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DIVAs,I have too many Internet things going and my head is about to begin spinning so to avoid that, I would like to direct everyone to my blog on another site:Wedding Arrangements, LLCThis site will be regularly updated. Check it out and link up as a follower so that you are notified when I make changes.Thanks Ladies!
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Facts about Organic Body Products

When shopping for personal care products, there is an amazing array of bath and body products for your choosing. The labels scream "organic", "natural", "made with organic ingredients" and the like. You certainly want to choose the best for your health and your family's health, so your question may be, "What's the difference?" Read on for the facts about organic body products.1. The FDA (Federal Department of Agriculture) does not regulate or define the term "organic" in reference to personal body care products. In other words, the government does not certify organic body care products as "officially organic" but they do regulate the ingredients that are contained within that body product.2. In order to be certified organic, the product must be made up of organic agricultural ingredients (such as cocoa butter, shea butter, herbs and oils). In addition, the way in which the ingredients are produced, the handlers of these ingredients and manufacturer of the final product must be certified by an organic certifying agent who is USDA accredited. (Water and salt are excluded from the ingredients.)There are several levels of certification for these organic body products:4. A product which is labeled as "100 percent organic" indicates that the product includes only organically produced ingredients. These products carry a USDA Organic Seal and display the certifying agent's name and address.5. A product which is labeled "organic" should contain at least 95% organic ingredients and the remaining percentage of the ingredients must be on the approved National List of approved substances organic products. These organic body products will display the USDA organic seal as well as the certifying agent's name and address.6. "Made with organic ingredients" indicates that the particular product contains at least 70% organic ingredients. These products cannot carry the USDA organic seal but must display the certifying agent's name and address.7. An "organic body product" with less than 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term "organic" on the main label. They should not carry the USDA seal, nor the certifying agent's name/address.Understand that while the USDA does regulate agricultural ingredients that go into the organic body products, they do not regulate and have no authority over the labeling or production of products that do not utilized agricultural ingredients. Which basically means if that mascara you're buying claims to be "organic" it's most likely is not. In addition, be aware that the organic body products that you may purchase in the store might also be certified by private agents that are not connected with the USDA and thus are subject to private standards, not the government's.Hopefully, this information will assist you in making an informed choice when you visit the personal care product section of your local store.Founded on the principles of natural skin and body care, neosoul.essentials, llc carries all natural, preservative free products for bath and body. Visit www.neosoulessentials.com for product information.
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I AM CONFUSED

I AM CONFUSED....I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.* If you teach children about sexual predators, you are irresponsible and eroding the fiber of society.* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.* If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that hates America and advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.OK, much clearer now.
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Vote For Me!

The following message will consist of shameless begging. My event planning company, Signature Soirees has been nominated for the Best Wedding Planner in Cleveland. I am asking for your votes. If you feel uncomfortable voting for some unknown person, please feel free to check out my website and see samples of my work on my blog.If you decide to vote, thank you so much. You can vote by clicking here.
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Make Your Site Picture Perfect

A picture is worth a thousand words which is why I always look for the best pictures and photos to create my banner designs, blog posts, website headers, and ebook covers. If you are looking for quality photography for cheap, I suggest istockphoto - royalty free images starting at $1. It's my not-so-secret special place : ) istockphoto.com A great place to find professional African American photography, clipart, and flash movies to add to your website *Please note: The images in this post are not free clipart, they are simply illustrations of the quality clipart you will find on istockphoto.com, so do not copy them. Go to istockphoto.com and purchase these and other African Amerian clipart images. The Black Clipart Directory For a complete listing of black clip art and free clipart sites, visit multiple shades of you online and review the black clipart section. -lhenry -Search Urban: Black Directory
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What Did You Steal Today?

