Yesterday, my husband and I hosted a party to celebrate our daughter’s eighth birthday. One of her favorite gifts was a Webkinz toy given to her by a neighbor. I had heard of Webkinz before, but since I’m the type of mom who likes to wait until my kids are as old as possible before introducing them to toys made my companies that blur the line between online games and advertisements, she had never had a Webkinz before.

After helping her long onto the site, I observed carefully as she set up her account. She clicked a few icons and quickly clicked on “Help,” where she discovered that, not only could she play games, but she could play games with other people.

While she could compete against herself in the games, from that moment on, her only mission was to find out how she could use Webkinz to meet other people.

As a mother, I was excited to see her learn that she could use the Internet to cultivate and maintain relationships. As a small business owner, I was excited to see in real, practical terms how important it is that our websites not only sell our products, but also encourage relationships.

As a small business owner, you must maintain websites that make it fun and easy for your guests to connect with other people. If that doesn’t happen, they won’t stay around for long. And you know what that means.

Question: What have you learned from watching people use online technologies? What adjustments are you making to your website(s) to capture their attention?

In 1996, when I became a mom for the second time, my dream of working from home truly began to manifest. As I would cradle and snuggle with my new little bundle, I envisioned those amazing moments of bonding, lasting forever. I knew that going back to work was no longer an option for me. I enjoyed the lazy afternoons of holding my son close and studying his facial features. I loved his newborn baby scent and the routines we had already established. For me, being a mom was a dream come true!

Growing up I had always been a dreamer and I just knew one day I would have my own business and work from home. Giving birth to my second child nurtured my dream into existence along with my vision. I had found my purpose and knew I was now able to make my dream a reality. I was ready to start living my vision.

In order for me to make it happen, the next step was for me to share my vision with the right people. I knew the right support would be imperative to my success and I was serious about being successful. It can be frustrating at times when we have these immeasurable dreams that we are so passionate about and can’t wait to share with those we love just to have that dream shot down by those loved ones who don’t share our same vision and lack our understanding. Do you have a positive support system and a team of personal cheer leaders in your corner?

If you are ready to live your vision and work from home, now is the time! It must first start with your dream and the vision you have for your life. Most importantly, you must believe in yourself and not allow negative thinking, people or circumstance to stop you from fulfilling your dreams! You can and deserve to live a life of overflowing abundance. You have the ability to achieve success and be empowered! Be inspired and make your dreams come true.

Thoughts to ponder:

What is your passion?

Do you have a dream and a vision?

Have you written your goals down on paper?

What steps are you taking to make your dreams a reality?

Have you established your support system for encouragement?

I wanted to share with each of you My Granddaughter Tamasia Garrett. She has a beautiful and powerful voice. Enjoy

1. It’s all in the title.

The title of your press release should be short, meaningful and descriptive. The title is the determining factor of whether or not people will ever bother to read further. Consider using a subtitle to summarize the content.

2. Make sure the information is newsworthy.

You are wasting your time and money sending out information that people wont care about. Ask yourself –“would I read this?”

2. Speak to your audience.

If your sending a press release out to the Black media, you must make it obvious how your information relates to the African Americans.

4. Don’t be too fancy.

Avoid the excessive use of adjectives and fancy language. Don’t bold or underline words within your body. This is unprofessional. The content alone should sell its self.

5. Include all forms of contact info.

Include your email address and 1-2 phone numbers. If someone is trying to reach you for an urgent story, you want to be easily reached. Also, include your web site address so they can research more about what you do.

6. Use BlackPR.com for distribution.

When your press release is final, use BlackPR.com to distribute it to all the Black newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations. They only charge $150 bucks to do this. Also, consider using PRweb.com to increase search engine visibility.

7.Send press releases regularly.

A well- written press release can easily get you radio interviews and other media coverage. This, in turn, drives traffic to your web site, and more sales to your bottom line. The key is to be consistent. Send out press releases on a monthly basis, and consider writing weekly or bi-weekly columns to distribute as well.

