© Annie Beland | Dreamstime.com

The other day I was working on a project in Facebook and all of a sudden, I heard a pop noise on my computer.  Then another pop sound was heard and I didn’t know what it was.  When I landed on Facebook I noticed that each time someone “chatted” with me, via the “Chat” option, on the bottom right hand of your Facebook screen, a pop up chat box appeared and more noises were heard.

Since I was in the middle of full concentration, I was distracted by the chatter from chat.  So I decided to turn off the options so I could complete my task.  In doing so, I decided to share it with you as well.  I took a few screen shots below for those of you who are visual learners.  Hope this helps you in your journey to utilize your time management too.

It’s a very simple process and onlytakes a few seconds to manage your options:  See below for the 5 steps.  If you use Facebook for business, this is a great feature to turn on and off as needed.

If you only use Facebook to share with family and friends, this is a feature that you can show others as well.

STEP 1 – See the “Chat” option on the bottom right hand side of your Facebook wall:

STEP 2 – Open the chat box by clicking on it and then clicking the ‘star” icon. 

 STEP 3 – How to turn off chat availability:

 STEP 4 – How to turn off the sound:

STEP 5 – Where to find Limit Availabilty settings:

Feel free to share this information with your friends, family and biz partners.  And don’t forget to turn off those distractions in your other social platforms if you are a business owner and need to work on time management.

Have a great day,

Cindy

Your solutions and resource coach.

dreamstime.com

When you first get started with your solo business, and you don’t have the money to outsource, it takes a lot of time to set up all the technology to build your online business.  This can take time away from the implementation of your biz but they are steps that are necessary to help you grow, especially if you are a blogger and want more exposure.

This week, I have spent a lot of time registering on some free blog directories.  Due to my limited finances at the moment, I declined registering on the paid directories but I did want to include them for your sake and for future registration for myself.

Are you seeking more exposure to your blog?  These recommended blog directories can help you gain more exposure and are a great way to get more reccognition.

It takes time to set these up but when you are finished, you will be glad you did.

Below I have listed them by the free directories and then I listed some that require a fee.

FREE Directories:

OnToplist.com is a free, manually-edited directory that reads the RSS feed of your blog. You can also use the site’s social features, article directory, and other great tools to build your blog.

Blogged.com is an interesting mix of a directory and a Google News type site that is fed by the blogs listed with Blogged.

Blog Catalog features a vast number of categories, from “academic” to “writing” and offers the ability to search by country, language or user.

====> NOTE:  Scroll down to the bottom of their homepage to submit your blog.

Blog Hints features over 100 categories. The site is very picky about which blogs are included, and those that are listed are presented via a visual interface that shows the site’s design and page rank. This makes Blog Hints the perfect site for finding link-swapping partners.

Blogarama has a strong base of blogs and a solid text-ad system for its front page.

Blog Pulse features a powerful community element, on-site analytics, and a clean design. The “submit” page is a bit tricky to find, so here’s the quick link.

Blog Digger is a strong search tool.  Another cool option from this site is finding local bloggers at Blogdigger Local.

Blogrollcenter is a consumer-oriented directory with 12 categories ranging from sports to home and garden. It features self-service submission, a new member spotlight and a user rating system.

Blogflux is organized and clear with a strong social element.

Bloggernity is a crisp, clean and easily navigated site. It’s low ad-to-content ratio has helped solidify its reputation as a quality directory

LS Blogs is both a blog directory and a search engine.

Technorati is well-respected and spans more than 30 categories.

Directories that require a fee: 

Best of the Web Blog Search, known as BOTW, remains a powerful tool for sharing your blog, especially since this director’s very selective, listing only mature and valuable blogs.

Bloggeries is one of the most respected blog directories. The layout is clear and concise, and readers are able to find what they are looking for in a snap.

EatonWeb Blog Directory is a powerful list. The fee, currently $34.99, pays for a review of your blog.

Blogging Fusion boasts over 60 categories, including family-focused blogs. Blogging Fusion has an good number of listings, and it also has visitor stats.

