Despite staying up to an obscene hour this morning completing the Treasure Hunt to make sure it was ready to go this morning, I am filled with this incredible joy.  I am reading the comments from those that are taking the time to visit the site and get involved in the Treasure Hunt and the common comment is “I had a ball!” or “It was so much fun!”

Even one of my friends who in her own opinion is not very good at these things, told me she was giggling all the way through!  If she can do it and come out with 10 answers correct, I know that you can too!

There is method in the madness.  We want you to know where to access the great information that this site offers on all aspects of living over 40.

So take the time to visit the site and see for yourself what all the hooplah is about!

“Are ya gonna join us, m’hargies?”

Join us now for the Finally at 40 Life Begins Magazine Treasure Hunt! Great prizes to be won!

Chris Lucas

So who is Chris Lucas and what does she do?

“To give you an idea of who I am I would say that I am a self driven successful business woman with a passion to be the best at everything I do. I have consulted and worked with hundreds of business owners for almost twenty years supporting them in achieving their business dreams and goals.

Over the years I have won many awards including two Chamber of Commerce Awards last year for “Best Community Organisation/Contribution” and “Employee of the Year” and went on to becoming a finalist in the Business Enterprise Centre of the Year Awards for Australia in 2009. I have won several other awards including educator of the year for Australia, distributor of the year as well as several industry specific awards. For me this reinforces that I know what it takes to succeed and believe I am a great person to have work for and with you in your business.

I love studying and furthering my skills in all areas of business management and growth, and have undertaken many courses to ensure I stay on top of the latest trends and strategies available to be able to share with my clients. Marketing is one of my specialties and I have to admit I absolutely love it. I love assisting my clients with both online and offline marketing strategies that are affordable, simple, effective and easy for them to implement to help them grow their business and create the success they deserve too.

I am quite a generous person and love giving something back as a result last year I created a free Women in Business Network where I could do just that and at the same time help promote some of the most amazing business women I have met. You can find out more about our network at http://WiBConnect.com and I do hope join us and we get to connect with you too.

I would love to say a big congratulations to Hayley as it has been a pleasure supporting and watching Hayley blossom into the fabulous business woman she is today and would also like to say thank you for nominating me as a supporter of the month.

Here’s to your success!”

http://WiBConnect.com

http://Twitter.com/WiBConnect

http://Facebook.com/WiBConnect

1. Check Your Files & Folders.

Are all your files in folders or are they filed loosely in My Documents or a network drive? Now is the time to check over where your files are stored and see if your computer filing cabinet needs a revamp to keep pace with your business or personal needs. Start by writing down categories for your documents and plan what you will put where. You can always move files around later, but the important thing is to have some structure to make them easier to find when you need them.

If filing isn’t your strong point, get some help to get re-organised. There are many small businesses that provide office support that will come to you! If you are in a larger organisation, ask colleagues how they store their files.

2. Delete or Archive Files

Are there files on your computer that you no longer need? Delete them.

Are there files on your computer that you need but not that often? Archive them by moving/copying them to a CD or external hard drive.

3. Clear the computer desktop

Do you have unnecessary icons or files on the computer desktop?

Clear up your desktop by moving any you no longer use to the recycle bin.

4. Empty your Recycle Bin

Even if you are on a network, from time to time items you delete may end up in the recycle bin. Empty it out by right clicking on the Recycle Bin and choosing Empty Recycle Bin.

5. Clean your computer

Give your computer the once over with a soft cotton cloth and specialty wipes for your computer screen. Do this with the computer off, clean the mouse by undoing the casing, taking the ball out and blowing the dust out (close your eyes first!). Don’t forget to clean the keyboard too.

Wishing you increased productivity and harmony with your computer.

Donna Hanson

Donna Hanson specialises in computer and technology related education for home, business and corporate computer users.  Her company Prime Solutions Training & Consulting provides customised computer training solutions, and resources to assist in helping users understand and increase their knowledge of computer related technology.  Donna is also available to provide keynote presentations for conferences or events.  Visit our website www.primesolutions.net.au and sign up for our FREE Monthly Computer Productivity Pointers.

Please feel free to reproduce or forward this article to others in its entirety and including the author’s details. Further information can be obtained from www.primesolutions.net.au

Support of the Month of August - Elizabeth Conway

Our supporter for the Month of August is Elizabeth Conway.

Elizabeth always takes the time to read our posts on Facebook and to leave encouraging comments, sharing our information with others she feels will benefit.

We would like to recognise Elizabeth’s wonderful support and to share with others a little about her life.

On Facebook I say on my bio that I am Mother/ Wife, Teacher/ Student, Healer/Sorceress. This I believe encapsulates the essence of who I am.

In my first life (read career) I was a primary school teacher. I remember saying to my students one day, that when I was at school I couldn’t wait to leave and not have to do anymore learning. What I found out, when I did leave, was that you never stop learning. Hence the definition of the student in me, I love learning and the process of learning. Upon leaving school, I got my teaching degree, a graduate diploma in Educational management, a counseling degree and my reiki masters. And I am constantly self educating, currently doing a life study in spirituality.

I am married to Robert, my soul mate and my friend for 39yrs (38 married).  I have three wonderful children in Lisa, Tahnesha and Bob. I also have an adorable grandson-Omar. I love being in love and married. And I relish the role of mother and grandmother.

I have my Reiki Masters and use my skills, now, to facilitate the self healing of my clients through my business “Awaken Within”. I love and feel honoured working with my clients in their Self discoveries- whether it is knowing how to better handle their life- to learning to love themselves unconditionally.

Sorceress because I believe in magic, the magic of wishes coming true (transforming into miracles). Miracles that appear to be unbelievable made believable.

I have had a life of challenges and miracles.

I continue to have a magical life of Love.

I Believe in Love (this is what’ it ‘(life) is all about),

Integrity (the honouring of self and others)

and Truth (the truth of and for self/others)

I was very interested to see how Gihan approached the whole web development process, what information he shared with others and how he was using technology in his own business and for his clients, as mentoring, web design & technology are core elements of my business.

I was pleasantly surprised to see two main things:

1.  Many of the suggestions that Gihan was making were in line with what I am already implementing in my own business, thus validating my knowledge and approach.

2.  There was still much to learn from someone else who has spent the past 15 years working in the industry and has developed a very solid sales model and methodology for doing business.

As I listened to Gihan field questions from members of the group it became clear to me that Gihan was a very gifted facilitator, drawing out of the group their desire and then helping them to clarify for themselves how that desire could be transformed into a refined niche and then pitched to potential clients.

I think the overall learning that I got from the morning, apart from specific sales models and website theories, was that you never know where your next step is going to come from in this world of learning. When Gihan invited me as a guest to his group, it just happened to coincide with a week when my husband was on leave and I was able to respond positively.  Had he not been on leave it would have been really difficult to get to the session.

I feel this is serendipitous for me, because just like when I went and interviewed Tracy Hodgkins recently and discovered some fabulous gold nuggets, I felt a shift internally again in relation to how I operate my own business and also in how I can pass on my skills and knowledge to my clients.

I would encourage you, if you are a business owner, to surround your life with people that are going to extend your thinking, your knowledge and your experience.  I met Gihan on the site, Thought Leaders Central.  I didn’t know when I went to look at the site out of curiousity that I would find and meet such an extradordinary bunch of gifted people.  Sometimes we just have to follow our gut and see where it leads us and we never know who is going to come along our path who will cause us to take that next big step in our journey.

One fabulous resource that Gihan shared with me from his site was a book he has written entitled Websites for Teachers, Trainers, Coaches and Consultants, which teaches you the basics of business models and what to include in your website and more importantly the WHY.

I saw this post from Janet Beckers on Facebook and I thought it was such a good explanation of what can happen when you run an online ecommerce business that I should share it with you.  Janet Beckers was recently stung by a Thailand-based credit card fraud spree, where a ‘customer’ purchased big ticket items, earning high commissions, and was found out after commissions were paid.  Janet shares how you can be more aware to protect yourself from being stung.

One of those things that I sincerely am passionate about is motivating and inspiring women.  This is a key driver for me.  It was one of the reasons why I took on the Assistant Editor’s role at Finally at 40 Life Begins magazine because I could see the benefit for women.  I also knew so many wonderful women who would make fantastic feature articles or contributors and having been a past publisher of a women’s magazine myself, I could understand the value.

Here is the outcome of my lastest play…enjoy! And if you see the value for women too, please share with your friends.

Elizabeth is an amazing woman and would make a great representative of the people because she actually listens to them and then goes into bat for them.

This is the promotional video I put together to help her in her campaign.

More information can be found on her websites, which we put together as well, at http://www.elizabethre.com.au

“I was exhausted, I felt I had achieved a level of success and that maybe I needed to leave it all behind, because it felt like an uphill struggle. At that point my technology skills were limited to emails only, in fact, technology scared the hell out of me! I was clueless about how to take it to the next level in terms of developing my public speaking business and spreading my Gynae health awareness message to the whole world.

“Then I met Hayley Solich from The Creaticians who inspired me to keep going. She was full of creativity and great ideas, and was bringing women together, and I gained this fresh outlook about how I could make it happen, how I could make a difference again in the world. She was so embracive, immediately supporting my vision, giving me a platform to speak from and I saw how she was using technology to communicate her message and also to show others how to as well.

“I was so impressed with Hayley that I jumped on her train and she showed me how to express myself in new ways. I learned how to be more detailed in my presentations, more open in my expression of my message and less inhibited. She also taught me how to use technology to promote my message using video, music and photography.

“I appreciated the hours upon hours that we have spent together in order to condense my journey into a simple photographic book that allows us to see exactly what it is that I am trying to say and also in writing my biography, which is almost completed.

“The Creaticians set up my personal website, which again showed me how I could utilise my vision through the computer networks around the world and also created a branded package of promotional tools for me to use including a DL flier, promo video and business cards that all matched my website branding. Hayley even came with me to business meetings to support my message and strengthen my level of influence.

“For a recent National speaking engagement at a Nurses Conference in NSW, Hayley took the time to help me construct my public presentations, and put together a powerful PowerPoint message. She came up with original fun ideas that engaged the audience and enhanced my message. She also used her fabulous photography skills to capture the essence of me and provided me with a range of professional photographs to use in my promotions.

“It wasn’t until I was on stage at the Conference, having finished my session that I realised just how powerfully Hayley had crafted the message, because the impact on the audience was tangible.  I realised that I had been empowered to take action to share my message and that my message was also empowering all those nurses to take action because they left the conference having committed themselves to sharing the message. I see that my success there, was really Hayley’s success in working with me.

“Hayley has this incredible gift for getting inside your headspace and pulling out your vision and then creatively communicating it to others, which is not an easy thing to do.

“I will forever be indebted to her for all that she has done for me and know that she did so, often under difficult circumstances. I appreciate that she saw my purpose in life, seeing the benefit not only for her own family but also for other families who could gain from this knowledge that I am sharing.

“Possibly the greatest thing I learned from Hayley over the past two years of being mentored is that the pen is mightier than the sword and that by embracing technology my written words can go much further than my own feet will ever carry me.”

Kathleen Mazzella OAM, www.kathmazzella.com

This is the announcement that was released on Facebook pages today.

All you really need to do is to adjust the size of the original images being used on the page to be a maximum of 520px wide.  So if you have just used a designed graphic image that includes text you can shrink the whole thing down or if you have used a banner and created the body using HTML, you’ll need to adjust the width of any full width banners.

To change the size of your banner or whole image, you can simply add one line of code to the  <img src=”url”/> code.  Here is what I used…

alt=”" width=”520″ height=”150″

You add this code after the “url” and before the />

You will need to adjust the height proportionately to your image.  My banner was originally 750 x 230 and I adjusted it to 520 x 150.  It took me a couple of goes to work out the 150 part, cause I hate maths so prefer to guess it and check it.  But for you ratio gurus you’ll nail that.

If you need help with this, I offer design services at $80 per hour.  It should only take 10-15 minutes to do once I have login details from you.

I have already made the changes for free for my past clients as a service to them, so I know it will work with a range of different set ups.

All the best with making the changes.

You may or may not be aware of the range of services that The Creaticians offer to help people to grow so that they can grow their business.

Our predominant focus is on developing and supporting people in their new or small to medium business.

We accomplish this through mentoring, training and practical support in the areas of PR, Branding and Marketing.  You plug us into your business and we empower you to launch your business or to grow it.

Our Price List for 2010/2011 is now available and outlines our services and what you can expect from us.

It also includes our latest special deals, so make sure you take a peak and check out to see if there is a bargain that suits your current support needs.

If there is a service you are unsure about, please feel free to call us for an obligation free quote on 08 9375 2007 or email us.

When Elizabeth approached me to do her website, I was so flattered that she had pushed aside other recommendations to work with me because of an interaction we’d had at the Princesses in Petticoats & Pearls event back in March which was sponsored by The Creaticians.

As I have worked with Elizabeth, I have built her a website which had to be flexible enough to be used as both her Councillor website and her campaigning website for the Federal Elections.  It also had to be easy to update with information, so I chose to use the WordPress platform as it is easy to learn how to post and make changes.

Working on the website also included doing a photoshoot – snapping shots of Elizabeth out in the community campaigning, writing copy for her “The Voice” Blog, and also putting together her promotional package including a 3-fold double-sided full-colour brochure on gloss paper; a DL sized double-sided, full-colour flier and her Coreflutes (large images) for the polling booths.

It also including coming up with some branding and graphic design images that complimented her tag line, “Elizabeth Re has her heart in Stirling”.

I think the results speak for themselves.

Through this process I have learned so much about politics and campaigning.  Suffice to say, I don’t think I want to be a politician in a hurry!

The Creaticians offer branding packages for new businesses or individuals.  See our Business Builder Specials in The Focus Shop now.

I recently had the experience where I was sitting across the table from someone I have known for many years.  They are my friend on Facebook, associated with the women’s organisation I founded and I would have thought that they would be highly aware of what I do in my business.  However, as we sat discussing their business needs, they expressed surprise that I help people with their websites.

Seeing that websites are one of the core elements of my business, I was sincerely flabbergasted.

But what it showed me is that you do need to consistently be bringing the message of what your business is about and across many mediums for people to really connect with the message.

So I would encourage other business owners to be creative with the ways in which you let people know about what you are about.  You don’t have to hit people over the head.  You can simply to do a ‘focus of the month’ or ‘focus of the day’ that points out a project you are currently working on and details what your role is in that project.

You can also make up some advertisement buttons or banners to put up on your site or load up as photos on your pages.

At the end of the day, it is up to you to promote your business and if you don’t do it effectively you are the one that will be hurt in the long run.

For more ideas about how to promote your business to your network, The Creaticians are available to assist businesses to plan their marketing stragtegies.  We also assist businesses to customise their websites, build their brand and package their products so they have a professional presence in the marketplace.  To find out about our competitive prices, reliable service and satsifaction guarantee, email Hayley Solich now.

During the conversation we got on to discussing my email bulletins that I send out regularly to my clients.

As I am quite new to list building, there has been a lot of trial and error, with some pretty big disasters. About four weeks ago my first disaster happened. I had made an innocent change on my WordPress blog to allow my RSS feed to have up to 100 blog posts available to clients. I had previously only had 10. What I didn’t know was that because I had automated my Aweber account to automatically send out an email bulletin to my email list whenever there were three new posts, that Aweber would then send out 100 of my most recent blog posts to all on my email list.  This ended up being something like 35 emails in one hit!

Well, you can imagine my dismay!  I quickly sent out an apology email and offered a free music track from my shop as a softener.  Suffice to say, I lost five off my email list through that one mini disaster.

Now I’m sharing that with you so you can understand my journey…this incident rocked my confidence somewhat and I was starting to think is it really worthwhile doing this because I didn’t have much of an idea what to say to people.  All I knew is you add an email capture form to your site, then you do a host of follow-up emails.  But even as I was sitting down to work out what I wanted to include in the follow-up emails I was thinking about all those emails I get from people about stuff that’s not really interesting to me and I guess I was projecting both these negative attitudes onto the whole process.  Result – I was seriously considering abandoning the whole thing.

But then last night as I was talking with one of my clients and we started to discuss list-building my client told me that my emails had been keeping her business vision alive!  That they were full of interesting new ideas and encouraged her to keep going.

Long story short:  You just never know how what you are doing is affecting another human being and just because you don’t see a monetary return in the short term, doesn’t mean that something doesn’t have value!

So I would encourage anyone in business to build an email list and to send out your regular bulletin full of great information.  You don’t know who you will be inspiring and if someone is on that list who is not meant to be there, then they will soon unsubscribe if they are not happy.

One person that’s keen is far more valuable to you than 10 who are not!

Hayley Solich has created a beautiful, rich piano instrumental track that is like the feeling you get when you are standing at the side of a lake and the water is gently lapping the shoreline and the wind is gently tugging at your hair.  The sun is warming your skin and in that moment you feel at peace with life.

“I love Whispers.  I find it calming and soothing and it reminds me of the times when I have just stood outside in nature and felt the sweet soft caress of my soul by God.  It was in the warmth of the sun on my skin, the feel of the gentle breeze in my hair, the clear, fresh air that filled my lungs.  We have so much to be grateful for,” says Hayley Solich

Running time:  4:08

Get your copy of Whispers now for only $1.99AUD.

Listen to sample now

As written by Maureen Doallas…

I own a small art-licensing company, Transformational Threads. Founded in 2008, this one-person, sole proprietorship licenses images of original fine art. Color-correct photos of the licensed images are sent to Vietnam, where they are rendered into exquisite custom hand-embroidery by highly skilled artisans.  The finished pieces, which are called “thread paintings” and are remarkably faithful reconceptions of the original paintings, are then returned to the United States, hand-stretched and matted, and made ready for sale as unique limited-edition artworks.

