- If you sell beauty products, have a basket of samples next to your candy basket. Make sure your business card is attatched to the samples with bright ribbon. When you give the kids candy, give mom and/or Dad a "treat" too.
- Give out the best candy and add a business card to it. Your neighbors may not know they have an accountant, house cleaner, or home chef on their block.
- Make a knockout Halloween display and and a large sign that says 'compliments of XYZ business'
- If you have a business sign or magnet on your car, park it in such a way that the sign is visible to all who pass.
Last minute Marketing Ideas for Halloween
It's Halloween, and you are going to have dozens, maybe even a hundred or two people knocking on your door, (depending on where you live). You can take advantage of this traffic and market your products. Here are some ideas you can use.
Taking Advantage of the Holidays
Many stay at home mom businesses can take advantage of the holidays. There are some exceptions of course like people who offer business services, but you can still have end of the year specials. Here are some things you can do to boost your sales this holiday season:
Do you have any unique ideas that you use during the holiday season? Leave a comment. Let us know.
- Make and promote gift baskets
- Tailor your product for holidays (a muralist can make business or play backdrops, and a jewelry maker can make ornaments and special holiday earings)
- Participate in holiday fairs and group sales
- Offer holiday gift certificates (put expiration dates on them)
Do you have any unique ideas that you use during the holiday season? Leave a comment. Let us know.
Finding Jobs on Craigslist
If you have a service based business, Craigslist is a good place to find local jobs. People use Craigslist to post needs like childcare, home painting, need for cleaning persons, writers, artist and more. As an artist and a writer, I like to check craigslist regularly to see if anyone can use my services. Likewise, you can also use Craigslist to post free ads. I have had several good experiences.
My only caution is that some of the people who post jobs on Craigslist are trying to get something for next to nothing. You have to know where to draw the line between giving a discount to build your portfolio or walking away from a too low paying job. While scams are relatively easy to spot, job requests that grossly underpay you are a bit harder to spot.
My only caution is that some of the people who post jobs on Craigslist are trying to get something for next to nothing. You have to know where to draw the line between giving a discount to build your portfolio or walking away from a too low paying job. While scams are relatively easy to spot, job requests that grossly underpay you are a bit harder to spot.
Is Business Distracting You from Business?
You've spent time evaluating what you love doing. You have analyzed, planned, and started your business, but progress is slow going. A friend is doing an mlm business or party plan that looks like fun, you decide to join, just until your original business takes off. Did you do the right thing?
This is actually one of my pet peeves, but also my biggest temptation. I have been distracted from my main business by kitchen goods, baskets, makeup, soaps, curriculum books, and just about everything else that turned a profit. While this is great in the short term, my enjoyment was short lived as it took me away from my goal of working a business that I truly enjoyed. (I actually hate selling things.) I have learned over the years to say, "I really like your products/ plan, and may even make a purchase from you, but I cannot take my business focus from what I am doing."
On the other hand, I am currently putting more effort into a business other than what I originally started. I started out focusing on Mural art and decorating kids rooms. As my life took its turns, I found that I did not have time to do murals and decorating and began writing about it instead. Now I work mainly as a freelance writer (writing about everything under the sun) squeezing in only a few murals a year.
Writing is working out well for me, and I plan to use that to get into illustrating which will take me full circle artistically.
So while holding on to your business and avoiding distractions is important, flexibility is also needed... Where do you draw the line?
This is actually one of my pet peeves, but also my biggest temptation. I have been distracted from my main business by kitchen goods, baskets, makeup, soaps, curriculum books, and just about everything else that turned a profit. While this is great in the short term, my enjoyment was short lived as it took me away from my goal of working a business that I truly enjoyed. (I actually hate selling things.) I have learned over the years to say, "I really like your products/ plan, and may even make a purchase from you, but I cannot take my business focus from what I am doing."
On the other hand, I am currently putting more effort into a business other than what I originally started. I started out focusing on Mural art and decorating kids rooms. As my life took its turns, I found that I did not have time to do murals and decorating and began writing about it instead. Now I work mainly as a freelance writer (writing about everything under the sun) squeezing in only a few murals a year.
Writing is working out well for me, and I plan to use that to get into illustrating which will take me full circle artistically.
So while holding on to your business and avoiding distractions is important, flexibility is also needed... Where do you draw the line?