====> Finally, in your spare time, you can take a look at this list of 450 blog directories and research each and everyone of them.  If you are like me, you don’t have time to do that but you can bookmark this page for future use.

I hope you got some use out of this post.  It took me awhile to register for these sites but I do believe it was well worth the effort.  I have had more exposure already, more opt ins to my list and I have learned a lot about blog submissions.  Please feel free to share this as well.

Until next time,

Have a great day,

Cindy Murphy

Your marketing solutions and resource coach.

Yesterday I introduced you to a cool tool called Evernote.

Today, I am going to introduce you to another cool tool called “Dropbox”

What is Dropbox?  It’s a FREE service that allows you to send your photos, documents, videos and more anywhere you go so you never have to email yourself again. 

Below, I have listed some of the benefits for using Dropbox.

• When you save any of your files to Dropbox, you are saving them to your computer, your phone, your Dropbox account.  That way, if something happens to one of your devices, or your computer crashes, you have your files in another location.
• You get 2 GB for free.
• Dropbox works with most applications.
• Dropbox is always working, even when you are offline.
• When you make changes, Dropbox only adds the changes so you don’t have duplicate files.
• You can share you files with others and work together if you want to make changes on a group file or project.
• You can create photo galleries.
• You can send links anywhere in your public file
• You can send your files to your mobile phone so you always have access to them, even when you don’t have your computer.
• Your files are safe on a secure website on Dropbox.

I don’t know about you, but I love learning new online tools that help me organize my life.  With so many devices to keep track of such as our computers, cellphones, ipads, etc, it is my mission to find tools that can help us keep our information in one site, no matter where we are.

One such tool is Evernote…..

There are many ways that you can use Evernote,  but before you learn how to use it, you must first follow these steps:

1. The first thing you want to do is to Download Evernote

1. After you download the application, you will be directed to sign in or to add a new account.  For me, I added a new account.

1. Next you will learn how to create your first note

1. Then you can learn how to add an image

1. From there you can learn how “Sync” works

1. And learn how to save web content

1. From there, you are now ready to install Evernote to your mobile device.

1. Now you are on your way to view their training videos and visit their blog.

So if you are interested in Evernote, go ahead and download the software from here.   After you do that, just follow the directions and you are well on your way.
Until next time, have a wonderful day,
Cindy Murphy
Your Solutions and Resource Coach.

I am so excited to share with you the power of Skype and how it brought these grandparents to a wedding without flying, without the expense and without worry.  This day of cyberspace is truly amazing as it brings our parent’s generation closer to their children and grandchildren from miles away using these awesome tools like Skype.

Over the weekend, I was hired by someone to help connect their parents to Skype so they could watch their grand daughter’s wedding from the east coast to Chicago.  With the help of some awesome techies in Chicago,  we were able to exchange usernames, do a test run and surprise their daughter and bride and groom via a computer screen.

It was the most amazing connection as I sat on the sidelines and watched their faces.  As tears rolled down their eyes, I got chocked up as I realized the value of this new technology age and it’s connections all over the world.

So many people complain about technology and are concerned about privacy, hacking, and the learning curve that it presents.  But on the flip side of that, these tools are our new connections to families and friends who live far away.  Not to long ago, this wasn’t possible.  So instead of fighting this technology age, embrace it, learn it and share your special moments through Skype or other platforms that bring you and your loved ones closer together.

What are some tools that connect you to your family and friends? I would love to have you share in the comment section below.

Until next time,

Cindy Murphy

Your Solutions and Resource Coach

© Yanik Chauvin | Dreamstime.com

When I first got started with my new online business, I had no clue who to turn to.  Even though I consider myself to be very tech savvy, there was certainly a learning curve when it came to blogging, finding my niche, and all the other technical terms that come with growing an online and offline business.

Then came Social Media.  One of the most amazing aspects of learning Social Media was meeting new friends and connecting with like minded individuals who had already gone through the “Newbie” struggles.   The cool thing is, I have met several of them in person.

