Archive for the Resources Category
Posted on January 24, 2012 by Sara
This is the second part of 12 Reasons Why I Love Solomasterminds. You can find the first part of this series here.
Recap:
The first 6 reasons I love Solomasterminds Forum are email marketing and newsletters, traffic and search engines, networking and social bookmarking, publicity, affiliate marketing and finally time management and automation.
- Business Ideas – the forum is a great place to brainstorm business ideas. We get and give honest feedback on ideas we have. If you’re wasting your time, the ladies will let you know. Another cool thing about having women business owners who have been at this a bit longer is they know what the scams are either by personal experience or by word of mouth. They won’t lead you down the wrong path.
- Blogging – I love this part of the forum because I can find new blogs to follow. I get a lot of tips about blogging and guest blogging. Many of the ladies have been making money blogging for a number of years so they know what works and what doesn’t. I think I have a special place in heart for this section because it is with the blog internship I did in 2010 that I was introduced to Solomasterminds.
- Audio, Podcasting & Radio Shows – Kelly, one of the co-owners of Solomasterminds has a podcast called SoloSmarts where she interviews successful solopreneurs. It was formerly WahmTalkRadio. She’s been at the beginning, made the mistakes, knows what works and what doesn’t so I’m confident in the advice she gives with regards to podcasting. I’m just getting into audio and although this is scary for me I am doing it because I know it adds value to my site and opens up my readership to others.
- Offline, Local and Mobile Marketing – One of the co-owners of Solomasterminds is very tech savvy and shares a number of great resources in the solomastermind library. Whether I like or not Mobile websites are now where the market is going and I’m sure glad I have her to chat with how to make my blog more Mobile friendly. If you have an online business why would you need offline marketing? To bring in readers of course. This year I’m moving offline and teaching some crochet classes which hopefully will broaden my readership.
- Websites that Sell – this is a really cool section of the forum as it is where I learn how to write sales copy. This is where I learned about the important of a call to action.
- Providing Services – This is where I bounce ideas about what I should sell. Market research and whether it’s a good fit for my business.
Under the “Special Resources” section of the forum, there is a topic entitled “Seeking Joint Ventures”. Here you can list your affiliate program, your viral ebook or freebie giveaway so that others who reach a similar market can partner with you.
Then there is the Solo Mastermind Special Offer section. A SMSO is a significant member to member discount
or a unique offer not available elsewhere. SMSO offers include anything from discounts off transcription services, ebook formatting, advertising, copywriting and video marketing, wordpress services, and much, much more! SMSO offers are a great place to find services you need for your business at great rates, as well as a great place to offer your services to other Solo Mastermind members.
If you’ve never heard of Solo Mastermind’s before, or if you have but didn’t realize the advantages being a Solo Mastermind member brings, then why not check it out now.
Posted on January 23, 2012 by Sara
Solomasterminds Forum
Solomasterminds Forum is the place I go to find accountability, advice and new business connections. I’ve been on the internet since the late nineties and have tried a number of different things to earn money online. I did ‘junk’ affiliate marketing, direct sales, drop shipping, selling my own handmade products and patterns, surveys, and more recently I’m writing.
If you’ve been in business for yourself for any amount of time, you know how important it is to have a network of other business owners to bounce ideas off, get feedback from, and ask questions.
What is Solomasterminds
Solo Mastermind’s is a support network of female solopreneurs from all over the world. It’s like having multiple career coaches at your fingertips. I never have to worry about feeling out of place because there are all levels of solopreneurs from people starting out just like me to women who have been at this home business adventure for 10 or more years.
Why Do I Love Solomasterminds?
- Email Marketing and Newsletters- I’m just getting into email marketing but am loving the feedback I get from the members. I can write an email and have them critique it or proofread it before I send it out. I didn’t have a newsletter before joining Solomasterminds because I thought my blog was enough. Today I have a number of newsletters and find I can connect more with my readers through my weekly or bi-weekly updates.
- Traffic and Search Engines – This is an area that I’m constantly learning about. Many of the more successful women in the forum share about how they bring traffic to their websites – most are unpaid which fits my budget perfectly. I’m also learning a lot about search engines and how keywords play an important part in my site being found. I certainly have a lot to learn but am glad I have these gals to bounce my questions off of.