Embezzling from yourself
We've all probably done it at one time or another - we're short on funds to pay the electric bill when it is unexpectedly high, so we dip into our business money.
As time goes on, we dip in here and there for other things, non-business related. "Oh, it's no big deal," we think, "it's just a little bit."
The next thing we know, when a good opportunity arises for the business, we don't have the money. We don't have enough money to ship something out, or we could even be short on money for gas to go meet with a client!
How did this happen? Well, we embezzled from ourselves. We crippled our own business.
Of course we should pay ourselves, and I think it's good to reward yourself with something you really enjoy - that's what motivates us to keep going in our business. But make plans for it and keep a base amount of funds for your business that you never cut into. Keep a base amount as your business safety net.
Embezzling is misappropriation of funds. Your business money is not for buying the present for your 1st grader's friend's birthday party!
If you don't treat your home business as a real business, and you treat your business money like it's just "hobby money," then that's the only way other people (especially your family members) are going to think of it too. If you have been in the habit of taking money from your business, work to do whatever it takes to stop.
Sometimes it feels like you aren't getting anywhere in your business, and it becomes very demoralizing when there's no money in your business account.
Analyze the situation: are you really not getting anywhere with your business, or have you been dipping into your business money and damaging your potential of success?
~Darla
As time goes on, we dip in here and there for other things, non-business related. "Oh, it's no big deal," we think, "it's just a little bit."
The next thing we know, when a good opportunity arises for the business, we don't have the money. We don't have enough money to ship something out, or we could even be short on money for gas to go meet with a client!
How did this happen? Well, we embezzled from ourselves. We crippled our own business.
Of course we should pay ourselves, and I think it's good to reward yourself with something you really enjoy - that's what motivates us to keep going in our business. But make plans for it and keep a base amount of funds for your business that you never cut into. Keep a base amount as your business safety net.
Embezzling is misappropriation of funds. Your business money is not for buying the present for your 1st grader's friend's birthday party!
If you don't treat your home business as a real business, and you treat your business money like it's just "hobby money," then that's the only way other people (especially your family members) are going to think of it too. If you have been in the habit of taking money from your business, work to do whatever it takes to stop.
Sometimes it feels like you aren't getting anywhere in your business, and it becomes very demoralizing when there's no money in your business account.
Analyze the situation: are you really not getting anywhere with your business, or have you been dipping into your business money and damaging your potential of success?
~Darla
Website Tools
Here are some website and Internet tools that I have found very helpful:
Type in what you want and what style of text, colors - and the site processes it for you. Buttons, graphics, etc. Right click the image to save to your computer and use the image on your site or blog, etc. Lots of uses.
Copyscape is free at the basic level. You simply cut and paste the page urls from your site into their search field, and it helps you locate places where your text could be being used without your permission. If you find your content is being stolen, the site tells you what to do about it.
Want to make your Ebay listings stand out from the crowd? This site has a lot of tips and help with HTML code. You could also try Auctiva, which is a site that helps you make beautiful Ebay listings. An advantage of Auctiva is that you can store your listings and then 'release' them to post to Ebay at the same time without the extra fee for scheduling a listing that Ebay charges.
You guessed it! Another site to help you with HTML. I know I often need help to make an image a link or to make a link open in a new window. This site will help you figure all that out.
This site enables you to see what your competitors are using for keywords in their Adsense campaign and website(s). Helps you figure out your competition's marketing strategy. Free trial of the website's services. Keyword Spy is designed to help you get ahead in keyword advertising programs.
My Contact Form is currently about $30 for a year's membership. You can make as many contact forms for your site as you like for that fee. You can make a form for customers to contact you, or you can use their forms for a customer survey...many uses. Downside of it is that they do not have any visual verification to make sure that when the form is filled out, it's being filled out by a person - so there is often some spam that comes to me through my form. But a small price to pay for such a good deal and the form has always worked. It's very easy to modify for whatever you need, too!
Who knows how accurate all this stuff is, but it never hurts to look and learn more about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
This is a very good virus scan and it is a trusted site. The first time I used it, I was very nervous about letting a website search my computer drives, but it is a good scanner. They offer the scan to promote their Trend Micro PC-Cillin computer software (which is also excellent)
It is sometimes difficult to get a template of colors that look good together for your website.
This site helps you try out different combinations to see what works well for you.
