Blogs

We need your help raising funds for this great free event!

Square Fest

Immediate Release

1st Annual Square Fest: A Music and Arts Festival Showcasing Some Great Savannah Talent

FREE! FUN! FORSYTH!

Save the date, Saturday, July 21st, 2012 will be the date for the newest "bestest" free event in Savannah, GA... Square Fest! Square Fest will be held at Forsyth Park on the stage side. This event is free and open to the public and is the brainchild of JL Events, LLC and 9twelve Entertainment, LLC; the idea is to showcase the independent music scene to the public for free. Savannah is home to some great grass roots bands that can usually only be seen in Savannah Night Clubs. By being free and being held in the most visible park in Savannah - Forsyth Park; we are sure it will be a great success. We want to welcome all family and friends to come enjoy a great evening of music and activities on a beautiful summer evening.

About Square Fest This is the first annual event for Square Fest and we are small collective, but we hope to raise BIG awareness about art and music in the surrounding area. Square Fest will feature local musicians, artisans, and assortment of vendors for the crowd to enjoy. Square Fest will also use this event to provide informational resources on health, fitness and other public health services. This is a great opportunity for us to give back as much as we can to the community. The goal is to make this annual event in Savannah, GA.

****

For information on band submissions, vendor applications, and sponsorship feel free to call us at 912-631-2390 or email us at savannahsquarefest@gmail.com

We have non food booths for $75.00 and Sponsors for as low as $100.00

Amanda Hollowell
Planner
www.facebook.com/squarefest
912-631-2390

If you have a stellar product or service you would like featured in a specialized guide, please join Suite369 on Tuesday, June 20th at 12pm EST for a quick information session. If you can't attend the call live, please register so that you may receive the replay. There will be a drawing amongst live participants... Register here: http://suite369.biz/LPShPW

Event planners, personal chefs, caterers, bakers, confectioners, tutors, children's book authors, clothing lines & boutiques, vintage retailers, costumers, stylists (hair/wardrobe), make up artists, life/business coaches, photographers, videographers, venue owners, bartenders, novelty item retailers... << this includes you and more.

One of the best ways to increase traffic to a website, especially those that use services like Google AdSense to earn revenue, is withSearch Engine Marketing (SEM) -  using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Your Benefit. Learn more: http://websites24seven.com/what-is-search-engine-marketing/

Sometimes it is hard to find additional content for websites. Maybe you’re running low on funds and can’t hire a content writer or you’re having a case of writer’s block. Whatever the case may be, help has arrived. Here are 5 places to get content for your website: Read Full Article

Social Media

& Online Video Marketing 101

Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM / Farmington Hills Community Library

Are you looking to take your business to the next level, create greater impact, get your story told, brand your ministry, increase sales and expand your network?

 Do any of the following resonate with you?

• You feel lost when it comes to marketing online using Social Media.
• It seems like Facebook is rolling out a new change every week; how do I keep up?
• You know online video and live streaming are the wave of the future but not sure if you have the skill set to really pull it off. You don't even use Skype yet.
• Your stuff is good. You know that your business/book/ministry would be more successful if you could just get out there and reach more people!

If so, this is for you! Learn hands-on Social Media Marketing & how it can help your busine$$
Added Value & BONUSES:

• Included: Guidebooks for Social Media Marketing
• Bonus #1: List of local resources and media contacts
• Bonus #2: Networking with others interested in Social Media on Social Media Day
• Bonus #3: A list of resources to continue your learning
• Bonus #4: Free 30 minute Q&A included – Have your questions answered up to 30 days after the event

To register now, go to: www.PamPerry.Org

Email: pam@socialmediaprsolutions.com or call (248) 342-8806

I recently went on a trip to see some close friends of mine in Chicago. This trip has been in the making for over the past 3 months. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it, due to tight work schedules. However one day, I randomly checked one of my email accounts only to find a “Secret Saver” deal coupon code from JetBlue. The code offered discounts from $20-$500.

The only way to find out how much you could save is by selecting a flight and putting in the code at the register. Read full story at EntrepreneurOpps.com.

