Pinup Industry: Premiere Issue by Pinup Industry

INTERVIEW WITH

FIONA STEPHENSON TUTORIAL BY

RICHARD HUANTE FROM

DARKNESS SPOTLIGHT TO

A personal story about finding the beauty within through pin-up and burlesque.

BUILDING A BUSINESS

OFF YOUR TALENTS

CONTENTS COVER STORY

10 FROM DARKNESS TO SPOTLIGHT A personal story about finding the beauty within through pin-up and burlesque. READ NOW

PETITE IN PARIS READ NOW

BUILDING A BUSINESS OFF YOUR TALENTS

WORK IN PROGRESS READ NOW

READ NOW

INFLUENTIAL SALES – ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR MORE? READ NOW

DEPARTMENTS

Letter.................................. 5 Featured Artist.................................. 6 Buzz On Social Media...................... 36 What Is Pinup.....................38 Back Page.......................... 39 FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 3

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INDUSTRY

PINUP

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR PINUP ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS

volume 1 issue 1 fall 2016 publisher

Vicki Jeromos-Blayney pinupindustry@gmail.com associate publisher

Jim Blayney pinupindustry@gmail.com

THANK YOU!

o all my family and friends who have supported me through

the years in whatever I have tried to do.

Thank you To those I approached with this idea and who did not say that I

editorial

Heather Tunstall Lisa Lupo Mike Zawacki art direction / design

Jim Blayney find us online

www.pinupindustry.com www.facebook.com/pinupindustry www.instagram.com/pinupindustry www.twitter.com/pinupindustry

was crazy.

Thank you To the new friends who I have found along this journey with Pinup Industry Magazine.

And Thank you To all for seeing great things on the horizon and for helping us bring this magazine to life. Please always feel free to contact us with anything that you would like to hear, read or see in the magazine. Pinup Industry Magazine is for you!

Pinup Industry is published four times a year. The mission of Pinup Industry magazine is to elevate the businesses of pinup artists and professionals by informing, inspiring, promoting and publicizing their activities, products, services, and achievements. All rights reserved. ©2016 Pinup Industry

Vicki Jeromos-Blayney Publisher pinupindustry@gmail.com

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 5

FEATURED ARTIST

FIONA STEPHENSON NAME: Fiona Stephenson PROFESSION: Artist HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? Approximately 10 years TRADITIONAL ART (DRAWING, PAINTING) OR DIGITAL: Traditional oil on canvas SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn MAC OR PC: MAC TOP PINUP INFLUENCERS: Gil Elvgren, Zoe Mozert, George Petty and Joyce Balantyne

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What got you interested in pinup art? I was attending a comic convention in San Diego over 10 years ago, at the time I was working in comics as a letterer and colourist. A guy at one of the stalls was selling Gil Elvgren playing cards, each card had a different pin-up and on the reverse was information about the artist, I immediately fell in love with the genre. I had trained as an illustrator at art college but had found it difficult to find my place in the world so I drifted into lettering for 2000A.D and Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000, this led to colouring work for D.C comics. After discovering the art of Gil Elvgren, colouring other people’s artwork didn’t give me the satisfaction it once had so I decided to teach myself to oil paint. I started copying a painting of Elvgren’s called Jill Needs a Jack, some friends of mine liked it and bought it from me, it occurred to me other people may also want recreations of his work and I was right. After spending a couple of years building up a reputation I

then started doing my own original artwork. What part of your art do you enjoy the most? I enjoy many parts of the painting process, I particularly enjoy starting a new piece, I love doing all the rough under painting and getting the canvas covered. I also get a lot of satisfaction out of creating a pleasing face or getting the stockings to look convincing. What’s the hardest part of creating a new piece? It depends if I’m working for a client or creating something for myself. If it’s for a client, the hardest thing is trying to interpret what the client wants, building up a good working relationship is essential so I can create what they visualise in their mind. Some clients have a clear view and will provide reference which makes the job a lot easier. If it’s a piece for myself, the hardest thing is thinking of a cute little story and finding the reference to help me create it. I have a life size mannequin which I dress

