Why is this change occurring? Google’s announcement states:

Starting April 21, 2015 we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results. Consequently, users will find it easier to get relevant, high quality search results that are optimized for their devices.

To find out if Google considers your website Mobile friendly, use the Google Mobile Friendly Test. Paste in the link to your website and click “Analyze.” If your site passes, your done. If your site fails the test, now is the time to update your site to a format friendly to mobile devices.

Over 80% of internet users own a smart phone according to a report by Smart Insights. They state that consumers prefer to use websites through a variety of devices.

You can use your Webmaster Tools account to get a full list of mobile usability issues across your site using the Mobile Usability Report.

If you need help with these updates, feel free to contact me to aid in updating your site or offer a referral.

• “How Insects Tell Us Time of Death” will be presented from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. by Marlene Lanz, former McHenry County Coroner.
• “Twitter Tips and Tricks,” led by April M. Williams, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• A lunch break will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., followed by “Research Methods” from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., taught by Raymond Benson.
• “How to Write Serial Killers,” from 2:45 – 3:45 p.m., will be instructed by Michele May & Michael Major.
• “Editing Tips: Cleaning It up Before Sending Your Manuscript to Your Editor,” led by Diane Peron-Gelman, Mary Welk and Emily Victorson, is slated from 4 – 5 p.m.

Download my “Twitter Tips and Tricks” presentation and comment below.

Google says this is a way to give our friends the “most useful information.” By posting our profile picture within a product ad, Google is implying that we endorse the product. This may or may not be the situation.

If you choose, you can adjust this Shared Endorsement setting on Google’s Shared Endorsement page.

Google makes lots of money from search and advertising. Do you think it is right for them to use our personal profile image to promote products and services to our connections? Click below and let us know what you think.

You are a passionate person, actively pursuing your passion in life and I encourage you to share your story with others. I invite you to join me in creating an anthology about your passion:
– What passion means to you, why it is important, how you found your passion, how others can find their passion.

This is the second volume in a series, first volume published Winter 2013 on Kindle and Amazon.com paperback. Click on the links then click “Look Inside” to read the first chapter.

Here’s the scoop:
Theme: Importance of understanding your passion and how to find your passion.
* What we are passionate about
* How you found our passion
* How the reader can find their passion

• Chapter: about 2500 – 3000 words. This is about 3 pages typed or the lenght of a 5-7 minute presentation. You are responsible for editing the chapter you submit. You may use stories, experiences or facts.
• Goal: To motivate, inform and inspire readers.
• Bio: Include your 75 word bio and contact information which will be included with your chapter. You may include links to your website, products or services.
• Cost: There is no cost for submitting a chapter. Contributors will not be compensated for their contributions. The final product will be available for purchase.
• Format: Text including .txt or .rtf submissions welcome including email. Contact me if you would like to submit a chapter in another output type. All chapters will be uniformly formatted for Kindle and paperback.
• Due by: Please submit final chapters by October 1, 2013. All submissions will be reviewed and selected authors will be notified by October 31, 2013. Anticipated publish date late 2103.
• Benefits of participating: You will receive a complimentary electronic copy of the book. Inclusion in the book will bring you exposure to new audiences. Each chapter will include links back to the contributor author including contact information and website or products. Showcase your writing with your own Amazon.com author page.

You will, of course, receive full credit for any materials you submit both, in connection to the book and as possible inclusion in any future publications.

PLEASE NOTE – BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS BOOK YOU GIVE PERMISSION AND FULL RIGHTS TO April M. Williams and AMW INC. TO UTILIZE THE WRITTEN MATERIAL, IN FULL OR PART, IN ANY PRODUCTS INCLUDING TRANSCRIPTS.

Questions? Just let give me a call (414) 502-7745 or email me april at cyberlifetutors@yahoo.com
April M. Williams

In these coaching sessions, I’ll customize the content based on your specific situation and meet your goals.

We will cover:
* Typical book layout and length
* ISBN options
* Creating book covers
* Different formatting processes for each publishing channel
* Previewing and resolving display issues
* Choosing categories for increased sales
* Pricing your book
* Royalty options
* Marketing tips
* How to build momentum for your book launch
* Plenty of time to answer your questions

Investment for personalized coaching – $500
* Four – 60 minute telephone or Skype calls, scheduled at your convenience over 2 months (1 hour session can be split into two 30 minute calls)
* Short calls and emails between scheduled calls

For everyone you refer who signs up for my Publish Your Book on Amazon and Kindle coaching, I’ll give you a 20% discount on your coaching.

