Debra Kasowski

4 Surefire Ways to Get More Comments on Your Blog

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There are so many reasons that I love blogging but getting comments from other people really jazzes me up!

Courtesy of imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net

Your blog is what makes your website alive.

It is the one page on your website that is not static. This is the platform where you can build a community, share information, and engage with your followers. I find that blogging is one of the most underutilized platforms.

 Why?

Some people feel that they don’t want to be vulnerable and feel exposed.

I find that if you share your story in your style and  your way- you become relatable.

Blogging does not position you as being intimidating. it’s about developing your voice in a conversation just like you would be writing an e-mail or a letter to a friend.

There are several ways that you can start getting more comments for your compelling content:

  1.    Ask for comments –  Although this is the most obvious thing you can do, you do not want to make this request every post.

If you do not ask, how do you expect to receive?

2.  Share your blog posts with a close circle of friends.  Ask your friends to comment and give you feedback on the post and to share your post with others.  You may also do that for them in return.

3.  Take a stance – you may have a controversial opinion. I don’t know about you  but I do know when there’s controversy  –  many opinions seem to come out of the woodwork .

Why not let your voice be heard ?

4.   Become a guest blogger.  By becoming a guest blogger, you can share your content on another person’s platform and with their audience.  Be sure to include a bio at the end of your blog post with your website address  so that people will go to your website and check out your other blogs and comment.  There needs to be a call to action to build the relationship and serve in the process.

Blogging is a very powerful tool that I highly recommend to everyone. You need to develop your voice in the marketplace and blogging is an awesome way to do it.

Not only are you seen as a credible expert and leader in your field but you can be making an impact  globally every day.

I would love to hear what blogging has done for you -comment below.

Money and the Book Writer

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Guest Blog by Connie Dunn

connie_dunn-sm250People write books for a variety of reasons. In my classes (publishwithconnie.com), I ask my students to define what they want to get from writing their book. While logical thinking says, “book writers want money,” it isn’t the only reason people write books. Some of those reasons are: desire to show a parent or other important relative their accomplishment; to tell their story; gain notoriety or credential; or to help other people. Understanding the relationship with their book helps them understand their relationship with money.

 

The “starving artist” too often applies to book writers. However, when the writer understands what experience they want to have as a result of writing their book, they can better understand what monetary remuneration that they wish to have. Naturally, to make money, the writer also has to understand how to market their book.

 

Learning the details of marketing can be rather fun. The newest method of marketing includes creating a “Virtual Book Tour,” which includes writing articles for “guest blog” spots. This can be quite enjoyable. “Press Releases” are used to promote the “Tour,” and then, you will hopefully begin to make money.

 

Passive income, such as that from a book, allows you to make money while you sleep…and that’s the best sort of income to make! Do the work once, and continue making money. Every business person needs to include passive streams of income into their business plan. One of the easiest ways to do that is through book sales.

 

PR2If you have a business and you are writing a book to establish a passive stream of income, you may find that the process gets easier and easier. Some books, of course, are more valuable as “free” incentives. It is the wise professional who can determine which one is which. That wise person can also repeat the process of writing a book for the purpose of creating a passive stream of income. Success for most folks lies in their ability to create multiple streams of income.

 

Book writers, like almost everyone, have relationships with money. It just needs to take on the mindset of making loads of money fast or a steady stream vs drips of cash or dried up assets.

—

Connie Dunn is taking a Virtual Book Tour promoting “Press Release Made Easy” (www.conniedunnbooks.com/books/press-releases-made-easy) visit her Blog at www.conniedunnbooks.com/blog/ or Events Page at www.conniedunnbooks.com/events/ . Follow Connie on her tour from July 1-21. On the 21st, a Trivia Quiz will be posted to her Blogl Prizes will be awarded for the first six people. For details see www.conniedunnbooks.com/events/trivia-contest/

#1 Strategy to Take Control of Your Time, Money, and Waistline

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Time and money seem to slip through people’s fingers and they often wonder why.

We are all are given the same amount of time 1440 minutes in a day, 168 hours in one week.

However, we are not all given the same amount of money.

The biggest difference between money and time is that you can make more money and you cannot make more time. You can choose to do one thing over another to allot time for certain activities.

Now when it comes to your waistline, the more your burn the more you lose! And if you are trying to lose weight that is a good thing!

The ONE strategy that may change your life to TRACKING YOUR TIME, MONEY, and WAISTLINE!

By tracking where your time, money, food intake, and activity, you can discover where the time thieves, money wasters, and waistline stealers need to improve.

Remember to ask yourself- if you had a good time during the process, was it truly a waste?

Make a choice to become more aware of how you spend your time , resources, food and activity.