Successful Indie Says "Steal" Your Way to the Top

I love traveling for many reasons, but lately, the main one is the interesting and friendly people I've sat next to on airplanes. Last month, I met Amri Johnson (Twitter: @amrijohnson), an author I hope to have on Indie Business Radio soon. Yesterday, on the flight from San Francisco after The Nova Studio's Business Boot Camp, I met E. Gary Smith. E. Gary, age 57, is a native Atlantian who now makes his home in the San Francisco bay area.

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The first thing I noticed about E. Gary is that he was holding a book by Michael Gerber, a well known small business success guru. The first thing he noticed about me is that I was holding a book my Mark LeBlanc, a well known small business success guru. We struck up a conversation, and what do you know? E. Gary allowed me to snap a photo of him (sorry guys, he wouldn't go for the video), and he agreed to let me interview him about his journey as a successful Indie Business owner.

dM: Tell me about your business

For 20 years, I have owned Menalto Cleaners in Menlo Park, California. It's a neighborhood business; I live right around the corner. I have a few employees who manage the business for me. I also maintain accounts with local department stores and luxury hotels to launder the clothing of customers and guests.

I purchased the business 20 years ago for a song and worked hard to make it a success. Today, the business is very profitable and debt free, and it allows me to pursue many interests including launching a new business.

dM: Tell me about your new business

My new business is Tete Cuvee, which is French for Top of the Line. Tete Cuvee will officially launch in February 2010, and will offer the highest quality custom formal wear for men. I am the designer of the line. I am also the financial backer.

I am traveling to Europe in a few months for a fabric shopping mission. While I will import fabric, I am proud that every article of custom clothing will be designed and handmade by me and a small staff right here in the US.

dM: Why a clothing line?

Because I think it's important for men to be tailored and well groomed. Not everyone agrees. For example, my sister was trained to take care of her nails and to use a nail buffer to buff them to a high and healthy shine. I didn't learn this easy and inexpensive grooming tip until a few years ago! Men want to look good too, and my clothing line is designed for the man who takes care of himself and is impeccably groomed.

I love clothes and I take care of myself. I have enjoyed two manicures within the past week and I make sure I am well dressed even in casual settings. I plan to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel while I'm in Atlanta settling my father's estate. This will be important to me since a death in the family is always challenging and I plan to treat myself well while I am going through the process.

dM: Tell me more about how you take care of yourself

Well, fitness is a huge part of my life. I generally go to bed before 10:00pm. I get up without an alarm at about 4:00am. I am out with my running parter by 5:00am. I run about 6 times a week, and go to the gym throughout the week for weight lifting. I try to work specific areas of my body to stay strong. I enjoy socializing with guys at the gym, many of whom are my informal workout partners. Having partners holds me accountable and makes fitness fun.

Our bodies were meant to be moved. I believe that exercise and a healthy body are two of the keys to success in life and in business.

dM: Based on your two decades as a successful business owner, what is one of your best success tips?

My mother always told me: "Steal with your eyes." I have used this advice throughout my business career and I think it is a major part of the reason I have been so successful.

There is no reason why a person cannot be successful in business, so long as they steal with their eyes. This does not mean that you take other people's work and represent it as your own. What is means is that you remember that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just watch what others do.

Study the habits, characteristics, websites, marketing materials, etc., of people with businesses like you envision yours one day being. Then, simply do what they do. Put your own spin on it of course, but the bottom line is that you use your eyes to watch and then you "steal" what works, make it your own and put it to work for you. Steal with your eyes.

What did you steal today?

This is NOT about becoming a thief and infringing on others' intellectual property rights. Neither I nor E. Gary condone such activity. "Stealing with your eyes" is about watching what other people do, filtering it through your sense of style and business goals, and then repeating it with your own spin. One of the things I have "stolen with my eyes" is listing "Related Posts" at the end of each my blog posts. This makes it easy for readers who like the current post to stick around and enjoy others. Several bloggers do this, but I specifically remember "stealing" it from Brian Clarke.

So think about it, what did you steal today. Share it in the comments section below. Maybe it will help someone else.

