Randall Blaum's Marketing Blog

CLOse to My Heart - The Best Wine Bar in New York Dazzles the Eyes and the Palette

This state-of-the-art wine bar rests high above Columbus Circle, just off 59th, on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center and has the flair of a fully-decked-out wine bar, with a unique and hip twist... Actually two or three twists.

As you apprach CLO it seems simple enough - a nice wine bar in the middle of an upscale mall.  Once you pass through the entry and are greeted professionally and pleasanty by the CLO staff you are escorted to one of three areas.  The main area is a long communal table that seats 20 or so.  Twist number one is how you view the menu at the communal table.  First off it is interactive and is beamed onto the table in front of you from hidden projectors in the ceiling. 

You simply use your fingers to move the images around, view facts about the wines, and of course, the prices.  All in all it is a fun way to spend some time, but I thought the images could have been a bit more sharp.

The other areas you may be directed to are a couple of standing tables at either end of the bar, or (and itis my favorite) a bar that over looks Central park South and the huge atrium of the Time Warner Center.  This way you get a great view and a wee bit more privacy.  Also, there is no interactive menus at the bar overlook.  A small price to pay in my mind.

Now on two twist number two...  CLO has over 100 international wines (in 2oz and 4oz pours) and by the bottle.  The purchasing process is easy and fun (twist number 3).  Once you make your selection from the wine list you simply swipe your CLO card (they keep your credit card on file during your stay) at one of the many Enomatic dispensers and your wine pours into your glass. For those of you that take the "A" to get to 59th, it's as easy as swiping your Metrocard.

CLO makes it easy in another way as well.  The prices for the each glass of wine is listed electronically above the bottles in the Enomatic so you don't accidentally purchase the wrong beverage or a wine that costs more than you want to spend.

While I was there I enjoyed a Shiraz from The d'Arenberg from Australia, and while good, it was not my favorite from the winery.  If you ever get to try The Dead Arm, buy it at any price.. It's worth it.

CLO is a wonderful way to spend time with friends, or just by yourself relaxing.  One thing, the mark up on the wines is a bit steep, but not outrageous and it is an experience everyone wine lover should have at least once.

For my money and my time, CLO is aces and every time I have guests in town, or am on one of my famous walkabouts, you can bet CLO will be one of my stops.

5-Stars - A trip well worth your time and money.

Clo Wine Bar
10 Columbus Cir., 4/F
(@ 8th Ave.)
Upper West Side
212.823.9898

Launching a Payload into Space isn't as Easy as it Looks on TV

Good Sunday to you all.

I know it has been well over a month since my last post and I got all the messages and, yes, I'm fine.  My team and I have been working nearly 'round the clock on some major initiatives like:  Sending a payload into space, a new major internet IPO, a new television program and more.  To put it succinctly, we've burned the candle at both ends and the middle. Whew!  What a ride.  It has also been some of the greatest days of my life.  I wake up early, go to bed late and love every minute of my life. 

Well, the past few days we have been at Spaceport America deep inside the New Mexico desert preparing for our sub-orbital launch.  We spoke with the mission commander, toured mission control, and got up close and personal with the space vehicle and the launch pad.

Here are some stats on the vehicle itself.  It is 20+ feet long, 10 inches in diameter and can carry a payload of 110 pounds into space and back to earth.  The rocket motor is designed and built in Canada and uses the same solid fuel that the NASA Space Shuttle does.

Yesterday we were up at 3am to make our way to the launch site, Launching pad 1 at Spaceport America.  It takes about 2 hours from Las Cruces to get there and about 30 miles is on unpaved "washboard" roads.  Talk about the unintended back massage.

Yesterday the launch went flawlessly.  Exactly at 0800 the countdown reached zero and the launch vehicle screamed from the launch pad and into the sky.  We saw the rocket ignite and the vehicle launch, but there was not sound... Until about 15 seconds later when the sky was filled with the roar of the rocket motor and as the vehicle went up, up, up and out of site.  All that was left was a miles long contrail.  People were cheering and I literally got goose bumps and cried.  These were tears of joy, that man has come so far and created so much that I was at a launch of a space vehicle that was carrying a payload for us.  For the moment that payload is top secret, but I'll reveal that when I can.

David, my partner was there, too which is only right since it was his idea to create a program and payload for this mission. We both worked for months on all the paperwork, the creation of the payload, shipping all of that to the space services company and planning the trip to the Spaceport.

