Dear Reader,

I would like to welcome all of the new subscribers who have joined the Social Media Business Results community since my last e-zine. Remember to claim your complimentary 30 minute Social Media Business Assessment with Me, and all of the other gifts I have reserved for you.

This is a shortened issue of this ezine. You can expect a longer issue right before the New Year, and a much more regular publication schedule during 2010.

Happy Holidays to You!

I'm writing this issue of this newsletter as Christmas Day in the USA is ending. I get so caught up in the Christmas spirit, every year I say how I won't be shopping on Christmas Eve, and this year like all of the others, there I was at 5:30 pm finishing up my shopping just before the stores closed for the Holiday.

My neighborhood in Columbus, OH is aglow with lights, I just love it. On Wednesday evening (Dec 23) my family all went to our local indoor botanical gardens called Franklin Park Conservatory, all lit up for Christmas. The Conservatory bought up many of Dale Chihuly's exquisite glass sculptures from the exhibition held back in 2004, and had them on display once again. You can see some of the pictures I took on my Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/steven.ulrich make sure you invite me as a friend while you are there.

As my beard grows whiter, my daughter Lauren decided I needed a new candle holder for Christmas, so with a Santa on Vacation theme, which has a distinct resemeblance to how I might look during an island getaway, my family had a great laugh. This gift was a favorite, and one I just might treasure forever. Here's a photo of this year's delightful gift. I'm sure you agree with me that after one long 24 hour day, across 24 time zones, Santa deserves some time off.

I hope this season has special meaning and joy for you. The world's major faiths have celebrations at this time of the year.

It's a winding down, a time of reflection, a celebration of family, friends, achievements and rememberences of people who have transitoned to the next phase of their eternal journey. This time of year for many is a roller-coaster of emotions, highs, lows and everything in-between. A greater awareness emerges, appreciation for life and the people we have in our lives. It's a time for giving and receiving gifts, taking care of others, and honoring deep traditions.

However this magical season exists for you, know that I appreciate and share many of your emotions, and also know that I celebrate having you as part of my community. I thank you for taking time out of your busy life to read this ezine, visit my site and get value from my resources and services. We'll continue the conversation as we move to the new year.

Tracking Santa Claus

Yes, I know, Christmas is over, but I wanted to put in a plug for NORAD Santa. You can track Santa as he makes his way around the world, and find out when he's coming your way. Keep this in mind for next Christmas Eve, kids and adults both love this experience.

In This Issue

In the feature article, I'll share with you how my Chili recipe became a contest winner. Social Media takes some of the credit for making this happen. Read all about it, and enjoy my Christmas gift - the winning recipe, yes you can "try this out" at home.

My Pleasure, Always,

Steve

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New Frontiers in "Commenting" using DISQUS

My friend Erin Blaskie of Business Services, Etc. and Erin Blaskie.com has been using DISQUS to support comments on her blog posts. This is a free service, and when you sign up, you can implement DISQUS for your own blog postings.

DISQUS keeps track of the comments you post on other blogs, and those who post on your blogs. It's a way to see the kinds of comments that are out there, and a way to learn more about the people who post to you, where else they have posted, the comments, and ways that you can connect with them. It's a way to further relationships, attract some new business and keep many conversations going further.

You can learn more about DISQUS by going to www.disqus.com. "Power the Discussion Community on Your Site," use it with your own blog posts and watch the "disqussions" happen.

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I'm a Grand Prize Winner - The Recipe is On The House
by Steve Ulrich

In getting to know Kari - I learned that she is the Account Manager for Dei Fratelli, a Toledo, OH Tomato Products Company. (Dei Fratelli in Italian means "of the brothers," and the company is run by two generations of the Hirzel family). Kari suggested that I learn about a recent contest for recipes using their products. It sounded really good, I went to the site and entered the Chili Recipe that I have honed over the years. I got the foundation for the receipe from an old cookbook, then tweaked it to make it my own. I've entered Chili contests before and never won, but this was a tomoato products contest, and now I am a grand prize winner.

Kari told me that there are several media opportunities for me to show off the recipe, and I'll be getting a nice box of tomato products every month for the coming year for my winning entry. The staff at Dei Fratelli tried out the recipe with their team of judges and they loved it.