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The Green Game: How One Company Achieved Organic Certification
Indie Dawn Fitch on CBS Evening News (Video)
What's Your Exit Plan?
A Free Spirit In An Indie Business Yoke

For more fun, Indie Business success stories, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.

If you like Indie Business Blog, please share the home page with your friends using this link: http://tinyurl.com/6l5h79.

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Starting an Online Business in a Down Economy

By Melissa CampanelliAs shoppers flock to their computers instead of driving to the mall, entrepreneurs with e-businesses can make a hefty sum.We all know we're in less-than-stellar economic times. While there's no official "recession," every person you know is probably watching his daily spending and cutting back wherever possible.Since money is tight, is it really a good time to start an online business? You bet.To begin with, internet startups have low overhead and startup costs--as low as $3,000, thanks in part to inexpensive, yet robust e-commerce software and services on the market. What's more, the business can be set up in a home office and attended to at nights and on weekends, allowing new entrepreneurs to keep their day jobs. In addition, many budding entrepreneurs can set up their online businesses in less than one week.Another reason an internet startup could be lucrative even in a down economy is that online shopping is growing. In the first quarter of 2008, revenues generated by online-based businesses (and the online aspects of traditional retail businesses) were $32.4 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That tally is up 13.4 percent from results for the third quarter of 2007.In general, e-commerce is the bright spot in the retail world today."Online retail continues to grow at a pretty nice clip," says Jeffrey Grau, retail e-commerce senior analyst with eMarketer. "If you look at total retail sales, annual growth is in the low single digits. However, the online channel has been growing in recent years in the low to mid-20 percentile."While Grau warns that the economic downturn is slowing e-commerce sales, online sales are still growing at triple the rate of store sales."It's still a very desirable marketplace," he says.And more and more online shoppers are turning to the web instead of paying for gas to go to the mall.A new poll conducted by RetailMeNot.com, an online coupon website, found that nearly nine out of 10 American consumers have changed their shopping habits as a result of high gas prices.The poll found that out of more than 1,000 respondents who voted multiple times:45 percent said they plan shopping trips together to use less gas42 percent said they shop less22 percent said they do as much shopping as possible online11 percent said there was no impactWhether or not the economy is bad, there are some best practices to keep in mind when opening an online business. Here are a few of Grau's tips:Have a niche or focus on a specialty category. Since you're essentially competing with box retailers like Wal-Mart or Target when you enter the online retail space, "be sure [you're selling] something niche-oriented, such as fashionable maternity wear or urban street wear," Grau says. "Or focus on a specific category, like shoes, but that's all you do. But offer great custom service, such as making it easy to return shoes."Offer an innovative marketing technology. A good example of this is Diapers.com, a small web retailer."[The company is] very successful in part because it has an innovative referral program where if a Diapers.com customer refers somebody else to the company, that customer gets a discount. That is one way it has built up its customer base."Grau also says Diapers.com uses innovative packaging that enables it to cut down on shipping costs. Finally, the company is innovative in its focus on convenience; it makes it easy for young parents to have diapers delivered to their door without having to make a midnight run to the store because they are out of diapers.Keep pricing in mind. Even if you are selling a niche product, always keep pricing a priority."You are never going to compete with big box retailers on pricing, but perhaps there is a promotion or value-added program you can offer that helps people deflect that or takes their minds off of pricing."A unique product, an innovative marketing technology and a promotion to help customers deflect prices are important business strategies during a recession because people have less discretionary money to spend."[Entrepreneurs should] focus on strategies that keep their customers coming back," Grau says.Melissa Campanelli is a leading expert in small business e-commerce and author of the books Design and Launch an Online Boutique in a Week, Open an Online Business in 10 Days and Start Your Own e-Business. Her fourth book, 55 Surefire Internet Businesses You Can Start for Under $3,000, will be published in November of this year.
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Do you need FREE advertising for October?

