Blog | Michelle Shaeffer

Ways to Go Green With Your Home Office

September 6, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer Leave a Comment

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

Support your health and a healthy world by making green choices for your home office.

It’s not difficult to be more environmentally friendly while creating a home office that will reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, it just requires a bit of planning and thought.

Furnishing & Decorating Your Office

To furnish your office consider shopping for second-hand furniture so you can save it from a landfill. Craigs List, eBay, yard sales, moving sales, your local paper, and second-hand shops are great places to look.

If you’re purchasing new, look for furniture that will last and not need replaced quickly.

For decor you can use recycled and re-purposed items. If you repaint, use a low-VOC paint to reduce your exposure to dangerous fumes.

Becoming a “Reverse-Paranoid”

September 5, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 6 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

Inspiring video for the weekend: tips to help you become a “reverse-paranoid” and stay positive.

Filed Under: Mindset Tagged With: Mindset, positive thinking, positivity

101 Women Bloggers to Watch

September 5, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 2 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

It’s very cool when your keyword alerts show something fun. I just got a notice that I was featured in a list of 101 Women Bloggers to Watch in 2010 by WE Magazine for Women.

Check out the list here: http://wemagazineforwomen.com/101-more-women-bloggers-to-watch-for-2010/

Lots of great blogs are included so do check it out when you’ve got a few minutes to browse.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Online, Online Marketing Tagged With: alerts, women bloggers

Homework? But I Graduated a Decade Ago!

August 31, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 6 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

Okay, it’s been more than a decade. But shhhh….!

As part of the 31 Days Blog Challenge, I spent time today reading what some very smart people have written about blogging and business online.

They’re brilliant so I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite gems. I recommend not just these posts, but pretty much anything on their blogs (subscribe!).
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: blog, Blogging, comments, content, mistakes, traffic

What Will You Do for a Banana?

August 30, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 4 Comments

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

Okay, I’ve got in 29 posts this month and that leaves 2 more to finish the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Close but no banana yet, as they say. I’ll admit I didn’t feel much like writing after a crazy day, and that’s what’s inspired this post about monkeys and bananas!

Monkeys do like bananas, because they’ve got a sweet tooth. I had to look that up because I wasn’t sure if it was just one of those things we think or if it was really true. It’s true and they’re smart enough to figure out how to get bananas that are locked in a chest or suspended out of their reach (check it out here).

Back to the point. Bananas are a reward for monkeys. Their goal is to get to the bananas and satisfy that sweet tooth. To do that, they’re willing to plan a strategy and then follow it through to achieve their goal. I have no idea how difficult that is for a monkey since I’m no zoologist but let’s assume it’s takes some effort.

Now I’m the monkey. (I’m using myself as an example, since I don’t want to call you, my reader, a monkey and insult you so you don’t come back to my blog.) So I’m the monkey. My goal is the banana. For me the banana could represent several things but let’s go with the banana as being achieving a specific amount of traffic to my blog. I want X visitors a day.

What am I willing to do to get that banana? If I sit on my bottom and refuse to do anything I don’t like or step out of my comfort bubble, do you think I’ll get that banana?

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Mindset Tagged With: banana, comfort zone, Goals, monkey, motivation, setting goals

Do You Know What You Want?

August 29, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 10 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what my goals are both for my business and my life and working to write them out and plan how to reach them. Big goals that can seem overwhelming look so much easier to reach when that plan is in place.

When you’ve got goals they pull you forward — you’ve got something that you’re working towards and motivated to reach!

Here’s a great video from Brian Tracey about why it’s important to know our goals and to keep thinking about them and focusing on them:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Goals, Mindset

4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office

August 27, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 17 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

When you work from home, it can be a real challenge to get your business tasks completed without repeated interruptions.

What can you do to minimize the distractions and be more productive?

There are four keys to creating a home office environment that allows you to minimize those distractions and stay focused.

Top 5 Mistakes New Work at Home Moms Make

August 26, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 8 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

Are you making one of these mistakes in your new home based business venture? For a successful home based business watch out for these common problems.

Mindset: Hobby vs. Business

Are you running your business like a “business” or like a “hobby”? You’ve got to change your mindset to look at your business like a business. Get your business license and get setup right.

Take time to organize yourself and set clear goals. Setup an accounting system. Write a business plan (even a short one) and include your goals. Block out time daily to work both “on” and “in” your business.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Goals, Mindset, Work at Home Tagged With: Mindset, mistakes, WAHM, work at home, work at home moms

Building Connections – 5 Reasons to Send a Card to a Potential Client Or Joint Venture Partner

August 25, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 2 Comments

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

Is there someone you’d like to connect with who could become a perfect client for you, or a great joint venture partner? Building your business is all about building relationships. Try sending them an old-fashioned card through the mail.