- Networking and Social Bookmarking – We have a new thread in our forum called Comment and Buzz Club. It’s a simple way for us to let members know of new blog posts or new product launches that we want to spread the word about. More recently a member shared about a huge giveaway she’s having on her blog so I shared it with my readers plus now I have a new blog to follow.
- Publicity – I haven’t really visited this part of the forum as I’m pretty shy about publicity right now. I know eventually I’ll have to tackle this part but for now I’m slowly building my blogs and right now I’m happy with that.
- Affiliate Marketing – Recently there was a post from a newer member who needed ways to share her affiliate partners products via her podcast. The other members gave her some excellent tips like “pick one thing you love and promote it”. Affiliate marketing is given a bad name by all the get rich quick gurus out there who push things on you like a bad cars salesman – all you want to do is run. All affiliate marketing is, is recommending services and products you stand behind to your readers. In exchange for doing this the company you partner with gives you a commission – you are a sales person but more importantly a trusted friend giving a referral to a friend.
- Time Management & Automation – What better way to learn how to manage your time than to ask ladies who have been in business for more than 10 years? I just shared with a member a 2 hour blogging schedule that I received from Jackie Lee of InternetMarketingforMommies.com because she was looking for a way to rein in her schedule.As for automating your business, who wouldn’t want that? I love autoresponders for ecourses and I also love my hootsuite for scheduling tweets.
This is turning into a long post – this is how much I love Solomasterminds – so I’m going to cut it off now and continue with this tomorrow.
P.S. Forgot to mention that the reason I’m posting about Solomasterminds is because they are giving away some awesome reports, eBooks and other cool resources that will help you hone in on what your home business goals are. Take a Look and while there why not sign up for Kelly’s Free seminar on January 31, 2012 @ 1pm EST where she’ll be talking about breaking through the barriers of success in home business.
Posted on January 23, 2012 by Sara
It’s Angela’s of Marketers Mojo’s Birthday and she’s celebrating with a really cool BOGO sale. How cool is that? Now would be the perfect time to get her Gimp Graphics Mojo course with tons of videos to guide you through making your own graphics – Plus the Gimp software is free.
One more thing – in this BOGO sale once you buy your first product [$27 or more] you’ll get your second product up to $47 free. Yes you read that right. You can get a higher priced item free – this is her way of thanking you for supporting her and her online business.
Maybe you already own the Gimp Graphics Mojo course, I know I do, that’s okay because she has a number of products that qualify for this sale.
Making Cool Edits to Photos for Your Website a video example of what you’ll get in the Gimp Graphics Mojo.
BOGO Qualifying Products:
- Email List Mojo ($47): The one thing almost all marketers WISH they’d done sooner is start an email list. Get set up and marketing to your list faster with these tutorial videos.
- Gimp Graphics Mojo ($27): This course helps DIY business owners and Virtual Assistants create their own graphics.
- WP Safety Mojo ($47): Learn how to backup your databases, update your site and install spam plugins.
- 24 Hour VA Profits ($27): My Virtual Assistant success story, updated to how I parlayed my VA skills into an internet marketing business.
- Teleseminar Mojo ($27): Skills and resources to host a teleseminar or a webinar.
- Web 2.0 eCovers ($27): Gimp eCover Templates to design ebook, membership cards, reports, CDs and more.
Happy Birthday Angela and Thank You for all you do.
Posted on January 19, 2012 by Sara
Review of How to Start a Crafts Blog for Fun and Profit
I’m really excited about where my craft blog is going this year. I started the blog back in 2007 as a way to share my crochet projects. Now it’s turned into a great little community for crocheters and bloggers alike. I just completed a cross blog conversation with Kathryn of Crochet Concupiscence which helped me get to know her and her blogging goals better.
Not too long ago I purchased an eGuide over at JustAddSweat.com. Of course I had to check them out because I was considering partnering up with them as an affiliate. I started by checking out the ‘How to Start a Crafts Blog for Fun and Profit’.
