INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG THE SCISSORS SHARPENER

While at the Huff Show I had the chance to interview a few of the sharpeners. Here is the first of a number of these interviews I'll be sharing with you over the next few days.

If you have any questions concerning scissors sharpening, clipper blade sharpening, or clipper repair; feel free to call me. I hope you enjoy today's video.

A QUICK VIEW OF THE HUFF SHOW

I had a few extra minutes so I decided to put together this quick video of some of the goings-on at the Huff Show. Enjoy!

I'M BACK FROM THE HUFF SHOW

I'm back from the Huff Show and had a GREAT time! Thanks to all the sharpeners that attended and made the show such a success.

While there, I did a number of video interviews with some of the sharpeners and one with Bob Huffman at the Huff's Wholesale headquarters. I also took a number of pictures of mobile sharpening units I'll be using in some articles in On The Edge over the next few months.

I left one manufacture out in the video above that I need to mention. Wahl also provided a clipper for the attendees to repair and keep. Thanks to both them and Oster and Andis for providing this equipment for the hands-on training.

I'll see you all next week. I'm going to go enjoy some time with my nephew. See ya soon.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

On the road again! I just can't wait to get on the road again! ---- For more of this foolishness, click here. :)

I guess I'll be singing that song in my head all day as I travel to the Huff Show. It looks like it's going to be a blast this weekend. Lots to learn and lots share! I'm looking forward to it.

I may, or may not, be posting to Jim Sharp. I'm never sure if I'll be able to find a place to hook up to the internet when I'm in Knox City; and my Laptop Battery just gave up the ghost as well. I have a new one, but I need to get it fully charged. I do have my new Flip Video Camera though, so I'm hoping to interview a number of sharpeners while I'm there.

I also wanted to point out that my last post was a little off target, but Amy Wood is a friend of mine and really uses Social Media to its fullest extent. I needed a place to post both her videos after I uploaded them to YouTube, so I posted them here since the info will help you if you decide to pursue Social Media as a communication tool or a marketing tool. Remember, if you want to follow me through this medium, one of the best ways to do so is on Twitter. My Twitter handle is: www.twitter.com/jimsharp. The other day, someone asked me to describe what Twitter is in one short sentence. I said, "It's like CB for the 21st century."

I'll talk to you soon.

POWERFUL WAYS TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Sites like Twitter and Facebook are becoming powerful tools to help you promote yourself and your business. In fact Amy Wood of WSPA, one of our local news anchors, proves this every day as she reaches out to people in her viewing area through these Social Media platforms.

Today, I had the privilege of attending and filming the presentation she did for Social Media Club Spartanburg. Amy is an outstanding example of how one person can make a difference by reaching out to a select group of people through these new mediums in a way that promotes involvement and fosters loyalty for both her, and her station.

The following videos are loaded tips and pointers that will help you better understand how to use Social Media to promote yourself and your business, and how to do this even when your time is in short supply. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Amy Wood on Social Media Part 1


Amy Wood on Social Media Part 2


If you'd like to follow me on Twitter, you can find me at @jimsharp

If you're not following Amy, here are some links that will help you hook up with her:
Follow Amy on Twitter
Follow Amy on Facebook
Amy's Blog

Thanks for a great presentation today Amy!

INTERACTION SELLS & TWITTER

Over this past week I haven't been very busy on Jim Sharp, but I have been busy elsewhere online. I two place actually. One place is on my other blog, Interaction Sells, and the other is Twitter. Let me tell you a little about both.

Interaction Sells
I started this blog a while back and then let it laps a year ago. I was just too busy focusing only on growing the sharpening side of Wolff Industries back then to really focus on Interaction Sells, so I dropped it. But now my mission has once again changed, starting in mid-June, David wants me to focus on Wolff's customers that work with hard-to-cut materials and help grow that side of of the business. Since this means I'll be back on the road selling again, I thought it might be good to at least attempt to brush the dust off Interaction Sells and chronicle some of what I learn as I market Wolff and it's products to this group. I hope you'll come along for the ride.