When I created my first blog a little over a year ago, I spent a lot of time to make it look appealing. I included a few posts on a variety of subjects, video, photos, links and a few other trendy widgets and ads. I was so proud of my accomplishments and just knew my creative genius would pay off. I could hardly wait for the equally excited stampede of visitors that would soon follow.

But that herd of traffic never came. Sure, I got an occasional visit here and there. But what happen to the masses that I had predicted? After a short time, I sat back and reanalyzed my lonely blog situation. I finally came to realize what had gone wrong. I had gotten hooked on the idea that having a blog meant making money. I had become infatuated with the idea of having a blog instead of having the passion to share my blog. I knew it was time to lay my blog to rest and invest some time into learning how to create a blog people would really want to read.

Here are some of the things I have discovered along my blogging journey:

Decide who your audience will be. What is it that you are passionate about and want to share with others? Is is cooking? Then your audience will be individuals who love to cook (or eat)! Yes, we all want to make money with our blogs but that can not be your motive. If you learn how to blog with a purpose and have a desire to share your knowledge with your readers, the money will soon follow. Once you have dertermined your audience, you can then begin to implement some targeted marketing.

Create content with substance. Your readers will want to follow your blog for a few reasons, the main one being your content. They want to read valuable information that will help them learn something new or entertain them. Your cooking blog should be richly filled with topics such as; cooking tips, reciepes, food reviews and even pictures of your favorite freshely cooked dish! The quality of your content will not only help your blog stand out, but it will also allow your readers to relate to you and trust your expertise.

Define your niche. This is where it can get a little tricky, especially if you are new to blogging and online marketing. If you are a mom who blogs about cooking, you may want to define your niche market to moms who love to cook. In order for your blog to attract your specific audience, you need to learn how to find your niche. A great way to start is to find a few social networking sites online that cater to your market. Social networking sites are great tools to help you and your blog gain exposure as well as help increase targeted traffic to your site.

These are a few ways that will help you create and increase traffic to your blog. The important thing to remember is to be consistent in your efforts. It takes time to build a following but can be easier when you understand the benefits of applying targeted marketing strategies. When you enjoy what you do, your work seems effortless and you will reap the rewards. Happy blogging!

Last month, Mike Soltys, a media relations vice president at ESPN, announced the termination of ESPN sports personality Steve Phillips. As you may know, Mr. Phillips has been embroiled in a nasty sex scandal. I don’t watch ESPN, but I’m quite sure that ESPN must have announced this action on the air at some point. Maybe even held a press conference and issued a press release or two.

But the fact that it was announced on Twitter in exactly 134 characters, including punctuation and spaces, is astounding evidence of Twitter’s ability to serve as a media outlet unto itself, even in the eyes of a media professional and the multi-million dollar media outlet that employs him.

While ESPN may have hosted a press conference, may have issued a press release, and may be getting traditional media coverage, the company still made a point to announce the news on Twitter.

Does that tell you anything about the power you have as a small and independent business owner with a Twitter page?

Question: What does ESPN have that you don’t have? I challenge you to name one thing that makes a difference.

As seasons begin to change, so does our skin. It may be necessary to modify your skin care regimen to help keep your skin balanced and radiant. If you are suffering from common skin care problems like mild acne, dryness or dull looking skin, read on to discover simple solutions for flawless skin.

5 essential steps necessary to having healthy beautiful skin:

1. Cleanse. Simple enough, right? Do you wash your face twice a day every day to help remove makeup and impurities? Most of us wash our face in the morning but sometimes skip the PM care. During the day you come into contact with many environmental elements that can affect the quality of your skin. At night while you sleep, your face comes into contact with the dead skin cells that have shed onto your pillow case which can cause breakouts. Washing twice a day is a must for clear skin.