That's David in the photo looking at the vehicle mounted on the "rail."  The rail is like the vehicle's guidance system.  It is  hydraulically operated and on the day of launch the rail will go vertical and so will the vehicle.  We had "crew only" access to the launch pad and the vehicle and when I have the okay to release those photos I will.  When it comes to security and launch vehicles, everyone is very careful.

Back to the story...  About an hour after launch, the launch director told us that the vehicle had failed to reach "space" which is a minimum of 62 miles (the mission was slated to reach 73 miles) above the Earth.  While that was not great news, it almost didn't matter because our payload and the other payloads (University of NM, The Air Force and others) all came back to terra firma intact and safe. 

We will be working with the space services and aerospace company to build another launch vehicle so we may launch our payload again.  Plans are in the works with our space services company to do at least 2 more launches this year and even a deep space mission in 2012.

Well it seems as if I have gone on long enough now, so I'll sign off and tell you more about the IPO and our other programs in a future post.

Be well and I am yours in success,
Randall

You Can See Randall Speak Live from Toronto on the Internet!!!

Hi Marketers,

Do I have Exciting News!

The Raymond Aaron Group will be broadcasting the entire Maximum Mind---Mega Wealth event being held this weekend LIVE on the internet...

As you know I will be speaking at the event along with many other very accomplished speakers and I urge you to tune-in to the webcast if you can't be at the event in person. (It's the next best thing)

Now there is a nominal charge of 9.95 to view the webcast but Raymond tells me this is just to cover off the costs of putting the ENTIRE event up on the web...and when you consider what your getting---three days of solid instruction about creating and developing a mindset that will virtually guarantee your success in whatever it is you send your mind to accomplishing---the decision to tune-in is really a no-brainer...

Get all the details here:

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=933787

And watch...  The entire event...if you can...  Or check-in from time-to-time throughout the weekend...

I am leaving in a few minutes to fly to Toronto so sign up now and you can see me tomorrow at 10:30am EST.  Get all the details here:  http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=933787

I am yours in success,

Randall

How Internet Press Releases Make You Money

This is a story of a startup company with just a small budget and how they created huge success for themselves on less than $100.

There are many, many people who will tell you that internet press releases are, "Stupid, a waste of time, useless, nobody reads them, and you're crazy for wasting your money."  Does that about cover it?  And you know what, in many cases, these expert naysayers are right.  WHAT?? Randall, did you just lose your mind?  You actually agree with the naysayers?  OMG!

Don't panic, calm down... I said they are right in many cases because too many people simply throw a press release on the net and hope that it creates some traction.  They almost never do unless you know how to write the release in such a way that it gets the exact exposure you want.

For a lot of people they think (and hope) that a free press release will cause an avalanche of business, hits, page views, and money to come their way.  Nope - not gonna happen... At least not all at once.  It all depends on what you want the outcome to be from your efforts.  In my experience there are two things that make the internet work for you; time and money.  In general, the more money you throw at the internet (in a well coordinated effort) the less time it takes to achieve your goals.  Conversely, if you do not have that much money, it will take a bit longer to achieve your goals, but achieve them you will. 

Having said that, you can also be the next “flavor of the week:” in the viral world, which can be great, but only if you have something for the viewer to do after they see the video of your cat driving a Greyhound bus and singing God Bless America at the same time.  Just to have something viral is fun and attention getting, but if you are in business attention without sales = bankruptcy.

So to the point…  When you send out a press release or media advisory you need to have your goal in mind.  To do this here are THREE easy steps to follow:

Note:  For this blog I am talking exclusively about internet press releases because the real world press release strategies are similar, but also very different in many ways.

1.     Determine BEFORE you send the release out; who the target audience is, what do you want them to do when they read it, and how do you plan on tracking the success of the release.

2.    On the internet the headline is even more important than in the real world, because so many systems on the internet search the headline and make the decision to send it on, use it, or discard it.  That means that your headline has to have the right key words, the right language, and the right flow so it is picked up by as many outlets as possible.