By the way, this does not mean I will no longer by posting to Jim Sharp, but I may point you back and forth between the two blogs some.

Twitter
If you don't spend a lot of time online, you may not know about the Microblogging site known as Twitter. But it's becoming a powerful force in the online world for marketing one's self and/or a business. I've been on Twitter for some time now and there are a few sharpeners that follow me. I'd like to invite you to consider joining Twitter (it's free) and follow me there for three reasons.

1. When I'm on the road, Twitter will be an easy way to get in touch with me. One of the most powerful things about Twitter is it will work on your sell phone. I check Twitter multiple times each day whether I'm at my desk on my computer, or on the road with my Blackberry. So if you need some help the quickest way to let me know is to send me a note on Twitter.

2. I use Twitter as a sounding board to share interesting things I find online that help me in my business, interest me, or that I think my followers may be interested in.

3. It really is a new way to connect with people; and I'm willing to bet a number of your customers use Twitter too. Sign up with Twitter to set yourself apart from the other sharpeners in your area, and then use Twitter to help stay in touch more with your customers that are online.

One other reason is other sharpeners may start using Twitter more in the future. If they do, Twitter will become a great way for the sharpening community to connect, trade ideas, and help each other.

If you have any questions about Twitter, just give me a call at 800-888-3832 and I'll explain all the ins-and-outs.

You can connect with me on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/jimsharp

THE 2009 HUFF SHOW

Over the next few days I'll be getting ready for the Huff Show. I love this show! It's without a doubt one of my favorite shows of the year! Here are a few details:

The dates are June 12th and 13th in Edina, MO; a town just 10 miles west of the Huff's shop in Knox City. The focus of this show will be on clipper blade sharpening and clipper repair.

The price to attend is just $275.00 per person. This price includes 6 meals, and for those of us that have been to the Huff Show in the past, we know the food is half the fun. Also, Oster has agreed to give a shear from their Convex 2 line to each of the attendees as a gift and Andis has agreed to give a clipper to everyone that attends too. These two items, when sold, will allow you recoup much of the cost to attend.

The Huffman's will also be hosting their famous auction on Friday night! If you have something to sell or you're thinking of buying some more equipment, this is the place to be.

To sign up, please call 660-434-5535. I hope to see many of you there. Talk to you soon.

THE SHARK FIN® SHEARS

Sorry about not posting yesterday, I was getting ready for surprise trip to Charleston. I'll be attending a composites meeting there.

Last week, I told you about one of the newest shear lines Wolff is now carrying, the Lucky Hare® Line. Today, I'd like to point you to the other line, the Shark Fin® Collection.

The Shark Fin® Line is becoming a powerhouse in the industry. They are excellent shears, top quality in all regards, and designed to be one of the most ergonomically correct shears your customers have ever seen. I could write a bunch, but let me just quote some of what the Shark Fin®'s creator has said:

"...our patented handle helps to properly align nerves and tendons in your hand, which can greatly reduce your risk of: tendonitis, arm pain, nerve damage, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain."

"The crane grip was developed to move your thumb from under your ring finger to under your index finger. This releases all the pressure and stress put on the nerves and tendons in your hand and thumb. ALL of our Shark Fin® shears are made with the crane grip. Also, we don't use screw on finger rests as they tend to fall off. Ours are part of the shear... one less thing to worry about."

I could continue pasting quotes, but instead, why not visit the Shark Fin® site and look around for yourself. Here's a link:

www.sharkfinshears.com

There you can find out about their swivel thumb shears, all the different styles they sell, and you can view both their beauty and grooming lines.

If you have any questions on price, or would like more information, just give Wolff a call at 800-888-3832. You're also welcome to call Randy, the creator of Shark Fin®. He's a super nice guy and more that willing to help. Just tell him you read about him here on Jim Sharp. His number is 1-888-544-7254.