January 2010
860-788-3764 John@GBAconnecticut.com
Repurposing
Content For Fun
And (Hopefully)
Profit
A
s small business owners,
we’ve always been under
pressure to differentiate
ourselves from “the big boys.”
Thirty years ago, a one-person
computer consultancy didn’t
take on IBM directly, but instead
did the things IBM didn’t do.
Differentiation is perhaps more
important than ever today. We
think nothing of sitting at a
computer and ordering an item
that was conceived in the US,
designed in India, manufactured
in China from parts sourced
from across the world, shipped to
California, ordered from a website
hosted in Texas, and delivered
from a warehouse in Illinois.
Globalization and the internet have
changed business permanently.
continued on next page
GBAConnecticut.com
Featured Member:
Jennifer Loscialpo
Dare To Inspire
Letter From The GBA
N
ow in the meetings I try to keep my personal opinion out of the
discussion as much as I can, which is not an easy task for me.
Here however I can share my thoughts about this month’s topic
“Using business cards as a networking tool.” In talking to people about
this issue, they often wonder how their business card can work better for
them or what to do with the stacks of cards they have sitting at their office.
These are natural questions to ask, however I am learning it’s really about
what to do with that one card.... the one you got when you were having
a great conversation with someone and you exchanged information with
each other because you both saw the potential start of a new business
relationship. This person could become a powerful referral source, a great
client, or a useful sounding board, and their business card, contains all the
ways you will ever need or want to follow up with them. You should treat
this business card like it’s made of diamonds. You should stare at it hoping
it will help you remember the details of the conversation so you can write
them down before you forget them forever. You should copy every piece of
information on the card down as if it was a map to untold wealth.
Now all that may sound over the top...mainly because it is, but when the
reality is that most of us (myself included) simply put their information
in our database and shoot out a generic “it was nice to meet you” email,
going  a little over the top may be just what we need. I realize I sound
like a broken record but once it again it goes back to finding, developing
and maintaining the business relationships that you will need to thrive in
this or any market.
Happy New year and wishing you the best in 2011.
John
Repurposing Content
continued from previous page
The classic way for a small business to differentiate itself
is by offering superior quality and service. This still
applies, even in the new environment. How can you
demonstrate superiority, though, to those who have
never used your business? One way is to show that you
are an expert in your field. The beauty of this approach
is that you can take advantage of those same changes in
the business environment to prove your expertise.
Although the Internet may taketh away, the internet also
giveth something back to us. Never has it been easier for
a small business owner to get their message out to a huge
audience. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogs, websites,
email, Constant Contact, etc. They all connect you to
hundreds or even thousands of people that otherwise
might never have heard of your business. They all also
have a near-relentless hunger for new content, and the
faster the medium moves, the more content it seems to
want. How can you possibly keep up with this deluge
while actually running your real business?
The secret is to write once, and reuse it in multiple
different ways. Though it sounds like cheating, it is
a common practice in many industries. I’ll give an
example: When we used to provide documentation for
the clients of a software firm, they got in-application
help, manuals, online documentation, knowledge base
documents, and more. Did we write brand new content
for the same feature for each medium? Of course not.
Applying the same principle to new media means that
you can take your blog post, tweet about it, and link to
it on Facebook or LinkedIn. In fact, many sites make it
intentionally easy to do this. If you go to your profile
in LinkedIn, for example, you can find a section labeled
“applications.” Click the “Add an application” link to
add your blog or tweets to your LinkedIn profile. When
the content is updated, then so is the LinkedIn profile
and all your LinkedIn contacts are notified. In fact, this
very article will be available that way.
When it comes to microblogging services like Twitter,
there is a different issue: message length. Although
Twitter allows links, putting in a normal URL that
directs a user to your content while also including a
meaningful comment is difficult in 140 characters.
The secret is to use what’s known as a URL shortening
service. The biggest one is a site called bit.ly. That’s the
entire Internet address of the site – no http://www. or
anything else. It has an incredibly simple interface: all
you do is type or copy your long url into the only field
on the page (for example: http://talcottmountainllc.com/
wordpress/?p=57) and it gives you a shortened url that
you can use in your tweet (http://bit.ly/ejkGnq). My
original url has been reduced by more than half and I
have another 120 characters left to say something about
why that link is interesting.