I'm excitedly preparing for my October marketing campaign and wanted to extend an offer to the entire Sistapreneur community.I'm a Libra (smiles) and I celebrate my 31st birthday on the 14th of the month. In honor of that, I'm doing a "31 Days of Chictober" giveaway blast!So I'm reaching out to the community to see if there is anyone who would like to help me celebrate?You can offer a special discount code, product samples, services or anything else you'd be comfortable with. I'm personally doing a discount of 31% all month long - but you can do whatever you'd like This will be announced daily on my blogs, blogs of others, myspace pages, facebook, via press releases, ezines, message boards and other networking communities.If you are interested in participating, please send an email to ohsochicboutique@yahoo.com ASAP as time is running out.If you are going to participate by offering a discount code, I will need you to provide me with that code, the terms & stipulations. If you would like to participate via product samples or services, you will be responsible for mailing the products to the giveaway winner.Thank you !www.OhSoChicBoutique.com
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Florida A & M University is providing an outstanding opportunity for Black women entering college in the fall of 2009. It is designed to address their absence in the field of computer technology. Dr. Jason Black is the Principal Investigator of a recently awarded $552,000 NSF Grant entitled African-American Women in Computer Science. The grant provides scholarships from $4000 to $10,000 per year for female African American students.We need your help to get the word out about this great opportunity to build back up the enrollment of women in the CIS Department. Pass this information along to high school or community college students, their parents, and to guidance counselors you may know.The full text of the press release can be found athttp://www.famu.edu/?a=headlines&p=display&news=602You can also contact Dr. Black by email at jblack@cis.famu.edu.
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Express Sincere Appreciation

Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans prefer a handwritten letter or greeting card to other forms of communication? It should not seem strange to you that in this Internet Age, our clients still require that personal touch. Consider this. Emails get deleted accidentally and voice messages are lost but a personal note is something your client can refer to over and over. If that message includes your business logo, those repeat impressions will help keep your brand "top of mind" to those who matter most--your customers.What could be better than a greeting card emblazoned with your logo? A greeting card emblazoned with your logo that includes a music CD branded with your logo. The card displays your logo in the following three places: front cover, inside, and back cover. Add those places to the logo on the compact disc and you have four impressions. As an added bonus, the back cover declares your company's commitment to the environment since these cards are printed on special eco-friendly paper.The true beauty of the CD greeting card, however, is it carries a higher perceived value than your basic greeting card. Clients know that greeting cards can run as low as 50 cents each at your local "Stuff for a Dollar" outlet. Don't risk offending your client base with a cheap greeting card. Go the extra mile and come off a hero just by sending a card.Ordering your cards is a cinch with WLB Enterprises. Visit GetMoreROI.net and click on the "Greeting Cards" tab. Next,select your CD/playlist. Then, determine how you would like to brand or personalize your card and CD. If you get stuck, we are just a phone call away at 1.877.667.7642. Be sure to ask about our CD cards for real estate and other markets. We are happy to send our greeting card catalog so you can shop at your leisure. Send your requests to sales@GetMoreROI.net.To Your Success!
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Pre-Holiday Advertising Special for BBWO Members!