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FEATURED ARTIST

FIONA STEPHENSON up and take photographs of, I have also acquired lots of props, sci-fi guns, robots etc. I also use some of my own clothes, it’s not unusual to see my shoes on a pin-up in my paintings. What one piece of advice would you give someone just starting out as a pinup artist? Focus on your figure drawing/ painting because even though pinup art has a cartoon element to it the figures have to be accurate or they won’t be convincing, practice makes perfect. What is your dream project and why? I feel like my whole career is a dream job but if I have to narrow it down, I’ve been working for a business man in Canada for over 2 years, he has a fleet of trucks to transport movie equipment and I’m creating a pin-up for every vehicle. He’s great to work for, the trucks have names so he usually has an idea related to the name, he then sends reference but he always allows me to alter things, he trusts my judgement. He also never puts constraints on the time I have to finish the artwork so I never feel rushed, the dream job is a job where you feel appreciated and you have autonomy, oops I nearly forgot, and you get paid!

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Named Best Paris Fashion Blogger of 2016 w w w. e x p a t r i a t e s m a g a z i n e . c o m | w w w. b e s t - i n . p a r i s

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w w w. Pe t i t e I n Pa r i s . c o m petiteinparis@gmail.com

10 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

COVER STORY

FROM

DARKNESS SPOTLIGHT TO

A personal story about finding the beauty within through pin-up and burlesque. By Eden Ivy

Edited by Heather Tunstall | Photos by Vicki Jeromos-Blayney

y name is Eden Ivy. I am a 26-year-old published pin-up and burlesque performer from Western Pennsylvania. For many years, I followed the pin-up and rockabilly communities before I finally decided to take a chance and become a part of those communities. Pin-up has changed my life in so many ways—it has been a cornerstone in almost every accomplishment I’ve had as an adult and without it, I simply have no idea where I would be. I’ve only been in the community since late 2014, but the word I could best use to describe my feelings toward this lifestyle would be “passion.” The last two years have been a whirlwind, so to fully understand those emotions, I should start at the very beginning. FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 11

COVER STORY A SPARK OF INTRIGUE

As a teenager I was, like most, what you may call an ugly duckling. I was significantly overweight, I had braces, and I could not have been more awkward if I tried. Social media took over the world around this same time and it was exactly what I needed. At 14, via Myspace, I discovered pin-up in the form of a photographer by the name of Roy Varga. The women in his photos were everything I aspired to be. They were stunning, absolutely gorgeous women that, in my duckling ways, I could only hope to one day become. I became obsessed. I started slowly but surely discovering new models and styles, watching videos, and Googling anything and everything that would get me one step closer to being similar to the women in the photos. As an older teen, I stumbled upon the art of burlesque in the shapely form of Sydni Deveraux. I was in awe and with her classic good looks and elaborate costumes, it was a “no brainer” for me to see that pin-up and burlesque go hand in hand. I knew I needed the two in my future.

“They were stunning, absolutely gorgeous women that, in my duckling ways, I could only hope to one day become.” —Eden Ivy

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

With my dreams on the back burner, I graduated high school, started college, and ultimately dropped out. Years with a number of failed relationships and pounds on my belt flew by until I hit the lowest 12 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

point in my young life. I was 23 years old and weighed close to 300 pounds. I found myself sitting on the floor of my mother’s house crying my eyes out and binge eating whatever I could get my hands on. I had recently moved home after being cheated on by someone I thought was the love of my life. I honestly thought I would be with him forever and I could not escape the feeling of self-loathing. I tried to bury that hate in a mountain of late night booze and fast food. I was broken, and in my mind if he did not want me, then no one else would either. A few months went by and soon my scale tipped the charts. My health was at an all-time low and there seemed to be no light in sight. Ashamed of my outward appearance and lonely beyond belief, my friends were able to convince me to come out of the hole I had been in and try to start again.

