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Defining success is like trying to glue water to sand. It’s impossible! That’s because it is so subjective! One’s definition of success is oftentimes based upon material things instead of emotional well-being and a clear sense of self. For the writer, this gets even tighter in regard to the former because to the publishing industry, your/their success is determined by book sales and bestseller rankings. I want to share with you five (5) “must-do’s” for success regardless of the publishing path you decide to take be it with a traditional publisher or self-publishing. I heard an agent speak about a few of these “must-do’s” and have added one or two of my own. The bottom line, for me at least, is to always keep my intentions for the work in perspective, and to remember that my writing is a reflection of me.

• Make sure your story is GREAT
• Edit, edit, edit (hire a developmental editor, line editor and proofreader)
• Create a killer book cover (yes, a beautiful, professional cover is imperative – it must match the storyline)
• Tune up your marketing skills (i.e., yes, you must engage in social media & know your platform)
• Commit to quality (see all of the above; this also includes format, design and paper quality)

For more tips on being an authentic, successful writer, read “5 Takeaways” or “The Key to a Successful Self-Publishing Career.” Check out The Pierce Agency, LLC for a FREE 20 minute author consultation.

Looking for ways to pick up extra cash around the holiday season? 

This article lists lots of ways to make money from the holidays. 

Are you a crafter, or a personal shopper, holiday shopper or holiday decorator?  These are just a few ways you can earn money during the festive  season.  Holiday craft markets and craft fairs can be a great source of inspiration.  I have listed lots of craft markets and craft fairs, and I shall keep adding more. 

Click here for "Making Money from the Holidays". 

Authors, Magazine Editors, eZine writers & Newsletter owners: Are you gearing up for holiday specials and promotions? Make your book/magazine/newsletter cover come ALIVE with a 3D cover! Go to http://www.mitchell-productions.com/specials

Natasha Hill is the owner of Haute DiaMonds Boutique (established 2013). Hill sells various accessories which include necklaces, rings, bracelets, bangles, earrings, and clutch bags. She has accessories to accommodate all lifestyles at affordable prices. Haute DiaMonds Boutique does not sell more than two of the same items. 

Read the FULL Interview on SteppingIntoVictory.com

We feature interviews with female business owners on Mondays. 

Submit an Interview

EXCERPT OF PRESS RELEASE:

CHRISTIAN WOMEN LEADERS GET BUSINESS TRAINING AT DECEMBER MARKET LIKE A QUEEN CONFERENCE

SOUTH METRO ATLANTA, GA USA – DECEMBER 2, 2013 – Christian Women Leaders are becoming more active in the marketplace, and it is vital for them to have more access to training to expand their businesses while still honoring their faith and expanding God's Kingdom.

Click To Download Press Release For Market Like A Queen Annual Conference

{TO DOWNLOAD - CLICK HERE}

FOR MORE INFORMATION MARKET LIKE A QUEEN

Contact: Donna Marie Johnson, CEO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: Donna{@}AuthorDonnaMarie.me
Phone: 678-861-8121

Event Registration Website: http://Wepay.MarketLikeAQueen.com
Event Date: December 2, 2013

Hashtag: #MarketLikeAQueen

Mailing Address: GGene S.I.S., LLC PO Box 491806 Atlanta, GA 30349

Meet the lovely Miss Candace Michelle in our latest blog and find out what sparks the mind of the publisher of "Black Pinups" and then buy yourself something pretty!

You know you wanna!

www.noir-a-gogo.com

Pictures are quickly becoming the easiest and most common way to share across all social media platform. Such is the popularity and quick rise to fame of sites like Pinterest and Instagram. A quick glance at any social media star and you'll notice that they've taken it a step further by branding their images. 

For example. Recently I created a graphic for my new YouTube Series Talkback Thursday that has done tremendously well for my social media following in terms of getting my listening audience engaged. 

How to Brand Images to Build Your Social Media Following

Branding your images, displays that you're not only serious about your business, but it also makes you stand out from the crowd. Just think. More than likely, you're not the only marketing your product, service, or something likes  it. And with more people starting a business online everyday, now more than ever it's important that YOU step out and into your own.

But how?

Read On To Find Out

One of the biggest pitfalls many entrepreneurs face is business burnout. This is due in part to the fact that building a business, and maintaining a successful business generally requires more time and energy than if you were to work for an employer with a set time to arrive and leave the job.

As entrepreneurs, it becomes all too easy to go from working a few hours a day to putting in overtime, even skipping sleep to build a business. And though their are occasions where being apart of #teamnosleep is warranted, for the most part those extra hours that are being spent are not being used effectively or productively which only leads to more burnout.

But where does the need to  put in more time come from?

