So…

You’re loving your followers on Twitter…

You’re building friends on your Facebook fan page…

You’re working your Linked In groups…

You’re visiting relevant niche focused influencers’ blogs and commenting with keyword rich verbiage that links back to a specific page to continue the conversation…

You have an opt-in on your website and you’re building a database list for backend promotion…

You’ve monetized your expert subject matter information into downloadable digital products…

Your authority building promotional articles are being published to other people’s blogs monthly…

You are publishing your own reputation building blog daily….

You’re seeing increases in your conversions and sales (list building and revenue results) and you even got a write up in a national online magazine…

To say you are an online marketing goddess doesn’t even come close! Life online is GOOD!

Oh, wait – excuse me…am I not describing you?

Oh, how embarrassing…um, maybe to keep all that happening (or get it happening if it’s not), you could create an online communication schedule. You won’t always necessarily follow it, but it’ll be a guide for you in creating your goddess quality online content.

Here are some tips on how to do it:

Pick 50 keywords to focus on

Start with just 10 if you wish, but choose ones that describe your services/product, your values and character, your clients’ needs, your niche or industry, and your unique value and focus in the marketplace. You’ll be concentrating on these words in your blog posts, your social media blurbs, your headlines, your entire marketing funnel. If the words are the ones your niche uses to find stuff on Google, then you’re going in the right direction.

For me, as an example – I would use marketing, online, women entrepreneurs, social media, philanthropy, pro bono, internet marketing, Austin, TX, business, beginning entrepreneurs, global, literacy, sharing, empowerment…you get the picture.

Decide your publishing timeline

I’d suggest daily or at least 3 times per week for your blogging, at least once daily for all of your social media homes (probably more on Twitter), at least once a week for commenting on other people’s blogs or forums, and at least monthly for new promotional articles.

If you aren’t able to do this on the fly real time day to day, create a bunch of material at one time when you’re feeling uber creative and schedule it out to launch automatically. If you are “too busy”, hire someone to help you, either a ghostwriter, a VA, or an intern – heck, go for the gold and do all three! Just commit to no excuses on this. If your clients can’t find you and if what they find isn’t compelling, you won’t be in business to be busy for very long any way. No excuses!

Keep going!

Even if you fall off schedule, keep going. Bootstrap online promotion techniques work really well, but frequency matters and regularly updating your content will make the Google spiders visit you more often. You deserve visibility and you can go from the world’s best kept secret to a promotional diva in a relatively short time if you show up and keep at it. The world needs you – please let us have you!

Still stuck? Try listening to this free, no opt-in preview call I did on how to turn 10 hrs of time into one month of online content. It will get your creativity going: Click here to listen to The Efficient Entrepreneur preview call

Final note: If I am coming off a bit harsh, please forgive me. It’s just that every day I see so many amazing, fantastic women with so much to share who are hiding from success. I have to swallow my own medicine too – none of us are immune from letting the urgent get in the way of the important, so I will crawl down off my soapbox now and go write a promotional article. *wink*

Together, we are stronger!
Vicki Flaugher, CEO SmartWoman Guides

Making friends fast and enemies slow is a little counter intuitive to me. And, it’s completely opposite of how I have lived much of my life. But, since embracing the fast friends and slow enemies model, I have become happier and more successful. Here’s how I see it…

Used to be that I would be cautious to get too intimate and revealing with people, holding myself back, keeping many details of my personal life (my feelings, my point of view) to myself for extended periods of time. You’d have to spend a good amount of effort to really find out about me. It was a matter of deep trust, complete respect, and immediate affinity. Yes, a handful of people took that time to get know me. And, I ended up with a small group of very close friends, all who remain lifetime friends today. I didn’t have many acquaintances or any casual friends, but the friends I did have were golden. My life is blessed to have those valuable people in it still

On the enemy side of things, I had a fast trigger (enemy is perhaps too strong of a word, but if “non-friend” works better for you, then sub that). My behavior was a protection and coping mechanism. I’d  pull away as soon as I had any clue that something bad could happen. Tuck and roll at the first sign of danger. I didn’t have to do this that often, but being the type that typically led with the benefit of the doubt, I felt more comfortable knowing I could take kerosene to any bridge I’d built and get away fast and safe. It worked, but it was tiring to maintain and easy to make judgment errors as to people’s motives and actions. I’m sure I probably let some relationships go that could have been beneficial to have. I was essentially a seek and destroy style of person.