These 3 female entrepreneurs have become some of my best mentors, teachers and some are close friends.  Now I would like to introduce them to you.

Cindy Schulson, founder of  “Attract Your Niche,” has become a friend, a mentor and is very successful in growing her business.  Cindy went from corporate america to building her own online business.  I have taken several of her courses and have learned so much from her to help me grow my own business.   Cindy is an expert in Niche Attraction and I highly recommend that you take a look at her site and Grab Your FREE Niche Success Kit!

Jessica Swanson, founder of Shoestring Marketing,  has a story that has inspired me so much.  Jessica has developed a company that helps entrepreneurs who are on a tight budget.  With my recent layoffs and struggles financially, Jessica’s trainings, videos, action guides and continued support really got me up and running.

To introduce you to Jessica, I have included her FREE Marketing Kit just for you.   All you have to do is Download your FREE Shoestring Marketing Kit and take a tour of the Shoestring Marketing Community.

Connie Ragen Green, Former teacher, current author and online expert,  helps her clients build their own online business with her trainings, products, books and services.  I have learned so much from Connie about product creation, autoresponders, teleseminars as well as having purchased several of her training products.   To give you more of an overview about Connie, I am going to send you to her blog for you to see for yourself how awesome she is.

As you can see, these 3 women have become quite successful in their businesses.  If you want to learn from experts, I highly recommend you take the time to request each of their free offers and see for yourself what they can do to help you learn your new entrepreneur path.

To view their books, see below. 

In the meantime, enjoy your day,

Cindy

Founder of Bloomin’ Boomers

dreamstime.com

I highly recommend these 5 books for the passionate entrepreneur. They are sitting on my shelf with yellow highlights, written notes, tabbed edges and they go with me everywhere I travel so I can refer back to them. You might say they are attached to my hip.

When I started my home business, I became a sponge.  Soaking up as much training as I could possibly absorb.  I became passionate about online marketing and social media so I sought out some experts who shared their stories, their expertise and their advice on how to build a business.   Each author has their unique story and background. I am so happy that I have met both Connie Ragen Green and Marnie Pehrson in person and it is my hope to meet Gary Vaynerchuk one day as well.

Marnie’s book,  “Trust You Heart: Transform Your Ideas Into Income” highlights 19 stories from 19 entrepreneurs who took their passions and turned them into profit.  It’s a must read for those who have a passion and want to learn from these 19 experts.

Connie’s 2 books I recommend are

1. “Huge Profits With A Tiny List” AND….
2. “Huge Profits With Affiliate Marketing.”

Both books are easy reading and full of great information.

Gary’s 2 books I recommend are

1. “Crush It” AND….
2. “The Thank You Economy.” Each book talks about social media and the trend that our country is going in.  Both of these books are full of ideas and suggestions.

   So tell me, what books have you read lately?

   Until next time, have a great day,

   Cindy

Dreamstime.com

What is your message to your target market?

Have you found your Niche by searching for your Who, What and Why?

The only way to successfully market yourself online is to have a clearly defined niche. That term is tossed around a lot but it’s important to understand what it really means.  It takes research, understanding and commitment.

Finding your niche means understanding:

1. WHO you want to attract;
2. WHAT solution you provide;
3. WHY they should they do business with you.

There are so many ways to research your niche and sometimes it can be a bit confusing.  To save time, it’s nice to know that there is someone out there who has created an easy step by step guide to help you get started.

Many entrepreneurs skip this essential step and end up spinning their wheels for months.  I don’t want this to happen to you and that’s why I’m happy to share a special, Free Report by my friend, Cindy Schulson.

It is called “Ten Steps to Finding and Attracting Your Ideal Niche” and it’s already helped hundreds of people find their niche.

Don’t waste any more time spinning your wheels. Your niche is the most important foundation for your business success.

This free report will help you save so much time and frustration. To your success!

Until next time, here’s to your success.

Cindy Murphy

P.S.  Here is the link again