To piggyback on Bonnie’s fantastic post about “Is This Your Year?”, I wanted to share a couple of things with you.

First and foremost, I’m offering a SWEET deal until January 5th (that’s Monday).

One of the services I offer is a Website Review. You can see more of what that means here:

http://www.carrielauth.com/hire-carrie.htm

It can be extremely valuable to have another pair of eyes looking at your site. If you’re determined to make 2009 stand out in your mind as the year you earned a full time living from your website, this would be a wise investment.

It includes an hour long coaching/strategy session with me, an audio I record with tips on how you can improve your website for more sales and traffic, and ongoing email support for an entire week!

Check it out again here:

http://www.carrielauth.com/hire-carrie.htm

Until the 5th only, I’m offering this service (normally $100) for only $75. Email me at clauth@gmail.com and we’ll set up a time and I’ll give you further instructions.

This month only you’ll also have access to a special report (normally sold for $13.97) all about building incoming links to your site - links are what make your site important in the eyes of Google so this one is not to be missed!

Secondly, after sharing a mistake I made last year that cost me dearly in the last couple of months, I explained how I’m turning the situation around. Perhaps this will help you if you have had a similar experience.

http://carrielauth.com/blog/how-to-resurrect-a-dead-site

MAKE it a Great Year!

More than ever, women are choosing to start their own online businesses. This is especially true right now during the tough economic times we’re living in. Do you have the recommended 6 months’ living expenses tucked away in savings in preparation for lay offs, rightsizing, downsizing, outsourcing and whatever else they’re calling it these days?

Statistics show many of us do not. This is all the more reason for women to look for ways to make money online before the disaster strikes. If you already are in business, make this the year you market it using the internet.

Starting an online business has a number of advantages. These include:

* Start-up costs can be kept low. Starting an online business is usually within reach with small adjustments to the budget. Setting up a website means acquiring a domain name and hosting space - and with tools like Wordpress (the tool this blog is built on) available at no cost, you can literally be up and running for around $20. You will also want to invest in some education, such as through an online networking, education and mentoring group like Mom Masterminds. Learning the basics of how to market your website online are not difficult, but be careful where you get your information.

The Natural Mom Business Guide is one solid source of information on launching a website, specifically for anyone in the “natural living” niche. It includes an ebook with detailed information about researching your target market, the various ways to make money with a website, and how to get the traffic you need to earn income. It even has video and audio tutorials as well as printable “cheat sheets” you can keep by your computer to remind you of the essential steps you need to take in your business to build traffic and make more income.

* Doing business online doesn’t require one to keep certain hours. You can work early in the morning before your kids get up or before you go to a day job, or late at night when everyone is in bed. If you’re a mom, you can work while the kids are napping, with a babysitter or at school. And with the automation that the Internet has to offer, orders can be processed and virtual products delivered while you are doing other things.

* You can get some work done with family right by your side. Older children may even be able to help you with simple tasks. Did you know that the IRS allows you to deduct wages (up to a certain amount) paid to a child who is age seven or older to work in your home business from your taxes? I have even trained my oldest son to add articles to my websites. He earns a nice wage for doing so, far more than an allowance, and is providing a valuable service to me.

There are all sorts of online businesses that are great for women. You could sell your crafts or start a recipe website, or you could start a podcast. You might offer services such as writing, transcription, web design or virtual assistance to customers around the world. Or you could create and sell information products. Even blogging offers impressive money-making potential. The possibilities are many, and there’s sure to be something out there that’s just right for any mom.

Moms make up a large portion of the people who are making money online. This allows them to take a hands-on approach to raising their children while still making money to support the household. They don’t have to count on a sitter to take care of their children’s needs, and they don’t have to make a commute part of their daily routine. It’s no wonder that the number of moms starting online businesses is growing in leaps and bounds.

If you need some assistance choosing a niche, help with the technical aspects of getting your site up and running, or any other aspect of marketing yourself on the internet, get some coaching from an experienced online marketer.

Take the leap - you’ll be glad you did!

It is time for the Entrepreneurial World to wake up.

Entrepreneurship is something that was always considered to be for someone else. In a lot of ways it often still is. Many parents will tell their children that they should find a nice steady job, with good pay and great benefits. Well, guess what, the world has changed a lot from those days that you were able to join a company at 20 and leave them at 65.

Joining a company no longer offers the security that many people still look for. Ofcourse, we do need people that want to be employees, or we would never be able to build OUR businesses, but I seriously believe that we should stop telling the next generation that this well trodden path is the only one there is.