The change came for me when I was successfully able to quit a job without destroying the relationship. That had always been hard but I made a commitment to do it and it worked. I decided that I wanted to maintain that bridge, even though I did not particularly care for the person I worked for. We weren’t going to be friends, but I saw no reason to be enemies. Not only were they powerful and connected in the community (i.e. could really damage me if I was on their hate list) but also, that the decision to leave was simply an evolution of my Self, not really anything they had done wrong (although, they still had been a bit of a jerk). I was maturing and it was changing me. That is when it all started.

Bring the story to now – social media has completely changed how I see it. Instead of demanding that the people who “qualify” as my friends be lifetime, perfect candidates, I embrace acquaintances and casual friends. I no longer insist that each friend satisfy all of my needs or desires forever. Some may be a single occurrence, blowing in like a breeze to freshen my world. Some may be an outlet to others, a portal to further relationships. Some may be like a developmental mirror, a metaphorical allegory to get to know myself more clearly. Some may be my divine appointment to serve. I have friends at every depth of emotional commitment – some I’d just say hello to at a party and some I’d give my life for. And, it’s not that I don’t value each person, even the ones that are just casual, because I do, even more than my previous way of seeing it. It’s just that now I approach it like I am weaving a rich, beautiful, universe sized tapestry of love and affection, with each thread and color and texture just one of the pieces of the entire whole.

I see my role now as an orchestrator of joy, expression, continuation, and creativity for all involved - no more seek and destroy, no more judge and jury, no more scientist testing the merits. I do my best to give those that show up and are drawn to me the room they need to give whatever gifts they are meant to and hopefully, I can give them what they are wanting, what I am meant to give them. And, I can say I have more friends of all types and I adore them all. Now, I make friends fast and enemies slow.

So, what about you? Are you a seek and destroy type or a weaver? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And, in case I haven’t said it lately – I’m glad you’re here and are a friend too.

This week at the Austin Social Media Club, @db, one of the evening’s presenters, used a tongue in cheek porn analogy to comically discuss social media. He showed highly pixelated pictures of beautiful naked women (with the BEST designer shoes anyone can buy) captioned with crowd sourced responses to his question “What do porn and social media have in common?”. I found it amusing. Not everyone did.

Let me say, I don’t think porn is bad. Yes, I am a feminist, but not the kind that thinks being naked, or overtly sexy, or having sex (whether you film it or not) is exploitative. I am speaking generally here, of course, but I actually fall more into the consenting adults can do what they want to category. And, frankly, some porn is hot. If I had a complaint, it was that @db didn’t include any beefcake pictures to make the analogy more accessible to the women in the room. I mean, these pictures weren’t of anyone doing sexual acts – they were of naked women in high classed fantasy situations. And, again – the SHOES! Wow.

Some women in the audience complained that the pictures were offensive. Some other people (both men and women) complained about the f-bomb usage in the presentation. Again, I didn’t agree. I was able to look past any potential offenses, as it appeared to simply be @db’s style rather than a verbal affront, and listen to his message. And what a message it was!

Perhaps @db could have chosen a different approach, but he was brilliant, simply brilliant. I approached him after his presentation and he was friendly, accessible, very well connected, and a super nice guy. He made many relevant and helpful comments that I will put to use in my social media and I hope to meet up with him again. I liked him a lot.

So what about you? Does porn affect your listening? Have you ever been so put off by a person’s presentation style or power point slides that you couldn’t pay attention to the good stuff they were saying? I want to hear how you feel about this. Was @db wrong to give this type of presentation? Time for you to sound off!…

Embrace your flaws as a marketing strategy? Yes, that’s what I said.

If you feel confused by social media, or get overwhelmed by your business tasks, or maybe yearn for the good ‘ol days when people wrote letters and didn’t know what a crackberry was, then here’s a thought – you aren’t the only one. And, if you’re not the only one, there’s probably a market that needs your help dealing with that very same struggle.

When you identify a flaw in yourself – maybe you see it as a barrier or maybe an old fashioned badge of honor for how things “should” be done – then remember that there are others out there like you. Use the feelings you have to dig deeper into the emotional triggers of your potential clients. Use the coping tools and solutions you find as an example for others. Use your viewpoint, even if you feel it’s something you need to shift, as a starting point for better understanding the needs and work flow of your customer.

Process is everything. By fully embracing your own growth and discovery process and sharing the results (and yes, the struggles and failures) through your online persona, you allow people a bird’s eye look into how you think. Demonstrating your values, becoming one of us instead of a stand offish always right guru allows for others to fall in love with what you do. And, they will even fall in love with those flaws.

Go on, now….go give yourself and all your beautifully imperfect flaws a big, juicy hug. If that feels silly or someone sees you with a funny look on your face, just tell them you’re tweeting. They’ll leave you alone!

