Archive for February, 2010

• With the Friends In Business Network http://thefriendsinbusinessnetwork.com @patandoscars (@ Pat & Oscars – Carlsbad) http://4sq.com/co2HwT #
• I just became the mayor of Pat & Oscars – Carlsbad on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/co2HwT #
• Sharing…10 Awesome Social Media Presentations by thought leaders of the Industry #syc http://ow.ly/1bAow #
• Sharing…Social Entrepreneurs Wanted | SMALL BUSINESS CEO #syc http://ow.ly/1bAlx #
• I uploaded a YouTube video — JamesStacy http://youtu.be/A9mcdCADXxU?a #
• I uploaded a YouTube video — IvanTesic http://youtu.be/D2UrY2yQ8fc?a #
• Here's a quick video about WiseStamp, a Firefox AddOn for web based email — check it out COOL @wisestamp http://youtu.be/ojJB53eF3uU #
• I uploaded a YouTube video — CoreyWhite http://youtu.be/1kSXikho-2U?a #
• I uploaded a YouTube video — AyseOzcayir http://youtu.be/oEt531KVjMM?a #
• I uploaded a YouTube video — AnaSantiago http://youtu.be/pVUoIvbw060?a #
• News from: What you Must Know to Thrive in a Successful Online Business http://ow.ly/16ELEZ #
• Sharing…20 Fresh Sets of Free Icons for Web Designers | Freebies #syc http://ow.ly/1aQeA #
• Sharing…How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business #syc http://ow.ly/1aPMR #
• At a networking event (@ Sarducci's Capistrano Depot) http://4sq.com/aoHiwA #
• News from: Facebook Tip, TaggingWhen Is It Inappropriate? – Syndicating Your Content Show Notes: February 22, 2010 … http://ow.ly/16DHfh #
• Sharing…Facebook Note Tagging Guidelines #syc http://ow.ly/19I75 #
• News from: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-19 – SharingUsing Your Twitter Account to Increase Sales #syc http://... http://ow.ly/16CRX3 #
• I am listening to the Coaches Corner The Power of Master show by CoachAndrew on #BlogTalkRadio – http://tobtr.com/s/910825 #

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Guest Post by Kathleen Gage

A dream for untold numbers of entrepreneurs is to build a viable, sustainable and profitable business, and to do so without leaving the comfort of their home. In years past the definition (and reality) of a home-based business was very different from what it is today.

Because of the Internet, multiple six- and seven-figure businesses are being built every single day. Small empires have grown out of nothing more than a dream and a desire for the dream to become a reality. This doesn’t mean it happens in a day, but the seed is planted and, with time, it grows.

We’ve all heard the rags-to-riches stories of someone building an extremely successful online business starting with a solitary computer, Internet hookup and an unconventional idea. Many of us have not only heard about it, we are living it.

Yet for each success story, there are dozens more fatalities in the field of dreams of home-based online businesses. Therein lies the problem; it’s not a field-of-dreams mentality that creates the success of an online business. The best thing anyone who is serious about building an online business can do is to get rid of the thought, “Build it and they will come.”

Sure they may come, but they have to know about it first. The field-of-dreams mentality is one of the greatest obstacles to one’s success in business.

This thought process isn’t new to cyber-business. I recall facing more than 20 years ago the resistance of small business owners who didn’t see the need to market. Their belief was people would somehow miraculously find them and flock through the doors. Often this belief was born out of a secondary belief that they could not afford to market or word of mouth would provide them all the business they needed.

Sadly, it was often when they were holding the going-out-of-business closeout sale that they finally marketed to let consumers know there was a huge sale going on.

The fact is had they been marketing from the beginning, they likely would never have had a closeout sale. Granted, there are other aspects to a successful business such as quality of products and services, customer care and follow through, but marketing is at the core of a solid business model.

Fast forward to today. With all that is available for marketing online there is no reason anyone should not be doing so. Budget is no longer a limitation with the onslaught of social-media marketing, social networks, joint-venture partnerships, viral marketing, affiliate programs and the power of an honest-to-goodness high quality, ethical bribe. Simply put, an ethical bribe is something you give a current or potential customer in exchange for their contact information.

Before you can market though, you have to know to whom you are marketing. This is an often overlooked step; a step that when done right can save you lots of time, money and frustration. You see, you have to make sure you are not marketing to those who have no need, interest or desire for what you offer.

A mistaken belief by some is that everyone wants and needs their products and services. If you hold this belief, I recommend you change it as quickly as possible. Regardless of what industry you’re in and what products and services you offer, there is a niche market that you need to be targeting rather than trying to reach a wide, unidentified market.