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY

Immediately I went back to what I knew and loved: pin-up. The style helped me boost my confidence; I could look in the mirror and like myself again. I started to work out and socialize more, and after a ton of work and research for eight months, I decided in March of 2014 to undergo bariatric surgery. While I was recovering, a blast from the past popped up on my Facebook news feed. Roy Varga announced his national tour, and he just happened to be coming to nearby Pittsburgh. This was it! I could not have been more excited. I felt like I was finally, after years, on the right path and this was my sign.

The rest of the summer I was in high gear. I was continually losing weight and attending car shows and culture events for inspiration. In September of 2014, I was 80 pounds down and feeling better than ever before. That same month, I had the pleasure of meeting and shooting with Roy, the man who captured my attention for the industry at such an impressionable age. Looking back, that day is a blur, but it was my first step to a lifelong dream. I was officially one of the women I admired. My confidence was back in full force. Soon after, I wanted to see what I was capable of, so I dove into the social media world through pin-up support pages and fan sites. February 2015 came around and despite some hesitation, I entered my first contest at The Pittsburgh World of Wheels. I was already attending due to my love for vintage cars, so there was nothing I could lose. I did not get very far in the competition, but I wanted the experience and began to meet a network of local women who loved the same things I did. Competing was a blast, so I decided to take my chances with something on a larger scale and applied to compete in the 2015 Pin-up Perfection Pageant. Little did I know that with a 10-minute application, life as I knew it was about to be rocked. The pageant consisted of three rounds: daywear, talent, and eveningwear. I was selected to complete, so if I was going to put myself out there, I was going to do it big! Again, with nothing to lose, I decided to take a risk and try my hand at burlesque. That night in June of 2015 at the pageant along with all of the butterflies possible, I sang and

COVER STORY

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 13

COVER STORY

14 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

COVER STORY

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 15

COVER STORY performed a strip tease to “When you’re good to Mama.” It was the most liberating experience I have ever had. After performing, I didn’t just like myself; I can truly say I finally loved myself. I did not win, but the rollercoaster of emotions I went through was enough for me. Like every event I attended prior, there were amazingly talented and empowered women involved, and I can proudly say I interact with all of them on almost a daily basis. From the remainder of 2015 until present, the three most important women I met that night were Boom Boom Bridgette, Viva Valezz, and Lakota Shekhar. Countless times these women have taken me under their wings and welcomed me to perform on their stages. They have consistently encouraged me to “master” the art of pin-up and learn as much as I can as a performer. They’ve also given me opportunities others have not.

THE DREAM COMES TRUE

With such confidence on my side and an amazing support system, 2016 started with a bang. My resolution was to make myself and pin-up a priority. A new mindset allowed me to put myself out there even further than before. I was able to jump out of my comfort zone and perform in Detroit for a brand new audience at a charity event. Soon, I became a model for Heels for Combat Boots, a non-profit organization that assists our service men and women with PTSD/TBI (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury) by helping them adjust to civilian life and connecting them with the correct 16 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

outreach and treatment programs. Through HFCB, I have met women nationwide who have similar passions as myself and have raised hundreds of dollars for a worthwhile cause. It is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. I was even given the opportunity to travel outside of my chapter to attend an event in Tennessee. I’ve continually performed throughout the year doing burlesque and kept myself busy competing in multiple contests around the tristate area. Recently, I have also become a member of The Velvet Hearts, a queer burlesque troupe founded by Viva Valezz that is based out of both Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh. The rest of 2016 is looking tremendous, and I am ecstatic. Never in my dreams did I imagine I would be able to get this

far, even if it is on a local basis. My success all boils down to a style and mindset that I fell in love with at a young age. Without pin-up and the community of strong people in it, I do not know if I would have ever overcome my personal battles. Each and every person I’ve encountered has influenced me and in their own way helped me become the person and professional I am today. Now, I know I am not perfect and I carry no title to stake claim, but one day I hope to. I wish that if anything, I can be an inspiration to a young girl or even another woman fighting her own battle and be the motivation that so many before were for me. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful, and pin-up can give even the ugliest duckling that opportunity.

