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DEC
2019 09
Business, Social Media Marketing
0

5 SMART WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BLOG ONLINE

An image of a pinterest pin

So, you have decided to take the plunge and go to the dark side of becoming your boss to sell a product, service, or start a blog that you want to share with the world.

Your website is up and running, but in a sea of online businesses and bloggers, in today’s digital environment, you have to find a way to stand out and get noticed fast.

In this four-part post, I will discuss the power of imagery, social media marketing, and artificial intelligence.

The return on investment taking a blogging or Pinterest marketing course, affiliate marketing, and the benefits of selling a product or service.

I will share the basics of online marketing solutions I have tried and recommend adding to your visual marketing strategy toolbox.

If you put in the work, these platforms will increase traffic to your website, build brand loyalty, and increase e-commerce revenue streams. The best part is most of them are free.

You’re likely already using one or two social media platforms, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook daily to keep in touch with friends and family.

Note To The Reader

A note to the reader, this isn’t a thirty second around the world get rich quick scheme using social media platforms and fake online profiles to trick people into buying a product or service to make a quick buck.

In learning about blogging and social media marketing, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly online and on YouTube. If that is what you are looking for, this blog post is not for you.

I wish you the best of luck and thank you for visiting my site. You have a good one now.

Woman flexing her muscles with the word "startup" behind her.

If you are serious about starting a blog, online business to sell a product, service, or to share information, reading this post won’t be a waste of your time.

In the long run, the information I will share will help to lessen or avoid the mistakes most entrepreneurs experience and serve as a milestone checklist every once in a while during your journey to digital business.

If anything, you will have the strength to remain focused and keep going when facing roadblocks.

When I mean roadblocks, I mean technical learning curves about WordPress, website hosting, The Power Of Imagery In Marketing

Having worked in retail and customer service for many years, I know the power of visual marketing using colorful imagery accompanied by a good sales pitch.

Ever heard of Victoria’s Secret and Express?

For many years, it was my job to overcome sales rejection and convert visitors into customers. That was then.

More and more customers are choosing to do their shopping online from their smartphones while on the go and not from their PCs at home versus shopping at brick and mortar stores.

Internet Users In The World

According to broadbrandsearch.net, the estimated world population is 7,634,758,428. Out of that population, 55.1% have access and use the internet frequently.

Internet usage broken down by country shows that Asia accounts for the majority of internet users in the world:

  • Asia: 49%
  • Europe: 16.8%
  • Africa: 11%
  • Latin America/Carribean: 10.4%
  • North America: 8.2%
  • Middle East: 3.9%
  • Australia: 0.7%

Learning how to use social media to grow your online store, blog, or website has a couple of advantages.

Social Media Platforms

Promoting your products using one or more of these popular social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram can help attract new customers, increase brand awareness, and grow your startup.

Knowing who your target audience is will help in determining communication objectives when promoting online.

Man using touchscreen function on the ipad.

Integrating a blog to your website will further strengthen your brand, product, or service and help you get organic traffic from consumers searching online. That is free traffic! Who can say no to that?

The majority of my traffic comes from social media, followed by organic searches, and lastly, direct referrals.

Now I am sure you are asking how expensive this process is. Well, it depends on your goals, objectives, and how much in funding you have available or are willing to spend on start-up expenses.

Once all said and done, the cost to register a website domain, an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), automate social media marketing processes and take two online blogging courses can be done for less than $500.

In part 2 of 5 Smart Ways to Promote Your Blog Online, I will share the best blogging course for new bloggers to grow your blog and explain how the power of social media and leveraging Pinterest marketing is your best friend in driving visitors to your website.

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NOV
2019 25
Business, Entrepreneurship
0

10 SAVVY FACTORS MOTIVATING AN EMPLOYEE TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR

An image of a male entrepreneur laying on the cement ground.

Pursuing a path from employee to entrepreneur is risky, yet rewarding at the same time. You report to yourself, set your own schedule, and choose which tasks and projects to pursue.

If you are married, taking care of an elderly parent, or a child with special needs, balancing work and family life can add to the stress of pursuing the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

The opportunity to inspire others to pursue their passion that contributes to job creation in communities and improving neighborhoods was enough for me to want to jump in with both feet along with being able to help women improve their quality of life financially.

You can expect roadblocks of obtaining financing to fund the identified passion, trying something new and failing, and sleepless nights during the initial start-up phase.

I am not trying to deter you from your dream, but let’s be real here.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. The thrill and satisfaction of building and nurturing your pet project an seeing it succeeding after all the blood, sweat, and tears is worth the challenge right?