Belle-Noir Magazine is pleased to announce several opportunities to advertise to our curvy readers. Rates are very affordable because we want to give merchants an opportunity to advertise without breaking the bank.Premium Sponsorship SpaceSize: 468 x 60Location: Above Blog EntriesPages: Site wideDuration: 2 Month MinimumExposure Type: Rotating (4 slots per month)Additional Exposure:• Your logo with link as part of a dedicated email blast at the beginning of the month featuring all of the month’s sponsors (to be delivered the 1st Saturday of each month)• Your logo with link as part of a dedicated blog at the beginning of the month featuring all of the month’s sponsors (to be delivered the 1st Saturday of each month)• A dedicated email blast about your product/company/service featuring an advertisement to our mailing list• A dedicated post on our blog regarding your product/company/service. All of our posts are archived, so readers will be able to view your ad FOREVER!Price: $125.00/monthContent Sponsorship SpaceSize: 125 x 125Location: Right SidebarPages: SitewideDuration: 2 Month MinimumExposure Type: Non-Rotating (4 spots available)Additional Exposure:• A text link as part of a dedicated email blast at the beginning of the month featuring all of the month’s sponsors (to be delivered the 1st Saturday of each month).• A text link as part of a dedicated blog at the beginning of the month featuring all of the month’s sponsors (to be delivered the 1st Saturday of each monthPrice:$75.00/monthPre-Holiday Season Special!!!Premium Sponsorship Ads: $125.00 for two months (November & December)Content Sponsorship Ads: $75.00 for two months (November & December)The Holiday shopping season will be here in no time! Promote your business and products by purchasing advertising space on Belle-Noir Magazine. Limited space is available so please order now!Ads will start running as of November 1, 2008.For More Information and to reserve your advertising space with Belle-Noir Magazine, please email us at advertise@belle-noir.com
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Facing the Truth.....

As business owners, we are accustomed to facing challenges -- daily. In most cases, we work through them and even though they are temporary fixes - it helps to keep things afloat even just for a short period of time. Financial worries are often a worry of small business owners regardless whether the business is a success, if it's thriving or just barely making it through. The point is we have all had our moments where we celebrate the good times and shortly after face a potential crisis that may change the direction and growth of the business. Somehow, it works out.However, we have a huge dilemma. It appears that Wall Street is going through a major turbulence. Our government is trying to figure out a way to keep it all afloat. Like small business owners, we may rob Peter to pay Paul - the government is literally robbing us to pay the big guys. Small businesses have quite the challenge to gain loans, contracts, grants and forbid a BAIL OUT. We have to be innovative - stretch our resources - just make it happen.The truth is there is going to be a tough road ahead for Small Businesses. We must accept that we have to be even more innovative:• avoid taking on more financial burdens (hold off on buying new equipment and furniture, etc.)• keep a close watch of your inventory (no need to order more pens and pencils - look in your draw and pull out that pen)• bring your lunch to work• try to conserve energy - keep the lights off in areas that are not in use (bathrooms, empty offices, kitchen/dining area, etc.)• Use the supplies wisely (when a blank paper comes through the printer - put it back in the bin for printing)It is important to understand that every penny counts. The truth is we need to be in control of the things we can change - our habits. We will feel the brunt of this 700 Billion Dollar Bail Out - other businesses will be taking it easy until they feel confident to resume doing business as they were before this crisis. facing the truth is to acknowledge what most of us already know -- although the politicians have said and will continue to say that Small Businesses are the backbone of our Country -- they have done very little to ensure that we have the same resources available as the major companies - we're on our own and it's time to face the truth.
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What's YOUR small biz lifesaver?

Can I just say this? As I surf the Web during my daily online business dealings, it always amazes me how many great resources exist for small business owners. I mean, whether you're a newbie or a veteran, it's just a fabulous time to be in business for yourself, regardless of your industry & niche.As you may already know, I'll constantly be posting my stumble-upons & hear-abouts when it comes to products, books, websites, etc. that help you streamline your start/run-a-business process. But of course, I want to hear from YOU--what resources have been a godsend to you? Whatever it is, let's hear it! Post your "Best Resource Ever" picks in the "Comments" section, and spread the word to the rest of us "small bizzies"!
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Spirit Soulfire is and emerging organic indie soul artist whose main inspiration is Minnie Ripperton. She takes it as a compliment that she is sometimes compared to Erykah Badu and Jill Scott knowing that she has her own distinctive songwriting ability and talents.Spirit Soulfire has performed at the World Famous Apollo, The Black Lilly, Hibachi, Groove Lounge, Five Spot (Philly) and Café Wha in NYC’s Greenwich Village to name a few.Keep an eye and ear out for this emerging talent!http://www.soundclick.com/SpiritSoulfireneo soul spoken word urban r&bSpirit Soulfire on Soundclick
Now playing: Spirit Soulfire
For more information go to:http://www.myspace.com/spiritsoulfirehttp://www.myspace.com/kamalsupremehttp://www.soulgriots.comKamal Imani Management201-964-6275cipherkam@gmail.comsoulgriots@yahoo.comRevolutionaryARt Innertainment Logohttp://www.soundclick.com/SpiritSoulfire
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My Social Media System

