Remind people often of what you want them to know

I recently stopped receiving updates from Visual.ly, not because I didn't like them, but because my inbox was getting so full that even with the emails, I rarely went to the site to see what was new.

Thanks to a pinner on Pinterest, this great depiction of "Inner State" of happiness, made at Visual.ly, caught my attention this morning.

It says that to be truly happy one should exercise, have happy friends, find excitement with smart thrills, get enough sleep, trust themselves to make good choices, be present and live for now, share their gratitude, bounce back from life's troubles, take time away from technology and smile.

Most of those wonderful thoughts have been shared here before, but they always bear repeating for they are good reminders to help us live a full and balanced life. But this post is serving two purposes this morning. First, it is to help you pursue and find happiness; but its second purpose is to point out that we don't always see something the first time around.

I missed this great infographic on Visual.ly, but found it later on Pinterest. I've read the words before, but never in this format. It was a fresh approach and it caught my attention.

That's why we have to repeat the information and stories that we want to be heard because people listen, read and react on their own schedules. If it's good for them to know, tell them again. And again.

Brand awareness starts with you

The Optimist Club of Leesburg, Florida is getting ready for Kids FunFest 2013. Club members have decided on the location; it will take place at the Harley Davidson of Leesburg. They have recruited sponsors and participants, informational exhibitors and vendors, and they are now in the process of marketing the event.

I'm happy to report that they took to Facebook and Twitter in order to gain some social media buzz and in both locations they claim that the Optimist Club of Leesburg is putting on Kids FunFest 2013. However, they've also included this flyer with their posts.

Notice anything wrong? Let's do a quick survey:

• Location? Check.
• Date? Check.
• Time? Check.
• Who will be there? Check. 
• Who's coordinating the event? 
• How do I get more information?

Sadly, they Optimist Club has forgotten to include its own name, logo and contact information as the coordinator of the event. Not only does the flyer leave questions unanswered, the Optimist Club will miss out on the community awareness and goodwill that the event will generate.

Don't be shy, Optimists! Share the Optimist International logo as often as you can. This is just one example of how brand awareness starts with you.

Youth is our thing

The  motto for Optimist International is "Friend of Youth." Optimist Clubs will typically use the same motto and more recently, they use the alternate tagline which is a shortened version of the mission statement "Bringing out the Best in Children." 

Of course some get more creative as did the Optimist Club of Christiana, Jamaica. According to Jamaica newspaper The Gleaner, "the Optimist Club has been creating a positive impact on the lives of people of the Manchester town, in particular the children, as they work at nation building."

Club president David Grant sums up the Optimist Club's work much more concisely. He said, "Youth is our thing." And a new motto was born.

Among its many accomplishments, the Optimist Club of Christiana has given more than $7 million in scholarships and works with the local schools to refurbish facilities, buy books and landscape the buildings for the beauty of the community.

Yes, youth is their thing. Yes, youth is our thing - the thing that binds all Optimist Clubs together in service.

The banners tell a story

On December 11, 2012, the Optimist Club of Hillsboro, Oregon honored police officers for their service during the annual Respect for Law Day. The event began as a way for Optimist International and its clubs to bring children together with first responders so they might build positive relationships rather than one of fear or as consequences of bad behavior. It has grown into an activity that clubs celebrate in their own manner, and a great number of Optimist Club do as the Hillsboro members have done; they recognize officers for their commitment and say thank you for their service.

I especially like this picture because of the backdrop. The Optimist Club banners are a brand that shows this club is active in their community. One can tell by the badges and awards that have been sewn onto the banners that the Hillsboro Optimist Club has a strong history of engagement and success that will lead it well in the future.

The backdrop tells a story as broad as the people who are in the picture. I hope you take notice of the  backdrops you use in your photos so that you might share your Optimist Club story with pictures, feelings and words.


Photo courtesy of Sarah Newton. 

Promo items: are they worth it?

Tchotchkes. What a funny word for the little takeaway novelties that businesses often provide in order to get you to remember them next time you are making a purchase. Swag, the more contemporary term, is equally odd. Of course the very real question that I have for you today is does it work? If you receive a key ring, fly swatter, calendar or magnet are you more likely to remember a business and contact them next time you need their services?