My goals in starting the company were three-fold:

—To establish an art-related business that could be run online. I could not afford to rent or purchase expensive gallery space. Doing business via the Web is now well-accepted, even expected; and being able to purchase art online has become routine.

—To offer a unique and affordable hand-made artwork that would be limited to no more than 100 pieces. Many artists license their work, reproducing their paintings as digital prints (giclees) or as images on note cards, calendars, or other commercial products that can be sold in large volumes to individuals who like their work but cannot afford a painting selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars. I offer hand-embroidered collectible. I have met no one who licenses art images expressly for the purpose of creating custom, handmade, limited edition artwork based on the originals.

—To support both emerging artists in the U.S. and artisans abroad. I have long been interested in handcraft. Vietnamese embroidery is an especially beautiful art form and unique because it covers the entire ground. Having access to artisans through two Vietnamese friends made supporting the Vietnamese craft a no-brainer. Because I know many artists, I also wanted to find a way to highlight and support those getting started; the licensing approach enables me to accomplish both aims.

Jennifer Kassing-Bradley, "Nerium Oleander #1", Oil on Canvas (She is an oil painter who lives on one of the islands off South Carolina's coast.)

In Transformational Threads, I created a company that is Web-based; takes an approach to art licensing that is wholly unique; supports a centuries-old Vietnamese craft; and returns to the artists whose images are licensed a negotiated royalty for use of the images, which are featured on my Website, in company brochures, and on business cards and postcards, and highlighted in feature articles about the company.

Before going into business, I spent more than six months researching art licensing, the legalities of art licensing, current purveyors of Vietnamese embroidery, artists whose images could be realized in embroidery, and many other aspects of operating a business, including, for example, calculating start-up costs, writing a business plan, finding a name for my business, creating a professional and easily updatable Website, and marketing via the Web and offline. I attended several workshops about business startups, learning what I needed to know about state and local taxes, recordkeeping, and other business matters. In addition, I met many times with my long-time Vietnamese friends, both of whom are artists and whose village produces custom embroidery; after I explained what I wanted to do, they offered to set up arrangements with their village and become my direct liaisons with Vietnam. I could not have started the business as I conceived it had my friends not supported my idea and been willing to act on my behalf.

I took about another month to research and acquire a name, obtain the necessary local and state registrations and business licenses, establish a business banking account, and take care of other start-up requirements.  Using templates created by an arts attorney, I wrote contract agreements and created forms to use in licensing fine art images. I identified artists whose work was appropriate for licensing and entered into agreements. I sent photos of the images to Vietnam, via my liaisons. While waiting for samples to be returned for my inspection and approval, I contracted with a Website provider and began building my Website. Following approval of samples, I contracted for two 25-piece editions in embroidery and prepared for publicly launching the business when the editions were within a month of delivery. In February 2008, the Website went live with two inaugural editions.  I contracted for a new 25-piece edition of a third artwork for delivery in June. I enjoyed a number of sales and uniformly positive response to the artwork. I was both excited and gratified.

Nuch Owen, "Koi", Original Hand-Painting on Habotai Silk (She's a wonderful silk artist who lives in Florida.)

That first year, however, a very ill family member came to live with us and much of my time was given over to unanticipated caregiving and other family matters, precluding a launch celebration. I did have some sales, did some advertising, placed pieces from the editions in a gallery for publicity, got listed on various arts-related Websites, and even managed an in-home arts event; however, I was not able to give the business as much attention as I would have otherwise.  Subsequently, economic conditions everywhere declined to the point that every artist I know was barely making a living selling art of any kind.  I gave a lot of thought to continuing or closing down; I decided to hang in.

Some thoughts on the business currently:

— Timing is tricky. I could not have foreseen the circumstance involving the family member, nor the recession that prompted people to stop opening their wallets for luxury goods, of which art is one.  What has saved me these first two years, apart from not being a store-front operation, has been cautious and conservative financial investment in the artwork. I set and held to a budget for expenses, and have been especially careful to not produce a huge inventory of thread paintings, and likely will hold to status quo until economic and market conditions improve. If I had to close down, I would suffer a loss but I have no debts and do have capital to finance new editions.

—   Being on the Web is essential but so is finding a way to enable people to see the art in person. Because I do not hand-craft the work myself and the work is done abroad, I cannot gain entry into local fine craft shows or festivals; because I am not Vietnamese, I cannot participate in events for foreign artisans. I’ve had to think of ways to bring together the art I sell and prospective purchasers, such as in-home art events (I did one last year with someone who sells hand-made jewelry) and appearances before groups that share leads, church groups, and the like. I make it convenient for people to see the work in person (I’ll deliver locally and also take the product to a customer to see). I use all Social Media. I always carry with me brochures or postcards and business cards and use every opportunity to talk about the business. Most recently, I attended an event about travel to Vietnam that was hosted by a gallery owner who is preparing to have a  “trunk show” of Vietnamese craft at a large and important museum. We are now talking about the possibility of featuring the thread paintings at that event and in the museum’s gift shop—an opportunity that could prove very beneficial to Transformational Threads.

—   Keeping people coming to the Website is important. Creating the custom embroidery in an edition of just 25 is highly labor-intensive; it takes the Vietnamese artisans four to five months. I cannot advertise product until it is within a month of becoming available. So, I look for ways to keep the Website fresh, such as using the occasion of the company’s first anniversary to offer a stunning new thread painting, switching images in and out, rewriting the text, and updating the Announcements page frequently. I also began blogging in late 2009, and that has resulted in several articles being written that have given the company some visibility before people I would not normally have reached.

—   Print advertising is expensive and seems not to result in sales. Word-of-mouth has been helpful, as has an appearance at the studio of one local artist whose work I licensed. I look for online publicity opportunities that are minimal in cost but reach prospective art buyers.

—   It’s important to think creatively. I’ve been in contact with interior and show house designers who might be interested in the thread paintings for client projects. I’m considering framing several pieces and offering them under a rental or lease option that could lead to customer purchasing. I highlight articles about the artists whose work I’ve licensed. I use my blog, Writing Without Paper, to link back to my business site. I’ve had family members in other states place brochures in local businesses where art is bought and sold.  I’ve placed notices in or sent press releases to licensed artists’ alumni periodicals or galleries that sell the artists’ work.

—   Spread the risk. Altruism is wonderful but can get in the way of doing what’s best for the company. In addition to fronting all costs, I’ve required nothing of the artists whose work I’ve licensed. One has publicized the thread painting based on her work, and that has been important. I made the mistake of including in my artist agreements a provision prohibiting a sale for resale purposes, which means my flexibility to sell to a home design shop or gallery has been constrained.

—   Be flexible. I’m revisiting my business approach to determine how to make it work better for me.  I will be changing some of the terms of future agreements with artists to give me the flexibility to take the product where there is a market, such as museum gift shops.

—  Accept what you can control and let the rest go. I’m passionate about my small business, about the artists whose work I’ve licensed, about the Vietnamese artisans who create the editions I offer.  I have a high-quality and unique product that sells at several price points (US$175 – $365). I have time to wait out improvements in the economy, and I’ve invested cautiously enough at startup and over the last two years to have sufficient resources to carry the business through the current economic decline.

Maureen E. Doallas

Owner, Transformational Threads

Arlington, VA USA

mdoallas@aol.com

http://transformationalthreads.com

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com

Check out this helpful post by Gihan Perera teaching you how to use Google Reader Productively.  More great information on Gihan’s blog.

Hayley Solich shares her strategy for letting go of stress and anger.

She’d love to hear your feedback, so please comment.

Feedback on Ebook

I tend to agree with most things, I’ve even taken the liberty of underlining some things for my must do list!

After 24yrs in printing and 6yrs publishing I too have realised that I cant do everything on my own, I have the choice to tell my clients that I can or cant (and if I truly cant then I might known of someone who can!)

Structured work time; yes this is important I have to be counter productive Mon-Fri 9am-3pm (these are the times when I don’t have the children around, I struggle with this at school holiday times but I manage)

Support of the family; totally.

All the skills – never (you’re best learning by jumping right into it on a need to learn basis, you tend to remember the experience more).

Running a business without cashflow; I too have been stung and have only just made the hard decision to change my trading terms in publishing on your advice from a 14 days to only 7 days – I hope to see the difference soon! Printing business has always been COD but many people not adhere to it.

Every customer treating you well – forget it! A bad customer is a customer you don’t need, I’d rather spend my energy searching for new ones.

Websites I have 3, The Valley Reporter is the greater of the 3 I think they are great
but there is always room for more scope, websites are very much a work in progress situation.

Business plan – funny you mention that too! I’ve just had the small business growth ctr people out to me and after getting over the 5yr itch in running one business its a great tool to know exactly where I’m going and where I maybe heading.

Creating Mode; I’ve always stuck to my brand/logo, symbol and unique colours, don’t like changing things too much just improving them slightly. Thinking that you don’t need a mentor; not me! I don’t declare I know everything and I think a person on the outside quite often can paint a different picture with what might be happening to your business, I don’t have a problem with advice.

Good on you for the commonsense advice, the ebook is a good tool for any small business owner.

Thank you

Fiona

Fiona Newland, Editor and Publisher
Kiwi Enterprises (WA) Pty Ltd A.C.N. 121 488 515 as Trustee for the Newland Family Trust trading as The VALLEY Reporter A.B.N. 25 121 579 862
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23 Wygonda Road, Roleystone WA 6111

Sir Ken Robinson exposes the limitations of the current education models in stripping our children of their creative abiliities.

Really brilliant thinking…although not entirely original, it certainly is a trumpet call to all educators to re-evaluate the way they interact with children in the education process.  A good reason why you should home school your children.

Here is my video response as posted on YouTube.com

It was during a conversation with Kayt McGeary from Calkayt Services (kaytmcgeary.com) that I had the revelation about what my point of difference really is and I thought I’d share it with you all so you too can be clear about it.  My tagline “Growing People to Grow Businesses” remains completely true.  My point of difference is that I am a Business Mentor first and a designer second.  This means that my clients get the best of both worlds with me; the creative and the technical, married together like a hand in a glove.

Usually the role of a web designer is to take the content that a client provides and to work their design magic on it, bringing to life a site that is attractive to look at, easy to navigate, using simple language and completely functional in terms of the processes required by the site owner.  Is more unusal that you are called upon to help the client create the business model, work out what their key messages are, and who and how to pitch it to their target market, as this is more the work of a business mentor or business marketing strategist.

Well tonight during our conversation it became evident that I am first the Business Mentor/Market Strategist, then the gifted designer.

Kayt McGeary felt inspired to share her experiencs with the world on her blog and here is what she had to say as many light bulbs came on during our conversation …

“You know… there are people who build websites & there are people who are clever with website development & all the hooha that is newly developed everyday in today’s technology…

& then there are very very GIFTED & SPECIAL people who take the time to listen & see who YOU really are & bring out of YOU what YOU thought could not be defined & THIS is what makes building ‘your’ own site most painful – especially for New Entrepreneurs. So who do we know who is this TALENTED & SPECIAL??

Hayley Solich that’s who!!!!
Do you have passion? She has passion plus!
Do you love what you do? She has built her career on loving people & what she does!
Do you need a website that needs to be seen before it is built? Hayley goes straight in to your inner core & pulls it out for the world to see you the way you want to be seen!!

If you’re looking for a business mentor that draws the picture for you & writes it as you think it then I suggest U call The Creaticians!  http://www.thecreaticians.com/services/

Keep an eye on this page because we are about to be ‘Created like a Kaleidoscope’!!”

Thank you, Kayt for your feedback on our process.  I think we both had some aha moments together! I love nothing more than to give every client their, Ta-Dah World! moment.

You can watch our progress on Kayt’s site at http://KaytMcGeary.com and see how the business develops over the coming weeks.

The Kiss of God is a beautiful instrumental piano, strings, flute and synthesised sounds.  It has some beautiful running melody lines and at times you feel like you are being lifted up into the arms of God.

A beautiful lilting piece.

“When I wrote this I just kept feeling like God was giving me His absolute attention and showing me just how much He loved me and  just wanted to be swept up into heaven,” says Hayley Solich

Running time:  2:40

Purchase your copy now!

List to a sample now.

On Wings of Angels is a beautiful, cruisy instrumental with a lilting flute over classical guitar.  Perfect for relaxing at the end of a hard day or a sound track for your video.

“I love to put this on while I’m in the bath, enjoying the beautiful warm water and letting the music just lift me out of my body.  I hope you enjoy on Angels Wings as much as I do,” says Hayley Solich.

Purchase your copy now.

Listen to a sample now.

It’s just a very basic chart that explains the relationships between domains, hosting services, DNS or Nameservers etc.

If you are new to the internet or website creation, then this is a simple map of what you need to consider.  If you’d like me to talk you through the process, then please make good use of my 30 mins free consultation by completing my email form.

Hayley and Jo invite you to join the Make-It-Happen Mastermind Group, which will run on an eight weekly plan, with the following program, based in the inner suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. Participants will be introduced to a range of topics and processes, including peer mentoring and coaching, goal setting, personality type, as well as many useful business tools:

Week 1- Understanding Ourselves and Others 1: This week is focused on getting to know each other, what you want to get out of the program and how we can support each other in our journey. You will be introduced to Personality Type and learn more about yourself and others and how this may impact your business.

Week 2- Understanding Ourselves and Others 2: This week we will build on week 1 looking at how personality type can influence team dynamics and stress as well as reflecting on our core values and their impact on our business.

Week 3 – Brainstorming
Each business owner brings to the table their ideas or problems and the group contribute possible solutions and feedback on ideas.

Week 4 – Action Planning
This week is all about planning.  The Creaticians will be supplying the tools and knowledge to help members of the group create a monthly plan of attack for their business marketing and business development.

Week 5 – Human Contact and Support
This week is focused on the emotional side of being an entrepreneur.  An opportunity to discuss as a group any of the emotional barriers that the group is facing in running their businesses.  Will also discuss managing customers and relationships.

Week 6 – Resourcing
This is an opportunity for the group to bring to the table their needs and the members of the group to provide some resourcing solutions.

Week 7 – Practical Implementation
This week is all about practical implementation and is a working session.  Joint ventures, cross promotion, online marketing, trend setting are focuses in this group session, so bring your laptop.

Week 8 – Evaluation and Review
This week the group will report back on their activities and discussion will focus around any barriers or difficulties that individuals encountered as they were working their plan. This is the WISDOM gathering week.

This is a great opportunity for passionate business entrepreneurs to get inspired and fired up.  If you’d like to register your interest, please visit the Mastermind Group and fill in the contact form.

About the facilitators:

Jo McNeilly

Jo has a B.A., Graduate Diploma of Education, and Post Graduate Diploma of Business (HRM/HRD) from Curtin University.

Jo has received training in the Ontological Approach to Coaching and has also completed ‘Coach School’s Certificate of Coaching program’. She is licensed to facilitates Coach U’s Coaching Clinic program for leaders and managers.

Jo is also a certified NLP practitioner. Jo has completed over 500 hours of coaching. Jo’s coaching experience extends over the past 8 years and includes career, personal and leadership coaching in government and non government organisations and with private clients.

Her specialties have included the areas of personal development, career development, coaching and mentoring, team building, leadership and management development, facilitation, and change management.

Jo has extensive experience working with both individuals and groups and has a passion for women’s development. She is a licensed trainer for the springboard’s Women’s Personal and Career Development Program. Jo also brings the Navigator men’s development program to Perth on a regular basis.

Jo is a founding member of the International Coaches Federation Australasia (WA Chapter) where she was active as the Professional Development Director in 2007 and in 2 previous years.

She is a professional member of the Australian Association of Career Counsellors.

Hayley Solich

Hayley Solich has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Certificate IV in Small Business Management and a Diploma of Dance, with over 25 years of business experience in a broad range of industries.

She has a keen interest in the development of women, having founded Women Can International Inc in 2007.

With six years experience as a Business Trainer, working for private RTO’s (Register Training Organisations) and TAFE’s, Hayley is a well rounded business specialist with strong technology skills.

Hayley also brings to the table her large network of contacts and practical business support skills including graphic design, websites, online marketing, photography and copywriting.

Hayley is the Chief Creatician at The Creaticians and is also a freelance writer, currently contracted as the Assistant Editor and Features Writer at National Australian magazine, Finally at 40 Life Begins.

Hayley is particularly keen to help the group with the practical application of getting their businesses inspired, wired and fired up.

I recently interviewed Chantal Vanderhaeghen from Franc Essentials for national Australian magazine, Finally at 40 Life Beings.  During the interview, we discussed how Chantal had built up her business, commencing with a cottage industry and then building a well-known brand.

One of the key pieces of wisdom that Chantal wanted to share with other business owners or people considering going into business was on this whole issue of branding and packaging.

To explain Chantal’s journey, she commenced her business by preparing her skin care range in the kitchen of her home.  She purchased her bottles from a wholesaler – they were cheap and nasty little blue bottles that had no individual features to set them apart from other cheap and nasty bottles on the market.  She made her own labels and at the time thought she was so clever, truly believing that she was saving money by doing it all herself.  She invested about $10,000 in doing her own manufacturing, branding and packaging.  The end result was that everytime she wanted to sell her product to, she had to explain what it was and how it worked.  So she was running a very intense and exhausting business model.

Then, by a stroke of good fortune, a marketing specialist entered her world and it took her six months to convince Chantal that she needed to professional brand and package her product if she wanted it to appeal to the market she was targetting.  A further investment of $20,000 followed, and she outsourced the manufacture of her product as well, with specially designed containers manufactured with  bearing her individual branding.

