The KellyGram

Published by Bob Kelly

Resident Wordsmith and Quotemeister

WordCrafters, Inc.

www.wordcrafters.info

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In This Issue:

• Our 25^th Anniversary
• The Quote Corner (Beginnings)
• Media Relationships (Part 3)

• Smile Awhile
• Back Issues Available
• A Final Word

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HAPPY 25^th ANNIVERSARY TO US!

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It was in January 1979 that I got some seemingly bad news that eventually turned out to be very good news. The organization where I was employed had suffered severe financial setbacks. As a result, several jobs, including mine, were being eliminated. It was a scary time, and became even scarier when a friend suggested I go into business for myself. It was a big step because Id always worked for others. But, with little capital, and little to lose, our tiny company was born.

Those first clients were hard to come by, but business finally began trickling in. Our growth was slow and there were lots of valleys to go through, but I wouldnt trade the experience for anything. Were awed by Gods faithfulness and, along the way, weve been blessed with some wonderful friends.

The past quarter-century has seen 15 books written, dozens of others edited, and hundreds of newsletters and direct mail packages produced for some wonderful clients. Weve been blessed with good health and, hopefully, have retained at least a few of our marbles. Its been a blast and we plan to keep right on going, so be on the lookout, come 2029, for our 50^th Anniversary edition.

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THE QUOTE CORNER (Beginnings)

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As 2004 gets underway, it seems appropriate to present some thoughts on new beginnings and fresh starts. To all our readers, we extend our warmest wishes for a blessed, beautiful and bountiful year.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

- Carl Bard

The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.

- George Baker

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.

- Demosthenes

It's time to start living the life you've imagined.

- Henry James

Time has no divisions to mark its passage; there is never a thunderstorm to announce the beginning of a new year. It is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.

- Thomas Mann

Getting together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

- Alfred A. Montapert

Fear not that your life shall come to an end, but rather that it shall never have a beginning.

- John Henry Newman

No matter what mistakes you have made no matter how you've messed things up you can still make a new beginning. The person who fully realizes this suffers less from the shock and pain of failure and sooner gets off to a new beginning.

- Norman Vincent Peale

After youve done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully. After five years, look at it with suspicion. And after ten years, throw it away and start all over.

- Alfred Edward Perlman

If you have made mistakes ... there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.

- Mary Pickford

May every day be a new beginning, and every dawn bring us closer to that shining city upon a hill.

- Ronald Reagan

Start writing a new chapter, for if you live by the book you'll never make history.

- Ben Sobel

The beginning writer needs talent, application and aspirin. If he wants to write just to make money, he is not a writer.

- James Thurber

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BUILDING MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS (Last of a three-part series)

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Developing Long-Term Media Relationships

A consistently friendly attitude will help ensure positive media relationships. Keep your door open to reporters; encourage them to ask questions and state their own opinions. Whenever they seek additional information, go the extra mile to provide it. This will further enhance the relationship and enable you to become a valued media source.

As in every area of life, your best credential is your integrity. Never distort or withhold information from reporters, guess at answers to their questions, or be evasive. Never reply to a question with "no comment." It suggests you have something to hide. If the information they want is confidential, or if you dont know the answer, say so.

Finally, dont ever attempt to pressure editors into using your release, or put them on the spot by asking why it wasnt used. And, when one you send is used, theyll appreciate a word of thanks, via phone call or brief note (they rarely get them). Contacting media representatives occasionally when you dont want anything from them is a great way to build goodwill.

Mastering media relations means creating a specific media plan for your organization, executing your plan, determining media needs, and developing meaningful media relationships using the methods weve described. Then it will be just a matter of time before you have truly mastered the art of positive media relations.

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SMILE AWHILE

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Ever wonder what to do with that fruitcake you received as a gift last month? Or maybe last year? Well, about a decade ago, the good folks of Manitou Springs, Colorado came up with a great answer. Every January, the community stages the Great Fruitcake Toss, which includes several contests, including Tossing (by hand), Launching (by catapult), and Hurling (any other method).

One year, to commemorate the event, a man named Jon Tschannen, who owned a business in Manitou Springs, wrote a delightful (uh) poem called "The Fruitcake," modeled (in a way) after Edgar Allen Poes classic poem, The Raven."

By Jon Tschannen

Once upon a cold December, cold and dark as I remember,

Yule log now to coals diminished casts dim shadows on the floor.

Several hours after blessing, stuffed with turkey, pie and dressing,

Tender abdomen caressing, I lay supine on the floor.

Yet one package to be opened, left this morning at my door,

Left mysteriously at the door.

Should have known, she always sends one, she cares not if she offends some,

Sent the same stale fruitcake that she always sent before.

Sodden lump, so misbegotten, red and green bits nearly rotten,

Crust like bark and dry as cotton, weevils couldnt through it bore.

Who knows when she baked it, or how long shes kept it stored,

Mabels fruitcake I abhor.

Why does Mabel always send it? She knows well it will offend. It

Must be punishment for some imagined slight from days of yore.

I recalled that wicked maven, somber countenance and craven,
Voice and visage like a raven, semblance to that bird she bore.

Gastronomic punishment at Christmas I forswore.

Mabels fruitcake nevermore!

Yet again as seasons greeting comes this thing I wont be eating,

Wont be eating this concoction that old Mabel labored oer.

Get away, thou foul confection, heres my ultimate rejection

Throwing arm is bent in flexion, now extended briskly fore.

Take thy stench from out my house and feed the ravens evermore.

Give me fruitcake nevermore!

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BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE

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A number of our readers have expressed interest in seeing previous issues of The KellyGram, and were pleased to announce that theyre all available on our website: www.wordcrafters.info.

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A FINAL WORD

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A new road before usa new road to take,

A new dream to dream, and a new life to make.

A new star to followa new faith to hold,

A new world to build, on the dust of the old.

A New Year is here with a message for all,

A message of Hope, though the shadows may fall.

The skies will be brighter, the clouds will roll by

Somewhere out there where the road meets the sky.

Patience Strong

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© 2003 by Bob Kelly. All rights reserved.