In honor of Joel’s latest ink…..here’s the exclusive interview he granted me in March 2010. Way to go, Joel!
Joel E Carlson: the man behind the Twitterview from Rribbitz Creative Communications on Vimeo.
You’ve followed his Twitterviews, now see the guy IRL (sort of). I cornered Joel and asked him to share his ideas and goals around Twitterview – be sure to check out his blog to read them all and learn more. He’s @JoelECarlson on twitter! (C) Rribbitz 2010
Posted in Inspiration, Introductions
Tagged Introductions, joelecarlson, minneapolis creative, twin cities creative
How long has it been since you got a hand-written note from a friend? (Birthday cards from your Mom don’t count.) I’m talking about a real note where someone took the time to say thank you or “just thinking of you today.”
That’s right… it’s probably been forever and a day. But if you’re like me, you get a thrill when you see a hand-addressed envelope in the mail box. And if it’s not another cleverly disguised funding solicitation, then baby, you’re blessed.
So I’ve got just a real simple offer for you:
Find a cool postcard, note, or any paper* that can be mailed, and write down the following:
1. Your name.
2. A fascinating fact about you.
3. “Private” if you want to keep the correspondence just between us — or “Post!” if I can share your note on my web site (blocking out your return address), and also a copy of the reply.
4. Your return address.
Then, mail it to:
Rribbitz Goes Postal
4601 Excelsior Blvd., Ste 313
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Within two days of getting your note, I’ll send a speedy but thoughtful reply to the amazing facts you just provided me. I promise, it’ll be fun.
Who wants to play?? Wait, let me ask again…. who wants to get some mail?!
* Bonus points for anything with a frog or toad motif. As if I even HAD to say it…
Tagged communications, Introductions, postal
Andi Dickson, President, SixSpeed Marketing
How we met: In 2006, Andi was the Red Bull Field Marketing Manager for all Red Bull events in Minnesota. We met when he hired my agency for project management on Art of the Can, and I ran contestant relations for the event.
What we’re doing now: Andi and Tom Cusciotta started SixSpeed Marketing last summer. Andi brings me on for creative projects, social media and strategy writing. Even when I’m not working for him, he lets me camp out at his company, pilfer Red Bull, and harass him. All in love, of course. Got a huge event that can’t stand for mediocre marketing? Talk to SixSpeed.
On my leap-year survey, Andi said: “Kim makes it easy, no lengthy briefs needed. She understands today’s world of advertising, she is fast, tactical and gets its right.”
Steven Olinger, President, Nerica
How we met: I met Steven last summer at a speed networking event. And then he attended my session at UnSummit3, and right after that session he said, “I want to hire you to write my web site.” 
What Rribbitz did for him: Edited the copy on his new website before it launched last November. If you’re looking for a business consultant to help you solve some marketing and sales growth issues – talk to Steven. He’s passionate, smart and knows how to “connect the dots!”
On my leap-year survey, Steven said: “Your success in business can be measured by your willingness to make changes. Rribbitz helps make change come easily.”
Adria Richards, Organic Technology Consultant
How we met: Ignite Minneapolis 2009. Adria’s presentation: Shiny Phone Gadgets. Mine: Write a novel in 30 days.
What Rribbitz did for her: Edited web copy, press kit and speaker bios for 2009 and 2010 events like WordCamp and SXSW. If you need a brilliant, enthusiastic person to help you incorporate new technologies into your business or website – she’s the one. And you can contact her more than one way.
On my leap-year survey, Adria said: “Kim is the type of upbeat, creative and fun consultant you want working on your project. She learns what your company is about, explores ideas with you and then delivers! It’s like picking up delicious ice cream from the neighborhood shop vs going to the grocery store for a generic tub. I highly recommend Kim for writing creative copy, press releases, promotional material and exploring social media messaging!”
David and Jennifer Lanham, Your Trusted Assistant
How we met: networking, of course!
What Rribbitz is doing for them: We’re just getting started together. As virtual assistants to clients across the country, David and Jennifer love what they do and they know what they want their company to be. They charge enthusiastically into opportunity. Check out their site in a few months, and you’ll see what I mean. Oh, and if you’re buried in paperwork and client communications that you can never catch up on? Call them now. I mean it.
On my survey, David said: “Kim has been awesome – we hired her to develop a new brand and marketing direction, and she immediately picked up the fundamentals of our business and applied her unique insights towards our new campaign. It only took about 2 minutes for us to realize that she really “gets it”. She came up with these amazing ideas that we would never have thought of on our own. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer my best client, or even my best friend to Kim!”
Last year, May 22 was my last day in the agency world. My last day of salary employment, a steady paycheck, and all the cozy goodness that comes along with paid benefits. I knew damn well what I was getting into — and my husband did, too. Because I’m the breadwinner for my family, and failure was simply not an option.
Launching Rribbitz – my own creative consulting company – has been more fun – and more work – than I ever imagined.
So I’m celebrating leap year this week — and I’m going to do it by celebrating all the cool people and clients who made it possible. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I hate the blah blah blah – so believe me, I’ll just get to the point.
Stay tuned for some words of thanks and recognition – coming up, right after I attend my daughter’s preschool concert. Because I can!
oh and by the way….
Were you a client, colleague, or cheerleader for Rribbitz this year? I’d be honored if you took my quick (and fun) survey!
Posted in Taking a Leap
Tagged agency life, anniversary, great people, Introductions, rribbitz
@Kareemy and Dude visit Rribbitz HQ where we talk about his new gig at McNally Smith College of Music, our connections w/ @Risdall, twitterviews with @JoelECarlson, and the ever-charming Dude, rare breed of Red Boston Terrier!
Posted in General Duckweed
And now, my dears, some of my colleagues from the past — marketing folks that I worked with at other agencies, and we’re still collaborating today.
Please, let me introduce you to:
Chuck Wallace of JAM Advertising
Michael Bingham of The M Group
@VivaLaBingham
Posted in Inspiration, Introductions
If you’ve known me for a while, you know how much I love my job. I’ve been writing my whole life, and I’m one of the lucky people who turned that passion into a career.
But what you might not know, is that I also do this for my daughters. I want my daughters to see and believe that it IS possible to have a job you love, a career, a life built on integrity and hard work. That it’s possible to get up every day and say, “I love what I do!”
Because it’s easy to tell our daughters that they can follow their dreams, but it’s another thing to show them how — through the way we live and act. And since one of my daughters is labeled “disabled” by the medical industry, my husband and I are that much more committed to demonstrating the art of overcoming barriers.
I want to introduce you to Rachel Coleman, co-creator of Signing Time.
We discovered Signing Time about a year ago, and what started out as a passing interest in sign language has turned into something else for our family. Our daughters love the show, and we’ve discovered so many benefits by sharing this new form of communication with them.
But Rachel herself is a true athlete. And she inspires me. We typically recognize our moms on Mother’s Day. But I think that National Girls & Women in Sports Day is a great day to recognize Rachel – and other moms like her.
She’s an athlete in mind, spirit, and body, like so many other moms. She’s committed to teaching her daughters how to follow their dreams, by living life and training for it, side by side with them, every day. Just read a few pages from her blog, and you’ll get it.
So. Here’s what I’d love to know… what drives you? What are you training for? Who are you training for? Make today your day to celebrate that.
Posted in Inspiration
Tagged Inspiration, Introductions, training
