Brick and Click

Web Two-Point-You

(This is an article I wrote for the December issue of Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, a wonderful local magazine covering my quaint Virginia hometown, produced by Piedmont Press and Graphics.  If you arrived here after reading the article ... please leave your thoughts in the comment section ... especially how you think social media could be used to improve Warrenton, or any hometown/community.  And if you're not experienced with social media, share if you plan on diving into Web Two-Point-You waters any time soon)

Question:  do you know what Web 2.0 is all about?  If your first thought is “when did we leave the first Web?” then please read on.  And if you consider yourself a savvy surfer of digital waters, please read on as well, because at the end of this article I’m going to invite you to share your thoughts about what I’ve said.  That invitation, in part, is what Web 2.0 is all about.

I’ve been asked numerous times to offer up a definition of Web 2.0, and I usually begin by telling people that there are as many different answers as people you ask, like clowns spilling out of a Volkswagen Beetle.  But this is the way I see what has taken place over the past six or so years.

Web 1.0 (1990s through about 2003) was pretty much a one-way street.  You went to a website and consumed information or purchased something.  It became far easier to search for that new or vacation home, make your own investment decisions (ETrade), or sell those ‘valuables’ you had in storage (hello eBay).

Web 2.0 is a two-way street, where new tools enable you to interact, connect, contribute, and respond.  Web 2.0 is about participation. You don’t just consume, you produce.  You are in control, deciding which restaurants to praise or punish (reviews on Yelp), which videos to share with friends (who hasn’t seen Susan Boyle?), when to comment in a blog post, or whether to begin blogging yourself.

The explosion of Social Media is a natural progression of Web 2.0. Going to Wikepedia (makes sense, since the popular user-generated encyclopedia is a prime example of Web 2.0 collaboration), social media is defined as “media designed to be disseminated through social interaction” …  “transforming broadcast media monologues (one to many) into social media dialogues (many to many)”.  In 2006, when it first appeared on Wikipedia, social media was defined as a term “used to describe media which are formed mainly by the public as a group, in a social way, rather than media produced by journalists, editors and media conglomerates”.

The term ‘citizen journalist’ arrived on the scene over the past few years, with camera and video-equipped smartphones giving anyone the ability to instantly publish images or video or text to the web.  The first image captured in the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’, when that plane crash- landed in New York, was an iPhone picture taken by a passenger on a ferry that was first to arrive on the scene.  That image was pushed out and passed around via social media tools to millions of people within hours (and used by the major TV and Cable news networks as well).  

A simple adjustment can make a big difference on your Facebook Page

I run across a lot of Facebook Pages that when first landing on the 'Wall', you see a choice to view comments by the Page, or by Fans.  And the default setting shows Page comments only.  Many, when first setting up Pages, don't realize they can choose 'Posts by Page and Fans', which is shown in the screenshot below on the Brick and Click Facebook Page.  And while I don't have tons of 'Fan comments' yet ... I know it's important to show the complete conversation, not just me blathering away.  If you have a Facebook Page, make sure you choose the setting in the image below.  When you do, you might suddenly discover a conversation that was happening behind your Page's back.  Oh, and let Fans post links, images and even videos.  Don't be afraid.  This is a two-way street, so let it ride.

 

Nice that Typepad has added a 'Quick Compose' feature to this blogging platform. Knowing that it can be challenging to compose robust blog posts, I can now share short insights and thoughts via this 'microblogging' (Twitter-esque) feature. Nice! It's all about finding ways to make communicating simple.

Having a Facebook Page and/or Twitter account is not enough. Knowing what to do with them is what counts

This might be my shortest blog post ever, which is fine by me. 

You're a small business, or a brand of any size.  You have a Facebook Fan Page, an email newsletter and a blog.  Perhaps you're dabbling with Twitter as well, so you're feeling all 'social media groovy' and Web two-point.ooey now.  BUT .... (the inevitable but) to use a football analogy:

You can have a dynamite quarterback, running back and wide receiver, but if your play calling sucks ... if your team is NOT in synch ... then you get the picture.  You can have all the great tools in place, but as head coach of your business, it's up to you to coordinate all of this great talent to win.  

Simple question:  Are your social media and Web 2.0 efforts/tools working in harmony ... producing the conversations, lasting connections and customer illumination you need to increase your bottom line?  In other words, are you winning the social media game, or just showing up?  If you're not, not sure, or even if you are sure (because you might be wrong), give me a ring.