Two of the local papers will be running articles, and I'll be on the local Fox Broadcasting morning show on January 4th to demonstrate the recipe for this local market. Jessica Stern of RMD has set this appearance up for me. Thank you Sue and Kari for getting me involved in the local SMC chapter and supporting my contest participation. Thank you Jessica for making the upcoming tv appearance possible. If you are curious to learn more about RMD Advertisng, or the 2010 Dei Fratelli contest, please contact Kari Palmer

My Christmas gift to you can be found online on the Dei Fratelli Ripened Recipe contest winner page. Look down for "Steve's Crock-Pot Chili Recipe." Let me know how you like it, once you've prepared it.

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1. Dr. Phil Humbert's 2010 Goal Planning Kit

My friend and former mastermind partner, Phil Humbert publishes a weekly newsletter called "TIPS for Extraordinary Living." This newsletter is one of my favorite reads, I look forward to it every week. He is offering his famous year-end and 2010 planning package at no charge until the end of the year. This means you have 5 days to sign up for the newsletter and download this kit. The kit is one of the best tools I've found to get your year off to a great start. I urge you to take advantage of the free gift Phil is offering. You have the chance to get to know this fantastic and truly insightful and inspiring person, while putting some of his wisdom in your hands to help you plan for the coming year.

Here's what Phil said in his latest newsletter:

Here's a quick reminder to grab your copy of the December "Freebie of the Month." Hundreds of people have asked for it since last Sunday, and if you don't have your copy, you're missing a great opportunity!

As always, it's totally free. That means no-cost. Or let me put it another way, it's complimentary. For nothing! Zip. Nada. Just grab a copy and enjoy!

I have noticed one point of confusion, however. Over 7000 people (Yikes!) have downloaded the Goal-Setting 101 part of this Freebie and many of them think that since they have that part, there is no reason to request the Freebie. Wrong! So very, very wrong!

This month's report comes with twelve months of follow-up that will last all year long. This is the easiest, most powerful way I could think of to help you DEFINE your goals, and then ACHIEVE your goals in 2010. And it's free, but you have to request it.

Once you do, you'll also have the opportunity to join a group of ambitious, success-minded folks for our monthly calls! BUT you have to request the Freebie to get your name "on the list!" The workbook is free, but you do have to request your copy!

It's sort of like the old joke that "when opportunity knocks, the least you can do is answer the door!" Well, opportunity is knocking. Answer the door. Sign up. www.philiphumbert.com/Free

2. SuccessNet Diamond Club - Mastermind opportunity for 2010

Please read the Diamond Club Overview by using this link: 2010 Diamond Club. Please consider the opportunity and see if this is right for you. Mastermind groups are forming now. Michael invites you to talk with him to get your questions answered. Details are on the overview page.

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Ezine Editor Shares His Story!

Growing up in NYC, I really believed New York was the only place on earth. The Saul Steinberg New Yorker Magazine cover art called View of the World from 9th Avenue which shows New York City in the foreground and the rest of the world looking really small, is very true for folks who live there. In 1976 a breakthrough in my life occured when I moved to Columbus, Ohio for Graduate School at The Ohio State University. I left New York City, and haven't moved back!

Thirty-three years later, I have my own business, work out of my house, married for 30 years with my wonderful wife Lynda, raised two kids - now grown, daughter Lauren 18, a freshman at Ohio State University, and son Ross 21 continuing his graphic design education at Columbus State Community College. All four of us co-habit the house at this time along with 2 Shetland Sheepdogs (Sage and Ty) who really run the place. A new resident joined the family on October 15, 2009, a Shiba Inu puppy named Todd.

My purpose in life that I bring to my work is helping people make their business dreams come true. My purpose lives in the world by helping people get the knowledge they are looking for and helping them apply what they learn in their businesses. I provide Social Media consulting, using the "Integrated Social Media Approach."

You can read my full bio on the Social Media Business Results Web site. Click on the About tab for my bio and the About / Contact Me drop down tab for all of my contact information and how to find me on Social Media platforms. Please feel free to contact me and "friend me" on all of these places. I'm looking forward to continuing our conversation and furthering our relationship soon.

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