About Us
As an investment reporter for U.S. News, the stocks expert for about.com, and a content leader for the Chicago Sun-Times Content agency, Lou Carlozo is among the elite writers in the Midwest: fast, professional and easy to work with. Whether you need press releases, a media kit overhaul, media coaching to your staff or a writer to help you realize that book you've dreamt of writing, Lou Carlozo is your go-to pick for turning words and phrases into persuasive, snappy content. Also an award-winning studio musician/producer, with top-notch engineering and mixing skills.
How We Got Started
Apologies in advance: OFFERS MUST BE MUTUAL FROM THE GET GO UNLESS YOU ARE REACHING OUT FOR MY SERVICES. I'm not here to promote or network your business unless your request is very direct and two-way up front. Help me find work as a music producer, writer of any type, or content magician first and we can simultaneously talk about what I can do for you.
Networking Events
Thursday Nov 15th, 2029
Writing coach. Soundtrack writer. Podcast whiz. Press kit prestidigitator. You want it? I've got it. That's the event every day. That, and my buddi...
Products & Services
So simple my daughter can understand it: Google me, I'm everywhere. Chicago Tribune, U.S. News & World Report, AICPA, Reuters, Money Under 30, etc....
Recent Activity
The answer always varies; it’s a matter of when in the day you generally feel most on point—but I also believe in deferring to the other person a) to make them feel good and b) show a posture of willingness. Before any meeting, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Make sure your stomach isn’t growling. Get a...
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The answer always varies; it’s a matter of when in the day you generally feel most on point—but I also believe in deferring to the other person a) to make them feel good and b) show a posture of willingness. Before any meeting, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Make sure your stomach isn’t growling. Get a cup of coffee if you need it. Remind yourself to listen 80/20 and ask open ended question that get the conversation off on the right foot. Oh and laugh! If you make the other person feel good, they’ll naturally want to be around you. Best of luck
Wow, is this a very, very open ended question. The answer will be absolutely different for every category you can name. As a very general rule of thumb, seek a specialist the second you've hit the wall of what you can do yourself--for example, call a plumber when your DIY plumbing skills won't...
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Wow, is this a very, very open ended question. The answer will be absolutely different for every category you can name. As a very general rule of thumb, seek a specialist the second you've hit the wall of what you can do yourself--for example, call a plumber when your DIY plumbing skills won't cut it. Second: If you know by word of mouth of a particular "sensei" in writing, social media, law, etc., you'll use your time wisely to reach out. Finally, talk to that sensei or other smart people and learn. A specialist in any field should be willing to give you a few minutes, or a free consultation, to answer rudimentary questions. Then the intangibles of "the right vibe" and "a good feeling" can kick in ... unless of course, the guy is a specialist in con artistry.
Keep at it, keep at it, keep at it, keep at it. It took me 5 years to hit 3000 followers on LinkedIn. The overwhelming con--maybe the only con--is putting up a passive shingle and expecting that to work. It won't. The success stories get into dialogues and conversations with people. They...
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Keep at it, keep at it, keep at it, keep at it. It took me 5 years to hit 3000 followers on LinkedIn. The overwhelming con--maybe the only con--is putting up a passive shingle and expecting that to work. It won't. The success stories get into dialogues and conversations with people. They INTERACT. They ask provocative questions and get involved in the answers. They offer helpful advice. And they write like they are riding herd on a dinosaur (hire a great writer, or be one). The only other con is time: If you don't put in at least half an hour daily to grow this, then you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Some rough rules apply: LinkedIn for the white collar world, Facebook for baby boom and Gen X, Instagram for millennials, Snapchat for younger adults and adolescents. But those aren't strict boundaries by any stretch. So work it. No fairy dust for sale, unfortunately! Hope this helps.
I just hosted a podcast for the Bank Administration Institute that covered some of this topic. I think the most important thing to remember is that when people are upset, their EMOTIONS take over. In your very rational mind, you see the issue in terms of items A-B-C that you addressed. Meanwhile...
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I just hosted a podcast for the Bank Administration Institute that covered some of this topic. I think the most important thing to remember is that when people are upset, their EMOTIONS take over. In your very rational mind, you see the issue in terms of items A-B-C that you addressed. Meanwhile their minds are more likely being hijacked, to an extent, by their frustration and anger. They may even escalate. Your job is to get in there and appeal to that emotional side first, not to fall prey to "he said, she said." First, of course, is asking them what would make them happy. (Notice the key emotional word: "happy.") Next you've got to let them know that you're on it, and give them consistent updates. These situations often get worse when the customer doesn't sense anything is being done--they feel abandoned. Then bring it to closure and hopefully you've converted a detractor into a fan. I definitely understand this can be time intensive and can get in the way of other work that needs to be done. But this is also such an important area that making sure the communication is clear and timely can't be stressed enough. Consider getting a college-age kid with superior interpersonal skills and a winning personality to help here. For the little bit you might pay them, the ROI will be huge.
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As a guy who reviewed professionally, I can tell you that TripAdvisor is a mostly positive resource. I know sites like Angie's List and Yelp can be easily "gamed" by businesses: Everything from offering incentives for great reviews to paying those sites to jack up your visibility. For any site,...
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As a guy who reviewed professionally, I can tell you that TripAdvisor is a mostly positive resource. I know sites like Angie's List and Yelp can be easily "gamed" by businesses: Everything from offering incentives for great reviews to paying those sites to jack up your visibility. For any site, the reviews are only as good as they are detailed and believable. "Great place!" isn't the same as "Clean and cozy accommodations; our staff went out of our way to make sure the room was stocked with fresh linens, etc..." I'm not sure how hard it is to respond to bad reviews and get them amended (on eBay that's a very arduous process). But it would be worth knowing before you accumulate traction there. On Facebook, for example, people can watch you in real time as you turn a disgruntled customer into a delighted one. Not sure it's nearly that easy on TA, but there's nothing stopping you from dealing with customers individually, addressing their needs, and asking them to revise negative reviews. As for the positive ones, these will be your best ambassadors...
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