Business Card Idea – Keep It Simple
Every so often I come across a business card idea that I love. The above card is one of those.
Sure, this playing card business card is tacky. But it’s memorable. And for some professions, it just might do the trick. With the right person behind the card, I think it would be fun to receive.
How could you make this neater? Print on the playing card with your inkjet printer. Or find a place where you could just buy a bunch of Aces, and then print your message in the vast blank space.
I get so many business cards at meetings and networking events. Most of them suck. Many people just need some creative business card ideas to put some life into their cards.
I’m not going to rush out and buy a deck of cards and a sharpie. This isn’t the look I’m trying to portray with my law firm. My point here is that creativity can work.
Besides, in this impersonal world, a handwritten business card might actually be a welcome touch. It’s probably easier to get cheap or free cards from VistaPrint: 30% to 60% OFF All VistaPrint Products.
But it takes some time and attention to hand write your cards. You know how people like receiving and handwritten “thank you” note? The same might just apply to a business card. But be sure your handwriting is legible. đ
Writing this post just gave me another idea – autograph your business cards. That could be a cool way to give them a personal touch that our world lacks.
Here’s the point: simple works. And simple can be creative.
Photo by mringlein
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Nobody Searches for “Blog”
This post is focused on lawyer marketing, but the same techniques and logic should apply to anyone.
Here’s an SEO tip: nobody searches for the word “blog.” That’s an exaggeration, but let me explain…
If I’m trying to optimize my law practice website (or blog) for searchers, I have to know what they search for. Based on keyword research, my own general knowledge, and other factors, I come up with my target keywords.
Let’s use Bob Smith as an example. Bob is a New York personal injury attorney. Bob writes a great blog about personal injury law.
Bob could choose these keywords: “New York personal injury law blog”. He could get lots of quality, relevant links from other websites for those keywords. But Bob isn’t going to get a lot of search traffic.
Bob’s potential clients aren’t looking for a blog. They’re looking for a lawyer. They may want free information online, but they don’t add “blog” to their search string.
Don’t believe me? Use the free Google Keyword Tool to check the search volume for different keyword phrases.
Here’s what it will tell you. These numbers are the average monthly searches for the given keyword phrase:
“new york personal injury law blog”
22
“new york personal injury law”
880
“new york personal injury lawyer”
5,400
“new york accident lawyer”
6,600
Now, what keywords should Bob be targeting? Not “blog.”
Any questions?
Yes, I’m leaving out lots of important keyword considerations. But the main point stands: lawyers shouldn’t target “blog” as a keyword.
Photo originally by Dries Buytaert, modified by DeaPeaJay
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
25 Unique Christmas Gifts Under $25
Can you believe that it’s almost October? Before you know it, the Christmas season of 2008 will be upon us. There will be rushing and frenzy to find the perfect Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.
I love Christmas, and it’s certainly a wonderful religious celebration. But shopping can be a real drag. It’s hard to find unique Christmas gifts, especially for those hard-to-shop-for people. I’m one of those people.
Thus, here’s the first in a series of posts on finding awesome gifts for Christmas. It can be done, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. You can find great and memorable gifts without breaking the bank. You’ll see!
Without further ado, here are 25 unique Christmas gifts. Yep, 25 of them.
Lil Guppie Multi-Tool
This little gadget is on my Christmas list. đ It’s a handy pocket multi-tool that doubles as a money clip. The Lil Guppie includes a razor sharp blade, adjustable wrench, carabiner, flat & phillips screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. You know it’s cool!
Buy one for $19.99.
Laser-guided Scissors
I can’t cut in a straight line. Sadly, I don’t even think a laser guide would help me. But maybe these scissors are exactly what some crafty person on your Christmas list needs.
Get them for $17.99.
Swedish Firesteel
You never know when a fire might be needed. This handy fire starter would be a great present for the outdoor enthusiast on your list. Heck, anybody who lives in a hurricane-prone area could probably put this to good use.
Light it up for $15.99.
Pentago
I love games. This slick little game was invented in Sweden. It’s deceptively simple to learn, but the strategy can be hard to master.
Yours for only $24.99.
Squishy Bowl and Cup
Don’t you hate it when there’s not a clean bowl or cup at work? This bowl and cup is made out of squishy plastic that retains it shape to hold food or liquid, but they can be squished to fit into your pocket or bag. A perfect unique Christmas gift for a cubicle warrior.