In fact - let’s look at the facts. Many people do go straight into working for a (big) company when they finish their education. So they make some nice money, they start spending it on a nice car, and when they are a few years older, they may think of buying their first home. Along comes Love - so now there’s two incomes and so let’s buy a bigger home - because we can all afford it right? And maybe, tiny family member number three is on the way so more space is needed.
Pause right there and take a long look at this picture and think about what could be wrong here. After all, both parents have had a few promotions in the company and are well on their career path, making more money with each step they take.

Except …. there is no freedom in having a big mortgage, or an expensive lifestyle. You are always dependent on someone paying you a big enough salary to cover it, and whilst you may be living in a nice house - it is actually paid for with someone else’s money. Next - a recession hits the world - like it is doing right now and those parents may loose their jobs or have to face longer hours/less pay - and the banks still want their money. And of course, with all the growing and promoting and career planning going on, they may not have saved as much as they originally set out.

This is what happens today. In our current lives - you will very likely have a number of periods between 20 and 65 where no-one is looking to employ you and give you the security you might think you’d gain by being employed. So this is a GREAT time to start thinking about all the things that you have to offer and dedicate those skills to building something much more secure than what any other company can give you: your own company!!

Running your own company is by no means any easier then working for someone else - in fact, it’ll prove much harder and you’ll definitely have times you wish you never had (mind you, I never looked back - it’s been the best thing I’ve done in my life!). But you are able if you do it well - to build up capital instead of debts, and to invest that capital in the one investment that you should always trust in - YOU! Added benefits are that you control your own pension, and of course - you are always in control of your own time and money.  Now is definitely the right time to start - despite the fact that the financial institutions may not lend you any money. There are enough people in your direct environment that are looking for a better place to invest their money then in the stock markets… and you may just be that which they feel they can trust.

If you are still not sure whether you have what it takes, take the great new test on efactor.com: the Entrepreneur’s Mind Challenge® (efactor.com/p/emchallenge) and find out exactly how good you would be as an Entrepreneur!

by Marion Freijsen

As a businesswoman, it’s very important to have a good support network.  You need fellow businesswomen to share experiences and tips with.  You need women who are in fields related to yours to ask questions.  The sense of community provided by a group of businesswomen can help see you through the tough times.

But finding a group in your area isn’t always practical.  Maybe there are networking groups that you could join (like the Joy of Connecting!), but they might meet at times that are not convenient for you.  Or if you’re not in a metropolitan area, there may not be any groups that are especially for women in your area.  That doesn’t mean that you’re left out in the cold, though.

There are plenty of online communities designed for businesswomen and female entrepreneurs.  These communities offer mentoring and learning as well as networking opportunities.  They give women a place to connect with like-minded women from their own homes and offices.

With all of the online communities for businesswomen out there, it can be tempting to join and participate in them all.  But by doing so, you limit your opportunity for meaningful connections.  Keeping up with so many different communities takes a lot of time, and there’s less possibility for reward.  By finding one or two good communities and sticking with them, you can better reap the benefits they have to offer.

Here are some tips for finding the right online business community for you.

* Keep your objectives in mind.  If you are looking for referrals, a group that consists completely of women in your field is probably not the best choice for you.  That doesn’t mean you can’t join for the opportunity to learn from others in your business, but if referrals are what you want, you may not want to limit yourself.

* Ask colleagues for recommendations.  Those who are experienced in online networking often know the best places to do so. My recommendation is Mom Masterminds, a group for serious minded female work at home professionals. I’ve been a member of this community for about 4 years now and my business has benefited tremendously as a result.

* Take the groups that interest you for a test drive.  Many communities offer a free trial, and some are always free to join.  So if you find one you like, join up and network with the members for a week or so.  This will give you a feel for how everything works and how supportive the other members are.  If you decide it’s not for you, move on and find something else.

Using this link, you can sign up for a free 7 day trial membership in Mom Masterminds to get a feel for it.

* Read the rules of the community carefully.  Most have restrictions on blatant advertising.  While it is rarely banned outright, there is often a designated time or place for it.  Disobeying these rules could get you booted, and at the very least it will turn off the other members.

Online networking is a great way to find business partners, learn more about how to market online, and generate referrals.  Communities designed specifically for women are valuable sources of business advice, and can result in lasting friendships.  Even if you have the opportunity to network locally, networking with fellow businesswomen online offers lots of rewards.

I don’t know about you, but once winter weather sets in, I have the urge to head to the Appalachians, sit around a campfire and sip cocoa with my family. It’s a bit harder for many of us to focus on business at this busy time of year.