Type in what you want and what style of text, colors - and the site processes it for you. Buttons, graphics, etc. Right click the image to save to your computer and use the image on your site or blog, etc. Lots of uses.
Copyscape is free at the basic level. You simply cut and paste the page urls from your site into their search field, and it helps you locate places where your text could be being used without your permission. If you find your content is being stolen, the site tells you what to do about it.
Want to make your Ebay listings stand out from the crowd? This site has a lot of tips and help with HTML code. You could also try Auctiva, which is a site that helps you make beautiful Ebay listings. An advantage of Auctiva is that you can store your listings and then 'release' them to post to Ebay at the same time without the extra fee for scheduling a listing that Ebay charges.
You guessed it! Another site to help you with HTML. I know I often need help to make an image a link or to make a link open in a new window. This site will help you figure all that out.
This site enables you to see what your competitors are using for keywords in their Adsense campaign and website(s). Helps you figure out your competition's marketing strategy. Free trial of the website's services. Keyword Spy is designed to help you get ahead in keyword advertising programs.
My Contact Form is currently about $30 for a year's membership. You can make as many contact forms for your site as you like for that fee. You can make a form for customers to contact you, or you can use their forms for a customer survey...many uses. Downside of it is that they do not have any visual verification to make sure that when the form is filled out, it's being filled out by a person - so there is often some spam that comes to me through my form. But a small price to pay for such a good deal and the form has always worked. It's very easy to modify for whatever you need, too!
Who knows how accurate all this stuff is, but it never hurts to look and learn more about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
This is a very good virus scan and it is a trusted site. The first time I used it, I was very nervous about letting a website search my computer drives, but it is a good scanner. They offer the scan to promote their Trend Micro PC-Cillin computer software (which is also excellent)
It is sometimes difficult to get a template of colors that look good together for your website.
This site helps you try out different combinations to see what works well for you.
Places to post a free business ad
One of the nice things about networking is that we can share places to post free ads online.
Here are several places where you can get a free basic listing:
Here are several places where you can get a free basic listing:
Should You Place a Listing?
When one starts a business, it makes sense to place a business listing to let people know you exist. I had a Kudzu.com as well as listings in parents' magazines listing for some time, but decided to let them go because they were not right for my business. You see I do the kind of work that invites alot of shoppers. People want me come to their homes, draw mural ideas, and then get back to me, when and if they decide to go ahead with the job. Having a popular listing on Kudzu.com nearly caused me to stop doing business altogether, as I was spending too much time with "shoppers" and not enough time with buyers. I was working my butt off and not making a cent.
I am not saying however that placing a listing may not be right for you. Some businesses that would greatly value from such a listing: Repair services, cleaning services, Restaurants, and anyone else who a customer can and must to make a quick decision without the service person spending hours on preparation and making presentations.
If you do have a service based business like me where it is necessary to evaluate the space and give a quote, you may want to charge a fee for your quote to be deducted from the full job if they go ahead with it.
I am not saying however that placing a listing may not be right for you. Some businesses that would greatly value from such a listing: Repair services, cleaning services, Restaurants, and anyone else who a customer can and must to make a quick decision without the service person spending hours on preparation and making presentations.
If you do have a service based business like me where it is necessary to evaluate the space and give a quote, you may want to charge a fee for your quote to be deducted from the full job if they go ahead with it.
Prioritizing Your Business
When you work from home, sometimes business gets prioritized at the bottom of the pile.
Sometimes being such a low priority is a good thing and is why people work from home, to be able to put family first. Other times it is the result of letting people ignore the fact that you work from home.
Because I work around my children's homeschooling schedule, it is hard for me to tell people that I work between this hour and that, because I don't. I generally work when I can. I believe this gives the impression that I am not working at all, and unfortunately, this invites people to assume I am not busy when I am not teaching my kids. This assumption invites calls for favors.
Can you imaging my surprise this week when after I made it clear that my kids were having an especially busy week, that I still got phonecalls and request to drive people around, or to help someone with a project.
But why am I surprised when I haven't made it clear that every moment I am not teaching my kids or taking care of the home that I am working.
How do you prioritize your business?
by andrea hermitt
Sometimes being such a low priority is a good thing and is why people work from home, to be able to put family first. Other times it is the result of letting people ignore the fact that you work from home.