Smart women understand that setting clear goals create a road map to follow and drastically increase chances of success in business. Regardless to where you are in your business cycle, the success of it is dependent on long and short term goals you’ve set and how a roadmap to getting there. What goals have you set for your business? Better yet, what actions have you taken toward accomplishing them? If you are not sure, here are 5 P’s of successful goal setting.

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” Tom Landry, football coach

Why is passion an important ingredient in business? Starting and running a business is extremely challenging. It takes endless time and attention. When you absolutely love what you do, then you will be able to face every uphill battle to overcome difficult obstacles as you work your way to the top. That passion will enable you to see your goals to the end.

PRIORITIZE

Women are notorious for putting others first, especially their family and business. Unfortunately, doing so often causes stress, exhaustion or illness… if you are not careful!

Taking care of you should be priority! In setting your goals, it should be first about you, and then your family and business. Ultimately, you are in control of the ‘how, when, where and why’ of achieving your goals. Your goals must align, personally and professionally.

PLAN

If you take a road trip and fail to plan your route, how likely will you reach your intended destination? Just as planning your route is critical; determining what goals you want to implement and creating a plan to review and measure progress is also.

Your goals need to be specific and attainable. Just saying you want ten new clients in the next six months is not enough? A great way to measure your progress is by implementing SMART Goals. SMART Goals is a simple tool used by businesses to formulate an actionable plan for results. SMART illustrates the 5 characteristics of an efficient objective:

• S- specific
• M - measurable
• A – attainable
• R – realistic
• T – timely

Persistence is the key to success in business. It is the ability to remain steadfast when faced with adversity or opposition. Accomplishing your goals require consistent action. It’s easier said than done… but you must remain tenacious and push ahead! If you make a habit of tracking your progress and achievements so you can see how much closer you're getting with every step forward.

For example, instead of setting a goal to increase your internet marketing presence, you might want to list several specific ways you plan to do so, such as:

Pod casting: delivered via an RSS FEED and available via audio content.

• Podcasting Resources Podcasting Tools- http://www.podcasting-tools.com
• Podcast Bunker - http://www.podcastbunker.com
• Podcasting News - http://www.podcastingnews.com
• Podcast Alley - http://www.podcastalley.com

• News Is Ready - www.newsisfree.com
• Technorati - www.technorati.com/ping

• Article Marketer - http://www.ArticleMarketer.com
• Ezine Articles - http://www.ezinearticles.com
• Idea Marketers - http://www.ideamarketers.com

• PR Web - http://www.prweb.com/
• 24-7 Press Release - http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/
• I Newswire - http://www.i-newswire.com/

Ultimately, people are in business to make a profit. This is extremely important for the health of your business. As a new or growing business, you need to be diligent about your finances. Some experts suggest reviewing your profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports on a monthly basis. In addition, hiring a CPA or bookkeeper can be a wise investment.

Assess your present expenditures and establish goals that take into consideration your short and long-term financial objectives. Here are 3 helpful tools:

Goal Tracking Tools

• Goals On Track - This goal tracking software does so much more than just assist in tracking your goals. It will help you prioritize, visualize and stay focused on what matters most.
• 43 Things - An online tool to help you track your goals as well as motivate you through fellow member recommendations.
• Joe’s Goals - An easy to use and extremely efficient online tool that is great for tracking your everyday goals.
• Lifetick - a web based software that brings together goal setting and achievement like you've never seen before through its intuitive and easy to understand process.

Download your FREE SMART Goal Setting fillable worksheet!

One of the basic and most important marketing tools required for an online marketer is a website the the power of its domain name. Learn more... http://websites24seven.com/should-own-your-own-domain-name/

Website positioning gains an enormous advantage once the correct way to gain targeted visitors to your website is learned. Learn more... http://wattspublishinggroup.com/have-a-business-have-a-website-but-how-do-i-get-traffic/

If you are looking to expand your brand online with a blog, a website, or both, WordPress is the platform you want to know more about. Learn more... http://websites24seven.com/why-use-a-wordpress-site-for-your-business/

Charlie Here!

(Blog #2)

So, just what becomes a pinup girl most? Wait for it...wait for it...