It’s always nice to get an unexpected card in the mail and people tend to save them much longer than email or voice mail so skip the digital options one time and grab a pack of real cards from your local store or get your own Send Out Cards account. Most websites include a mailing address in the footer of their pages or on their contact page where you can find their mailing information.

Here are 5 great reasons to send a card to someone you want to connect with. These work best if the person you’re trying to get to know better and build a relationship with is already aware you exist. Think of it as one tactic in your overall connection strategy.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Customer Service, Marketing Tagged With: cards, connections, mail, Marketing, promotion, send out cards

Building Long-Term Clients – 14 Reasons to Send a Card to a Client

August 24, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 8 Comments

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

Successful businesses know that by connecting with their clients and building relationships they get longer-term customers and more referrals. Do you have an active client connection strategy? Does it include sending cards yet? If not, add the tactic! Here are 14 reasons you can use to send a card through the mail to a client.

1. New Client: Welcome your new clients by sending them a card in the mail. Include a welcome message along with contact information for support and any other helpful information they might need.

2. Anniversary: Has your client been with you 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? 5 Years? All great times to send a card and thank them for their business.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Whoops! Forgot to Let You Know…

August 23, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 2 Comments

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

I meant to share this yesterday and forgot. If the 31 day blog challenges just feel like more than you’re ready for, then the 10 day mini blog challenge is perfect for you!

Here’s the scoop from Michele:

The Mini 10 Blog Challenge begins on Sunday August 22nd. We have had so many people express the desire to join our blog challenge, because they know how beneficial it can be, but felt like it was too late for them to get started so we decided to run a shorter mini challenge at the end of the month. You register for free and commit to blog 10 times in the last 10 days of the month. Be sure to join us on Twitter by using the hashtag #mini10 for the 10 day challenge and #blogboost for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. For best results you might want to use both hashtags! Good Luck and Happy Blogging!

You can sign up here -> http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/wp-login.php?action=register

Filed Under: Blogging, Challenges

Are You Using a Link Shortener?

August 23, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 7 Comments

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

How long are your links?

Are you using a link shortener yet for your website links and affiliate links? If not, you should be! And it’s easy to do.

You can choose to use a web-based link shortener like TinyURL, Bit.ly or ShortURL. Or, you can install the GoCodes plugin for WordPress or a free script like Shorty on your own domain and stay in control of your affiliate links. Using your own domain as the base for your short links lets you build links to your site, build your brand, and be in control of where the links are pointing to.

There are three important reasons I suggest bloggers and online business owners shorten their links.

What’s Coming Up & What I’m Up To…

August 22, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 7 Comments

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

With this post, I’m caught back up on my quest to complete The Ultimate Blog Challenge (I figured I’d better, since I’m co-hosting… *grin*). 9 days and 9 posts to go and then we’ll celebrate!

Coming up this week on my blog watch for articles on why you should be using a link shortener, how to use sending cards to build your business, the top 5 mistakes new work at home moms make, and ways to stay focused when you’re working in your home office. No “theme” this week other than generally helpful tips for those of us working from home and building our business online.

On a personal note I took time out this weekend to pamper myself a bit and redo my hair colors. (See photo at left.)

And blog wise I’m so excited to be starting the 31 Days Blog Challenge tomorrow!! I picked up 31 Days to Build a Better Blog a while back but never successfully made it through the book. This time I will. It’s always easier when you’ve got support and accountability. I won’t be blogging every day but I’ll be focusing on making this blog better so I can bring you, my wonderful reader, the information, resources, and inspiration to get your small business moving forward online. If you’ve got a blog (new or old) or have been thinking about starting one and want to get off on the right foot, I invite you to join Lisbeth Tanz and I as we guide the group through the book.

If you’re participating in either blog challenge, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you or your thoughts – hit the comments below and share what’s on your mind!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Life is Like a Cup of Coffee

August 22, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 4 Comments

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

Life can get so hectic and crazy, especially if you’re juggling family and work. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of day to day living and forget to really live life.

So here’s our reminder for this week to slow down and focus on what matters.

Don’t miss the most important moments. Don’t let things get so busy that you don’t make time for family and for yourself. Slow down. Enjoy the little things. Take time to make memories. Think about what will matter 10 or 20 years from now.

“You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die. Or when.
But you can decide how you’re going to live now.” ~Joan Baez

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Mindset Tagged With: coffee, Inspiration, life

Entrepreneurs – Is Everything You’re Learning Useless?

August 22, 2010 By Michelle Shaeffer 2 Comments

Reading time: < 1 minute

Do you get discouraged feeling like no matter how much time you invest in learning you aren’t moving forward and seeing results in your business? You might be caught in one of these two very common entrepreneurial traps!

The first trap is called “non-implementation-itis” and happens when we keep learning, seeking out new information, amassing vast amounts of knowledge… and not applying it to our businesses.

Do you have “non-implementation-itis”? You might if…
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Challenges, Mindset