The benefits of making the change from Chantal’s perspective were that suddenly her load was a whole lot lighter and her job a whole load easier.  Firstly, she was no longer having to manufacture the product herself, which freed her to concentrate on building her business, the sales and marketing, and being more strategic.  Secondly, the product speaks for itself.  It looks like a professional product, it all fits together and the story is in the packaging.  This has saved her countless hours in explanation and also the visual appeal of the products when they are grouped is fantastic.

Here is what the final product now looks like…I’m sure you will agree that this now looks like something you might find on the shelves of Myers!  Chantal describes her first attempts as “a blue bottle with a plastic lid with a label stuck on it”.  I think the results speak for themselves.

So if you are wondering how to package and brand your goods, here are four important things to consider:

• Colours – Choose your corporate colours wisely.  The colours you select become part of your image you present to the world.  Initially Chantal had blue and pink.  Her transition to the more neutral avacado have meant her product will have longevity as the colour will not easily date.
• Logo – A logo is so important.  It can just be lettering or an image or a combination of both.  Your logo is what people will start to identify with all your products so needs to be distinctive and easily adapted to different product settings.
• Design elements – Your products personal style communicates with your potential clients before you even open your mouth.  Choose design elements that will thrill your potential client.  For example, if you use girly trills and frills, your product will not be as attractive to a man.  Choose your design elements to suit your clients, not just your own personal tastes.
• Consistency – Whether it is your logo, colours or even the slogans or text you use to describe your business, carry it across as many of your products as is possible.  People will be looking for a consistent brand and you’d be amazed at how someone new to an industry, if they come with a consistent brand, looking like a professional business will attract clients quickly because the first impression is they are organised and professional.

For the months of July and August 2010, The Creaticians are offering a free 30 minute brand consultation.  You might have a tired brand that is needing revitalising or perhaps you are just starting your business and you want to get it off on the right foot.  To take advantage of this offer, pop me an email with 3 questions you’d like to ask about branding and packaging and a short story about where you currently are at in your project.  Use the email form below.

[contact-form]

Hayley Solich shares three hot tips on how to have a fantastic life!

Tip 1:  Be Fantastically You

You are unique, you’re amazing, there is no-one like you so be yourself.  Don’t be an imitator because imitators are copy cats and at the end of the day who will remember them when they die?

Tip 2:  Be Honest About What You Are

Own who you are, warts and all.  Don’t try to be something that you are not, be honest and be open to other’s feedback in life about how they view you too.

Tip 3:  Serve it Up

Bring to the table of life all the gifts that you have in your kit bag of life and serve it up.  Give life a go and give it your best shot.

One of my true passions in life is creating wonderful music.  It’s my therapy and I have been told that it has a special quality, just something, that seems to go inside and bring about some kind of change in spirit or emotion.

So I encourage you to pop over to the shop and have a listen to some of the sample tracks.  Whether your taste is instrumental music, affirmation music, you need some exercise music or just plain old popular style, there is something there that will touch your heart.

For the month of July (or what’s left of it) we are having our new financial year sale and there is 10% off everything in The Focus Shop.  Just use the code “July” to access the discount.

Remember that when you buy from our shop you are supporting a family of six!

You would be surprised how many people don’t bother to do any market research at all before launching a new product or service and I have to say that I have been guilty of it from time to time myself.

The problem with this approach is that you have no idea how the marketplace is going to respond to what you are offering and it is kind of like firing your bullets in the dark.

So today I want to share with you a fabulous tool that I have recently uncovered, used and been impressed with, that won’t cost you a cent to use it in it’s basic form, but will provide you with great results.

Now, before I launch into my review of this tool, I need you to know that I do not make a cent out of providing this information to you.  I do so out of a desire to see all of my clients and supporters armed with great information to make their lives easier.  So here we go…

SurveyMonkey.com offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to create surveys that can be emailed, posted on sites, and shared on Facebook with ease.  Creating the survey is a piece of cake and the end result is a professional looking survey that will deliver to you the results that you are needing to make great decision.

So let me give you a sneak peak at what you will see when you go into create a survey…

You will see in the image that there are three tabs…

The first Tab is Design Survey and here you can come up with 10 questions about your product or service to ascertain potential client’s response to that particular product or service.

I loved that there are choices about everthing in there related to how you collect the data – radio buttons, short answers, multiple choice and much more.

The second tab relates to collecting responses. Once again there are options and you can create multiple ways of collecting surveys.  You can send an email link, grab code for your website, post directly to a Facebook Account.

The third tab relates to analyzing your results and once again I was really impressed here.  Firstly, you get a summary screen, but you have the option to click through and find the results of individual survey participants.  Absolutely crucial information if you are giving people the option of leaving their contact details so you can offer them the product should it go ahead.

Research simply is not easier than this and this all comes in the free level of the account.  There are other pro levels that offer way more if you are desiring to survey clients regularly.  A fabulous tool none-the-less at the free level.

If you decide to give it a go, then pop a comment here to let me know what you think.  That way others who come behind you will have the benefit of your feedback.

Sometimes it is wise to wait before rushing in and making a purchase of the latest and the greatest new time or labour saving device, especially in the online markets.

I know for me I have looked at different products and held off on buying due to finances or not feeling right. Guaranteed every time that happened that by the time I was ready to make the purchase, a new release of that product was out! Of course the owners do want to sell more products and are very happy to continuously be offering the upgraded version of whatever that product migth be.

My point simply is that sometimes if you wait you will find out a number of things:

1. If the product is going to be reduced as the demand increases and then levels out.
2. If there is a planned new release and by waiting you can go straight to the newer version.
3. If the product has any bugs as people buy it and try it out.
4. If you really, really need the product, as delay often reduces our impulsive buying urges.

So next time you read and advertisement and feel the ‘must have’ desire rising, think about it.  Sometimes delays can help us not to make a huge mistake that we can spend a lot of time paying for.

Fortunately, there are so many wonderful things that I have happening in my life that are related to my passion that it is a pleasure to get out of bed. However, when I was depressed following the birth of my fourth child, daily I struggled to think of one thing that motivated me to get out of that bed. All my thoughts were negative. It was as though I had no fuel left in my tank and no spark in my ignition system.

Fortunately, something happened to me that changed my life and I will never be that person again. What happened to me was that I connected with my passion – people! And that passion for people energised me and changed my life.

Passion, as described in the Encarta dictionary, means ‘intense or overpowering emotion’ or ‘intense enthusiasm’ and is closely related to the word ‘zeal’ which means ‘energetic and unflagging enthusiasm’

I connected with the energising force of passion and my life has never been the same since. So how do we tap into that ‘intense or overpowering emotion that causes us to have intense, energetic and unflagging enthusiasm’? By connecting with what it is that lights our candle. What is it that makes us happy, that gives us a buzz, that we can connect our thoughts to as a creative energy? There are many beliefs about the power of thoughts and I do believe that thoughts are creative, after all, doesn’t an artist visualise the painting before they paint? If we are passionate about our lives, we live life to the full and experience the full gamut of emotions and experiences. I see that passion has four purposes in our life:

1. It pressures us to pursue our destiny - there is this urge that keeps trying to move us towards our passion.
2. It points us in the right direction - like a compass, it leads us towards our destiny.
3. It energises us to perform tasks – like the fuel in our tanks it energises us for the journey.
4. It propels us to be successful - like the spark plugs in our engine, passion starts the reaction that motivates us to be successful in attaining our destiny and goals.

I guess when you think about girl/guy relationships and that type of passion you can see that these four principles are true. Passion pressures us in our relationships to desire intimacy, it attracts us to the other person, it energises us to engage in a relationship and it moves our relationships forward. Where there is no passion, a relationship is missing an energising ingredient and so it is with our lives. Where we have nothing that we are passionate about, we are half living life.

Today, connect with your passion. If you are doing a job that you don’t enjoy because you feel you have to, I say, think again! You spend so much time working in life that it is such a waste to not be actively involved in something that you love doing.

I have always been passionate about my work and that has produced results in my work situations, with incredible opportunities coming my way. But I have been lucky to early identify what works for me, what lights my candle and to focus my energies in those areas. Spend some time getting to know yourself, then connect with your passion. Like a light bulb going into a powered light socket, your life will start to glow if you do!

Marketing can be very expensive if you are unaware of the range of low-cost marketing techniques that are available at your fingertips and telephone!

The first step in working out what’s right for you is to come up with a ball park figure on how much you have to spend. It will cost you something, whether it’s the cost of the internet, paper, printing or phone calls, but everyday presents itself with a marketing opportunity for you. Here are my top 10 ideas:

1. Use your God given talent to speak.
Everyone you meet is a potential customer. Be it friend, service provider, family member or a stranger in the queue at the local supermarket. If you can talk, you can market your business simply by sharing positive stories about how your customers have benefited from your business.
2. You have a body that goes everywhere, dress to impress and wear signage on your clothes.
A simple badge with the logo of your business, or a printed T-shirt, tie or scarf, are a form of marketing that does not require any bravery on your part. You can be a human billboard and so can all of your family. Print some t-shirts for your kids, especially good looking clothing and before you know it they will have the parents of their friends wanting to use your business.

3. If you drive a car, you have another billboard for advertising your business.
Simple magnetic plates to stick on the sides or back of your car are not that expensive and can be taken off so your car can be used for dual purposes. Or you can put some bumper stickers on. Not only are you advertising your business but it is tax deductible.

4. Local papers can also be a source for drawing new customers.
A small ad can get them coming in the door, however, over time this can be quite expensive.

5. Fliers that you can letter box or hand out at train stations is another way of generating business.
1000 fliers may cost a few dollars but is money well spent if you are able to distribute them. Once again, if you have children, harness the energy and enthusiasm they have for your business and make distributing them a family outing.

6. Websites are only useful if you get people to look at them. You can do a very low cost website by doing most of the work yourself using a service provider who has well designed templates.
For as little as $100AUD a year, you can have a website that people can log onto and verify that you are a legitimate business. Remember, the role of advertising is to let people know you are in business and what products or services you offer and the best way to contact you. Having a website does make this whole process a lot easier for those who use the technology.

7. Business cards are also handy as they help you to network.
I know of at least one free online printer that will allow you to make up 500 business cards and you only pay for the postage to your home. This is an easy way to kick start your networking promotions.

8. Giving away some products is also another good way to get people to notice your business.
Choose a few products, wrap them nicely then advertise the contest. One or two posters in the window of your business and people will be happy to take a look if they have a chance to win something for free. The same goes for special offers, either discounts or two-for-one sales.

9. A newsletter, distributed via the internet is another very low cost marketing tool.
If you have writing skills, marketing via a newsletter is simple and effective.

10. Faxing or emailing to potential customers your price list and services, then following up with a phone call is also another way to promote a business.
When I set up a home maintenance business in 2000, this is how I generated business. Within a very short time, I had our business booked out up to 3 weeks in advance simply by using this method. The same method worked when I was an Employment Consultant trying to get people work. It’s magic. The phone call makes them locate the document and look at it. Even if they have discarded it, they don’t want you to know that they did it, so you have them on the back foot straight away.

There are so many other ideas, like having a business launch, putting on special sessions for valued customers, sending birthday letters, distributing fridge magnets (great for business cause people need and love them), right down to standing on a busy corner wearing an A-Frame billboard.

You can do it low-cost, if you make the most of what you have!

One of the marvels of modern times is that man is always questing to come up with time saving gadgets and gizmos.  Hootsuite is just one of these tools and I’m so glad they invented a dashboard that gives me control and speed in my posting to popular social media sites!

So here is my independent review of Hootsuite, a recent addition to my fabulous time saving tools that I am keen to share with savvy business owners.

I recently found out about Hootsuite from the guys at Crowd Conversion (thanks guys!) and it rocks.  It’s basically like Tweetdeck and Seismic or other programs that allow you to post to Twitter, however it also allows you post to a host of other social media platforms and that’s it’s value.

Here’s an eagle’s eye view of the platform:

Some of the features that you can see above that I love are:

• Shrinkit – You can resize URL’s by pasting and clicking shrink it.  This also activates an internal analytics program that counts the number of clicks on the link and tracks them by post and location of IP Address. VERY HANDY FOR ANALYSING who is reading, what they like and where they are from geographically.
• Multiple Accounts - In the top right hand size you will a number of thumbnails. These are the thumbnails of accounts that I have online that I am able to click on to post to when I type something into the box area on the left top. ie I have a business Twitter account, a Personal Twitter account, my personal Facebook account, my four pages on Facebook, my LinkedIn account, and my MySpace Account.  I can put one post in and send it to all these accounts at once or to any combination of accounts.   This is AMAZING!
• Scheduled Posting - FABULOUS TIME SAVER.   You can spend one morning and set up tweets to be broadcast over the week.  Each tweet has to be individual entered but once again can be scheduled to appear on multiple accounts.  Particularly good if you have an event you are wanting to promote and get in front of as many people as possible.  You also get a whole column devoted to scheduled posts and if they don’t send for whatever reason it lets you know and you can reschedule them.  It’s also a great column so that you can cut and paste content for repeating the same post at intervals.
• Photo Icon - You can upload photos direct to post on Twitter via the dashboard, particularly time saving if you’re wanting to quickly share a pic, especially with your Facebook friends.
• Search – You have the ability to search via keyword and see who is talking about your subject.
• Profiles Selection – I love it that when you click on the person’s account hyperlink you get a quick profile that tells you information about that person including the option to follow, unfollow etc.  Really helps in deciding whether or not to follow that person.

If you’d like to get your hands on this fabulous tool, which I highly recommend, pop over to Hootsuite.com.

© Hayley Solich, 2010

Technology translator and Creative Business Specialist, Hayley Solich, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs overcome their limiting beliefs to grow successful businesses.  She is the founder of Women Can International Inc, a positive Women’s Association that helps women to find and take the next step in their journey and the same message runs through both her business and her community work – You can, if you want to.  Access Hayley’s special report:  ”10 Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Seriously Sink Their Business & How To Avoid Them” from her site,http://thecreaticians.com or sign up for Hayley’s mindset transforming Make-It-Happen Mastermind Group starting in September 2010.  More info at http://thecreaticians.com/mastermindgroup.  Hayley also has a range of affirmation music tracks available on her site, including the new release:  ”Take 10″, an entrepreneurs 10 mins affirmation exercise track.

I’ve narrowed it down to the four things you MUST DO in order to succeed.  Sure, there are many more success strategies you can employ, but if you implement these four things well, you WILL succeed.

• Get a mentor:  Following in the footsteps of others who are already successful is an ideal way to succeed.  As we’ve heard before, success leaves clues. Find someone in your industry (or even outside of your industry), sign up for their newsletters, check out their web site, review their marketing collateral and product offers, and then see if you can’t follow their steps to success. If they offer a coaching program, you may be able to access one-on-one advice on how to grow your business.  Being accountable to a mentor or coach is a great way to blaze a path to success.

• See fear as a necessary part of your business growth and an opportunity:  Take fear to be a positive thing – a sign that you need to grow and that a great opportunity exists for you.  When you hear that voice that says ‘you can’t do that’, take it as a sign that you MUST do it.  After all, a flock of butterflies gathering in your stomach is an omen that a fabulous adventure is fast approaching!

• Get the help you need:   Realise you can’t do it all.  As soon as you reach the point of not being able to do everything, you’ve come to the second stage of your business development.  Be grateful and congratulate yourself for reaching this milestone.  Now put a plan in place to move forward by employing an assistant or subcontracting out some of your workload.

• Believe you will succeed: Decide today exactly what you want to achieve.  Quantify it according to how many clients you want, what type of clients you want, and how much you will earn and by when. Get in to a good feeling place (with affirmations, meditations or visualisations), release your intention, feel good about it, know that you deserve it, and believe that you already have these things in your life.  You only need do this 5 minutes a day and you’ll start to notice happy coincidences taking place to move you in the direction of your goals.  Be grateful and continue to feel success – know it is headed your way right now.

© 2010 Home Biz Chicks

When I started out, there were not many in Australia who had realised the benefit of marketing online, so it was easy for me to be at the front of the pack and often I was ranked 1 or 2 in Perth for Twitter and even climbed the Australian ladder to be placed in the top 100 twitterers, debuting at #15 (see comments section of the top 100 twitterers link).

What started out as a challenge from a girlfriend, @JuneKelly, to have another look at Twitter, which I had initially written off as boring and of no real value, soon transformed into a tool that I have used on many levels to build my reputation, friendships (now 8341 followers at last count), and to source information on a daily basis.

Since those early days I have ventured into other forums including MySpace.com, Ning.com, LinkedIn.com and more recently Facebook.com.

Back in 2004 I was completely addicted to Poetry.com, a poetry forum where you could post poetry and critique other’s work.  Then came the days when I was hooked on Backgammon, playing people from all around the world.  Then there were the days of Helium.com where I churned out articles, sometimes as many as 10-15 in a couple of days in their red hot competitions, which I am happy to say I won and came second in a few times.  So I guess this progression to actively harnessing the power of Social Media to further grow my reputation and business really has not been that dramatic for me and it is only when I am talking with my girlfriends who haven’t had that slow building experience that I realise what a phenomen Social media has become and how ignorant a lot of normal people are about it’s advantages.

So how does all this Social Media stuff work and who can benefit?

Firstly, Social Media is all about community and in this case, an online virtual community.  And like any community, you only get out of it what you put into it.  If, in real life, you turn up daily to the local community centre and get involved in helping people out, before too long you are a regular, trusted and respected by the community that you are interacting with as having certain skills and character traits that may be useful to others and can be trusted.  It is exactly the same principles with Social Media.  If you turn up, introduce yourself and get involved, people develop trust and then you become the person they contact if they have a need that they know you can fulfil.

