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Grab A Pen And Write This Down

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Always fun to share some great news.

I was recently interviewed on Heather Bestel’s blog, “Mum’s Got A Business”.  Some of my loyal readers have already stopped by and posted comments.  So, thank you!

If you’re interested in adding a genuinely good soul and one smart cookie of a marketer to your center of influence, look Heather up.

The quote I posted in my interview as one of my favorites was a big hit.

This one seemed to touch a sensitive and meaningful chord.

So grab a pen and write this down …

“Now that it’s all over, what did you really do yesterday that’s worth mentioning?” ~Coleman Cox

Did you do something to take care good care of yourself?  Did you add value to the lives of others?  Did you do anything yesterday you would deem “noteworthy”?

I’m going to ask you to post this quote somewhere you’ll be able to set your eyes on it every day.

And every “tomorrow”, look back on the day before and answer Coleman Cox’s question.

Although you won’t see me plastering my social media profiles with tons of quotes (or even use them very much in blog posts), I’m the quintessential quote junkie.  When Heather asked me to pick a favorite one, I had to think about it long and hard.

I’m famous for saying, “All the yesterdays are cancelled checks”. Feel free to quote me. In other words, we can’t go back and live them again, right?

BUT …

“Reflection” is a magnificent tool.

Looking back on your yesterdays will help you build and enrich your tomorrows — and maybe even help you appreciate your loved ones more, revel in a warm breeze across your face, take more time to pet your dog (who won’t be around forever), linger in the bath a little longer, and slow down the pace of this crazy thing we call life.

So, tell me …

Now that’s it’s all over, what did you really do yesterday that’s worth mentioning?

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Filed Under: Moms in Business Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Agony and Victory of Taglines

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Taglines are tough.

Just my personal observation — no case studies, analytics, or scientific data to back it up.

I believe crafting your elevator speech or developing your unique selling propostion is a hundred times easier than creating a tagline!

What Is A Tagline?

Consider it a “sub-title” to the name of your business.  It’s a few words, a phrase, or a sentence about what you have to offer your target audience.

Here are some examples:

Michelle Shaeffer’s tagline reads, “Simplifying Online Business Chaos: Websites, Blogging, Marketing & More”

Theresa Bradley-Banta’s says, “Empowering Entrepreneurs To Think And Act Like Entrepreneurs”

Deb Augur’s boldly states, “Making Sense Of Online Business!”

Heather Bestel of Mum’s Got A Business is “Empowering Successful Mumpreneurs”

Marcia Hoeck’s Breakthrough Business site’s tagline is, “Create A Business That Will Run Without You”

And then there’s Lisbeth Tanz.  She doesn’t need a tagline (lucky duck!) since the name of her site says it all:  “Your Words, Your Voice”.  Lis is pretty sharp and I think she’s got a leg up on the rest of us.  Darn clever to make her biz name and tagline one in the same.  I’d stick close to Lis and hang around her blog if I were you.

My tagline is a little off the beaten path and that was intentional.  What can I say?  I’m a natural-born iconoclast. I wanted to do something slightly different by using individual words instead of a phrase.

Hence, my tagline reads, “Moms. Your Big Why. Your Big Idea. Market Smart.”

The Agony of Taglines

Ask the next ten online marketers you meet about how much “fun” they had coming up with a tagline.  Chances are good they’re going to leave out the fun part and emphasize the “agony”.

That little piece of real estate on your website holds a lot of weight — keyword wise and otherwise.  And getting it just right isn’t easy.

Small biz owners have agonized for weeks over what to use for a tagline.  It really is a tough challenge.

The Victory of Taglines

Marcus Sheridan of The Sales Lion reigns victorious!  Marcus was trying to come up with a tagline so guess what he did?  He asked his loyal blogging community to craft one for him!  Now there’s a bright idea.

Check out Marcus’s tagline story here:  Dear Sales Lion Community – I Need Your Help!

  • Have you been struggling to come up with a tagline?
  • Do you have a tagline but you’re not satisfied with it?
  • What are your tips for creating a tagline?

 

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Filed Under: Blogging, Brand yourself online, Moms in Business, Online Marketing, Small business owners Tagged With: , , , ,

First Ever “No Questions Asked” Interview

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Solo Mompreneur exclusive!

Today I’m excited to post an extraordinary interview with Leanne Chesser and Cheryl Wilms of WAHM Solution — my first ever “No Questions Asked” interview.

How is it possible to interview someone without asking any questions?  Not one single question??

Click the WAHM Solution logo below and find out!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Making money on the internet, Moms in Business, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I Don’t Care if Your Only Talent is Loading up the Perfect Pencil Holder with Pencils

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The title of this post is a quote from my friend, Lisbeth Tanz, of Your Words Your Voice.  She’s a one-of-a-kind amazing lady.  Check her out and be sure to follow Lis on Twitter.

Have you ever heard entrepreneurs saying things like the following?

“I don’t know fancy stuff like FTP.”

“I could never create videos.  That’s too hard.”

“I’m not good at writing.”

“I don’t understand social media. It’s complicated.”

“I’m a small fish in a big pond.  No one will ever notice me.”

“I can’t do anything technical.”

“I know I need to craft an irresistible freebie.  But I don’t have anything special to offer.”

“I can’t compete with the gurus.  They know everything.”

“I’m just a mom.  I don’t have any profitable skills.”

Yikes!!

Allow me to jump right up on my soapbox and set the record straight!

Every one of us knows how to do SOMETHING.

Just start THERE.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a website, a blog, or a business!

Being an entrepreneur means being willing to learn as you go and learn as you grow.

