If there is one thing that defines the age we live in, it is technology.

We are simply inundated with it. Whether you love it or hate it, your business is going to involve technology.

One of the first strategies is a presence on the internet. Whether a blog, landing page or website, you must have some representation on the web.

And, there are many options available to you with a variety of price points.

Like most anything, the key factors will be: What do you want? How much do you want to spend? How much do you want to do yourself?

The latter is an area where many entrepreneurs balk. Their strengths and talents do not include the technical arena. And, that is okay.

Nobody can be expected to be skilled in all avenues. If your budget permits you to hire out all your technology needs, and it is compatible with your strategy, go for it.

If your revenue is not quite where you want it to be, you don’t have to go without. Or settle for mediocre.

If you want a visually stunning web masterpiece, you will probably pay a graphic designer several thousand dollars. And, when you need changes, you will be paying high rates for those. Trust me – you will need changes. One of the benefits of the internet is the dynamic nature of information. Yours will shift also.

There are several hosting solutions that offer integrated web builders. Essentially, websites in a box. They are pretty intuitive to use once you get in there and start doing.

A key point to remember is that you must have a clear idea of what you want your website to do for you. Just like you would not build a house without a blueprint, you don’t want to start constructing a website without a guideline of how your site will appear and work.

Don’t let this part bother you – you do not need to know anything technical to design your site. You will always have a home page and pages such as About, Contact, etc. Take a blank piece of paper and draw a box at the top. This is your home page. Underneath that, draw a row of additional boxes. These represent the pages you will navigate to from your home page. Note that navigation will be consistent and each page will have the same look & feel.

If you require additional options for a given page, simply draw more boxes underneath the box for the page.

When you get this hierarchy defined, you have just defined the organization and layout of your website. Wasn’t that easy?

The next step is to design how you want your website to look. Look for websites that you like, and that connect with you. You are not going to be duplicating anybody’s work, just getting a clear idea of what you want.

You can then create your template. This will be a base page that will be used to create all other pages from. If you are using your internet provides tools, you will get to select one of their pre-defined templates. Although simpler, you may not get a template that is quite ‘you’.

Presuming you are going for a more custom solution, you will be designing your own template. Again, you don’ need to know anything technical – you are just drawing how you want it to look.
Take the time to get the template looking exactly the way that you want it before you create any pages. If you don’t do this and you need any changes, you will need to change every page that you have created.

Creating the html page is actually fairly straightforward with the right software tools. There are many great html editor programs out there – many of which are free.

If your preference is still to have someone else build the page, consider having them just do the template. Once that is built, you simply copy it for each page you want. This will be much cheaper than paying someone to do all the pages for your site.

I highly recommend you look into either learning how to make simple changes to your web page, or find a resource that is readily available to you. When you do need changes, chances are you will need them quickly, and you won’t want to wait.

Tip: Before you change a page, take a backup copy first.

Whether you do your own changes, or retain someone else, ensure that you receive all the components – html, images, etc. – that comprise your site.

A good technical resource will support you in whatever level you desire. If you want them to do everything and leave you in peace, they will do that. If you want to know how to do some changes yourself, they should be able to give you some pointers on how to do it. You may even get some limited support, dependent upon the arrangements and their fees. More importantly, a good resource will communicate with you in an effective, engaging manner and not baffle you with techno-speak.

Although a good plan now is better than a perfect plan later, take the time to choose wisely. If you are going to use an autoresponder, some have more features, some have better deliverability rates. You want to ensure you have the right choice before you start building your list. Yes, you can transfer them to a new provider if you opt to change albeit everyone will need to opt-in again.

In summary – you don’t need to know how everything works in order to get yourself or your business on the web. You simply need to be clear on what you want and how you want it to look. Obviously, focus your talents & passions where they will serve you the best. Consider learning some of the basic concepts to enable you to make quick changes with minimal expense. Choose your designers, developers and software carefully. Ensure you know what you are getting and that they will support you when you need them. If you’re not sure where to start, check in with those you know and find out what they recommend.

Mark Semple is a Certified Comprehensive Coach, Founder of Successful Together Coaching and the 2007 International Coach of the Year. As a recovering IT guy, Mark enjoys assisting others with their technology needs, in addition to making a difference with his unique coaching perspective, speaking & writing. Click here for details on the web services Mark provides.

Yes, this review is long-over due…but, I promise it’s well worth the wait!

#1 I am SO happy with the services of:

WahmCart – Work at Home Mom (WAHM) Friendly Shopping Cart

Wahmcart is a full featured eCommerce solution that allows you to manage your Products, Sales, Prospects, Clients and Affiliates all in one place, by offering a secure shopping cart, affiliate software, tracking and the follow-up management system.

For a complete comparison, features description, and more please pick up our free WahmCart shopping cart eBook is available right here for you!