When you know you are ready to go from employee to entrepreneur

  • You dream of being your own boss.
  • You find yourself during a business meeting at your job saying to yourself, “I can do it better.”
  • You are tired of the 9 to 5 lifestyle and find becoming a digital nomad interesting.
  • You want to spend more time with your family.
  • You are tired of watching your boss spend all day rearranging his/her office and dumping projects on you at the last minute.
  • You are tired of your boss’s micromanaging behavior and taking credit for all your hard work.
  • You are experiencing cubical farm burnout.
  • The daily cost of commuting to work, traffic delays, and hours spent on the road are taking a toll on your health.
  • You know what kind of business you want to start and can’t stop thinking about it. In fact, it makes you giddy about the possibility.
  • You want to invest in your community and give back to others by starting or supporting a charity.

Small Business Resources

Getting started on your dream job isn’t as complicated as one might think.

There are a lot of resources out there for small businesses that can help you with reducing start-up costs.

Non-profit organizations SCORE, KIVA, and the Small Business Association (SBA) have expert volunteers who have lived it and survived another day to share their best tips with you at no financial cost except time.

SCORE has volunteers who are small business owners that you can request to sit down with to discuss ways to grow your business at no cost to you along with free online courses and workshops about ways to finance your start-up, social media marketing, taxes, business entities, etc.

A business plan is one way of documenting your dream job and celebrating milestones along the way.

The SBA site has a free business plan template for download. Another benefit of utilizing a business plan is to budget for start up costs

If you’re a female, there are a plethora of financial resources and small business mentorship through several non-profit organizations that support and promote female entrepreneurship.

Providing feedback to another woman business owner can prepare her for the roadblocks ahead and provide tools on how to overcome adversity from past experiences by fellow small business owners.

Wouldn’t it be easier just to stick with the job you hate and continue to live paycheck to paycheck?

No, but taking the leap without fear and reaping the rewards of personal freedom sounds more fun!

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JUL
2019 08
Business, Work From Home
0

THE INTRIGUING EFFECTS OF WORKING FROM HOME AND EXERCISE

Woman doing exercise from home

One of the benefits of working from home is having the time to do yoga, go for a morning run, or an evening walk.

Working out not only improves your physical fitness but working out increases your emotional and mental fitness and can make you more creative.

If you or someone you know experiences limited mobility, it doesn’t have to stop you from maintaining physical and mental wellness.

I will be honest with you, when I started working remotely, I struggled with having more personal freedom at home, but not when traveling. At home, it’s easy to get stuck behind the computer and work no stop.

Sounds familiar to an office job right? Check out my post on Is Working Remotely Right for You? on why giving up the daily commute for personal freedom can be good for your overall well being.

Standing for extended periods can have their drawbacks by causing or exacerbating low back pain. Surprisingly, chronic back pain causes can stem from being a recreational runner and having weak glutes.

Most of us are under the impression that running works the glutes. When your muscles are weak, the quads may decide to do paper, rock, scissors with the glutes.

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and experienced extreme pain and fatigue. For months I was paying for a perk of a gym membership that I wasn’t using. Eventually, I had no choice but to cancel my yoga and Crossfit memberships.

When I saw a physical therapist for diagnostic testing for low back pain, I learned my hamstring and low back would engage, but my glutes didn’t. It would take time to reverse engineer muscle engagement.

Workout Ideas

At my previous job, we were provided standup desks. Eventually, I bought an elliptical trainer to use under my desk when I was sitting for a low impact workout. My creativity and productivity went through the roof. The workday would just fly by.

Since I worked from home once a week, I repurposed a drawing table and bought an inexpensive standing desk and treadmill I purchased on Amazon to put underneath my desk. In the winter, if it was too icy, I would move my running indoors.

I have a second treadmill downstairs with fold-down handlebars to store underneath my bed. I repurposed a bathtub caddy tray that sits nicely on top of the handlebars of my treadmill. With a book rest to keep my laptop from moving around while walking.

I discovered the 12 Minute Athlete app and feel in love with HIIT. A variety of exercises to choose from and time clocks of 12-minutes, 16-minutes, or challenge workouts come with the app for free. There is a paid version that offers more workouts.

Thanks to a YouTube notification, I learned I could create my own at home yoga practice. Some of my favorite yoga instructors have their own YouTube channels and go in great detail on poses and are easy to follow.

I already had a yoga mat and strap, but for the HIIT workouts decided to buy two kettlebells and a jump rope on Amazon.