Arizona-based illustrator Richard Huante specializes in modern pinup themed character art. Available for commercial work or private commissions. Licensing rights can be tailored to meet your requirements.

VISIT RICHARDHUANTE.COM FOR MORE INFO

18 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

BUILDING A BUSINESS

PINUP PARTNERSHIPS

Talents

Off Your

By Emily Fisher Edited By Lisa Lupo

Pinup Industry Magazine recently caught up with The Lovely Lorraine, who is one of two ladies who founded Craftin’ Rockabellas almost a year ago. We asked her to tell us a little about her business, thoughts on the industry and future plans. Following are her responses.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START CRAFTIN’ ROCKABELLAS? The pin-up industry is made up of a very creative group of people. I started in pin-up modeling about two years ago and quickly realized there is a lot more that goes into it than just a model and a photographer. There is hair, makeup, set building, wardrobe, and pose coaching. All of those things can add up fast and become expensive – not to mention, all of the

time and effort it takes to learn all of the aspects of the art. I started to notice that many models developed side gigs based on their interests and talents. For example, someone who is good at sewing can make a dress for someone who may only be very good at hair styling. We were drawn to the accessories aspect, because it’s nice to have different colors and styles to match every outfit, so we started making our own. We FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 19

PINUP PARTNERSHIPS found that there was a market for them, so Craftin’ Rockabellas was born.

WHY DO YOU THINK BUSINESSES SUCH AS YOURS ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS INDUSTRY?

It is helpful that the community is so supportive of each other. Networking, and sharing our crafts with others is helpful to both the buyer and the seller.

WHAT ARE YOUR PRIMARY PRODUCTS?

Our products include all kinds of pin up-related accessories. It started with just hair bows and game piece necklaces. Currently, our most popular products are textured earrings and hair flowers. We also have magnets that appeal more to male consumers than our other accessories.

WHERE DO YOU SELL YOUR PRODUCTS?

We have an online Etsy store, as well as a business Facebook page, but we also like to do face-to-face sales. Car shows are my favorite place to vend. There are so many people with similar interests there, and the community is why I got into pin up in the first place. Many car shows also have pin-up contests, so there is a guaranteed market and customers there. However, we have also had some luck at local craft shows. People seem to like the nostalgia of it. Of course, we dress in pin up when we are vending, and that seems to attract people to our booth.

SO, WHERE WILL THE FUTURE TAKE CRAFTIN’ ROCKABELLAS?

So far, Craftin’ Rockabellas is just a hobby business for us. We want pin up to remain enjoyable, so we don’t focus on the money-making aspect 20 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

ABOVE: Close up of a Craftin’ Rockabellas display box featuring game piece necklaces and bottle cap hair bows. RIGHT: Molly (left) and Lorraine working their booth at a recent

as much as we do just enjoying it. It’s a fun way to interact with the rest of the pin up community. The money we do make helps fund the cost of living the lifestyle. We do hope to expand our product range, as we are always coming up with new ideas. Custom painted wine glasses are next on our list of new projects. Overall, we hope to stick around for a long time, get to know people, sell people pretty things, and make a little money while we are at it!

FOR MORE ON THE CRAFTIN’ ROCKABELLAS VISIT: facebook.com/craftinrockabellas/

Petite in

Paris L

By Diane Coletta

ike any fashionista, I do not just have one style that dictates my wardrobe. Instead, I love to be inspired by the world around me and use that as a basis for a particular outfit. Needless to say, a lot of my inspiration is derived from the world of pin-up models. Although this particular influence was much more dominate in the 50s and 60s, there is a lot of modern day fashion, which stems from the items and looks popularized by that era. Here are some of my favorites.

