Judith Sherven and Jim Sniechowski’s new book, The Heart of Marketing: Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back. And now it’s finally available, and Judith and Jim are sweetening the deal with some bonuses, including one from me.–as well as David Riklan, Mark Joyner, Christine Kloser, Scott Martineau, Jody Colvard, Hay House… http://theheartofmarketing.com I liked enough not only to recommend it here, but also to review it in last month’s newsletter AND to quote it in my forthcoming book.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know this husband-and-wife psychology team and feel their soft-sell message is a breath of fresh air in our hard-sell world.

      Michael Port just keeps writing great books. His latest is The Think Big Manifesto:
      Think You Can’t Change Your Life (and the World)? Think Again. I haven’t gotten my copy yet but it sounds like a perfect fit for my philosophy. I’m included in the book–I believe he discusses the Business Ethics Pledge campaign (and if you haven’t signed yet, please take two minutes out of your day to visit http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org and do one small part to make the world better).  He writes, “Hey, Michael here, calling on all you big thinkers. I’m talking about the biggest, brightest, forward-thinking, still dreaming, hard core intellectual thinking, down-to-earth realistic-being and even the most unconfessed, self-professed and secretive big thinkers (and, that pretty much covers everyone). The think big revolution is in full swing. There’s no stopping it. Thousands of revolutionaries are coming together to collaborate, cooperate and combine forces to yes…  think bigger about who they are and what they offer the world.” The landing page is a bit hypey, but click through. Nice bonus package, too.
      When Mark Joyner and Joe Vitale team up, you can be sure you’ll learn something useful from these two visionary marketers. Start with the first of Joe’s five “Missing Secrets” that he thinks should have been included in “The Secret” (where he’s one of the featured Law of Attraction teachers, by the way) – oh yes, and if you’re reading this on May 5, tune in at 8 p.m. EDT for a broadcast with Joe: http://www.simpleology.com/courses/loavideo3/prinprofit/

      Some of the opportunities mentioned may pay commissions. If you’d like to know if a particular program is commissionable, you’re welcome to ask us.





      Note: As is the case for most professional reviewers, many of the books I review on this site have been provided by the publisher or author, at no cost to me. I've also reviewed books that I bought, because they were worthy of your time. And I've also received dozens of review copies at no charge that do not get reviewed, either because they are not worthy or because they don't meet the subject criteria for this column, or simply because I haven't gotten around to them yet, since I only review one book per month. I have far more books in my office than I will ever read, and the receipt of a free book does not affect my review.