Don't let a customer connection pass you by

The very first thing I do when I visit any business, aside from the business I am there for (grabbing coffee, food, etc), is check to see how they are promoting themselves.  If I'm at the checkout with coffee and delicious pastry in hand, I'm sure to be scanning around to look for signs or business cards or other materials that encourage me to offer feedback, check out the website, become a fan on Facebook, etc.  More often than not I come away thinking "they just don't get it". 

If you're a brick and mortar business loved by numerous customers, you simply must do everything in your power to 'digitally connect' with each customer before they walk out the door.  This can apply to online-only businesses as well.  If someone walks out (or clicks away) a happy customer and they haven't a clue that you have a Facebook Fan Page or Twitter account or e-mail newsletter or online suggestion box (do you have these must-haves?), then you are blowing your chance to stay digitally connected to that customer. 

Once you're connected, all it takes is a simple nudge ... a fleeting glance at a picture you posted on Facebook ... a tweet about some yummy bakery creation ... or a freshly penned (old schol term, eh?) and informative email newsletter, and a consumer is reminded about a place he or she loves.  And that little reminder is all it might take to push that person to visit your business one extra time each week or month.  And if you do the math, it adds up pretty quickly.

Permission marketing is the best kind. Are you giving people the ability to connect with you? 

Small Business Owners: If You're Positive You Know Everything There is to Know About Marketing in 2009, Feel Free to Skip This Post

It's amazing how my insight into the world of marketing, consumerism and business in general changed when I left radio two years ago.  When you're immersed in something - traditional media in my case - a majority of your thinking and actions are shaped by that world you live and breathe and make your bread and butter in. Even though I fought the entrenched powers that be to no avail (the web can be your friend, really!!) ... it took being ripped from the comfort and constrainsts and limited view of that world to realize the true nature - and full potential -of the fast evolving online landscape.  It also didn't hurt that I suddenly had plenty of time on my hands ... full days at a stretch (while job hunting) to spend online, learning and experimenting and talking and listening and soaking up every interesting post and article and tweet I could.  I also knew the value of in-person interaction, so I began attending every internet/web-related conference and casual gathering I could.  These were luxuries I could not afford time-wise when I was chained to my radio job.  And chained I was.  Radio is exciting, but it can be a 24/7 beast that dominates your life to the nth degree like nothing else.   

I had dabbled in social/new media while I was still in the thick of my 12-plus year radio career. I was blogging and reading tons of blogs.  I had embraced 'open innovation', which emcompasses crowdsourcing, user innovation and the like, but I didn't begin to truly comprehend the nature of what was happening in the world of communication until I was able to jump fully into the web waters. I had read plenty about how things had changed, but had I really understood and embraced the change myself?

I chuckle when I hear radio stations and TV shows mention Twitter now.  If only they were that open minded when I pitched them the potential of social media and 'consumer empowerment' two years ago.  But that's the nature of the business for traditional media, and unfortunately, for most businesses as well (small business in particular).  It takes a sea change in consumer behavior to the point that the news cycle is overwhelmed by talk of Tweets, Twittering, Facebook hitting 250 million users and so on.  It takes a very 'old media' maven like Oprah trying Twitter before some feel they can dip their toes in the new media waters.  But it doesn't have to be this way.

If you're a business owner, no one knows your business like you.  And if you have superior products and service, then you have almost all of the ingredients for success.  Almost all.  Because in this day, in the summer of 2009, a majority of your customers and potential customers are living two lives:  one 'offline' (in the brick and mortar world) and one 'online' (the click in Brick and Click ... hopefully my blog and business name makes a little more sense now).  And those two lives have been merging for some time now, to the point that a majority of people are connected to the web continuously, via iPhones and Palm Pres and laptops and computers at work and at home.  So when they're walking down Main Street, looking for a 'real world' experience ... a nice sandwhich or cup of coffee or new pair of shoes ... they've also strolling the digital version of Main Street, checking out your website, whether you're on Facebook or Twitter ... maybe Yelp for recommendations.  And since it's never been easier for businesses to be a part of the conversation with consumers ... many of those consumers are reminded about that great cup of coffee or that scrumptous sandwich because they happen to be a 'fan' of a business on Facebook, and that business put out a short message in the morning that the bread is fresh, the coffee is too, and there's a table waiting just for you.