2. Exfoliate. Tired of having dull lifeless looking skin? Exfoliating will provide a deeper cleaning and remove the dead surface cells that cause dull skin. You can add it to your skin care regimen one to two times per week. Tip – Don’t over do it. To much exfoliating can actually cause damage or irritation to your skin.

3. Freshen. As you age, the skin starts to loose its firmness. A freshener will help refine enlarged pores and tone your skin giving you a more youthful appearance.

4. Moisturize. Moisturizing your skin is very important. When your skin is not properly moisturized it causes a breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers which help keep the skin firm. Proper moisturizer use will also help keep your skin soft and smooth. Tip – Even if you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize. Use a moisturizer formulated for your oily skin.

5. Foundation. Contrary to popular belief, foundation does not clog your pores. Foundation is your skins protection from the everyday environment. There are a variety of different types of foundation for you to choose from. From liquid foundations to sheer pressed and mineral powders, you can have little to no visible coverage yet still be protecting.

Another important tip for healthy skin is something that many don’t realize. To prevent skin irritations and breakouts you should always use the same product line from start to finish. Each line of products is scientifically formulated to work together. When you use Brand A cleanser and follow with Brand B moisturizer, you risk the possibility of interacting ingredients that should not be used together. Applying the wrong combination of ingredients to your skin can cause serious damage.

Follow these simple steps and you will begin to see a clearer complexion!

Recommended Products:
TimeWise Miracle Set – Maintain younger-looking skin
Microdermabrasion – Fight fine lines and refine pores

As I have the opportunity to interact with a lot of women, one consistent theme seems to always come up in the conversations. I’ve met women who are gifted and beautiful and talented and feel they have a higher purpose or call, but they have not moved out on that calling. They are stuck in dead-end relationships, dead-end jobs and dead-end situations, but are clueless as to how to get from where they are to where they think they should be.

Here are my thoughts: You will NEVER be comfortable or satisfied until you go HARD after your purpose. Yeah, you may have a pretty cool job, but you may feel that it stifles your creativity. Yeah, you may have a pretty cool marriage, but feel that your relationship could go up a few notches. Yeah, you may have the “appearances” of a good life, but you have this internal struggle that’s telling you there is more. I call that internal conflict a Sleeping Giant and that Sleeping Giant in you is begging to be let out. She wants to help you take the world by storm, but you keep her locked away in a nice, neat compartment where she’s safe.

Maybe you’re afraid of what others might think, or maybe you’re concerned that you don’t have the training or the finances to carry out your venture. One thing I know for sure is that, although you may have some perceived shortcomings, sitting on your gift & not sharing it is far worse than launching out & trying it. Sure you will have some missteps & make some mistakes. Sure you will have your own personal ‘Hater Board’ that will criticize and judge everything you’re attempting to do. But, so what? Do you want to continue to live a life of mediocrity, discontent, and unfulfillment? Or do you want to live an extraordinary life filled with fulfillment, grace & peace? You decide. All I can tell you is that the world is waiting for the manifestation of your gift.

Okay, so nap time is over! Go on and wake that Sleeping Giant up. We’re waiting on you…

This is a momentous time in American history for small and independent business owners. That may seem like an overstatement to some, but it’s not. We are in the midst of en economic transition that is creating new opportunities for tiny businesses nationwide. There are many reasons for this transition, and one of them is the continuing decline of newspaper circulation in this country. Look at the graph, reprinted with the permission of Choire Sicha of The Awl, then scroll underneath it to learn 3 reasons why this is good for you and your small business.

You may not have time to study the chart in detail, but one glance reveals that circulation trends are decidedly downward. Even the Wall Street Journal, which the graphic shows “gets it” experienced a positive increase followed by a downward trend. Here are 3 reasons why these trends, which are such devastating news for traditional media, are awesome news for you.