Being that the majority of entrepreneurs where at one point or another corporate employees, the idea that more time equals more money has been ingrained in them. If for some reason on the job you don't finish your work during the day, the natural reaction is to put in a few more hour to get caught up which will likely lead to some overtime pa on your next check. Contrary to popular believe however, as entrepreneurs, more time doesn't necessarily equal more hours unless those hours are spent selling more stuff to more people. What usually ends up happening with those extra hours as an entrepreneurs is non-income producing activities - admin work. Work not designed to actually make you a profit (unless you are a virtual admin). The result is that during the hours you spend doing all that "extra" work, you're not actually making money which piles on the need to make even more money the next day.

Speaking from experience it can become a vicious cycle, and is counter productive to your success.

So how do you avoid business burnout?

1. Get Clear About What You Want

One of the biggest mistakes many entrepreneurs make is that they lack clarity of what they really want out of their business. Instead of setting short, tangible intentions in 30, 60, or 90 day increments, they set set huge overall goals, or none at all. Getting clear about what you want is the first way to avoid burnout.

For More Tips on How To Avoid Business Burnout Click Here

Morning Sunshine!

Tomorrow is our Books.Buzz.Business Webinar Conference plus:

• Sessions Kick Off with a Morning Tweet and Greet for you to share your books and build your following. Get full time and hash tag details when you register for sessions.
• Yes, when you register you will also get access to the replays, so you can watch them later in case you miss any or all of the live sessions.
• Who is this webinar conference for? Women and men who are Authors, Writers, eBook Creators, and Magazine Publishers - whether you are just starting or are looking for ideas we will cover a variety of topics. Full details on the website.
• Official event site: http://b2b.sistasense.com/

Hosted by LaShanda Henry
Creator of Sistasense, BBWO and the Black Writers Connect Network

As you know next Tuesday is our webinar conference for authors and writers (register here). We are kicking this off by sharing some great book promotion tips and techniques:

1. What to Do Daily, Weekly and Monthly to Brand Your Book
2. Tips To Run The Optimal Goodreads Giveaway
3. 5 Essential Book Marketing Tips

More featured tips from our speakers are on the way.

Until then be sure to get your virtual seat for our full day of great sessions for the Books.Buzz.Business Webinar Conference. Use the code '27OffB3' when you register today at http://b2b.sistasense.com.

See you inside our circle on Tuesday!

LaShanda Henry
Creator of SistaSense, BBWO and the Black Writers Connect Network

In my experience working with a range of women entrepreneurs, I've found that so many women want their businesses to run beautifully and yet ironically struggle to find the beauty within. The struggle I refer to is often times displayed in the form of a fear and resistance to being seen in photos or videos. I will often hear statements like "I want the business to run itself", "I don't want to be the face of my business" or "I hate the way I look on camera."

We live in a very critical world. I personally know that the fear of being judged not only by our businesses, but by our looks is more than most can bare. For years I didn't upload a photo of myself online and used a cartoon character to represent me. It got so bad one lady said, "I didn't know if BBWO was really run by a black woman, a white man, or a robot!" Today I honestly can't remember all the reasons why I was so resistant to being the face of my business. I just know that eventually I realized there is no place in business for shy entrepreneurs and further more, as entrepreneurs (like it or not) we are the faces of our businesses (period).

Being resistant to sharing your true self can really block your blessings and have damaging effects on the growth of your business. As a matter of fact, on the topic of "fear, body image issues and resistance to your true greatness", I had a chance to interview power circle expert Jai Stone. In addition to being a speaker at our 2014 Power Circle Conference, Jai also happens to be talking about the topic of a Healthier You on TD Jakes new show airing this Sunday at 2pm on BET.

Jai, tell us more about your topic on TD Jakes upcoming show:
Healthier You is the show title. In short, I finally found the courage to publicly address my private struggle with obesity. What a platform, right?! I mean TD Jakes and BET -- go big or stay home I guess (shrugs).

What has been your personal lesson learned with respect to body image issues and being a healthier you?
My primary lesson was that there is power in vulnerability. Shame can't exist in the light. But I had to have lots of coaching from my life coach Akilah Richards and therapist Jack A. Daniels. They were basically a tag team to get me to break down my walls and tell my REAL story. I spent several days crying and nervous before the show. I was about to share my greatest humiliation with the world. Things I had not even shared with my closest friends and family.

What is one thing you would encourage other women to do with respect to their personal fears and concerns about their health and body image?
EVERYONE has a fitness journey, even if its NOT weight. Find the right support professionals to help you get your life on track.

What was it like being on the TD Jakes Show?
Whaaatttt??!! (High pitch squeal). It was one of the most amazing and life altering experiences of my life. BET treated me like a Rock Star. They sent a car for me, I had my own dressing room. They even set me up with the Glam Squad from the Monique Show. 5-star treatment all the way. A girl could get used to that real quick!