Glam Tip #2

1. Mac's Russian Red lipstick

2. A flowy, flirty, a-line skirt in a soft come-hither shade

&

3. Over-sized glam sunglasses ala La Dandridge

Mix and match or do all 3 and you are good to go!

You Be The Magic! Love, Charlie

Shop Now!

www.noir-a-gogo.com

www.blog.noir-a-gogo.com

A Father Will Show His Daughters The Way A Woman Must Be Treated", A Father Will Teach His Sons The Importance Of His Existence."

Pinterest is the latest social networking craze, but not only that - it has some potential to be a useful tool that drives traffic to your website. For example, you can add pins to your boards that link back to your website.

Need a little help? Here are a few simple steps you can take to increase pins and links to your blog or website.

#1 Pin Using the Bookmarklet Tool
If you’ve installed the Bookmarklet tool onto your browser then simply visit your blog or website and click the button to “Pin This.” It automatically includes the link with the image you’ve pinned so that if anyone clicks on the image or pin in Pinterest they’ll be taken to your website.

#2 Add a “Pin This” Button to Your Website or Blog
There are a few ways you can add a “Pin This” button to your site. You can use the code provided in the “About” menu under “Help.” Choose “Goodies” (http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/) and you’ll see a few options to add buttons to your site. If you have a WordPress blog there are also a few handy plug-ins that do the trick. Once the button is on your site, then you simply visit the page you want to pin and “Pin it” to your board.

#3 Use the Add+ Feature
You can also use the Add+ button located at the top right of your Pinterest page. Click it and you’ll get a drop down menu with a few choices. Enter your URL, click “Find Images” and choose from the selection of images shown. You’ll notice one image is displayed with the words “Prev” and “Next” underneath. Click “Next” to scroll through your images until you find the one that you want to pin.

#4 Write a Clear Pin Description
If you prefer, simply type the link you want people to visit in the description area of your Pin. The thing to remember here is that when people repin your image, they can and probably will change the text in the description area to match their own purposes. The link and description will remain intact only on your boards. Depending on your goals this may be okay.

#5 Make Your Site Pinterest Friendly
As my recent post about the 80/20 rule of content sharingsaid, you shouldn't be adding Pins from your own site too often. Remember, the point is that others will be motivated to pin images from your site onto their boards. That's a much more organic, less pushyway to get links to your site.

The more Pinterest-friendly your site, the better. That means making it visually interesting and adding “Pin This” buttons to your site.

You can build your Pinterest followers by becoming active on the site. Comment, “like” other pins, create boards and repin – USE the site. And remember to spend time integrating your activities on Facebook and/or Twitter to grow a larger following.

Want to know more about using Pinterest for your business? Check out my latest webinar: 4 Myths About Pinterest for Business, Tuesday, 6/12/12. Replay will be available for a limited time!

Do you sometime have a hard time trying to figure out how you should BE online? It’s different when you leave your house…you know what you’re going to wear, how you’re going to fix your hair and do your makeup.

Depending on how you feel, the weather outside, you can get in your vibe and just…do you! When it comes to creating your social media presence online…your persona, it can be a bit difficult.

We get caught up in the idea we have to BE super professional and appear extra educated in order to attract business. Then, we find these awesome people online with thousands and thousand of fans and followers and we think…“if I could just be like…so-and-so, my business will grow” or “if I just talk like such-and-such, I can attract more people”…ever feel like that?

Don’t lie…I used too (*smile*). It’s pretty normal. Many people find someone they really respect online, someone they want to model their business after, someone they want to be just like when they grow up…

So they end up adopting their online persona. They use their words, copy their writing style and guess what? After a while, they lose their identity, their original passion and forget the purpose of their own business because their vision has become that of someone else.

[continue reading]

Ready to get in shape? Join me on this challenge. You can incorporate the Get Your Body Back Challenge with this one. It will just help you to keep track.

Ready, Set, Let's go!

In celebration of warmer weather and longer days, the Bliss is kicking off a community-wide, healthy living challenge to keep everyone thriving all season long. Bliss has partnered with a super cool company called social workout to make this easy and super fun, and we 'd love you to participate!