Every hour, force yourself to move around and do some stretching or strengthening exercise. Another way to incorporate stretching is during a commercial break watching tv. Here is a list of channels that offer free yoga, HIIT, and barre workouts:

  • XHIT Daily
  • KinoYoga
  • Mobility|WOD
  • Rebecca-Louise
  • JessicaSmithTV
  • Monkii
  • Fitness Blender

Lower Back Pain Relief Exercises

Including stretching and strengthening exercises throughout the day will help you to stay fit and happy. Start your day with an energizing 10-minute morning yoga routine.

Throughout the day, do 15 glute squeezes followed by 15 squats. The couch stretch is a good exercise for the hips and reducing pain in the knees. If you sit all day, getting into this will be uncomfortable at first, but doing this exercise every day for two-minutes, your hips and knees will thank you. Watch Dr. Kelly Starrett demonstrate how to get into couch stretch.

Frog pose is another good hip opener to release the inner thighs and back muscles and can provide sciatica relief.

Don’t forget to stretch the piriformis as well.

For additional stretches and exercises to keep back pain at bay and your limbs more limber and injury free, check out my Yoga for Back Pain board on Pinterest.

Before going to bed, do a foot soak to soothe achy feet while enjoying a cup on AVEDA comforting tea.

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JUL
2019 01
Business, Work From Home
0

WHY SWITCH TO WORKING FROM HOME

Woman working on her laptop from home

I still find myself waking up in a panic thinking I am running late to an office meeting or a site visit.

After a couple of seconds, reality slaps me in the face and says, “Hello, you’re an entrepreneur now and can work home or anywhere around the world.”

Yes, it’s nice to sleep in as late as I want, but it’s easy to fall into a lazy trap and lounge about all day.

What am I talking about? I am talking about how awesome it is to work from home and why you should think about doing it as well?

How does working from home without having to pay for gas or childcare sound?

How to Transition to Working From Home

Before quitting my job in the cubical farm, I did flexible scheduling for a year. I worked from home on Fridays.

It was good at first until it wasn’t. At least I felt relaxed being in my pajamas, typing away.

Combining work and travel can be a win-win for everyone, for you, and you’re boss.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a win-win for my last job as they didn’t fully embrace working remotely as the private sector does. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a win-win for you.

Company and department policies limited remote work which resulted in high performing employees leaving their positions for work from home jobs, more time with the family, and less stress from daily commutes.

Instead of working 40 hours a week, I was averaging 45-50 hours a week. When Thursday would come around, my thought was, “since I am working from home on Friday, I can just stay up late to work and then do a half-day.”

Half days were rare, but I found myself working more hours on Thursdays and Fridays. Next, I switched to working 10-hour shifts 4 days a week with Fridays off.

My Fridays were spent at doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and catching up on sleep. I still found myself working late on Thursdays.

Entrepreneurship Spirit

Have you thought about starting your own business?

I had thought about starting my own business for 10 years and went back and forth on what I wanted to do. On a trip to Antigua, I say next to a lady who was an entrepreneur.

She said the best advice her day gave her what that the best thing she could do was be her own boss. That resonated with me.

A couple of years later, I would attend Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership Summit. If you are interested in being your boss, I highly recommend attending this summit.

It’s a safe place to network with people like you and get the best tips and practices from veterans who are successfully killing it running their small businesses.

Plus you get a couple of free books to take home to further get geeked out on becoming an entrepreneur.

By the end of the week, I was ready to make the transition from working in an office to working from home.

After meeting with a mentor and presenting my business plan, she looked at it and then looked at me and said, “You don’t need my advice, you know what you want to do, now go do it.”

That business plan on paper had been lingering in my head for the last 10 years.

If you’re unsure what you want to do, draft a business plan.

Don’t Be Scared to Take the Plunge

When I left my job, I knew it was the right time and the right decision.

My departure wasn’t sudden. I decided two years ago that I was going to leave my job and told my boss verbally.

As it got closer to my departure, I asked myself again if I was sure this is what I wanted to do. The unknown can be scary, but then

I remembered that entrepreneurial conversation years back that still resonated with me.

The conversation with the entrepreneur on the plane ride to Antigua and interactions with business owners from the EntreLeadership Summit reappeared.

Heck, if they can do it, I can do it, right?

I gave my official six-month notice to allow enough time to hire my replacement and train the person in.

My last day was a good one. I left with a smile on my face excited, an extra hop in my step and optimistic about the future.

The next day, after sleeping in, I woke up feeling refreshed and motivated for the next chapter of my life.

I have no regrets about my well thought out decision. Leaving your job or switching to working from home can allow you to focus more time and effort on personal growth, hobbies, and family.

How to Transition to Working From Home

To aid in the transition from the cubical farm to working from home or work from anywhere as a digital nomad, have enough saved to cover your expenses until you get settled.