Magnet available at Cafe Press

I was reading an article in the American Medical Association (AMA) News that fully endorsed physicians use of tchotchkes in their marketing collateral. According to the author of the article, not only does the item remind the person who received it about the business,  if you choose an appropriate item, one that the recipient will use, it can also be seen by others. Two birds, one stone.

If it works for physicians and other businesses, it seems reasonable that giving away tchotchkes or swag would work for an Optimist Club. Perhaps a refrigerator magnet with the website address of the local Optimist Club would encourage the reader to go online and find out more. Maybe a water bottle, branded with the Optimist Club logo, will remind users about youth sports programs provided by the local club. Or my favorite tchotchke to receive might become the favorite of others. I love sticky notes - add an Optimist Club logo to a pack of sticky notes and they provide ongoing brand awareness.

I've heard of clubs that have pens and pencils that they hand out to students. Getting participants in Optimist Club events is equally important as attracting members so student items might make good giveaways too. Remember, it's all about raising awareness for the good things that Optimist Clubs do in local communities. So as fair and festival opportunities come around, think about getting an Optimist Club booth and sharing some stories and swag.

Tell your community members about what your Optimist Club does. And then ask them to join.

Find Optimist Swag here. 

Note: I am not associated with any merchandise links in this post. 

Optimists: tell your story online

With the proliferation of blogs, telling the Optimist Club story has never been easier. When individuals write first person narratives of their experience at events, programs and even meetings, their story becomes a testimonial for the service that Optimist Clubs provide in their communities.

I've been encouraging Optimist Clubs to start their own blogs for about five years. Slowly, ever so slowly, I'm starting to see the rewards of my ongoing message. Districts have adopted the platform as well as a number of clubs. Here is a list of just a few:

AMS & NW District
East Missouri District
Nebraska District
Oklahoma District
Pacific Northwest District 

Boise Noon Optimist Club
Coquitlam Optimist Club
Jerome Optimist Club
McCall Optimist Club
Middleton Area Optimist Club
Old River Optimist Club
Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston 

Some might ask what is the difference between a website and blog. It's simple. A traditional website is static; the information is basic and rarely changes. On the other hand, a blog is dynamic. It is a website that is constantly being updated.

Blogs can standalone, as these do; but a blog can also fit nicely as link from your Optimist Club's traditional website. The key is that someone - you - need to take charge of updating regularly. Tell stories. Share success. We all want to hear about what your Optimist Club has done and will do, especially those potential new members who want to know what might be expected of them before they commit to join.

Sign in with Blogger now and start telling your story online. As always, I offer my help with this link.

How to communicate emotion

I was thinking about writing this post yesterday, well before I saw this graphic depicting communication styles through the ages. Provided by moo.com, one can see that we have long shared stories and that those stories have been largely accentuated by pictures, beginning with, you guessed it, cave paintings.

Please click to enlarge

My take on the picture and infographic medium is much less historic. Actually, it might even be considered a rant. You see, some of my Facebook friends have become oversharers of tacky pictures embedded with motivational sayings, unbelievable claims, political and religious messages and jokes, both good and bad. Sometimes I want to scream at them to please stop; and sometimes I just smile or shake my head. Always, I move on.

Putting my rant aside, it should be fairly easy to grasp that the old saying, " a picture is worth a thousand words," is alive and well and living in the social media sphere. Service clubs like Optimist International, Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions are just beginning to accumulate written stories about the good deeds that are performed by their clubs and club members around the world. I was wondering what would happen if they were to give up on the collection of stories and publish pictures instead?

Pinterest has grown on the premise that the pictures are the story.  While I am still undecided on the ethics  or legality of pinning and repinning what may be copyrighted material, I started a few pinboards because one can't understand the issues if she only participates from the sidelines.

But what if the aforementioned organizations, and others, were to generate visual content and then extend the rights to republish it with attribution to their members? Think of the great awareness that would snowball through the ranks of the organization and around the world.

Pictures evoke emotion. Organizations, especially service clubs, thrive on the emotional connection that members have with its purpose. As potential members, we want to see what it looks like to be involved. As members, we want to have our positive feelings reinforced.