1. Less Readers For Them Means More Readers For You. As your customers turn their attention away from print newspapers to the Internet, an opportunity opens up for you to gain their attention in ways that were not possible just a few years ago. In years past, huge editorial staffs, big budgets and massive printing equipment were required in order to publish and circulate information. Today, all you need is a blog and the commitment to use it in a focused and consistent manner.When your business is focused, and your blog complements that focus, you can engage your customers and facilitate interesting conversations about the things that matter to them. That’s what newspapers, did and still do. The difference now is a more level playing field, which allows you to compete effectively for the attention of specific types of people.
2. More Content At Lower Costs. I don’t care how good your products or services are, the content you produce to share them must be even better. So many people have great and wonderful products. What sets you apart from them? Maybe a lot of things, but you have to roll up your sleeves and tell people about it. If you don’t, you’ll drown in a sea of great products.The exciting news is that the cost to create content these days is infinitesimally small. Just a few years ago, you needed an expensive download, a fancy video camera and a bunch of headphones and plugs from Radio Shack in order to create your own media. Today, the downloads are free or very low cost and most computers come with so many things built in, that an electrical outlets is just about the only external source you need to get started on publishing your own quality content!

   When a person finds a consistent, reliable, transparent and honest source for news and information about things that are important to her, she will return over and over again to benefit from that information.

   Not only that, if you make it easy for her to do so, she’ll tell her friends. If you are the trusted source, and if you remain present to encourage participation and create benefits for your readers, they will support you as you support them. It’s a good thing as Martha (who is a master at all of this) would say!

3. Confidence, Growth and Expansion. You may have started your business thinking that you wanted to manufacture a single type of product or offer a single type of service. But as Marc Warnke, my guest on Indie Business Radio said last week, these days, every business must be planned to supply you with not only income, but also a desirable personal life. In most instances, Marc says, that means creating more than one source of income for yourself.So while you may start out making and selling mineral makeup or handmade jewelry, that platform must be somehow used to create another one that logically flows from it.

   In this way, the first phase of your business provides the platform for a logical progression to the second phase. Steady publication of your own branded, unique media builds upon each successive level of your platform. Producing your media builds your platforms, increases your confidence and provides options for you and your family.

   These options cannot be fully anticipated in advance. They flow organically from the media you create. And today, there is not shortage of opportunities to create media, and this translates into more opportunities for you.

Indeed, this is an exciting time, but the window of opportunity will not last forever. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves now and get in on the ground floor creating our own branded media outlets that will form the platform for long-term business growth.

Question: Do you still subscribe to any print newspapers? Why or why not? If you’re a small business owner, do you see any interesting opportunities for you and your business as a result of the decline?

No matter how you choose to do business, if you have customers you will have disputes. It doesn’t matter how on top of things you are, or how attentive you are to your business, disputes are just unavoidable.

My earlier jobs, growing up, were always in customer service – retail, restaurant, AAA Emergency Road Service, tele-services, etc and they all teach you the same thing, “The customer is always right!” I, personally never agreed with this philosophy. I believe that the customer is often wrong and should be told so, but with a smile! I also believe that not all customers are worth keeping happy. It has been my experience that there are many people out there to scam you, the business, out of profits. For instance, I worked in a buffet restaurant and watched a man complain that he found a huge bolt screw in his Spanish Rice. Of course he didn’t notice it until he was actually eating off of his plate (that he made himself). If you would have seen this screw, you would know that there is no way that he missed picking it up with the spoon. In addition, the screw was clean, hardly any food on it. Now if you don’t know what Spanish Rice is, this dish was rice with a tomato sauce, spices, and cheeses, There is no way that the screw could have been swimming so deep in the dish that he didn’t notice it when he fixed his plate and it would have weighed heavily on his fork and probably fell off due to it’s size, so he couldn’t have pulled it out of his mouth. What I’m trying to say here is that there is no way that the screw was actually in the food. Long story short, the guy walked out with his meal for the evening compliments of the restaurant and vouchers to come back for more free meals. Never mind the fact that he kept eating from the same plate and continued with his meal (most disgusted diners would lose their appetite and wouldn’t be interested in free meal vouchers because they wouldn’t want to eat there ever again). This is why that old philosophy doesn’t work for me. They literally invited a scammer to come back to the restaurant and eat more for free just to keep him happy enough to come back and do it all over again. I don’t need those kinds of customers, do you? I would have comp’d his meal, then had him fill out a complaint form (so that I could capture his name and information in case he tried it again) and sent him on his way. He wouldn’t have gotten an invite to come back.