Now that you have determined what your goal is, who your audience is, and what you want them do AND you have really thought about the headline you need to…

3.    Write the best story you can in the release.  Far too many internet releases are simple pitch pieces that have lots of facts, but are cold and unemotional.  The better story you tell to the reader, the more it gets passed around to others.  Add information for people to not only read, but that they can understand and finally they think you are the solution to the problem they are having.  This sounds easy, but it’s not.  In Hollywood, where I have spent over 30 years of my life, there are very few truly great stories.  Think about it. 

You may have seen some good movies that were even worth the $10 you spent on them, but when was the last time you came out of the theatre and were moved, really moved by what you saw?  For most of you, I will be willing to bet it’s been a while.  Make your press release a great story that involves the reader and you will see better results.

How do I know this? Okay, it’s a fair question.  I have used this same system when I did a five-part television series on Madonna that was broadcast on multiple networks.  I have use this same strategy when I created a sales program for a national brand, and I have just seen this system work for a startup company I am consulting with that has saved over $3miilion dollars and in now going for its IPO.  The best story wins and wins big.   

Starting using the narrative as well as the factual in your internet press releases and you, too, can see the results you want, which is more exposure and more money in the bank.

I am yours in success,

Randall

KickBrix Energy Chews get Rave Reviews from Major Website

Hi Marketing Moguls!

This just came out today from a major energy review website: www.EnergyDrinkRatings.com.  Here is the link to the review, but it is featured below in its entirety.

Randall

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast

Cost: $0.50 / for one chew
Cost Per Ounce:NA
Active Ingredients:Caffeine, Taurine, Panax Ginseng
Taste Rating:8.7
Kick Rating:8.8
Final Judgment Rating:8.7

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast:
So I have been focusing on Energy Drinks and the ever competitive and growing energy shots segments and I have been neglecting other energy products. So for today's review I will be focusing on KickBrix Energy Chews. These chews come in two flavors berry & citrus and have a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a pack of 5 chews or about $0.80/chew. You can pick them up cheaper (as little as $0.45/chew) by buying them in bulk online. It also looks like their website is currently offering a free sample. Alright, enough fluff, let's see if these Kick Brix Energy chews can compete with conventional energy drinks and shots.

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Taste
As I mentioned above, they come in two flavors - Berry Blast and Citrus. It doesn't matter if you prefer one over the other as both flavors come in the same pack. The flavor of these chews is actually not that bad and is comparable to a similar flavored Starburst, with one exception, there is a little more of a bite. This bite can be attributed to the chews packed with a plethora of energy ingredients. Of the energy chews and even energy gums that I have tried, Kick Brix definitely stands out as the best tasting to date. Taste Rating - 8.7

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Kick
The taste is pretty good but is the kick in "KickBrix" worth it? Well their taglines suggest that the kick will be comparable if not better than your typical energy drink. Some examples of taglines: "A monster kick without the bull" and "more punch less price." To tell you the truth I would have to agree. For $0.50, the price of one chew, you get 150 milligrams of energy blend which consists of 90 milligrams of caffeine couple with taurine and panax ginseng. Not too shabby for $0.50. I ate two chews and had enough energy to last for a couple hours... Oh and the chews are sugar free, so no energy crash either. Kick Rating - 8.8 (based on 2 chews)

KickBrix Energy Chews - Citrus & Berry Blast: Final Judgment
For 1/4 the price of your typical energy beverage you can get a pretty similar kick without the calories. If Kick Brix can pick up shelf and or counter space in the over crowded energy segment, then I think we might have a winner on our hands. I know I enjoyed it, but don't take my word for it, go to their site and try out a free sample. If you disagree with me, feel free to flame me in the comments section below. Final Judgment - 8.7

Randall Blaum is Speaking in Toronto and You are Invited!

Hi Marketing Moguls!

I'm inviting you to join me in Toronto on February 27, 28 and March 1 at a very special event I'll be speaking at called "Maximum Mind--Mega Wealth".

Now this event is being put on by a good friend of mine, Raymond Aaron and it will be focusing on mastering what Raymond likes to call "Your Inner Game"...the mindset that you need to build FIRST to create the kind of personal, financial and spiritual success in your life that you want...

You see, according to Raymond, so many folks jump from one thing to another trying to "make it" without determining what their true passion really is...and as a result success--for them--becomes an endless chase...Yet, (as Raymond says) if you get the "mind stuff" right...like determining what you love to do, replacing old self-limiting beliefs with empowering ones and increasing your capacity to learn and communicate with others...your path to a life of abundance and joy becomes quite clear...and a whole lot easier...

