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It seems that Facebook is constantly changing something. Well, this week has been much different. Different in that, they have implemented and announced so many changes that I’m beginning to lose track.
Thanks to a couple of awesome blogs, it’s all beginning to make sense (somewhat), and I can at least keep up with what’s next in the world of Facebook. Check out these five blogs to see what’s new and upcoming for Facebook.
Mashable
Facebook Blog
InsideFacebook
Social Media Examiner
Mari Smith
If for some reason you’re unable to find the answers that you need after visiting any of these sites, please feel free to post your question below in the comments’ section, and I’ll try my best to answer it for you. If you have additional Facebook resources, please feel free to add them below in the comments. Thank you and good luck!
Everyone wants to grow! I am referring to growing your team. Does your business plan have “team” in it? If you have any plans of growing your business, your business plan should have a “Future Expansion” roadmap in it. If you haven’t done so already, right now is the time to put those plans in place.
As with marriage, having kids and retirement, the best time to think about expanding your business is before it actually happens. Then, you can put your plan into action much more quickly and seamlessly. As a business owner, part of the future expansion includes outsourcing.
Recently, during a weekly seminar that I attend called, ActionWEDNESDAY, someone asked my business coach, “When do you know it’s the right time to add team members?” His answer was, “Your time to expand is probably already past due”. He began to tell us some success stories of local business owners who created a team, and their business grew tremendously because it freed up time for them to do the really, really profit-generating things in their business like getting new clients.
So, now you’re ready to build your team. It was a team of one, but now you are happily getting too big for a one-man or one-woman show. To keep moving upward, you’ll need others to help you make it happen while keeping your clients happy.
Choosing your Team
The team may be comprised of a Bookkeeper, Accountant, Business Coach and a Virtual Assistant. The main thing to keep in mind is that you want to outsource those things that make you squeal – those things that you are “least” passionate about, but you know have to get done for you and your business to be successful and grow. For example, if you’re adding a Virtual Assistant, you want to make sure that you’re adding someone to the team that is a partner and you feel have a interest in seeing you grow. Some other characteristics that you can look for in a Virtual Assistant would be that they think like you do and have a similar work ethic. Just like your clients did with you, you’ll want to do some research and interviewing to find just the right people.
When you think of outsourcing, keeping it simple is a great way to start until you get a feel for how the team will work together. Interviewing is the first step, followed by checking out their website, their testimonials’ and Social Media sites. You want to make sure that this person will not disrupt the “culture” that you’ve created for your company. Once you’ve built trust with your new team members, you may want to outsource more delicate matters. Look for a variety of skills in the people that you choose for your team. The more skills that they have, the more useful they will turn out to be for you and your business.
Starting off on the Right Foot
Get all of your ducks in a row from the beginning. This includes contracts, agreements and instructions. Each team member will need a contract that spells out, but is not limited to: pay per hour, retainer hours, pay schedule, job description. Agreements between you and your team stipulating confidentiality and non-compete clauses are essential. You don’t want to be fleeced for your client list right under your nose.
Written instructions about how to do what you ask avoids as many mistakes as possible later. For example, even though your team members know how to write a report, they don’t know how you write reports for your clients. Pleasing your clients is the important part here.
Crossing all the Ts
One “T” in particular is taxes. You are not just responsible for yourself, but others who work for you. Partnering with subcontractors is considered freelancing. This is another area that needs to be specified in any contracts with your team. As a subcontractor, they will be responsible for their own taxes and insurance. What you will provide (for US workers) is a 1099-MISC form for them that specify what you pay them so that they can use it to file their taxes.
The cost of subcontracting will figure into your hourly or per project rate for your clients. The last thing you want to do is undercut yourself because you are paying your contractors more than you are getting paid yourself. Planning ahead for business growth will make you healthy, wealthy and wise.
Summer is a great time to stretch your legs and get outside for some awesome fun in the sun. (Our friends “down under” will need to wait to enjoy this for a couple months:-))
It’s also a great time to stretch your mind and enhance your business! So let’s do BOTH!!
This year, check out VAClassroom’s Summer Skill Camp 2010 – an amazing opportunity for you to build ten new skills and ultimately ten new income-building opportunities for your virtual business.
While this particular summer camp may not include the usual weenie roasts and campfire singalongs like you might be accustomed to with other summer camps, it will offer an easy and profitable way to develop the right “in-demand” skills at the right time to hit the ground running in your virtual business for the last half of 2010!
Here’s what skills you’ll be building:
* Develop the right system for creating a profitable, in-demand Facebook Page Service.
