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Thanks so much for your time,

Patricia

Today I took a leap of faith and decided to try creating a new cupcake line for SweetzBoutique.com.  My first attempt was a jumbo, moist chocolate cupcake dipped in a espresso infused chocolate ganache.  I topped it off with a single chocolate covered espresso bean! 

I want to offer these delicious cupcakes on my website www.sweetzboutique.com  but I need to figure out how to successfully package and ship them.  Does anybody have any suggestions?

Here is the finished product:  Espresso Chocolate Dropz by SweetzBoutique.com

Online Promotion Plan Part II

Last month, I asked had you started your online promotion plan. I know you’ve sat down and answered all the questions and now you’re ready to start setting up your plan.

Let’s get to the fun part, making sense of all the questions you answered.

1. Is your book release or information about your book included in your email signature?

Why is this important? Your email is something you use on a daily basis. This is the best form of free promotion you can have. You can be creative with it and you can change it up daily or weekly.

I will admit I’ve met many authors because of their email signatures. They announced their new book and that was all I needed to introduce myself to them.

The next step you want to take is to create a signature line for when you send out emails. You want the reader to take notice and hopefully click on the link and find out more about you.

What is a signature?

A signature is a mini bio. I've seen some introduce the author, some introduce a book, and some introduce a site. Only you can determine what you want on your signature.

Here's mine for SORMAG

LaShaunda C. Hoffman
Shades Of Romance Magazine Publisher
http://www.sormag.blogspot.com/

Sample Writer's signature

Shelia M Goss
http://www.sheliagoss.com/

Delilah & Savannah's Curse - IN STORES NOW

“Savannah’s Curse is an action- packed mystery with unexpected culprits. Sheila M. Goss brings readers a new side of her talent by entering a different genre. It is suspenseful with twists and turns that will keep readers turning pages. I recommend this book to others.” ~ Teresa Beasley, APOOO Book Club

There are a few rules when it comes to signatures, where you send them. If you're sending out an email to someone and not a list or forum, you're free to have as long of a signature as you like.

If you're sending a message to a list or forum, you have to make sure you know what their policy is on signatures. Some lists don't like a lot of promotion and will block your message or delete it if they think you're doing too much promotion.

I recommend keeping your signature to four lines. This gives you enough space to play with and most links and forums will give you that many lines.

For your signature you'll want:

Name
Title of Book
Date of release
Website link (or 25 word or less blurb)

If you can html your signature, add a little color and hyper link your site, so the reader can click on and see your book or site.

Most email systems let you add signatures to your out going mail. Check out the options for your email.


See that wasn’t so hard. Your first question answered and you ready to start promoting.

Show us your email signature, leave your signature in our comment section.


Next month we will break down more of these questions to get you started on creating your plan.

Can’t wait to next month, contact me –sormag@yahoo.com. I’m available for private online promotion coaching.

LaShaunda is the creator of SORMAG – Shades Of Romance Magazine. She has 11 years of experience on online promotion, most she learned from trial and error. She has taught workshops on online promotion and is available for private online promotion coaching.

1. Know that your reputation is valuable.
2. Do what you say you are going to do.
3. Return all phone calls.
4. Treat everyone with respect and courtesy.
5. Be visible.
6. When you meet new people, introduce yourself.
7. Try to develop a knack for remembering names.
8. Be an active listener.
9. Create a “small talk” notebook.
10. Be sensitive to body language.
11. Send a follow-up note.
12. Get to know the support staff.
13. Know your profession.
14. Pass articles along with a note.
15. Keep a supply of greeting cards for all occasions.
16. Write…write…write.
17. Go through your list of contacts periodically, update.
18. Let people know that you are available to speak.
19. Selectively donate your services.
20. Remember what Mom used to tell you, say “Thank you.”

I had a dream last night. In the dream I invested in some type of postal supplies shop - you know, like the ones you see on every corner now? This guy from an office next door kept coming in to say he was there to help me. Seemed like a nice enough man. At first, he offered to lay a customized floor tile that looked like a stamp for me in front of the counter. He described how it would have my initials, my favorite colors, and it would really light up the place. I was convinced and I said, "sure, that would be nice". Then after he put it in and I realized it wasn't just one tile, it was half the floor. Cha-ching.

Next, he came in and offered to change the locks on my door. I said, "yes, that's probably a good idea". And of course, he upgraded the entire door. Cha-ching...again. After a series of these offers, I realized I'd drawn up quite a bill. That's when I finally sat down to look at the total costs of my initial investment, the add-ons, and the history of success the shop had before me. Guess what? The previous owner sold it because she hadn't made a profit.

It was a pretty dismal outlook. I had the same dream at least once more the same night. It was like I had to go through it all over again, even knowing what the end would be. Then I woke up.

I realized that this was a pretty accurate picture of some decisions I've made before as a business owner. Not researching the so-called investment first, saying yes to everything that looks short-term shiny, looking at the total profit/loss picture only after I've spent all the money...

Notice I didn't say anything about "adding value" or "profit generating" decisions? What investments are you making in yourself and in your business that will add long-term value and generate profit? Got the wake up call yet?

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

About the Author: Tanya Smith of Be Promotable is a premier personal branding & marketing coach. Her creative genius has unlocked the potential of many women solopreneurs, helping them to reinvent themselves as power players in their startup business. Claim your free instant access to a free video download, 5 Secrets to Developing Your Unique Brand Proposition at: www.bepromotable.com.

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One of the things that I’ve encountered while serving my passion of empowering women are these three words “the right time.”

How many times have you sighed, “Let me think about it, I need to wait for the right time”, “Not now it’s not the right time”?

Did you ever find the right time? Or are you still waiting.