How I Maintain My Social Network Without Losing My Shirt

Thank you for the great collection of comments, tips and insights you are sharing on yesterday's post about making connections on Twitter. One of the themes of the comments is that, if you're not careful, Twitter and other social media become colossal time suckers with little to no return. Indie Beauty Network member Anne-Marie wrote, "It can be a bit of a black hole if I follow all the cool links that show up on people's Tweets." And Indie Beauty Network member D'Anna Catterson said, "It can be quite addicting!"

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I have found these things to be true. If you don't discipline yourself in any fun social situation, you'll find yourself hopelessly unproductive. Who hasn't experienced staying at the party or talking on the phone so long that some other important detail of life or business is not tended to? We've all done that, so we all appreciate the power of using a system to ensure that our social connections are maintained while our businesses continue to thrive.

Here are my Social Media System recommendations and a little about how I incorporate social media into my business model.

1. Reserve Your Brand At Major Social Media Outlets

Using a popular social media outlet just because I or someone else says you should is a reason to at least make a note to check out the website so you can make a first impression decision about whether it might work for you. If it does not appeal to you, open a free (if available) account in your brand name anyway so that, if you decide to use it at a later date, it's available to you. This prevents others from reserving an account at that site using your name.

2. First, Observe Others

If you decide to start using the account, first watch how other seasoned users of the technology use it. There's no need to schedule this observation time. Just do it as you go throughout your week, hearing about it in blogs, the news, etc. As you learn more about it through your network of business friends and colleagues, you'll develop a framework to prioritize checking it out further.

Take your time. There's usually no need to rush. Look carefully at how the most proficient users of the technology operate. Make mental notes of what they do that is effective and efficient in terms of time. For example, if a successful Indie Tweets 5 times a day on average, and you have a business similar to his or hers, perhaps this framework is a good one for you to consider.

Similarly, if someone blogs 3 times a week, and each blog post is about 5 paragraphs long, use this as a framework for your blog. Do they use pictures? Video? There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Look at what successful people in your field are doing. Listen to what they say about the frequency and manner in which they use the technology and pattern yourself after them. You'll find that you make changes and adjustments as you go to suit your own personal style and business model

3. Use Cross-Posting Where Available

If you decide to take advantage of a new social media outlet, look for ways to syndicate or repeat your content across your different social connections. Most new social technologies are sensitive to the fact that, there are so many of them that users need to be able to do something one time and post it across multiple different networks.

For example, when I post a video to Blip, with the click of a mouse, I cross-post it to my Myspace page. When I post an Utterli audio clip, I choose the option to automatically cross-post it to my Twitter stream. When I post a Tweet, it automatically cross-posts to my Facebook page and to this website in the right column.

Cross-posting allows me to reach multiple people with one activity.

3. Set a Time Limit For Eact Activity

You're busy running a business and a home. You have to fit online social networking into your week, but you also have to set time limits. Otherwise, you'll be closing down the bar every night and waking up the next morning wondering why you have no customers, why you overslept, and why everyone else is bright-eyed a bushy tailed.

Look at your weekly schedule and schedule in time for social connections. Spend the most time at the social outlets that serve your business best. This may change over time.

I receive note regularly from Indie Beauty Network members who say they are tracking new business directly from Twitter through a blog, and then to an e-commerce site. I would say these people need to keep blogging and Tweeting a certain amount each week, and devote smaller amounts of time to other avenues. But again, because business and technology are fluid, not to mention people are fickle, always be on the lookout to change the balance for a good reason.