Payment is per person and due before our first coaching session. Check is the preferred payment method. Of course, all my products and services come with my 100% happiness guarantee.

Call me at 414-502-7745 to let me know when you are ready to get started.

To your success!

Have you lost your passion and excitement for work? Not sure how to get the thrill back? Then “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” will fire you up. Our authors share their insights to help you find your passion in life.

Don’t stay stuck in a life that is not fulfilling. Find out how to take control of your destiny, find your purpose and get what you really desire. In the “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” anthology, twenty-five authors share their stories of how they found their passion and how you can ignite your internal spark.

These personal narratives reveal techniques you can use immediately to get more from every day as we lead you through exercises and proven approaches. We live in a time of change and opportunity. This book supplies readers with proven methods they can use to transform their greatest hopes into reality!

Authors include Christopher McCann, Gaye Mack, Lisa Deon, Tara Bider, Peter Gault, Izzy Kharasch, Doug Elwell, Mark Frietch, D’vorah Lansky, Michelle Kabele, Sheri Bland, Andy Hughes, Julia Gorelik, Sandra Larkin, Lynnette Phillips, Linda Eenigenburg, Dick Hattan, Mark Cummuta, Matt Lossau, Stefan Levy, Maria Odiamar Racho, Mark Stelzner, Sue Schuerr, Wally Amos, April M. Williams. Editing Lori Albert and Lou Camp. Cover design Kyle E. Williams.

Don’t stay stuck in a life that is not fulfilling. Find out how to take control of your destiny, find your purpose and get what you really desire. In the “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” anthology, twenty-five authors share their stories of how they found their passion and how you can ignite your internal spark.

These personal narratives reveal techniques you can use immediately to get more from every day as we lead you through exercises and proven approaches.

We live in a time of change and opportunity. This book supplies readers with proven methods they can use to transform their greatest hopes into reality!

Here is what others say about “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark.”

Want to change your life? Want to start a new career while your friends are already planning their retirements? Wish you could just talk to somebody about it, somebody who understands what you’re going through? I’ve been there. This book can help. – Hardie Karges

What I really liked about this particular compendium of stories on pursuing your passion was the real-life stories. And I’m not talking about those “real-life” stories like you see on TV that are just too Pollyanna to be believed. I could certainly empathize with a number of the circuitous routes that brought the contributing authors to realizing their life and work passion. Definitely worth a read, especially now as we kick off a New Year. – Heidi Thorne

Good read…passionate people are inspiring. Think about what moves you and take a bold step to get involved. This book will give you inspiration. – Jeff Lossau

This book is an excellent tool to help you discover what makes you tick. So many people have jobs that they hate. If you’ve hit the doldrums in your life, if you daydream at work about what you REALLY want to do, pick up this book and read how it’s possible to follow your heart and do what you love. – Lisa Deon

If I have one criticism of Ignite Your Passion it would be to say that it left me wanting more. Each essay presented here is well crafted and insightful and inspirational. Reading it is akin to sticking one’s toe in the water. Be assured that the water’s fine. – Douglas J. Elwell

What I really love about this book, is the 25 different perspectives offered. Each chapter is bite-sized, and you’re sure to resonate with some of the authors’ stories. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration, or guidance in finding their passion. – Matthew J Lossau

If you really want to learn how to discover your passion and get going on pursuing it, this is the book for you! The stories of the authors will help you see how to identify what you love and then go for it. Barbara K

Would you like to share your personal account of finding, following or living your passion? Do you know someone who exudes passion in all they do? We are collecting personal narratives for our next volume of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark.”

Click on Comment to join the conversation.

Registration is now open for YARWA’s April online class, CRAFT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY. This workshop is designed for published AND unpublished writers of any genre, and YARWA members receive a 50 percent discount! *

*Craft YOUR Social Media Strategy*
Instructor: April M . Williams
Dates: April 1-26, 2013
Cost: $15 for YARWA members (non-member fee is $25)
To register: http://yarwa.com/programs

About the workshop:
*Are you new to social media and overwhelmed by the number of sites to choose from? Professional online social media offers incredibly powerful marketing potential for authors!