Everyone can benefit from being more connected in their communities and the brilliant part of the online community is that you can connect with people from all around the world.

One of the big changes that Social Media and the internet is bringing is that people can get their message a lot further, a lot quicker.  Never before in the history of man has there been a time when an event can happen on one side of the world and people know about it before it is reported in the media on the other side of the world.  Twitter (a micro blogging site) and Facebook have revolutionised the way that we access and share information.  And of course there is YouTube.com to add in there, which is now the 2nd most used search engine on the planet!  If you want to know how to do something, guaranteed someone has done it and filmed it and it’s on YouTube.com!

So what are the down sides?

Social Media can be very exciting but it also presents an opportunity for some very nasty people to take liberties.  Can you really believe that the person on the other end of the computer is exactly who they say they are?  Is that person that can now access you at any time of the day or night to be mean going to miss the opportunity to be a bully?  And are they gathering personal information about you to ensure that you are vulnerable?

Well, like any community, there are going to be rogues who will take advantage and I think we are hearing about it a lot more because we have this very advanced communication system happening called the internet.  Are we worse off now than we were 10 years ago, I’m not that convinced.  I think we are more worried now because we hear more of the bad stories, but maybe I’m just naiive and have my head buried in the sand.  The jury is still out on that one.

My experience is that there have been way more positive outcomes for me than there have been negative and I have been an avid internet user since it’s inception.  However, I have had to be prepared to give a significant part of my time away to maintain the level of connection with others.  Posting daily, getting involved in activities that are running have been all part and parcel of the process and some may not be prepared to share as much of themselves with “strangers” as I have.

So my advice is if you are looking at Social Media and wondering if it can benefit you the answer is YES, most definitely.  You have to manage the risks, maintain a consistent level of effort to obtain the maximum return on investment but it’s a fabulous way to meet new people and to grow your reputation.

© Hayley Solich, 2010

WANT TO USE THIS REPORT IN YOUR E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Technology translator and Creative Business Specialist, Hayley Solich, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs overcome their limiting beliefs to grow successful businesses.  She is the founder of Women Can International Inc, a positive Women’s Association that helps women to find and take the next step in their journey and the same message runs through both her business and her community work – You can, if you want to.  Access Hayley’s special report:  ”10 Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Seriously Sink Their Business & How To Avoid Them” from her site,http://thecreaticians.com or sign up for Hayley’s mindset transforming Make-It-Happen Mastermind Group starting in September 2010.  More info at http://thecreaticians.com/mastermindgroup.  Hayley also has a range of affirmation music tracks available on her site, including the new release:  ”Take 10″, an entrepreneurs 10 mins affirmation exercise track.

And we’ll throw in a free 1 hour training session valued at $250 for FIRST five who say yes!

You can then claim the expense in your tax…

Why is this is an incredible offer?

Our basic 5 page websites start at $600, so you could expect to save a minimum of $60!  So all up, you could receive a minimum of $310 worth of bonuses just by saying yes now!

We guarantee your website will be ready within 7 days of you getting us all the content necessary to build it.  This is unheard of in the web creation industry.  Not only will we get you results quickly, but we will stick with it until you are completely satisfied.  A quality outcome everytime is our standard service agreement.

Phone Hayley Solich now on 08 9375 2007 or 0404 732 578 for a quote!

If you need more convincing, then read on to find out how you can benefit.

We take all the stress out of setting up your website by:

• Listening intently to understand exactly what you want, then giving you our professional feedback
• Organising your hosting
• Organising the purchase of a domain
• Pointing your domain to your hosting service
• Installing WordPress onto your hosting service
• Sourcing a template that is right for your business

This means you get to share your vision and then sit back and watch it come to fruition.

We can also go the extra mile by offering additional services including:

• Uploading content you provide
• Sourcing photos
• Writing engaging copy
• Creating and uploading other media including podcasts and videos
• Brand revitalisation (we look at what you have and give it a makeover)
• Installing and customising that template to reflect your business branding
• Installing complimentary plugins for added functionality including e-commerce, event registration, etc

Our clients tell us this is one of the things that they seriously love about us…they don’t have to go hunting for help.

A website is just ONE of the MANY tools that you can use to grow your business.  We can also help you with other aspects of your business branding package including:

• Business cards
• Brochures
• Fliers
• Banners
• DL Cards
• Photo Display Books
• Price Lists
• Publications (books, newsletters, etc)

Printed through a quality wholesale printer, we are able to get you a good price and a great finish and handle all of the print process.  This is one major headache you will not have to deal with because the whole printing process can be a major head spin if you don’t understand the jargon!

Further, we can additionally save you time shopping around for marketing advice, as we help our clients to create a solid marketing strategy through our co-creative, Make-It-Happen Mentoring Program.

The Creaticians are The Ultimate Business Plug-In.  It’s because we are intentionally designed to plug into your business and give you the added functionality of a graphic designer, web designer, marketing specialist and business trainer. Allow us to plug into your business and get your website and other marekting areas fully functional!

The big ‘P’ word can be the cause of many a job being left undone, which is a major cause of stress in our lives.

I know when I am on a ‘bender’ – that is, a week where I just can’t get myself into gear, the big ‘P’ word takes over. The washing, the dishes, the kid’s rooms (I have four under 13 years) just seem to become major disaster zones and I finish my bender more and more determined not to let it ever get that way.

So how do I, and how do we, tackle this major robber of peace, order and organisation in the home, the workplace, the general community?

We’ve all heard of the Nike advertising, “Just do it”. I believe this is a principle that goes across every aspect of our lives. As my dear old mother would say, “Work never killed you, Hayley. It is just the thought of it.” I think having a Nike attitude is the type of attitude that you have to adopt to beat procrastination.

I know for me, if I let things slide it is just that much more difficult to get things back to good working order. It is much easier to beat myself up for a few seconds a day with the “Just Do It” message and get the job done, than to let things go for a few days and live with the guilt and lack of peace that is a much heavier burden to bear.

My son brought it all to a head for me recently. He is sharing a room with his sister who is 18 months older. They are aged 7 and 9 years. Well, they’d managed to get their room looking like a bomb had hit it. There were clothes on the floor, toys, books, bags and discarded shoes. That room was wall-to-wall clothes carpet. Now I have a policy with my children that their rooms are their responsibility and I try as hard as I can not to rescue them from their own mess as I want to teach them to clean their own space. But what happened was my 7 year old son refused to come home from school oneday and when I asked him why he didn’t want to come home he told me it was because his room was “disgusting”, which he said with the emphasis as I would use. It actually was affecting how he felt about living in the house, as he kept asking to move out and go to live somewhere else!

It was then that I realised just how important order was to his feelings of security and peace. He craved order just as much as I did. So I got in and I cleaned that room and it took me all of 15 minutes. Now I had put up with that room for over a week being disorganised and it has weighed very heavily on my heart every time I went to that end of the house. I could no longer procrastinate because my procrastination was having a significant impact on my son’s peace and happiness.

How many times do we succumb to the big ‘P’ word and then pay the price for days. I know that this is particularly true of doing projects that I don’t really want to do. If I leave the large items that I know are going to be big thinking tasks until last, guaranteed I am going to run out of time and be stressed out. So I’ve learned to move these difficult tasks to the top of the pile and to get them off my pile so they are not playing on my mind. The same with phone calls you don’t want to make, with visits you don’t want to make. Just do it and you will feel so much better.

I have a little jingle I use with my children when they are struggling with motivation. We chant together, “You can do it, you can do it, if you put your mind to it.” It works for them!

Tell me what works for you. Leave a comment.

© Hayley Solich, 2010

Technology translator and Creative Business Specialist, Hayley Solich, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs overcome their limiting beliefs to grow successful businesses.  She is the founder of Women Can International Inc, a positive Women’s Association that helps women to find and take the next step in their journey and the same message runs through both her business and her community work – You can, if you want to.  Access Hayley’s special report:  ”10 Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Seriously Sink Their Business & How To Avoid Them” from her site,http://thecreaticians.com or sign up for Hayley’s mindset transforming Make-It-Happen Mastermind Group starting in September 2010.  More info at http://thecreaticians.com/mastermindgroup.  Hayley also has a range of affirmation music tracks available on her site, including the new release:  ”Take 10″, an entrepreneurs 10 mins affirmation exercise track.

I really love singing.  It makes me feel joyous in my heart.  When I heard mum’s music it made me think of flowers and snow.  I could just see the daffodils peeking up through the snow.

Sometimes we think winter will never end but there is always spring waiting to shine in our lives.

Thank you to all those who have chosen to buy the track.  I really appreciate it.

Please purchase your copy now and encourage Sarah in her musical talents. Click now on the Buy Now button above and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can be the first to hear about The Focus Shop special deals on our music tracks and ebooks.  Email form in sidebar.

Feedback from customers…

Diane Corriette says, “Its a gorgeous track. Sarah is a fantastic singer!  Look forward to listening to the other track…Diane”

I was requested by one of my friends, Tanya Regan from The Pink Love Tank, to put this track up with the words to help people to get motivated for the Take 10 Challenge. So here it is world, enjoy!

“I don’t mind if you think I’m mad, laugh your head off at my gumby exercise movements, just so long as you get off your chair and join me in getting your heart rate up and your body moving,” says Hayley.

We’ve all heard the talk about getting more exercise but I know for myself I have found it a huge challenge to a) be motivated and b) find the time and money to be able to get out and exercise. So I put my thinking cap on and have come up with a strategy that is designed to increase your mobility while not interfering with your purse and your progress.

I’ve called it my Take 10 an Hour and Feel the Power concept.  It’s really very simple and easy to do.

1.  I put together a 10 minute piece of music using orginal music I created whilst participating in a Commando Kick Butt Fitness and Health Challenge a few years ago.  I had written the music to inspire me to be motivated to exercise and the both the words and the music give me a positive lift when I listen to them.

2.  I set an alarm on my computer to go off every hour.

3. I set a second alarm to go off 1 minute after the first alarm, just in case I thought I might ignore the first alarm and this is working a treat.

4.  When the alarm goes off, I click on the music track which now lives prominently on my desktop and I get up and get started.  I’m also going to take the track into imovie and add some inspirational images that depict my vision for my life so I can produce a DVD that I can take away with me and play anywhere.

5.  I get out of my chair and groove along with the music. The kinds of things I do is walk on the spot lifting my knees up as high as they can go, swing my arms, lift my hands above my head and wave from side to side, alternate swinging my arms above my head, I twist from side to side, I kick up my legs, I jog on the spot, I jump on the spot, I save touching my toes until the end when I do a 1 mins stretch cool down, I stretch my side by lifting my arm over my head and leaning to one side, I lift my heals up and down to stretch my calves, I tighten and loosen your butt cheeks, I bend my knee up to my waist and hold it there to get a good stretch, I do the grapevine, whatever inspires me, just so long as I keep active for the WHOLE 10 minutes!

6.  I take the last minute to slowly bring my heart beat back down by doing some stretching and deep breathing.

I GUARANTEE THAT BY THE END OF 10 MINS I FEEL FANTASTIC!  Why?

Because I have:

• Increased my heart rate – good for keeping your heart in prime condition
• Increased my blood flow around your body – good for circulation
• Experienced an endorphins rush – good for your emotional well being
• Silenced the inner critic – good for your self-esteem

Other benefits I will experience as I continue with this strategy are:

• Clothes will get looser – if you do this every day you will see a difference in your body over time
• Sleep better – it is a known fact that exercise improves the quality of your sleep
• Be less bored and more able to concentrate when I am working – getting moving helps your sense of wellbeing
• Can save money – no need to waste money on gym memberships, as there are things in your natural world you could use to get the same benefits

When I was training I used to deliver on the subject of the brain and how to understand how it functions to be more effective in your study and learning new information.

One of the interesting things about the brain is that if you mix up the activities you are doing, it actually helps the brain to stay engaged and to retain more.  ie if you are studying, then change subject matter every 15 mins.  Your brain generally remembers best the first and last thing it is presented on a subject.  Every time you give the brain a new stimulus it refocuses and stores the first and last thing again.  This is why some people find concentrating for  long periods of time very difficult.

So you are not going to HARM your work day by taking a 10 mins break regularly throughout your day, you are actually going to increase your productivity because you are going to keep your brain engaged.

I challenge all business owners or home based workers who use a computer to join me in this challenge. Let me know how you get on.

If you would like to take the easy route and purchase Hayley’s “Take 10 an Hour, Feel the Power” exercise music track now, visit The Focus Shop.

One of the biggest shifts that came for me in building my own successful business was learning about – and implementing – what I call my Marketing & Product Funnel.

You know what a funnel looks like, right? It’s wide and the top and tapers down to a narrow opening. When your prospects enter your funnel through your ezine or other (usually) freebie offering, they are in the “getting to know you” level of the funnel.

Once they get to know you, like you and trust you, they likely will move down to the next level, which will include your for-fee products and services, your least expensive ones first, increasing in value and cost as they continue downwards, until they eventually get to hiring you one-on-one or to your other big ticket item. That’s basically how the funnel system of marketing works.

I see a lot of coaches and other solo service professionals offer a freebie at the top of their funnel, and then their one-on-one service packages at the bottom, with nothing in between. I made this mistake myself. It’s important to have offerings at each level of your marketing funnel so people can continue to get to know, like and trust you, as well as get to know, like and trust your products and services.

Implementing the Marketing & Product Funnel system is easy. Get started by attracting prospects into your funnel. Create a freebie offering (an ezine, mini ecourse, ebook, report, guide, checklist, etc.) and put a sign-up form ‘above the fold’ and prominently on your website. And add a link to your freebie offering in your email signature as well.

Once you have prospects in your funnel, find ways to give them more valuable content at increasingly higher prices as they go through the funnel.

For example, the second level of your funnel might offer an ebook for $27 or an ecourse for $39. The third level might have a home study course for $147 or a series of teleseminars for $77 each. The fourth level might offer a boot camp for $347, and the fifth level might offer your one-on-one services for $500.

Get the picture? By the way, when you offer your products and services at different price points, you are lowering the financial and emotional risk for your prospects. You are essentially making it impossible for them not to buy from you!

PS: If you want help with creating your own Marketing & Product Funnel, I cover it in detail, including worksheets for you to use over and over in my bestselling 21 Easy & Essential Steps to Online Success System.

© 2007 Alicia M Forest and ClientAbundance.com

Alicia M Forest, MBA, Multiple Streams Queen & Coach? and creator of “21 Easy & Essential Steps to Online Success System?, teaches coaches, consultants, and other solo professionals and online entrepreneurs how to attract more clients, create profit-making products and services, make more sales, and ultimately live the life they desire and deserve. For FREE tips on how to create abundance in your business, visit http://www.clientabundance.com/

Used with permission.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_131758_3.html

The question is, how do you know what to aim for and how do you know when you have achieved it?

It is easy to have lots of ideas, but goals are the process by which you are able to focus those ideas to make them achievable.

Here are the main points why goal setting is a good idea:

1. Knowing where you are heading empowers you. If you can see the finish line, you know exactly how much effort is required for you to cross it and that is empowering.

2. Recording your goals also empowers you. By writing them down and giving them a timeframe to make them measurable, you go through the mental process of figuring out exactly what you are going to need to achieve them. Giving them a date to be achieved by helps to apply the pressure necessary to motivate you to action.

3. Visualising your goal in your mind, helps you to adopt the mental attitude necessary to achieve your goal. Imagine yourself doing whatever your goal is. The clearer you can see it in your mind, the more achievable it will become.

4. Talk positively about your goals and eliminate negative self-talk in relation to them. Every goal will have it’s issues but by being solutions focused, the issues will fade into the glory of achieving your goals.

5. Break your goals right down into achievable bite size chunks. The more detailed you are, the more probable your success will be.

6. Protect your goals from what are called the “dream stealers”. These are people that want to discourage you by pointing out all the obstacles and problems associated with your goal.

7. As you are working on your goals, adopt a “do-it-now” mentality. If something is annoying you, do something about it. Take action.

8. Make lists. If you rely on your brain, you will miss important things out. Buy a notepad you can carry everywhere with you and make lists of what you want to achieve, then tick them off as you go.

9. Make new goals regularly. A goals list is a fluid document. It needs to be visited daily and updated as things come up.

10. No more excuses, take action now! You can only guarantee success if you start the journey.

Achieving your dreams

You now know what goals are and how you can set them and you have been given the keys to setting and making your own goals. But is there another process that is missing that ensures that you achieve your goals?

I would like to suggest that there is. You know what you want to achieve, you even have created a visual board for yourself where you have images of what you want to achieve, with all the description and dates of your goals. But what it is that takes the dream off the page and converts it to reality?

Here are my three factors for making it happen.

1. Belief—Do you believe that it can and will happen to you?

2. Faith—Do you have the faith to step out and test your vision to prove it’s worth?

3. Focus—Are you prepared to make your goal the focus of your life?

If you can firstly, believe in your dream; secondly, have faith in yourself and any spiritual power that you may believe in; and then thirdly, place your focus on attaining that dream, amazing things start to happen! Without these your dream will fail before it has even lived.

© Hayley Solich, 2010

Technology translator and Creative Business Specialist, Hayley Solich, is passionate about helping entrepreneurs overcome their limiting beliefs to grow successful businesses.  She is the founder of Women Can International Inc, a positive Women’s Association that helps women to find and take the next step in their journey and the same message runs through both her business and her community work – You can, if you want to.  Access Hayley’s special report:  ”10 Mistakes Business Owners Make That Can Seriously Sink Their Business & How To Avoid Them” from her site,http://thecreaticians.com or sign up for Hayley’s mindset transforming Make-It-Happen Mastermind Group starting in September 2010.  More info at http://thecreaticians.com/mastermindgroup.  Hayley also has a range of affirmation music tracks available on her site, including the new release:  ”Take 10″, an entrepreneurs 10 mins affirmation exercise track.