If you're a small business owner and you think the best way to reach customers is an ad in the local (dying) newspaper or a fancy sign out front, then you need to be ripped from your mooring for a bit.  And if you think it's as easy as setting up a Facebook Fan Page, without understanding social media history and strategy, you still don't get it.  You need to decide right now if you want to be the business that is out in front on Digital Main Street, in addition to the brick and mortar street you're on.  You want to be the person who understands the art of conversation can extend online ... so when you make that special connection with a customer you just served, you can make sure to stay connected by properly promoting your Facebook Page and Twitter profile and e-mail newsletter.  All of these involve 'permission marketing', the best kind.  Because customers that connect with you online want to hear from you.  They want to talk to you.  They want to know more about your business. And they will be the key to ensuring your success.  Because there's nothing quite like an army of passionate consumers who become evangelists for your brand ... spreading the love offline and online.   

You need to decide right now if you want to take your business to a whole new level, one that embraces a few simple yet profound methods to successfully cross-market in the 'brick' and 'click' worlds.  The water's warm.  Consumers are swimming right now.  Are you ready to dive in? 

Sometimes we need to stop and remember those who are putting it all on the line for us

Memorial in Iraq for 34th Military Police Company July 20, 2009

Attention Small Business: Help is Here

I've been in an internal debate for some time,  whether to focus my consultancy on small business, or aim my sights up and down the business spectrum.  I've had the opportunity to present digital communciation, marketing and innovation solutions to Fortune 500 companies - and am always open to that - but my heart lies with the small business community, with entrepreneurs slugging it out in Main Street trenches each day. 

Time and money are precious commodities for small business owners.  But a reality is staring them in the face:  consumer habits have changed dramatically over the past few years, and continue to evolve at a rapid pace.  If you don't accept that fact, adjust strategy, and learn to "follow the puck" (nice hocky analogy, courtesy of an NPR exec in a Fast Company interview), then you'll be sitting on the sidelines while the competition plays a digital game of catch with consumers. 

Bare with me while I highlight my experience, skillset and passions.  I feel compelled to do so, to answer that small business owner who reads this post and asks "why Brick and Click?" 

I've been Immersed in traditional and new media communication, marketing, and branding strategy for more than 15 years.  In the 90s and through 2000, I wrote and produced hundreds of radio commercials, where the key to success was drilling down to the core USP (unique selling proposition) of each business and then communicating a compelling story in 30 to 60 seconds.  I was fortunate to bag some prestigious radio awards, but the thing I remember best is the pest control client who had to put our commercial campaign on hold for a periof of time.  Huh?  Well, it seems the commercials were so effective that the client couldn't handle all of the new business, and needed time to hire more people.  That ... is what it's all about. I'll take that over the trophies any day. 

As I moved from commercials to satellite programming (I ran 3 XM channels, scoop to nuts: marketing, sales, operations), to network news (anchor/editor specializing in business, economy,  technology), and  then to the nationally syndicated Bill Bennett's Morning in America show (I was an air personality, operations director, and wrote his commercial copy), I became more and more passionate about the web and how it was changing the business landscape.  I created online marketing campaigns, managed Bennett's website community (The Roundtable, a brand I coined), began blogging, and soaked up thousands of blog posts and articles about 'business and web 2.0'.  When radio and I departed ways, I became involved with an internet startup, Fellowforce, a crowdsourcing platform designed to enable small and medium size businesses to tap consumers around the world for ideas.  It was advanced bootcamp for the New Web, teaching me how mass collaboration, social networks, and empowered consumers were changing everything.  Since then, I launched my digital communication and marketing consultancy (Brick and Click) and have a job with a defense contractor (L-3 Communications) as Online Community Manager for Army.mil, helping the Army's global public affairs community, and also pitching in with online/social media communication strategy  

Enough of that.  There are people who know more about social media., but I'm hopeful my unique  experience, skillset, knowledge and passion set me apart.  