22â&#x20AC;&#x192; PINUP INDUSTRYâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; FALL 2016

FASHION

THE PENCIL SKIRT

One thing’s for certain, pencil skirts will never go out of style. This look is just way too timeless and always looks good. An investment into this classic wardrobe piece will always provide you with years of use. My favorite thing about recommending the pencil skirt is that I know it looks flattering on every body type. Even at 4’ 11 I can trust for a good pencil skirt to match my body type and outfit well. The key is making sure that skirt you purchase is form fitting without being too tight. Most pencil skirt outfits include tucking in your top. If your skirt is too tight this will cause bunching around the waist over time. One of my favorite styles is a loose fitting blouse tucked into a tighter fitting pencil skirt. However, there are a ton of options so make sure to go out there and find your favorite. FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 23

FASHION

(VERY) HIGH HEELS

Although high heels first arrived on the scene in the 1930s, the 50s and 60s really solidified their place in fashion. Thank you. High heels have the ability to transform any outfit; and do a good job at that. Especially as a petite, the boost in height allows for a wider range of outfits that normally wouldn’t work as a shorter female. Also, heels work with just about any outfit. Next time you’re picking your outfit for a night on the town, compare the difference between the same outfit, with high heels VS ballerina flats. My advice for high heels is simple: the more the merrier. If your collection is just getting off the ground, make sure to invest into a nice pair of black heel. These can be used in a more formal environment as well as a casual event. The range of outfits and settings they work in is absolutely huge. If you already have a go to pair of matte black heels, I would suggest looking into a pair of patent pumps. Even if it’s not something you typically wear, you will be amazed at how well this works in an outfit.

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WAIST CLINCHING BELT

If you do not currently own one of these belts, stop what you’re doing and go out and get one. Look at any of the iconic pin-up models wearing one of these and tell me they don’t look good. Even 60 years later, this look is just as effective today as it was then. I have a variety of these in my wardrobe and use them all the time to create a natural silhouette and emphasize the waist. The key to a good waistclinching belt is to match the outfit. Some outfits will call for a big belt while others for something thinner. Also, there are a lot of options when it comes to color. Neutral colors like black, brown, and gray will tend to work in almost any outfit, but an obvious red can do wonders for an outfit.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

When you put together these style elements into your wardrobe, you enhance your options and you look very feminine. Remember to make a silhouette with your outfit, clinch your waist with that perfect belt and always wear those great high heels.

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HOW-TO

26 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

HOW-TO

N I K R O W ress

g o Pr

with e t n a u H Richard

ct from e j o r p p t pin-u x e n tion. r e l u p o y m o s c e hat tak pt to gorgeous t s p e t s 7 conce e v i t a e r c

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 27

HOW-TO

I begin with a digital sketch using the great art application, Sketchbook Pro. I’m careful to get my proportions and angles correct during this important beginning stage, as it will more difficult to do so later. The red color helps distinguish this sketch layer when I get to the second phase, digital inking (or line art).

With the sketch done to my satisfaction, I begin the digitally inking, also in Sketchbook Pro. I use the Hard Pencil Tool in a black color. Varying the line width helps with visual interest, so I do this while following the underlying sketch strokes. If necessary, I’ll tweak the ink lines on non-critical areas such as hair strands, clothing folds, etc. That’s why it’s important to have your sketch the way you want it; it will serve as the base for everything else.

C 28 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

After inking is completed, I’m ready for color. The drawing is imported into Photoshop for the remainder of the process. I like to work in sections of the illustration. For instance, here I select all the flesh/skin areas, and proceed to lay in the flat colors. I use the basic hard & soft round brushes for most of the coloring.

HOW-TO

Next comes shading, lights and reflected lights. I deepen the darker tones as required, and brighten the lights on areas where I want to bring more attention. I also like to apply a slight glaze of warm red to the skin tones, to add extra “life”. Highlights are brushed in to give some extra sparkle. This general process of selecting an area, shade, light, reflected light and glazing is repeated throughout the rest of the painting.

Now that the illustration is fully rendered, I’ll color the line-work to soften the look of the stark black outlines.