* Which tools are “right” for you?
* Where do you begin and HOW DO YOU KEEP UP?
* How often should you blog, post video, “tweet” to readers and other authors?

This class is focused on getting the most out of small marketing budgets with free social media tools. With your new skills, you will be able to quickly implement effective social media marketing, attract new readers, connect with reviewers, and gain a unique competitive advantage. We’ll focus on the using the creating a strategic plan, choosing the right tools, developing an editorial calendar and creating content that gets attention.

After the first session you can begin applying cutting edge strategy to your marketing efforts!

* About the Instructor: *April M. Williams is the author of the book Social Networking Throughout Your Career: What’s All the Buzz About? April worked in Fortune 50 companies managing information technology projects before transitioning into a career as an author, coach and speaker. She takes her years of experience in technology & marketing and merges it with years as a writer and coach to create a programs designed to help authors brand themselves in publishing. April presented at the UWRA 2012 Heart of the West conference, which had over 150 trade show booths and displays of participating companies. April has guided learners of all levels, from the social networking phobic to experienced, on how to develop credibility and create a brand. Most importantly, April helps those of all levels connect through communities and then maintain a relationship to generate long-term income streams. You can learn more at http://www.cyberlifetutors.com

For any questions, please contact the workshop coordinator, Lea Nolan, at vp-programs (at) YARWA (dot) com
—

Lea Nolan

CONJURE, book one in The Hoodoo Apprentice series, Entangled Publishing, October 2012

www.LeaNolan.com

@Lea_Nolan

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark. “What is it that you are passionate about?
Sheri Bland: I am passionate about holding onto the truth that “life is good”. With all the obstacles, struggles and negativity in life, I want my life to matter, to be a life well lived so that I can end well and say, “it was all worth it, I did my best, helped change my world and had a good time doing it!” I don’t want to just survive life- I want to live it ABUNDANTLY and bring others alongside me to do the same. As I said in my article-conceptualizing what your passion is can be confusing; but thinking about what excites you, energizes you, what cranks up your interest helps you identify your passion.

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
Sheri Bland: In my own season of change and transition, I was ignited by the idea of how to hold onto, discover and re-invent my own passion. I recalled writing out my personal life statement at a leadership training I presented, and that has been an anchoring statement for me. I see that I continue to do and be all that I wrote out in those 2 sentences, though the way I do it differs in various seasons. I thought it might be helpful to others to be able to actually write out what their personal passion and mission statement is in “The Passion Equation”. Thinking about it is one thing; actually doing it will help you articulate your passion and purpose.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
Sheri Bland: This is my first chapter in a book, but I have several magazine articles published and have authored in newsletters, professional publications and newspapers.

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers
Sheri Bland: Through my experiences as a business and life coach, business trainer, counselor for 30 years, manager, and parent, I have seen people who have lived life well, and those who have succumbed to obstacles and live in a defeated way. I believe that there is always a new and better way to overcome. I have come alongside many to be help them be authentic, find their way through the fog, become strong and victorious and gain new ways to solve problems. My passin is to help others live the life they want through making the changes they need, both personally and in the business world. My “sweet spot” (which is also my mission statement for Sheri Bland Solutions) is helping others to “move to the the next level with strategies and solutions for their personal and professional life.”

CyberLife Tutors: How can our readers contact you?
Sheri Bland: Readers can contact me My blog through my website at Sheri Bland Solutions.

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark. “What is it that you are passionate about?
Tara Bider: My curiosity is my passion! It leads me to discover things that affect my life in ways big and small. Curiosity opens up the world to me. It leads me to being passionate about helping people understand how travel (a little or a lot) influences our view of the people we interact with on a daily basis. When we see how others live, it promotes tolerance of our differences and also highlights our similarities.

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
Tara Bider: It is important for me to help others understand that sometimes the answer to what your passion is may not be clear. My experience with passion is that it evolves over time.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
Tara Bider: This is my first published book!