Because I work around my children's homeschooling schedule, it is hard for me to tell people that I work between this hour and that, because I don't. I generally work when I can. I believe this gives the impression that I am not working at all, and unfortunately, this invites people to assume I am not busy when I am not teaching my kids. This assumption invites calls for favors.
Can you imaging my surprise this week when after I made it clear that my kids were having an especially busy week, that I still got phonecalls and request to drive people around, or to help someone with a project.
But why am I surprised when I haven't made it clear that every moment I am not teaching my kids or taking care of the home that I am working.
How do you prioritize your business?
by andrea hermitt
This is an example of how Network Referrals Work
An interesting thing happened today on our Yahoo group. Maybe it is because Referral Networks was our topic of the day yesterday, maybe because one of our members did an excellent job.
One of our members is a hairdresser and the group has been buzzing about her. The women love her, and she does a fabulous job for a great price. Because everyone in our group who has used her is writing recommendations and reviews, the next time someone asks me about a hairdresser I will know exactly who to recommend. If she doesn't provide the services they need we still have another hairstylist in our group.
This is an example of how Network Referrals Work. This is however, the second step when using a network group. The first step is to reference the member list to see who provides good and services that you may need.
One of our members is a hairdresser and the group has been buzzing about her. The women love her, and she does a fabulous job for a great price. Because everyone in our group who has used her is writing recommendations and reviews, the next time someone asks me about a hairdresser I will know exactly who to recommend. If she doesn't provide the services they need we still have another hairstylist in our group.
This is an example of how Network Referrals Work. This is however, the second step when using a network group. The first step is to reference the member list to see who provides good and services that you may need.
Networking and Referrals
The people who responded to my last post on what you want in a networking group said they like referrals. (still open for comments)
I agree.. referral business is a large part of networking. How referral networking works.
Individual business people working separately can bring in a moderate amount of business. Sally may sell Tupperware and does just fine. If you asked Sally if she knew someone that did hair, she might tell you about someone she heard about, but not know their reputation. But, in a networking group that give referrals to group members, Sally would tell her customers about Mary Ann, because she knows of several people who rave about their experience with her, plus she had her hair done too.
This increases Maryann business and Maryann is quick to mention someone in the group too, especially Sally who has already sent business her way.
If you are a member of a network group, I am going to issue a challenge. The Christmas try to purchase 1/2 of your Christmas and Holiday gifts and services from someone in your group. I promise you that not only will you see the businesses of your friends grow, but yours will grow as well.
If you live in Gwinnett and/or belong to our networking group, scroll down to view all of the businesses (in the sidebar) you can buy from this holiday season.
by Andrea Hermitt www.ahermitt.com
I agree.. referral business is a large part of networking. How referral networking works.
Individual business people working separately can bring in a moderate amount of business. Sally may sell Tupperware and does just fine. If you asked Sally if she knew someone that did hair, she might tell you about someone she heard about, but not know their reputation. But, in a networking group that give referrals to group members, Sally would tell her customers about Mary Ann, because she knows of several people who rave about their experience with her, plus she had her hair done too.
This increases Maryann business and Maryann is quick to mention someone in the group too, especially Sally who has already sent business her way.
If you are a member of a network group, I am going to issue a challenge. The Christmas try to purchase 1/2 of your Christmas and Holiday gifts and services from someone in your group. I promise you that not only will you see the businesses of your friends grow, but yours will grow as well.
If you live in Gwinnett and/or belong to our networking group, scroll down to view all of the businesses (in the sidebar) you can buy from this holiday season.
by Andrea Hermitt www.ahermitt.com
Let's Talk about networking
Only, I'm not going to do any of the talking. I just want to ask some questions... Please leave a comment with your answers. Thank You
Are you a woman business owner?
What is your business?
Do You network?
What do you want in a networking group?
What excites you the most about business networking?
Are you a woman business owner?
What is your business?
Do You network?
What do you want in a networking group?
What excites you the most about business networking?
How to make money selling other people's stuff!
You may have heard the words 'Affiliate Marketing' and not really known what it was.
Affiliate marketing is basically placing links to companies or to specific products offered by companies. When your site visitors click on the link and make a purchase, you make a percentage of the sale. That's how it works! You don't have to do anything else except lead the customer to the sale. You get paid for the lead or sale you generate.
There are many websites that offer affiliate marketing - essentially they are affiliate marketing networks where the advertisers pay to have their affiliate marketing advertised and managed.
