April 21, 2011
Many of you have asked how I stay organized, so this week I wanted to share my favorite dead-simple online to-do list solution.
First, a confession: I’m a little addicted to organizing apps and systems! Yes, I am one of those people that wastes hours of time on “productivity” websites – go figure!
I’ve checked out many online to-do lists and most of them are just too complicated. You spend all your time fiddling with the features instead of getting stuff done!
That’s why I was so excited when I found this week’s pick, TeuxDeux.com.
(In case you’re confused by the name, it’s pronounced like deux in French, so it sounds kind of like to-do.)
TeuxDeux is completely free and amazingly simple. You just add your item to a list, and check it off when you’re done. All of your unfinished tasks automatically move over to the next day’s list. There’s also a “someday” area for tasks that you want to remember, but don’t yet have timeline for.
Check out TeuxDeux.com and see if it’s right for you
April 18, 2011
Guest post by Garrett Moon
Each and every day, businesses are looking for new and creative ways to bring more leads and more fan engagement to their site using word of mouth social media marketing. One method that this is often times over-looked is the creation of conversation using question and answer sites like Yahoo Answers.
Answer sites provide a place for people from all walks of life to post questions about whatever happens to be on their mind. These questions can range from life advice, to business questions, or even something more basic like cooking and how-to topics. These questions are then available for anyone and everyone to answer. Open forums like this are ultimately designed to connect the right question with the right expert.
At first glance, question and answer sites like this may not look like much, but they can actually be a goldmine for businesses that are looking to establish themselves as an expert online. Here are four really important reasons why you should consider using sites like Yahoo Answers to engage online conversation.
1. You get to be helpful
The creation of quality online content is still one of the most sure-fire ways to develop online traffic for yourself and your business. People will always be attracted to content that is helpful. I think that this is what really makes question and answer sites so perfect for online engagement. Simply put, they provide a connection point for people that need help and those that can provide it. If you already have an online strategy focused on creating helpful content, then answer sites could provide a great way to extend your reach.
2. Build an audience
When you reach out and help someone that is in need of your expertise, you create an immediate relationship with them based on trust. It is very likely that this relationship could easily turn into a blog or email list subscriber if leveraged right. You also have to remember that because of the power of search, other people with the same question may eventually find their way to your answer, and then hopefully your website.
3. SEO power
Every single time you leave an answer, you should also leave behind a link to your blog or a specific landing page on your site. This can provide great content for search engines link Google. When answering questions, I often refer people to my own Facebook marketing course when I feel that it is something they would find helpful. The key here is to choose your links wisely. Remember, your goal is to be helpful, not to stuff the site with links.
4. Get blog topics
One of the most unexpected benefits that I have experienced with answers sites, has been the collection of ideas that I have collected for blog posts. With these sites, you are right on the front lines and can really see what it is that people are wondering about, and needing help with. If you are in the business of creating helpful, value based content, than this can be a very powerful resource for endless ideas.
Question and Answer Sites
Along with Yahoo Answers, here are a few other question and answer sites that you should consider using.
Did you know that Twitter’s own search page allows you to limit your search to questions? Some topics are very crowded with spam, but overall this is a very simple way to find some great questions that you can answer.
The answers section at business.com is great for very focused questions around business and marketing. While it is still small, the quality of questions asked remains high. If you are able to answer questions about business and marketing, then this site could be very valuable to you.
This could be the least business focused of the sites on this list, but can still be a great place to find questions. Mahalo focuses heavily on ‘how to’ topics and connection people the right web content for their subjects.
This is a new comer to the list, and is already known for it’s explosive growth and it’s high caliber of questions. For online businesses and technology companies, this is an essential site for participation.
Get started
Like any good online strategy, using answer sites takes an investment of time and talent to accomplish. While it won’t give you an immediate rush of people banging down your door, it will give you a solid connecting point with a key audience in your market. There is a lot of long term success that can come if these sites are used properly. I personally have seen the benefits of this strategy for both myself, and for many of my clients. In fact, we have found them so successful, that we worked them into our flagship social media marketing software Todaypulse.
So, how about you? Have you tried using question and answer sites for your business? How did it work?
About Garrett Moon: Garrett is the lead blogger and designer at Todaymade, a web design and social marketing company. He is also the author of the Facebook Marketing for Business email course and the co-creator of Todaypulse, a social media marketing inbox for social pros and business owners. Follow Garrett on Twitter.
April 11, 2011
Guest post by Elsa Isaac
As the responsible entrepreneur you are, I know you’ve worked your butt off to ensure that your business has the best possible chance at success.
Killer website design – check!
Creating consistent mind-blowing content – check!
A member of The Dash community – check!
A closet full of clothes that accurately reflect who you are – check…right?
If you weren’t able to answer yes to the last one, then chances are you’re missing out on a very important piece to your business success puzzle. Here’s why.
“when you look good you feel good…”
A major part of being a star entrepreneur is taking care of your biggest asset…YOU!
So if you’ve taken the steps to eat better and get more exercise but you’ve never considered the state of your closet or personal style, then you haven’t really taken a look at the big picture in its entirety. When you look good you feel good, and as the CEO of making your dreams come true inc., it’s important that you feel good. A great outfit can do wonders to your self-esteem and the way you carry yourself. It will make you feel more alive and more in control.
Now, I know that one of the biggest perks about working from home, is that we have the luxury to work from our bed and sometimes even in our underwear, if we wanted. On a cold rainy day, I’m all for that, but to make it a part of your daily routine will definitely decrease your energy level and leave you feeling blah in no time.