So what do you do when you start to feel the pressure on you? Do you cave at the first resistance to your idea or your movement forward?

I was a professional dancer and often there was a pain threshold that you would reach after doing a class for 30 minutes. You are just up to the part where you have to spring into the air over and over and your legs are screaming at you to stop and the idea of of just stopping right there is almost enough for you to revolt. I mean, I became the guru of escape. I had to suddenly go to the toilet when they were up to their 16th spring in the air. I had to do up my ballet slipper that had mysteriously just come undone. There is always some excuse that we can find if we want to but what happens if we push through?

Well, I can tell you from watching The Biggest Loser, Australian Series, tonight that I saw the results of perservering. On the television I watched a guy called Cosie take 90kilos of weight on his shoulders and outstand five other competitors that hardly even got over the 40kilos marker. What kept him standiing on that little elevated platform with almost the same as his body weight sitting on his shoulders? The knowledge that if he perservered he would make it over the line and have another chance at the Biggest Loser title. I think that if there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about him winning it was all sorted out right there. This is his moment to shine and quite deservingly, he was selected by the trainers to go through to the next round.

So what is there in your life that feels like an insurmountable mountain of opposition to your plan or your progress? Are you going to give up just before your breakthrough or are you going to tough it out, to dig deep and pull on every ounce of energy that is left in you to make your dreams come true?

There is a bible story about Jesus Christ when he was praying in the garden the night before he was crucified. It says that he sweat drops of blood. That was the level of his anguish in preparing himself for his death. There is a scripture that the new testament that says, “You have not resisted in your battle against temptation unto the point of shedding blood.” I am asking you, in your desire to achieve your dreams, have you gone to the level of your ability or have you piked out just before your breakthrough? Next time you are tempted to give up, I challenge you to hold in there and tough it out and see what happens.

Feel free to comment. I’d love to hear your feedback on this thought.

How often in life do we get an idea and want to run off, 100 miles an hour, in the direction the idea is taking us but without any real preparation?

Over my 42 years of life I have learned one simple wisdom:  To sit on my ideas and wait to see if they are seeds of greatness. For if I run off after every idea, I will not have the energy or resources when it most counts. It is far better for me to conserve myself, that the impact of what I do may be far greater, than to spread myself too thinly on the ground and not do anything well

I guess it all comes back to my favourite concept at the moment – the word focus.

Focus means to concentrate on a particular thing or an aspect of that thing and to clear your vision.

How many of us need to clear our vision, so that we can have maximum impact in our lives?

If you are chasing your tail, chasing after the prize but not really feeling like you are achieving anything of worth because you are running off in all different directions, my advice is to stop and listen to your heart. If you still your soul, you will hear clearly what you are meant to be doing.

Conserving your resources by focusing your energies in a particular direction, allows you to have more to work with when it really counts. Like a race horse, it is critical to harness the raw energy and to channel it into running the race at the right time, rather than jump starting out of the blocks.

Take the time to lay a solid foundation for whatever you do. This is achieved by researching your idea thoroughly, by not being pressured into jumping before you have all the information and a clear idea of the direction you are wanting to jump and by setting clear goals so you know what you want to achieve. You don’t have to have the whole picture to start something, but it does help if you have a detailed analysis of the part of the picture that you do have, as this will help you to attract and identify the missing pieces when they eventually arrive.

To focus is to love yourself, for when you narrow your options you limit the amount of stress that exists in your world and give yourself the opportunity to master whatever it is you are putting your hand to.

Remember, masters get paid a whole load more than jack-of-all-trades do! It pays to become a master.

Randy Pausche was a lecturer in the US and he shares a message about living that many people who are not dying don’t get to hear. His speech, delivered to his peers and students, was recorded with his children in mind. He wanted to pass on to them everything he had learned from his life time. It’s an incredibly brave message and completely inspired. RIP Randy Pausche, your legacy lives on!

Networking is like dating; you don’t ask your guy or girl to marry you on the first date, so why then do people expect to make a sale or gain a new client the first time they meet? Effective and productive networking is about building relationships and ‘win win’ scenarios. To ensure that your networking is highly effective consider my top ten tips:

1. Don’t look for a sale; look for a list. Consider this – isn’t it more productive to create a ‘win win’ scenario where you can both market to each others lists? That’s a far more productive way to network then trying to get a customer or a client.
2. Be curious – Ask lots of questions. The more you know about the person you are talking to them the more relevant you can be when it’s your time to chat.
3. Be interesting – No one likes a bore. If you are feeling a little crappy, leave it at home. When you are networking be a person that others want to meet and get to know. Talk about things that are relevant and interesting.
4. Don’t become a member of any particular networking group unless there are huge benefits and a variety of people who attend. It is better to attend a variety of events so you get to meet a broader group of people.
5. Volunteering at events helps you to raise your profile to the group. i.e. on the door, product sales etc.
6. Give as much of yourself as you can.  Become known as a powerful resource for others. People will remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, etc. This keeps you visible to them.
7. Remember people’s names. This sounds really obvious but it’s amazing how many people don’t do this. Think about how impressed you are when a person remembers your name.
8. Ask people who their ideal referral or customer would be and see if you know anyone who you can refer to them.
9. Follow up – The majority of people do not follow up after an event. Here are my tips for effective follow up.
10. Don’t waste your time having coffees or lunches with people simply because they called and asked you to. Instead, have a phone chat about what might be possible and then decide if it is worth taking it to the next step.

Used with permission from Ludwina Dautovic.

Is it quality?

Perhaps it’s service?

Or is it affordability?

Perhaps it is a combination of all three plus a bit more.

The Creaticians offer a range of quality services geared towards providing support to business owners in areas that will mean the most, that will save them their two most valuable resources – time and money.

One of the biggest time wasters in a business is learning how to operate that business, be it operating technology, learning to market the business correctly or even how to plan effectively.  The Creaticians can help to take the stress out of this process by offering affordable support, be it technology training, marketing strategies or plain old action planning to keep the business motivated and on task.

Here’s what one of our clients has to say about The Creaticians…

Christine Camp is the Multi-Media Coordinator for Son City FM Radio Station, Geraldton…

“Hayley Solich has a profound ability to see beyond the problem and look for creative solutions. If it can be done, Hayley will find a way. It is not easy starting up a business and Hayley has been a wonderful sounding board and instrumental in providing direction, motivation and hands-on assistance when I needed support in my e-business.

“Hayley is also incredibly resourceful and has developed a multitude of practical skills that are essential in this age of technology. Hayley has a knack for design and captured the expression of an ebook cover that I asked her to design.

“Being in business requires a balanced approach to applying practical skills and thinking outside the square and Hayley Solich can do both!” - Christine Camp

Take this opportunity to learn more about The Creaticians by accessing the free 30 minutes no obligation consultation with Hayley Solich.  You are guaranteed to come away from the call with practical information you can implement.  Simply complete the email form at the bottom of the page on the right in the footer.

Ludwina Dautovic from The Red Tent Woman approached me and asked me to help promote her events she is hosting in Perth, Western Australia.  Here is the media release about the events…

The Red Tent Woman hosts women’s business networking events in homes across Australia. They will be releasing the first of their events in Perth on the 18^th and 19th of June. These events create connection, networking opportunities, business support and friendship for women running micro and home based businesses.

Hosting the events in women’s homes is a unique approach that distinguishes The Red Tent Woman from other women’s networking events. Ludwina Dautovic, the founder of The Red Tent Woman, is a multi award winning entrepreneur, business coach, networking expert, public speaker and online marketer. Ludwina says, “Women do business with people they like. If you can create an environment where they can meet like minded women whom they connect with, then business will naturally flow”.

Due to the desire to have more family time, a better quality of life and the longing to follow ones passion, micro and home based businesses are growing rapidly. However, many women are feeling isolated and often lack the business support and camaraderie that is naturally created in a formal working environment. Therefore the events have a social feel with shared food and a glass or two of wine. The events are held monthly in the homes of Red Tent Event Leaders who are carefully selected for their leadership qualities and business savvy. They are hosted in homes because this is where the women conduct their business. It also creates instant rapport in a warm, inviting environment. And because they are held in homes the cost is kept to a minimum which increases the value whilst decreasing the cost.

The events have become a crucial part of the ongoing support and development of business women nationwide. It is so exciting to be launching these events in Perth as there is a lack of women’s business networking events targeting micro and home based business women.

The Red Tent Woman is a multi award winning organisation that supports women in micro and home based businesses with home based networking events, joint venture opportunities, online business resources, business promotion and business coaching/mentoring. They are in their fourth year of operation with their primary base in Melbourne, Victoria. The Red Tent Events are expanding nationwide with the goal of hosting 100 events across Australia by mid 2011.

Click on this link to find out more abou the event in RoleyStone…

http://www.facebook.com/l/6c5b5;www.theredtentwoman.com.au/events-perth-Jackie.html

Click on this link to find out more abou the event in Kardinya…
http://www.facebook.com/l/6c5b5;www.theredtentwoman.com.au/events-perth-denise.html

Dear Viewer

This video is intended to create an awareness that there is a natural process in achieving your purpose.

For some it is the middle bit that they struggle with the most.

If, after watching the video, you go, “Yes, that’s me! I’m ready but I’m not sure where to start?” then get in touch with me. The whole purpose of the Make It Happen Personal and Business Mentoring Program is to help individuals achieve their purpose!!!

I have the techno know-how and the creative get-go to support you to achieve your purpose. So stop struggling alone, get hooked in and let’s see you achieve your purpose.

Coming soon…Make-It-Happen weekly group meetings.

If you’ve already launched your own business, or are about to, there are some easy and effective public relations and promotional strategies you can employ to generate free media coverage.

1. Try public relations strategies before committing any money to advertising

A first-hand recommendation from a journalist can inspire potential customers significantly more than a paid advertisement. A positive story in the media represents a trust-worthy source of information about your product. A consumer is much more inclined to try it if it comes with third-party endorsement. It gives them a sense of safety – that someone else has already tried it out and enjoyed it. If your product or service is featured in the media it may also fall into the category of a ‘must-have’ product.

2. Learn how to think like a journalist

The biggest secret to generating free publicity is to think like a journalist.

If you can hone your mind to think like a journalist you’ll master the art of generating tens of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity. This is done by taking an objective look at your business and coming up with a newsworthy story angle that will interest the media.

A journalist will only respond to you if what you’re providing makes their life easier. They are endlessly harassed by public relations people and business owners wanting coverage. If you can provide a good story that is of interest to their audience, and submit the material in such a way that is simple to understand and well written, then they will happily return your calls, maintain regular contact and become very interested in your products.

3. Separate real news about your business from promotional-speak

When preparing a media release or any other written material for the media, don’t get caught up in marketing speak and clichés. It’s not enough to simply copy content from a brochure or your web site. Write a media release in the same manner as a news article.

If you’re not a good writer, hire someone to write a media release for you. A well written media release can achieve publicity, while a poorly written one is likely to be discarded.

The proof of a well written media release is when you read your media release word for word as a news story in a paper or magazine.

4. Match your target audience to the media outlet’s target audience

It’s no use pitching a story about a new financial planning product to a hit music radio station that reaches teenagers.

Make a list of media outlets that your consumers read, watch or listen to. Familiarise yourself with these outlets and determine which segments would be interested in a story about your product, and then investigate the journalists who write for these sections. For example, if you’re selling a health product find out if your local paper has a regular health section and who edits it then send your information specifically to that person.

Consider trade magazines or business association publications and newsletters that relate specifically to your industry. These reach a niche market and may be much more effective than mass market publications where you’re fighting for space with other businesses from a range of industries.

5. Find a newsworthy angle that is of real interest to the media outlet’s audience

Newsworthy angles relating to home-based businesses could include the launch of your business, the development of a new product, or a major achievement such as an award, a jump in sales, a new web site and the like. But, what if your business has been running for a while, there are no new products and you haven’t reached any major milestone recently? I can guarantee there will still be newsworthy angles you haven’t considered.

Begin by coming up with some major topics that interest consumers in your target market. In general, consumers and many mainstream media outlets are most commonly interested in the following key subjects: health issues, lifestyle (travel, charities, children/babies/families, holidays, beauty, clothing, fashion), education, personal lives (love, romance, sex) and money (how to make it, keep it, protect it). How can you generate a story angle that fits into one of these categories and relates to your product?

Think about trends – what’s in the news right now? Are environmental issues, carbon emissions, the economy, interest rates, teenage drinking, or cosmetic surgery making headlines? Can you offer a comment on any of these issues and relate it back to your product?

For example, I had a client who was a financial planner. She promoted herself as offering:

- A wide range of products

- Great service

- Great value for money

There is nothing newsworthy in this information so it would be of no interest to a journalist. After some probing, I also discovered she offered:

- A mortgage reduction program in which participants signed up for a 12 month course from which they could be sacked if they didn’t follow her advice.

- A home budget program which applied a business budgeting model to a household.

These two programs would be of interest to a journalist if they were packaged in the right way.

I promoted the mortgage reduction program as a “Budget Boot Camp” to beat the “Home Mortgage Blues”. The media release caught the attention of the major Sunday newspaper and a local radio program both of which interviewed my client and ran the story. A local television station saw the newspaper report and also picked up the story.

6. Be concise and consistent

Writing a media release or submitting material to a media outlet shouldn’t be seen as a one-off activity. Regular and consistent contact will develop your image as a reliable media source and will ensure journalists take note of you and your business.

It’s therefore important not to include every element of your business in a single media release.

You are more likely to receive ongoing media coverage if you provide one news angle per release and make the copy short, sharp and concise. Come up with 12 angles for the year and send out a media release per month. Even if you don’t score coverage immediately, a journalist will begin to notice that you’re being consistent, creative and innovative – and they will eventually respond.

7. Send media material that matches the outlet

Many media outlets run long features, as well as short news pages. Determine which area you want to target and write the copy accordingly. Your target media outlet may regularly run lists such as a column of Top 5’s (for example, a city’s Top 5 places for breakfast, Top 5 baby websites etc), or new product items. Count how many words feature in these lists and then write your information in the same way. If a journalist can simply copy what you’ve provided for use in their own format it makes their life easier, which is one of the biggest factors in securing media coverage.

8. Make a great pitch

Many media outlets prefer email contact but there are rules to follow when making an e-pitch.

In the body of the email include a personalised greeting (“Dear Jane”, rather than “To Whom It May Concern” or nothing at all), your story angle and where it fits into the media outlet (such as a new product section), details about the product, and a call to action for the journalist (would the journalist like a sample or set up a time for interview?).

When sending a media release, copy the text into the body of the email. Never send an attachment as they won’t be opened. In fact, some media organisation firewalls prevent attachments from being received.

If you’re contacting the media by email you’ll also need to maintain a database of email addresses.

9. A professional approach

Approaching the media needn’t be an intimidating proposition. You need to be armed with a well-written media release featuring a great news angle, and a professional outlook that is centred on helping the journalist (this is a very important point – treat them as you would your very best customer).

When contacting a journalist be sure you know your angle, have plenty of back up information, have images to provide (or be available for photographs to be taken of you), and consider your timing. Think about if it’s a convenient time for a journalist to take your call. A major pitfall is calling right on deadline – you can expect zero response if you pick the wrong time. For example, it’s never wise to contact a radio newsroom in the last 10 minutes before each hour as the news bulletin approaches.

It’s also important to always be on hand to provide additional information as soon as it’s requested. It may be the case that the journalist has left the story to the last minute and if you’re not available to help meet the deadline, they will simply find someone else who can.

10. Develop an ongoing relationship

Once you’ve made a media contact, it’s important to keep the flow of information and communication going. It doesn’t mean hounding the journalist every day, but simply keeping them regularly informed about product updates and developments. This may be as simple as sending a monthly media release or asking a journalist if they would like to be added to your database to receive a regular e-newsletter.

You know you’ve succeeded when you become a regular reference and contact point for the media. Establishing a solid relationship with a journalist is a win-win. They access relevant and reliable information, and you reap the benefits of ongoing media coverage. Remember my financial planning client? By following my advice on how to approach the media and behave professionally, she now has a regular weekly radio spot. She’s become the station’s expert on the topic and is regularly contacted for her views on financial matters. Once you’re viewed by the media as an expert in your field, you can expect consumers will also see you that way.

* Used with permission.  http://www.facebook.com/l/c8a10;www.HomeBizChickscd.com

Hayley Solich bares her soul, highlighting some of the errors she made in the early days of starting up businesses.

Benefit from the wisdom learned the hard way.  Complete the email form on the home page, bottom right corner, to secure your copy now.

My clients often ask me, “Hayley, what hosting company do you use and why?”

When I tell them who I host with and how much it costs, they are surprised because many of them are paying through the nose for way less than I am getting, without the 24 hour support.

I have used Hostgator for the past two years whilst running my website creation business and I have always found their service to be 100% on the mark.  They are committed to obtaining customer feedback and responding to it, as evidenced by the feedback form you are invited to complete after each conversation with their call centre staff.  If only other big businesses like Telstra etc had the same service…

So why did I choose Hostgator?

1. Hostgator offers businesses 24 hour chat support and the service is quick and always able to resolve your issue.
2. You can host unlimited websites.
3. You can have unlimited email addresses.
4. They have Fantastico in their CPanel, which makes installation of most CMS platforms so much easier.
5. They keep the versions that you are loading through Fantastico up-to-date with workable versions.
6. Their security is good.
7. The packages you can purchase are VERY good prices.
8. They have a lot of awards from different online groups and have been going for almost a decade, which shows me they are reliable and committed.
9. They came highly recommended to me from many sources.
10. Their name is easy to remember!