One woman entrepreneur to another, how did you get on the show?
One of the assistant producers follows me on Twitter. She saw a post I wrote for Essence.com where I put a different spin on the battle of the bulge. She passed it on the the show producers. They contacted me the day after the post went up on the site. THAT is the power of social media and creating strong meaningful content. You get seen and folks will invite you to share your story. My blogging has led to some amazing opportunities including this one.

Do you have any advice for other women entrepreneurs looking for opportunities to gain media exposure for their business and/or brand?
I have tons of advice. Chose your platform and dominate it. For me its Blogging and I use social media to promote my blogs. But it could be radio, television or speaking engagements. Just make sure you follow rule #1 BE FREAKING AMAZING!!!

Is there anything else you’ve got planned or coming up in the near future?
Well you know me, I always have SOMETHING cooking on the back burner. But what's hot right now is the new book that I'm launching in December. Eating Cupcakes Naked is a collection of 13 parables chronicle some of the most pivotal and life altering experiences in my robust life. I'm excited to share my stories with the world.

SistaSense Shares
I've known Jai Stone for several years now and to see how much she has stepped into her greatness as a woman and a blog entrepreneur I am truly impressed. I remember when she attended one of my previous 3 day conferences and talked about her resistance to being in front of the camera for fear of commentary and cruel criticism. I incorporate mobile video marketing sessions within my events, so I made it a point to get her behind that camera and show how dynamic she was and how amazing her story truly is, so its wonderful to see her not only creating videos but now speaking on nationally syndicated shows, sharing her story.

Whether it be blogging, photos or video marketing as an entrepreneur eventually you will have to step into your greatness. It is essential that you become comfortable with sharing your story and also being the face of your business. As we watch Jai's journey together, clearly you can see she is proof in the power of being vulnerable and striving towards a healthier image of you.

Ladies are you ready to let go of that fear and those body image issues that are holding you back on the path to being a healthier you?
Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us. Plus remember to join Jai, myself and all the wonderful women attending our 2014 Power Circle Conference. This is truly a one of a kind mastermind style event for serious women entrepreneurs and our topic this year will be Unblocking Your Blessings to build your best Business.Life.Self.

About Jai Stone
Emotional Nudity was birth from Jai Stone’s struggle with a life of suppression, her message was carved from the pain of rejection. After decades of trying to fit in, Stone finally found the courage to break free from the social norms that threatened to smother her soul. Now Jai has dedicated her life to helping others find their personalized path to fulfillment through the Emotional Nudity Lifestyle (ENL). The ENL brand focuses on promoting authentic living in every aspect of life. Ever so humble, Jai Stone ALWAYS refers to herself as an OBEDIENT VESSEL and believes her work is her divine calling. Visit EmotionalNudity.com to learn more about Jai Stone and her amazing story.

Related post: Power Circle Expert + Conference Speaker Carol Sankar on the Steve Harvey Show discussing hot topic: Can Women Really Have it All?

Friday evening I sat down and open my mail that came that day. One of which was a letter from my bank. They were informing me about the changes that are coming. “News Flash” I don’t do well with changes with my financial institutions. Every bank I have been with either raise their fees so high it didn’t pay to keep my money with them or got brought by another bank. The first change they are doing is increasing the ATM fee when you use your card at an outside ATM. The closest branch is an hour bus ride away. So I would have to spend $5 (or $2.50 if I ride down and come right back using a transfer) just to get some cash. One of my bank’s recommendations is the cash back option when I swipe my card in a store. The other is to either open or to switch to a different type of account in which ATM fee is waived (which may required a high balance to avoid a maintenance fee).

The other changed is starting December I will be charge for getting paper statements. That got me thinking, I know I didn’t switch to online statements but I can’t remember the last time I’ve gotten a statement from them. I was too busy this weekend but next weekend I will be going through all my papers to find the last statement I received. Anyway I logged into my account and switch because I know I forget.

I say all of this because (continue reading on to found out how my mini rant ends)

SMART MOVE FOR WOMEN, MINORITY, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: INVEST IN REAL ESTATE THROUGH THE FDIC

Beyond buying a home for your family, it may never have occurred to you to invest in real estate. You may think that you do not have the experience or the money to even know where to begin. However, a small initial investment could result in high returns for you, by either giving you the capital to grow your business or a new professional direction. There are a number of reasons investing in real estate may be a smart move for your business or your personal finances:

• Fixing up and flipping low cost homes could be an added source of income

• One-time or ongoing property investment offers a high ROI

• Finding cheap commercial assets or land to expand your business

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) offers an affordable way to invest in real estate, as they regularly hold auctions and have an online marketplace where they sell assets from failed banks. As there are no bid minimums at the auctions and bids can be placed in person or online, the FIDC offers an easy and affordable way for first time investors to get involved in real estate.

Why is it good for women, minority and small businesses?