We compare the following systems with great details in the eBook, but briefly here:

• aWeber – NOT a shopping cart, affiliate manager, tracking system.
• PayPal – NOT a affiliate manager or autoresponder, yet is integrated with WahmCart for secure payment
• 2CheckOut – NOT an autoresponder; yet can be integrated with WahmCart. Its a free script that needs to be installed on your website.
• Mals-e – NOT an autoresponder, tracking system
• QuickPayPro - most comparable but cost $49.97/month.
• 1ShoppingCart – most comparable but runs close to $80/month for similar services offered at WahmCart

My additional add-on:

• Thirdsphere – most comparable with webhost; but after 2+ years of being a loyal and happy client, their web hosting, server size, and customer service did not live-up to what I hoped to have received after being a long-time client.

So, why should You Consider signing-up for WahmCart now?

• Cheaper. It’s highly-affordable and offers me everything you need to host an ever-growing ezine list! Why pay more for the same services offered at 1ShoppingCart? And, there’s bulk-payments for 3-months and 6-months with discounts. I got the semi-annual plan for the extra savings and less accounting hassles

• EASY-installation, integration, transfer. Moving from Thirdsphere to WahmCart was a snap (of course because I have my virtual assistant do it )! Anyways, I’ve been unrolling many different ways to capture subscribers, such as:
  • my Empower Me Now eTips eNewsletter,
  • my free “How to Create a Search Engine Optimized Press Release” eBook
  • my free EmpowerWomenNow.com Podcast transcripts download list

  and, you can except to see many more, with

• All-in-one eCommerce software for all Your Internet Marketing Needs! Why pay for separate autoresponder, shopping cart, affiliate manager AND tracking software when you can get all of these in 1-special place!?

• More opportunities for both of us to make money online!
  • By offering information products and integrate an affiliate component so we both can make money online together!

• It’s not just for wahm’s (work at home moms) or dads! It’s for all home based entrepreneurs seeking to automate, systematize and capitalize on your own internet brand and intellectual property in the most affordable and simple-method possible!

• You can try it for 14-days for $1! What’s there to lose? My staff can do the transfer for you very easily too!

Try WahmCart for 1-buck today!

P.S. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t already have an ezine list/eNewsletter option on your blog, you’re missing out on additional revenue streams that’s personal and your gateway into your very own sales funnel!

Still don’t see the value of having a RSS feed AND ezine optin!? Please share your reasons below!

When I was given the opportunity to review TNX.net I was excited because it is a new program out there and I love new programs. I can honestly say the program is highly confusing. At least to me, and I do this stuff for a living.

When you visit their website they are pretty slick. I can’t say this is a bad thing since profit is definitely not a dirty word in my book. But they take 12.5% from each party in a transaction. This means you and your advertiser is getting charged 12.5% Potentially this could be millions, since most places just take a percentage from your cut. They are taking your cut and some money from your advertisers. So it works out to a 25% cut total they are getting. This sounds more like it from a third-party company.

Now they operate completely different than other companies since they are based on points not cash. However for cash you buy more points! You get automatically 2,000 for signing up. That’s a nice bonus. If you cash out its $0.61 for 1,000 points. They have a minimum of 150,000 daily point transfers. This means there is a daily limit of transferring $91.50 to your paypal account. Thats not a bad daily average if you can gain 150,000 points a day! Their minimum is a $5 payout which is about 9,000 points.

TNX is really simple to use once you figure out the points system. Their toolbar is really simple. Add site, get codes, sell your points. How simple can it get? For publishers, the sidebar includes easy access to their code which all you need to do is paste into your site theme for their ads to appear. Their code is available in php or perl. You have your choice. If it is wordpress then we do recommend you use PHP. They also have experimental codes for ASP and ASPX.

Now this site is a great idea, it definitely changes the way ads are done. However the one draw back I’ve found to their system is the site calculator. For me it doesn’t work properly. I have a very popular blog my links sell like hotcakes and according to their site with the way they sell their links I’m expected to have $0 income. This doesn’t look so hot for me. Based on an income calculator that is what normally drives me to either sign up with a company or ditch the company. My links normally sell at $150 direct, so I make a pretty penny of of them. This site operates based on how many pages of yours have been page ranked. However, it’s not a perfected system but they are still new so there is always time to fix any bugs.

I definitely say maximizing your earning potential is key, and testing out companies is the only way you can figure out where your best money making potential is. I am always testing out new programs and figuring out the good and the bad. You should too. Granted their calculator may not be accurate but their company has a lot of earning potential for a lot of websites.

This sponsored review was researched and written by Team Member Amanda of PJMommy. If you’d like a thorough unbiased product or service review, please consider advertising here and contact us today!

Christine offers this magnificent article just to kick our busy short-week into gear!  Write a thoughtful blogpost on your blog, or write a detailed comment agreeing or disagreeing with these rules & tips; and I’ll pick 3 Renegades for a free NY Times,Wall Street Journal, amazon.com, USA Today Best-Seller book!  [Thanks Christine for sharing your unique words of wisdom & awesome books for our readers You Rock!]