I believe that Hostgator is great value for money…that’s why I use it myself.

Understandably, many of my clients choose to host with Hostgator.com as well and have been glad they made the switch, with some saving as much as $160 per year!

It makes sense, after all, that if you can cut your hosting costs and still receive a great service then you’d be a fool not to give it a go and priced at under $120 per year for an unlimited service, it’s great value!

If you’re looking for a fabulous hosting service, I have found Hostgator fantastic and would highly recommend them.

Pop over and check them out now. Use the coupon: GoGatorForBetterService to receive $9.94US off the purchase price of a 12 month hosting plan.

Unfortunately, not everyone is geared towards interpreting the written word as it was intended.

As a trainer I can tell you that there are three types of learners out there – VISUAL, AUDIO and KINESTHETIC. What this means is some people learn new information better by SEEING it, by HEARING it or by ENGAGING with it. This means that if businesses want to be effective in communicating their message they need to consider all three types of people in their message creation.

If it is only written, then it will only suit one of these learning groups. Auditory learners will find wading through heaps of text tedious and unengaging. Just as visual learners may find listening to a podcast equally tedious, as they will want something they can follow with their eyes. And the kinesthetic learners want something they can experience. Don’t just show them or tell them, let them have a go.

A lot of our communication comes from the VISUALS - our body language, our tone, our expression. So when we have only the written words to interpret the intended message, it is too easy to add our own interpretation of what is being said.

An example of this is when we are SKIM READING. We are running our eye down a message and jumping to the key words. We read a few, make an intepretation and if we’re not careful can respond inappropriately as we may have missed important detail and jumped to conclusions.

This is why it is VERY important to read and then re-read a message that is sent to you. They say that the ‘devil is in the details’…so it makes sense that before you go off half-cocked, make sure that you have read correctly what has been said. I think many a war has been started through assumptions and jumping to conclusions.

As business owners it makes sense that we should use a VARIETY of means to communicate our message. If a ‘picture paints a thousand words’, then the combination of words, audio and visual imagery, must be way more easily interpreted than written messages and also have a much broader reach.

So my suggestion is, when you are considering your whole ONLINE approach, bear in mind that the written word alone is not going to cut it. You need a MIX OF MEDIA to engage and clearly communicate your message. And when you are communicating through the written word, be objective. How would someone else feel reading what you have written?

The Creaticians are happy to work with small to business owners and individuals to create promotional tools that are RICH in all three learning areas. Ask us now about our TA-DAH! Packaging deals.

Unfortunately, not everyone is geared towards interpreting the written word as it was intended.

As a trainer I can tell you that there are three types of learners out there – VISUAL, AUDIO and KINESTHETIC.  What this means is some people learn new information better by SEEING it, by HEARING it or by ENGAGING with it.  This means that if businesses want to be effective in communicating their message they need to consider all three types of people in their message creation.

If it is only written, then it will only suit one of these learning groups. Auditory learners will find wading through heaps of text tedious and unengaging.  Just as visual learners may find listening to a podcast equally tedious, as they will want something they can follow with their eyes.  And the kinesthetic learners want something they can experience.  Don’t just show them or tell them, let them have a go.

A lot of our communication comes from the VISUALS - our body language, our tone, our expression.  So when we have only the written words to interpret the intended message, it is too easy to add our own interpretation of what is being said.

An example of this is when we are SKIM READING. We are running our eye down a message and jumping to the key words.  We read a few, make an intepretation and if we’re not careful can respond inappropriately as we may have missed important detail and jumped to conclusions.

This is why it is VERY important to read and then re-read a message that is sent to you. They say that the ‘devil is in the details’…so it makes sense that before you go off half-cocked, make sure that you have read correctly what has been said.  I think many a war has been started through assumptions and jumping to conclusions.

As business owners it makes sense that we should use a VARIETY of means to communicate our message. If a ‘picture paints a thousand words’, then the combination of words, audio and visual imagery, must be way more easily interpreted than written messages and also have a much broader reach.

So my suggestion is, when you are considering your whole ONLINE approach, bear in mind that the written word alone is not going to cut it.  You need a MIX OF MEDIA to engage and clearly communicate your message.  And when you are communicating through the written word, be objective.  How would someone else feel reading what you have written?

The Creaticians are happy to work with small to business owners and individuals to create promotional tools that are RICH in all three learning areas.   Ask us now about our TA-DAH! Packaging deals.

If you’ve already launched your own business, or are about to, there are some easy and effective public relations and promotional strategies you can employ to generate free media coverage.

1. Try public relations strategies before committing any money to advertising

A first-hand recommendation from a journalist can inspire potential customers significantly more than a paid advertisement. A positive story in the media represents a trust-worthy source of information about your product. A consumer is much more inclined to try it if it comes with third-party endorsement. It gives them a sense of safety – that someone else has already tried it out and enjoyed it. If your product or service is featured in the media it may also fall into the category of a ‘must-have’ product.

2. Learn how to think like a journalist

The biggest secret to generating free publicity is to think like a journalist.

If you can hone your mind to think like a journalist you’ll master the art of generating tens of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity. This is done by taking an objective look at your business and coming up with a newsworthy story angle that will interest the media.

A journalist will only respond to you if what you’re providing makes their life easier. They are endlessly harassed by public relations people and business owners wanting coverage. If you can provide a good story that is of interest to their audience, and submit the material in such a way that is simple to understand and well written, then they will happily return your calls, maintain regular contact and become very interested in your products.

3. Separate real news about your business from promotional-speak

When preparing a media release or any other written material for the media, don’t get caught up in marketing speak and clichés. It’s not enough to simply copy content from a brochure or your web site. Write a media release in the same manner as a news article.

If you’re not a good writer, hire someone to write a media release for you. A well written media release can achieve publicity, while a poorly written one is likely to be discarded.

The proof of a well written media release is when you read your media release word for word as a news story in a paper or magazine.

4. Match your target audience to the media outlet’s target audience

It’s no use pitching a story about a new financial planning product to a hit music radio station that reaches teenagers.

Make a list of media outlets that your consumers read, watch or listen to. Familiarise yourself with these outlets and determine which segments would be interested in a story about your product, and then investigate the journalists who write for these sections. For example, if you’re selling a health product find out if your local paper has a regular health section and who edits it then send your information specifically to that person.

Consider trade magazines or business association publications and newsletters that relate specifically to your industry. These reach a niche market and may be much more effective than mass market publications where you’re fighting for space with other businesses from a range of industries.

5. Find a newsworthy angle that is of real interest to the media outlet’s audience

Newsworthy angles relating to home-based businesses could include the launch of your business, the development of a new product, or a major achievement such as an award, a jump in sales, a new web site and the like. But, what if your business has been running for a while, there are no new products and you haven’t reached any major milestone recently? I can guarantee there will still be newsworthy angles you haven’t considered.

Begin by coming up with some major topics that interest consumers in your target market. In general, consumers and many mainstream media outlets are most commonly interested in the following key subjects: health issues, lifestyle (travel, charities, children/babies/families, holidays, beauty, clothing, fashion), education, personal lives (love, romance, sex) and money (how to make it, keep it, protect it). How can you generate a story angle that fits into one of these categories and relates to your product?

Think about trends – what’s in the news right now? Are environmental issues, carbon emissions, the economy, interest rates, teenage drinking, or cosmetic surgery making headlines? Can you offer a comment on any of these issues and relate it back to your product?

For example, I had a client who was a financial planner. She promoted herself as offering:

- A wide range of products

- Great service

- Great value for money

There is nothing newsworthy in this information so it would be of no interest to a journalist. After some probing, I also discovered she offered:

- A mortgage reduction program in which participants signed up for a 12 month course from which they could be sacked if they didn’t follow her advice.

- A home budget program which applied a business budgeting model to a household.

These two programs would be of interest to a journalist if they were packaged in the right way.

I promoted the mortgage reduction program as a “Budget Boot Camp” to beat the “Home Mortgage Blues”. The media release caught the attention of the major Sunday newspaper and a local radio program both of which interviewed my client and ran the story. A local television station saw the newspaper report and also picked up the story.

6. Be concise and consistent

Writing a media release or submitting material to a media outlet shouldn’t be seen as a one-off activity. Regular and consistent contact will develop your image as a reliable media source and will ensure journalists take note of you and your business.

It’s therefore important not to include every element of your business in a single media release.

You are more likely to receive ongoing media coverage if you provide one news angle per release and make the copy short, sharp and concise. Come up with 12 angles for the year and send out a media release per month. Even if you don’t score coverage immediately, a journalist will begin to notice that you’re being consistent, creative and innovative – and they will eventually respond.

7. Send media material that matches the outlet

Many media outlets run long features, as well as short news pages. Determine which area you want to target and write the copy accordingly. Your target media outlet may regularly run lists such as a column of Top 5’s (for example, a city’s Top 5 places for breakfast, Top 5 baby websites etc), or new product items. Count how many words feature in these lists and then write your information in the same way. If a journalist can simply copy what you’ve provided for use in their own format it makes their life easier, which is one of the biggest factors in securing media coverage.

8. Make a great pitch

Many media outlets prefer email contact but there are rules to follow when making an e-pitch.

In the body of the email include a personalised greeting (“Dear Jane”, rather than “To Whom It May Concern” or nothing at all), your story angle and where it fits into the media outlet (such as a new product section), details about the product, and a call to action for the journalist (would the journalist like a sample or set up a time for interview?).

When sending a media release, copy the text into the body of the email. Never send an attachment as they won’t be opened. In fact, some media organisation firewalls prevent attachments from being received.

If you’re contacting the media by email you’ll also need to maintain a database of email addresses.

9. A professional approach

Approaching the media needn’t be an intimidating proposition. You need to be armed with a well-written media release featuring a great news angle, and a professional outlook that is centred on helping the journalist (this is a very important point – treat them as you would your very best customer).

When contacting a journalist be sure you know your angle, have plenty of back up information, have images to provide (or be available for photographs to be taken of you), and consider your timing. Think about if it’s a convenient time for a journalist to take your call. A major pitfall is calling right on deadline – you can expect zero response if you pick the wrong time. For example, it’s never wise to contact a radio newsroom in the last 10 minutes before each hour as the news bulletin approaches.

It’s also important to always be on hand to provide additional information as soon as it’s requested. It may be the case that the journalist has left the story to the last minute and if you’re not available to help meet the deadline, they will simply find someone else who can.

10. Develop an ongoing relationship

Once you’ve made a media contact, it’s important to keep the flow of information and communication going. It doesn’t mean hounding the journalist every day, but simply keeping them regularly informed about product updates and developments. This may be as simple as sending a monthly media release or asking a journalist if they would like to be added to your database to receive a regular e-newsletter.

You know you’ve succeeded when you become a regular reference and contact point for the media. Establishing a solid relationship with a journalist is a win-win. They access relevant and reliable information, and you reap the benefits of ongoing media coverage. Remember my financial planning client? By following my advice on how to approach the media and behave professionally, she now has a regular weekly radio spot. She’s become the station’s expert on the topic and is regularly contacted for her views on financial matters. Once you’re viewed by the media as an expert in your field, you can expect consumers will also see you that way.

* Used with permission.

Think about the sun. When it is shining broadly, it graces everything with a warm glow. But when you shine it through a magnifying glass, suddenly the intensity has the power to burn. Focus…is ENERGISING.

So to help you keep your focus and not be side tracked by the obstacles life throws at us to test our vision, a great question my friend always poses to me when I want to start complaining about something is, “How would it be if…” This then places whatever my issue is in that moment into the positive of the issue being solved and I can work my way backwards because I have the hope of the issue being able to be resolved. Immediately the issue loses it’s debilitating power because suddenly possibilities open up.

I think Dr Jim Rohn said it like this, “Why not you? Why not now? Why do good things have to happen to other people?” I love this quote as it DEEPLY impacted me at a time when I had little hope for the future. Why can’t it be us who get what we want in life?

If you can imagine yourself in the freedom that comes from a resolved issue and imagine how you would be feeling and acting in that state, it can be quite invigorating and motivating.

Happy days ahead for all of us!

Just a quick tip!

My suggestion to all business owners is before you go rushing out there with an open wallet, sit down and plan what you need in your business.

By starting with a plan – “Beginning with the end in mind”, Dr Stephen Covey in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – you eliminate irrational, impulse driven spending.

After all, there are a lot of people marketing to you products that you MUST have.  But how many of those suppliers are taking the time to assess if their product is really a right fit for your business?

You can save a lot of time and money by putting together a strategy of what you need before you start to approach businesses to supply your needs.

The same goes with marketing.  It is too easy to have a shot gun approach to your marketing, thinking the numbers will make up for misdirected shots.  You know, the thinking that says, “If I send out 1000 flyers I MUST get something”, as opposed to researching first and then sending out 200 to pre-qualified prospective clients.  If you are lazy in your planning by not doing the research first, you are a bit like a man going fishing with no idea where to fish, when to fish, how to fish or what bait to use.  If you are serious about catching something, you need to do the hard work of understanding the fish, where they are and what they are attracted by and THEN to become skillful at whatever tools you need to hook and reel them in.

There are lots of ‘you beaut’ online solutions for things but once again you can be mislead if you don’t have the whole picture.

It is with this in mind that I am putting together some new resources for business owners.  Credible…down to earth…easily understood information that will save you investing in “duds” online.  For example, I’m going to produce a resource that has a selection of the best tools online and a description of what you use them for, with copies of the links to sites where they can be downloaded or signed up for.  This will be the culmination of over 3 years of hard research of online markets.

Watch this space…”The Ultimate Business Plug-In” Resources and Tool Kit coming soon.

If you’re considering taking your business online, then these seminars will save you time and money.  Why?  Because Hayley Solich has taken all the guess work out of which system to use, how to go about it and what works and doesn’t work.

Visit partners, Consilium Institute of Training & Development to find out seminar dates, costs and to book now.

“Hayley Solich has a profound ability to see beyond the problem and look for creative solutions. If it can be done, Hayley will find a way. It is not easy starting up a business and Hayley has been a wonderful sounding board and instrumental in providing direction, motivation and hands-on assistance when I needed support in my e-business.

“Hayley is also incredibly resourceful and has developed a multitude of practical skills that are essential in this age of technology. Hayley has a knack for design and captured the expression of an ebook cover that I asked her to design.

“Being in business requires a balanced approach to applying practical skills and thinking outside the square and Hayley Solich can do both!” - Christine Camp

E-book Cover

“Christine Camp initially approached me to design an E-book cover for her Art of Dreaming book. Her only brief was that the book was a practical guide to dreams and their interpretation. She also asked me to read the book and edit it, which I did, giving her feedback on design elements and the content.” – Hayley Solich

Music Clips for her E-Card site

“Frustrated by the quality of some of the commercial e-card music clips and also wanting to create a unique product, Christine approached me to create individual 50 second clips that she can use on her site. I have also created verse for cards for her.” – Hayley Solich

Website Customisation – The Prayer Wall

“Christine Camp later approached me to assist her to set up a community prayer site for the Geraldton region. I sourced an appropriate template, worked with her to choose the colouring, designed the banners and co-created the content.” – Hayley Solich

Website Customisation – Son City FM Radio Station, Geraldton

“Christine later approached me to co-create the website for Son City FM Radio Station. I installed WordPress, customised the template to the Son City specifications, including designing the banner and sourcing appropriate imagery. The feedback from the staff at the station was very positive!” – Hayley Solich

Kayt writes on Facebook today, 30 May 2010:

“Hayley is an amazing Australian Business Woman & on this media platform & is probably 1 of the top role models in my opinion for online business etiquette, with a wonderful air of realness & genuine compassion for what she contributes to her world.”

This post was really encouraging because I am about to announce a series of seminars that I will be presenting in partnership with Consilium Institute in the near future on just this topic…the whole world of online business.  So keep your eyes open.  Venues will be in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne initially.

According to famous blogger, Chris Brogan, there are seven triggers that you can integrate into your marketing materials that will help you to get your message across and elicit a response.

Got your pen ready, cause here they are:

1. Lust
2. Trust
3. Power
4. Alarm
5. Mystique
6. Prestige
7. Vice

So if you can work these little babies into your marketing campaign, you are going to start to elicit a response.

Some examples:

Lust – “Find out what our sexy women have to say about this product…it’s hot!”

Trust – “My aunt Mary uses this product and she swears by it.”

Power – “The Product: Coke-A-Cola’s worst nightmare.”

Alarm – “Products selling fast, so get in quick.”

Mystique – “Top secret product stored behind our closed door area…dare to take a peak?”

Prestige – “Loved by top 500 companies in America, this product…”

Vice – “Buy one, get one free.”

So next time you are working on your flier, your advertising campaign etc, pick a trigger or two for your target market. You may even want to consider doing a small series of advertisements, each focused on a different trigger, that will elicit a different emotional response from your potential customers.  It all depends on the demographic of your target market.  What will appeal to them?  After all, they are the fish you’re hoping to catch!

This learning was a light bulb moment for me and others have said the same. I’d love to hear your feedback.

Trish receiving her award in Los Angeles

Inspirational documentary maker, Trish Duke, was recently awarded for her documentary series, “Dying to Live”.

Trish flew to the States to receive her award from the Green Lifestyle Film Festival.

You can find more about Trish’s documentary by visiting her website (designed by The Creaticians).

Dear Viewer

This video is intended to create an awareness that there is a natural process in achieving your purpose.

For some it is the middle bit that they struggle with the most.

