'Twas the Night Before Break

Enjoy the full post by Robert Rose as shared on Content Marketing Institute! The video is fun but the words are what struck me. 





What Matters
The words that struck me in Robert's poem are this stanza:
"But as I looked round at the mess he’d left there,
A small folded note drifted softly through the air.
In Santa’s own scrawl were these words, warm and true:
'In chaos and metrics, remember what you do.
A story still matters; a connection still stays.
The work that is human outlives all the craze.'"

"The Work that is Human Outlives all the Craze"
Words I choose to believe and live by. This seems even more critical as the talk and noise has increased about AI - will it help, will it hurt, how painful will this adjustment be in an "AI Revolution."

These are words to cherish and hold dear for my nonprofits, fellow entrepreneurs, and authors. You, the person or organization - in your beauty, flaws, and all - are what makes living worthwhile and will make the difference in the end in the job market and appeals. 

AI can only do so much. AI needs human brains and insights to be worth anything, much as we're hearing otherwise. I envision a time coming where society will take a stand to define some boundaries around AI. 

Any human I chat with, including those who are proficient with AI, are quick to point out we must remain Human First in our approach to AI. You can hear more about this concept on a May 6, 2025 episode of The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast. 

Being Human Sells
I'm finding my client opportunities and best conversations are those I have in person or via zoom where I'm able to chat and interact with people. Words on blogs, profiles, or socials go only so far to help you decide on someone you wish to do business with, whether for your services, ideas, or connections. You really need to speak with someone to determine compatibility. 

My nonprofits are finding the same. More donations and memberships happen when they're affiliated with events and interacting with people. 

Storytelling is Key
Storytelling is a very human talent.

• Your conversations at events - you're sharing stories. 
• Your website and social media
  • You're sharing stories of impact if you're a nonprofit.
  • Referrals and recommendations share your impact as a solopreneur.
  • You're selling stories if you're an author. 

For better or worse, AI is improving at storytelling and images, making it harder to tell if a story is human or AI generated. More are considering the benefits of labeling work by percentage of AI or human creation. Studies note while it may be difficult to spot AI vs human created content, "moral disgust" impacts human responses per this study in ScienceDirect. 

Per this March 2025 blog post on Stryng: 
"52% of readers felt less connected to content once they realized AI was involved, and 26% linked AI-created web content with a lack of personal touch.

Consumers also prefer honesty. About 60% support disclosure of AI content, which helps build trust. These preferences highlight how much emotional tone and transparency matter." (emphasis as noted in original post)

How Do YOU Make a Difference
​I have no problem with AI and use it regularly - as a tool or thought partner. All work is mine and original. That is also the type of content that resonates with me. I appreciate it most when I meet and talk with creators to get to know them personally. 

I've been working through a number of certification courses through AI Academy by SmarterX and Paul Roetzer's team. They suggest there are 3 levels of AI use:

• Automation - what is basic enough you could delegate to a tool with slight oversight or review
• Augmentation - thought partner assistant, co-you
• Acceleration - how can you go beyond a 10% improvement to a 10x change

You Matter
Every step of AI use relies on human input and guidance - the human behind the machine. Each of us feels better getting to know the person behind any cause or endeavor. 

We need YOU to show up. To return to Robert Rose - "The work that is human outlives all the craze." 

Your Biggest Cheerleader!
If you'd like to talk strategy as we enter an AI-infused world, Let's Chat! I'd love to help ensure you can share your message and services with the world. You can also find me on LinkedIn. 

When a Hush Falls Over the World

I'm hearing folks are winding down ahead of Christmas and New Years a bit early this year. Many are sharing contacts are wrapping up online time this week, hosting final events, putting up the "out of office" messages the full week before Christmas, or at least moving toward a lighter work week. 

Many enjoy the week between Christmas and New Years as family time, travel time, or thinking time to reflect on the past year while preparing for a new year. With the holidays on Thursday this year, it's almost like bonus time in addition to the week between holidays!

Considering this the last full work week before the holidays seems a bit early, but many may be considering travel plans sooner as the airlines have price breaks ahead of the travel rush or can be more flexible in schedules and wacky airline schedules.

What Do I Do Now?
You may be on a roll and still highly active in your business - good for you! Here are some ideas to consider while you have energy and your contacts are heading offline. 

Share Gratitude
Wish past and present clients Happy Holidays with a heartfelt (specific/personalized) thank you!