Several people have asked me why a renegade would actually need rules, and why I named my book implying this (Rules for Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career, and Revel in Your Individuality, McGraw-Hill 2007).

First, let’s define what I consider a renegade.

A Renegade is a person with a degree of passion and commitment that exceeds the norm. A renegade achieves great things without sacrificing their personal life on the altar of success. A renegade is not a rebel; renegades don’t trash “the system”, rather they acknowledge that it exists and they resolve to optimize their navigation of it!

That said, do renegades need rules?

I think so. Because we need a little bolstering some days, we need a lot of insider info every day, and we need to remember to not sacrifice ourselves to the cause, which, my women friends, many of us do.

Here are the rules as I see them. I’d love to hear what you think! [Me too!]

Rule 1: Everything’s an Illusion, So Pick One That’s Empowering

We often get stuck in our self-definitions, which are the most limiting thing we do to ourselves. But often we’ll need to intentionally redefine ourselves in order to achieve new goals, take new risks, stretch outside of our comfort zone. We’re not being fake here, we’re intending our new self and taking the steps to manifest it.

3 Tips:

o Design your new illusion: Click here & scroll down for the New Illusion form

o ACT it until you ARE it—believe it!

o Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, time-bound)

Rule 2: An MBA is Optional, A GSD is Essential

A GSD (Gets Stuff Done) is THE most important credential you’ll ever need. Your personal brand must be synonymous with RESULTS. Advanced degrees are great, but not necessary. Nothing will build your credibility better than being the person that others rely on to deliver the goods.

3 Tips:
• Practice the Fab Four (“Please”, “Thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “I don’t know”)
• Continuously course-correct—always be optimizing
• Make your brand = RESULTS

Rule 3: Problems + Pain = Profit

Often entrepreneurs try to solve the wrong problems—problems that aren’t painful. Only painful problems get people to open up their wallets. When someone is in business pain they are far more likely to take a risk on a small business, an unknown commodity, a person who is unlike their usual sales rep.

3 Tips:
• Pay attention: seek out painful problems and solve them
• Pain = increased risk tolerance…
• Make your pitch follow the THREE C’s: concise, compelling, complete

Rule 4: Build Power Instead of Borrowing It

Many of us misunderstand power. We don’t know how to get it, we don’t know how to use it. Maybe we’re fearful of it, or in awe of it. Getting power from association is common, but too transitory. The association withers, the power is gone. Why get power from a job title, a company, a neighborhood? Get your own power that no one can ever take away.

3 Tips:
• Adopt supreme self-confidence: Yes! It is a choice!
• Use the Power Boosters (scroll down)

• Inventory your internal assets: you have more than you think!

Rule 5: Rock Rejection and Finesse Failure

We all mess up now and then. We need to know how to fail forward, how to rock rejection and not let it trip us up. We need whole new view of rejection and failure so we no longer fear it, we simply use it to our advantage.

3 Tips:
• Host a Rejection Party: getting rejected a lot in quick succession will desensitize you
• Fail forward—and faster!
• Take 100% responsibility for your life and work

Rule 6: Learn to Love Networking

Most people don’t know how to network. They go about it the wrong way and it’s not useful or fun. I LOVE people—but I didn’t always. I had to learn to love networking, which helped me see how great people are, which helped me to fall in love with them. The first way is to hear their stories, then to help them get what they want. The best part? The deep connections you develop.

3 Tips:
• Join a networking group
• Practice “Palm Up” networking: give before you take
• Do the “Drive By Schmooze”: spend a specific amount of time to build a short list of connections

Rule 7: Only You Can Lead Your Life

There are new laws to leadership that most people don’t know, such as true leaders are always elevating others. You can be a kind, compassionate, and super effective leader. Put energy into people. You’ll get emotional equity as a result, which is far more valuable than financial equity.

3 Tips:
• Energy = Equity
• Elevate others, collaborate, say it and do it
• Practice the New Laws of Leadership: see www.RulesForRenegades.com

Rule 8: Work Your Money Mojo

Money helps you navigate business, society and the world at large. When you know how to work your money mojo you know how to get money from the right sources on the right terms, at the right time. If you want people to lend you money, give your non-profit cause money, fund our business dream, you need to know how to work your money mojo!

3 Tips:
• Have a capital acquisition strategy: how much you need, from whom, with what trade-offs
• Use the 3 C’s of Internal Funding: consulting, customers, cost control
• Always be selling

Rule 9: Resign as General Manager of the Universe

Many of us struggle with not knowing when to tighten or loosen the reins, whether at work or at home. We’re acting like the General Manager of the Universe and then wondering why we’re so exhausted, over-committed, and miserable. Learn how and when to lighten up on the micro-managing.

3 Tips:
• Do a semi-annual assessment
• Remember the Fish Rots at the Head: if something is messed up, look up!
• Have connections, not contacts: with connections you have trust, and thus can delegate, and thus don’t have to do everything!

