Have you ever done any guest blogging? To be honest, I never have.  I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately for two reasons:

1. I want to start having guest bloggers on At Home with Heather.
2. I want to be a guest blogger on other blogs.

Guest Blogging has some really good benefits for both the guest blogger, and the blog owner.

The guest blogger can look forward to:

• Increase blog traffic by driving traffic back to their blog through deep linking.

• An expanded circle of readers and subscriptions.  More often than not, readers will click over to your blog after  reading your guest post.
• Further recognition and promotion of your blog, and your brand.

The site owner will benefit from having guest bloggers by:

• Having new and different content providing more value to their readers.
• Getting quality inbound links.
• Increase blog traffic by sharing traffic with the guest blogger.

To be honest, I’ve always shy’d away from guest blogging as it can be a bit intimidating and outside my comfort zone.  Probably because I’m a “guest” and it’s not my blog.  My “has to be perfect”, “what if they don’t like it” mentality kicks in on me.  I’ve done some article marketing in the past, and that has brought me some good traffic.  So now it’s time for me to for me to take it that extra step, and search out some blogs that I can be a guest contributor.

I’m going to start off with baby steps by committing to do 1-2 guest blog appearances each month.  From that I will track how much traffic it brings to At Home with Heather, as whether or not it helps to get my name, and brand more recognized.  So, If you would be interested in having me as a guest blogger on your website or blog, feel free to send me a quick note. I’d be happy to contribute if your blog is in my area of expertise.

On the flip side, I have only ever had guest bloggers on my other sites, and in fact that’s only happened a couple of times.  I guess you have to advertise and make people aware of what you need, and I have never done that before.  Lord knows, I’m always looking for fresh new content for my sites.

If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger on At Home with Heather, check out the new Guest Blogger page for guidelines, and then send me an email with “Guest Post” in the subject line.  Send your article along as an attachment, and if it’s content that I think will be valuable to my readers, I would be happy to post it.

I would love to hear your success stories regarding being a guest blogger.

I look forward to working with you, and am sure it will be a win/win for both of us.

I made an interesting discovery this morning as I was muddling through At Home with Heather.  I was looking through my stats over the past year since this blog started last September.  My monthly visitors have been steadily increasing over the past several months, August being the highest yet! The cool part is – I have not (until two days ago) posted any new content or done anything with this site since November of last year.

I’m sure there are many reasons for this steady increase, but one of the most important reasons (IMHO) is that I try to provide value to my readers through the blog content on this site.  Although I do have affiliate links and advertising on At Home with Heather, the main bulk of information and the reason you are returning is because  it is providing value.

photo courtesy of photobucket

Think about your favorite blogs, the ones you as a reader continually go back to.  Why do you keep going back?

• The blog is on a topic that interests you.
• It is updated regularly.
• You enjoy the writing style of the blog.
• The blog delivers great free information.
• The blogger is responsive and knowledgeable about the topic they blog.
• The blogger will answer questions, encourage comments, and let who they are shine through on the blog.
• Overall the blog content is providing value to you as a reader.

What are some of the biggest reasons you DON’T go back to a blog, or sign up to it’s feed, or newsletter?  I have a few definite ones:

• The blog is one big advertisement.
• Every post is trying to sell me something.
• Although there is much content… it lacks content value. (Kind of like when my son keeps talking just to hear his own voice)
• The blog is updated so often, I can’t keep up. I get frustrated and unsubscribe.
• Although the blog has some valuable information it’s kinda like reading my business law book back in college… ( …zzzzz) and I lose interest rather quickly.

Do you ever go through your blog and look at is as a reader, instead as the blogger? Is it a site you would subscribe to in your reader?  Like and Share it with you friends on the social networks? Is it an easy read? Does it provide content value you while at the same time keeping you interested?

It was an interesting observation for me this morning, and one that made me feel like I want to improve on what At Home with Heather is about.  I will definitely be spending more time on my blogs as a “reader” so that I can continue providing value through blog content.

Well… it’s been awhile since I last sat down and created a post.  For that I have to sincerely apologize (if anyone out there is still reading, lol).

The last ten months has been a whirlwind for me, personally.  I won’t go into great detail but after the loss of my son so many other things have transpired… from  total disruption and chaos in my home,  to planning a move, to having sickness set in with a family member (the big “C”), to canceling the planned move, to ending relationships and starting new ones, to my income being cut by more than half …. and the list goes on.