This guide is great for those who have never blogged before. It explains what a blog is and how you can use it to start creating a profit. You don’t have to crochet either. Any craft will work with this eGuide. If you already have a blog this probably isn’t for you as it is geared to those who have never had a blog or don’t know what a blog is.
The creators of the guides, JoAnne and Nicole, are successful business owners who were sick of the hype and poor-quality business advice out there so they decided to create these guides.
What’s included:
· Ideas for types of craft blogs to start.
· Definition of a blog.
· How to set up and use your blog.
· How you can make money blogging.
· How to choose your market.
· What to blog about.
· How to get traffic to your blog and make money.
This guide gives you step by step instructions on how to set up a basic blog including audio and video. You’ll also get a worksheet that will help you find your target market. It also comes with a couple of bonuses like the time management article and the blog calendar.
One thing I feel it’s missing is a bit more instruction on how to write great blog posts. I think some people who are new to Internet businesses may not understand what people who visit blogs are looking to read so I think this would be helpful. I think it can be taught via Smart blogging skills or similar programs online. Google “how to write a blog post” and you’ll find tons of information.
In the appendix section there is a list that explains everything you need for setting up your business and blog, which is great for people just starting out.
When you download the eGuide you get an audio interview with Nicole in which she gives some tips on blogging. Some include how you should plan your posts, take notes when visiting other blogs and what to write.
I’m sure you know that craft information is high demand, and people just love to get as much information they can about crafts. By starting this type of blog you’ll be starting a topic that is near and dear to many people.
Find out all about it by visiting JustAddSweat.com now:
How to Start a Craft blog for Fun and Profit
I’m an affiliate of JustAddSweat however I only represent products and companies that I trust and products that I use or believe in. This is one way that I am able financially help my husband and my boys. This review is NOT a paid or sponsored post.
Posted on December 26, 2011 by Sara
After reading Jackie Lee’s post on Creating a Strategic Business Plan for the New Year I sat down and made a plan for my online self.
I already created editorial calendars for both my Crocheting blog and this self titled blog. This really helps me in seeing what I need to do to prepare for future projects. It also helps me to push myself past my comfort zone and make those vital connections with other wahms and bloggers.
I also filled out my blog directory for my Crochet Blog however I still need to complete it for this blog. At least it is on my to do list and not stuck somewhere in the abyss of my memory.
Download my Blog Directory
My goal for me this year is Focus. Very similar to what Jackie wrote in her article. Like she said our goals won’t be exactly the same but they will cross at some points – Focus – being a perfect example.
The primary goals for any online business is to produce content, promote content, create connections and nurture those connections. – paraphrased from Jackie Lee of internetmarketingformommies.com
Another great resource I read on staying focused in business is from Kelly McCaussey which is ‘The Power of a Focused Business‘. She is admired by all in our Solomastermind group and come 2012 you will see the fruit of her focused business goals as she releases some fabulous new projects.
My 2012 Goals:
- Blog Monday – Friday on Crochet Journal
- Blog at least 3 times/week on SaraDuggan Blog
- Write 1 Squidoo Lens per Week
- Write 1 Ezine Article per Week
- Promote writing on social networks
- Connect with Linkedin more [3/week]
- Release at least 1 information product per quarter
- Increase earnings per month
- Continue studying to be Solomastermind Certified
- Publish 1 new pattern per month
- Check in here quarterly
What are your goals for 2012?
Posted on December 20, 2011 by Sara
I’ve enjoyed crocheting since I learned back in 1999. I also enjoy blogging and writing articles on Squidoo. A couple of years ago I wanted to get more crocheters to make Squidoo pages as I was feeling a bit lonely over there – now there are many who crochet, knit, needle felt, and cross stitch. [even some quilters and jewelery makers]
I wrote two pages that listed topics that a Squidoo lensmaster might make and I thought it would be perfect for blogging as well. This year I added a few more [165 more] and now you can Download it in a PDF document.
The original Squidoo Pages:
I included a topic for each day of the year in 2012, a small area for notes and even an area for links so you can help promote other crochet bloggers.
Don’t think that this isn’t useful to you if you don’t blog about crochet – the topics can spark ideas for your own craft hobby blog whether it be jewelry making, quilting, scrapbooking or painting.
Download 365 Crochet Topics – 2012 Here