Over time, it's become clear that the lines between the 'digital' and 'brick and mortar' Main Street are blurring.  I chose the name Brick and Click because it reflects the integration of what a business does 'offline' and 'online'.  And the fast evolving webscape means two things for small business:

1. change is happening, and it can be unnerving
2. this change is creating remarkable opportunities that did not exist just a few years ago

I believe small businesses need to have the following:

• a decent website - your communication hub on the web.  Get the best one your budget allows
• an email newsletter - permission marketing means people want to hear from you 
• Facebook Fan Page - enable passionate fans of your business to share their passion and connect with you in this online community, 200 million and counting 
• a Twitter account - the water cooler conversation.  Listen, enage, build a trustworthy presence in this piping hot community, the Wild West of the Web
• ears to the wind - do you know what people are saying about you online? Consumer review communities like Yelp are a good place to start.  Google Alerts is another
• a Blog - I don't push this on every small business.  Blogs entail work, and require more effort than communicating via Twitter and Facebook.  But for some, it's a great medium to tell their story and share their passions.  Google, by the way, loves fresh blog content

For the small business pondering social media and wondering how to market and make it in this new environment (and wondering if this is a big waste of time and/or money), I offer a Digital Check-up, where I'll take an honest look at your business - your brand - how it's positioned and communicating offlne (brick) and online (click), and tell you what I think you need and don't need.  The fee is just $79.   This initial consultation may be enough for you to take off on your own, and that's fine.  My goal is to empower you to be in charge of your communication tools.  If you want/need a Twitter and Facebook account and newsletter ... I can help you with all of those things.  I offer affordable consulting packages, monthly or one time consultations, that vary depending on your need and budget.  Contact me today and start the conversation, and I'll give you a number of options, one of which will meet your budget and impact your business.   

Embracing social media and learning new communication tools and environments is not an overnight thing.  It'll take time, persistence, consistency, grit, creativity and patience.  My goal is to provide you with a communications/marketing arm - as simple and as affordable as possible - and to exceed your expectations.  Contact me anytime at 540-729-2742  and jeff@brickandclick.com.

Hallowed Ground

Memorial Day is not just another Hallmark holiday. We live and work and enjoy the lives and freedom we have because of the sacrifices of those that lie beneath simple white headstones.

Guess Who's Making Vehicles Consumers Will Buy? (hint: it's not GM/Segway)

Great contrast today between two stories.  The one grabbing all the headlines:  GM and Segway announce two-wheeled urban transport vehicle {Crunchgear}.  Reactions were all over the map - from love to hate to laughter - over this multi-passenger version of the Segway Personal Transporter.  Put me in the 'you've got to be kidding' category.  My first thought was "why not just add a small third wheel in front, forget the expensive gyro/stabilyzing gear, and offer the equivalent of a souped up, smallish golf cart for less than half what this baby will go for."  GM will contribute On-Star, so when you run into a hot dog vendor you can signal for help, and the odd, carnaval-ridish thing, according to the press release, "enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking."  Social networking? 

It felt like an April Foolish type news story, except it's apparently quite real. Sure, a lot of creative thinking and design chops went into this.  But it doesn't mean for a minute that it'll sell very well.  And I'd bet the farm that it won't.  It'll be too pricey for one. And it's just too odd and unnecessary for another.  The press release says it all:  GM and Segway Join Forces to Reinvent Urban Tranportation. Hmmm. Seems like I've read/heard that before. Yes, I remember, when the original Segway came out.  It was touted as a product that would completely revolutionize the way we humans get from point A to point B.  Let's all count the number of $5,000 Segways we see each day. Show of hands.

Now, let's 'Segway' to another story, this one from the folks at Honda, courtesy of USAToday:  They call it puppy love: Honda's dog-friendly Element.  This story leapt off the page at me because it spoke directly to my lifestyle, and I'm guessing the lifestyles of millions of other people who own and love dogs.  USAToday got a glimpse of the new Element before it debuts at Thursday's New York International Auto Show.  The creative and consumer conscious minds at Honda have added these features:  a fold-out ramp so dogs can easily climb in and out of the rear (this is huge), a built-in bed in the cargo area, a private electric cooling fan, a spill-proof water bowl, a mesh net to keep animals separated from people, and rubber floor mats embellished with a dog-bone design (it's bling, but so what).

And if your first reaction is "so what", then consider these stats from the article: some 63% of U.S. households have a pet, and nearly 45 million of those pets are dogs.  As a dog dad who's more than willing to part with his hard earned dollars when it comes to the furry kids, I"m betting a profit-producing percentage of those dog-loving homes would consider a vehicle that has Spot and Ranger in mind.  From the article:

Hang around at a dog park, and you soon see how dog owners choose their vehicles with their dogs in mind.  One of them is Romy Friedman of Manhattan Beach, Calif., who works in real estate and who is shopping for a new car.