Don’t act like a spammer on Twitter. Don’t be a tool. There I said it. Lately I’ve noticed many spammer accounts (or what I consider spam) appearing on Twitter and frankly, I’m sick of it.  So, consider this my rant. I’ll try not to throw too many curse words out, but I think that beginners to Twitter need to be given a heads up on what not to do so they can work social media to their advantage.

For those of you who don’t know, Twitter is a social media community where you engage with people in 140 characters per “tweet”. It’s a great way to make friends, promote yourself, and build a brand. Yes, I use Twitter to promote myself. There is nothing wrong with that. I’m not one to say there is. But here are some things to avoid so you can take full advantage of the power of Twitter without seeming like a tool.

1.  No avatar picture or a clip art avatar, especially one unrelated to what you do

Having a bikini babe to catch attention is cool if you’re selling bikinis or if you are a model and it’s a picture of you. It’s not that cool just to catch attention for your latest MLM scheme. I don’t care if Donald Trump told you to do it, you’re fired! And, don’t you be flashing your newly bright and white teeth at me in defiance either. Real people are sick of this crap. Real people are the ones with credit cards, ok?

Even worse is the default avatar. Take the time to upload a picture because I will assume that the time you spend on your profile is the level of attention you’ll give me as a customer. Same goes for your full profile detail, including a legit website URL. Slacker = fail.

2.  All pitch and no personality

If you follow me, I go to see if I want to follow you back–I check out your tweet stream to see what you’re about. Call me old fashioned but that’s what I do. If all you ever do is promote your MLM, CPA offers, Forex, Twitter tools to get me more followers ( PLEASE have more followers than I do if you send me that in a auto DM, ok?) or XXX rated adult sites, then I will block you. I already trade index option spreads, have an account myself with Hydra Network, have plenty of great followers, and I feel secret jealousy about your porn site because I’m too old and overweight to be a webcam girl. You’d know that if you’d bothered to check my profile out first. Haven’t you seen my tweets making fun of you?

If you mention GDI, teeth whitening, making money fast with no effort, or all you ever do is retweet what you find on Mashable, you aren’t going to be fun to listen to. I love to see lots of @ replies, conversations with your followers, courteous and relatively low % sprinkling of self-promotion, and lots of great resource links and comments – quotes are ok, but I’d rather know what you say, not so much what Gandhi says. We’ve all heard that – I want to know the unique you.  Cool adds are telling me about another person on Twitter who gives great info. You gain my respect and affection (and I’ll be more likely to recommend you to someone else too) if you share the power and glory. It shows me a character trait I like.

For the record – @ replies or retweets where you list my ID and tack on your affiliate link, making it look like I either asked you for that info or am endorsing it, is a total loser technique. It’s an abuse of my influence and abuse of my friends, so cut it out. BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK (and on this one, I report you as a spammer too). Yeah, I admit – I have some strong feelings here…

3.  Being impersonal (if you ghost, be good at it)

If you have a snazzy spam name like MakeMoneyNow (made up – I don’t know if this is real) at least put a real person’s name in the name field. Yes, you can have a different name in your profile than you do your Twitter ID name. I do – I am @SmartWoman and my name is Vicki Flaugher. Especially if you took a class showing you how to monetize your Twitter stream, please be creative in your automation. Mix it up so at least you’re different than other people.

If you ghost, be good at it. If you are making up a persona (something I find intriguing if you do it right – look at the dogs who tweet, or the TV characters from Mad Men as an example), then be great! Act like a real person would in conversation – make jokes, share information, talk to your friends, tell us about what you’re up to, and quit using social media like a two-bit escort. Just because something makes money doesn’t mean it’s a good thing to do. Okay, what I really mean to say is do what you want, but don’t expect me to like it. And, I’m not alone in this and I actually buy lots of things online. I am your customer – please do not treat me like a moron that can’t hear the 50th time this hour of you telling me how great your product is. Where is the seduction, intrigue, respect? No where when you act that way!

Making money online is super fun and I follow fake people if they entertain me. Constantly pitching your amazing product isn’t entertaining. Don’t you see how the logic goes? If your product is really so great, would you have to pitch it incessantly? Of course not – you’d be building a list, working your backend sales funnel, providing strong value, and creating lifetime customers instead.

I am a marketer. I market online. I love it, too and am not ashamed of the way I conduct my business. I use online tools for my own revenue. I consult with my clients about social media, blogging, article marketing, affiliate programs, CPA offers, info product development, PPC traffic generation, and email auto-responders.