As advocates, activists and recruiters to our causes, we want content to share and the easier that content is to share, the better. Pictures, as Facebook and Pinterest have confirmed, are easy to share.

Share optimism

Optimist Club members know the power of the Optimist Creed. It builds hope and inspires us every day to do more, be more, and achieve more. It is also a strong magnet to bring new members into our clubs. I know that I enjoy associating with positive-thinking people, don't you?

Here's an idea that I hope you share with your Optimist Club as a way to reach out in your community. Rip off and duplicate this poster (I borrowed the idea from kindovermatter.com on Pinterest.) Add your club contact information and then post on your social networks, email to your club members and friends and if you dare, use the old fashioned way of pinning them around town. Grocery stores, universities, libraries, bookstores and car washes are just of the facilities that still have bulletin boards for community news.

The Optimist Creed is loved by everyone. Promise yourself to share it with others today.

Professional optimism

Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados clean-up day.

I'm watching them from afar, but my new favorite Optimist Clubs are the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown and the Progressive Optimist Club of Barbados.

I've long thought it would be fun to live in the Caribbean and perform volunteer work, but it's easy to think that when one lives in Idaho.

It looks like fun and sun and service, but those who live in a resort setting year-round know the difficulties associated with keeping their communities safe and vibrant for the residents are the same, if not amplified, as the cities from where the tourists that visit their island hail.

They still have cyber crime and challenges with education, children's services, social welfare efforts, politics, the environment and the economy. Residents are raising families, succeeding at careers, and celebrating life's many ups and downs all at the same time as being good hosts.

I learned from Adrian Elcock, Optimist International Vice President 2010-2011, that in Barbados "it costs to care" meaning Optimist Club members know that they have to consistently invest in their community to make it a better place to live. Through Optimist Club membership, such caring individuals share their ideas and strengths and even have a little fun. For instance, the Progressive Optimist Club held a beach clean-up today at Martin's Bay and hauled away 161 bags of seaweed. That's work and fun.

But what really drew me in today to proclaim these clubs to be my favorites were the following advertisements:

• On April 18, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetownheld a cyber safety forum. 
• On March 10,  Harrison College JOOI Club joined the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown for a "Car Boot Sale."
• Coming up on May 5 is the Annual Charity Fundraising Golf Tournament.

Such professionally produced advertisements signify that young professionals are engaged in their community through the Optimist Club and that is a goal of Optimist Clubs around the world - to connect with those who embrace technology and welcome change; those who will help take our organization's mission forward tomorrow and beyond. 

If perception is reality, the Optimist Club of Barbados-Bridgetown is leading the way in professionalism. I applaud and admire their efforts. 

Oh, yeah!

One of my favorite movies of all time, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, gets a revival for this year's Super Bowl in  a commercial for Honda. Only this time, Mathew Broderick is playing himself as he tours around town, taking a day off from acting, in his Honda CRV.

The commercial is enjoyable enough for a trip down memory lane but at 2:25, it's long enough for me to ask, "Really?" What are those commercials worth this year? The reports say $3.5 million for a 30-second spot. 

Well, you can be the judge. Did Honda use their money wisely?




The original movie gave us a lovable character that we all wanted to be, or at least be friends with, his adoring cohorts and fans, and a friendly romp through Chicago. This friendly romp through Los Angeles felt a little desperate to me, but then, isn't that part of the aging process? After Sunday, the question on the minds of Americans will be, do I still want to be Ferris? Or maybe, with more than 6 million views on YouTube as of this post, maybe they are already asking that question. And the answer, is...Oh, yeah!

Deliver value and create news

The Wausau Noon Optimist Club makes a lot of headlines because they are so active in their community. They give back in so many ways and the media takes notice.

This week in Wausau, kids under 17 got to swim for free thanks to the Optimist Club. It's one of the easiest projects that a club can do because all it requires is the entry fee, some advertising, and the facilities, the media and the kids do the rest.



But there is an underlying marketing concept at work here. When you do good things, people talk about you and they want to be associated with you. About sixteen seconds into the video, Optimist Club Board member Scott Campbell has the opportunity to tell what the Optimist Club is all about. That positive message, with the kids playing in background, is priceless.