Rule 10: Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There

We all seek meaning in our lives, and sometimes we forget where to find it. Life is a cycle of remembering and forgetting, and we sometimes need help to remember what really matters in life.

3 Tips:
• Resolve to make a difference
• Commit to “one a week” (giving one hour of your time per week)
• Remember Giving = Receiving

What do you think? Do these make sense? Here’s what people have told me they’ve gained from following the Rules for Renegades:

1) increased optimism, motivation, and accountability at work, resulting in more ideas, more innovation, increased sales
2) reduced fear of failure—they are now “failing forward” as I teach in my book, and they’re taking smarter risks
3) reduced stress—they’re seeing their own tendency towards control-freakism and don’t want to make all the mistakes I did, so they’re learning to delegate and manage others more effectively
4) increased meaning—as a result of reading my book they’ve upped the amount of service in their lives, even involving co-workers or family members in volunteer work. The result has been closer and more fulfilling relationships.

So my take is, YES, renegades need rules. We need them to help rock our lives, our careers, find more meaning in both, and of course—to make more money!

Rock on, renegades! [Here! Here!]

Check out Christine & her many free resources, fun video and more at Rules for Renegades! 

If this post doesn’t empower you to action! Girl–I need to know why…please tell me below!

Oops I forgot! Enroll By August 31st and Save A Full $358.00

If you wanna talk to me personally about my experience, I’m packing still and in the middle of craziness–but, you can personally call me at 419-882-2338 EST if you *really* wanna hear it from me! If you want me to tell you if I think this is a real bargain or not! Or, if I think this is “perfect” for you or not!

Yes–I *am* still in transit…but, I couldn’t let you start your Last Summer’s Weekend with this VERY important news!

I just found out that Randy Gilbert & Peggy McColl are running their (almost quarterly) Best-Seller Mentoring Program starting this coming Thursday, September 4, 2007!

Here’s my *really* quick review, grabbed from the very last post of my old-but-true ShoeStringBookPub(licity) Blog that shared my 8-month journey of promoting my debut book Empowering Women to Power Network in 2004…with some edits & additions!

NEVER BEFORE…has it been so easy to become a Best-Selling Author. Even those who never thought they could (like me), are doing it…you just follow a simple and easy “plan”.

Becoming a BEST-SELLING AUTHOR Can Be A Breeze! (If you get the right help…)

As you know, I became a Best-Selling Author of my debut book “Empowering Women to Power Network” on its official release date August 11, 2005. Click here for details.

Now I was working on a shoestring budget with physical and neurological limitations (due to the car accident that encouraged me to write my book in the fist place), I spent EIGHT long, arduous months, developing, nurturing and molding as many relationships as possible to partner with me-brand new unknown author and online marketer. I conducted all the research myself, went through an enormous learning curve, and spent way too much time to always know that the coveted end-result was not “guaranteed”.

[Note: 8-long-arduous-months *not* 38-days!]

Upon my victory, one of my partners offered to “hire me” to run their campaign, and my answer was “no”. And, it’s still, “no”.

Fortunate to have gained my “best-selling author” title, I would never recommend anyone (seasoned or un-seasoned, such as myself) to run, organize, or conduct a best-seller campaign alone or without help!

I would never wish anyone the kind of anxiety and frustration I endured.

Honestly, I explained to my partner that there wouldn’t be enough money in the world to hire me.

Well…unless you give me the money, so I go hire the best

“And, who are the best?”, she asked.

“Randy Gilbert and Peggy McCall, the Best-selling Mentors”, I replied.

So, STOP!

Don’t waste another minute on publicity until you become a Best-Selling Author first, and use the “proven book marketing formula” that has the “ultimate 100% Best-Seller risk-free guarantee”. Please do not make the same mistake I did! Why take any “risks” on your special day?

I did…and it was the WORSE feelin’!

Actually, a dear friend came over the next morning to play by the pool & get her celebratory hug from her first-personal best-seller hug…and she saw me exhausted, tired, overwhelmed…and frankly not overjoyed or empowered by any means!

I told her “I think this is what post-partum depression must be like… :-/ ”

And as for being on a shoestring budget: When I look back at all the time and effort I exerted in my 8 long months prior to the release date (not including the previous 5 months offline book marketing efforts)…this best-seller mentoring program is a bargain!

My time is worth much more!

And, now with an hourly rate at $175/hour…with *no* guarantee that you’ll become a “best-seller”, there’s no other recommendation I can make if you truly want the “Best Seller” title before or after your name!

If you want to be a “Best-seller”, this program is an investment in you, your book, and your future. You will *not* regret it!

If you book’s target market is women entrepreneurs, home based entrepreneurs, small business owners, or work at home moms/dads, send me a copy of your book and I’d be happy to consider being one of your campaign partners!