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 29

HOW-TO

After a minimum 30-minute break, I’ll give everything a once-over with fresh eyes. If all looks good to me, I’ll sign my name and we are done! I hope you found this tutorial helpful and gives you an insight to my working process. Enjoy!

i TO SEE MORE OF RICHARD’S WORK VISIT: richardhuante.com

30 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

When the main illustration is finished, I’ll insert additional graphics, add a background and touch up any areas that need attention. In this case, the background color was adjusted until I got a complementary hue and tone to my satisfaction.

This photo was taken at Mouse Mae’s & More in Norwalk, Ohio #MousieMae

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SALES TIPS

INFLUENTIAL SALES – Are You Hungry for More? 5 Techniques you can implement today to increase sales tomorrow

n business, nothing matters more than selling your products or services. It doesn’t matter how educated your recent hires are, or how cool your Web site is or how great your products or services are if your company doesn’t have the ability to sell. And then when sales do occur, it’s as if they are an unquenchable thirst or an insatiable appetite – you constantly want more; your achievements never seem to be enough! So if you’ve got sales “hunger pains” (and who doesn’t?) here are five techniques you can implement to get more sales today!

TECHNIQUE #1 – GIVE IT AWAY!

Yeah, that’s right, give it away! No, not the farm … your experience. Right now your customers are concerned about where they are and how they’re going to get back to level ground! And your products or services can perform better than others in the current economy, right? Well let your customers know, and let them know right now! Offer your experience as the differentiator amongst your competition and you’ll rise to the top. Your current customers will love you more (they

do love you, right?) and referred customers are BySam they’ll receive even more nearly 80 percent sold Palazzolo on you already, thanks value from the product or service you provide. to your current customer Information is like fish: If you base. Converting them sit on it for a few days, it will not the remaining 20 percent of the get better with age! This leads us to way is a no-brainer. However, our next technique… most salespeople rarely get this opportunity because they never take the time to buckle-back to their current customer base and ask for the referral. Now, there is Nothing is such sweet music something inherently exciting about to a salesperson’s ears as is the the hunt and chase associated with soothing sound of a phone ringing going after new clients, but it’s way from a referral. Why? Because

TECHNIQUE #2 – GET REFERRALS

FALL 2016 PINUP INDUSTRY 33

SALES TIPS too hard! Contact those people you’re already doing business with (technique #1 provides a golden opportunity) and up your level of service to them. Once you have, ask them who you might be able to contact that would enjoy a similar level of service! Done…simple! Which leads us to Technique #3…

TECHNIQUE #3 – INTRODUCE YOURSELF WITH INFLUENCE

The first step to meeting a new client, either face-to-face or over the phone, is an introduction. The way you’ve introduced yourself in the past won’t work anymore! It just won’t. Can you imagine your prospective client answering their phone and hearing “Hello, Ms. Jones, this is John Doe calling from Company XYZ, how are you today? Did I catch you at a great time?” First of all, they probably have gatekeepers answering the phone! But if they do answer the phone, you’re going to have to be a lot stronger than the typical, “How are you...Great time?” salesperson. You’re going to have to introduce yourself as an expert. How? You don’t have 30 seconds to rattle off your resume and talk about all the degrees and certifications you’ve got plastered on the walls in your office! You’ve actually got just two seconds! Immediately introduce yourself and say who referred you:“Hello, Ms. Jones, this is Sam Palazzolo. Jane Doe recommended that I give you a call and here’s why.” This is much better, and straight to the point of why you are calling. Whether your prospect woke up on the wrong side of the bed that day, or happened to be late to an important meeting, he or she is going to want to know why Jane suggested you to call them. Notice you should not say your company 34 PINUP INDUSTRY FALL 2016

name or title …Why not? Simple answer … they don’t care! It just gets in the way right now. There will be plenty of time to tell them where you work later. Which leads us to Technique #4…