I dropped my son off at his first day of HIGH school today (omg – feelin a bit old) and decided enough is enough.  I been realizing that I’ve been just letting life happen, instead of living life by design (my design) so…

Some choices have to be made.  As I said earlier, my income has been cut in half.  What am I gonna do about that?  Well as I see it – I have two choices.

1. Get to Work
2. Just Get Busy

Going to work (meaning an 8-5 JOB) is an option, but not one that would make me happy.  Getting busy on building my business is my other option.

Guess what I’m choosing?

I came across a free 2 part webinar just recently, that was a real eye opener for me.  I’d like to share it you.  It’s called “The 7 Steps That Quickly Create Online Businesses With Unstoppable Income” with Rich Schefren.

Wow! Was this ever some powerful and timely information for me to have.  What Rich revealed in this webinar is EXACTLY how I’ve been going about working online for the past several years.  It makes perfect sense, and I’m sure it’s what so many of us are doing.

And then Rich goes on to outline the exact steps that I need to take, and the changes I need to make to turn it all around.  Thank you Rich!

So here I am back online.  With a new and urgent motivation (less the half of my normal income), some real and powerful direction, and major determination and fortitude.

I am doing much of the work behind the scenes right now as I firm up my business plans by focusing my business on my strengths.

I’m so excited that I had to take time to share it.  If your online efforts have been a struggle you really need to schedule time to watch this webinar, it will change your focus!

Here’s to Living Life by Design again…

I am Canadian, and so we celebrated our Thanksgiving in October.  However because so many of my readers, and blogging community is from the U.S., I just want to take a bit of a time out.

I want to take time to say Happy Thanksgiving.  We do have so very much to be thankful for, don’t we?  It’s funny because as this time of year approaches  people, in general,  seem to get kinder and more caring.

I think as important as this one day feast is, that is important every day to take a few minutes out to be thankful and grateful.  Even for the smallest of things.

So as I write this post (and having just recently come through the loss of my son),  I can say that I am truly thankful for:

1. My Health – Many of you may not know that I had my own health blips this past summer, and was hospitalized twice because of it.  I am actually grateful that I was sick.  It gave me time to re-evaluate things, and decide what is important, and what isn’t.  I’ve made some changes, and am feeling better that I have in a really long time.
2. My Children – Yes I still say that as plural… because even though he is not in this house anymore, his memory lives on, and I have been truly blessed to have him in my life.  And for my oldest – I am sooo thankful, and for any newbie kids that come along.
3. My Love – You know who you are.  Thanks for being my warm, safe place.
4. My Family – We’ve always been a very close family, and when times are tough we always pull together… for that I am ever so grateful.
5. My Friends – The best friends a girl could have.  They stay with me through thick and thin.  And that friends group reaches out across the miles thanks to this handy gadget that I sit in front of everyday.
6. Smiles and Laughter – I am thankful that I am still able to smile each and every day because of all the blessings ( no matter how big or small) I have received this past year.

That is just a tiny portion of the things that I have to be thankful and grateful for.  I could continue for hours… down to the fresh brewed coffee that I smell every morning as I wake up.  But you get the idea, and besides… you’d get bored, and click away!

Have a delicious holiday weekend my friends.  Eat too much, laugh enough,  and take the time to tell the ones you love that you do.  EVERY DAY!  As I have learned just very recently – that is the number one important thing to do.

Have Fun  and Play Safe,

AHWH

Are you using the Google Friend Connect Gadget on your blog?

You should be.

Not just because Google has recently added a bunch of new features to make GFC an even better product, but because used correctly it can actually help you build your business.

I have talked before about my new found love for all of the Google products out there. I think they are amazing time savers, and ways to organize your life (both business and personal). With all of the changes that Google is implementing as they become a social network, for example – the new Gwave, they will also become valuable tools to maintain your business, and increase your bottom line.

Google Friend Connect has been around for a while. When it was first released, there was a craze to add the gadget and start growing a community and making friends. But after some time (and because nobody really knew what to do with it) the fascination faded, and people started taking the GFC gadget off their page.