So if the words above make sense to you...if they resonate and feel right...make plans to join me...

You can register and get all the details here:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=933787

I am yours in success,

Randall

PS

Did I mention you can come for f.r.e.e.? Click the link below!

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=933787

Why Write a Blog? Why Read a Blog?

Why Write a Blog?

First, a web log, or blog, is used to express yourself, your vision, and your wisdom to likeminded people who have similar interests or tastes.  You can share information, stories, links to other sites, and more.
I use my blog a one form of communication to the people who not only enjoy my thoughts, strategies, my insight, and sometimes my (hopeful) humor.

One thing I have found to be true is that you should write like the person you are.  Don't write like a lawyer if you are an artist.  Be you, be honest, and be up front.  People appreciate you and read your blog because you wrote it.

You should also make sure (and I have been accused of not doing this from time to time) to use the spell checker.  What you send out the universe stays there forever, so be seen in the best light possible.  If you insert a video, photo, or audio into a blog post, make sure it is relevant the story or subject of the blog.  I think of my blog posts as mini news stories, or even as a press release.  Think about it. You have a headline and you have body copy.  So go and tell a good story.

A great reason to write a blog is so your information may be indexed in the search engines.  The more you write, the more notice you will get.  The search engines are always looking for new information, so give it to them and you will reap the benefits.

Why Read a Blog?

This question can be answered so many ways it's hard to know where to begin, but begin I must.  I think the main reason people read blogs are to gather information or to be entertained, perhaps both. I have found so many great sites, gathered new ideas and ways of thinking about things from the blogs I read.

Beware:  Know who the author of the blog is and make sure they actually know what they are talking about.  Many bloggers simply state their opinions and have no expertise in the subject they are speaking to.  If you're on an entrainment blog, enjoy.  However, if you are counting on information to be correct and relevant, you need to know who writes it why they write it.  There are blogs popping up from huge corporate entities posing as individuals simply to pitch products.  Reader beware...

Do you have a blog you want the world to know about?  Send me a link to your blog and I'll see what I can do to help you get the word out about you.

I am yours in success,
Randall

 

Adrenaline Self-Test for Marketing Moguls

Hi Moguls,

Face it, in today's business environment we are all stressed. Nothing is working the way we really want it to and we're all working harder than ever to make ends meet.

Adrenaline is the drug of choice of a stressed society. Furthermore, most people are connected in some way with a stressed environment, which is why so many of us over-use our adrenaline. Originally, adrenaline was 'developed' to give us a jolt of superhuman energy when faced with a threat. But now, we use adrenaline in order to get an exciting rush or 'high.'  Now I have nothing against adrenaline highs-in fact, they can be quite fun and useful in sports, business, and life.

However, there are both physical and emotional/spiritual costs. Physical in terms of the overuse of the adrenal gland, and the stress that circulating adrenaline puts on the body. Emotional/spiritual in the sense that when we are high; we are not present - that, along with the stress involved in creating situations in which our body is triggered to circulate the adrenaline.

Wondering if you are an adrenaline addict? Your score on the following questionnaire will tell the story. Again, no one is saying that you must stop adrenalizing, but if you recognize the cost and wish to make some changes in your life or way of living, then we suggest you work with a coach who understands the adrenaline process and knows how to help you redesign the areas of your life that trigger your need for the rush.

Self Test Statements - answer "yes" or "no" to the following:
1. I drink coffee or colas or other caffeinated beverages in order to get going or keep going.
2. I eat sugar to calm myself down.
3. I tend to over-promise and then rush to get the project done at the last minute.
4. I arrive at work 'rushed' and already "on".
 5. I feel an inner rush or lack of stillness/peace much of the time, and I can't get rid of it.
 6. I tend to be impatient with the pace or performance of others.
 7. I often drive 10 miles or more over the speed limit or tend to tailgate.
8. I tend to run or arrive late or "just in time." After all, why waste time by being early?
9. It often seems that there is a problem, hassle or difficult situation I'm having to deal with.
10. I don't give myself plenty of time during the day for the things I do know will come up.
11. I love a challenge and pushing through a solution.
12. I get grabbed by surprises or upsetting events and can't calm down for a day or two.
13. I find it boring or difficult to simply hang out with people sometimes. Boring!
14. I am my best when under pressure, especially deadline pressure.
15. Sometimes I wonder if I deliberately set myself up to wait until the last minute.
16. I do not arrive at the airport an hour before my flight.
17. I carry my cell phone, even when I do not really need it.
18. Sometimes I think I unconsciously try to find the hardest way of getting something done.
19. People sometimes complain that I am "not there" with them, even though I am.
20. I tend to be a driven type of person.