What is the Summer of Bliss Challenge?
Summer of Bliss is a personal challenge we've designed to inspire our readers (and ourselves when we're having a hard day!) to accomplish better health habits on a daily basis. Even if you're already healthy, this extra fun challenge will help you push yourself to the next level!

Summer of Bliss is a four week challenge with five healthy goals to hit each week. Challengers log in and track their progress, receiving scores along the way for a chance to win prizes. Challengers can compete alone or in a team, so if you have a flock of loyal readers, consider creating a team. Remember, it's more fun with friends!

What does it entail?
Easy! All you do is sign up and create a profile. You can log and track your goals online or on your mobile device. Plus, you can host an easy-to-embed widget displaying up to the moment stats on your progress.

Ready to get started? SIGN UP NOW!

GPS is looking for People Who Prosper OR anyone that is successful, considers themselves successful, or on their way to success!

We are looking to feature and introduce people who are up and coming in their business or already there! PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place that features business owners and shares their stories with someone who just might be able to relate. Believe it or not, sometimes it helps to stay motivated when you hear other people's stories, and this is our goal: Not only to feature successful prosperous people, but to help keep others MOTIVATED.

So, WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF? We want you to tell US about YOU. It's easy for anyone to be a fan of your website, blog, Facebook page, or twitter. But PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place for you to challenge yourself and put yourself out there. We give you a chance to brag about yourself! Because let's face it, if you can't talk about you, then who else will? Tell us about your business and services and how long you've been in business. Why did you decide to go into business for yourself? We want to hear your story.

I am challenging you today to step out and tell others about you! Here's all you have to do: Email with subject line PeopleWhoProsper to tamara@garrisonprosperitysolutions.com Include your business name, website and a synopsis of "your story". After getting in touch with you, you will be sent a series of questions about yourself, your business and/or services. After you return the answered questions, you will then be featured on GarrisonProsperitySolutions.com, PeopleWhoProsperTV, and over 16,000 people on youtube!

So, take the first step today and tell us about yourself! You never know who will need to hear your story OR need your services!

Deuteronomy 8:18: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Hi, my name is Artiatesia Deal and I am addicted to buying books and sometimes I don’t read or never finish them. This is why I try to stay clear of my favorite place Barnes and Nobles bookstore. I can never leave empty handed.

I even keep my BN member card update, so I can save a little money on my purchases. In my late teens I was addicted to those “urban fiction: books, never could just walk pass a street vendor with out checking out what books he had for sale that I haven’t read. I don’t know why and where I lost my lost of books but I must find it again.

So I decided that I should do something about it. I scan my personal library and pick out a few books that still look like that are in on the shelves at the store because it never be cracked open. I am going to do my own summer reading challenge. I have tried in the past to do yearly challenges but I always seem to quit after a few months. I figure by making the challenge smaller I will be able to follow through.

Read on to see what I will be reading and don't forget to share your summer reading list as well.

For many women and mom entrepreneurs, summer months mean the kids are home on break…and for some, the business takes one too. With 5 of my own kids running wild and bouncing off the walls these days, I can understand why many of us choose to slow down, cutback, or close up shop altogether, to spend time with our little people and enjoy time off.

As tempting as it may sound…the worse thing you could do is kill your momentum just because it’s summer. This is actually the best time to step your game up because so many other home based business owners will be sleeping in or lounging out pool side…BUT…

You may be thinking, “well, I actually want to spend more time with my kids at the park or the beach.” Or, “my family goes away during this time of year.” “I don’t have time to run my business full-time.”

Well, what if you could have the best of both worlds?

There are 2 things you can do. First, if you are really strapped for time, you can get someone to manage your social media for you.

Second, you can do it yourself by finding the best online tools that will do what you need to get done and implement them in your marketing!

This is a practice I use regularly (more so when my kids are on breaks) and many of my colleagues do too (savvy women run in packs…you didn’t know). The types of tools you need are those that will automate much (not all), of your social media activity.

So, here’s a quick lineup of  some of my favorite tools and what I’m using right now:

[continue reading]