Get squishy for $16.99.
Kill-A-Watt
With the rising cost of everything these days, it doesn’t take an environmentalist to care about energy usage. Plug the Kill-A-Watt into your outlet, then plug your electrical device into it. You can monitor energy usage and see what’s hogging your juice.
Check your wattage for $24.99.
Micro Pliers
I’ve got a soft spot for neat tools. These micro pliers fit on a keychain, but they still include a blade, screwdriver, and bottle opener. That’s a lot of punch in a small space. Perfect for the mechanic or repairman on your Christmas list.
It’s a steal for $9.99.
Japanese Pocket Puzzles
These little pocket puzzles make great stocking stuffers. There are a variety of puzzles to choose from, and they’ll certainly provide some fun entertainment for the recipient.
Stretch your mind for $9.99.
Not a Paper Cup
Paper cups aren’t eco-friendly, but Starbucks cups are fashionable. The “Not a Paper Cup” solves the problem. It’s a double-walled ceramic cup that holds 12 ounces of your favorite beverage. And it’s dishwasher safe, since nobody likes hand washing things.
Save a landfill for $19.99.
Staple Free Stapler
I hate staplers. Staples cause papers to catch on each other. They prick my fingers. And they’re just a general pain. The Staple Free Stapler solves that problem. It makes a tiny cut in the corner of your papers and folds the paper in on itself. Papers stay together with no staple!
Save a staple for $5.99.
The Red Swingline Stapler
But if you’re going to have a stapler, there’s no substitute for the red Swingline. It’s a great stapler for anyone’s office needs. And it’s a great piece of nostalgia for us Office Space fans.
Get one for $21.99.
Original Sock Monkey
I had a sock monkey when I was little. I carried it everywhere. If someone on your Christmas gift list likes cuddly animals, this classic monkey might hit the spot. They’re so cute!
Only $14.99.
Mini Pet Cactus
Does anybody on your shopping list need a companion? Cactus gardens are great, but they can’t travel with you. This little pet cactus fits right on your keychain or bag. It can go everywhere, keeping you company all the time. I’ll bet your friends don’t have one of these.
Grow one for $8.99.
Wooden War Engine Kits
What guy hasn’t wanted to build a war engine? These catapult and trebuchet kits make it possible! And they’re great for a little inter-office warfare.
Get the catapult for $19.99.
Perfect Pocket Toothbrush
Do you know anyone who travels frequently? This slick travel toothbrush could be a great Christmas gift. The handle holds toothpaste. Turn the knob to dispense the toothpaste. Then tilt the brush downward to move the toothpaste to the bristles. When you’re done, you can immediately place the ventilated cap back on the brush. This is too neat!
Keep your teeth clean for $17.99.
Auto LED Flashlight
This cool LED flashlight charges in your car’s cigarette lighter. When you need a light, it’s at-the-ready. This can be handy for many situations. Great for late-night car repairs, reading a map, or even finding your way to the door.
Illuminate things for $24.99.
Ultimate Survival Kit Water Bottle
Everyone needs a survival kit. This one has your basic survival needs in a 32 ounce water bottle. It includes a carabiner, flashlight (with batteries), multifunction tool, whistle, compass, survival blanket, hand warmers, first aid kit, candle, waterproof matches, poncho, and zip-lock bag. Now you’re ready for a disaster.
Survive for $19.99.
Top Secret Password Notepad
We all know someone who writes their passwords on post-it notes stuck to their monitor. This password notepad is the perfect gag gift for them. Each page has space to write usernames, passwords, and notes for four different websites. This is the perfect way to keep those passwords secure. đ
Buy one for $5.99.
Magical Bookshelf
If you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift for a minimalist, this bookshelf should fit the bill. It’s simply a metal bracket that you mount on the wall. A large book on the bottom conceals the bracket and provides a platform for your other books. Look mom, no shelf!
Conceal your shelf for $12.99.
Singing Monkey Balls
I’ll let you read about these balls yourself. Basically, you spin, rub, and clap them together to make different melodious sounds. Cool stocking stuffer!
Make music for $4.99.