So, go ahead and plagiarize yourself a little. It is the best
way to keep getting your message out in multiple ways
and still have a life.
Do you sometimes feel that you are at the top of a practice ski slope looking down as well as looking out at the far
horizon but not sure how you should steer your business with marketing? Maybe you should try photography to
utilize the visual. When you see the advantages, contact me at photoi@msn.com or 860-978-2949, and enjoy an
easy ride to higher profits.
GBA Meeting Calendar
January 5, 2011 February 17, 2011
6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.
Topic: Maximizing your business card at Topic: Working the room at a networking
networking events and beyond. event
January 20, 2011 March 2, 2011
8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
Topic: Maximizing your business card at The how, when and whys of giving referrals &
networking events and beyond. how to gain business from doing it
February 2, 2011 March 17, 2011
6:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m.
Topic: Working the room at a networking The how, when and whys of giving referrals &
event how to gain business from doing it
All Meetings Held At:
Water’s Edge Center for Health and Rehabilitation,
111 Church Street, Middletown, CT

Angel Readings
By Diane C. Esposito Energy Exchange: Comment on
Written on July 20, 2010 how the reading and sharing it
Angel Reading 4 of 70 with someone makes you feel at Submission

E
njoy your present moments
rather than reaching into
the past or looking too far
into the future. Gather yourself
into a sacred space where you can
remember your purpose and the
goals that mean the most to you. Act
on that which is in front of you, in
small, steady steps and allow each
step to be the destination.
Restful Sunset reflects time for
refueling and healing.
Empowering Question: How do
(or would) I feel when I take the
time to simply “be” with myself?
Example: I now acknowledge that
when I visit with myself in a state of
mindfulness, I feel seen, heard, and
understood.
http://Bit.ly/PHandHBlog. See the
comment link at the top of each Guidelines
post.
To subscribe to your Complimentary
If you are submitting content
Daily Angel Readings visit: http://
to this newsletter, please be
personalharmonyandhealth.com/
aware of the following:
blog/day-angel-project .
• Photos sent in Word
For those who are moved to
documents will not be
further your journey, you may
used. Photos must be sent
reserve your phone or face to face
as TIFF or JPG files.
session with Diane at 203-284-
1204.  To select a Complimentary • Please be sure that Word
Consultation or Private Session documents do NOT have
directly from the website go to hyperlinks
personalharmonyandhealth.com.
• Ads may be reduced in size
You may always connect with me at to fit layout.
diane@personalharmonyandhealth.
com
GBA Membership Directory
Accounting Bookkeeping
DP & Accounting Balanced Books by Joe
Richard Carroll Jr., EA Contact: Joe Lavoie
Phone: 860-740-6123 Southington, CT
Email:r.carrol@dptaxaccounting.com Phone: 203-464-3848
Web: www.dptaxaccounting.com Email: booksbyjoe37@aol.com
Advertising Catering
InLine Adz Request A Chef
Contact: Ray Charpentier Contact: Thomas Apgar
Phone: 860-752-5628 PO Box 504
Fax: 860-683-2271 Tolland, CT 06084
Email: ray.charpentier@inlineadz.com Phone: 860-760-5990
Web: www.inlineadz.com Email: ChefThom@RequestAChef.com
Website: www.RequestAChef.com
Natural Awakenings
Contact: Holly Danowski Computers/Networking
Phone: 203-314-9707
Email: HartfordNA@gmail.com Distinctive Computer Solutions, LLC
Web: www.naturallyhealthyct.com Contact: Sean Rogers
298 Cherry Street
Alternative Health - Healing New Britain, CT 06051
Arts Phone: 860-237-8346
Email: info@dcs-llc.biz