• Kristie ‘T’ Tamsevicius, bestselling author of I Love My Life: A Mom’s Guide to Working from Home & Webmomz.com is a dear friend & colleague of mine. Also, I have numerous other colleagues who successfully became amazon.com or BN.com best sellers…no just “really rich” eBook authors, just because they followed Randy & Peggy!

• I truly believe the amazon.com best-seller program/campaign is working better than before (with over 2 years since my campaign) because I’m seeing colleagues actually turning over their amazon.com best-seller titles, into “real” newspaper best-seller lists almost instantaneously!- Peggy even reported her own personal story from just a few months ago…
• As the mentor (one of the “masters” of her program) she put the Amazon Bestseller strategy into her book’s marketing plan, her publisher went nuts and paid her a huge advance!
• Peggy’s book, Your Destiny Switch: Master Your Key Emotions, and Attract the Life of Your Dreams was marketed almost completely using online strategies and to everyone’s delight, the Amazon Bestseller strategy worked even better than expected.
• Not only was it #2 on Amazon (just behind Harry Potter), but on May 20, 2007, her book hit #13 on the New York Times Best Seller List for hardcover advice books.
• It was the one of the greatest days of her life and one that she will never forget!

• My campaign partner and colleague, Loral’s The Millionaire Maker: Act, Think, and Make Money the Way the Wealthy Do made New York Times List, and others…I couldn’t keep up with all of them L.A. Times, etc…

These are enough examples–within my own Power Network…don’t cha think!?Ironically, just this past week I was asked by two new book authors to share my experience about “my” best-seller campaign, etc. I asked for a couple weeks to move & settle back in…rest assured, I’ll be forwarding this post directly to their emailboxes right now!

Have questions, thoughts, issues, comments to share…type away. I will say having the “best-selling author” title has opened numerous doors for me–better than just saying I’m an “author”. Authors are a dime a dozen these days–and you really need to ’stick outta the crowd’. Being a “best-selling author” sounds & looks that much better

It’s “leveraging” the title (Internet Branding & Marketing) that gets you even more opportunities as well!

Having won my 1st iPod Nano was real cool too

Only due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to watch the Opening Episode…but, WOW!

There was no way I could miss Episode #2 “features Internet marketing legend, Armand Morin, as he teaches the contestants the importance of Branding.”

1. Started with a Blog Challenge!

Like what a cool was that to start the show?

Based on each person’s bios, one topic was written down, and put into a bowl. Each contestant chose one topic and had 60-minutes to create a blog. At least one article no less than 250-words.

The winner Charles Trippy, ironically doesn’t like blogs nor the word “blog”. Yet he did a phenomenal job in his formating, screen shots (as an alternative to YouTube.com video because there was no plugin available to him), layout & I believe he was fluent in keyword research and publication. Kudos to him!

2. Internet Branding Secrets *not* revealed…

I’m SO bummed not to get into the 90-minute Armand Morin presentation

Well, kudos to the 10 contestants who got into his “branding” secrets!

Internet Branding is ALL about “the feel & look” of your website/blog so you look like a big-deal online show!

Armand Morin asked the contestants what do you think of when you hear “Google” or “eBay“? The logo comes to mind!

So, this is a perfect introduction to our new EmpowerWomenNow.com logo:

Unfortunately, they had a team effort to come up with a concept, design, develop & actually come up with a presentation in 90-minutes for the “NextInternetMillionaire.com” logo. They did the best they could…I assure you it took us much more than 90-minutes to work on ours. I had an idea. But, I tested via my Blog Mastermind Members-Only forums, the fonts, colors & spacing.

One thing I really appreciate about their efforts, was making sure the <dot>com stayed in the name.

This was a discussion I had with some of my Team Members during the development of my new theme, layout & design…and everyone was against keeping the <dot>com in my “name”. But, that’s my brand. I’m not just “Empower Women Now”…I’m an online business. And, I feel strongly that by “branding” my business accordingly, then anyone who comes across my logo, will never doubt where and how to find me…on the web!

So without further ado…Introducing AmandaB of 9 Lives Illustrations.

She beautifully designed my new logo & avantar/favicon. I haven’t yet changed my avantar, because I’m not actively networking online or offline yet, due to my health constraints…so, please be patient there. As for the favicon, that should be going up within the next 48-hours…

But, see how basic, yet unique and “branded” this avantar/favicon is?

Please share your websites, if you feel your logos & avantar/favicons are a great representation of Your “Internet Brand”. Does it all tie into your Name-Brand-Blog? Do you need some help in this area?

2.

3. Now, back to the show:

Wooo…horsey! The drama! The production! Sound! Flow! Like wow! I’m so *not* a Reality-Show chick…and being my 1st real “reality show”…like wow! It was/IS intense!

Darn! Talk about “choices”!