So basically, how it works is that Google is going social, and GFC is becoming an increasingly important piece of the Google Social puzzle. Putting it on your website or blog now, in conjunction with learning how to properly use it to your advantage will enable you to grow your site. You will be one that already has a good grasp on the new way of doing business. You will have already started to grow your community while your competition is still trying to figure out what this new way of business is all about.

But in order to do that, you need to learn all about the products, and how you can use them to your advantage.

The easiest way to do that, is to have someone who has that knowledge share it with you. Why re-invent the wheel?

Chris Lang (Named the #1 Google Friend Connect Authority by Jack Humphrey) is a programmer, who happens to have an overly curious fascination with all things Google. He has the knowledge that we need, and he is willing to share it with us.

It starts with the Google Friend Connect Gadget. This is how you start to grow your community. Meet new contacts and friends that are real people, and that have the same kinds of interests that you do. These people will be much more targeted than the kind you find on the other social networks like Twitter or Facebook.

Chris will show you how to set things up so that you can meet people that you have targeted to have the same kinds of interests as you, and he will show you what to do after you have found them through the GFC gadget. All of these Google products will be working with each other seamlessly to help you build a strong network of real people that are interested in what you have to say, and the products that you feel will benefit them.

The old way of doing business through huge numbers of traffic, where only a small number is actually interested and converting into a sale, is long gone. People want to know who it is they are doing business with. They want to be able to talk to you, and ask questions. No longer will your business survive with a faceless site, and a good squeeze page.

I am one of Chris’ students. When I got back online a few months ago, I could see that this was the next big game changer, and so I searched and found Chris. He really knows what he is talking about, and really does want to help you succeed in your business. I certainly haven’t learned all of what needs to be learned yet, but I am on my way to finding a great community, and group of people that have the same interests and needs as I do. That’s why I felt like I wanted to share this with you all, because I know it is the kind of information that you need to take your site to the next level.

Take the time to add a Google Friend Connect Gadget to you blog. But even more than that — Be Smart, and take the time to learn how to use GFC to your advantage.

Hope that helps,

Not quite sure why you should be using Google Friend Connect (GFC for short)?

1. Adding yourself to a GFC gadget, allows you a quick and easy way to keep track of the blogs you enjoy.
2. It allows you to network with like minded people.
3. You will often get a return visit to your site, and grow your GFC community.
4. New features allow the site owner (such as me) to better track your likes and dislikes through questions and surveys, so we can bring you more relevant info to you over time.
5. We can become mutual friends through Google Friend Connect.
6. After we become mutual friends (and are both Gmail users), we are added to each others contact list, Gtalk, and Gchat.
7. You will be given the option to sign up to that sites newsletter.
8. Bonus: Using Google Friend Connect is one of the major pieces in the new Google Social Network, and is becoming the new way to conduct business online.

Check out this cool video:

Take a minute and join my Google FriendConnect Gadget, and if you’d like send me a friend request.

Hope that Helps,

Can you guess what I’m talking about?  It happens to all of us at some point…

Today was my day.  I’m caught up from the past few weeks, ready to roll, I’ve been reading and try to stay on my game even while I was away….

I have my coffee, I have my list, and I have the day to blog… but guess what!

I can't think of Shit!!

All week I’ve been so excited to get back to AHWH – I’ve had a ton of ideas on things I want to write about (I even wrote many of them down).  And then as I sat here this morning, and what did I get?

Well – nothing, that’s what!!

Has this ever happened to you?

I even know when and why it generally happens to me:

• I’m behind and trying to get caught up.
• I try to over complicate  things.
• I can be to much of a perfectionist.
• I know I’m on a time crunch.

So what do you do about it?

I know we’ve all had days when we have serious brain farts, and nothing seems to work out right.  But what do you do to get over them?

Here is my quick list of  How-to relieve Brain Farts.

1. Take a Break – Yes, even if you just started.  Sitting there and staring at a blank screen for hours isn’t helping is it?
2. Get Inspired – Do what you do to get some inspiration.  Sometimes that can be walking around the block, sometimes it can be reading other blogs that might spark some great ideas.
3. Realize you don’t have to always have to have it perfect. – Sometimes just having it done  is way more important.
4. Stop researching and start writing – Most often (for me anyway) it’s the first little bit that’s hard.  Once I actually sit down and start typing, the words and sentences seem to start flowing.