The Wausau Noon Optimist Club is delivering something of value to the community. They are creating news.

A two-way testimonial

I didn't have to read it at Copyblogger to know that what people say about you matters. I've been a fan of word-of-mouth marketing for a long time. In the blogging age, word-of-mouth is of course the written word and isn't that even better? It is social proof that readers, clients, journalists, and potential members of your Optimist Club can return to, and send others to, time and time again.

Yes, in the age of social media, the testimonial is a very effective relationship-building tool.

I found this Optimist Club testimonial tucked inside a company newsletter for Burgerville. Burgerville is a fast food restaurant chain that takes special pride in participating in their local community.

Kevin Schmid, Burgerville Manager, Gresham, Oregon wrote about his involvement in the Gresham Optimist Club in the June edition.  He said:

I have been partnering with the GResham Optimist Club for five years and currently I'm on the board. The Optimist Club is dedicated to bringing out the best in kids. Some of the club's activities include:

• The Gresham High School Options Program, an alternative choice for at-risk youth encouraging them to remain in school
• The Explorer Post, a work-site based program where youth explore community organizations and careers
• Essay and oratorical contests for middle and high school students awarding college scholarships
• Beat the Heat, a street racing alternative
• Mock Interviews at area high schools

Kevin also received some testimonials in return from members who told how Burgerville is a great partner to the Optimist Club. Optimist Joe Anderson said, "Without Burgerville's support, the Optimists couldn't provide this level of service to the kids in our community."

The article ended with information on how to join and participate with the Gresham Optimist Club; it was a win-win for all.

Click here to download the Burgerville newsletter in full.

K.I.S.S. your videos

We all enjoy professional videos; that's why the movie industry continues to thrive as we hand over mega bucks to see the latest stars and stories on the big screen. However, today, we can all be videographers. The tools and resources are there for anyone who wants to give it a try.

Take a look at this 23-second clip taken at a recent gathering in the Pacific Northwest District - Optimist International where Judi Van Cleave was happy to give a plug about her Optimist Club and the Oregon City Pioneer Family Festival.



All you need to make this happen is a handheld video camera, a YouTube account and person who is passionate about the cause.

Oh, and please remember the wise words  Brian Solis gave to attendees at the School of WOM, "Keep it significant and shareable (K.I.S.S.)." I find that I'm much more willing to watch, and share, a short video than a long one!

What should we broadcast?

Over the weekend, Optimist International experimented with live streaming of their Board of Directors meeting. By all accounts, this seems like a good idea. It provides transparency to all levels of the organization, serves as an educational tool so Optimist Clubs can learn to conduct better board meetings themselves and brings the organization into the 21st century with social media tools.

I watched some of the 2-day broadcast along with as many as 200 other Optimist Club members around the world. Other than hearing the live announcement of the candidates for office for 2012-2013, it was about as interesting as watching dry paint. The dullness was not the fault of the participants, the staff, or the content being discussed; the problem was the inappropriateness of the medium.

When one stops to consider that on the same day more than 1,000,000 people tuned in on a Saturday evening to watch Sheen's Korner and get a 45-minute glimpse of the train wreck that celebrity Charlie Sheen has become, it's easy to say when we log onto our computers outside of work, we want to be entertained.

So what should Optimist International live stream that would be entertaining?

• Addresses from our International President
• Projects from Optimist Clubs
• People who make a difference outside of the boardroom 
• Announcements that affect Optimist Clubs such as program guidelines and best practices for hosting projects 
• Speeches from candidates for office
• Celebratory presentations for new charters or fundraising efforts
• Forums to discuss issues, causes and progress
• Highlights of local impact made throughout the world by Optimist Clubs

I believe that Optimist International should broadcast things that make us feel proud to belong to an Optimist Club. 

As the umbrella organization of nearly 3,000 clubs consisting of 100,000 members, Optimist International should strive to be a better coordinator. Most members are not interested in micromanaging the administrative decisions that are made in order to run an organization effectively. They are, however, interested in getting the word out that they do good things in their community.

I'm already publishing stories about the positive, worldwide impact of Optimist Clubs. I could use some help. Our clubs could use some help. Let's broadcast stories of local impact with local color, okay? 