Urgh–I can not explain myself in words… The honesty, the lies…the games…you gotta hop over & watch this show. Hubby made fun of me for being “hooked”. Oh well :-/

But, with every show there are “favorites” and “non-favorites”…and, I don’t wanna be critical–but, I think it’s obvious who is the one dude who really should not be there! Great Joint Venture Partners should have NO place for back-biters, schmoozers, liars or cheats! Yay…this guy is REALLY rubbing me the wrong way. And, He should’ve been kicked out, with NO room for “sandbox”.

What do you think? Who do you prefer? Dislike? Do you know who I’m talking about?

Will you be watching the Next Internet Millionaire Episode #3? I will…

Big News! After our recording Yaro and I worked out a “Ponn’s Special” so You can get in to Blog Mastermind Mentoring for *only* $47/month (present price $77/month) for the next 24-hours only; click here for details!

Yippee! Here’s my very 1st Podcast Show Numero-Uno–and well…listen to it…call me biased, but it Rocks!

[display_podcast]

To get a full-transcript of this particular podcast, sign-up for our dedicated mailing list here. Also, you can learn how You can get a professionally-edited and personalized-voice-over work done there too. Last, this podcast was made possible via AudioAcrobat.

Welcome my colleague, friend and mentor Yaro Starak, the Founder/Owner of Entrepreneurs-Journey.com , SmallBusinessBlog.com , BlogMastermind.com , BlogTrafficKing.com .

We broke down our 59-minute podcast into reader scenarios into 2 categories:

1. Using blogs as an Intregal Medium for Internet Branding & Marketing.
2. Reasons why Advanced Bloggers (“professional bloggers”, or those who have been blogging for 3-5 years and not making full-time income via multiple-passive affiliate marketing) should consider joining Blog Mastermind.

Important Links discussed in this podcast:

- Why I’m Yaro’s #1 Fan? Read my Blog Mastermind Review here & his Blog Profits Blueprint eBook here!

- Direct Advertising on EmpowerWomenNow.com

- SponsoredReviews.com

- Text Link Ads

- ClickBank.com

- Show your proud membership to Blog Mastermind via these customized buttons & banners today!

- Wanna have a podcast edited, with voice-over work and blah…blah…like me? Read more here!

*Some* Blog Internet Branding & Marketing Tips:

• If you (as an entrepreneur) are time-poor, yet resource-rich (such as have virtual assistants, a virtual Team working for you); you still need to adhere to the 2-parts of running a successful and profitable Internet Branded-Blog:

Unique Pillar Content (Internet Branded Voice, Tone & Written Expertise) + Multile Communication Channels (Internet Marketing methods)

• For great writers (bloggers with great content and a ton of it!) but don’t have enough traffic: need mutliple means of internet marketing strategies! AKA “communication channels” that Yaro teaches in Blog Mastermind. He begins to share the ideas in his Blog Profits Blueprint eBook. Or take a look at the multiple series I’ve mastered the Art of Online Press Releases, Online Networking, Social Media, etc.

• Great blog posts for service providers: Provide proof, case studies, white papers, show statistics, as a means to advertise your specialized services and success.

• You need a very clear sales funnel process! Filters in clients using as much free information as possible. Optin ezines are your 1st point of contact.

• Don’t know what a Sales Funnel Is? Yaro wrote a great series here:

The Sales Funnel Series

• The Sales Funnel Explained
• The Sales Funnel Part 2: Generating Leads At The Front End
• The Sales Funnel Part 3: Back End Profits
• How To Set-Up Your Sales Funnel

• Are you an Organic Family? Then, contact me for OrganicFamilyBlog.com! –Yay, I could *not* let that *great* tip slip by me Yes, the scenario is a “true story” and is a girl-friend, but–I don’t know if I can get her up and running since I’m leaving Toledo, Ohio this week and she knows *nothing* about the internet!

• What is Recurrsive Affiliate Marketing? Blog Mastermind Membership is a perfect example. By being an affiliate, you get on-going “recurrsive” affiliate paychecks each month, and every month for the lifetime that one particular “referred” member is a member of that particular “subscription” membership.

• Testing and Tracking is the *key* to successful blog monetinzation! Yes Baby! It’s ALL Up to You! Your readers & Your direct involvement! But, do you know what to test? What’s worthy to track? What comes first the content or the marketing?

• Internet Marketing vs. Blogger–There’s no need to figure out if you’re one or the other *anymore*. You can be both–via Blog Mastermind MindSet! Yaro Starak is the first and/or only one who has completely “mastered” this method and system!

• You need to have your own niche! You have to know your own target market! You have to have your own Internet Brand to build an Authority Online Resource Center which just happens to be fueled by a blog platform on WordPress. Finding your core competencies, your expertise, your unique selling proposition is your “key” to finding your home online!

• August was a “big” month for Yaro at Blog Mastermind, introducing his staff of 5. Debuted a “trial-run” Advanced eLessons, “invite-only”.