You as a person putting the links on your site or blog, are referred to as a 'publisher.' As a publisher, you should never pay to be an affiliate. I want to stress again, that you do not pay to be an affiliate.
There are several places you can sign up to be a free affiliate publisher. My favorite is Commission Junction, because it has many major retailers, and I am able to find advertisers and product links that work well with certain pages of my website or blog topics. Once you sign up, look through the advertisers by category to find good matches for your website. Look for companies whose product line is something you think your site visitors would enjoy. I think that is a key of affiliate marketing, if you gear everything toward your site's visitors and not your own needs, you will do well.
Linked products or companies should be associated with what you do a little bit - for example, if you sell handcrafted candle holders but you don't make candles, you can link a company that sells candles, or better yet, show picture links of candles or make an entire 'store' page of candles. It ties in. It is hard not to be tempted by advertising an i-pod, because that's an expensive product, but that wouldn't do very well on a page of candleholders...see what I mean?
I also have an affiliate account with ShareASale.com but I haven't done very well with that one. They do tend to have quite a few smaller companies with unique items.
Amazon.com also has an affiliate program but they call it being an "Associate."
To sign up on Amazon.com's affiliate program, click HERE
The nice thing about Amazon's program is that you can easily modify the links to coordinate in with your website's colors. You can link to any Amazon product. More and more attractive affiliate link options are being added all the time.
How much can you make doing this? It starts out pretty small and depressing, I'll be honest with you. This is something to begin working on when you have some quiet downtime in your business. If you've never done it before, I wouldn't recommend trying to start it in your busiest time of the year. Start at your quiet time of the year, just start with one company - again, I recommend Commission Junction because it has so many companies you can link and try.
I make about $30 per Quarter with my affiliate links. It's pretty small beans I know, but once your links are set, showing the right company or products in the right spot, you can just leave it alone. When your account gets to the dollar amount you've set, they automatically send you a check. The amount you make is directly related to the amount of your website traffic. Put links on the busiest pages of your site whenever possible.
So if you want to get started, here are the steps and tips:
Affiliate marketing is basically placing links to companies or to specific products offered by companies. When your site visitors click on the link and make a purchase, you make a percentage of the sale. That's how it works! You don't have to do anything else except lead the customer to the sale. You get paid for the lead or sale you generate.
There are many websites that offer affiliate marketing - essentially they are affiliate marketing networks where the advertisers pay to have their affiliate marketing advertised and managed.
You as a person putting the links on your site or blog, are referred to as a 'publisher.' As a publisher, you should never pay to be an affiliate. I want to stress again, that you do not pay to be an affiliate.
There are several places you can sign up to be a free affiliate publisher. My favorite is Commission Junction, because it has many major retailers, and I am able to find advertisers and product links that work well with certain pages of my website or blog topics. Once you sign up, look through the advertisers by category to find good matches for your website. Look for companies whose product line is something you think your site visitors would enjoy. I think that is a key of affiliate marketing, if you gear everything toward your site's visitors and not your own needs, you will do well.
Linked products or companies should be associated with what you do a little bit - for example, if you sell handcrafted candle holders but you don't make candles, you can link a company that sells candles, or better yet, show picture links of candles or make an entire 'store' page of candles. It ties in. It is hard not to be tempted by advertising an i-pod, because that's an expensive product, but that wouldn't do very well on a page of candleholders...see what I mean?
I also have an affiliate account with ShareASale.com but I haven't done very well with that one. They do tend to have quite a few smaller companies with unique items.
Amazon.com also has an affiliate program but they call it being an "Associate."
To sign up on Amazon.com's affiliate program, click HERE
The nice thing about Amazon's program is that you can easily modify the links to coordinate in with your website's colors. You can link to any Amazon product. More and more attractive affiliate link options are being added all the time.
How much can you make doing this? It starts out pretty small and depressing, I'll be honest with you. This is something to begin working on when you have some quiet downtime in your business. If you've never done it before, I wouldn't recommend trying to start it in your busiest time of the year. Start at your quiet time of the year, just start with one company - again, I recommend Commission Junction because it has so many companies you can link and try.
I make about $30 per Quarter with my affiliate links. It's pretty small beans I know, but once your links are set, showing the right company or products in the right spot, you can just leave it alone. When your account gets to the dollar amount you've set, they automatically send you a check. The amount you make is directly related to the amount of your website traffic. Put links on the busiest pages of your site whenever possible.