The nature of marketing has drastically shifted since the massive influx of social networks. You’ll go a lot further if you go deep into a niche market and become visible within that market as an authentic and transparent entrepreneur.

Sure, there will always be the exception to the rule, but in an overwhelming majority of cases, to be known, liked and trusted by a small- to moderate-sized tribe of consumers is far more productive and profitable than to spread yourself too thin.

About the author

Kathleen Gage is an Internet-marketing advisor who works with spiritually aware speakers, authors, coaches and consultants who are ready to turn their knowledge into money-making products and services. Find out how you can learn from Kathleen on how to build a sustainable and profitable business using the Internet faster and for less through her Street Smarts Marketing VIP Club.

Facebook Tips

Syndicating Your Content
Show Notes: February 22, 2010

Facebook Tagging Tips [ 14:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (52)

This tip is on tagging photos or notes, and whether it’s visibility that’s appreciated, or viewed as spam. Learn what tagging is, and how to use it to your advantage without annoying others.

• Sharing…Using Your Twitter Account to Increase Sales #syc http://ow.ly/19cCD #
• Who knew Pat & Oscars could put together such a great breakfast for my Friends In Business networking group! (@ Pat & Oscars – Carlsbad) #
• I just unlocked the "Newbie" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/cPqNjq #
• Listen to Interview with MMEA Pro, CJ Westrick, HR Jungle on MMEA anytime on BlogTalkRadio. http://tobtr.com/s/875167 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Sharing…Twitter Applications List You'll Ever Need #syc http://ow.ly/18ShL #
• Come listen to Interview with MMEA Pro, CJ Westrick, HR Jungle on MMEA on air now! http://tobtr.com/s/875167 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Sharing…Facebook’s Zero: A Forthcoming Lightweight Mobile Web Site #syc http://ow.ly/18v2X #
• News from: Creating Informational Products for Passive Income http://ow.ly/16Bvdg #
• Very cool diner! (@ Cafe 101) #
• Very fun dive (@ Cafe 101) #
• Sharing…Trust in Friends Declines, Trust in Experts Rises #syc http://ow.ly/17SjB #
• Sharing…How to Better Engage Facebook Fan Page ‘Fans’ #syc http://ow.ly/17T9B #
• Sharing…Make Money With Your WordPress Blog, Effective Teleseminars and Wishlist #syc http://ow.ly/17Sw0 #
• Sharing…The Real Cost of Social Media and Other Myths #syc http://ow.ly/17SoB #
• Sharing…Social Networking, Social Bookmarking, and Sharing – #syc http://ow.ly/17S9T #
• News from: Interview with Mindy Selinger, Face-to-Face Networking Skills in a Social Media World http://ow.ly/16Aq4i #
• I'll be interviewing Mindy Selinger 10amPT on #BlogTalkRadio about networking through social media – http://tobtr.com/s/892149 #nsdb #
• I'm interviewing Mindy Selinger on her new book about networking 10am PT #BlogTalkRadio – http://tobtr.com/s/892149 #
• I'll be interviewing Mindy Selinger 10amPT on #BlogTalkRadio about networking through social media – http://tobtr.com/s/892149 #
• News from: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-12 – Sharing11 Mind-Blowing Reasons Your Company Needs Facebook #syc … http://ow.ly/16zAZo #

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Create Digital Products

How many times have you answered the same questions regarding the services you offer. What if you could turn those questions around, educating your potential client before they ask “those” questions.

One of the advantages of creating an informational product for your business is the opportunity to be perceived as the expert in your industry, or field, as well as educating your potential clients on what you have to offer. So what is an informational product. It’s a digital downloaded document. That’s it.

If you’re ready to turn your website from a free-loader to a fee-loader, then this seminar is for you. On Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 10am to 12pm Pacific Time (1pm to 3pm Eastern Time) I’ll be holding an online, hands on, webinar on creating informational products.

In this powerful information-packed seminar you will learn:

• What information products are
• Why you need information products
• How you can create information products
• How to market and profit from information products

Here are some of the ways your business will benefit from information products:

• Create an ongoing passive income stream
• Expand your brand and credibility as an expert
• Enjoy benefits of being an author
• Have back of the room sales for seminars and talks
• Create products others can sell for commission with affiliate programs
• Build a product funnel; there are no limits

Click Here To Register

Syndicating Your Content
Show Notes: February 15, 2010

Interview with Mindy Selinger [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (87)

In this episode I interviewed Mindy Selinger, author of Face-to-Face Networking Skills in a Social Media World about how networking has evolved.