* Receive an easy-to-follow blueprint for building an effective online newsletter or ezine.
* Discover proven techniques for designing a winning WordPress Blog.
* Uncover and implement the right kind of WordPress plugins to ignite traffic and results for you and your clients.
* Learn how to leverage a freebie offer or information product to attract and win new clients.
* Discover a simple formula for crafting and delivering top-notch social media presentations to your clients and community.
* Master a proven system for seamlessly organizing your many social networking activities.
* Learn how to effectively measure your client’s Internet Marketing results and success.
* Receive an easy formula for writing articles and press releases that produce results.
* Develop a winning squeeze page or landing page that converts for you or your clients.
10 in-demand skills over 10 weeks. What could be more perfect?
VAClassroom has opened its registration doors to their “Summer Skill Camp 2010?, which will begin on July 6th. Right now they’re offering an early bird registration special.
Check out all the details here: http://tinyurl.com/26aqx44.
Tags: affiliate marketing, ezine, Facebook, internet marketing, online newsletter, press releases, squeeze pages, summer skill camp, va classroom, va training, virtual assistant training, WordPress
I am not sure if you were aware, but the Virtual Event Industry is actually one of those markets that has GROWN in leaps and bounds during this economic downturn. 67% of professionals responsible for physical events report that overall attendance has dropped, and 76% of businesses say have already begun using or plan to start using Virtual Events in 2009. In fact, 70% of Corporate Event Organizers predict a reduction in live events in 2010, and forecast major growth in virtual conferences and webinars.
There is no better time than now to position yourself as a Virtual Event Specialist!
The popular training center, VAClassroom.com has just unveiled the Virtual Event Specialist Self Study Certification Program. VAClassroom has a knack for providing the right niche training opportunities at the right time.
This self study training program will cover the key set-up, implementation and management activities for the 5 most popular virtual events in 2010, including tele-events, webinars, live podcasts, online radio and webTV.
Just click on the below link to get all the course details and enroll today:
VA Classroom – Virtual Events Certification
With the rapid growth and popularity of Virtual Events, this training will give you a competitive edge and ultimately increase your client and income opportunities here in 2010 and beyond!
At some point on the path of almost every one of my coaching clients, there is a moment of clarity. Out of nowhere, there is a glimpse of what’s possible. She sees so clearly how SMALL she has been thinking. The walls of the tiny box where she has confined herself are now crushing her.
It is liberating. But also frightening. The question arises: Can I become this big? Will I let myself do that?
In other words…
I think I’m ready to let go of these old limitations. I think it’s time to quit worrying about the opinions of others. I know I can really stop playing small. Am I up for it?!
It can take your breath away when you reach this moment of discovery. And it has no choice but to change the entire game.
So, I invite you to welcome this kind of bigness into your life!
It’s two months into this new year. Take some time to re-ignite, re-inspire, and re-invigorate your visions and dreams. Here are five steps to help you stop playing small and start living BIG.
1 – Mind your Mind
Your thoughts are things. They can be powerful tools, or devastating weapons.
It’s not always easy or quick to clean up years of negativity. AND the truth is you are the only one who can begin to do just that. If you’re constantly berating yourself, doubting yourself, obsessing about the opinions of others, then set your intention to turn that around.
Listen to upbeat audiobooks in your car. Post affirmations in spots where you’ll see them throughout the day. Start a gratitude journal.
Remind yourself: “Energy flows where attention goes,” and place your attention on gratitude, love, and joy. Be relentless! You can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought!
2 – Take Action
Long ago, when I was trying to get confident enough to do my first open-mic night, I chickened out three different times, walking out of the venues without performing. I was waiting for self-esteem to appear.
It never appeared. But finally, with a shaky voice, I did my first open-mic night anyway. What I discovered was this:
Self-esteem shows up BECAUSE you take action. Not before!
Here’s a mantra for you: “Create! Don’t wait!”
What one action-step can you take toward your dream today?
3 – Radiate Success
Do you whine and complain to anyone who will listen? Do you tell your sad story to get people to feel sorry for you and give you a break? Do you see yourself as a victim who can’t CREATE outcomes, so you try to manipulate outcomes?
Living big means that you radiate success.
Stop posting to Facebook or Twitter about how miserable you are. Don’t share how bad things are at the office with your clients. Refrain from whining to the gallery visitor about how the economy is terrible for artists! (Save that stuff for your coach if you need to get it out of your system.)
Remember this: Like attracts like. When you radiate success, then success is drawn to you.