If you don’t know what any of those things that I just listed are and actually want to integrate them with authenticity and integrity into your business, give me a call. When you call, I promise I won’t offer you teeth whitening from a single Mom in Hollywood (my favorite pet peeve), a one time limited offer with lots of CAPS and !!! points in the sales copy, nor any emails that use RE: in the subject line when you’ve never sent me an email that I could possibly be responding back to. Using the internet as a tool doesn’t make you a tool. The behaviors you exhibit are what do that. And, believe me, there are plenty of tools out there already – you don’t need to be one.  Don’t act like a spammer on Twitter. There I said it!

If you’ve ever attended a social gathering during holiday season or election time, controversy very likely arose. Whether it be the latest political scandal, the definition of marriage, or the meltdown of the US auto industry, if your family or your beloved circle of friends is like most, someone (maybe everyone) is likely to disagree on something (maybe everything).

The common wisdom is you never talk about sex, religion, or politics in polite company. The media gets a pass somehow on talking about these things – and get paid big bucks to do it – but we’re supposed to refrain because we might offend someone.

I’m here to tell you that, in marketing yourself, avoiding controversy is not always the way to go.

I’ve always been opinionated but in a business environment, I’ve tended to not engage in controversy because I was afraid of tarnishing my reputation or perhaps saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person. Also, some people are just plain mean when they debate and I didn’t like that. I didn’t want to be mean back, so I stayed on the sidelines, above the fray.

One of my favorites on Twitter, @CoachDeb, asserts that jumping into the hot button conversations is a way to engage your audience, to get noticed. She is very good at engaging her audience on social media sites like Twitter and I feel I am less than good at that, so, with her suggestion, I decided I would go for it. I tried some things, and they worked, so I thought I could share some simple guidelines for you shy readers out there that are interested in giving controversy a try.

1.  Attack the issue not the person

Name calling will fly, but you don’t have to do it. In fact, seek out individuals who argue issues, not attack  you, and reciprocate in kind. There are many people out there who enjoy a healthy debate and it’s a mental exercise rather than an opportunity for a “kick the dog” venting on another human being. It’s fun to them to stretch their mind muscle and they like to see other people’s passion. Find those people and engage on an issue.

If you end up getting attacked by someone aggressively rude, disengage and say why. I would say something like “I’m happy to debate issues, but name calling’s not needed here”.  If they don’t back off, stop talking to them, block them, unfollow them, whatever. Don’t back away just because someone gets passionate, but don’t take the bait to be rude yourself. Remember that in complex issues, sometimes you (or someone else) may feel two ways about one subject. Allow yourself and others the room to be complex, complicated, and conflicted. We all are torn about something – at least the person is admitting it when they express seemingly mutually exclusive views. I’d give them points for honesty.

2.  Show your emotions, speak your logic

It’s ok to express your emotions in your controversy style. Be authentic, but if something peeves you, say so. If you have to couch your irrationality in terms of “My mind tells me this shouldn’t bother me, but __________ really makes me mad!” then do that. Or, you can just say, “_____________ makes me mad.”, without apology or equivocation. It’s your choice on how forceful you want to be. Be honest in your feelings but express them. People interested in engaging on controversy basically need to see your heart. If you have the heart of a lion, let it roar! Don’t let your emotions rule you, but don’t stuff them either.

The other component of this is that you can and probably should include logic. If you have facts, figures, and examples that highlight your point of view, feel free to use them. Many traditional debaters (especially men) expect you to honor logic over feelings and will use logical fallacies to twist the argument. They see an argument as a test of skill on the activity of debating in addition to the actual debate of the topic at hand. If you want to engage with that type of debater, learn some tricks, or find a more gentle debater to engage with in the beginning. Logic only goes so far for me, as I think many things are decided by irrational emotion and I use that as part of my argument. There is enough inconsistency in our world to find examples that are on the opposite side of anyone’s arguments. Statistics are a fools game, as numbers can be applied in many differing ways. Don’t get trapped in logic, but use it as often as you can in your debates.

3.  Take a stand for what you truly believe in

I have had some interesting debates about poverty, unemployment, and personal liberties. Those are things I have strong feelings about and a well-developed personal viewpoint on. I believe that food and shelter are a right that belongs to each and every one of us, regardless of whether we have a job or not. There are many who think you have to earn your right to food and shelter. It’s a hot button issue. Ultimately, no one wants someone to be homeless, but the means toward the end is what is at issue. By speaking up about my feelings on this issue, I have attracted attention from other like-minded people as myself. By broadcasting my own believes and positions, others who want companionship in that same position and lifestyle gravitate toward me. Without revealing my view, those people may not have known that I was one of them.