Cubicle Doorbell
How do people announce when they’re entering your cubicle? With the cubicle doorbell! Stick this unit outside your cubicle, and everyone can tactfully announce that they want to speak with you. It has 12 different sounds and 3 sound levels. A great Christmas gift for cubicle warriors!
Get a bell for $14.99.
Finger Drums
These finger drums are perfect for the musician on your Christmas gift list. Tap away and make some music! The drums light up when you hit them, and you can even record your ditties. I love it!
Drum it up for $24.99.
Thumb-Size Radio Controlled Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is a bit old these days, but these tiny radio controlled Mini Coopers are still cool. They’re literally the size of your thumb! They run off a button-type battery, and they include full controls: forward, reverse, left, and right turning.
Race away for $9.99.
Caffeine Mug
Glass mugs are a nice change from the typical ceramic ones. And this one has a nice geek twist: the caffeine molecule emblazoned on the side. Great for the coffee lover on your Christmas gift list.
Drink it up for $7.99.
Obey Gravity T-Shirt
Since this is Legal Andrew, I felt obligated to include something law related here. I saw this shirt, and it cracked me up. You better obey gravity man!
Get one for $14.99.
Any others?
Have you ever received a great unique Christmas gift? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! What about your most wanted 2008 Christmas gifts?
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Turning Your Virginia Lemon into Lemonade
This is a guest post by Sergei Lemberg, a lemon law attorney. Go check out his great blog or his lemon meter.
If youââŹâ˘ve ever bought a new car, you know what a rush it is. ThereââŹâ˘s the new car smell, the feeling of power as you hit the accelerator, and the peace of mind knowing that youââŹâ˘ll have a reliable ride for a long, long time.
But what happens when that new car isnââŹâ˘t so reliable? When you wake up one morning and have to come to terms with the fact that youââŹâ˘ve bought a lemon? At Lemon Justice, Lemon Law attorney Sergei Lemberg offers an overview of Virginia lemon law.
Sergei notes that every state has a lemon law, but that each of them is different. Under VirginiaââŹâ˘s lemon law, some vehicles qualify as lemons and others donââŹâ˘t. If you buy or lease a new car, SUV, van, or truck, youââŹâ˘re covered. If you buy a motorcycle, youââŹâ˘re covered. If you buy an RV, youââŹâ˘re covered if you have a problem with the chassis (but not the living quarters). If you buy a moped ââŹâ yep, youââŹâ˘re covered.
Now, on to definitions. In order to be considered a ââŹĹlemon,ââŹÂ your vehicleââŹâ˘s defects have to affect its use, safety, or value. In other words, if itââŹâ˘s something minor, you donââŹâ˘t have a case. According to Sergei, the other catch is that the defects have to occur during the 18 months from the delivery date. In addition, the vehicle must have been taken in for repair one time for a serious safety defect or three times for a single non-life-threatening defect. Or, it has to have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days. Then, after youââŹâ˘ve taken your vehicle in for repair the required number of times, you have to notify the manufacturer of the defect within 18 months of your delivery date and give them one last chance to repair the car.
Sergei is quick to point out that manufacturers have teams of lawyers that do nothing but fight lemon law claims, and that battling them will be much easier with a lemon law attorney at your side. The good news is that, if your claim is successful, the manufacturer has to pay your attorney fees. That being said, with the help of a lawyer, you can often get a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement without having to go through the entire lemon law process ââŹâ and get your attorneyââŹâ˘s fees covered in the process.
Photo by {platinum}
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Are Presence Indicators Really Being Present?
A recent article by Web Worker Daily really got me thinking. The article talks about Twitter as a presence indicator.
With all the distractions that these programs and services provide, are we really being present? Are we being mindful, in touch equally with our rational and emotional minds?
I don’t see how.
I think Twitter kills productivity. I know that I’m more productive when I’m not blasting my presence to the world. And I think I’m more in touch with myself.
There’s a reason people typically withdraw from the world to meditate, pray, or find themselves. If we’re busy being present to the rest of the world, we’re not really present to ourselves. At least that’s my opinion. I find the terminology ironic.
By the way, I’m not really an angry monkey, like my friend up there. I just thought the picture was awesome!
Have you signed up for my awesome email tips? Sign-up below or via this form.
Photo by dboy
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Help a Good Cause – Train for Humanity
Behold, the power of blogs!
