Mentorship Notes - 11/30/2013

Monthly Post for November: The Delicate Art of Advertising (The Store)

Without customers, a store is nothing if not a black hole of money. So how do you get customers? By advertising, of course.

The Music Store has been trying to get new exposure, and they've been doing this several ways:

1) Social Networking - They have a facebook page (click here!). And you can absolutely follow them at instagram at @tmsthemusicstore. The store is also on Yelp.

2) Flyers at local businesses' bulletin boards - Actually, let's go into details about this one.

We've spent some time brainstorming this, things like how the flyers are going to be distributed, where to put them, and how to talk to the business owners so they would agree to us putting the flyers there.

The flyers are going to be distributed inside a Tyvek 'flyer holder' that we can double tape or thumbtack onto a bulleting board. The Tyvek flyer holders are all handmade from Tyvek envelops cut in half, a big sticker that says FREE MUSIC LESSONS! so it would grab attention, and stiff paper as backing so it wouldn't be so flimsy.

A pretty good drawing of the envelop, if I do say so myself.

When we were thinking of the business to approach for these flyers, we tried to think local, mom-and-pop, or often-frequented-by-children-or-parents. So there were a lot of small-chain establishments (like Farmers' Boys and It's A Grind Coffee Shop) and afterschool or extracurriculars for kids (e.g. community centers, martial arts studio, dance studios). And we also threw in some salons and hobby shops, so we can reach the moms as well.

The list!

So right now, we're checking whether the stores we had listed would allow us to do this, either by phone call or just actually going there. There is huge emphasis on making it clear to the establishments that if they allow us to advertise on their place, they could advertise on ours. We scratch their backs, they scratch ours.

We're going to touch on more with the flyers later on. The envelopes/flyer holders would probably be made by next week, so I can get on distributin'.

Mentorship Notes - 11/23/2013

Blog 9: EQ

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Review the following EQs and (1) tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria; and (2) tell why it does or why it doesn't.

a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

This meet the rule of 3 criteria.

Assuming that their topic is 'healthy weight loss', this EQ will require them to research the several different ways of healthy weight loss and observe the similarities, differences, and parallels of each technique. This encourages breadth and depth of research. They then will be able to choose from the observations the 'factor' they believe to be the most important, allowing them to take a stance. The question itself is simple and understandable, and therefore has good format.

b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This EQ does not meets the rule of 3 criteria.

This EQ will allow them to research into what's needed to convict in a criminal investigation, but I feel that this is very specific to one process. It doubt it would give much insight into whatever their topic this--I don't even know what their topic is, looking at this EQ. A lot of occupations (and occupations are often very good topics) can 'secure convictions', like private investigator, police officer, detective, prosecutor, judge, forensic science (a bit of a stretch but still applicable if one insists).

   In addition, the format bothers me. I think it could be better phrased.

c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

This EQ does not meet the rule of 3 criteria.

Creating hairstyles is a job that are done by several occupations: salon owner or hairstylist. I understand that they are about the same aside from their managerial power, but I would appreciate further details regardless. If the person's topic is commercial hairstyling, then this EQ would be good. If the person's topic is salon ownership, then there is definitely more to be said.

Format is good and well. And the answer to this question can have a list and facts, but these will all ultimately lead to an answer.

d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

This EQ does not meet the rule of 3 criteria.

The answer to this EQ will essentially be a factual list of anesthetic treatments specific to chronic pain. The answer might be able to argue a stance such as 'this treatment is better than that treatment', but it wouldn't give much depth into their topic, which I assume to be Anesthesiology. I want to see further details into Anesthesiology aside from an anesthesiologist's answer to treating chronic pain.

Format is of no problem.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

What does it take to effectively run a music store?

Mentorship Notes - 11/16/2013

Mentorship Notes - 11/09/2013