So if you want to get started, here are the steps and tips:
- Sign up
- Browse companies and products and think about where they would fit well on your site or blog
- Apply to programs
- Set up 'Channels' - this is setting up identifiers for your pages so statistics of the site will tell you where your hits are coming from.
- Add the links. If they don't have a link you can use effectively (need a different size, etc), don't be afraid to email the company affiliate manager and ask for help. They are there to help the affiliate program be successful so they love to hear from you. Remember there are real people behind each program!
- Return to the affiliate website to check statistics of hits. If you don't have hits from a certain page or location on your blog, perhaps you will want to move it to a different page or location, or remove the link altogether and replace with something that will be more active.
- Remove any inactive links (advertisers who have left the program... you might still have their link on your page, but purchases won't earn anything for you because the advertiser has closed their affiliate account) So you don't want those left on your site...your space is money.
- Think seasonally, what products could you link for different times of the year?
- Don't let your website become a horrendous pile-up of affiliate links. It looks tacky, makes it look like you aren't serious about your main business. Allow a maximum of one banner link per page of your site. (I mostly have mine in my links pages of my site and only occasionally put a banner on my main page).
- Links should complement the colors of your website, not exactly match it. For instance, if your website background is dark green, then links with background colors would do well if they were light green because that coordinates but will still stand out. Don't put orange links on dark green background just because they will stand out. You wan the links to stand out, but not be too overbearing. Set it up so they blend but are still noticeable enough that people will click. Here is an example from my site: LINK
When I first started networking...
I was a jerk.
Mainly this was because I didn't really know what networking was.
Step into my time machine and check out how I was a jerk.
I was invited to an online 'virtual' networking event that was being done by an online group as a membership drive. The idea was to use the Yahoo Group to let people come in and post their ads and talk to each other over a 24 hour period.
I just didn't get the idea yet that networking is about giving, not just getting.
During the event, I tried to get into the group about every half hour to an hour, and I'd just blast my ad. To me, it was all about free advertising, and getting my business in their face.
Looking back, I know I had to be totally obnoxious, yet the ladies in the networking group were nice and gave me some kind comments on my art.
Now I know that the most successful networkers help other people. Now I know the idea is to help other people be successful. We all know that when someone has helped us, we always remember them! That's the key to business networking. Really the key to all business. If you help other people get what they want, you will get what you want. Now I try to be a giver, not a taker.
I'm not ashamed of how I behaved, because I didn't have any ill intentions,
I just didn't know any better. It was a learning experience.
Mainly this was because I didn't really know what networking was.
Step into my time machine and check out how I was a jerk.
I was invited to an online 'virtual' networking event that was being done by an online group as a membership drive. The idea was to use the Yahoo Group to let people come in and post their ads and talk to each other over a 24 hour period.
I just didn't get the idea yet that networking is about giving, not just getting.
During the event, I tried to get into the group about every half hour to an hour, and I'd just blast my ad. To me, it was all about free advertising, and getting my business in their face.
Looking back, I know I had to be totally obnoxious, yet the ladies in the networking group were nice and gave me some kind comments on my art.
Now I know that the most successful networkers help other people. Now I know the idea is to help other people be successful. We all know that when someone has helped us, we always remember them! That's the key to business networking. Really the key to all business. If you help other people get what they want, you will get what you want. Now I try to be a giver, not a taker.
I'm not ashamed of how I behaved, because I didn't have any ill intentions,
I just didn't know any better. It was a learning experience.
Technology: Efficiency tool or shortcut to insanity?
Atlanta Women Business Owners...
Join Lisa EarleMcLeod (Snellville GA Author) at the Buckhead BEST BUY
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007
11:30 Am to 2 :00 PM
Lisa will present “Technology: Efficiency tool or shortcut to insanity?”
"An exclusive event for Atlanta's female business owners: Join us for a complimentary lunch and hear special guest speaker humorist Lisa McLeod author of "Finding Grace When You Can't Even Find Clean Underwear" discuss why the elusive goal of balance is making us nuts.
Also joining us will be some of your favorite vendors demonstrating how to use the latest technology in your business and your life. Friends and guests welcome sponsored by Best Buy and Apple Computer."
