If you thought it was easier to use social media than to write a blog, then consider this. 53.5 percent of internet users will read blogs this year, whilst our social network counterparts are on a declining scale.

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Alex F. Osborn popularised the technique brainstorming way back in the late 1930's, and it has since become a term that every advertising, marketing, public relations or creative agency uses to come up with the next best idea.

Setting a 'brainstorming meeting' in place in your company can mean the difference in coming up with a successful campaign or not. The investment in time, is surpassed by the outcomes of a brainstorming meeting that is facilitated in the right way.

10 Reasons To Brainstorm Your Next DM

I was 17 when I first started work, and through a fated role in an advertising agency, I met a group of young journalists and television presenters who have become my lifelong friends.

They worked in television, newspaper and radio in regional Queensland. It wasn't long before each one of them, had offers from bigger cities, because what they all had in common, was that they were incredible journalists. Today, we are all connected in one way or another, and I think it would be safe to say, that we are each as proud of the others achievements, as that of our own.

If a week is anything to go by, then I had better get a move on. Dragging my tail, procrastination and falling asleep on the job, just won't cut the mustard - as they say.

A new way of looking at things has emerged, and batteries are well and truly charged to maximum capacity. What was the change?

Sitting on Wooloomooloo Wharf yesterday afternoon, watching the sun go down with a television journalist from the ABC, our discussion turned to consumer behaviour and creating demand for products that become a must-have in our everyday lives.

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"BO (Body Odour) was a thorn developed by marketers to sell powders and deodorants," she said.

Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube and a good website that ineracts with your customers, on all levels - tis the small business marketing machine.

It's true. Small business, may be a BIG business online if your machine is well oiled and working efficiently, generating the results that you expect.

Retail is dying. Is it? Is the economy really as bad as everyone is saying. Last night on the ABC, they confirmed that advertising spend is down and this is a real indicator of how well the economy is going.

In the US it is called Groupon. Everyone is on it, and everyone eagerly awaits the next big deal that is going to be released. It's like shopping channel, only better.

In the last month, I noticed another not-for-profit that I have been very familiar with over the years finally get online and join the ranks of facebook and twitter.

Not-for-profits in 95 percent of cases are for very good causes and definately whether they make a profit or not, have their hearts in the right place.

Planking is the action of lying face down with arms to the sides of the body, in unusual public spaces and photographing it.

Marketing Eye CEO, Julie Schoneveld joined the craze today, together with Pip (the Director's dog). Planking is viral marketing at its best. There is not a day that goes by that there is not a report about planking.

P.S. If you like this marketing blog, then please feel free to share it on whatever social network medium you see fit. We love facebook, twitter and linkedin!

Are you looking for a business turnaround? Is this time of year making you re-think what you have done in the past 12 months and what you intend to do in the next 12 months?

What do women want? If you knew exactly what women want, then you would be the richest person on the planet because I don't think I know a woman that knows what she wants and unfortunately, I too am in that boat.

Never thought that having an odd sign on a door would make a destination so memorable. Everyone in the ladies restroom at Adelaide Airport when I was there were in fits of laughter about a sign that may imply that visitors drink toilet water. Now, really... has anyone ever had a glass of toilet water in lieu of clean water out of a tap?

P.S. If you like this marketing blog, then please feel free to share it on whatever social network medium you see fit. We love facebook, twitter and linkedin!

Did you make your million? Or 2, or 3, or 4? It's May and it's time to work out whether your pockets are full of coins, or if there is a hole where they seem to have slipped through.

End of Financial Year is a reality check for all businesses. Did you do well this year? Could you have done better? Does your team need to be congratulated on their work and achievements? Who are your big spending clients?

You can come up with a reason for doing almost everything... including murder, so coming up with reasons to not succeed is a piece of cake.

Everyday, I talk to small businesses who say they want to grow, but always have a reason why they haven't. "Useless salesman, economy is bad, product is going through changes, website isn't generating leads, too busy running the business"... and the list goes on.

Does anyone else feel stressed, often?

I remember when life was easy, and the most stress I would have was getting a parking fine. That was 20 years ago!

Owning a small business can be the most rewarding job in the world, but as rewarding as it is, if you don't actively manage stress, it can sometimes over take you.

Being 100% on-game, every day is impossible. Whilst I am naturally a spirited individual, I feel overwhelmed by the whole work/life/home balance. Am I alone, or is this a common issue for small business owners. So, how do you manage it?

Yoga?
Eating well?
Exercise?
Meditating?
Having a pet in the workforce?
Being organised?
Life coach?
Therapist?

This blog is interested in sharing with its followers tips on who to destress and manage stress in every day life for a small business owner. Do you have ways to improve stress management? We want to hear all about it!

P.S. If you like this marketing blog, then please feel free to share it on whatever social network medium you see fit. We love facebook, twitter and linkedin!

Has anyone ever said to you before "when the time is right, it's right"?

I have heard it a few times and I have to say, it's exactly that. I heard it, but I didn't 100% believe it. Is the time ever right?

In life, whether it's falling in love, buying a house, moving to the country, or going on a holiday - timing is typically everything.

Whereas in business, a lot of different areas need to fall into place for the timing to be right. For instance, if you want to expand, you have to have the right processes in place, finance in order, marketing strategy ready to go and people. For all of these things to be 100% in place is near impossible. Right? Wrong.

Thursday... not feeling well.
Friday... sick.
Saturday... sick.
Sunday... sick.

Now, why is this good for small business? On Thursday, it wasn't. On Friday, it wasn't, well, not until it was well and truly into the evening. Saturday and Sunday, it was.

When you are forced to STOP, it's impossible not to clear everything from your mind and get on with the job at hand, and that is getting well.

Meetings are missed, proposals are not sent, work is not completed. It really is a royal pain in the a***. BUT, this down time can be good for your small business. As a small business marketer, I try to absorb every possible item of advertising, marketing and public relations activity that crosses my path. There are millions of pieces day-in, day-out that I am confronted with. Of course, I don't take in everything, but I do try and absorb as much as possible and relate it back to the Marketing Eye client base.

Having travelled many times to the United States over the years for both business and pleasure, I have to say, that I have fallen in love with it all over again.

My recent travels were meant to be educational, and they were, but they also ensured that I revisited my old stomping grounds, reunited with friends that I hadn't seen in years and had new and exciting experiences that I will never forget.

It does help that the first time I went to the United States the dollar was 57c to every AU$1 dollar. Not ideal. Today, it sits nicely at $1.08 which pleases me no end and has definately aided in bringing back the passion I have for travelling to their great country.

It takes a brave person, to throw something away and replace it with something new. Look at your cupboards at home. When was the last time you threw out your favourite jumper, even though it has holes in it?

Sometimes a website can be a bit like that. You get used to seeing it. It brings you in a number of inquiries. Search engine optimisation looks pretty good compared to most of your competitors. So, what makes you throw it all away?