TECHNIQUE #4 – KNOW THY STUFF

If you are going to tee yourself up with the line “…referred me and here’s why…” the next information out of your mouth had better be the good stuff! What’s the good stuff? It’s the merits of why this person would want to do business with you: “Our service drives 500 percent improvement in productivity … You’ll decrease your turnover rate by 300 percent ... One of our clients attained a 3x revenue improvement …” Rank order your merits regarding why the customer should do business with you versus your competition and know each one in order of “important” to “majorly important!” Which leads us to Technique #5…

TECHNIQUE #5 – PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

There’s that romantic notion that you can get in front of a customer and “fake it ‘til you make it” … wrong! There’s a simple recipe as to why people succeed; work hard + work smart! Here’s your opportunity to do both. As discussed above, practice the merits of your argument both backwards and forwards, and know them inside and out! When you present them to a prospective client, start with the “important” items and work towards the “majorly important” ones. But before you communicate the most important merit that drives the most return on investment (ROI) for your prospect,

Got Influence? You’re either an “InfluencerR” or you’re being “InfluenceD”! Take the “Influential Leader Inventory” at www.GotInfluence.com and see where you rank against other leaders who have the “Influential Edge”! Sam Palazzolo is the author of “The Influential Leader: 10 Critical Skills You MUST Possess For Success.” As President and Chief Influence Officer at Pathos Leadership Group LLC, Sam conducts Influential Keynotes, Workshops, Webinars, and one‑on‑one Coaching. Discover more at www.PathosLeadershipGroup.com e-mail sp@pathosleadershipgroup.com or 817-605-1942 do something that no one else will do. You know the negatives of doing business with your company, right? Maybe you’re very expense, have slow production cycles or shipping cycles, or perhaps it’s the cost of your product or service. If it has lost you a sale in the past, it’s a negative. Now, right before you give your customers the biggest merit for doing business with you, tell them that negative. What?!? That’s right, rattle off the positive merits of doing business with you versus someone else and then right before you tell them the biggest advantage of all, tell them a negative merit! This is something advertisers discovered years ago which will make you an instant authority. You will gain incredible ground in the “trustworthy and credibility” areas. In a matter of seconds you can accomplish what would otherwise take you weeks, months or years! Regardless of how you’ve performed when “selling” in past, these five sales techniques will provide you with more influence to achieve more success and feed that sales hunger. After all, nothing else matters!

BUZZ ON SOCIAL MEDIA

All About

ou may have noticed Instagram recently released a new update — Stories. So what’s the “story” with this new update? Is it Snapchat inspired? Most definitely. The update demonstrates the fastpaced evolution of the social media landscape, and the need for companies to avoid obsolescence by keeping up with trends set by other social media platforms. Everyone is competing for your attention. By Overall, social Nicole media is becoming Tomak streamlined. Users who never warmed to Snapchat now have the benefit of visual storytelling on the Instagram app without cluttering their feed. So you can still post the big events and your important memories, but also the burrito you had for lunch without fear of being unfollowed.

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And since your “stories” disappear after 24 hours, every day is a new opportunity to provide friends and followers with life updates. A really cool feature of the new Stories is the privacy settings. As you would expect, the account privacy settings you had before apply to your story. However, now you can hide your story from individuals even if they follow you. Another new feature is the ability to choose one part of your story to feature on your profile. There is now even an option to assist you in taking photos in low light or in the dark when you are taking the photo or video with the app. Stories offers you many of the same options as Snapchat. This includes text and drawing options without likes or public comments cluttering things up. Even though public comments are not available,

INSTAGRAM Stories you always have the option of messaging someone directly. Also, Stories provides more opportunities for brands you follow to advertise to you. This isn’t always a bad thing. For some brands, this means less overt posts selling to you on their wall and more posts in their story you might find useful, educational, or interesting. Altogether, Instagram’s Stories, while mirroring a competitor, is a brilliant addition to the app. But isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Nicole is an art director at a Cleveland based advertising agency who does freelance design and social media in her spare time. Nicole's professional experience at design boutiques and advertising agencies is the source of her knowledge in content marketing, social media, advertising, design and art direction. Connect with Nicole on Twitter and Instagram! @nicoletomak Photo credit: Philip Botta

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