“when you feel better we just happen to do better…”
There’s a reason we’re all on the lookout to feel warm & fuzzy all the time… when we feel better we just happen to do better! It’s not just that we get things done; we get them done with more bad-ass-ness than usual!
We feel more confident so we’re more likely to take more risks. We feel more in control so we’re less likely to let a couple of bumps in the road slow us down. We feel more alive so we inject more passion into our writing.
The psychology behind it really is incredible. This is exactly why companies enforce uniform & dress code rules. They understand the type of impact it will have on the performance of their employees, which in turn always affects their customer and ultimately the success of their business.
“…you & your message represent your brand and if you misrepresent yourself you’re misrepresenting your brand.”
Since you’ve most likely centered your business & brand to reflect you, it would only make sense to do the exact same thing with the clothes on your back. Imagine meeting your favorite vegan nutritionist mentor for the first time and seeing him/her in a leather jacket or the latest leather Chanel handbag. You’d be mortified and never trust that person or their business again, right?
There’s a reason why I’ve been hired by companies like Panasonic, Cheerios and Johnson & Johnson in order to help ensure that their image is reflected accurately to their customers. They understand the importance of a strong brand image and the ability to remain consistent with it.
So, what does the way you dress say about you and your business?
I know a lot of us haven’t really ever considered the question, but whether you think about it or not, every time you get dressed, you’re sending a message to the world and to your clients about who you are. So be sure to invest the time, energy and money in it now and be in complete control of your message. Remember, style is not just a luxury people, it’s the visual declaration of who you are in this world!
Elsa Isaac is a fashion-forward transplant from Eritrea, East Africa and the style guru to the stars. After graduating with a fashion marketing degree from Ryerson University (Toronto, Canada), the enterprising Ms. Isaac immediately landed key styling gigs in the music world, prepping musicians for their videos. Now a consummate New Yorker, Elsa Isaac has styled shoots for such world famous companies as Panasonic, and household-name publications as Essence, Redbook, and Good Housekeeping Magazine. She has also styled A-list celebrities, including Bill Cosby, Lenny Kravitz & Elizabeth Gilbert, and is the visionary Founder/Owner of StyleSense – where she helps women all over the world unveil their true sense of style!
April 4, 2011
Guest post by Brittni Mehlhoff
Life is filled with distractions.
And work life is no exception. It seems there is always something willing to take our minds away from spreadsheets, emails, and meetings. And if you work from home there are even more distractions fighting you tooth and nail throughout the day…
The laundry is piling up, the dog needs to be let outside, and of course the television is constantly calling your name. So, how do you combat these constant disturbances, stay motivated, and get things done?
Here are my top five tips for working from home and, more importantly, getting things done while you’re there.
1. Establish a space in your home that is solely for your business. This could be as dedicated as a whole room, or as small as a tiny nook (just make sure it has a door). It doesn’t matter what the size, as long as it is large enough for you to get your work done, and you feel comfortable working there routinely. *Bonus Tip: Don’t be afraid to test out various areas until you get it right.
Take me for example. I have set up my office on the far side of my bedroom, even though there is plenty of space for me to move into a much larger room. I feel comfortable and more inspired in my small nook than a larger dedicated space, so I went with what ‘felt right’ rather than what seemed more practical at the time.
Find the space that works for you, and you’ll be well on your way.
2. Set ground rules. Establishing a boundary during “work hours” with family members may sound silly. But it’s necessary. This means letting family and friends know that you’re not available to “chat” during your work hours on the phone or in person, unless it’s lunchtime (or some other time you decide).
And if you have children or a spouse at home while you are working, set boundaries with them as well. “Sweetie, I’d love to play with you, but mommy’s at work right now. I’ll come get you when I am finished, and we can play then.” I know this may be a hard one to follow, especially if your children are small, but do the best you can.
3. Make a list and set a schedule. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your to dos, making a list can really help. And if you have reoccurring tasks, creating a schedule for yourself would be beneficial. So, once you’ve laid out your tasks and set a schedule, take things one step further: write it down so you don’t forget. I recommend using a simple calendar tool like Google Calendar or iCal (for Macs) for tracking important tasks and sending reminders.
Note: Studies show that your brain is in its most efficient state when you first wake up in the morning. So, you may want to think about doing your most important or creative tasks right when you wake up, and save emails and blog posts for later in the day. Those “mindless” activities like filling out shipping labels, might be best left until the afternoon. But everyone is different. So again, figure out what works best for you and take it from there.
4. Make the most of it. When you are feeling especially motivated, make the most of that time. Get a jump start on client work that’s not due for weeks, write and schedule some blog posts in advance, or organize your supplies now so you can work more efficiently later. When those more challenging days roll around, and trust me- they will, you’ll be happy you did this.
5. Get out. If you’re feeling cramped or unmotivated and can take your show on the road, than do that! Get out of the house and find somewhere else to work for the day. This could be some place like the library, a small cafe, a quiet park, or even as close as your own backyard. When you eliminate the distractions of home, by physically removing your self every once in a while, it can be a HUGE motivator.
So now that I’ve shared my tips, I’d love to hear yours. What tricks have you picked up along the way for successfully working from home?
Brittni Mehlhoff specializes in marketing the work of talented artists and designers for the curated handmade marketplace she founded in 2008 called papernstitch. She is also the creator of the goal setting and tracking guide, Track This!, which is filled with actionable worksheets, charts, and questions, designed to help you figure out the true goals for your business.
