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  • Politics Is Like Hiring A Hitman
    by Scott Woods inPolitical on2020-08-13

    For me, politics is like hiring a hitman. I have values and things I care about. I care enough about them to at least bother voting for 5 minutes every year for one issue or another. And because I care at least that much, I vote for people who align with the ability to realize the things I care about.

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  • Punching Above Our Weight
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-07-24

    I believe our vote is the punctuation of our voice. Without that resounding exclamation mark, I believe our voices are just incoherent noise.

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  • BLACK PROGRESS AMIDST SOCIAL CHAOS
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-06-16

    Recent events have raised the profile of historical injustice and inequities here in the USA. The entire world has taken note of the fact that BLACK LIVES MATTER.   We invite all of our friends to engage in actions that result in the greatest movement for change in our history. It is imperative that we take advantage of this opportunity to affect a positive change by ACTING IN OUR SELF-INTERESTS.

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  • Living in a Black No-Man's Land
    by Roger Madison Jr. inOur Community on2019-10-28

    There are many narratives that define the Black experience in America in this 2nd decade of the 21st century. Our striving over the centuries of our sojourn in this nation is a tapestry of every human experience -- oppression, enslavement, forced assimilation, dehumanization, exclusion, segregation, isolation, struggle, perseverance, achievement, excellence, celebration, mourning, despair, progress, setbacks, lynching, assassination, genocide, terror, self-hatred, low esteem, pride,...

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  • Fighting Racism
    by Scott Woods inOur Community on2018-10-25

    I had a boss who was racist. Not an outright bigot, of course; her toolbox was more subtle than most. We bumped heads a lot over inconsequential things. She frequently couldn’t keep my name out her mouth. Lot of gaslighting. You know…2018 style. I tried a lot of ways to combat or navigate her issues. None of them worked, and that’s saying a lot because I’m really good at fighting racism. But at the end of the day – every day – she was my boss, I had to deal with her, and that was that. Finally I...

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3 Types Of Direct Mail Marketing Letters

The United States Postal Service charges $0.44 cents to mail a First Class Letter. This is a cost-effective method for getting new customers and keeping current customers. You don’t need to have any special skills to send direct mail letters. There three types of direct mail letters most businesses use.

Introductory Letters. This letter should always contain your company info: address, phone and fax number, web address and e-mail address. State what products you sell or the type of service business have. Don’t attempt to make a sale, but do tell the prospect you’re interested in doing business with them. Give them an incentive to keep you in mind.

Sales Letters. In a sales letter you want the prospect to know you are attempting to sell them your product or service. Explain how your product or service will benefit the prospect if they make a purchase. State payment plans, shipping options, and return policies. Offer something free or half-off. Create urgency. And remember to ask them for the sale.

Maintaining Contact Letter. This letter should be written as if you were speaking to a friend. Ask how they have been. Invite them to lunch or to play a round of golf, etc. Let them know what is going on with your company. Share with them any new products or services. Include a coupon or free gift. If you have good penmanship you could handwrite this letter instead of typing it. Make your valued customers feel special with this letter.  They’re the reason why your company is still open for business.

Here is one of EastLake’s direct mail Sales letters.

July 5, 2010

Donna M. Cephas
EastLake Marketing Group
2610 X Street Suite #12
Sacramento, CA 95818

Dear,

In today’s competitive environment, it is important to keep your name highly visible within your market place. At EastLake Marketing Group, we create solutions to build your company identity and image that are proudly displayed, often used….but, never discarded.

Our ideas have been used by numerous local businesses just like yours….to make their brand memorable with customers. EastLake has created hundreds of highly successful promotional campaigns for trade shows, meetings, conferences, open houses, company anniversaries, direct mail and holiday gifts.

All orders are shipped directly from the factory to you. Production time is 2 weeks on most items. Flexible payment plans are available. We take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and checks. Our friendly staff will help you step by step with your order.

EastLake is interested in helping you build your brand using promotional products. Contact Donna M. Cephas at 916.548.6328 for a free phone consultation. View our online catalog at www.eastlakemarketing.com. I look forward to doing business with your company.

Best of Success,

Donna M. Cephas

P.S. Get $25.00 Off On Your First Order. Hurry this offers ends 08/31/10.

Happy Marketing Week!

 EastLake Marketing Group creates marketing solutions online and offline. The end result is reaching your target audience and you gaining more customers. Contact me today.