Aeroka Media » Erica Simanek Knoch http://blog.aerokamedia.com Online and Offline Marketing and Idea Implementation Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:44:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 © erica@aerokamedia.com () erica@aerokamedia.com() Raising Your Brand and Traffic to New Heights! erica@aerokamedia.com No no http://blog.aerokamedia.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg Aeroka Media http://blog.aerokamedia.com 144 144 Small Business Networking: Advice & Resources http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2010/02/01/small-business-networking-help/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=small-business-networking-help http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2010/02/01/small-business-networking-help/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:03:58 +0000 Erica Simanek Knoch http://blog.aerokamedia.com/?p=274

I have a couple of things to say about networking as a small business owner:

  • Do NOT act like the guy in the video above!  When I first started networking, I thought it was “all about me”, and would ramble on about what I could offer, and didn’t take much time to listen to others.  After a while, I realized there is much more value in listening to others and sharing experiences.  You really have to be there in the moment, pay attention and find real connections at networking functions.  It’s smart, it’s respectful, and it’s good for business!
  • Read my post regarding Creative Networking.  In today’s post  on Network Solutions’ Grow Smart Business site, I give a  few ideas and resources for the small business owner who has time constraints. (and who doesn’t!?)   If you have more ideas, I would love to hear them, as I am always looking for more creative networking options.

Additional resources on networking:

  • PartnerUp:  Network and partner on projects with other small business owners.
  • Ryze:  Similar to LinkedIn, this site is great for networking online.
  • Entrepreneur Connect:  A community within Entrepreneur’s site where you can join, get advice and connect for partnerships and possible clients.

Do you have other ways of networking with little or no time to get out?  Please share. :-)

]]> http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2010/02/01/small-business-networking-help/feed/ 2 New Logo! http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/11/09/branding-myself/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=branding-myself http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/11/09/branding-myself/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:36:58 +0000 Erica Simanek Knoch http://blog.aerokamedia.com/?p=222 AMlogo3[1]

My talented sister, who happens to be THE BEST graphic artist, has come through again!
After many back and forths with me, her usually NOT picky sister, she came up with a great logo that I can use now as well as keep when my business grows.

Big props to Kristin Simanek, my little sister – great graphic artist, graduate of The Corcoran School of Art, and currently working at the National Conservation Training Center.

Love you Kristin!

]]> http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/11/09/branding-myself/feed/ 0 DISHing It Out to Help Local Charities – One Open Mic at a Time http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/10/21/dishing-out-help-to-local-charities-one-open-mic-at-a-time/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dishing-out-help-to-local-charities-one-open-mic-at-a-time http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/10/21/dishing-out-help-to-local-charities-one-open-mic-at-a-time/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:56:46 +0000 Erica Simanek Knoch http://blog.aerokamedia.com/?p=204 DISH Logo

Tomorrow I will get a ride with my friend Jami and attend the first open mic nite at Dish.
I’m looking forward to a few hours of conversation, fresh and tasty food, and fun entertainment.  Doug Vaira is the owner of Dish, and on Thursday, 10/22 will be the first of his monthly open mic nights in which he will give back to local charities.  The first charity is Community Alternatives to Violence. 

Dish is located:
213 W. Washington Street
Charlestown, WV 25414
304-728-8464
info@wvdish.com

So, if you are in the Charlestown, WV area, stop by tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m., bring your guitars, singing voice, stand up… express yourself in the name of giving back! 

Hope to see you there.

]]> http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/10/21/dishing-out-help-to-local-charities-one-open-mic-at-a-time/feed/ 0 Local Farmer Gives Back to His Own http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/10/20/local-farmer-gives-back-to-his-own/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=local-farmer-gives-back-to-his-own http://blog.aerokamedia.com/2009/10/20/local-farmer-gives-back-to-his-own/#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:02:05 +0000 Erica Simanek Knoch http://blog.aerokamedia.com/?p=173 The Nighthawks under a Harvest Moon!

The Nighthawks at Green Hill Farm

 I saw a sign and had that “do this!” moment.   
That’s the day my girls and I were on Route 9 in Harpers Ferry when we saw a sign about a two-day music fest, and I read about all the bands, then “The Nighthawks”!  OMG, I feel like I’m back in time rocking in Bethesda!  I pulled over, wrote down http://www.greenhillfarm.org.  I got home, went right on the site, and saw “volunteers needed”.  I was in. 

Nick Frobouck’s Green Hill Farm is in Sharpsburg, MD.  I volunteered for one of the two days of the festival.  (had kid’s soccer on the first day) All proceeds went to support Loggers and Farmers Inc, a 501c3 organization formed to help in the financial support of families of loggers or farmers where there has been injury or loss of life.

I met Nick and his family (so friendly!), Lisa Jacobs who really coordinated the marketing efforts, and a bunch of great food and small business vendors, families, and bands.  Oh, and I got to talk to Mark Wenner of  The Nighthawks! 

Great to see farmers giving back to their own. What a great time!

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