If, after watching the video, you go, “Yes, that’s me!  I’m ready but I’m not sure where to start?” then get in touch with me.  The whole purpose of the Make It Happen Personal and Business Mentoring Program is to help individuals achieve their purpose!!!

I have the techno know-how and the creative get-go to support you to achieve your purpose.  So stop struggling alone, get hooked in and let’s see you achieve your purpose.

Coming soon…Make-It-Happen fortnightly group meetings.

The competition, run by Ludwina Dautovic from Melbourne, the founder of The Red Tent Woman, was independently judged by Wendy Moore from Savvy Web Women.

Ludwina broke the news to Hayley on Facebook – see above.

You can view Hayley’s page by visiting, The Red Tent Woman and searching for Hayley Solich under the Members tab.

Sure, you will need a little bit of coding experience but way easier than some of the templates I have had to work with.  It comes with it’s own customised control panel that gives you options on how you display your information.  There are so many options for how you craft your pages.  There are three designs for a featured content page (landing page), several blog template designs, several page designs including a design that has a carousel built into the menu bar that integrates with Flikr.

You have to test drive this template to understand what amazing value it is.  Five different colourschemes to choose from…

I love the way that you can set up different areas for different processes…ie the front page has a large featured section, then smaller boxes for text and images and then widget space at the bottom.  This allows you to really set up a stunning front page that has clean lines and clear links through to the rest of the blog.  This definitely is a premiere template and well worth the investment.

You may have to invest a little time in getting to know how it works, but in terms of flexibility and performance it’s untouchable in my view.

Pop over to Pagelines now and take it for a test drive!

This fantastic video supports what I say in my ebook, “Leadership:  Developing a style that encourages followers.”  Check it out now.

Imagine…

You are a person with a great business idea.

You already have a business and the idea relates to a product or new service you want to offer or even just an improvement you want to make to your current operation or perhaps you are just starting out, with little or no business knowledge or experience but a great idea and sense of adventure.

You know what you see as the end product, but between where you are and where you want to be is a pathway that is not yet clear and contains obstacles that you are not sure you know how to overcome.  One of these is how to get up a website.

So you investigate who or what would be the best solution to your problem – who can help you navigate the unchartered territory you are about to enter.

Then you hear about the ultimate business plugin…a team of creative specialists, The Creaticians, who live to breath life into other’s ideas and to see them come into reality.

You hear that they work perfectly with both their left and right brain capacity, blending technical know-how with creative get-go.

So you talk to some of their clients to see what they have to say about The Creaticians.

Discovering that The Creaticians specialise in helping bring great business ideas into reality, you start to get mildly excited.

Discovering that they are reliable, intuitive and exceed expectations, you make a decision – especially when you realise they are qualified business trainers with over five years of training experience at tertiary level.

You are hungry for the extra functionality you know you will experience when you plug them into your business!

So you take the opportunity to secure one of their competitively priced website packages.  You don’t realise it, but now you have also just secured for yourself a limited time BONUS OFFER of a free 1 hour consultation with Chief Creatician, Hayley Solich, valued at $250.  You are ecstatic because you know that you are going to get quality advice, from an experienced Business Trainer with over five years professional business training experience, a qualification in  Small Business Management & Workplace Training and Assessment and with over 25 years in industry!  So you quickly find the contact form and fill it in to secure your bonus offer after checking out some of the customer testimonials.

First you speak to Jodi Martin from Loboh Enterprises Pty Ltd because Jodi is a Change Management professional with over 25 years of business experience working for some very large and successful businesses like ANZ Bank and the Queensland Local Government.

Jodi tells you…

“The Creaticians demonstrated excellent listening and interpretation of needs to generate a perfect result. Exceeded my expectations!”

Then you talk to another client, Christine Camp from Art of Dreaming and ECard Huggers who says…

“Hayley Solich has a profound ability to see beyond the problem and look for creative solutions. If it can be done, Hayley will find a way. It is not easy starting up a business and Hayley has been a wonderful sounding board and instrumental in providing direction, motivation and hands-on assistance when I needed support in my e-business.

“Hayley is also incredibly resourceful and has developed a multitude of practical skills that are essential in this age of technology. Hayley has a knack for design and captured the expression of an ebook cover that I asked her to design. Being in business requires a balanced approach to applying practical skills and thinking outside the square and Hayley Solich can do both!”

Finally, you decide to ask just one more customer, and you find Australian Award-Winning Author, Wendy James. She tells you,

“Hayley Solich is just remarkable: not only was she able to design the perfect author site – and it’s not an easy task to tie up all the disparate bits and pieces that make up a writer’s “business” – she did it all incredibly efficiently. No sooner had I made a suggestion than Hayley had come up with some brilliantly creative solution! She’s skilled and always generous; patient and professional. And the site — well, the site is just awesome! Take a peek….wendyjames.com.au. I’ll be recommending her work to every writer I know!”

Make the decision to choose a trusted, reliable website service that will deliver on time, listen to your ideas and bring them to life.  Choose The Creaticians now.

Purchase one of our website packages in the month of June 2010 and receive a special bonus of 1 hour free business mentoring consultation with experienced Business Trainer, Hayley Solich.

The beauty is that further along the pathway it becomes completely evident to me why I needed to do them as they were the stepping stones in the pathway that has led me to be the person that I am today, doing the things that I am doing.

What this has taught me is to value every experience, sucking the marrow out of life and being grateful for the many wonderful opportunities that have graced my life.

I just wanted to encourage you that sometimes what on the surface looks like it has nothing to offer you in the way of tangible benefits, yet you feel drawn to the opportunity, that it may have hidden treasure and that those around you may question you and you may not have an answer to give them immmediately.

If I stopped writing back when the first person questioned my ability or my use of my time I would never be feature writing for a national magazine now. And if I had questioned writing for that magazine for no payment immediately, I would never have gotten the opportunity to get my name known in the writing world. And if I had never started the Pearls Women’s Magazine project, I would never have gotten my foot in the door at the National Women’s Magazine. And if I’d listened to those that were questioning the value of giving my time to develop Pearls, all those people who read the magazine and their lives were changed in some positive way would never have happened.

Sometimes risks are essential if we want to find the hidden treasure.

I think you get my picture. You just never know when what you are doing has a positive spin off for others or for your own destiny, even if it is painful and a negative experience at the time.

There is a verse in the Bible that I love and brings me comfort. It says, “All things work together for the good…”

You may not understand which thread you are sewing with at this time in your life, but you are creating a rich tapestry and one day you will get to see it from the top side down, not just the underside up. Keep sewing!

For some the whole concept of branding is daunting.  Choosing colours…choosing imagery (symbols, photos, text fonts etc)…can literally give you a major head spin.

Some businesses, through ignorance, ignore the whole concept of branding altogether.

I thought I’d put this to the test recently.

I added a customised banner to my Facebook Fan Page.  Then I added a customised introduction page to my Facebook Fan Page.  Then I introduced the same branding elements – the colour scheme, the photo imagery, the symbols and typeface – to my website and wherever I am in communites across the web.  The result – my site website stats doubled within 3 days.

What it did for my business was it presented to my potential customers a professional image of my business.

Consistency in your branding creates the impression that you are solidly building your business.

It is not difficult to build a consistent branding.  Here is my four steps strategy:

1. Choose your colours and stick with them. Corporate colours will save you time in the long run, as they can be used whenever you are putting together any advertising materials and will build consistency in your branding.  Read my post on Choosing Colours for a nifty tool to help you with this.
2. Create a logo for your business. We all know the benefit of an iconic logo…Apple Mac’s apple…McDonald’s Big M…Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel… A logo can really help your business to build brand awareness because you want your customers to recognise that yes, that is your product, without you having to use up too much of your advertising space on your products to let them know it’s you.
3. Create a branding package of marketing tools.  Web banners (both horizontal and vertical), business cards, DL fliers, magnets, business letterheads, with comps slips, envelopes, email newsletter templates, website, newsletters, pricelists, product brochures, video promos… All of these should use your branding to make them fabulous and so people can recognise at a glance that it’s you.
4. Post, post, post online or distribute, distribute, distribute offline. Leverage your efforts by widely using your branding tools.  Use your banners on social networks, ask others to add them to their sites ( you can offer affiliate marketing to build your brand and generate sales), use your branding on as much as you can.  Add a banner to your emails.  Once again it helps you to project a professional image.

The Creaticians specialise in helping businesses to package themselves for the market place.  Ask us now about our Ta-Dah! Pacakaging.

Samples of how we have branded ourselves in the marketplace:

Facebook Intro ‘About Us’ page

E-book Advert

1. Those that you can delegate to and they will come and find you if they need help. You let these people have their head.
2. Those that you delegate to and you tell them that you are there for them and you occasionally go and check how they are getting on with the task just to make sure they are on track and so they feel supported.
3. Those that you need to hold their hand through the whole process.

All three of these types of people are valuable on your team.

We need the dynamic people who are great thinkers and highly motivated. Unfortunately, they are also the people that often clash with us because we misinterpret their strengths and try to harness them.

We need the dilligent and faithful workers who have initiative but also want connection. Unfortunately, we can also harm these workers by over supervising them or under supervising them. Assuming they are like the first category or the last.

Finally, we need those that require a higher level of supervision. They are often the slow and steady plodders in our team that are completely loyal and faithful. They are the stayers, the ones who will remain long after the others, who once they have grasped the how to will be able to work more independently.

It is important that you understand this, as if you over supervise or under supervise you going to have discord in your team.

Find out more useful information like this in my book, Leadership:  Developing a Style that Encourages Followers available now from The Creaticians Shop.

Here is more about the track Amazing…

Visit our Shop now to pick up your copy.

Purchase your copy now by clicking here.

The Creaticians created this promotional video clip for Easy Tap, a Perth-based tap solutions company.

Visit their site now to find out more about their products.

The Creaticians

Allow us to help you to package your services or products effectively. We can also support you through mentoring, training and resource referral.

Our specials this month are:

Newbie Website Package

Includes:
- 5 page website
- Customised to your branding
- Branding revitalisation or design
- Photo editing of 10 images
- Hosting for 12 months (Hostgator or Crazy Domains)
- Domain registration for 12 months (Bravenet or Crazy Domains)
- Training in how to add or remove content to your site
- Training manual
- 12 months support

Benefits:
- You get a professional looking site that you can self-manage
- We support you through the first 12 months
- We take all the hard work out of setting up the site for you
- We promote your site via our numerous sites and Facebook pages

Conditions:
- You supply all the photos and copy.
- Complete project to be completed within six weeks from commencement date.

Please note: If photography or copywriting services are required, these must be negotiated as a separate fee.

Cost: $1500

Secure your fresh website now by clicking on the buy now button below:

500 Business Cards

Offer includes:
- Design of double-sided business card
- Print ready proofs
- Printing organised for you
- Free delivery anywhere in Australia

Benefits:
- We do all the hard work of designing your business card and organising your printing
- You get a quality product that reflects your business and personal style
- We promote your site via our numerous sites and Facebook pages

See our website for samples and customer testimonials – TheCreaticians.com

Conditions:
- You supply the images and any copy
- Cards to be completed within 3-7 days of order placement
- 1 Revision of business card only

Please note: We are able to source images and to write copy however this will incur an additional fee.

Secure your business cards now as this price won’t last!

Make-It-Happen Program

Offer includes:
- 3 hour Initial Session with Hayley Solich
- Co-creation of a plan of action
- Monthly 1 hour Keep-on-Track one-to-one consultations with Hayley Solich
- Join-the-Dots strategic networking meetings to resource your project organised by Hayley Solich

Benefits:
- Helps to clarify action required
- Helps to maintain focus
- Fuels enthusiasm
- Builds confidence
- Provides practical support, training and valuable connections to resources and information
- Saves wasted time, energy and money
- We promote your site via our personal contacts, numerous sites and Facebook pages

Conditions:
- Must sign up for the full 12 month program
- Must agree to participate fully in the program and do best to meet agreed objectives within reason
- 50:50 service model, where we meet you half-way.

$2730 full payment or 12 x payments $245

Buy Now Full Payment:

Buy Now Using Monthly Payments Option:

For more information about how The Creaticians can make a positive difference to your business, phone us now on 08 9375 2007 or 0404 732 578

In these terms and conditions, “we” “us” and “our” refers to The Creaticians. Your access to and use of all information on this website including purchase of our product/s is provided subject to the following terms and conditions.

We reserve the right to amend this Notice at any time and your use of the website following any amendments will represent your agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions as amended. We therefore recommend that each time you access our website you read these terms and conditions.

Our Website Services

Our services are provided to adults over the age of eighteen (18) years. By proceeding to purchase through our website, you acknowledge that you are over 18 years of age.

All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and we do not collect GST. We endeavour to ensure that our price list is current. Our price list can be accessed upon request and we reserve the right to amend our prices at any time. If you have placed an order, we undertake to fulfil your order at the price listed at the time you ordered.

Site Access

When you visit our website, we give you a limited licence to access and use our information for personal use.

You are permitted to download a copy of the information on this website to your computer for your personal use only provided that you do not delete or change any copyright symbol, trade mark or other proprietary notice. Your use of our content in any other way infringes our intellectual property rights.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), you are not permitted to copy, reproduce, republish, distribute or display any of the information on this website without our prior written permission.

The licence to access and use the information on our website does not include the right to use any data mining robots or other extraction tools. The licence also does not permit you to metatag or mirror our website without our prior written permission. We reserve the right to serve you with notice if we become aware of your metatag or mirroring of our website.

Hyperlinks

This website may from time to time contain hyperlinks to other websites. Such links are provided for convenience only and we take no responsibility for the content and maintenance of or privacy compliance by any linked website. Any hyperlink on our website to another website does not imply our endorsement, support, or sponsorship of the operator of that website nor of the information and/or products which they provide.

You may link our website only with our consent. Any such linking will be entirely your responsibility and at your expense. By linking, you must not alter any of our website’s contents including any intellectual property notices and you must not frame or reformat any of our pages, files, images, text or other materials.

Intellectual Property Rights

The copyright to all content on this website including applets, graphics, images, layouts and text belongs to us or we have a licence to use those materials.

All trade marks, brands and logos generally identified either with the symbols TM or ® which are used on this website are either owned by us or we have a licence to use them. Your access to our website does not license you to use those marks in any commercial way without our prior written permission.

Any comment, feedback, idea or suggestion (called “Comments”) which you provide to us through this website becomes our property. If in future we use your Comments in promoting our website or in any other way, we will not be liable for any similarities which may appear from such use. Furthermore, you agree that we are entitled to use your Comments for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without compensation to you or to any other person who has transmitted your Comments.

If you provide us with Comments, you acknowledge that you are responsible for the content of such material including its legality, originality and copyright.
Disclaimers

Whilst we take all due care in providing our services, we do not provide any warranty either express or implied including without limitation warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

To the extent permitted by law, any condition or warranty which would otherwise be implied into these terms and conditions is excluded.

We also take all due care in ensuring that our website is free of any virus, worm, Trojan horse and/or malware, however we are not responsible for any damage to your computer system which arises in connection with your use of our website or any linked website.
Limitation of Liability

To the full extent permitted by law, our liability for breach of an implied warranty or condition is limited to the supply of the services again or payment of the costs of having those services supplied again.

We accept no liability for any loss whatsoever including consequential loss suffered by you arising from services we have supplied.

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By accessing our website, you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from all claims, actions, damages, costs and expenses including legal fees arising from or in connection with your use of our website.

Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Victoria and any claim made by either party against the other which in any way arises out of these terms and conditions will be heard in Victoria and you agree to submit to the jurisdiction of those Courts.

If any provision in these terms and conditions is invalid under any law the provision will be limited, narrowed, construed or altered as necessary to render it valid but only to the extent necessary to achieve such validity. If necessary the invalid provision will be deleted from these terms and conditions and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Privacy

We undertake to take all due care with any information which you may provide to us when accessing our website. However we do not warrant and cannot ensure the security of any information which you may provide to us. Information you transmit to us is entirely at your own risk although we undertake to take reasonable steps to preserve such information in a secure manner.
Our compliance with privacy legislation is set out in our separate Privacy Policy which may be accessed from our home page.

I’m someone who loves value for money, likes quality but is also very practical.  I like to know that whatever I start I am able to maintain, as this increases my independency.

So when I started looking at options, foremost on my list were value for money, quality and practicality.  I was also focused on providing an option that offered independency for all future clients, to the level that they desired.

Of course, you may not be like me and want to simply pay someone to do all the hard work for you.  This option can be the best option if you have the money.  However, if you are running your business on a budget, sometimes getting the most out of what is available is simply a matter of connecting with the right mentor to get you started.

1.  Design Platform

I looked at designing from scratch using a design program like Dreamweaver.  Although okay for me, it was out of the reach of normal people who don’t have technical skills.  Sure, I could create the site, but how would my clients be able to make changes and add new information?  My goal was their independence where practical.

I looked at the Joomla and similar CMS applications, incuding WordPress, and I realised that WordPress met all the boxes for me.  It was simple enough for me to be able to teach others how to use it without too much trouble, it offered the flexibility of being able to add features, pages, and content without too much drama and it was completely affordable, as the platform is open source (free).  The only potential costs were in plugins like an e-commerce system or purchasing a template.

On the template front, I have found a fabulous design tool, Artisteer, that I am now using for some of my website design projects.  Check out my personal websites to see what the end result can look like, HayleySolich.com or premiumpresenters.com.au.  Artisteer allows someone with no HTML experience to design the look and feel of their site, creating an uploadable template for many platforms, including WordPress.

2.  Hosting

My next step was to look for suitable hosting for sites that once again offered simplicity, affordability and quality.  I was also concerned about flexibility, as my previous host only offered a limited number of sites, didn’t have Fantastico and I was sure I could get better value and ease of installation elsewhere.