Blog Mastermind is 2-fold:

• Those who want to get into the game of blogging: A-Zed. Starting off with installing a blog into WordPress.
• Business systems. You need to commit into the “Journey”, *not* the end-results. You need a mentor/system and make use of all the resources available to you. No need to sit back passively.

So whaddya think!? Plezzz comment large & small! What did you like? Not like? Too advanced? Too long? Want a follow-up podcast? Are my notes helpful? Will you subscribe to get the full transcript to read?

Then, Be My Guest…

But, plezzzz, share a little link-love…I’m sure you can find at least one great pillar post about Internet Branding that you can link out to me ; -) Much Obliged!

Just right click on the button or banner you want to use and click “Save As”. Then save it to a place you will remember. At that time proceed to load onto your website or blog, or you can use a picture service such as PhotoBucket.com or my personal favorite Flickr.com

Please do *not* hot-link these buttons & banners. I already “paid” for the creation & customization, I should *not* be paying for your bandwidth

Audio Acrobat - The Easiest Way to Create Audio & Video! [Online ]

From the page: “YES!! I want to take advantage of this incredible offer to try out AudioAcrobat for 30 days, Risk-Free!
And, if I like what I have experienced, I can continue with AudioAcrobat each month for the Price Plan I have selected below. AudioAcrobat is only $19.95 a month and comes with amazing features and Free Training! I can even download MP3 files to my computer once I am off the Free Trial.”

I received phone calls, emails and IMs (Instant Messages) telling me you just LOVE my audio welcome and ezine audio-instructions! So, how did non-techie-Ponn Sabra accomplish all this!?

Simple: I followed the little flowchart above: Record => Publish => Download => Upload => Stream!

Audio Acrobat How-To

Step One: Create Audio

Direct Dial into our AudioCenter with your phone. [The easiest method, and cheapest].

Use the AudioAcrobat ® Recorder and your PC microphone to record your audio online. [I'm told this is "supposedly better quality...but, I just can *not* sit at my PC, talk, and record...its so un-natural for me! I walk, move my arms and I'm so physical when I talk!]

Step Two: Publish Your Audio.

Upload a MP3 or WAV file. [Sweet deal! I just give my Virtual Assistant my login information, she goes in, edits it, and even posts my html code directly into my website, and posts!]

- Have a recorded audio created by a professional voice artist. [Wait til you hear my Podcast!! And, he runs a great special 60-second intro and segue for $60 just for referrals from yours truly!]

Step Three: Test the Audio. Rather than fiddle & faddle with something that does not interest me–Jen just sends me the link, which is hosted on Audio Acrobat itself, and I can hear the “finished” highly-professional, unique-Internet Branded Podcast! Personalized high-energy, musical intro & segue (gearing up for tons of extra “air time” for You–My Incredible Supportive Sponsor), and much more!

Is it *really* this easy-Ponn!?

As their tagline states it IS “the easiest way to create audio [I haven't tried video yet]” online!

There’s a “Create Audio” page, with simple instructions via phone or computer. The prompt numeric instructions, should look/sound familar to you, if you ever “sat in” on a teleconference before. And, once you hang-up the phone (granted you followed the instructions verbatim), seconds later the audio clip is posted in the “Audio” Tab in your Account.

Have I tried others?

No, I didn’t need to, and here’s why:

1. BYOAudio – Basically, without getting ‘technical’ (well, mainly because I don’t understand it), they offer the exact same features as AudioAcrobat, affiliate program, and back in 2004 when I ran my best-seller campaign, the owner owned both BYOAudio & outsourced to AudioAcrobat. And, what I appreciated most by the owner, was he personally referred Pat of Audio Acrobat to me, because she was the Owner/Founder of Women’s Radio, and since we had the same “target market”–he thought we’d be a “great match”. Not if he’s not an Empowered Entrepreneur–I don’t know who else is. 3 years later, his name escapes me–I apologize, but his professionalism and his services, I’ve never forgotten!

2. AudioGenerator – by Armand Morin, one prominent Internet Marketer. All my strictly “Internet Marketer” colleagues/non-bloggers use his program, which to the best of my knowledge offers the same things for approximately the same price. But….

3. AudioAcrobat – All my blogging-Internet Marketing colleagues…but, most importantly, all my Podcasting colleagues and virtual assistance uses this *very* easy software. So, yes–I could’ve “researched” the other 2 above programs in a bit more detail for you and me–but, that would just be a *waste* of time, money and energy! I asked my V.A. for her affiliate link, and I signed up immediately! You should to!

Audio Acrobat Productions tips, thoughts & Recommendations:

1. I’m not “Perfect Ponn”, nor do I try to be–nor should you! Don’t go for the backyard-CB sounding amateurish-sounding audios or podcasts, yet, don’t strive for the ultra-I’m-the-best-high-tech-mega-dosey-audio-chick-deal either. Go for the middle road, and if you have the opportunity due to time and monetary resources, invest in the “more” professional sound, then the cheaper, non-professional route.

