AllWrite Ink Launchs a New Site

My brother, Daniel Chaddock, gave me my website design for my birthday two years ago.

I was just starting out in business and needed an on-line brochure. Daniel, founder and president of E&E Exhibits out of Mesa, AZ, commissioned the design and technical configuration of my website.

It was a great start. At the time, I didn’t know what I wanted my business to be when it grew up (still working on that) and so we put up three pages that outlined my writing services.

Overtime, my services expanded and I hated to keep going to Dan (because he wouldn’t let me pay him) and so my friend Julie D’Aloiso, president of D-WebJazz, in Macedonia, took over control. She did a great job until the day I asked her to teach me Front Page.

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing; and this was no exception.

Let’s just say, over the last year, I have messed with my site until it became an embarrassment. Julie worked hard to save me from myself, but it was a lost cause.

So then I turned to Tom DeFrank of Better Built, out of Canton, Oh. I write web content for Better Built when the need arises and work well with their team. One day I complained about the mess I had made of my site and Tom said he could fix it.

Not only did he fix it – he has created a thing of beauty.

My new site launched this week and I’m very pleased with the results. From beast to beauty, I’m hoping the new site will more effectively tell my story.

Like the shoemaker’s kids who had no shoes, I had neglected the very thing I sell – my website story.

It wasn’t easy getting to this new site. When creating a site you need to consider:

Who is the audience?
What is the purpose?
What action do you want the reader to take?
What are the key words?
How many pages will you need?
Which graphics will you use?
What do the competitor’s sites look like?
What can you emphasize that will stand out?

Now, I may not have accomplished all of these goals, but I’m on my way.
Check it out: www.allwriteink.com

Let me know what you think.

Trying Something New

This summer I was reading "Make a Name for Yourself" by Robin Fisher Roffer.

She talks about the 8 steps every woman needs to create a personal brand strategy for success.

Frankly, the steps apply to men as well.

Anyway, one point she makes it that we should be constantly learning, growing, trying new things and expanding our horizons.

So this July I took up cello. I'm old enough to be the mother of my teacher and he's married. I only tell you that because, it isn't often that you find someone of my advanced years, taking up something new.

Well, guess what? I have to perform in a recital - with all his 10 and 11 year old students.

I'm more nervous than I am before giving a speech in front of 100 business executives.

But it is exhilarating. I feel fresh and young and vibrant. All because I'm preparing to make a fool of myself. No seriously - it stems from learning something new. From stretching outside my comfort zone.

And that energy and enthusiasm spills over to my business relationships. I have had three people tell me in the last week that I look 10 years younger than I did just one month ago.

Why is that? Face lifts? Nope. It is the excitement that comes from learning something new. From realizing that you are never too young to try something new.

When was the last time you tried something new? And I'm not talking about dessert.

Check out a sample of my rehearsal. The lovely lady on the piano is my son's girlfriend Christine and the adorable girl trying hard not to cover her ears in pain is my Emily.

Do You Have a Theme Song?

This past Friday I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with 15 women from the Women's Network as we gathered to hear Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett. Dr. Barnett is the founder of Rise Sally Rise an organization dedicated to helping women of color overcome feelings of anxiety and believe their own personal value and ability to rise to success.

She demonstated a powerful exercise that involves having your own personal theme song.

We all have an internal tape that plays in our head; sometimes encouraging, but oft times reminding us of when we've failed keeping us from feeling successful.

She showed us that by singing the words to your theme song you can successfully squash the negatives voices in your head keeping you from striving for the goals you desire.

So I set about finding a theme song.

The first one I came up with is "Jesus Loves Me" because afterall, God don't make junk and besides I knew all the words.

But as I continued to search over the weekend, I found the perfect song just for me. Natasha Bedingfields song "Unwritten." Scroll all the way down the link at Amazon and you'll find the words to this insightful song.

So what's your theme song?

Press Releases - Do They Have Any Value?

I just finished writing a press release for a customer and we discussed what newspapers she would like to see pick up her information.

Sending your news item to the paper is a great FIRST STEP to spreading the word about your business, but print newspapers aren't the only ones that need to hear about your business.

I was just reading Chris Brown's latest post on her blog, Branding and Marketing, which talks about 5 things you can do with your press release:

1) Post on the Internet to help your search engine optimization
2) Send it to a potential client who is considering your product or service.
3) Include it in your packet of information for a potential employee or business alliance.
4) Post it on your web site to provide more content and keywords
5) Send it to a current client so they know what's new with your business.