I settled on Hostgator.com.  They offered the flexibility of being able to operate multiple sites, with multiple email accounts, unlimited bandwidth and had a top quality support service.  After checking out a few hosting services, I was impressed by the many awards for service they have received over the past seven years of operation and that they were one of the best value for money hosts on the net.

I’ve been using them for the past 18 months without complaint.  In fact, when there is ever an issue, usually because I’ve done something wrong, they are very quick to help me locate my error and fix it.  I really value that service.

When I started working with clients I felt really angry at how some hosting services rip off people.  Many clients, simply because they don’t know better, were paying tripple to host one site what I am paying to host multiple.  I was so appreciative of my mentor who introduced me to Hostgator.

3.  Domain Registration

In registering domains, there are two main companies that I recommend.  Bravenet.com for International sites as I find they are the cheapest and easy for redirecting your nameservers (a process

I also recommend CrazyDomains.com.au for Australian domains.   Their .com.au sites are $26 for 2 years and have sales regularly.

4.  Images

I take most of my own images for the websites, as I then don’t have any copyright issues and I really enjoy photography.  However, from time to time, I access free images from sxc.hu, a stock exchange website.  Often, you can use their images if you obtain the permission of the photographer.  I have not been refused usage yet.

5.  Content

My clients usually supply me with content and then I make sure that it works.  Benefits focused sales copy that is not too cheesy is the way to go.  It’s not really about the business but about what the business can do for others and how they will benefit.  I write copy that is easy to read, engaging and works from this benefits focused philosophy.  You can see samples of my copy on my site, The Creaticians and also find out what my clients say about my writing.

I hope that this helps you to understand my process and to make decisions about your own.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/04/13/websites-what-is-the-creaticians-process-why/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/the-kaleidoscope-effect-journal-1/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/the-kaleidoscope-effect-journal-1/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:15:37 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=987 Over the past 18 months, Hayley Solich has been developing  The Kaleidoscope Effect Program.  Today The Creaticians launched the program with the release of the first E-book Journal based on Guiding Principle 1:  Know Yourself.

Check out our >Retail Therapy page for more details.

The Kaleidoscope Effect Program is based on Hayley Solich’s seven guiding life principles that have contributed to her successful career and current endeavours.

Through the program Hayley shares how she overcame Post Natal Depression, survived 12 months living in a granny flat at her inlaws where she shared one bedroom with her husband and four children, and launched a number of successful projects, including founding Women Can International Inc, a positive women’s association based in Perth, Western Australia.

With a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessing, Hayley draws upon her six plus years in the training industry to deliver a practical journal that will engage people from all walks of life and levels of learning in a journey of discovery.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/the-kaleidoscope-effect-journal-1/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/working-wisely/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/working-wisely/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:20:12 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=978 There are so many opportunites…things we can do, services we can add to our businesses, places we can go and people we can meet.  But at the end of the day, we need to work wisely.

Part of working wisely is to make the most of the resources we have at our fingertips – people, physical items, good will, time etc.

If we don’t manage our resources well, we will not be effective in our businesses.

So here are my top two tips on how to work wisely.

1.  Make the most of what is already in your kit.

It is too easy to always be operating out of the “creative” phase of your business.  In this phase you are learning new skills, growing in your competency and often, making mistakes associated with learning a new skill.  Or you may be designing a new product, which will need time to work out the kinks.  If we operate only in the “creative” phase, we do not realise the return on investment.  By this I mean, if we are continually creating, we don’t get to be a “master” of what we do, we are always just a beginner.  Our products don’t get to be best sellers, they are always just new releases, untested and untried.  There is something to be said about building you reputation as a specialist and as very competent at what you do.  Also, as you are becoming more confident and more competent at your skill, you get faster at what you do and the end product is a much better quality.  People will be more willing to part with their cash for a guaranteed product or service, than they will for someone or something untested.

Therefore it makes sense to make good use of what is already in your kit.  Take the time to do a stocktake of your skills and products.  Objectively evaluate these and see where the money is to be made and focus your attention on that area first.

Too often we get tired of something because it is in our faces every day.  However, others may not have seen it at all and it can be so tempting to just dump a product or service or even a promotional tool without first considering it’s value or how it could be re-shaped or enhanced to work for you.  If you have a website, don’t dump it to get a new one, work with what you already have and enhance it.  If you have a product and it feels tired, try floating it in a different sector of the marketplace or give it a face lift.  What was great in one area, may well turn out to be great in another.  Rotate your stock by using reliable marketing techniques that entice the buyer – ie customer loyalty programs, guarantees etc.

You will find that your mind becomes clearer, your time becomes freed up, your energy levels increase once you start to filter out the unnecessary elements.

2.  Not every opportunity is the right opportunity so choose wisely.

I would highly recommend that you sit down and clearly define your scope of services and your core values.  This way, when an opportunity comes along you can compare it to your scope and your values and see if it aligns with both of these.  Then you can confidently say “no” to opportunities that are going to take you off course.

How many times have I seen people powering ahead in a certain direction and then along comes a new opportunity and off they go on a tangent?  I have been guilty of this myself, so when I share this it is from a place of wising up to how life can be. If you have your guiding values and scope, you can easily say “no” or “not now” to opportunities as they arise that fall outside of your current direction.  This also helps to ensure that your integrity and reputation remain in tact, as changing direction often causes a certain level of instability and with this comes lack of trust.

My client, Jodi Martin from Loboh Enterprises Pty Ltd, a change management specialist helped me to understand the value of developing a decision making matrix tool.  In an excel spreadsheet, you put across one axis the things that are important to you.  Then you put against the other axis the opportunity or opportunities facing you, ie if it were a new job(s), you’d have down one side how much money you wanted to earn, the location you wanted to work in, opportunities for promotion etc.  Then you’d rate the job(s) against each aspect.  She also recommended that if you have a partner, get them to rate them too to give you an objective second opinion.  At the end you will come out with a score and when you get the score you will realise one of two things, one – which is the best opportunity for you – two – if you don’t like the one that comes to the surface you will really see clearly where your heart lies.

This decision making matrix can be the same for your business.  Set one up with your core values and scope, then when opportunities come up you can go into the spreadsheet and rate the opportunity.  Then you can confidently say “no” to opportunities that are going to take you off course.  This is especially important in maintaining your focus in your business.  The higher your focus, the faster you are going to progress in your business and the more clear you are about what you do and don’t do, the more clear others will be about what you are offering.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this…more wisdom coming in my next post…The Power of Connections – Working your Network

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/26/working-wisely/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/23/janine-felt-says-2/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/23/janine-felt-says-2/#comments Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:41:27 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=968 We recently received an email from Janine Felt, saying…

“The website has generated lots of good comments.  You really have done a wonderful job ))”

It always feels great to get this kind of feedback.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/23/janine-felt-says-2/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/16/feature-writing-for-finally-at-40-magazine/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/16/feature-writing-for-finally-at-40-magazine/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:29:45 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=952 You may have heard that Hayley Solich is now feature writing for Finally at 40 magazine, but what you may not know is that she has three features in the recently released Autumn edition which is available now at Newsagents and Borders Bookstores.  Find out more by visiting the Finally at 40 site.

Hayley’s three features are:

Finally at 40 COVER GIRL – Mother Nature: After trying for many years to conceive a child, Susan Gianevsky, 48, discovered abundance motherhood of a different kind

The Road Less Travelled: Sue Hile, 45, abandoned what she knew to discover who she really was. Now she’s changing the face of women’s travel

More Than a Woman: When cancer threatened to cut her life short, brave Kath Mazzella, 58, had her genitalia removed.

Amanda Gelsi, Editor, Finally at 40, gave this feedback to Hayley recently…

“I finally read your Wendy James article yesterday and absolutely loved it! The third person style is fantastic and fresh and personal; I’m very pleased.

“I want to say a big THANK YOU!  You’re a blessing to the Finally at 40 team and have contributed in lifting both its quality and readability.

“Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!”

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/16/feature-writing-for-finally-at-40-magazine/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/10/janine-felt-says/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/10/janine-felt-says/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:54:29 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=936 “I was blown away by how quickly Hayley put together an amazing first page of our website.  She instinctively knew what we wanted and gave us what we needed to produce a web page that we are so happy with.  Thanks Hayley, you are our superstar!” – Janine Felt, Founder One in Messiah Celebrations

“Janine approached The Creaticians to design a website where she could showcase the production company’s videos and also post information about their current events.  Firstly, we discussed what the purpose of the site was and who would be visiting it.  Then how she would manage the site after it was designed and she indicated that she was keen to learn the back end so she could make changes herself.  So we decided to use the WordPress platform because of the ease of adding pages and changing content.  I designed the banner, uploaded photos, videos and content and recoloured the template which was from StudioPress.com.  The end result was a very luscious and color rich site that accurately reflects the theatrical nature of the company and Janine was so happy with the result.” - Hayley Solich

Website

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/03/10/janine-felt-says/feed/ 1 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/26/pam-francis-says/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/26/pam-francis-says/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:47:52 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=870 Pam Francis owner of Bow to Wow a pet grooming business says this of The Creaticians: “We have enjoyed working with you as you are very professional and outstanding with your work. We will definitely send you work your way.”

“Pam Francis initially approached me to do a business card and A6 flier, as she had been referred to us by her friend, Manuela Paulitz from Barking Kisses. Pam was in the process of setting up her business and needing her promotional package created and printed. She wanted a business card that reflected her business which is an upmarket pet grooming salon. She supplied me with a photo and I created the design, selecting the colours and guiding her in marketing strategies with regards to offering a discount for repeat customage. I also crafted an advertisement for a magazine and will be supplying keyrings, stickers for her doggy bags and Christmas Cards later in the year. Pam was so impressed with the design work that she referred her husband’s business, Hollywood Electrical, to us as well and we are currently working on a business card and DL flier for his business.” – Hayley Solich

Business Cards

Front of Business Card	Back of Business Card
Front of A6 Pricelist Flier	Back of A6 Pricelist Flier

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]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/26/pam-francis-says/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/25/the-ant-philosophy-dr-jim-rohn/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/25/the-ant-philosophy-dr-jim-rohn/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:28:52 +0000 WomenCan http://www.thecreaticians.com/?p=850

I always find Dr Jim Rohn inspirational.  Check out this piece of wisdom.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/25/the-ant-philosophy-dr-jim-rohn/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/kris-hanson-says/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/kris-hanson-says/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:19:40 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=802 Artist Kris Hanson says this of The Creaticians: “Thank you for all your input and great delivery on my art…Thank you so much for sending my business cards, they look fantastic.”

Business Cards

“Kris Hanson initially approached me to photograph her artwork, which I thoroughly enjoyed doing.  She is such a fabulous artist and her glass work is unique and exquisite.  While I was there, I interviewed her about her art process and recorded a video of my visit.  We then discussed how she was going to use the photos and I created an A4 flier for an art exhibition she had pending.  Finally, Kris asked me to create some business cards that expressed her business as an artist, that captured the different styles and techniques that she uses.  I decided to choose two of the photos of her artwork that I had taken on the day.  One is a very vivid glass work piece and the other was Kris’s favourite painting, which I have to say is so beautiful.  It’s a picture of a sting ray and it just seems to be coming at you out of the painting.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time withKris and captured a beautiful portrait while I was snapping her artwork.” – Hayley Solich

A4 Flier & Photoshoot

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/kris-hanson-says/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/manuella-paulitz-says/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/manuella-paulitz-says/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:02:28 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=799 Manuela Paulitz, owner of Barking Kisses says this of her experience with The Creaticians:  “I feel so comfortable with you and I just wanted to say I love Your work.  You are very talented.”

“Manuela Paulitz contacted The Creaticians to create a business card that would work for her luxury pet business.  In our first discussions Manuela was thinking of having a grey card with black and red lettering.  We sat at the computer and spent time working with her ideas first.  However, we soon realised that those colours didn’t really capture the essence of her product.  I came up with the idea that we could wrap one product from the front of the card to the back, giving people a reason to turn the card over.  So we added in one of the dog collars and tried it.  It worked really well, however, Manuela decided to only use part of the collar on the front, to create more space for her product information on the back.  We were both very happy with the end result.” – Hayley Solich

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/manuella-paulitz-says/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/getting-it-right-the-first-time/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/getting-it-right-the-first-time/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:57:08 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=789 How many of us set out to create our masterpiece and we labour long and hard, then present it to the world, only to have the first person that sees it notice that we’ve overlooked something?

Ever felt that: “I’ve let myself down feeling”?  That sinking heart, sweaty palms, “Wish I’d got it right the first time” feeling?

I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit of a perfectionist.  Problem is, sometimes I just don’t see something that to someone else is going to be as plain as day.

Our brain is very clever at fixing things for us. I’m sure that if you have ever seen that exercise where the letters of words are jumbled but you are still able to read it, you will understand what I’m talking about.  Our brain is just too clever and our eyes sometimes just don’t pick up the errors.

So here are some tips on how you can avoid having mistakes in your work:

1. Take your time. Rushed work has the tendency for error more than if you take your time preparing something.  There just is something in that whole principle of taking time and care in your work.

2.  Don’t assume that you’ve mastered it the first time. Another error that is made too often is thinking you’ve completed a masterpiece but not bothering to check your work.  If you have the gift of time available to you, leave reviewing your piece for a few days.  It will be much fresher to you.

3.  Read your work out loud. There just is something to be said for reading your work out loud.  For some reason, when you are reading out loud, you pick up on the errors.

4.  And last and probably most relevant, find someone to have a look at it and give you feedback. Preferably, find several people.  Feedback is a fabulous way of perfecting your work because differing opinions prove your concept.

Work that is not checked gives a message that you don’t intend to others.  It says that you are not professional, that you are careless.  Is that the kind of response you are wanting from others?

Spell Check  and Grammar Checker are both fabulous additions to wordpressing programs.  USE THEM!  They will really help you to produce fault-free work.

I’d love to hear any ideas you may have on how you ensure you do a good job the first time, so please comment now.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/06/getting-it-right-the-first-time/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/02/hayley-solich-featured-on-the-entrepreneur-community-online-website/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/02/hayley-solich-featured-on-the-entrepreneur-community-online-website/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:19:47 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=783

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/02/02/hayley-solich-featured-on-the-entrepreneur-community-online-website/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/28/sweltering-a-musical-heat-wave/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/28/sweltering-a-musical-heat-wave/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:05:54 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=775 Sweltering

Hayley Solich captures the oppressiveness of the hot summer days and nights experienced during the heat wave in Perth, January 2010.

Enjoy her music, which recreates the feel of the moment.

You may not be aware, but Hayley Solich is available for commissioned composition projects for original music for videos, events and websites.  She is also able to produce quality jingles.  For more information, contact Hayley.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/28/sweltering-a-musical-heat-wave/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/new-year-specials-business-packages/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/new-year-specials-business-packages/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:09:14 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=767

Phone or email now to find out more about these generous New Year Special Offers.

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/new-year-specials-business-packages/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/make-it-happen-business-personal-project-mentoring-program/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/make-it-happen-business-personal-project-mentoring-program/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:57:16 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=763

Are you struggling to move your business or personal project forward?

We all struggle with motivation from time to time.  Often it’s because we are missing parts of the puzzle.  This is where it is smart to seek help, especially if you find the whole creative or technical process challenging.

At The Creaticians we are focused on empowering our clients to achieve success.  We are not just interested in doing things for our clients – that is just one part of our process.  We are equally concerned about passing on the knowledge, the wisdom and the skills so that our clients can become empowered to manage their projects or businesses themselves.

We believe in the principle that if you give a man a fish, he will be back the next day, but if you give him a fishing rod and teach him how to fish, he won’t need to come back.

Having said that, we do realise that some clients like to leverage their time and we are equally capable of supporting in a very practical way these kinds of clients.

In our fabulous Make-It-Happen Business & Personal Project Mentoring Program, we use the 4 steps approach as outlined in the graphic image above.

Step 1 is all about us getting to understand you and your project, as well as explaining how we work and what we can do to support you.

Step 2 is about us co-creating together an action plan that is practical, time focused, with achievable bite sized goals written down so we know where to start and can be accountable for the journey.

Step 3 is where we implement the plan and we keep you on track by monthly monitoring your progress and providing additional resources to keep you moving forward.

Step 4 is a bonus where we will strategically connect you with potential joint venture partners to help you achieve your goals.

This program is completely practical and is headed up by our Premiere Business Trainer, Hayley Solich.  Hayley is an experienced and qualified trainer, who has delivered the Cert IV in Small Business Management through West Coast TAFE, plus a range of soft skills workshops to a variety of businesses in Perth.  Hayley has also been mentoring individuals over the past three years through the not for profit association, Women Can International Inc.

Hayley has a vast network of contacts, including a powerhouse of women through Women Can International Inc; over 7,500 followers on Twitter; a huge network of on-the-ground contacts in Perth and other parts of Australia; and her exceptional creative prowess, which many have described as “inspirational and amazing”.

Clients Hayley mentored in 2009 include:

Kath Mazzella OAM

Yvonne Hale Life Success

Author, Christine Camp

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/27/make-it-happen-business-personal-project-mentoring-program/feed/ 0 http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/09/photoshoot-for-petticoats-pearls/ http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/09/photoshoot-for-petticoats-pearls/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:26:01 +0000 WomenCan http://thecreatician.com/?p=666

“The brief was to take some photos of the girls for BelleRubies Bridal Hire and Sales business.”

These are just a few of the photos taken on the day.

Lovely Blue Eyes

Innocence

Best Friends

]]> http://www.thecreaticians.com/2010/01/09/photoshoot-for-petticoats-pearls/feed/ 0