Here’s what I just did (After staring at the blank screen for atleast an hour, lol).  Got up went outside, and played with my dogs for a few minutes.   Then I came back in and did a  loads of laundry (I know pretty boring, right?)  Then I sat down, and started going through my Google Reader for ideas.  Then I quick jotted down the first 5 post ideas that came to mind….  Guess what!  This was post number one.

My fingers are moving, but more importantly – So is my brain….  Let’s hope that continues for the rest of the day. 

I’d love to hear what you do when you “Can’t think of Shit”.  Leave me a comment.

Best,

Have you joined my Google Friend Connect Community?

This is something new started by one of the gals over at MBC.  It’s a new group called (you guessed it) Sunday Blogger Spotlight.  I think it’s a fabulous idea, and a way great way to share some links with content you yourself enjoy reading.

If you are featured in my list below, why don’t you head on over and join the group.  This is only the second week that it is running.

Sunday Blogger Spotlight

I have to say the MBC is a really great group of moms.  It is a very caring and supportive community.  So,  if you are a mom blogger, and looking for a way to connect with other moms.  Hop on over and hook yourself up.

Here is just a sampling of the great blogs that I have found through MBC:

• WAHMBAHM.com is a blog showcasing legitimate work at home opportunities.  Ivette also blogs about things that will help you get started working at home, some great advice.
• Manda Blogs About pretty much whatever is on her mind.  She is a high energy mom who has many things go on at the same time.
• Stay @ Home Mom Who Knew.  I like Grissell’s blog because she loves to laugh, and so do I.   She even professes right from the start that if you are looking for a blog with run on sentences and grammar errors, she’s your gal.  A fun look at being a SAHM.
• The Balance Beam is a blog all about keeping everything in balance.  Charlene shared some great information this week about making sure we take time to take care of ourselves this holiday season.

This is just as small sampling of the great blogs and new friends I have found over at MBC.  Stop by and check them out.

Best,

Don’t forget to join me on Google Friend Connect.

Have I mentioned the MBC (Mom Bloggers Club) yet?  It is just what the name says.  A group of Mom Bloggers, but the group is huge – over 6600 women.  I joined it recently, and have found some very cool blogs, and some wonderful new friends.

It is a wonderfully supportive community.  You can join groups, ask questions, share thoughts, or just  hang out.

Robyn, one of my friends from MBC has included me in an award.  I thought that was so cool.

It’s the Lemonade Stand Award – for a great attitude or gratitude! 

So here are the rules:

- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So first of all I want to say thank you to you Robyn (Simply Delightful) – You put a smile on my face, when I got back to my blog the other day, and saw that. 

I am passing this on to (in no particular order):

Richele, http://www.underthegoldenappletree.blogspot.com

Tracy Iglesias, http://ascendingbutterfly.blogspot.com/

Ivette Muller http://www.wahmbahm.com

Angela http://thesuburbanjungle.blogspot.com

Angela Andrews http://survivingthecrazy.blogspot.com/

Shawn Harrington http://shawnssharings.blogspot.com/

Victoria http://mommyisgreen.blogspot.com/

Rachel Lim http://www.rachel-lim.com/

Sandra http://threepumpkinslittle.squarespace.com

Blueviolet http://www.anutinanutshell.com

I’m back and slowly getting back to business –

But first I need to share and honor a very beautiful life with you.

My son who had a very rare illness that I’m not going to get into passed away on October 25.  He will always be loved and remembered by all of the people that knew and loved him, and all the lives that he touched in the 13 short years that we had with him.

I am truly grateful, and amazed that he allowed me the special honor and privilege of being his mama.  My life is forever changed by your smile and your love Boo.

This is a poem that my 16 year old niece wrote for her cousin…

Once upon a time, there was a boy;
His smile warmed our hearts and his laughter was infectious.
This boy was very different than most,

Fly with the angels now Boo – and play and run, and eat all of your favorite things.  Love on your Papa’s little Boo,  they are there waiting to play hockey, and tell you great stories.  Mommy is missing you terribly, but I know that you were here with us for a reason, and I know you don’t want us to be sad.

We took down your wheel chair ramp yesterday sweet heart, because I know that next time we meet you will run right up and give your mama and your brother a great big hug.

Endings can be sad, but they can also be beautiful… and I will always know you in my heart as my beautiful little boy!

All my love,
Mommy