Photo credit PurpleKat_1982.

An easy way to show your Optimist Club is accountable

Does your Optimist Club brag about the great projects that you do throughout the year to make you community a better place to live? It's okay to do so. Really it is.

When we speak to others about the accomplishments of our Optimist Clubs, we recharge our enthusiasm and excite those with whom we are speaking with the promise of potential projects yet to come. Demonstrating that we have led successfully in the past makes it possible for potential volunteers and sponsors to envision more success. People want to associate with winners and that is okay too. It's human nature to want to be among the best - the in-crowd - the movers and shakers. After all, those who get things done are just more fun than others who merely talk about doing something; not to mention, that when I make a donation, I like to know that it is being used appropriately.

One of the age-old ways that corporations tell us about their accomplishments is through the use of an annual report. If you own stock or have invested in a mutual fund, you have probably received an annual report loaded with numbers and fine print too small to read. Not to fret! That is not the way your Optimist Club annual report should look.  Your Optimist Club Annual Report should touch on the highlights of the year, the goals for the coming year, discuss who is involved and give a brief look at how your money is spent. And the reader should be able to finish it in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.

Serving as the Governor of the Pacific Northwest District last year, I decided to create an annual report for our district. It is an example of what your club can do at home using Publisher.

The accompanying presentation was given to those who attended our second quarter meeting when all recognition for the previous year was distributed. Take a look and see just how easy it is to share the state of the organization with your constituents.

Annual Report 2009-10 - PNW District - Optimist International

I know your stakeholders will appreciate learning and they will thank you for not being bored.

Don't be passionately unbalanced

Yes, the projects performed by Optimist Clubs around the world get me excited.  I passionately believe that when individuals come together to do good things in their community, they are really extending themselves to improve their own attitude and station in life as well as the quality of life for all.

I loosely say good things because the activities performed by an Optimist Club are varied, from two-person projects to programs that involve two thousand-persons and beyond. However, what is constant in all activities is passion, the willingness to make a difference and the desire to be involved.

I recently came across this video produced by Chow.com highlighting Galco's Soda Pop Stop and passionate store owner and beverage connoisseur John Ness. It's categorized as obsessive and I will issue a friendly warning: it's probably much more than you want to know about soda pop. In fact, you probably won't miss anything if you stop watching at about four minutes in.



I offer this clip as an example of how an idea can take over and direct our lives, but it can also serve as a reminder that it is within our power to choose not to duplicate the efforts of others. As Mr. Ness explains, we don't all have to sell Pepsi when a larger store already able to delivers it to consumers at the best price, or to reemphasize his lament, at a price that is lower than his cost. His passion led him to a niche market, but his business acumen is what allows him to succeed as he pursues his passion.

As Optimist Clubs, we often choose projects that are easy to duplicate and then we wonder why our club didn't get noticed or why our attendance or participation was low. Then we are disproportionately disappointed because we were so passionately engaged in our mission. Conversely, a club might start a program, implement it for years, and then abruptly hand it off to another group because the individual who was passionate about the project is ready to move on. And sadly, some clubs choose to carry on projects, like the Santa Pal Program in North Carolina that the Optimist Club is passionate about but may no longer be relevant or sustainable due to the economy or other factors.

What is the secret to longevity and success? 
Balance. Optimist Clubs, like business owners, must find ways to balance their activities that will allow them to be productive and grow.  I believe the easiest way to find balance is to never do anything alone. Entrepreneurs often believe they are the best person to lead their business. Likewise, passionate committee chairpersons often believe they are the only one that can successfully carry out their project.

Both are wrong. The most essential first step to achieving balance in your life is to engage others; engage others in your passion, project and purpose. Don't merely assign tasks and supervise their actions. Ask for collaboration and make decisions together. Balance your passion and you will achieve success.

Take our YouTube star Mr. Ness as an example. What is the likelihood that someone shares his passion for the different varieties of soda and has the skill to run a successful business? Slim, I would say, unless he is willing to engage them now, nurture their interest, and help them develop their skills.

If you follow my suggestion and engage early with others, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn they will celebrate with you today, help you revise your direction when needed, and carry on when you cannot be there.