You will find many who take a “devil’s advocate” point of view, who take the opposite side of an argument, especially the most unpopular side of it, just to get a rise out of you, just to create controversy. They either get juice out of pushing buttons or they enjoy the chase. Regardless, if you decide to do that, keep in mind that it demonstrates a certain personality trait and if that trait is not accurate, don’t engage that way. It’s one thing to be passionate about what your heart tells you, it’s another to be a jerk who simply likes to argue. Who would you hire? Probably not the jerk.

By keeping in mind that we are engaging in the social media environment as a marketing tool, as a way to reveal our truest, most authentic, and transparent self, you will make the best choices on how to conduct yourself. Everything you say speaks to who you are, including your willingness to stand up for what you believe in. Simply staying on the sidelines doesn’t show your fierce loyalty to quality, or your determination to give great service, or your confidence in your ability to make choices. By engaging in honest, human controversy and being willing to show who you are, you are steps ahead of someone who prefers safe to real. Get real and have fun with it. It will reap rewards for you.

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

Follow me on Twitter: SmartWoman

by Vicki Flaugher, CEO of SmartWoman Guides

Today I had an interesting and educational experience. One of the great bloggers I follow on Twitter introduced a friend of his to the community. This friend is apparently well-known by many but, unfortunately, not me. But, since I trust the blogger who recommended him, I went to go check out the newbie’s profile. But I was foiled – the newbie didn’t have a profile! Gasp!

In an effort at brevity, I joked that the newbie’s Twitter profile was a little slim – no website link, no bio, nada. Just his name and a picture (which was a nice picture, admittedly). Frankly, I didn’t want to have to google the newbie to find out about him. Maybe I’m too focused on instant gratification, but well, fair enough, maybe I am. The web is all about instant info and ease and convenience and I’ve bought in.

One of my other Twitter buds messaged that this newbie was already so well known that he didn’t need to create a profile to get followers and he was busy. Wow. Not only did I still not know about this newbie (who now I wanted to know about even more, since he’s so busy and great) but now I felt like an outside, the only one left in the world to not know who he was just on his name and picture. The big capital “L” for loser felt squarely tattooed to my forehead.

After a moment of being stunned, the conversation got me thinking - are you ever so big that you don’t have to introduce yourself? You can guess my answer – a resounding NO.

Being focused on beginners, I try to be aware of the idea that there are people who aren’t living in my personal world, who don’t live in my bubble of experience. Like meeting people who’ve never heard of Twitter, or who have never purchased anything online, or don’t know what RSS is, it’s easy to think that maybe they’ve just been living under a rock. That’s not very kind or compassionate and it’s a bit foolish from a marketing point of view. It gives the impression that you don’t care.

I know that the Twitter newbie does care and I do imagine that he’s quite busy. I also do not hold him responsible for the response others give me about him. I’m guessing the lack of profile is either an oversight or perhaps an indication that it’s time to outsource some admin tasks. We’ve all been there. We’re all human. No one, even the highest of high, always gets it right 100% of the time. No biggie. The issue comes when you don’t fix it when you find it.

What I’m hoping you pick up is this: You grow your business by getting new clients and getting the established clients to buy again. Don’t forget your new clients. They don’t know you and they want to. Make it easy for them to do that without embarrassment or extra hassle.

Must go now – time to go double check all of my profiles!

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

I am challenged by making small talk. When I go to social gatherings, I have to force myself to circulate, introduce myself, and keep a conversation going past “What do you do?”. I find that I want to go deeper, to get to the know the person more, to move past social niceties and really talk about something meaningful and real. So often, social networking events seem pitchy and fake, and I just don’t enjoy that.

I know there are books about networking, and I’ve read many of them, but I have not yet gotten over the discomfort of the whole thing. Earlier this year, I decided I would do it anyway, get myself out there, and simply connect. I’m here to say, it’s been so totally worth it. And, since I know I am not the only one who faces this challenge, here are some tips that I use to make it all work.

• Be willing to go alone to the event.
  It’s easy, especially if you’re nervous, to use the person you already know, that comes with you to an event, as a crutch. Make the mental note that your new friends, the ones you don’t know yet, are there waiting for you. Being alone at a party also attracts the kind people, the ones who naturally reach out to others, to come say hello to you. Those are the types you want to meet.
   
• Ask questions.
  You don’t want to come off as an FBI secret agent interrogator, but when you don’t know what to say, ask a question. Getting people to talk about themselves is flattering and will give you further information on what you can talk about next. Notice the words a person uses, the speed of their speech, their preferences, but don’t ever quit listening to what they are saying. Hear them with directed attention. Don’t just be formulating your next question. Really care about the answer and you will garner friends. And, when they come back with their own questions, be ready to talk about something interesting, memorable and personal. Be transparent, and talk about things you value. Your business card has all your business info on it – people need to meet YOU. Let them get to know you.
   
