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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.
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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
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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.
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Help your blog stand out and catch interest by adding photographs and clip art to your posts. An image is worth a thousand words, right? Well, according to ESP Workshop in Cambridge, a picture is worth 84.1 words. But either way images are a powerful way to express a point and grab attention.
So use images! It doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming if you use the tips and image sources in this article.
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If you write articles or blog, you’ve probably hit writer’s block once or twice (maybe more…). Here are some quick places you can jump-start your creativity and brainstorm ideas.
Check Out the News: What’s happening in the news? Is there an event, occasion, holiday, or something else you can write about? Don’t just look at national or world news, also look at what’s happening in your local area for ideas.
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If you’ve been putting a lot of time into creating unique and helpful content from your blog, don’t overlook the easy ways you can leverage that content and repurpose it to help you reach more people. What can you do with it?
1. Podcast It
Creating a podcast from your blog content is easy. Just begin reading your posts into recordings. You don’t even need to be high tech to do this. With CinchCast it’s as easy as creating an account and then dialing into a phone number to create your audio file by phone. AudioBoo is another free option that’s easy to setup and allows you to record from your computer or upload a pre-recorded file.
Once you’ve got your podcast setup you can syndicate it through iTunes and get your own fan club of subscribers. You can also add an audio player to your website for those who prefer to listen instead of read.
2. YouTube It
[Read more...]
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One of the strategies I use to build a following on Twitter is to share helpful tips and articles as often as possible. If you’re doing the same, consider using this strategy to take your tips to the next level.
1. Start by compiling a list of 30 short tips on a specific topic. Remember they need to be under 140 characters. And if you want to encourage others to re-tweet them for you, keep them even shorter (around 100 characters or so).
2. If some of the tips you want to share are too long, write a blog post or article explaining it, then add the URL to the tip. Use a URL shortener like Bit.ly to make sure it’s not too long.
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If you want to add video to your website but aren’t ready to put yourself in front of the camera, or aren’t setup with a web cam and software to record video yet, here are some options for you.
1) Create a slide show presentation of your products. This one is simple and easy to create. Just upload your photos, add a title and some music and you’ve got a video.
2) Give a photo tour of your office or shop area. Allow clients a behind-the-scenes look at where you create.
3) Promote a sale or special gift offer with a video. In addition to “photograph” photos you can also use any image you create and save in the right format. So you could use Photoshop or Gimp to create a coupon image and mix that in with photos of the item that’s for sale.
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Adding video to your website can help you engage a visitor’s attention and keep them around long enough to find out how you can help them. It can also give you a way to provide helpful information to those who prefer video over written words.
Where can you begin?
Before you create your video…
You’ll need a webcam or flip-type camera. If you need software to record try CamStudio, iMovie, or Jing.
Pick an area to record that has good lighting and do a few short test clips to make sure you can be seen and heard. You will also want to take note of your surroundings to create the professional or casual impression you’re after.
Create your video…
Here are three easy ideas to help you get started using video on your website:
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 | Michelle Shaeffer on Make Your Point More Memorable with Images |
| Michelle Shaeffer on Top 5 Mistakes New Work at Home Moms Make |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 4 Ways to Minimize Distractions in Your Home Office |
| Michelle Shaeffer on What Will You Do for a Banana? |
| Michelle Shaeffer on Homework? But I Graduated a Decade Ago! |
| Michelle Shaeffer on 101 Women Bloggers to Watch |
| Michelle Shaeffer on Becoming a "Reverse-Paranoid" |
| Michelle Shaeffer on Becoming a "Reverse-Paranoid" |
| Michelle Shaeffer on Becoming a "Reverse-Paranoid" |
 | Shel Horowitz on Becoming a "Reverse-Paranoid" |
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Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes I’m writing this from the airport at 7:03pm. My goal is to be done at 7:13pm and schedule this post. I’ve got 30 minutes until my plane boards and I can complete three small tasks to move my business forward. Here are some ideas: 1. Write a quick blog… [Continue Reading]
Reading time: 2 – 2 minutes If Forrest Gump was right, and life is like a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re going to get… I want you to think of your blog and your business as if it were a cupcake. The cake part is what you do–your services or your… [Continue Reading]
Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes My first post on this topic was pretty popular so I thought I’d give it a second round. Marketing can feel like this huge overwhelming thunderstorm that hangs over our heads when we’re running our own businesses. As if we’ve got TIME to deal with ONE MORE THING! But… [Continue Reading]
Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes One of the strategies I use to build a following on Twitter is to share helpful tips and articles as often as possible. If you’re doing the same, consider using this strategy to take your tips to the next level. 1. Start by compiling a list of 30 short… [Continue Reading]
Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes If you’re reading my blog, I think it’s safe to assume you’ve got a small business, correct? (And small doesn’t refer to how many items you sell or your revenue, just that you’re either a solopreneur or a business with just a few employees.) Why are you in business? … [Continue Reading]
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Homework? But I Graduated a Decade Ago!
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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!).
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