To ensure a diversity of participation in the Owned Real Estate (ORE) program, the FDIC welcomes and strongly encourages small, minority and women investors and individuals to participate in the bidding under the program.

As minority-owned businesses typically receive less capital than non-minority-owned businesses, investing in real estate is an alternative way to build capital. Women are also becoming increasingly empowered to invest in real estate and they’re finding that there is always a profitable strategy regardless of the current market. You no longer have to have a wealth of experience or a lot of initial investing money because of the opportunity to buy affordable previously owned properties and flip them for a high return.

If you’re a first time investor, starting with an FDIC auction is great because of the lower prices of property sold through their Owned Real Estate Marketplace and the no bid minimum.

The FDIC’s Minority and Women Outreach Program also exists solely to make investing in real estate a reality for women and minorities who may not have been aware of the opportunity. They are eager to offer assistance and education so that you’re well informed on your opportunities for growth.

What if you have no idea where to start?

The FDIC holds information sessions specifically designed to expose and educate small, minority- and women-owned businesses to investing in real estate, as well as individual investors. The sessions focus on the process of acquiring real estate through the ORE Marketplace and any upcoming auctions. In November, there are three information sessions in Birmingham, AL (Nov. 12^th), Hickory, NC (Nov. 13^th) and Atlanta, GA (Nov 14^th). The information sessions are free and also provide a great networking opportunity for attendees.

If you’re not located near or in any of those states, the FDIC also offers 30-45 minute webinars. There are five webinars in November, on the 5^th, 7^th, 18^th, 19^th, and 21^st. As space is limited, you will want to register for your desired date as soon as possible.

To learn more and register, visit the information session and webinar registration page.

Money, Power and Respect is one thing, but what about Money, Motherhood and Marriage? Steve Harvey talks to a panel of real-life women, including SistaSense Power Circle expert Carol Sankar, about how they handle the balance of motherhood, career and marriage. Plus life coach Paula Davis-Laack weighs in on this hot-button issue, so be sure to watch the show and get all the details over at http://www.steveharveytv.com.

Did you know that Carol Sankar is one of the lovely ladies speaking at our 2014 Power Circle Conference? Today I had a chance to talk to Carol about her thoughts on being a mompreneur and this is what she told me:

What was your take on today's topic: can women really have it all?
One of the things we discussed is the fact that today women can have everything: family & careers (I talked about my business) and how I balance it all. My perspective is that your children will adjust to knowing Mom is doing everything possible to create a better life for the family, while still keeping up with maternal obligations, such as school functions, PTA etc. Also, I discussed the fact that my husband and I find a way to make it work as full time entrepreneurs by finding a way to balance on our limited time together.

Do you really think women can have it all?
Yes, we can have it all. We have to know the difference between overwhelm and efficiency. It is all about balancing and how you eliminate the factors that do not benefit you as a mother, wife, entrepreneur, etc. We have to learn how to delegate and manage our time wisely.

How do you try to achieve balance?
I try to achieve balance by "working while I am working and being mom when I am being mom". I believe in being there for my son as much as possible, but there is work time and mommy time. Most of all, we make it a point to have our son involved in the process every step of the way so he can see firsthand how we provide for him. This allows us to balance with him instead of around him.

How did you get on the Steve Harvey Show?
I wrote an article and about women being more aggressive in business, which I will be elaborating on in more detail at the 2014 Sista Sense Power Circle Conference and less than an hour after it went live, I got a call from the producers at the Steve Harvey Show to form a topic for a debate.

What was it like being featured on the Steve Harvey Show?
There are no words that I can use to describe it other than amazing.

What’s one thing you would advice women entrepreneurs do to start making their businesses better now?
Ask bigger questions. Many women procrastinate when it comes to asking bigger questions that enable them to open bigger doors to leverage bigger contracts and opportunities. We have to be less passive, and find our voice. I want to see women WIN at the table rather than watch others win.

More About Carol Sankar
Carol Sankar is an internationally renowned success entrepreneurship consultant & real estate investment expert who focuses on strategic implementation strategies to assist today's start-up and mid-level entrepreneur become successful. Mrs. Sankars' business and wealth tips have been featured in publications in Finland, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the USVI. Her international client-base range from aspiring entrepreneurs to seasoned veterans who are seeking new and innovative methods to reinvent their businesses. In addition, Ms. Sankar is considered an expert in the field of marketing and branding.

Carol hosts a variety of training workshops, live and virtual events world-wide on a variety of topics relating to success, marketing and entrepreneurship. She has been featured in numerous magazines, radio shows, articles and webinars; including a recent features in Madame Noire, LearnVest Magazine, EBONY Magazine, CNNMoney.com, Harvest Magazine and Essence Magazine. You can learn more about Carol and her coaching services at www.carolsankar.com.

What do you think? Can we women entrepreneurs truly have it all?