2. By maintaining the middle-route, you can test and track your data, and build your already “professional” audios to a higher-grade as your traffic and income allows.

3. Start too low…both in low-budget and/or low-class; you may offend or turn-off your present client-base, traffic, etc. and lose credibility in the process.

4. Take advantage of Free Interactive Training Classes, regularly scheduled!

5. Listen to this option directly in your Account first! I listened (and perused the text) 4 min. 40 sec. Tips for Recording a Conference Call.

Tip: Sign up for your free account at The Basement Ventures’ Free Conferencing Center – Formerly FreeConferencing right now if you’re going to do teleseminars or podcasts!

Thankfully, my first podcast recording was with my patient, understanding, and Empowered Mentor Yaro Starak. Because, I was trying to get Yaro and I into a “conference room” at AudioAcrobat, and instead, we were both using my “conference line” and both recording ourselves individually–urgh

Anyways, since it was only one-on-one guest recording, and not a “live conference call podcast with multiple attendees”, he kindly called me at home, I used my administration options to get us “recording”, we did a 5-second-test-run…then went “live” for a 59 minute debut podcast!

I listened to these tips, updated my account at The Basement Venture (since FreeConferencing.com is no longer available), and I did a test-run with my friend!

It’s just like having a buddy on the line, and you hop on the 2nd line to get a 3rd caller in a 3-way-call.

First, you and your guest call the Conference Line. Second–you (the administrator) “patches” in the AudioAcrobat Recording Line. Then, when you are ready everyone “hangs up”.

I plan to update this review as I grow with AudioAcrobat, so please stay posted!

Internet Branding Comments:

• Adding audio to your website and/or blog gives your readers/listeners another mode of transmission in which to receive your “same” message.
• You “personalize” your Internet Brand allowing your and your company another method to market your unique products and/or services.
• You can utilize this technology for better time-management (adding short audio-posts…I’m finally implemented this long-desired feature).
• You can start your own podcast as another traffic-building and traffic-generating method.
• And, much more….

Rather then hear it from me–a newbie of 1-week; please share your experiences with audio, podcasts, and/or AudioAcrobat-specifically below!

Have technical questions? Doubts? Hesitations? Please share them below as well!

To Our Empowered Audio Success & Empowerment!

is Carolyn Manning of Thoughts & Philosophies Business thoughts, business philosophies.

Having posted 137 Parts To The Ultimate Guide to Productivity for my link-back to my The Ultimate Guide to Productivity – Wanna Share One-Big Secret?

I know Our Contest ended up being much longer than I wanted, as it would’ve ended in June; but due to my hospitalization and present bed-rest I couldn’t do much. And, while I’m still recovering, I couldn’t let it last any longer…I’m still winded and whoozey from my 4-hour exams and testing today….urgh Fortunately, there were ’scheduled’ breaks…little did they know that I could actually hit some deep R.E.M. and Zzzzz in 5-10 mins.

Fortunately, this was the last “critical” test I had to take before I get the “A.O.K.” to officially move back East! Actually, we will *not* leave until we get the test results which will be another 1-2 weeks of waiting to go…so, plez extend some much needed prayers

EmpowerWomenNow.com gained 210 link-backs as registered in Technorati and I used the random number picker tool to chose our winner: Number 163–Carol Manning!

WooHoo! Congrats Carol–Here’s Your Online Women Entrepreneur’s Gift-Package, value at $500.95!

The Prizes

• One-year free membership to my most favorite home-based working moms/women entrepreneurs networking organization, that I am the most active with, and the Empowerment Expert Panelist for: HBWM.com (value $69)

• One-free phone Wealth Consultation with Marilyn August (value $160)

• One-eBusiness Email-Consultation with Wendy Piersall of eMomsatHome. Details: strategic feedback, money making ideas, and a mini-site overhaul. No longer offered to the public, Wendy made a special exception to help support our great news! (Value $150)

• One-free autographed copy of Secrets of Online Persuasion: Captivating the Hearts, Minds and Pocketbooks of Thousands Using Blogs, Podcasts and Other New Media Marketing Tools (Hardcover) ($34.95) by John-Paul and Deborah Micek of AdvancedBusinessBlogging, and a three-month subscription and installation of Blogi360 (value $87)

• One $150 credit to my freelance or ghost writing services. For example, one press release. Or four 500-word (2-page) articles, by yours truly…a best-selling author and excellent online press release result-achieving copywriter. (value $150).
• If you haven’t already, you qualify for a free $200 PRWeb.com press release, click here for details.]\

Last…but, not the very least; Thank You for participating and sharing your Link-Love! One of our biggest drawing points in the last month was (and still is) our Link-Exchange Directory. If you haven’t joined yet, hop on over right now. Our preferred anchor text is either “Women Entrepreneurs Blog” or “Entrepreneur’s Internet Branding Blog“…woo hoo! We’re ranked #1 for these awesome terms! More to come…of course

Please help me Congratulate Carol below!