I am delighted to be participating in this free, heart-centered program and just had to invite you to join us.  What if you could build a business that made a difference and met the needs of your family, while bringing your natural brilliance to light?

This is your personal invitation to step forward into the life and business you’ve been dreaming of. 

This is your invitation to the Mompreneur Mojo 2012 Virtual Convention.

You are invited . . .

Who:

Over 30 phenomenal visionary entrepreneurs are joining together in a heart-based collaborative community leading thousands of magnificent women from all across the globe (including you, I hope).  Together, we’ll guide you in successfully navigating the daring adventure of building a business that makes a difference, meets the needs of your family, and allows you to shine in your natural brilliance. 

What:

The Mompreneur Mojo 2012 Virtual Convention will consist of a series of one-hour sessions guiding you through successfully designing, launching, and expanding your heart-centered business that makes a difference, meets the needs of your family, and allows you to shine in your natural brilliance.

When:

The Mompreneur Mojo 2012 Virtual Convention
will begin Monday, February 6^th
and run through Friday, February 17^th, 2012. 

Once you RSVP and reserve your space, you’ll receive details on how you can access each call.  As a bonus for attending, you’ll receive access to MP3 downloads of all sessions, so you can continue to listen, enjoy, and learn.

Where: 

As this is a virtual event, you are welcome to join us from the comfort of your home, office, or wherever you may happen to be as you listen in to each session.

Why:

I understand how hard it can be to want to have more time for your love ones and at the same time have this deep longing to build a business you love.  I know there are a lot of women out there – just like you – dreaming of working for themselves in a business that meets the needs of their families while making a difference in the world. 

Unfortunately, the internet is filled with schemes and scams that waste your time and your money, and it’s time to take a stand and offer moms real solutions to serve their families and the world.

From my experience as a heart-centered entrepreneur, I found there wasn’t a clear path to the success I was searching for; I had to chart my own course.  My mission now is to help make this journey easier for you.

I believe that it is possible to create a business that you love that allows you to be the woman you want to be.  The purpose of the Mompreneur Mojo 2012 Virtual Convention is to help women jump-start this dream. 

How You Can Participate:

To learn more and reserve your space in this inspiring, action-oriented program, visit www.mompreneurmojo.com.

This is truly going to be a one-of-a-kind event – incredible speakers, content-rich calls, generous gifts, and free MP3 downloads of all sessions – we’re bringing it all together to create a profoundly uplifting and empowering experience.  I hope you’ll join us.  Sign up now at www.mompreneurmojo.com for free instant access to this awakening program.

Remember, you are a phenomenal woman!  You are here for a reason and the world needs you, right now.  The time has come for you to stand up, embrace your boldest dreams, and shine in your natural brilliance.

Recently, California Gov. Jerry Brown, approved a new law that forces online retailers to collect California sales taxes by expanding the definition of what it means to have a physical presence within the state. Prior to the law, online retailers only had to charge sales tax when they had an actual physical presence such as a warehouse or retail outlet in the state.  The new law now recognizes a business as having a physical presence in the state if they have affiliates promoting their products in state. Of course mega online retailers such as Amazon.com and Overstock.com are up in arms and are challenging the decision, but in the meantime they have cut all affiliate ties with their affiliates in California.

So how does this affect you?

Well, if you currently offer an affiliate program and you have affiliates promoting your products within the state of California, then this law essentially means that you are now recognized as having a physical presence in the state.  By having a physical presence in the state, you may now be saddled with sales tax responsibilities to that state.

I am certainly not a tax expert, but as an online marketing strategist, I understand the importance of affiliate marketing and what it can mean to your bottom line.  When I saw this video article on Jessica Matthews’ “Bite of Brilliance” I knew I needed to pass along the information to my peeps.

If you currently have an affiliate program or are thinking of implementing one, I strongly recommend that you check in with your Accountant or Tax Specialist ASAP to ensure that the terms of your currently affiliate program do not cause you additional tax liabilities.

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This week, WordPress released WordPress 3.2 the latest release of WordPress has a couple of requirements that are critical to have in place BEFORE you upgrade from your current version of WordPress to WordPress 3.2.

In other words, DO NOT UPGRADE until you confirm that your hosting account meets the new requirements listed below.
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With this upgrade, your hosting account will be required to be running the following:

• PHP 5.2.4 or greater (BEFORE this Upgrade the requirement was PHP 4.3 or greater)
• MySQL 5.0.15 or greater (BEFORE this Upgrade the requirement was MySQL 4.1.2 or greater)

The easiest way to ensure that your hosting company is up to date and running the PHP and MySQL at the minimum requirements for this latest version of WordPress 3.2 is to install the WordPress Plugin – Health Check plugin and it do the heavy lifting for you!

The plugin is designed to check your current hosting and will immediately let you know via message in your dashboard if your are good to go or not.  If the plugin warns you that your hosting is not compatible, DO NOT PERFORM THE 3.2 upgrade until your host gets up to date with their own upgrades!  

