Remember clear cola? Yogurt shampoo, biker perfume? Other horrors??

Any successful marketing venture must begin with solid research and testing of your product, price, competition, customer needs and so on. While this is definitely a specialty best left to the pros, there are some free online tools you can use to start identifying potential business customers and suppliers. Don't get "tricked" into going into the Haunted House of Marketing—do your research before you start!

Thomas Register
Hoover's Online

Marilyn Smit, M45 Co-founder

Don't be a scaredy cat when speaking in public!

Yes, it's true that "speaking in public" is one of the scariest things for most people, no matter what the season! But, it doesn't have to be that way. There are a few simple tips that are easy to remember when you're in the spotlight:

1. To make the most of the information you want to share, think of your presentation as a series of pyramids. Most of us have been trained in REVERSE pyramid thinking, which means that we get all the data and then arrive at a conclusion. When making a presentation, rewire your brain for Pyramid Thinking:
   • State the conclusion first-the "what" (your key message)
   • Provide evidence for why this is so (a reason for the "what")
   • Give context or meaning to the conclusion/key message
2. And speaking of practicing, bear in mind that no real pro at public speaking would ever "wing it" (and we don't mean bats!)—so neither should you. Practice your entire presentation out loud at least once, even if it's only to yourself.

3. Remember that old adage: tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and tell 'em what you told 'em. People remember less than half of what they hear, so repetition is a good thing. Get some help in making your presentation interesting if you're putting the dog to sleep when you practice!
4. Don't be a ghoul—remember that appearances count! Your "believability" is based 90% on your actual presentation of the presentation, another important reason to practice. The elements of presentation style include:
   • Using your voice (inflection, pace, pitch, volume, repetition/pause, breathing)
   • Gestures/movement
   • Degree of formality
   • Dress (and we don't mean "costume!")

If you need help in making your presentations terror-free, just contact the pros at M45 Marketing Services. From personal training and coaching to making your overheads look great, we can help making giving presentations a boo-tiful experience!