What about you?

Here are a few ideas that will help you keep the momentum going in your business even while you play a little bit.

Blog When Nobody’s Home

Just because you are out playing doesn’t mean your blog has to shut down. You can schedule blog posts in advance. Write a bunch of them and have one a day published automatically.

Keep In Touch With Subscribers

Most newsletter management systems allow you to schedule broadcasts. If yours doesn’t, get a new one! I use Aweber and highly recommend it.

Load up your autoresponder with informative emails to keep selling your product for you. This also keeps your customers and subscribers from forgetting about your offerings.

Invest In Strategic Advertising

Many types of online advertising are free, but don’t overlook solid, strategic paid advertising opportunities. Putting a few dollars towards well thought out ads can bring you new business while you do other things. It’s a smart investment.

Get Others to Publish You

If you’re doing article marketing (and you are, aren’t you?!), why not have an article distribution service like iSnare send out several of your articles to thousands of publishers?

While you’re away from your computer, other people are adding your articles to their sites and getting you additional traffic, search engine rankings and expert status. It feels really nice to log into your email program and have dozens of emails saying: “We have published your article here...”

The same applies to press releases. Craft an informative release and send it out to media outlets that reach your target market.

One of the wonderful things about an Internet business is the ability to create passive income. If you set things up properly, you should be able to get away with playing a little and still earn money.

Now, enjoy that hot cocoa.

I hauled myself out of bed the other morning at 4AM in order to attend a Breakfast networking meeting that was entitled How Gratitude can bring an increase in your bottom line!  When I first got the invitation to this meeting, I thought Oh Boy!  This is right up my alley.  But after a long week at getting up early going to meetings and then attending more late night meetings also, not to mention suffering from a head cold and sinus infection going on 4 weeks now, when the alarm went off, I thought, OMG what was I thinking.  I got ready anyway because I had to pick up my team mate who had registered and paid for us to go.

It was very well worth the trip.  It was not your typical business meeting.  This is a new group focused on all the right aspects of business.  The very first exercise we did was to talk with those at our table and to tell what we were grateful for not in our business, but in our life.  That was different, but it is close to Thanksgiving, so I could understand.  But as the presentation went on, I began to see the true theme of the meeting and the organization.  It was very refreshing because it hit right on my core values and beliefs, that  of building relationships with people and trying to establish a helpful giving attitude will come back to you ten fold. 

I go to a lot of face to face networking meetings of all kinds and meet a lot of people.  My primary purpose, of course, like everyone else, it to find new business.  Along the way I meet a lot of people who are doing the same thing.  Now we all know we can’t all do business with each other, however we can try and help each other.  How you ask?  Listen and ask questions.  Find out about the person and their business, what makes them unique and different from others in their industry.  One of the questions that you can ask, which was presented in this meeting, “Why should I do business with you?”  Try that one sometimes and you’ll be surprised at the answers you get.  Also think about what you would say if someone asked you that question.  Now you still might not need their services at the moment, but you can use that information in a number of ways.

Here are five things you can do:

• ¨ Introduce that person to a good referral partner for them. Example: Introduce a Real Estate person to a mortgage broker.
• ¨ Suggest/invite them to other networking meetings, groups, organizations, etc. that they might attend. I have a ‘Networking Opportunities’ list posted on my website that I refer people to.
• ¨ If it’s someone you really want to establish a relationship with, make the effort to follow up with them. Send them a note or card. Call and set up a meeting for coffee with the intention of ‘How can we help each other’ or ‘I want to get to know you and understand your business better.’
• ¨ File their info, so you will have it when you hear someone needs that service. Establish yourself as a ‘Who do you know that does?”
• ¨ Refer that person whenever possible.

Here is an example of how gratitude helped my bottom line this week.  I help co-host a women’s monthly networking meeting.  We had a professional organizer who attended our meetings a few times.  She impressed me because besides just introducing herself and telling about her business, she would offer helpful tips on organizing.  We established some rapport and she started using my greeting card service for which I was grateful.   When someone asks if I know an organizer, I refer them to her.  One of the referrals was to my sister in law, who just raved the ideas and information she provided, and she would definitely be using her services.  I also asked her to be a speaker at an upcoming business meeting in January.  So even though I have not used her services personally, I know she’s very good and knowledgeable at what she does and she is very reliable.  

Here’s where the story gets interesting.  I recently acquired a new client for my greeting card business and when I talked with her and asked how she found out about me and my service, she said she had been a speaker at a recent meeting of which my friend the organizer had sent her a thank you card.  Do you turn cards over to see what brand it is?  My website was printed on the back of the card.  She liked the card so much, she set up her own account, tried it, liked it, and then upgraded.  Was I grateful?  You better believe it.  I not only sent a Thank You card, but a gift as well.