4 – Regularly Exit your Comfort Zone
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got!”
This is one of my favorite expressions. Cuz it’s true!
I’ve worked with hundreds of people as a mentor, a coach, a leader of retreats. The ones who write me emails about how their lives have changed are always the ones who are willing to exit their comfort zones. They try new things. They let themselves get scared. They say yes to new opportunities. They take time to go within and ask themselves what they want next and how they can create it. (Rather than staying on auto-pilot.)
People who live big have one thing in common: They learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable!
5 – Surround Yourself with Support
I hired my first coach ten years ago. I paid him more per month than my mortgage at the time! I’ve since been a part of many coaching groups and masterminds – continuing to invest in this model of massive support. I swear by it!
That’s because we need to surround ourselves with encouraging believers who see through our limiting beliefs to the huge powerful souls that we are. Many people work and socialize in toxic environments. If this is you, then you might need to step out of your comfort zone and actively seek out positive people who want to create and attract their dreams. Find those who want to live big like you!
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.em>
By Christine Kane
Know what’s funny?
Many women will talk about anything when it comes to personal growth work. They aren’t afraid to “go there.”
But as soon as the topic of Saying No comes up, they’ll sit back in their seats.
“Sorry.”
“No can do.”
“I tried that. It didn’t work.”
“Huh-uh.”
In fact, it seems the only thing they’re willing to say no to is… Saying No!
But saying no is important as you move to the next level in your life. One of the items in the Tool Kit of my new Uplevel Your Life Mastery Program is called “The Natural No: Templates for Saying No Authentically, Clearly, and Graciously.” After all, it’s tough to uplevel if you don’t know how to eliminate and release!
Saying No isn’t hard. It’s just that many of us do it badly! Here are the seven biggest mistakes people make when they say no…
1 – Waiting until they’re put on the spot
Most people never actually take time to ask themselves about their No’s. They wait until they’re put on the spot – and then they let their emotions (guilt, fear, anxiety) make their decisions for them!
While you can’t be prepared for every request that comes your way, you can get clear on your No’s in advance. I call this The Proactive No.
Write your list of Proactive No’s on a day off. “No volunteer positions on weekends.” “No more committees.” “No Sunday night dinner parties.” Get clear about how you want to honor your time and priorities. That way when you say no, it will be simple and authentic!
2 – Over-explaining
Rather than saying a clear “No,” many people try to explain their way out of it. This only digs them deeper into the muck.
When you over-explain yourself, you embody uneasiness. Over-explaining says, “I don’t really mean this, so I’m trying to find proof.”
3 – Using disempowered language
Language is a key element of effective “No-Saying.”
Empowered language is clear, firm, compassionate, and keeps the focus on the issue. Most people get so nervous and distracted that they ultimately do themselves a disservice by speaking at all. They ramble through the territory of the “sort of,” “kinda,” and “ya know.”
Empowered language stops the rambling. “I’m getting clear on my priorities so I’m cutting back on the extra activities in my life. In order to honor that intention, I need to say no. Thanks for understanding.”
4 – Trying to get approval
Rather than simply turning something down, many people try to “campaign” for their No.
They want to say “No.” But that’s not enough.
They also want the parties involved to approve of their “No,” agree with their “No,” and not be mad at them for saying “No.”
Saying No means that some people might be disappointed in you. That’s their “stuff.” Accept that. Give them the gift of allowing their disappointment. Give yourself the gift of having preferences.
5 – Hoping people will just ‘get it.’
Not responding at all. Putting the request off for a week. Avoiding eye-contact. These are the dances we do, hoping that people will just “get it.”
The problem with this approach is not that you’re not being “nice” to other people.
The problem is that you aren’t being complete with yourself. These little “Non-no’s” are actually draining your creative energy. Stop the leaks, and say no in the moment!
6 – Promising something they don’t mean
There’s a “Friends” episode where Ross’s new girlfriend asks him where their relationship is “going.” Ross admits to his Friends that he doesn’t want the relationship to go anywhere. But rather than stating this to his girlfriend, Ross gives her the keys to his apartment and tells her he loves her.
It’s a funny episode because it shows how much energy and integrity we lose when we dishonor our own preferences and desires – all in an effort to avoid another person’s disappointment.
7 – Giving in to guilt
When you say No, you might have to deal with some guilt.
At first, being on your own side is scary. This is why some people cave in as soon as the discomfort of guilt arises. Within a week, they change their mind and opt back into the thing they didn’t want to do in the first place.