• Mail cards: You may send cards in the mail on behalf of your family - you can just as easily do this for your business connections as well. Print content is getting more attention as mailboxes are now more full of ads than useful information. 
• Email or digital cards: So many of our connections are online. You have email addresses or can message through social media but have no snail-mail address. Go with what you have and keep it simple, for you and the recipient. 
• Stay top of mind: Simply getting on someone's radar at the end of the year puts you at top of mind for the start of the year. 

Budget Check
It's not unreasonable to politely ask if your connection has extra budgeted dollars looking for one last project to round out the year. It can be done in a non-threatening, non-pushy, non-icky way where you're simply offering to help someone see how their budget plans are finishing before end of year. You may be the right person at the right time!

Propose A Check-in Call - Schedule It!
Suggest time in January to meet to catch up and see if there are any needs you can fulfill, catch up, or offer helpful ideas to give a client a running start on the new year. They'll appreciate your time, care, and concern! The trick here is to schedule that January time now, in December. 

How Are You Wrapping Up?
How—and when—are you dialing back to begin the holiday? Have you tried any of the ideas noted in the past? Have other suggestions to add?

​Let's Chat or message me on LinkedIn! Love to add your ideas here!

Where Do I Begin?

For solopreneurs and authors—if you're going to create a business for yourself—there are a few key legal steps to put into place to start. Needs for nonprofits are a bit more involved but certainly critical before jumping into your mission of service. These suggestions are based on business and tax structure in the United States - your country may vary.


Special thanks to Julia Taylor, Founder of Geek Pack, for an email newsletter reminding me of the value of these basics that are by no means intuitive. 

Choose Your Business Structure
LegalZoom would love to have you hire them to set your business up. There are a variety of services out there happy to do so. For many, the steps are basic enough you can really handle them yourself. 

Basic options to choose from. Click on the tabs of each type on the LegalZoom website for a quick reference of what may suit you. 

• LLC (Limited Liability Company): For many solopreneurs or authors, an LLC is sufficient.
• Corporation: Those with employees, hiring subcontractors, or generating sufficient income to want tax breaks, paying yourself a salary, and funds available for retirement savings, a Corporation or S-Corp may be beneficial. 
• DBA (Doing Business As): DBA may be useful if you may create a few businesses under the umbrella of an LLC. 
• Nonprofit: Organization based in giving to society much of what is taken in; eligible for grants and funding resources not available to others. Tax breaks and even tax exemption are available but there are many strict administrative regulations to be compliant. 

Register with the State
Once you select your business style, it's time to research legal requirements and where/how to file for that business structure. For an LLC, the fees are fairly small with possibly a bit of additional small cost if you decide to also register a DBA. You may benefit from hiring assistance for a Corporation or Nonprofit. 

I was able to do an easy search for what agency in my state handles these matters and follow pretty straightforward prompts to create an LLC and DBA. My LLC is LMA Services and DBA is Read. Write. Engage. This gives me the option in the future to create a different business under my LLC. All of this information becomes public record. 

Get an EIN
For those of us in the U.S., an EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a number unique to your business for tax purposes and separate from your personal information. You are able to use this number to refer to your business rather than your social security number for a bit of privacy and separation. You will typically be filing separate tax documents annually for your business. The business structure creates a little liability buffer from your personal finances. This process is through the IRS.

Open a Business Bank Account
This further creates a buffer between your personal family finances and your business finances. You are better able to track purely business income and expenses. It legitimizes your business practice. There are some tax deductions available under the business umbrella. This gives you a way to bill for your services, deposit income, and make purchases that are strictly for your business. The U.S.'s IRS has deemed 3-5 years as reasonable for your business to be seen as a business endeavor making a profit vs a "hobby." They also want to make sure your business isn't being used as a way to deduct loss for years, encouraging you to make an effort.

Job vs Business
Lowell Rex, Founder of Epic Business Mentors, has defined a "job" as something one person does where the business is entirely reliant on the effort put in by that one person. If work is not done, there is no income. This typically is something most will never sell to a different business or pass to a family member in inheritance as a complete business or at least client list.

A "business" grows larger to hire others and can support itself or grow without the owner being the one to necessarily do the daily work. 

How is Your Progress?
If you're considering creating a business for yourself, hopefully these basic points get you started. If you created a business some time ago, any suggestions to add for those starting out? 

I look forward to answering questions or walking through the process if useful - Let's Chat or message me on LinkedIn!