So, I believe, the point of all this is showing gratitude and appreciation and helping others can help to build your business because they in turn will do the same for us. 

I leave you with these quotes:

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”  ~William A. Ward

Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern

“Send Out to Give”  Kody Bateman

“What goes around, comes around”  - Proverb quote

Happy Thanksgiving

In gratitude,

Annette S. Walden

Are your Holiday Cards done yet?  Log on and find out how to create, personalize, and mail your cards with just a few mouse clicks.  Send them a REAL greeting card with my compliments @ www.CardsByPaintedLady.com or www.SendOutCards.com/12466

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http://www.paintedladyenterprises.com/

“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

When I wrote about blogging for business, I mentioned ten reasons why adding a blog to your marketing efforts was so wise, but I actually left something out.

This thing that I didn’t mention came up for me in a big way in the last few weeks. First, a reporter from MSNBC called to interview me. My spot appeared on national television that night.

Then just a couple of days ago, a reporter from ABC news called up to get my thoughts on another topic of the moment.

How did both of these reporters find me?

They did a Google search that let them to my blog.

You see, one of the things about blogging that’s so great is the fresh, relevant content. Search engines love this content, but people see it too, including the media.

I’ll admit that writing and submitting press releases is not my favorite thing in the world to do. Are you procrastinating about it too? Your blog can also help you generate free publicity.

When someone finds a blog post you’ve written, they know you’re interested and knowledgeable on the topic. You have an opinion.

Can you see how this can result in publicity and more exposure for your business?

It’s the holiday season I can already tell. It seems that this time of the year people’s nerves seem to be on edge. Or is the economy or a combination of both? Or is it that some individuals who are in business just don’t understand that being gracious in business dealings will help to build a lasting relationship with a client or potential client. And hopefully that lasting relationship will lead to future business and/or referrals.

Here are some of my recent musings that have prompted me to write this blog.

Sometimes people may not need your product or service when you initially talk with them. If you’re gracious during your interaction, they might remember you the next time someone says, “Do you know someone who sells XYZ?” Or they may even come back to you months later and say OK now the time is right and I want to buy your product or service.

Sometimes you may order something and when you received it, it just wasn’t what you expected. And if the person is gracious about letting you return it, you might be more apt to try and do business with them the next time you were looking for other products that they sell.

Sometimes people just don’t respond to your time table. People are busy. Life happens. People forget. Your priorities are not their priorities. I’ve always heard that sugar works better than vinegar or if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Sometimes a gentle nudge as a reminder works a whole lot better than sending a nasty gram/email. You never know what problems or issues they may be dealing with.

Sometimes having a cheerful, positive, and helpful attitude will promote you and your business far more than you know. I recently helped to put together a Holiday and Gift Bazaar. We did a lot of work promoting it, but we did not have the turn out that we had wanted. Most everyone was gracious and understanding and blamed it on the economy, etc. I was very impressed with one individual whose attitude and actions went far beyond my expectations. She even sent us a thank you note telling us how much she appreciated how professional everything was done and that she appreciated all our efforts. Now, she sells a product that I typically purchase from someone else, but because of her graciousness, the next time I am in need of this product, I will be ordering from her, referring her, and finding ways I can help her with her business.

And Sometimes I have been know to lose my cool as a consumer and pull out the ‘B’ card. I regret it when I do. Recently I had been trying to get an issue resolved. The person I was dealing with had done a wonderful job except for one little thing and she was a friend. She had to work through her company for a solution. I have to give her credit; she handled herself and me very graciously. She found and provided me with an acceptable resolution. I had been giving her glowing testimonials, but after that I am even more ingratiated to her. I recommend her every chance I get and I will do business with her again.

Here are some quotes to consider for doing business. I offer them for us to ponder this holiday season and throughout the year.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>If you help enough people get want they want, you’ll get what you want. Zig Zilar

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Givers Gain – Ivan Misner

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.  ~Henry Clay

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.  ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.  ~Author Unknown

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are.  ~Author Unknown

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  ~Mark Twain

<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>The fragrance always lingers in the hand that gives the flower

I hope the saying that ‘Nice guys (gals) finish last’ isn’t true. And even if it is, I would rather be remembered as being gracious in my business dealings.

In gratitude,

Annette S. Walden

Marketing Solutions Consultant

www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

“Helping you and your business look good!”

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