What advice would you give a newbie entrepreneur who thinks he or she is lacking in skills or talents?

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Filed Under: Blogging, Brand yourself online, Following Your Passion, Improving writing skills, Making money on the internet, Moms in Business, Online Marketing, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Is It Too Risky To Change Horses Midstream And Shift The Focus Of Your Business?

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I don’t know.  But I’m about to find out.

Have you ever felt like your online marketing business is in transition or maybe you need to go back to the drawing board and reassess your focus, your purpose, or your goals?

Change is inevitable in life and I’m finding the same to be true in business.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been reaching out to single mom entrepreneurs who want to start an online business and those that are struggling to achieve success in their current business.  I love my niche and it’s become a very comfortable nesting place for me.  After all, I’ve been a single mom for almost two decades and I have mounds of online marketing experience so I feel justified in deeming myself an expert in my niche.

Good for me, right?  So why would I consider the notion of changing horses midstream?  Why take such a risk?

I have tremendous compassion and a sincere affinity for mom entrepreneurs.  I’m a nurturer by nature and nothing makes me happier than helping others – especially moms.  But in the process, I’ve discovered I’m shortchanging myself by disregarding a lifelong passion with thirty years experience attached.

So what am I getting at here? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Plan, Following Your Passion, Moms in Business, Niche marketing, Online Marketing Tagged With: ,

I Met The Fly Lady

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I got an email from Michelle Shaeffer the other day with her link to Help For Work At Home Moms.

I love being on Michelle’s list and if you haven’t experienced the joy yet, subscribe as fast as you can!  And I hope you’ll trust me when I tell you I don’t make that kind of remark about all the online marketers I meet.

You can stop reading right now and head on over there if you want … I’ll be here when you get back.  Blogland isn’t going anywhere.

Anyway, I clicked Michelle’s link and discovered the Fly Lady.  What a treat!

I also discovered a free e-course she’s offering called “10 Days of Crock Pot Tips and Recipes”. Yum.

This is the time of year when I pull my crock pot out from the back of the shelf and put that baby into action!

Fall is my favorite season (I like to call it “sweater weather”) and it’s the time of year when I like to make nice, warm, hearty meals.  Turkey chili, beef stew, and chicken soup are three of my favorites.

Back to the Fly Lady …

She’s got that magnetic southern charm and warmth everyone loves, a mile-long list of organizational tips, down-to-earth videos that are funny, too, and an easy, sensible approach to helping you tackle everything from paper clutter all over your house to how to have a shiny kitchen sink.

It’s great to have friends like Michelle Shaeffer who care enough to send a resource like the Fly Lady.  What are your friends and social media contacts sending you these days?

Filed Under: Blogging, Building relationships online, Moms in Business, Online Marketing Tagged With: , , , ,

My Get Up and Go Got Up and Went

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Lately I feel like I’ve been pushing myself to get through the day.

Actually, I’ve been feeling like I’m trying to push a 2000-pound hippo uphill. I barely have enough energy to stick in a thimble.

Feeling sluggish and yawning all the time is so out of character for me and I’m not likin’ it!

What’s worse, the harder I try to gather up some steam, the more depleted I become.

Talk about a vicious cycle.

I’ve tried blaming it on everything – muscle weakness, old age, poor sleeping habits, slow metabolism, toxins in the environment, lack of essential nutrients, dehydration, hormones, and even a change in the weather.

You name it – I’ve blamed it.

Then it hit me!  My lack of energy isn’t due to ANY of those things. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Happiness, Moms in Business Tagged With: , , , ,

I Know You’re Busy

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Guest post by Kenneth Weene, PhD

As a married man, semi-retired and with no kids at home, I might seem an unlikely source for good advice to you, a single woman trying to run a business – and especially to those of you who are also moms. You may be among the busiest and most harried people on earth. You are also constantly being evaluated, observed and measured. Your every piece of clothing and accessory can be held against you. Your looks are constantly being judged. Men do have it easier.

So what do I have to offer you? A single word. Balance! I know that deadline is looming. I know that sale has to be made or that presentation given. I know the kid is sick and by the way needs some cupcakes or crudités for the school party. I know your home needs cleaning. I know, I know, I know.

Balance!

Make a graph. Across the top list the important needs, demands, and wants in your life. Once you’ve made the list you may want to arrange it so it goes from most important to least. Don’t forget your relaxation and health. Without taking care of yourself, you won’t get very far for very long. Don’t forget your spiritual needs. Without your sense of serenity you can’t keep your focus clear. Exercise is on that list. Important in itself not just part of health, recreation, and appearance but in itself. Have you added long-term security? You have a future, and so do your kids. Socializing – within the family and with peers, is important. So is looking for a mate if you want one.

When you finish your list come back. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Moms in Business, Organize Your Online Business, Service Business Owners, Small business owners, Stress Tagged With:

Competing In “Leading Moms In Business” For 2010

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Got 15 seconds?

May I please ask for your vote? If so, just click the image.

I can count the number of contests, sweepstakes, and drawings I’ve entered on one hand.  Most of the invitations I receive are nothing but cleverly-disguised advertisements and a means of getting my name on a list to continue to advertise to me.

Not so in this case.  The 2010 competition for “Leading Moms In Business” is sponsored by reputable online marketing organizations with the goal of genuinely helping the winner to accelerate her business success and boost her online visibility and credibility.

I’m up against some pretty stiff competition!  And some of the entrants are way out ahead of me already.

Your vote matters and I would sincerely appreciate your support.  If you’d like to set up a daily voting reminder, that would be awesome.

THANK YOU!

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Filed Under: Moms in Business, Online Promotions Tagged With: , , ,