Wavering and waffling sends shaky messages to everyone involved, including yourself. Allow the guilt, and just experience it. You’ll get more comfortable after a little practice!
—–
Let’s face it. Saying No is uncomfortable sometimes. But once you experience the clarity and space that comes from saying No successfully, then you’ll never want to go back to the way you used to do it!
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at http://www.christinekane.com/.
By Christine Kane
The entrepreneurial spirit runs wild in us creative types.
Whether graphic designer, author, or coach – the possibility of freedom and self-generated income is so appealing!
However, many get quickly burnt-out and disillusioned on this path. That’s because no one teaches us how to have a business AND be creative all at once. It’s quite a challenge!
So, from my very own Been-There-Done-That files, here are the Top 10 Mistakes Solo-preneurs Make in Business…
1 – Not scheduling Vision-Time.
If you don’t take time away from your business for visioning and thinking, it’s easy to become a reactor, not a creator.
A business is dynamic and organic. (So are you!) Shape and create your business by taking time out for planning and visioning your desires and new directions.
2 – Too much Vision Time!
Some people are forever analyzing and planning, afraid of doing the wrong thing or of failure. At some point, you must take action. Just know that failure is only failure if you give up!
3 – Waiting for rescue.
Book deals. Hit records. Getting on Oprah. A huge IPO.
Hey, great things can and DO happen all the time in life. However, waiting for something to “sweep you away” is a surefire path to frustration.
Having a business is an on-going relationship. It can be remarkable! But like any relationship, it requires attention and action. Hoping for rescue is a sign that you’re afraid of the potential of your own power!
4 – Living in the “Field of Dreams.”
Remember these amazing words?
“If you build it, they will come.”
Really? I can do that, and everything else will be taken care of?
Well, sort of. There IS truth in that famous line.
But too often, people think it means, “All I have to do is put up my sign – and the world will rush to my door.”
This can lead to disillusionment. That’s because “building it” is not a one-time thing!
Here’s another way to look at it:
“If you build it they will come. But if you build it and market it, they’ll pay you!”
5 – Making problems a problem.
Donald Trump advises something that contradicts every positive thinking tenet out there. He says to expect problems.
Yes, even if you’re a mindset junkie!
Glitches, hiccups, snafus. Hey, they happen. (Like my new web design hitting bumps in the road!) Too often, we let problems paralyze us, and steal our time and emotions. Successful people expect “problems,” and always put their focus on finding the solution!
6 – Taking numbers personally.
Much of business is a numbers game. Sometimes the numbers are low. Sometimes they’re high!
Numbers are just numbers. They are not the Universe’s way of telling you that you should give up and get a job at The Gap!
7 – Waiting to “feel like it.”
Creative types often don’t market themselves until they “feel like it.” Which – let’s face it – is never!
Marketing works best as a system. Robert Middleton says, “Marketing is not only about being known, it’s about not being forgotten.” In other words, learn how to market so you won’t have to dread it!
(If you don’t know how or what to market, then you definitely need to be on my teleseminar on January 20! Click here to sign up!)
8 – The Cycle of Reactivity And Panic.
Is this you?
Every now and then, you realize you have no clients. You react. You go on a marketing/cold-calling binge. You fill your schedule. And for months, you panic – you can barely breathe, let alone hire someone or continue marketing.
Sure enough, it shifts. The projects end. The clients are gone. Suddenly, your calendar is empty. The cycle begins again.
I call this the Cycle of Reactivity And Panic. (C.R.A.P.) It is one of the unhealthiest habits out there. Set an intention to create a new pattern.
9 – Status-before-Spotlight Thinking.
All too often, we wait to “deserve” the spotlight. We hope for enough status, letters after our names, or training before we’ll make the slightest move toward a bigger opportunity.
News Flash: No amount of outside status can create worthiness. Success happens when we take chances and play bigger, regardless of outside status.
10 – Not investing in yourself.
Every successful entrepreneur invests time and money in herself and her business. She attends workshops and teleseminars. She hires coaches.
Too many of us go it alone. This leads to limited thinking, isolation, and burn out.
When an opportunity arrives, don’t ask: “How much does it cost to do this?” Ask instead: “How much will it cost me NOT to do this?” This simple question has changed my life!
NOTE: If you want more great tips on this topic, don’t miss Christine’s Uplevel Your Business Teleseminar on Wednesday, January 20! Click here for more information!
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.
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It seems that Facebook is constantly changing something. Well, this week has been much different. Different in that, they have implemented and announced so many changes that I’m beginning to lose track.