As you know, keeping up to date with the latest WordPress updates keeps your website safe from possible security threats, so it is important that you upgrade to this latest version of WordPress 3.2, but not before ensuring that your hosting accounts meet these new requirements. 

If you try to upgrade without meeting these two requirements first, it WILL crash your site.

In order to grow your business online,
you MUST be capturing the email addresses of your visitors!

The path to converting website visitors into paying clients begins with building a relationship with them.  Building a relationship requires you to have a way to connect with them even after they’ve left your site.  This is why having an effective opt-in box and collecting email addresses of visitors on your site is critical to your online success.

You’d be surprised how many service based business owners either aren’t doing this at all or are only doing it on one or two pages of their website.

Here are the basics of capturing email addresses of visitors to build your list:
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• Choose an eMail or eCommerce provider for managing your list
• Develop an information packed free give away that showcases your expertise -(YES, you need a free give away, your newsletter is not enough to entice the majority of visitors to sign up to your list.)
• Set up your eMail or eCommerce provider to automatically deliver your free give away when someone opt’s into your list**
• Offer your free give away in exchange for your visitor’s name and email address on your website via your opt in box
• Watch your list grow and client relationships bloom!

Once you begin building your list, it is important to communicate with them on a regular basis via your eNewsletter.  This regular communication builds trust and builds relationships.
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**For those of you who are unfamiliar with how an opt in box works, here is a flow chart showing the flow that should happen when a customer visits your site.

This WEBINAR is over, but you can access the recording by entering your information in the form below:

Websites are a necessary part of doing business these days. But the reality is, if you don’t have a solid structure or a strategic plan for your website, your site can actually hurt you rather than help you when it comes to connecting with your potential clients.

Your website should work on several levels to attract, engage, connect with and convert visitors (aka potential clients).  If you built your website believing that old myth, “if you build it, they will come”, but are struggling to attract and/or convert new clients, then I invite you to enter your name and email below for access to the recording of this webinar:

In this complimentary webinar, I will share important information on  how you can better leverage one of your business’s most important assets. Your Website!

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Not sure if  you should attend the FREE webinar?
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If you are a serviced based business owner with a website, I want you to take a minute to answer these four questions:
..

• Is your website ATTRACTING qualified, potential clients
  who are a perfect match for your services?.

• When a perfect client arrives on your site,
  are you ENGAGING them in meaningful ways?.

• Are they opting onto your list so you can
  create lasting CONNECTIONS with them?.

• And finally, are you INVITING them to take the next step with you
  and then making it easy for them to SAY YES?.

If you answered SOMETIMES or NO to even one
of these questions, then your website isn’t working
as well as it could for you and I can HELP!

If you are ready to learn how you can improve your websites effectiveness…

Sign up above to access the recording!

Here are just a few of the topics I’ll cover:
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• A Great Tool and Some Simple Tips for Measuring Your Website’s Effectiveness
• Key Components You Need In Place For a Successful Site
• Simple Strategies and FREE Website Tools That Can Create and Enhance Client Connections
• The Easiest Way to Convert Potential Clients
• BONUS: 7 Easy Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Site

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Are you a business owner or solopreneur who is sick of spending hours a week on your blog, but no one is reading it? Maybe you’re struggling to figure out what to write about and whom to write for.

If so, you’re not alone—in fact, tens of thousands of people are in the same boat. You already know that blogging for business attracts ideal prospects who are more than happy to pay your fees; blogging also attracts media and key influencers who will send even more perfect clients your way. The trick is to know how to blog correctly.

You’re about to join the ranks of successful business owners who do know how to use their blogs to full advantage. My good friend Michelle Salater is hosting a free webinar on June 15, 2011, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, called How to Increase Profits and Exposure with a Business Blog. She’s going to show you exactly how to build your blog to attract all the well-paying clients you can handle.

Michelle is an expert copywriter, marketing authority, and business consultant, and her blog, Copy Doodle, has literally taken her business global and to levels she never dreamed of. Copy Doodle has grown to be a powerful lead generation and client education tool and was recently listed #17 on Technorati’s 100 Best Small Business Blogs.

Michelle shows entrepreneurs worldwide how to grow their businesses online and maximize their marketing efforts. She’s taken all the guesswork and testing out of creating a business blog that works. Her elite clients, from home improvement companies to boutique African safari providers, have seen massive increases in their exposure and profits from working with Michelle.
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She knows exactly what you need to do, and is ready to share it with you step-by-step! You’ll discover . . .
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• How blogging spreads your marketing message around the globe and plays a major role in your overall marketing strategy.
• How to create a blog that literally pulls the media, key influencers, and ideal prospects to your website.
• Which secrets you need to create blog content that presells ideal clients who happily pay you what you’re worth.
• How to establish yourself as THE expert in your field and make more money than you thought possible.

To join Michelle on this ground-breaking webinar, sign up today.