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers
Tara Bider: Bravery is easier through writing…

CyberLife Tutors: How can our readers contact you?
Tara Bider: Readers can visit my Everest blog at http://suburban-sherpa.blogspot.com, my monthly blog at GenevaPatch.com , via email at NextStopKili45 at @gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter @Suburban_Sherpa.

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” What is it that you are passionate about?
Sue Schuerr: People who overcome huge obstacles to reach their goals stir passion in my heart. Working with Adaptive Adventures, an organization that provides outdoor sports opportunities for children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities, has given me purpose in my life by volunteering and sharing their stories.

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
Sue Schuerr: I have been blessed with energy, health and vitality. I love to ski, bike and enjoy outdoor activities. My life would be impoverished if I could not do these activities because of a disability. I try to remember the words in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This quote inspires me to step into the skin of the disabled and to make a difference.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
Sue Schuerr: This will be my third publication. My first was in Tangled Webs/’Life with Larry” by the Algonquin Area Writer’s Group and my second was in an anthology of love stories called Falling in Love with You by OakTara Publishers.

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers
Sue Schuerr: Make the most of everyday and live your life with purpose and gusto. Boredom is a result of not stepping out of one’s comfort zone. I live by the following quote. “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out shouting, “Oh my God, what a ride.”

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark. “What is it that you are passionate about?
D’vorah Lansky: On a personal note, I am passionate about joyful living, being with friends and family, and taking time to do the things I enjoy by “taking time to smell the roses!”

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
D’vorah Lansky: The chapter I contributed is focused on “success principles.” I shared this content because I feel it is so important for people to understand the importance of setting goals, working smart – not hard, learning how to prioritize people over paper, and other strategies that can help them to become as efficient and successful as possible.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
D’vorah Lansky: In addition to “Ignite Your Passion” I am a contributing author in several publications, such as: Chicken Soup for the Network Marketer’s Soul; 365 Days of Gratitude; Corporate Mom Dropouts; and Building Relationships that Build Your Business.

I’ve also published several of my own books including the Amazon bestseller, Book Marketing Made Easy: Simple Strategies for Selling Your Nonfiction Book Online; Connect, Communicate, and Profit: Build Successful Business Relationships Online; and Book Marketing Success Secrets.“

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers
D’vorah Lansky: If I were to offer one tip for making the most of your time while increasing your joy and success, I’d suggest that you take some time to go to your favorite writing place, where you can think and write without interruption. Turn off your cell phone and spend time writing down all of the things that you love doing (in your professional world.) Then create another list of all of the things that you do but that you really don’t enjoy doing.

Find a way to prioritize the things that you do enjoy doing while finding ways to delegate the things that don’t bring you joy. Reach out to your community for recommendations to service providers who specialize in those areas. By outsourcing the things that do not bring you joy, to someone who makes less than you make per hour, you’ll be freed up to focus not only on the things you enjoy, but on the things that generate additional income.

CyberLife Tutors: You have a special offer for our readers?
D’vorah Lansky: I’d love to connect with our readers by offering one of my most popular free collections of tips on the topic of Virtual Book Tours. They can access these tips and connect with an amazing community of authors an entrepreneurs at: www.VirtualBookToursMadeEasy.com

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark. “What is it that you are passionate about?
Lisa Deon: I love animals, especially horses and dogs, and am passionate about pet responsibility, particularly when it comes to spaying and neutering. There is a glut of dogs, cat and horses in the United States, and during the past few years, because of fiscal issues, some of them were surrendered, dumped, or left to starve. The decision to bring a pet into your family is a long term commitment, and should not be entered into lightly. So before you fall in love with the “purebred” dog being sold from a box on the frontage road at the local Wal-Mart, consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. You might end up finding the perfect fit for your family while helping other displaced animals.

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
Lisa Deon: I have been fortunate to have kept my involvement with horses most of my life now, and although I no longer have a farm and the luxury of looking out my kitchen window to see my favorite equines cavorting in the back yard, I can still show my love for these noble animals by writing about them.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
Lisa Deon: This was my first published book but it is not my only published book. “The Carriage Trade”, book one of The Carriage Chronicles, is available at Amazon and Smashwords as eBooks, and in paperback at Amazon and Createspace. Splitting The Difference, a Carriage Chronicle short, is available exclusively for Kindle at Amazon and book two in The Carriage Chronicles, The Re-Education of the One Trick Pony, will be available Spring 2013.

