Had a great time today on the SATW panel in Charleston - focused on Reinvention. Number one takeaway: if you’re not reinventing yourself these days, you should be. Number two: it takes a village to hone an entrepreneur. None of us makes it alone!

I found a great article on mediapost.com recently on building trust through social media. I think these points can also relate to e-newsletters.

• Online communities and their users appreciate authenticity and transparency; they’ll see right through a poster whose desire to sell his products trumps his interest in sharing what he knows.

• Your objective should be about helping consumers first and foremost; the benefits to your brand will follow.

• Accept the fact that using social media for knowledge sharing is, at its core, a branding and customer service effort, not a technique for quickly boosting sales.

• Communicate effectively and informally, and leave the sales-speak at the door.

• Play the part of consumer as much as corporate representative; put yourself in your customer’s place, try to address his concerns, and deliver information that has some practical applications.

So don’t just sell, sell, sell; give the public useful information and your product will become more valuable to them!

Here’s a good list of tips for marketing to women in a recession from mediapost.com…

Guidelines for Marketers

Prompted by women experiencing today’s continuing rough times, this rebirth of middle class values creates a variety of opportunities for those marketing in the days ahead. Here are nine guidelines to think about:

1. “Authentic value” is the new price of entry. Only what is good, trusted and worthy will win the race in the minds of today’s women. And those who adapt first, will lead the pack.

2. Little luxuries are always and still appreciated - be it a candle, fabric softener, new shampoo, perfume or chocolate. These little luxuries are more important than ever because they make women feel special, happy, complete and optimistic.

3. Big luxuries are still sought, but more selectively. Witness DeBeers new “Fewer, Better Things” campaign that was conceived with the thought that “things with enduring value are better perceived than those that are disposable.”

4. Functional luxuries, such as cell phones, iPods, and high speed internet, are all seen as essential, and still-necessary objects.

5. Practicality can be profitable. Be it big screen TV to entertain at home, high-quality coffee to prepare at home, or an ongoing relationship with Netflix. Anything can become practical if given the right frame of reference.

6. Comfort is in. Kraft, Heinz, Hershey, Uggs … they make women feel good, calm and safe. If your brand can tout it, find comfort in comfort.

7. The thrill is in the hunt. With bargain-hunting added, shopping just got more exciting. And bargains have never looked better than they do today.

8. Green is still in the black. Green products are still viewed not as a luxury to do without, but rather, as the right thing to do.

9. Transparency has never been more clear. Suspicion and wariness surround big business now and customers demand that marketers be more honest and loyal with them. And as a marketer, keep in mind that if you don’t hold up, word of mouth has never had more volume.

Laced in the what, why and how women are buying in today’s tough economy are myriad opportunities for marketers. Both for now and as we emerge from the recession. It pays to pay attention.