Great advice - actually, click here for the complete post - Chris has even more tips for spreading the word about your business.

photo courtesy of lordrich

Ten Myths About Blogging

I was reading Brian Brown's Pajama Market blog today where he listed 10 myths about blogging for small businesses.

I enjoyed what he had to say, in particular Myth #2 where he addresses what my customers say almost everyday. Why do I need a blog? It serves no purpose.

Read what Brian has to say:




"Myth #2: My company doesn't need a blog.

Yes it does. The top five reasons your company needs a blog are:

• blogs generate huge internet traffic compared to traditional small business websites from search engines and from inbound links
  
• blogs allow you the opportunity to educate your customers thoroughly about your products and services
  
• blogs allow you to promote your new products, sales, and promotions to a captive audience
  
• blogs allow you to hear what your customers needs and ideas are through their comments
  
• blogs attract attention in your industry and establish you as an industry leader

And if that isn't enough for you - he has a posting with 101 reasons to have a blog.

Check out Brian's complete posting on the 10 myths of blogging and then get started with a blog of your own: for your business, your hobby, your rants and raves!

Photo courtesy of Billychic

Communication Through the Generations

Last night my son's band performed for the first time with a new member. The new guy is a lead guitar player and the band has been struggling to communicate with him. Although he is a talented player, he isn't a team player. He doesn't listen to the music being played by the other three and attempt to blend, rather he tries to "out play" the others with his wild electric guitar solos.

Yesterday as they set up and rehearsed, the bass guitar's dad mentioned that the new player needed to turn down his amp so that their blend would be improved. The new player took that to mean, "Your music is too loud, sonny," and so he turned UP his amp.

The result - he overpowered the vocals and all of the other instruments.

I realized that it wasn't just the older generation not communicating with the younger, but even within his own peer group - there was a struggle to get the message across.

Sometimes we have an employee or a customer that is like that. No matter who gives the message or how we give the message, they just aren't willing to hear. Like an alcoholic who hasn't yet admitted to having a problem, we need to first help them realize there is an issue before we can talk about solutions.

In this case, the new band member will shortly be looking for yet another new band to overpower. What happens in your neck of the woods? How do you handle those who are difficult to reach?

Sit Up and Take Notice - Women in Businses are Here to Stay!

This past month, I reviewed a book by Mary Clare Hunt entitled, In Women We Trust, in which she talks about the female consumer and how businesses can win her loyalty.

Today I found further evidence to support that point in Nancy Clarke’s post entitled The Tipping Point Evidence, Why Business is Suddenly Focusing on Women!

She points to six key factors:

· Women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of men.
· Women are the skilled employment pool, earning 32% more college degrees than men.
· Corporate financial success linked to more women in upper management of Fortune 500
· Women hold the consumer wallet!
· Business now wants skills that come naturally to most women.
· Women are highly rated as managers.

I am reminded of a boss who, in an effort to motivate me, said that I should be home in the kitchen making cookies, not working in a man’s field. The job? Cold calling long distance services. Granted, I stunk at the job. However, women are a force to be reckoned with and it is about time the business world sat up and took notice.

For Nancy’s complete blog, click here.

Clearing a Path for Clearer Vision

As I carry the 8th bag of trash to the garage, I am reminded that this is Labor Day weekend and I can't remember if it is named that because of the work we end up doing around the house or is it in appreciation of the Labor we do all year long.

I have been busy clearing away the clutter. The labor feels good because after taking several bags to Goodwill, filling multiple boxes for the upcoming yard sale and carrying out the trash, I find a far less cluttered place of my life.

During this process I found some pictures I hadn't seen, a few craft items I didn't remember I had, and several articles of clothing I can now fit into that I haven't worn in years. Bonus.

Why do we let the clutter build up?

It is the same in our business. Michael Gerber of E-Myth fame, talks about the fact that many of us spend so much time on the clutter of day-to-day operations that we fail to see the clear path our business could be or should be taking.

I am remembering Jesus who told those who wanted to follow him, "leave your homes, your belongings, your family, and come with me." Some did. I have often wondered if I would allow the clutter of my life to hold me back from following Him.

Well, for right now, I am several bags and boxes lighter than I was on Friday and my path is looking clearer each moment.

Is clutter keeping you from a clearer vision?