Time Thieves or Wasters

  • email notifications (binger)
  • Social Media and Checking for Replies (Facebook, Twitter)

    Courtesy of stockimages/freedigitalphotos.net
    Courtesy of stockimages/freedigitalphotos.net
  • surfing the net
  • watching too much TV television
  • meetings you could have handled by phone
  • attending meetings that you are not sure why you are there

Money Wasters

  • duplicate services
  • gym memberships (if you are not using it, cancel it)
  • buying things just to buy them
  • eating out every night (can also add to your waistline so be careful)
  • going to the movies twice a week
  • magazine subscriptions you do not read

Waistline Stealers

  • eating desserts
  • skipping breakfast
  • skipping exercise
  • watching TV all night long
  • late night snacking

Awareness is the key to change! Discover your losses by tracking your activities on a time, money, food intake, or exercise log. Write down what you are doing and how long the task takes, what you are spending money on, how much, and what you project your return on investment to be – how does it contribute to your bottom line? Often the activities, tasks, and purchases bought are out of habit. However when wasters are brought into awareness, you will discover where change needs to occur. You will surprised at where you a lot your time, money, and resources. The bottomline…it is all about the choices you make. Do you really want what you say you want?

Simple tricks of the trade to get you back on track:

  • Set up specific times of day when you check your emails.
  • Turn off your email notification alert.
  • Pre-set social media marketing (www.hootsuite.com) and pop in at set times of the day to check your social media – give yourself a time limit as it is easy to get sucked in!
  • You can utilize apps that prevent you from surfing the net or designate a certain amount of time to that activity
  • verify the need for an in-person meeting or the need to attend.
  • Eliminate duplicate services.
  • Cancel subscriptions and memberships that you are not getting value from or utilizing.
  • Create a menu plan and get active.

Imagine how productive and how efficient you will be!What would you do if you had more time to play, had more money, or had tip top shape health and body?  Oh no – there goes a bright shiny object – better pull back on the reins!

#1 Mistake Business Owners Make in Trying to Get Results

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Courtesy of Ambro/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of Ambro/freedigitalphotos.net

Do you feel like you are putting in your efforts and not getting a return on your investment?

I see this time and time again. Several business owners tell me, “but we have always done it this way.” Are you getting the same results?

“Well, yes!”

That’s the problem.

Many individuals fear – CHANGE.

However, change is progress and how our world evolves.

Look at technology for example, Apple did not just develop the iPod and iPhone and stop. They made modifications and came out with several generations. Each generation was led by new ideas and innovations. New applications were born.

The same is true for the rebranding process of companies. New missions and visions are defined by fresh snappy taglines. Yes, new stationery to follow as well. Some people would see this as a waste of money whereas others see rebranding an investment.

I view rebranding as an investment. If your branding is focused on your target audience and their wants and needs, you are right on track. There is nothing worse than trying to share your message and your target audience wants something else.

Times change.

You must embrace change and understand that change does not have to mean big leaps of faith or drastic shifts. But small shifts in perspective, actions, and habits that make a huge impact in getting out your product and service.

Instead of resisting, go with the flow or rather with what your target audience is asking you for. Get creative and innovate! Get the results your want versus what you have always received.

It is time to get BIG results!

How do embrace change? What business ideas, products or services have been born during a period of change or transition?  Do you know someone who is making this mistake? Share this blog post with others who need to embrace change.

 

 

3 Steps to Shifting Your Mindset and Getting Unstuck

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Let’s face it! There are times when you feel you are rocking and rollin’ in your business and there are other times you feel like you have hit a wall, plateau or rut. It doesn’t matter what state the economy is people are still doing business. Why not with you? Really the only person stopping you from getting what you want is you.

Courtesy of imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net

Whatever you do – DON’T STOP! Remember the Law of Motion – what is in motion stays in motion. Now is not the time to stop.

There are three things you can do to quickly get back on track and get your head back in the business game:

1. Move away from the computer – Get out of the office or your home and go where the people are. Find out about networking events in your area and get out there. Let people know about who you are and what you do. Your offline efforts are as important as your online efforts.

2.  Avoid the dream stealers or passion squashers. Surround yourself with like minded people. Create a mastermind of other business owners and brainstorm ways to move forward, collaborate or cross promote. When you surround yourself with others who are thinking positively and looking for opportunities, you natural will want to do the same. Happy positive people are contagious – you can’t help but want to be around them. Also a great way to attract your ideal clients.

3. Reconnect with your “why”. Take time to review all of your success stories and testimonials. Every day you accomplish tasks, emails, and phone calls to get you closer to your goals – take time out to acknowledge them. Align your actions with your outcomes. Take time to celebrate all of the small things that lead to big things. What gets you jazzed up? What is your mojo?

There are many ways to skyrocket your business in in tough times. Tough times do not last but your perspective and mindset have the power to determine how long they will last.

I would love to hear about how you shift your mindset when times get tough. Share this post to help others get out of their rut.