"I am buying the car for the dog," says Friedman, who happened by the dog park with Buster, her golden doodle (golden retriever/poodle mix). She had looked at Hyundai, Lexus and BMW, but prefers the Element. "He's a big dog. I want him to go in the back, not on the seat."

Do you agree or disagree?  Will the new GM/Segway vehicle sell like hotcakes?  Or will the dog-friendly Element be a homerun for Honda?  I say Honda - Toyota too - knows the pulse of the consumer much better than Detroit.   

Sign up for my newsletter & get a free 'I'd rather be Tweeting' t-shirt

Short and sweet to kick off my e-mail newsletter.  First 100 people to sign up get an "I'd rather be Tweeting" t-shirt for FREE.  The only cost is $5 shipping & packaging. the few moments it takes you to sign up!  White, high quality short sleeve tee in the size of your choice (S,M,L,XL,XXL).  If your address is outside the U.S. & Canada, a shipping charge may apply. 

The Brick and Click Newsletter will arrive in your inbox like a warm, freshly baked pumpkin muffin.  

If you don't have 'smell' enabled, I hope you'll find the newsletter to be value-packed ... chock full of usable information and insight.  Sign-up is easy (click on the Newsletter link in the upper right sidebar).  And should you grow weary of the pumpkin scent, you can unscubscribe  at any time.  My feelings will not be hurt, but I might wonder how I could've baked a better newsletter.  You're encouraged to leave suggestions in the comment area about additional aromas you prefer, or other phrases that would make a killer T-shirt.  Please share your Twitter handle too.  Cheers.    

*Note:  I'll update here as soon as the first 100 have signed up, in case you're wondering "am I number 165 and he's not telling us so he gets more subscribers".  This isn't and never will be about deception, though general tomfoolery is always fun.  It IS all about transparency, making genuine connections, and hopefully handing you a nice welcome gift you can wear with pride.

*Update: Thanks for everyone's interest!  The promotion is technically over (it's April 11th), but the welcome mat is always out to anyone interested in my free newsletter.  I'll be including business and marketing tips and advice ... and giving subscribers 'first dibs' at client specials, beta invites and things I hope you'll find of great value.  This blog, and the newsletter, will be focused more and more on entrepreneurs and small business ... the trends and technology that are changing the business landscape and empowering small business to think and act big.

We're All Geeks Now

I was on Twitter and my eye caught a retweet of Steve Rubel tweeting about an Advertising Age article:  Who Says Everything Has To Be Monetized? (Marketers Use Communication Machine Twitter to Engage Consumers With Their Human Side).  The article spotlights various ways brands are using Twitter:  as a "virtual information booth" (Jet Blue), a "quasi helpline" (Comcast), a "multipurpose communication machine" (Southwest Air), and a way to "give fans a peek behind the curtain" (NBA).  For someone keenly interested in the way businesses communicate with consumers, this is exciting stuff.  Noting Twitter's exponentially growing popularity, AdAge writer Michael Learmonth asks: 

....  is it time to call the top, or double-down on Twitter?   

One marketing guru, who was one of the few to actually start using Twitter, is going with the former approach. Once, Twitter's top 10 was a who's who of geek royalty; now, Edelman Digital Senior-VP Steve Rubel noted, the list looks like an issue of US Magazine.

"Historically, as the geeks go, so goes social media," Mr. Rubel blogged, as SXSWi wrapped for another year.  "I believe that the founding fathers and mothers of Twitter -- people who gave the service its wings, will soon tire of it and seek the next shiny object."

Or as some would assert, that means it's just about ripe for the mainstream.

Rubel has been calling for Twitter to lose it's sparkle for some time now, even as it continues to grow like Kudzu.  He and fellow geek royal Robert Scoble have found Friendfeed more to their liking, singing its praises to all who will hear (ironic that more would hear them if they spent more time on Twitter).  They and other well known early adopters have found their next shiny thing - and will likely find many more - which is great.  I've benefitted from the Rubles and Scobles of the world many times.  I discovered Twitter, Qik, Brightkite, Utterli and other cutting edge platforms by following the likes of these two.  But something has fundamentally changed, and I think Rubel and others are missing it:

We're all geeks now.  We're all early adopters now. 