Time fulfills it’s purpose daily waiting on no man. Are you fulfilling your purpose

daily, waiting on no man, no thing? ~ Robin Tramble

The grave is rich with good intentions. Many I’m sure were waiting for the right time. Some of our greatest songs are in the grave, witty ideas and inventions in the grave, Government officials, Men or Women of God “in the grave!”

I’m not trying to be harsh here, however, I’m tired of seeing gifted individuals passing time and refusing to do whatever it takes to manifest their dreams all because you’re waiting for the right time.

I see this a lot in my coaching. Some take me up on complimentary sessions, see the value and talk about how others aren’t stepping up to get the training they need only to say at the close of the session that now is not the right time. Of course at times it may not be the right time, however, you must take inventory of the validity of your statement. Is it another form of procrastination? Do you have a fear of the unknown, fear of success or fear of failure?

Everyday will bring about a change. The question is what change? A change for the better or for the worse? Will it change by default or will you take charge of your future and change yourself so that you can change your world?

Underline, highlight, print in your memory this next statement; “There’s never a right time!”

Children are small at home “not the right time.” You now have teens at home “not the right time.” Your son or daughter is in college “not the right time.” Oh my they’re getting married so much to do “not the right time.” I’m going back to school now so… “it’s not the right time.” My parents are aging so…. “it’s not the right time.”

Life happens and there will always be something else that we are responsible for.

How important is it to you to manifest your desired results in your personal growth, business growth, spiritual growth, weight loss, relationships etc.?

God’s gift to us is life and what we do with it is our gift back to Him. Now is the time. Right here and right now.

There’s an audience waiting to hear your message and realize the benefits of your solutions to their problems.

This is your time. This is your year!

How is your mindset? Your mindset could be causing you to continue to delay taking steps towards your empowering success. I invite you to request my video series “Mindset Secrets for Empowering Success” while it’s available.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/mindsetsecretsvid

What are your thoughts on this topic?

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Sisters,

FOCUS (family,outreach,community,unity & schools) has designated April 2011 as mentor a teen parent month.  It's no secret that we are in a crisis with this issue and  loosing girls everyday.  Black women are needed in the schools and communities to help these young people as they attempt to be  teenagers,  a parent, and a student.  Some only need our wisdom and a loving embrace just as we would our birth child.  

Think about when you struggled with issues about sexuality, the jr.high crush, self-eseem, wanting belong to the popular clique. Remember you parent/child conversations that made every situation okay?  Remember seeing mom, dad or grandma at the football game to support you or mom working the concession stand as a band booster ?  Most teens don't have this support system which makes them more vunerable for making poor choices.

Black Professional Women the time has come for us to take a proactive stand and help families with challenges.  These are our daughters so we must step to the plate and not attempt to tweak this situation any longer.

For ideas about getting involved or building rapport with a teen mom please email: wheniamlearningtoloveme@gmail.com.

In Sisterly Love,

Michelle Chaisson

I wanted to share an interview I did recently with CNBC.com  

1 new result for chantay bridges

Time For Spring Cleaning Your Finances CNBC.com Chantay Bridges, a real-estate agent in Los Angeles, and her spouse have always been diligent about their finances but a recent death in the family, and subsequent conversations about was there a will, what would happen to the kids, etc., ... See all stories on this topic »

Published: Tuesday, 22 Mar 2011 | 6:01 PM ET

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 Spring is a time for renewal, a time for out with the old, in with the new. So, while you’re cleaning out the closet and the garage, it’s a good time to give your finances a good spring cleaning, too.

Brigitte Sporrer | Getty Images

 Think about it: The government is already forcing you to do an audit of what you made and what you spent last year with your taxes; what better way to kick procrastination than to take that momentum and check off everything on your financial to-do list—from rebalancing your 401(k) to reviewing your life-insurance policy, checking your credit score and planning out your spending for the year?

 “You get involved in your day-to-day life. You’re busy trying to get ahead, taking care of the kids, earning a living and enjoying yourself a little bit. Organizing your finances isn’t something people typically enjoy doing,” said Marie Hoffman, who runs FamilyMoneyValues.com, a web site designed to help Boomers with money management. “But if your goals are to keep your financial house in order and make headway on accumulating assets, then this is just a chore that needs to be done like cleaning the bathroom — so do it!” 

.

 Chantay Bridges, a real-estate agent in Los Angeles, and her spouse have always been diligent about their finances but a recent death in the family, and subsequent conversations about was there a will, what would happen to the kids, etc., made them expand their spring checklist this year. They suggest you:

• Check yourr credit scores.
• Get your legal business in order (A will, living trust, etc.)
• Make emergency plans. (Buying gold and silver, stocking up on emergency supplies and establishing emergency contacts)
• Check all of your policies to make sure they’re up-to-date (insurance policies, bank accounts, investments, wills, etc.)
• Make sure your beneficiaries are correct.
• Do a debt check — Is everything paid off or is there anything outstanding?
• Check interest rates on your credit cards and any outstanding loans.
• Check your 401(k)s and get financial advice on their distributions.
• Take stock of stocks — check in to see what’s performing, what they should sell and if there’s anything they can write-off due to low or limited dividends.

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Thanks!

I'm not going to beat myself up because I didn't reach all my goals. Life gets in the way but I am proud to have planted the seeds that will grown in the next quarter and beyond. I am ready to be, as LaShanda said in her new video - Profitable and Productive online.

Things I accomplished in Q1 2011

1. Prior to January I sign up for e-junkie to help promote my services and did a New Year's Sale. I got two sales and additional inquires from that promotion.
2. To date I completed 8 web related projects, which included work for a recurrent client and two new referrals.
3. Decided to take a collection of blog post from my blog and turn it into an ebook. Hopefully releasing early April.
4. Most importantly, I kept pushing through all of the tough times, and there were a few.

What did you do?