Personal Harmony and Health LLC Web: www.dcs-llc.biz
Diane C. Esposito, RMT/Holistic Coach
8 Whispering Pines Drive Computer Repair
Wallingford, CT 06492
O: 203-284-1204 Dan LeRoy Productions
C: 203-913-3869 Contact: Dan LeRoy
Email: diane@personalharmonyandhealth. Email: danleroy@cox.net
com Web: www.danleroyproductions.com
Web: www.personalharmonyandhealth.com
Consulting/Marketing
Attorney
The Modern Observer Group
R. Richard Croce LLC Contact: Eric Lopkin
Contact: Richard Croce 220 Julia Terrace
Middletown, CT 06457
438 Main St, suite 202 Middletown
Phone: 860.316.5404 Phone: 860-343-1579
Email: Rich@rrc-llc.com Fax: 860-343-1579
Web: www.rrc-llc.com Email: elopkin@modernobserver.com
Web: www.modernobserver.com
Automotive
Email Marketing
Patrician’s Auto Detailing
Contact: Peter Patrician Malafronte Consulting
Contact: Paul Malafronte
Portland, CT 06480
Phone: 315-278-3801 958 Dixwell Avenue
Email: Patrician.Detailing@gmail.com Hamden, CT 06514
Phone: 203-843-6657
Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com
Web: www.malafrontehosting.com
Energy Saving Devices
Green Products Systems
Contact: Ray Charpentier
Phone: 860-752-5628
Fax: 860-683-2271
Email: ray.charpentier@inlineadz.com
Financial Services/
Investments
Barnum Financial Group
Contact: Michael S. Resnick
Financial Advisor
100 Great Meadow Rd. Suite 200
P: 860-218-2880
F: 860-218-2899
Email: Mresnick@metlife.com
website: www.barnfinancialgroup.com
Fine Art
Peter A. Patrician Design & Illustration
Contact: Peter Patrician
Portland, CT 06480
Phone: 315-278-3801
Email: PPatrician.Design@gmail.com
Graphic Design
James Robert Creative
Contact: James Robert Valentino
139 Cedar Ridge Road
Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860-666-0176
Email: mindsite09@jamesrobertcreative.
com
Web: http://www.jamesrobertcreative.com/
Health Products
My Healthy US
Contact: Dan Partiss
Middletown, CT
Phone: 860-316-5132
Email: myhealthyus@gmail.com
Web: www.myhealthyus.com
Home Improvement
Rich the Rehabber, LLC
Contact: Rich Hart
Middlefield, CT 06455
Phone: 860-575-2589
Email: rehabrich@comcast.net
Web: www.richtherehabber.com
Insurance (Property/
Casualty)
Star-Schein LLC
Contact: Charlie Schein, Owner/Agency
Principal
Rocky Hill, CT
Office Phone: 860-513-1055
Cell Phone: 860-819-9810
Fax: 877-513-6363
Email: charlie@starschein.com
Web Address: www.starschein.com
Landscaping, Snow Removal,
Lawn Care
Baba Landscaping & Snow Removal, LLC
Contact: Bhupal Baba
6 Shawnee Court
Cromwell, CT 06416
Phone: 860-913-4938
Email: bhupalbaba@yahoo.com
Media
Natural Awakenings
Contact: Holly Danowski
Phone: 203-314-9707
Email: HartfordNA@gmail.com
Web: www.naturallyhealthyct.com
Motivational Speaking
Hold Your Head High
Contact: Joe Lavoie
Southington, CT
Phone: 860-426-1057
Email: hold_your_head_high@gmail.com
Organizing Services
Organize for Today
Lauren M. Guiditta
Professional Organizer
Lauren@Organize4Today.com
860.805.7833
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Out of the Dog House
Contact: Vicki Moyer
PO Box 2275,
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: 860-838-4269
Email: vicki@outofthedoghousect.com
Web: www.outofthedoghousect.com
Photographer Social Media Marketing
Photo Images Co. 1 Degree LLC
Contact: Ben Jordan Contact: Richard A. Marti, Jr
702-2 Church Street Phone: 562-726-2784
Newington, CT 06111 Email: ramartijr@gmail.com
Phone: 860-978-2949 Web: www.ramartijr.com
Email: photoi@msn.com
Web: www.photoimagesco.photoreflect.com Video Production/Post
Production/Cartoon
Printers (Commercial)
Animation
Thirteenth Floor Graphics and Printing
Contact: Agata Piorkowska Dan LeRoy Productions
375 Lake Ave Contact: Dan LeRoy
Bristol, CT 06010 Email: danleroy@cox.net
Phone: 860-585-7121 Web: www.danleroyproductions.com
Email: agata@tfgp.net