• Attend physical meetups of your online social communities.
  Be sure to have your social media contact info on your business card. Give people who know you via email, Twitter, Facebook, forums, and other social online communities a way to connect your online persona with the real live you. My name is Vicki Flaugher when I introduce myself at gatherings, but I am SmartWoman online. Connect the dots so people will realize who you are. The ability to make a deeper connection more quickly and easily is just one more reason to have a current picture on your online profiles, too. I’ve been recognized in public from that and I had an immediate rapport with the person who recognized me because of our online history together. Because of that, we didn’t have to start from square one building our relationship further.
   
• Connect with connectors.
  One of the easiest and fastest ways to build a stong network is to seek out and meet connectors, people who are the center of influence for a larger group. Mavens who naturally facilitate connections for others can be an amazing resource and are usually personable, easy to get to know, and extremely helpful. It’s in their blood, and it’s something they do naturally. If that doesn’t describe you, then make friends with a maven. They will do some of the heavy lifting for you in making great connections. One word of caution: Don’t try to be friends with people you don’t like. If you don’t click with someone, even if they have thousands of uber powerful friends, don’t force a relationship. It will come back to bite you and you will end up on a black list somewhere. Let your natural energetic attractiveness help draw the right individuals to you – it will feel right, you’ll enjoy the interaction, and it will work. If it doesn’t, there’s a good reason. Move on to someone else. Your perfect connector is out there.
   
• If there’re not any events happening, host one.
  One of the best ways to network is to host an event. People seek you out to thank you, they introduce themselves, and they appreciate your service. You don’t hardly have to reach out at all, and you can use the guise of checking on your guests to interject yourself into smaller group conversations. Do this skillfully and you will begin being seen as a connector, and others will be drawn to network with you. Working the mojo from both angles is very effective. Giving to others, being charitable with your time, being willing to host an event, will come back to you in goodwill.

I  hope these tips help you. If you have others, please post them in the comments section.

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

follow me at http://twitter.com/smartwoman

I have hit the motherlode! Yes, I am a google freak, but this is just the beginning. I am sincere when I tell you my goal is to unify the field for women entrepreners. We deserve to have great information, easily accessible. We deserve to be united. We deserve the best of the best. I am starting to make a dent in that goal…

I have added descriptions, some of my own assessment, and others from the websites themselves, to help you choose which ones are most applicable to you. I personally have visited and investigated these and feel comfortable recommending that you should too. (The quotation mark are placed to show I took, in fair use, the descriptions from the sites themselves, not to signify anything else.)

Check out all these blogs/sites/articles, and the massive amount of business, marketing, advertising, and entreprener guidance they have to offer. It’s like gold! (Be sure to mark this entry to return to it…it’s going to take some time…)

