Social networking is the latest, greatest tool to help you build traffic to your website and to build your brand. At this point there are too many to mention, but a few you will recognized include twitter, facebook, and myspace. They are a great way to stay connected with literally millions of people. I get it, I love them, and I completely see their value.

I know I should be using this type of marketing fully. You probably should too. But, I am finding that it’s very time consuming. For a business owner, with a thousand other things to keep straight, who has time to go chat? And, once I am there and getting into it, who can break away and not get sucked in? It’s worse than Law and Order reruns!

As hard as it might seem, you and I both have to break through and persevere. Keep in mind that you want to be sure your point of view shines through, but if you are simply adding interesting links and a small blurb to come visit, you can hire (bribe, coerce, otherwise “encourage”–hint, hint, your kids, an intern) people that will help you write. The important thing is that you need to stay visible, and that takes consistency and regularity. Having a dependable presence seems to really impact your success.

I admit that I have not done this.I can also say that when I do, I get visitors to my website from it. So, I am turning over a new leaf. This next week, I am going to make sure my profiles are in good shape and I am going to be active again. I will report back how it works out. Want to play along?

You’re invited to come follow me on Twitter: Follow SmartWoman on Twitter 
Twitter is fun and it helps me meet new people. I have liked it.

My other profiles are definitely not in order, so I will notify you as I fix them. Feel free to shout back with your hook up information. I will be your friend! And, share your stories. Have you ever made a big deal because of social networking? Tell us how it happened.

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

My experience in transferring my blog challenged me. I had to get help. I have some skills that come in handy with technical issues, but at certain points in the process, I had to ask for a more proficient person than me to pitch in.

I am going to keep this short and sweet: Are you avoiding a difficult task because you don’t know how to do it? Is your pride getting in the way of asking for help? I am not going to believe you budget complaints either–because I will bet good money that you know someone who could and would help even with whatever constraints you are suffering through.

So, here’s your assignment. This week (not next, but this week), you are to find a task you’ve been putting off and you are to ask someone else to do it. Not just ask someone else, but actually accomplish someone else helping you. Use your charm, throw some money at it, pull in a favor, whatever. Make it happen.

You won’t regret it. And, you will flex your “get rich muscle”, because no one succeeds alone. Quit trying to!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

I noticed that I tend to put in a P.S.  about delegation, so I felt I should go at my message more directly: Get some help in your business–now!

I know it’s hard to imagine it, but you can have a life outside of your work. You deserve it and you need it. Long periods of constant work reduce your creative abilities, cause health problems, and make you cranky. It’s an illusion that it actually moves your business forward. I work at home, I understand the issue, but I  am serious that it is not helping you. I think deep down you know that too.

Entrepreneurship is about following your joy. Sure you’re going to work, but it’s time to re-examine the attitudes about it. Do any of these sound  familiar? Are you guilty of thinking/doing any of these?

I  don’t know very many entrepreneurs who intended, when they left the “real” job world, to work all the time, but that’s what many of us do. I have done it too and there is a solution.

I read this really cool book by Tim Ferriss that gives you a roadmap to working more productively. Tim is this amazing young man who has learned the art of the outsource. He’s very cheeky and hip and he guides you through the ins and outs of contracting out your work.

The idea is that you focus on what you are best at and only that. There is no reason to focus on your weaknesses.  I know that we are taught to, but ignore that for now.  There is no sense in it. It only makes you meagerly better at something you were bad at in the first place.

Focusing on your strengths, that’s a different story. You can take what you are great at and become world class super-star amazing at it. That’s better, right?

Check out Tim’s book.  It’s a fun and easy read and gives very practical advice. It’s one of my favorites and it gives a true mindset shift that will benefit you and your business. Hey, you might even be able to go on vacation this year with your family if you follow what he says…hmmm…..

Vicki Flaugher

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
“Stunning and amazing. From mini-retirements to outsourcing your life,
it’s all here. Whether you’re a wage slave or a Fortune 500 CEO, this
book will change your life!”
–Phil Town
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Rule #1