Of course, I wanted to know how Mindy’s integrated face to face networking with social media.

• Sharing…11 Mind-Blowing Reasons Your Company Needs Facebook #syc http://ow.ly/16KFh #
• Sharing…Consulting Pulse: 5 must do strategies for B2B marketers on LinkedIn #syc http://ow.ly/16KCu #
• Sharing…Google Buzz Social Icons for Bloggers and Designers #syc http://ow.ly/16KwE #
• News from: Hands On Webinar, Creating Your Blog In 90 Minutes Or Less http://ow.ly/16y707 #
• Sharing…The Secrets of YouTube Marketing Revealed #syc http://ow.ly/15Zje #
• Sharing…How do I make my Facebook group or fan page interesting? #syc Ask Dave Taylor!® http://ow.ly/15V7F #
• News from: Syndicating Your Content with Blogs and RSS – Syndicating Your Content Show Notes: February 8, 2010 Tod… http://ow.ly/16xxBw #
• Sharing… @ WiseStamp is an absolute must if you use FireFox and a web based email, like gmail, ymail, etc. #syc http://ow.ly/15u1D #
• @farrahdouglas @wisestamp just fixed the auto insert bug for gmail, AWESOME #
• @wisestamp just added etsy and answers to their settings @tlcjewelry this is one reason to use firefox http://bit.ly/4fcO7 #
• Sharing…SEO Copywriting: The five essential elements to focus on #syc http://ow.ly/15818 #
• Syndicating Your Content Through Digital Downloadable P… on Syndicating Content will air 03/15. http://tobtr.com/s/903671 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Syndicating Your Content Through Blogging on Syndicating Content will air 03/08. http://tobtr.com/s/903669 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Syndicating Your Content Through Twitter on Syndicating Content will air 03/01. http://tobtr.com/s/903667 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Syndicating Your Content Through Facebook on Syndicating Content will air 02/22. http://tobtr.com/s/903666 #BlogTalkRadio #
• Sharing…Why Not To Do Business in Direct Messages #syc http://ow.ly/157Xm #
• Sharing…Why Not To Do Business in Direct Messages #syc http://ow.ly/157UR #
• News from: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-05 – SharingThe Seven Uses of Social Media in Business #syc http://ow... http://ow.ly/16w80g #

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On Wednesday, February 17, 2010 from 10am to 12pm Pacific Time you can learn how to create, and use, a WordPress.com blog.

If you want to really start getting your message out to the world, blogging is the tool you need.  It’s the beginning of syndicating your passionate message, world wide!

You can bring your blog into many of your social networking sites, making it a very effective tool increasing your online visibility and elevating your credibility. Now is the time to start blogging!

In this online webinar, using desktop sharing tools, you’ll work with me learning:

• What is a post
• What is a page
• What is the sidebar
• What is the content area

Dashboard Orientation

• What are the settings and what do they mean

How To Create and Manage A Post/Page

• Adding Images So your blog will also be visually appealing
• How to use the Timestamp
• Tags – what are they and how to use them
• Categories – what they are and how to use them
• Linking Strategies in Posts/Pages Linking keywords or phrases helps the search engine know what text is more important than other text
• Keyword Strategies

Managing Links, Categories and Comments

• Links – Creating them, managing them
• Managing Comments
• How to control them through the settings
• How you find out about comments on your blog
• How to determine whether you spam them or not
• What to do if you get a negative comment

Click Here To Register

Syndicating Your Content

Syndicating Your Content
Show Notes: February 8, 2010

Blogging Tips [ 14:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (179)

Today’s show shares how RSS and Blogs start the content syndication process.

Sites or services discussed:

HootSuite – check out the Hootlet
Google’s Reader – subscribe to blog rss feeds with Reader

Twitter

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 10am to noon Pacific Time, you can learn in a private, hands on environment how to set your Twitter profile for maximum online visibility.

In this online webinar, using desktop sharing tools, you’ll work with me to:

• Set Your Profile
• Customize Your Background
• Discuss Using Photoshop for your Background
• Discovering Ready Made Backgrounds
• How To Get Followers
• Twitter Services and Directories
• Twitter Strategies and Tools

You’ll walk away with completion and an understanding of how to use Twitter to create online visibility, establish credibility and drive more traffic to your website or, my personal preference, your blog.

Don’t stay frustrated that you couldn’t carry over the tasks you may have learned from a local workshop. Let me work with you to finish that profile and get moving forward with this remarkable tool.