Money-saving ideas like traveling less (perhaps not to Europe, but explore your state or neighboring states) and cooking at home more. These examples can stretch your savings out longer.

It helps to be almost debt-free and working very hard to get rid of that ball and chain of being a “slave to the lender” as Dave Ramsey puts it.

There were times that I wanted to just leave my job and start my dream job unprepared. I advise not doing that unless you have a solid financial plan to meet your basic needs and pay your bills.

There is plenty of work from home jobs that you can find on the internet or visit my Remote Work Pinterest board on to find working from home and digital nomad ideas.

Before taking the work from home plunge, do a test run to see if working remotely is right for you.

I found that when I wasn’t in the office, I was more creative and better at managing my time and making a routine for self-care while traveling.

Digital nomads can work anywhere from an airport lounge, on a train, plane, in a coffee shop, at a beach while watching the sunset, and from a hotel room with the windows open, sun shining, and the electronic dance music on full blast during a pool party while watching from above.

Transitioning from working in a cubical farm to becoming a digital nomad working from anywhere around the world is not only good for your health, but allows flexibility for self-care, family, and can save money on gas, childcare, and trips to the doctor’s office due to stress-related illnesses.

Are you thinking about switching to working from home? Is Working Remotely Right for You?

Check out my post to weigh the pros and cons of working from home and get rewarded by giving up the daily commute for personal freedom.

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JUN
2019 24
Business, Work From Home
0

IS WORKING REMOTELY RIGHT FOR YOU?

Woman working on her laptop.

Are you thinking about making the transition from a physical office and make the switch to working remotely?

Working from home sounds romantic and carefree. A few of the requirements for being successful at working from home are managing your own time, the ability to work independently, and be self-motivated.

If you enjoy working with people instead of alone, hate isolation, changing to a flexible schedule may not be right for you.

If you are looking to spend more time with your family, pursue hobbies while getting your work done, making the switch could be just what the doctor ordered.

Impact of Globalization on Employment

I can tell you from a research standpoint more and more companies are allowing their employees to work from home.

With the growth of globalization and companies located around the globe, the advancement of information and communication technology and integration of electronic networks, virtual teams can easily collaborate across time zones with one another 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Some of the e-collaboration tools used in today’s work environment are email, chatrooms, virtual private networks to access shared files, and video conferencing.

Using applications like Skype, Google Docs, SharePoint, and One Drive allows employees to collaborate and edit team projects in real-time.

Flexibility, retention, and savings on paying for unused office space are good talking points to have with your boss about the option to work remotely.

Work From Home Benefits

Studies show, individuals who work from home are more productive and use less sick leave.

Be courageous and push yourself to have a conversation with your boss to discuss working from home options.

He/she will either be supportive of you and encourage you to pursue it or convince you it’s not possible.

The worst he/she will say is, “no” due to a lack of understanding of the financial or productivity benefits and gains. No worries.

Simply tell your boss that Nordic countries Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have been allowing flexible work arrangements for decades and why Finland leads the world in flexible work.

Trust me, it’s worth a shot to ask.

Personal Freedom

What motivated me to make the switch was after listening to a couple of audible books on a road trip from Minnesota to Colorado.

If you have ever driven through Nebraska, I am sure you have learned the hard way cell reception is bad.

AudiobooksNow - Digital Audiobooks for Less

You better have some music ready for the nine-hour drive or enjoy listening to yourself breathe air.

After listening to a couple of audiobooks, researching and building up my confidence, the advantages of ‘personal freedom’ made me see that changing to a flexible schedule was doable and say yes to working remotely from home.

Sometimes I work more hours now than at my previous job, but I have the freedom to take off for a couple of hours for medical appointments and leave early.

It’s ok because I am living the dream, love my job, and enjoy how much more time I have to pursue personal interests.

A Different Kind of Working Culture

Before jumping into the deep end from a physical office to a virtual environment, I recommend reading or listening to a couple of books to help with the transition.

You won’t regret it. Over time you may be shocked by lower stress levels, increased energy, more time on your hands to spend with family, indulge in a daily routine of self-care, and working out. Oh and that daily long commute to work?

How does walking to your new office in your house in about seven seconds or biking to the nearest coffee shop to work remotely sound?

You won’t miss it but will be thrilled at the money you will be saving from not paying for gas, childcare, and parking.

Recommended Reading

1. Entreleadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches by Dave Ramsey

2. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

3. The Third Option: Why a Woman Doesn’t Have to Choose Between a Career and Family, but Can Actually Have Both and Succeed by Shannon Miles

4. Remote: Office Not Required by Jason Fried

5. Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod

Say goodbye to the cubical farm and hello to personal freedom by making the switch to working from home today!

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