How to write optimistic headlines

It's January and people are still striving to live up to their New Year's resolutions by being more active and involved in their community. Each week, in Baldwin, Alabama, the Press Register staff prepares a list of activities to help their readers find something that interests them. From dance classes to book clubs, from support groups to service clubs, there is something that meets the needs and interests of the 186,000 residents of the community.

In fact, the contents of this link filled up seven pages, single spaced, in a Word document. That is a lot going on, a lot to choose from, a lot of competition for your attention.

So how do you make your Optimist Club meeting stand out among the crowd? Can you learn to write a one-line headline that will draw people to your doors?  Can you write a Twitter quip that will make readers click on your link? Yes, you can. 

When you are writing a headline or one-line advertisement, keep four five rules in mind: 

1. Be useful - Promise that your reader will learn something they need to know. 
2. Be urgent - Demand that your reader take action now or on a certain date. 
3. Be unexpected - Offer something different or new to the reader. 
4. Be unique - Guarantee the reader will gain specific knowledge. 
5. Be honest - Set appropriate expectations for the reader.

Try these Optimist Club examples that will make your audience want to read more:

• The how-to-do something hook
• Learn how your child can get straight-A's at the Optimist Club meeting this week
• The what-you-need-to-know hook
• Discover what you need to know about health care reform at the Optimist Club meeting on Tuesday
• The call to do-something with someone exceptional 
• Party with positive people at the Optimist Club fundraiser on Saturday
• The sharing-a-secret strategy
• Optimist Club will reveal the secret to selling your home on Wednesday
• The social proof strategy
• Who else wants more happiness in their life? Join the Optimist Club today

Of course, getting your headline read is only the first step to success. The content of your article needs to follow-through on the headline's promise; but most important, the experience needs to deliver what was promised. If you follow the suggestions above, you will get new, prospective members to visit your club and participate in your activities. It is up to you to make sure they have a positive experience. 

I support the (fill in the blank) Optimist Club

Our Optimist Clubs frequently say they need more promotion and wish for celebrity spokespersons. One of the challenges of a celebrity spokesperson would be finding the one person who speaks to all populations.

Earlier this year a new Optimist Club was built in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, Florida. Named for its community, you might imagine that the members of the Little Haiti Optimist Club and the children that benefit from their service are a different demographic than an Optimist Club in Utah, Oregon, or Idaho. Not only do they live in a different part of the country, in differently styled or appointed neighborhoods, they are significantly younger than the average Optimist Club member. So knowing  who could speak to their community best, they created their own Celebrity Support video.

Please take a look at a Celebrity Support video for the Little Haiti Optimist Club.



Don't know the celebrities? That's okay, it wasn't meant for your community. But it is a great, easy idea that you can do for your Optimist Club.

Get out your Flip Video and at your next Chamber of Commerce meeting ask your local celebrities to support your Optimist Club. It's local, relevant to your demographic, plus it really is free and easy promotion. Please be sure to send me your link or your video once it is published. Let's show our support for our Local Optimist Club.

Getting published has never been easier

My Google Alerts turned up an entry today about an Optimist Club member in Red Deer, Alberta Canada.  I thought I'd make mention of it here for a couple of reasons.

1. Dr. Robert Cram is proud of his membership in the Optimist Club. He believes they do good things in the community or he wouldn't publicize his involvement on his website homepage. 
• Is your Optimist Club doing things that make your members want to cheer? Don't just ask yourself this question; ask them, and then ask them to mention the Optimist Club in their personal profiles and business websites. 
2. His website is being hosted by Blogger, the Experience Optimism host of choice.
• This is important because Blogger is free technology. Every one of your club members, in business or not, could choose to publish what your club does and how proud they are to be a part of it.

I think that asking everyone to be an Optimist Club blogger might be a bit much, but just think of the possibilities for interaction if only a few members in every club made the commitment. I'm available to help potential rookies get started. Be sure to forward my information to your bulletin editors and club presidents today. 

Sunglasses for all

The Grand Strand Optimist Club of Myrtle Beach got a little help from a local TV station to tell their story this week.  The club donated sunglasses to the children of the Miracle League baseball team. Not only did they get a lot of smiles as thank you's, they also got this great plug that encourages people to join the Optimist Club.