The event is free and lunch is provided
Sponsored by Best Buy and Apple Computer
More details:
http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/lisa@forgetperfect.com/bestbuy
Join Lisa EarleMcLeod (Snellville GA Author) at the Buckhead BEST BUY
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007
11:30 Am to 2 :00 PM
Lisa will present “Technology: Efficiency tool or shortcut to insanity?”
"An exclusive event for Atlanta's female business owners: Join us for a complimentary lunch and hear special guest speaker humorist Lisa McLeod author of "Finding Grace When You Can't Even Find Clean Underwear" discuss why the elusive goal of balance is making us nuts.
Also joining us will be some of your favorite vendors demonstrating how to use the latest technology in your business and your life. Friends and guests welcome sponsored by Best Buy and Apple Computer."
The event is free and lunch is provided
Sponsored by Best Buy and Apple Computer
More details:
http://www.evite.com/app
Looking for Tupperware Products? Look to WomenOfGwinnett.com Members
Here in Georgia it's very humid, so I love my Tupperware for keeping food fresh and crispy.
In the Atlanta area, we tend to have sugar ants come out in droves this time of year. One year, we had to throw away a lot of expensive cereals and snacks because of the ants.
Ever since I bought enough Tupperware Modular Mates to contain everything in our pantry, we've had no trouble with the ants, because they can't get their grubby little mandibles on anything at our house!
If you have children, you can't beat the safety of having plastic drinkware on hand. I can't tell you how many times we have averted having a child's foot cut from broken glass because we've had Tupperware. When a kid drops a cup, it's no big deal when it's a high quality plastic-ware Tupperware tumbler.
Yes, there are a lot of plastic cups, bowls, and storage containers on the market, but I've noticed that they tend to warp and have quite a few problems just within a year or so. The last time I checked, Tupperware products are guaranteed for 50 years. My Tupperware is going to last longer than I will!
We have two members who sell Tupperware. (their names are clickable links)
Angela Davies, Tupperware Representative and
Allison Newton, Tupperware Representative
In the Atlanta area, we tend to have sugar ants come out in droves this time of year. One year, we had to throw away a lot of expensive cereals and snacks because of the ants.
Ever since I bought enough Tupperware Modular Mates to contain everything in our pantry, we've had no trouble with the ants, because they can't get their grubby little mandibles on anything at our house!
If you have children, you can't beat the safety of having plastic drinkware on hand. I can't tell you how many times we have averted having a child's foot cut from broken glass because we've had Tupperware. When a kid drops a cup, it's no big deal when it's a high quality plastic-ware Tupperware tumbler.
Yes, there are a lot of plastic cups, bowls, and storage containers on the market, but I've noticed that they tend to warp and have quite a few problems just within a year or so. The last time I checked, Tupperware products are guaranteed for 50 years. My Tupperware is going to last longer than I will!
We have two members who sell Tupperware. (their names are clickable links)
Angela Davies, Tupperware Representative and
Allison Newton, Tupperware Representative
Business-After-Hours Extravaganza Networking Event
The Snellville Downtown Development Authority, the Snellville Commerce Club, and the Greater Grayson Chamber of Commerce will present their Business-After-Hours Extravaganza on Thursday October 25, 2007 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The event will be held at the Summit Chase Country Club, located at 3197 Classic Drive, Snellville GA 30078. Summit Chase Country Club's phone number is 770-979-9000.
This will be a complimentary networking event.
No RSVP is required.
You are invited to bring a guest or even two guests!
There will be business exhibits, door prizes, and more.
Thanks to Impact Media & Pulications/Tri-City Times & Scene Around for this information.
This will be a complimentary networking event.
No RSVP is required.
You are invited to bring a guest or even two guests!
There will be business exhibits, door prizes, and more.
Thanks to Impact Media & Pulications/Tri-City Times & Scene Around for this information.
Is it a blog or a website?
In an effort to keep websites current and blogs active, many webmasters are opting to create combination websites/blogs. After all, the purpose of the blog is to promote the website, so it is a natural evolution for a website and blog to be combined.
Blogger makes this combination easy. If you sign into the blogger dashboard of your new or existing blog, you can choose the template option. For the heading, you can upload a banner in place of the title bar if you choose. Under that, you can add text boxes that you would normally have on a website. You can add link sections to take to your web store, or to contact information. You can add anything you please.