1. http://jenniferkushell.wordpress.com/ From the website: ”Your Success Network – is focused on creating the #1 online universe that arms emerging adults across the globe with the most trusted tools and resources needed to achieve success in their lives and careers”
2. http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/ From Pam, the owner’s, bio: “Pamela Slim is a seasoned coach and writer who helps frustrated employees in corporate jobs break out and start their own business.”
3. http://investinwomen.wordpress.com/ Per Leah Oviedo, the owner: “On this blog I will post stories and organizations that will empower women to live successful lifes…by linking with quality websites that Empower Women and with Business Services by Women for other entrepreneurs.”
4. http://bettersalesprofessional.com/ Sales and marketing tips for entrepreneurs. This site owner, Barbara, is “A sales veteran…(with) a proven, 25+ year track record of selling into enterprise level and small-mid market accounts”
5. http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/ Seth Godin is one of my uber heros–great stuff–he is a world class bestselling author, and champion of permission based marketing. Many books, founder of Squidoo, MBA in business, and very straight talking. I have a professional crush on him.
6. http://theunknownentrepreneur.wordpress.com/ I just like how honest and raw this man is about his entrepreneurial journey–I find it inspiring. From his about page: “Why do we lose so many Entrepreneurs? The Simple answer is because we all either forget or just do not appreciate what risks Entrepreneurs take in trying to make their “Dreams a Reality”. “
7. http://www.wowowow.com/ An amazing, star studded, power grouping of women having conversations about life and the modern women. Candice Bergen, Whoopi Goldburg, Leslie Stahl, Peggy Noonan, Marlo Thomas, Lily Tomlin, and others discuss politics, business, sexism and more.
8. http://leighhouse.typepad.com/advergirl/ The author says “I am a 30-something brand strategist located deep in the delightful Mid-west. After I help clients tell clear, compelling brand stories at work, I log on to Advergirl to be part of the conversation shaping our industry and our economy.”  IMO, this women IS the industry. It’s great stuff.
9. http://www.b2bemailmarketing.com/ From the About page: “BeRelevant!, founded on February 8, 2005, is a weblog that covers email marketing best practices. Each and every one of the articles, tools and resources that are featured on BeRelevant! have been carefully selected based on their value and uniqueness.”
10. http://www.blogwriteforceos.com/blogwrite/ From Debbie’s bio: “Debbie Weil is a corporate & CEO blogging and social media consultant, sought-after speaker and author” She is a responsive, intelligent entrepreneur that is full of wonderful advice on how to turn your blog into business.
11. http://www.brandeo.com/ From the website: “Brandeo is a weblog dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on marketing ideas, trends, strategies and solutions to make your job easier and to help you get better marketing results.”
12. http://brandandmarket.com/ From her website: “Branding & Marketing is written by Chris Brown for business professionals who want to learn more about marketing and branding strategies and tactics.” Chris has been very responsive to me and I look forward to working with her empowering women.
13. http://www.ck-blog.com/ Under her FAQ page, CK says “I cover a wide range of marketing topics including strategy, social media and socially responsible marketing. I work to communicate best practices through a range of examples that include the really smart and the really not-so-smart. While most every post is focused on marketing, no day is ever the same.”
14. http://overtonecomm.blogspot.com/ Social media, branding, and reputation marketing. Fresh voice, lots of info on how communication can help (and hurt) you.
15. http://www.conversationagent.com/ Top ranked marketing blog with Valeria Maltoni, focusing on how modern businesses and entrepreneurs can shape the conversation they have with their clients. Branding, social media, and the importance of story. High powered stuff!
16. http://ringblog.typepad.com/corporatepr/ From the website: “…commentary on the theory and practice of public relations and organizational communications from Elizabeth Albrycht.” Elizabeth has amazing credentials and the blog is easier to read than that description implies…theory is good when you are shown applications and that’s what Elizabeth does.
17. http://customersrock.wordpress.com/ Why Becky blogs: “.. Everyday, both as a businesswoman and as a consumer, I have thoughts and ideas as I walk through the customer experiences of services and products.  I want to share those thoughts and ideas so more companies can learn how to take on this “customers rock!” attitude for themselves.”
18. http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/ “An approach to marketing that’s fun, bold, and savvy, but always strategically aligned with your brand’s objective” Social media focus with Toby Bloomberg.
19. http://www.womensnet.net/ Grants and funding resources for women entrepreneurs. Also includes a business and social networking blog to meet like-minded women and get your questions answered.
20. http://www.hiyaahpower.com/ The website’s stated mission: “Hiyaah Power …was created to serve as an online conduit of information for women. Information includes the following topics: professional development (for profit and non-profit), holistic counseling and healing resources, and news on leading edge organizations that expand a woman’s empowerment base.
21. http://wendy.kinesisinc.com/ Says Wendy Maynard: “I am the co-owner of… a creative firm specializing in marketing, branding, graphic design, and website development…I have so many ideas floating around in my head about both offline and online marketing strategies, that I wanted to share them. Thus, this blog (Kinetic Ideas) was born.”
22. http://getgood.typepad.com/ About Susan Getgood, the author: “A results-oriented strategic marketer, Susan knows how to build brands using technology, policy and good old fashioned high-quality products. In 2004, she founded GetGood Strategic Marketing Inc. to help bring blogs into the mix as an indispensable marketing tool.”