Leo Babauta, Mark Hayward, and Dan Clements are racing to make a difference! They’re the pilot athletes in a new humanitarian nonprofit that I’m helping with: Train for Humanity.
Here’s the skinny: Leo, Mark, and Dan are all training for endurance events (marathons and triathlons). To help make a difference in the world, they’ve founded a nonprofit to aid humanitarian causes. They’re asking people to sponsor their training by donating to Train for Humanity. The funds will then be donated to the Darfur Peace and Development Organization.
A different kind of nonprofit
Train for Humanity is officially organized as a nonprofit, and we’re seeking our 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. I’m helping with that. đ
But what sets apart TFH is that we’re a no-fluff organization. We have no employees. We have no paid directors or officers. We have no rented office space. The Board of Directors meets via free conference calls. We’re serious about the cause.
When you donate to TFH, you can be sure that the money is going where it’s supposed to: humanitarian aid. You’re not making Executive Directors wealthy. You’re not paying for fancy travel accommodations so we can have posh board meetings. You’re sponsoring athletes who will give that money to the needy.
Complete accountability
To prove that we’re serious about this, TFH has a page dedicated to our public accountability. We’ll be posting our financial info for the world to see. You tell what money is donated, what minimal expenses we incur, and what charities get the proceeds. It’s that simple.
In the near future, I hope to start posting our board meeting minutes, bylaws, and other documents online as well. I hate that many nonprofits hide the ball from their donors.
Can you chip in?
If you’d like to help get this effort rolling, please sponsor Train for Humanity. Your sponsorship can go to a specific athlete, or it can be for the organization generally.
You can also help by spreading the word. Post a quick note on your blog about TFH. Add one of our cool badges to your sidebar. Send a tweet to your friends. Every bit helps.
Disclosure: I am a Director of Train for Humanity, and I am the lawyer who assisted with their formation.
Photo by mknobil
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Overtime Laws – Your Right to Overtime Pay
Hourly employees always want to know about their rights to a lunch break. Heck, lunch is important to me too!
But what about overtime laws? Employees definitely want to know about overtime labor laws as well. Is overtime required? Do salary employees get overtime? What are the regulations?
This article should answer your overtime questions.
Multiple laws for overtime
Overtime is one of those legal topics that is covered by a tangled web of laws. In short, the federal government has a basic overtime law that covers most hourly workers in the United States. There are also state overtime laws which might provide a higher standard in your case. In that situation, the higher standard applies.
Federal overtime law
The federal government requires overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If you are a covered, nonexempt employee, your employer must pay 1.5 times your regular pay for any hours over 40 that you work in a workweek.
You can get a quick overview of the federal overtime pay laws in Fact Sheet 23 (PDF) from the U.S. Department of Labor.
But what do all those bolded terms mean? That’s the complicated part.
Non-covered employees
Some occupations and jobs are completely excluded from coverage of the FLSA. This means that the federal overtime laws don’t apply.
To figure out if a particular job situation is excluded from federal overtime requirements, try the Department of Labor’s elaws advisor. It will walk you through a series of questions to determine if the FLSA covers the job in question.
Exempt from overtime
Even if your job is generally covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, you still might not be entitled to overtime pay. Covered employees are either exempt or nonexempt. If you are an exempt employee, you don’t get overtime pay, according to the federal overtime laws.
Here are a few different occupations that are exempt. Even these listed jobs are subject to various tests to ensure that the employees do actually meet the overtime exemptions. Some exempt jobs include:
- Executive
- Administrative
- Professional
- Computer-related
- Outside sales
- Salary-based exemption
- High-compensation exemption
Your workweek
The 40 hour requirement is based on your workweek. This doesn’t mean a calendar week. A workweek for overtime pay purposes is a fixed and regularly recurring period of 168 hours (seven consecutive 24-hour periods).
Your employer can establish different workweeks for different groups of employees, or even single employees. So your workweek could be different from all of your coworkers.
But your employer can’t average hours between weeks. That is strictly prohibited.
That hopefully explains the federal overtime regulations, but what about state overtime requirements?
State overtime laws
If your state has enacted overtime laws that are more stringent than the federal laws, your employer must follow the requirements set forth by your state. That provides more protection for you as an employee, but it certainly make it more complicated to understand overtime laws.