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers?
Lisa Deon: Ask for Lisa for a carriage ride tour at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

CyberLife Tutors: You have a special offer for our readers?Lisa Deon: For a limited time use coupon code KD29H to purchase “The Carriage Trade” at  for 25% off the regular retail price of $3.99. This coupon is valid until March 1, 2013.CyberLife Tutors: How can readers contact you?
Lisa Deon: I’m on Twitter @LisaDeon and on Facebook as LisaDeon. Check out my website or email me at Lisa at LisaDeon. It’s pretty much a Lisa Deon festival.

Have you lost your passion and excitement for work? Not sure how to get the thrill back? Then “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” will fire you up. Our authors share their insights to help you find your passion in life. Don’t stay stuck in a life that is not fulfilling. Find out how to take control of your destiny, find your purpose and get what you really desire. In the “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark” anthology, twenty-five authors share their stories of how they found their passion and how you can ignite your internal spark.

These personal narratives reveal techniques you can use immediately to get more from every day as we lead you through exercises and proven approaches.

We live in a time of change and opportunity. This book supplies readers with proven methods they can use to transform their greatest hopes into reality!

Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark authors include Christopher McCann, Gaye Mack, Lisa Deon, Tara Bider, Peter Gault, Izzy Kharasch, Doug Elwell, Mark Frietch, D’vorah Lansky, Michelle Kabele, Sheri Bland, Andy Hughes, Julia Gorelik, Sandra Larkin, Lynnette Phillips, Linda Eenigenburg, Dick Hattan, Mark Cummuta, Matt Lossau, Stefan Levy, Maria Odiamar Racho, Mark Stelzner, Sue Schuerr, Wally Amos, April M. Williams. Editing Lori Albert and Lou Camp. Cover design Kyle E. Williams.

Click the picture below to buy your copy today.

CyberLife Tutors: You are a co-author of “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark. “What is it that you are passionate about?
Gaye Mack: Throughout my younger and later adult years, my life has been influenced by a variety of passions. Some have been transitory; others have firmly remained as I’ve grown older. If I were to identify the one ‘umbrella’ passion it would be exploration of those things that exist beyond our five senses and how we’re affected by them as spirit in body. The pathways of my explorations have been varied; interest in cultures around the world, their spiritual and ancient healing traditions, experiencing them first hand and, always writing, writing, writing.

CyberLife Tutors: Why did you contribute this specific story to “Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark?”
Gaye Mack: If I’ve learned nothing else (but that’s not to say I always ‘listen to my own lectures’ as a friend of mine is fond of quoting), it’s the importance of trusting our gut, intuition, whatever term is comfortable for you. Listening to our soul’s wisdom is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves this lifetime on our evolutional path and it’s not easy because our ego always wants to be in charge. I felt it was important to share my own experience with this lesson and the rocky road I traveled to ‘get it’ (and still am!) in my own life.

CyberLife Tutors: Is this your first published book? If not, what other books have you published?
Gaye Mack: No. As I mention in my story, Polair Publishing- London, has published my books, “Igniting Soul Fire, Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies” and “Making Complementary Therapies Work for You” (which has been translated into German). I’m also a contributing author along with Donald Neale Walsh, Irvin Laszlo and other spiritual pioneers, to “The View~Mind Over Matter, Heart Over Mind from Conan Doyle to Conversations with God.”

CyberLife Tutors: What else would you to share with our readers
Gaye Mack: Currently I have two 12th century historical mysteries represented by my literary agent, Peter Miller of Global Lion Intellectual Property Management with the goal of obtaining a contract with one of the traditional houses, as I work on the third book in this series. I’m also working on a sequel to “Igniting Soul Fire, Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies“, which looks at the connection between Dr. Edward Bach’s Twelve Healers and the evolutional karmic story in our astrological birth chart.

CyberLife Tutors: You have a special offer for our readers?

With the new LinkedIn profile layout, you can include examples of your work with media links to a video, image, document or presentation. LinkedIn is gradually rolling out this ability to add media links to the Summary, Education and Experience sections. If you don’t see this option on your new LinkedIn profile layout be patient until the feature appears.