Personally, I like for the page to look like a normal website at first glance. (with the exception of the blogger bar at the top). At the very bottom of the screen, I like for the title of the first post to peek out, giving the viewer a hint of something more below. As I add new posts, that headline will show and change and the updates to my blog will keep my website active and keep it at the top of the Google rankings.
Components of a blog/website are business and contact information, a sales component, and a sales pitch or information (for informational websites)
Examples of blog/websites
http://www.ahermitt.com/
http://womenofgwinnett.blogspot.com/
http://www.freehomeed.com/
http://printpattern.blogspot.com/
http://www.loosetooth.com/Shop/shop.php3
Blogger makes this combination easy. If you sign into the blogger dashboard of your new or existing blog, you can choose the template option. For the heading, you can upload a banner in place of the title bar if you choose. Under that, you can add text boxes that you would normally have on a website. You can add link sections to take to your web store, or to contact information. You can add anything you please.
Personally, I like for the page to look like a normal website at first glance. (with the exception of the blogger bar at the top). At the very bottom of the screen, I like for the title of the first post to peek out, giving the viewer a hint of something more below. As I add new posts, that headline will show and change and the updates to my blog will keep my website active and keep it at the top of the Google rankings.
Components of a blog/website are business and contact information, a sales component, and a sales pitch or information (for informational websites)
Examples of blog/websites
http://www.ahermitt.com/
http://womenofgwinnett.blogspot.com/
http://www.freehomeed.com/
http://printpattern.blogspot.com/
http://www.loosetooth.com/Shop/shop.php3
http://crystalcreates.blogspot.com/ is leaning toward a good combination of the two
With Today's blog templates there is no limit to what you can create.
Read more about blogging for business below:
More on blogging
Andrea wrote yesterday about blogging. I wanted to add my proverbial two cents in, as you all know I tend to do!
When I first considered blogging, I had no idea why anyone would want to read what I had to say. I still kind of wonder why they want to read what I write, but that's their business! :)
A lady who was in our networking group told me that what was holding me back was the fear of not being good enough, and to just forget about that fear and start writing. So I did. I thought I would blog about 4 days and then I'd run out of content, but now it's been over 4 years.
I still draw a blank sometimes, and that's okay.
I have had people visit my website through the links on my blog. In between the personal touch of the blog and my website, I think it takes away the intimidation people feel when they want to contact any business through their site. I do pencil portraits and I feel portraiture is a very personal kind of 'product,' so anything that helps people feel my personality and feel comfortable emailing or calling me is a good thing.
If you are considering starting a business blog, the best advice I can give you is to remember that the blog is like a conversation. It's a two-way street. Make sure your blog is set up so people can comment. You can usually set up the blog so you can approve the comments before they are posted to protect against spam and general meanies. Imagine you are visiting with them and just chatting. Use your 'real' voice. Don't use words like 'enable,' 'utilize,' 'paradigm,' etc if that isn't the way you really speak. Don't call me either, if you do speak that way. I will not be able to understand you. Use small, simple words, and enunciate clearly. Remember, I am an artist.
My blog can be found here: LINK
When I first considered blogging, I had no idea why anyone would want to read what I had to say. I still kind of wonder why they want to read what I write, but that's their business! :)
A lady who was in our networking group told me that what was holding me back was the fear of not being good enough, and to just forget about that fear and start writing. So I did. I thought I would blog about 4 days and then I'd run out of content, but now it's been over 4 years.
I still draw a blank sometimes, and that's okay.
I have had people visit my website through the links on my blog. In between the personal touch of the blog and my website, I think it takes away the intimidation people feel when they want to contact any business through their site. I do pencil portraits and I feel portraiture is a very personal kind of 'product,' so anything that helps people feel my personality and feel comfortable emailing or calling me is a good thing.
If you are considering starting a business blog, the best advice I can give you is to remember that the blog is like a conversation. It's a two-way street. Make sure your blog is set up so people can comment. You can usually set up the blog so you can approve the comments before they are posted to protect against spam and general meanies. Imagine you are visiting with them and just chatting. Use your 'real' voice. Don't use words like 'enable,' 'utilize,' 'paradigm,' etc if that isn't the way you really speak. Don't call me either, if you do speak that way. I will not be able to understand you. Use small, simple words, and enunciate clearly. Remember, I am an artist.
My blog can be found here: LINK
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