Score (Count # of Yes Answers)
15-20 Certified Adrenaline Junkie
11-14 Unhealthy level of adrenaline is probable
6-10 Possible adrenaline problem
0-5 Congratulations! You dot not have an adrenaline problem.

What did you score?  The first time I took this test years ago, I scored... well shall we say... a very high score.  Okay I scored an 18.  Today I score about a 5 or 6 and my life is way happier than it used to be.  My prescription for lowering your need for adrenaline is to do what you love and not do anything else.  Okay, that sound a bit like nirvana-hunting, but listen to me. 

In my experience I have found that anything that takes me off the vector of what I like (and love) to do adds to my stress and when I stay on the course that brings me happiness, I not only feel better, but I am more creative and able to handle the stresses of daily life.

So what did you score?  Send me a note back if this blog was helpful and I'll do a few more like it over the coming weeks.

I am yours in success,
Randall
Proud Soldier's Angel to Jamie

Humor and Politics Make Strange Bedfellows

Okay, so here's the scoop. 

My last blog about the Red Hen really, really got things cooking with all my readers.  I had more response to that one blog than I’ve ever had before and about 95% of the responses were on the good side.  Most people found it humorous, but some did not.

In fact some people were offended by the post and that may wind up costing me something in the future.  While I don’t regret posting the Red Hen blog because as an entrepreneur I am concerned that there may be laws enacted that will limit what I do and how I do it within my own business by someone in the future and I believe in a free market economy.   The free market economy is what built this country to the highest level of any civilization in human history and I believe it will be a big part of what gets us out of our current situation.

Having said that, I can see where inside my marketing blog a political post, no matter how it was intended to be received, could have come out of left field for some... without warning as they say.  I even had someone wonder "What are they going to do with me?"  Hey, if you can't stir the pot on occasion and see what happens, what's the point?

So I accept responsibility for all my posts and all the content in them, including the Red Hen blog and staying above the line I acknowledge the fact that the Red Hen post might have been better posted somewhere else or not at all, but in any case, not in my marketing blog.

Here's what I really think: 
I think there is enough blame to go around, not just in Washington, but all across the country and if each one of us does what we can to build a coalition of people that build, rather than tear down others, it will be a better country for us all. 

And hey...  If anyone feels like they cannot give me a pass on a one-time thing, after I accepted responsibility for my content, then I wish them well.  "Let he with no sin cast the first stone..."  We can't always hit home runs and sometimes disagreement leads to communication which in turn leads to solutions.

Be well, have a great Saturday and thanks for the overwhelming amount of emails and calls.  Wow...

I am yours in marketing and life success,

Randall
Proud Soldier's Angel to Jamie

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A Tale of Credit Card Debt - How You Get Taken to the Cleaners

A good friend of mine sent me this yesterday and it was so well written, I thought it would be good to pass on to you.

What follows is a little long and dramatic, but I felt it was worth sharing because it alerts us to a few new, slick forms of credit card theft to watch out for these days.  

 

 

SCENE 1. 

 

This is a new one. 

 

People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they? 

 

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.  After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, 'Funny, I thought I locked the locker.  Hmm, ?' He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.  Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.

A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!  He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen. ? 'No,' he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. ? An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards. 

 

Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?  $9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely trigger a 'warning bell' with some credit card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one! 

 

 

SCENE 2. 

 

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it,and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words -- - nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology. 

 

Verdict:  Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, 'assuming' that it has to be theirs. FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION! 

 

 

SCENE 3: 

 

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in. I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.  I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture  He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons.  Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on.

It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.  He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what  happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card.  Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days.

 

FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN THINK OF. LET'S GET THE WORD OUT! JUST BE AWARE. Never let your card out of your sight.....check and check again!

I think that says it all, but in case you missed the point, there are many evildoers out there that want to harm you by stealing your information and credit cards.  Beware - it's hard to run a business if you are chasing bad guys...

I am yours in success,
Randall