Web: www.tfgp.net Web Design and Hosting
Malafronte Consulting
Publications
Contact: Paul Malafronte
Natural Awakenings 958 Dixwell Avenue
Contact: Holly Danowski Hamden, CT 06514
Phone: 203-314-9707 Phone: 203-843-6657
Email: HartfordNA@gmail.com Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com
Web: www.naturallyhealthyct.com
Writers
Retail/Online
Talcott Mountain Media, LLC
Dare to Inspire Contact: Matthew Craver
Contact: Jennifer Loscialpo 126 Wadhams Road
Glastonbury, CT 06033 Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-338-5120 Phone: 860-286-0782
Email: jennifer@daretoinspire.net Email: mcraver@talcottmountainllc.com
Web: www.daretoinspire.net
Retail/Resale Attention
The Walk In Closet Consignment Shop Members:
Contact: Jackie Goodwin
72 Pane Road The deadline for your articles
Newington, CT 06111 and ads for the February issue
Phone: 860-667-6046 is
Fax: 860-667-6046
Email: shopthewalkincloset@gmail.com JANUARY 14th
Web: www.shopthewalkin.com
Send Out Cards
Need Help?
Malafronte Consulting
Contact: Paul Malafronte Contact Talcott Mountain for
958 Dixwell Avenue
barter deals for your articles
Hamden, CT 06514
Phone: 203-843-6657
and The Modern Observer
Email: paul@malafrontehosting.com Group for barter deals on ad
Web: www.malafrontehosting.com design.
D
are to Inspire is a place
where you can shop for
what you need, support
your favorite cause and be inspired
all in one place!
The concept is simple- everyone
shops online these days. Everyone
wants to help meaningful Causes.
Now you can do both! Because
every time you make a purchase
through www.daretoinspire.net, we
donate a portion of all proceeds to
selected Causes. Here is a partial list
of causes currently supported:
• Alzheimer’s Association- which
supports individuals living with
Alzheimer’s.
• Dances with Wood- A program
for healing and empowerment
serving hospitalized children
with life-threatening or life-
limiting illness.
• Christopher and Dana Reeve
Foundation- Their goal is to help
people with the cure and care of
spinal cord injuries and paralysis
from other injuries.
• CRI Therapeutic Foster Care
860-788-3764
& Adoption- They support
foster and adoptive families in
CT and provide loving, healing
homes for children who have
been traumatized, abused and
neglected.
How does it work? It’s simple. Just
go to www.daretoinspire.net. You
can do several things here:
1. Shop at dozens of online
merchants that you are already
familiar with, such as Amazon.
com, Best Buy.com, Target.com,
Sears.com, iTunes…. But when
you go to www.daretoinspire.
net first, you help support our
programs.
2. Purchases services and products
offered by local businesses, who
are looking to make a difference.
Our first offering is from the
Modern Observer Group.
3. Support meaningful Charities,
who greatly need our help by
making the same purchases you
would anyway.
4. Read and be inspired by our
blogs, ‘Dare to Entertain’ and
John@GBAconnecticut.com
‘Dare to Motivate’.
Most importantly, we are always
looking for Charities, Schools,
Churches and Organizations who
would like to be a part of our
program and receive donations.
Causes today are struggling more
than ever.
Our program is so simple.
Organizations just tell their members
and supporters to shop through our
site, and they will receive a donation
for every purchase made when their
Cause is selected by the shopper
We are also looking for other
businesses to offer their services
through www.daretoinspire.net.
When you do, customers and clients
will see you donate to meaningful
Causes from the purchases they
make!
For more information on all
that Dare to Inspire has to offer,
please visit us on the web at www.
daretoinspire.net, email us at:
jennifer @daretoinspire.net or call us
at 860.338.5120.
GBAConnecticut.com