So many are now plugged into the 'human information machine' (Twitter) that the next shiny thing is instantaneously discoverable by an army of social media enthusiasts ... large enough and intelligent enough to minimalize the influence of  small, founding father squad of geek elite.  This army of enthusiasts has decided that they like Twitter very much, thank you.  And they know that Twitter, like Facebook and blogs, is an evolving and vibrant communication hub that has cemented itself in the social media landscape.

Capturing the old media crowd

Mobile post sent by BrickandClick using Utterli.  Replies.  mp3

To Blog or Not to Blog

                                                                             I have about six million things I want to blog about - an overwhelming, mile-long back-up on my idea runway - which is why I rarely blog anymore.  Instead, you can find me on Twitter and Facebook throughout each day (mostly Twitter), easily and quickly blurting what's on my mind, connecting with new people, and sharing/discovering news, trends and information.  In other words, the time I used to spend researching and constructing blog posts has been squeezed - nearly eliminated - by highly interactive social media platforms that make communicating a snap.   

This has frustrated me the past few months, because I love blogs, love blogging, and have no desire to abandon my blog(s).  One of the first things I do each day is check my Google Reader to get an info snapshot from blogs I follow.  A blog is a hub, a home base, a personal or business branding and communication tool that offers many things popular social media communities can't, like complete control and a long-form information dispensing option. 

So back to my frustration.  Every time I think of blogging I go through a stressful thought process that ultimately leads to nothing, except perhaps a quick visit to Twitter so I can tweet a few lines to get something off my mind.  For whatever twisted reasons, the concept of blogging now conjures up thoughts of tedious research, endless revisions, medieval torture and two days of brain drain to complete the dreaded task.  So I was thinking about this today while doing some social media and personal brand "spring cleaning" and I came to the conclusion that the revolution in so-called 'micro-blogging' brought on by Twitter - which I fully embrace - has pulled me far, far away from my home base.  And I decided to do the following:

• set aside two hour blocks of time two or three times a week to blog
• stop looking at blog posts as 'epic' projects.  Reduce expectations.  Some might take more time than others, but find a middle ground between Tweets and Posts
• when I have a blog post idea, act on it immediately if at all possible.  If it ends up on the runway, it'll rarely take off. 
• I'm not lacking for ideas and thoughts to share.  The problem is making time to share those ideas and thoughts, and doing so consistently     
• I tried operating several blogs at once last year.  Almost killed me.  I don't have the luxury of full time bloggers who can write all day.  I have a day job.  So if one blog is what I can manage ... then that's just fine.  And I want to do it well.

I'm also excited about new tools that integrate the 'in the now' appeal of Twitter with blogging.  One such tool is Tweetizen, which enables instant community on your website by imbedding a Twitter 'group' widget.  This Mashable post sums up the potential of Tweetizen very well.   

So how about you?  Can you relate to my experience?  Has Twitter or Facebook (or both) pushed blogging to the back burner?  Is the appeal of micro communication making us a bit lazy?  Please share your thoughts on the changing social media landscape and how we communicate. 

I Love You More Than Rainbows Triple Book Twitter Giveaway

Here's the skinny.  I"m giving away four sets of my wife's children's picture book, I Love You More Than Rainbows.  Each set contains the regular picture book, a smaller board book version, and a new jumbo board book version.  The Rules:

1. You have to retweet my contest tweet at least once
2. You have to watch the video, DM me via Twitter and tell me what my favorite page in the book is (I mention it in the video)
3. You need to tweet a 140 character (or less) verse that you make up, that includes the words and title "I Love You More Than Rainbows"
4. You need to retweet my Tweet about our upcoming Walter Reed visit

I'll choose four people today from the group that does these three things.  And those four winners can have the books personalized by my wife (the author).

Thanks for playing along on a snowy Monday (at least it is in Washington DC).   Have a great day! 

**UPDATE** 

Probably made this a little too complicated for some (it might've taken all of ten minutes to complete the tasks, but in this hyper cluttered environment, next time I'll cut that to a minute or less).   Two fine folks took the opportunity to complete the four requirements, and I'm pleased as punch to give a set of these deliciously delightful books to Twitter peeps @eformanator (Elaine)  and @flicka47 (Ruthi).  Congrats to the both of you!  I hope you and the little ones who you'll read these to enjoy them immensely.