An attack of the virals …

Well, I’m back, after a sunny afternoon’s jaunt over to Oxford to meet up with two great ‘techie’ guys who, hopefully, will help to build my website. It’s amazing how, after three years with baby or toddler babble constantly in the background, a couple of hours’ motorway driving with shades on and a good CD seems like complete luxury. Not to mention the Costa coffee when I arrived … and the adult conversation that actually got my brain going. Feels fab to be venturing into fresh territory and learning about a whole new world, even if it does all sometimes seem like Googledygeek technospeak! And, despite that, people still appear to be taking me seriously!

Anyway, back to what I mentioned earlier about viral marketing. I’m hoping to apply for an award from an organisation called UnLtd - www.unltd.org.uk. They’ve got millions of pounds of Lottery money to give to social entrepreneurs - individuals who are going to do something that will have a positive impact on their communities. I’d like to win one of their awards because it’d mean a bit of cash, extra credibility and some invaluable support to help get this project off the ground. But to be in with a chance I’ve got to complete an application form and tell them what I want the money for. Well, I was hoping to use it at least part of it for a viral marketing campaign. (No, I didn’t have a clue what that meant three days ago but I’m learning fast!) But then I spoke to a really helpful guy at a specialist consultancy and he basically said I’d need at least £15k … which, of course, I can’t afford! So that’s why I spent most of last night - in between mopping my little one’s fevered brow - conjuring up all kinds of crazy ideas for a ‘budget’ viral that would blow everyone’s minds! Any suggestions anyone?

Kitchen table dramas!

Well, here I am again, sat at my kitchen table … except it’s not actually mine, it’s a friend’s. She’s been letting me use it so that I can stay out of the way of the nanny and the little ones, for their sake as much as mine. I just kind of knew that work and kids wouldn’t mix, even ‘pretend’ work which is often what this feels like! (And, before you jump in, I do know, from three years’ personal full-time experience of it, that looking after children is harder work than anything else you could ever do … but you know what I mean!) Anyway …

This is it, just me and my laptop, a mobile phone and a fledgling business idea. It’s a lonely old place, really. In fact, the title of this entry is more than a bit tongue in cheek, as I could do with a drama to liven things up. Still, shouldn’t tempt fate and - knowing me - I can always create one if I get too bored! So what am I doing … and how long before I can go to Starbucks (again) for coffee and company?! I’ve been trying to sort out my research questionnaire, which I’m hoping to send out to lots of mums to get some background data to support my plans. I’ll be slightly gutted if people’s replies come back and they don’t tell me what I want to hear, because then all that hard work will just have to go in the bin! I’m offering to donate money to charity for every completed questionnaire I get back, so fingers crossed that’ll motivate everyone to help out. I did sensibly remember to say ’subject to a maximum donation of …’ just in case the whole thing got out of hand and ended up as its own viral marketing campaign. Talking of which … (but I’ll have to come back to that as the coffee urge has just got the better of me!) See you later!