To add media links to your new LinkedIn profile layout:

1. Click Profile at the top of your homepage.
2. Click Edit in the top section of your profile.
3. Scroll down to the section where you want to add content and click the add media link (it looks like a square with a plus sign). Move your cursor over the link and you will see, “Add a link to a video, image, document, presentation…”.
4. Type or paste the link to your content into the Add a link field that appears. A picture of your content will then display with pre-filled Title and Description fields.Note: It may take several seconds for this to happen. You can edit the content in these fields if you wish.
5. Click Save.

The new LinkedIn profile layout is not compatible with Internet Explorer 7. Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 to see the new features.

If do not have the new LinkedIn profile layout, sign up here: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/sample.

If you have a Facebook account, visit any one of your friend’s profiles. Next, click on the gear at the top of the page near the Messages button. Click on “See Friendship.”

Facebook also introduces new Couples pages. Facebook automatically creates these Couples pages when members change their status to “in a relationship.”

If you are a Facebook member in a relationship, check out your Couples page.

What do you think of the new Facebook Friendship and Couples pages?

Secret Boards are not visible by others and the secret setting can only be chosen for  new new Pinterest boards. Existing public boards will always stay public.

There are 7 tips on how you can use Pinterest Secret Boards.

1. Collaborate with friends or business partner on a Pinterest Secret Board for a new project. Post project plans and status reports to keep everyone informed.
2. Offer personalized service to your customers when working one on one. Create a Pinterest Secret Board to use to store meeting notes, next steps and ideas.
3. Use a Pinterest Secret Board to collect ideas for upcoming blog posts, ebooks or special reports.
4. Reward your best customers and share your top tips on a Pinterest Secret Board. Let them be the first to learn about the latest news on your company and your industry.
5. Begin curating photos on your Secret Pinterest Board before a new product launch. On the day of launch, you can make your board public by toggling the “Secret” switch to off.
6. Plan a surprise party with a group of friends using a Secret Board. Plan dates, times, locations and logistics.
7. Busy people need to recharge their batteries. Pin travel ideas to a Pinterest Secret Board to share vacation ideas with your family.

Gather and organize pictures on your new Pinterest Secret Boards. Create Secret boards to collaborate with specific customers or peers.

How are you using Pinterest Secret Boards? Click on comments to tell us.

Here are 7 recommendations to get the most from your social media profile photos.

1. Do have a professional photographer take your picture. A good photographer will capture you at your best.
2. Lighting makes all the difference. Professional photographers know how to use lighting to enhance your features.
3. Do not use an avatar, logo or other graphic instead of a profile photo. This is your opportunity to allow others to see you and feel connected. It is also against most sites term of service and your account may be deleted.
4. Post the same picture on all your social media sites for continuity. Others will be sure to recognize you when they see the familiar photo.
5. Just you in the picture. Your profile is only about you. Do not post a group shot or you with your spouse. This is especially important with LinkedIn profiles.
6. Use a head shot for your profile photo and not a full profile. We want to connect and recognize you. With a full length shot, your features are too small to recognize. Want to see and recognize you.
7. Update your picture every one or two years. Some of my connections have not changed their profile pictures in years. Once I met a new contact at a restaurant and walked right past them because they no longer resembled the person pictured in their social media profile.

Before you hand your cell phone to a friend to shoot a photo of you, consider what a professional photographer can do for you. Here are two profile photos shot by professional photographers Jared Silver and Carlos Vergara.

Did you hire a professional photographer to take your social media profile picture? Click comment below and tell us.

These lawyers and financial managers see others engaging with prospects, building credibility and defining their brand. They want to get involved in social media but they do not want to risk future legal battles.

I ask them if they are barred from using any social media site. The answer is usually “No.” They can use the sites but cannot give professional advice.

Here are ideas for those of you in legal, financial or other professions would like to take part in social media sites and are required to restrict your comments. These techniques develop your brand and credibility while showing you stay current with relevent news in your field.

• Read online business sections of the paper and post links to stories of interest to your customers and prospects.
• Post government housing starts, unemployment rates and other timely statistics.
• Share commentary or opinion articles and ask others if they agree or disagree.
• Let others know about community or local charity events.
• Highlight news about your customers.

What other ways can professional share news and topical information without giving individual advice?