23. http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/tag/michael-cheney/ I love Michael…he’s so enthusiastic,, and Yaros has much to say. “Down to earth advice for bloggers and internet marketers”
24. http://midlifecrisisqueen.com/ An often humorous look at the mid-life crisis journey, interwoven with psychological insights and advice. Fun and indepth posts about a wide range of female interest topics. A fiesty 50-year old counselor with an attitude. I like her!
25. http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/startherup/archives/138518.asp “A blog for women in Startups – what they do, what they face and why it’s different than men. Told through the eyes of Alyssa Royse, who is running a venture-backed startup of her own.
26. http://www.nafe.com/?service=vpage/1474 National Association for Female Executives, founded in 1972 and committed to the advancement of women in the workplace.
27. http://www.score.org/women_resources.html LOADS of female entrepreneur resource links at this location. Per the website, “SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).”
28. http://avirtualbiz.wordpress.com/ Terri Brooks, a female entrepreneur and professional virtual assistant, talks about life and work and “provides remote administrative, financial and creative support to busy professionals.” Very heartfelt, inspiring, and encouraging site for women entrepreneurs.
29. http://www.copywritingmaven.com/ By Roberta Rosenberg, “The Copywriting Maven”,  whose blog “shares tips, techniques, reviews and cranky commentary”. Fun and very informative reading.
30. http://www.womensventurefund.org/ Mission Statement: The Women’s Venture Fund is a non-profit organization that helps women of diverse backgrounds establish thriving businesses in urban communities.  WVF offers training, small business loans, and a network of business advisors to help women reach their business goals.
31. http://cloud9design.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/woman-owned-business-resources/ Journal by a work at home Mom who makes eco friendly clothing–this particular link is a listing of many female focused entrepreneur sites.
32. http://www.internationalentrepreneurship.com/Women%20Entrepreneurs.asp?pid=3 International Entrepreneurship’s resource links for women entrepreneurs worldwide. Very helpful stuff for those in the US as well as all around the world.
33. http://www.womeninpower.com/home.asp “An online community for entrepreneurial woman to connect and create.” It’s creator, Erica Combs, is the Vice President of Golden Mastermind Seminars, Inc. and an internationally recognized speaker, author and trainer.
34. http://www.womenpower-radio.com/ Internet radio station with programs hosted by Raven Blair Davis.  Raven is a recognized speaker, coach and trainer. Her mission is to assist women over 40 in discovering and pursuing their true passion and dreams, despite their age and any perceived limitations.
35. http://www.womenpartner.com/ Women Consortium website–great info, but it may be a little slow loading…be patient.
36. http://www.womensvoicesforchange.org/ Women’s Voices for Change is a news, commentary and opinion website that celebrates women’s health, beauty, wisdom and vibrancy. We’re here to remind the world how vital, versatile and powerful women over 40 are.
37. http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/ This site is dedicated to the women who have ruled since the beginning of times – or as long as the sources date back
38. http://psdblog.worldbank.org/psdblog/2008/01/attention-frien.html World Bank site that focuses on private development and a market approach to development thinking. This links to the Doing Business project.
39. http://debnyberg.blogspot.com/ A place for women in business to be made aware of business opportunities as well as new products and events effecting online business development.
40. http://drwright.blogspot.com/ A blog written by Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C. – host of the Wright Place TV Show, Co-Author of the Power of Mentorship for the Woman Entrepreneur and the Producer of the Power of Mentorship Movie.
41. http://empowerwomennow.com/news-women-entrepreneurs/ The Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner’s Internet Branding Line-up with Ponn M Sambra.
42. http://inspired.entrepreneur.com/ One of the man cool blogs sponsored by Entrepreneur magazine.
43. http://www.getentrepreneurial.com/ A small business blog dedicated to providing business advice and resources to our community of aspiring entrepreneurs.
44. http://www.julielenzerkirk.com/index.nhtml Julie Lenzer Kirk harnesses her experience as a successful and award-winning IT entrepreneur to assist others in realizing their dream of entrepreneurship and taking their already-established entrepreneurial companies to the next level.
45. http://mindpetals.com/blog/2006/11/20-hot-resources-for-women-entrepreneurs/ Mind Petals  put together a great list of resources for women entrepreneurs. “Women entrepreneurs are doing big things in the world of entrepreneurship, helping to shape the new direction of technology, innovation, and startups.”
46. http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com/ You’ll find essays on being a working mom, tips about opening your own business, time management strategies, book and product reviews, and updates on Elizabeth Poss Weinstein’s business & life.
47. http://realwomen.wordpress.com/ The REAL Women site is an online community for Rising Entrepreneurs And Like-minded women whether practising or aspiring to run their own business.
48. http://www.weblogmv.com/ A Professional & Personal Development Blog for Entrepreneurial Women – Creating a Space for Success in Your World!
49. http://www.blogher.com/ The community for women who blog. BlogHer’s mission is to create opportunities for women who blog to pursue exposure, education, community and economic empowerment.
50. http://icanhascheezburger.com/ (This site is to renew your humor—the creator of this blog just got a national publishing deal with a $300,000 advance to write about how he made this blog into the success it is today…he makes tens of thousands each month….and it’s hysterical! Check it out and have a laugh on a brilliant idea!)

When you explore and post to these, as you see fit, tell them SmartWoman sent you. Please be sure to post your feedback about the sites here too.

Let’s connect with others who are working for the same goals we are!

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