I’ve told this story because it teaches some valuable lessons:

1. Don’t Take It Personal. This is one of the most important rules of business. There will be a lot of things that will not be fair, or will work against you, or will infuriate you. You cannot, I repeat, cannot, take things personally. Some customers will make honest mistakes, others will make careless mistakes, and more will have buyers remorse and do whatever there is to be done to get you to give them their money back. I have had customers threaten to report my company to all kinds of bureaus and agencies over $13. A lot of these disgruntled customers think that $13 should be a drop in the bucket to your business and you should just give it back and be done with the complaint. It’s petty and it makes you angry, because if they think it’s a drop in a bucket, then why are they so adamant about getting it back? Truth is, they believe it is owed to them, but you have rules (terms and conditions) and you should enforce them, with a smile!
2. Trust No Customer. Some new business owners will believe everything a customer tells them and will do whatever it takes to keep the customer happy, even as far as giving them free product/service, so that they come back. Most times this approach works for something that is or could have been your fault. However, when the problem is the customer’s error, lack of attention to detail, or failure to read the terms and conditions of sale, not taking this approach will save your company money. Those customers that know that they made a mistake will say and do anything to correct it (get their money back), including lie. They don’t care if you are a small or large business. They assume that if you are in business, you will take the loss just to make them happy. The laws of business are almost always in the customer’s favor so you have to have good bookkeeping and make sure you give the customer every opportunity to read and understand what they are signing up for. As long as your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed, you will prevail 99% of the time. The other 1% accounts for the risks you take in doing business in general.
3. Kill Them With Kindness. You can send away a happy customer even when you don’t give them everything for free! When it’s your business’ fault, be apologetic, and give the customer something for their frustration, or not. Depending on how inconvenienced the customer is, a simple “I’m sorry for your trouble, thank you for being patient with us!” is enough. Other times a discount or full refund is in order. When it is the customer’s fault, with a warm voice and a smile, remind them of terms & conditions that were presented ( and where they were presented) to them before they made their purchase. Most customers will be good with that. Still, there are some that think the squeaky wheel gets the oil so they will be persistent. Depending on your/their mood, you can go out of your way to give them some sort of leniency. Regardless of how you handle the problem, don’t take it personal, it’s business and these things happen. Even if you are on the phone, take a deep breath, put a smile on your face, and give them your happy voice. The nicer you are to mean people, the worse those mean people feel when everything is all over.
4. Keep Records! I put an exclamation on this because if you have a small business, most likely you are handling the customers personally. Even if you aren’t, have a process that your employees follow for complaints that result in loss. Trust no customer. That nice old lady with the lost package that UPS says was left at the door this month, may also be the nice old lady who claims that her product arrived damaged next month, and then be the nice old lady with a lost package again 6 months after that. She just got a 2-for-1 special from you 3 times and you never ran a single sale. Track these complaints and monitor them. You want to know when you are being scammed.

Keep in mind that I’m not suggesting that you treat every customer like a thief, but use your instinct and trust your better judgement. You can be nice to everyone, but you can’t make everyone happy. You also can’t bankrupt your business because your customers failed to read the fine print. If you have terms and conditions of sale, make them visible and enforce them. It doesn’t hurt to force the customer to agree to them before making their purchase either. There is something about saying “Per the terms and conditions that you agreed to upon purchase…” that tends to make it much easier to not give the customer what they are unreasonably asking for.

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