4. Focus On 3 Social Media Outlets That Work Well For You

As I said earlier, it's important to defend your brand on line, including registering it as a trademark and using it in so many places that the incentive for someone else to do so is significantly diminished.

Having said that, once you're registered for 25 social networking accounts, you can't possibly use them at once unless you hire people to help you. This is a good option if you can afford it, and if you need it, but if not, carefully choose the spaces where you'll invest the most time, and make sure you're getting as much out of it as you're putting into it. Then use other times as available, for other social networks.

For example, you may have found that your blog, your e-commerce website and your Twitter stream form a triple header for you. This is the case for many startup Indies. You Tweet your new blog posts and people comment on them. You comment back to create community at your blog. While your readers are commenting and engaging with you, they also naturally discover links to your shopping cart, so they head on over there with a credit card. Focus on your website, blog and Twitter stream if that works for you.

This is the method I recommend for most Indie Beauty Businesses selling products. As your business expands, add other social outlets that seem feasible and which you can predict hold the most promise of a return. Again, take your cues from your successful industry colleagues.

What I Do

  1. Each weekday morning (well, mostly each), I post a short Utterli audio feed to my Utterli page, and cross-post it to Twitter. I sometimes cross-post it to this blog as well, and now and then, I add it to my newsletter (but I have to do that manually so it doesn't happen very often).
  2. Each Monday, I publish a newsletter. This is not exactly social networking, but since I have contests and other ways for my readers to respond to it, it's sort of interactive.
  3. When I load a new blog post, I Tweet it.
  4. Each Monday, I host the Indie Business Radio Show. People can call in their questions live. After the show, streaming and MP3 links are made available so people can enjoy the show, discuss it and share it with others.
  5. I Tweet 15 to 20 times a day. This is greatly reduced from when I first started using Twitter, when I Tweeted far more than that. It was not pretty. But I have found my footing at last I think. The only time I may Tweet more frequently in a day than 15 or 20 times is when I'm at a conference, in which case I Tweet more to share helpful business tips with those not in attendance. I also share pictures, audio and video, time permitting.) I use my Tweets for my Utterli post, maybe a blog post of mine, Retweets of other people's blot posts and responses to other people's Tweets. (You can't sit at the cocktail table and just talk. You also must respond to others, yes?) I also Tweet helpful news articles, YouTube videos, etc., that are of interest to people who keep up with me on Twitter.
  6. I usually cross-post my blog posts at a few Ning groups such as Twittermoms and Black Business Women Online. I also update and socialize at Facebook, LinkedIn and Myspace when I have time, when I have something helpful to contribute or when something new and interesting catches my attention there. Finally, I invest time commenting at other people's blogs, Indie Beauty Network member and blogs in particular. Because I am the founder and president of the Indie Beauty Network, many of my Tweets deal with starting a small cosmetics business. The rest generally deal with business issues that any Indie Business owner can benefit from.

I vary these activities depending on everything from the work load on any particular day, to the volume of interesting and helpful things I discover and want to share with others.

Just Be Helpful!

At the end of the day, connecting with others is all about being helpful. Sure, I do my fair share of Tweeting about a new service I am launching or my next radio show, but the vast majority of my social networking is designed to help others. And I like to connect with people who share my philosophy of using technology to enhance people's lives.

Ask yourself whether the next social media activity you plan to do will help someone else. If it will, chances are it's a good investment of your time. If not, just as you would at a cocktail party, keep your mouth shut and wait for the next opportunity to help another person.

What do you think?

Whatever you do, don't let being a social butterfly interfere with making a profit in your business. On the other hand, in order to be profitable, you have to interact socially. You can't just set up a store or website and wait for people to come to you. You've got to get out there and meet people, right?!

Do you have a system? Feel free to share it in the comments section below.

If you don't have a system and this post is inspiring you to create one, please let me know that too. I want to know whether my articles are helpful to you!

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