Here are some of the states that have more stringent overtime pay requirements. This is a broad overview, so I have deliberately omitted some of the nuances to these requirements.
Alaska – Overtime pay required for any hours over 8 in a single day.
California – Overtime pay required for any hours over 8 in a single day. For over 12 hours, pay must be double time. For over 48 hours in a workweek, pay must be double time.
Colorado – Overtime pay for any hours over 12 in a single day.
Kentucky – Overtime pay required for any 7th day worked in a single workweek.
Nevada – Overtime pay required for any hours over 8 in a single day, if employee makes less than 1.5 times the state’s minimum wage.
Puerto Rico – Overtime pay required for any hours over 8 in a single day and on a statutory rest day. The overtime rate is double time (2 times the regular rate).
Virgin Islands – Overtime pay required for any hours over 8 in a single day, and on the 6th and 7th consecutive work days.
Any overtime questions?
My previous posts on labor laws spurred lots of great reader questions. Do you have questions about overtime labor laws that I didn’t cover here? Post a comment!
Photo by mbtrama
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
LexisNexis Apologizes for Bad Link Tactics
A week ago, I gave LexisNexis the biggest jerk award. Basically, they ticked me off with what I consider impolite link building strategies.
It took a little while, but LexisNexis responded. The Senior Director of Traffic & Alliances posted a blog comment.
Apparently the email that really ticked me off was sent by a contractor that Lexis hired. Lexis has taken steps to ensure that this type of email isn’t sent in the future.
I’m glad Lexis owned up to their mistake. That definitely improves their image in my mind.
I hope this situation provided a lesson for everyone about being a collegial website owner. Asking someone to correct a broken link is great. But don’t ask to have anchor text changed just to provide better link juice for your site. That’s fine if you’ve specifically exchanged links with a site, but not in the course of ordinary website publishing.
Just remember: don’t be an idiot.
Photo by LĂŠooââ¢
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Twitter Kills Productivity, or Does It?
I’m on Twitter (aflusche). Are you?
But I think it’s killing my productivity. Twitter is one more distraction to deal with in our already busy world.
Yes, I understand the point of Twitter. We can all communicate a bit easier. We can meet new people. We can share ideas and thoughts.
Enough already!
Here’s what I don’t understand: how do the productivity gurus handle it?
Merlin Mann (hotdogsladies) is all about making something awesome happen and getting rid of the junk in life (how to use 43 Folders). Yet he’s a prolific Twitter user. How does he handle it?
Perhaps even more striking, the master of simple, Leo Babauta, is now tweeting (zen_habits).
I thought a key to simplicity is only handling email once or twice per day. And IM is a classic time waster, unless carefully monitored.
Where does Twitter fit in here? I like it, but I think it’s another distraction.
How do you Twitter and still be productive?
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
Exclusive Legal Tips and Discounts via Email
I’ve been publishing Legal Andrew for over two years now. It’s time to expand.
Instead of just writing on the blog, I’m now sending legal and productivity tips via email. Woohoo!
You can quickly subscribe here or use the form directly below this post (or in the sidebar).
Why would you want these emails? I’m glad you asked.
Unique content – The email tips will provide completely unique content. It’s not just an email version of my blog’s RSS feed. You can’t get this content anywhere else.
Exclusive discounts – I’m working on some great new premium content. This content won’t be given away for free. But if you subscribe to my email tips, you’ll get special discount offers. These offers won’t be given to the general public, only to email subscribers.
Limited emails – I promise to only send two emails per month. No more. Your inbox won’t be flooded.
Easy unsubscribe – Every email will have a quick-and-easy unsubscribe link. If you feel like I’m spamming you, it’s a quick click to get off the list.
No selling / renting / lending – I will never sell, share, rent, lend or otherwise divulge your email address to anyone. I promise.
Are you ready to subscribe? You know you want to!
Photo by larskflem
Get more legal tips
|
See also... |
-
Legal tips by email
Sign-up below to get email tips and exclusive discounts on videos, webinars, and future items.
All fields are required.
-
Receive updates
By email
By rss (full feed)
-
About Andrew Flusche
Lawyer, bicyclist, husband.
More about me...
Tumble Log
-
Popular Posts