Mari Smith

I absolutely LOVE Mari Smith.  Although Mari is best known as a Facebook marketing expert, she is really a social media maven.  Over the past couple of years, I have watched Mari build a social media empire and have been in AWE of how her dynamic personality and expansive social media knowledge has catapulted her to the top.

I admit, whenever I have a question about using Facebook to enhance my business, or which social media tools are the latest and greatest, I always turn to Mari Smith first.

So, when I got an email from Mari asking me to help promote her latest webinar, I didn’t even hesitate.  I mean it’s a no brainer – a free webinar on how to become a social media superstar, from one of the TOP social media experts, of course I’d help.

If you are looking to build your social media presence and want to learn how to become a Social Media Superstar, then read on for all the details.  I’ll see you there!

Here’s the official description from Mari herself:

Ten Qualities of Social Media Superstars, How They Stay At The Top, and How You Can Too!
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST / 7:00pm GMT

Register here: http://www.creatingwebsitesthatwork.com/recommends/mari-smith/

During this info-packed sixty-minute webinar, Mari will be addressing the question,

“What is it that makes certain social media professionals really stand out, get known, get the best deals, and get the big bucks?”

You’ll also discover:

• Ten qualities of social media professionals and how they stay at the top.
  [You know most of the superstars I'll be profiling already, but you'll look at them in a different light after this webinar!]
• Proven behaviors that naturally build a large, loyal following.
  [Hint: This doesn't have to take up a ton of time!]
• How to create more demand for your services than you can handle, without selling your soul.
  [Hint: You'll be more energized and passionate than ever before!]

If you can’t make the live webinar, this session WILL be recorded. Just go ahead and register to receive the replay link.

Register and receive the replay links here:
http://www.creatingwebsitesthatwork.com/recommends/mari-smith/

Supporting You and Your Business!

INSERT SIGNATURE HERE

P.S. Mari is one of the most dynamic and entertaining presenters out there. She has a fun Scottish-Canadian accent and is a delight to listen to. Not only that, her extensive knowledge of Facebook – specifically for small business marketing – is incomparable. You won’t want to miss this dynamic webinar.

Register Today At:
http://www.creatingwebsitesthatwork.com/recommends/mari-smith/

Understanding your long term business strategy and knowing your overall business needs are important factors when deciding which provider to choose.  At the bare minimum, any service provider you choose should have the ability to create unlimited auto-responders, broadcast emails and be compliant with the latest industry standards and regulations regarding email delivery and marketing.

When I coach clients through the process of choosing their service provider, there are two questions I ask them to help determine which type of service provider might be right for them.

1. Do you currently or will you ever sell products and services on your website?
   .
   
2. Have you considered and is it likely that you will at some point implement an affiliate program in your business?

If the answer to either question is yes, then an eCommerce solution such as KickStartCart/1ShoppingCart or InfusionSoft are the right choice.  Both of these services provide unlimited auto-responder, broadcast and shopping cart capabilities and KickStartCart offers a fairly robust automated affiliate tracking system.  Personally I have not used InfusionSoft, but am hearing great things about the service.  Currently, I use KickStartCart and recommend checking it out.  

The strategy behind choosing an eCommerce solution such as KickStartCart is that all your former, current and future client information is stored in one central database which makes email marketing to various segments of your list a breeze.

Please note: If you currently use PayPal as your “shopping cart” solution, you are missing the opportunity to collect pertinent information on active and engaged clients who are buying from you. PayPal is a great payment solution, but is not a shopping cart or customer database solution.

With a true eCommerce provider like KickStart and Infusionsoft, customer information such as name, address, phone number as well as the products they’ve bought are stored in your central database.  This means if at any given time you want to send an email to everyone who bought a certain product or service, all you need to do is write the email and with the click of a few buttons, your email is sent to everyone that needs to get it.

If you don’t offer products for sale on your website and don’t ever intend to, then you more than likely won’t need the shopping cart/eCommerce capabilities.  In this case, an eMail service provider probably makes the most sense for you.  Here are a couple of industry leaders for you to include in your research, aWeber, or IContact.

As with any investment in your business, it is important to make an informed decision and to think strategically about the long-term benefits and payoffs vs. only looking at costs.  If you base your decision solely on cost in the short-term, it could end up costing you a lot more time, energy and money in the long-term.

(Full Disclosure:  KickStartCart links are my affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase this service using this link, please click here to view my Affiliate Link and Compensation Policy)

Attention all heart-centered, divine feminine business owners…

Would you like to learn powerful strategies to build the business of your dreams from women who are on the leading edge of the divine feminine business movement?

My friend and colleague Michele McGrew has gathered together 6 dynamic women (including me!) who are bravely sharing our secrets and strategies to help you build a successful business doing what you LOVE without sacrificing your soul or your sanity along the way.
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In this NO-COST training series you’ll discover:

• The #1 secret to making more money (oh, you wanna know this one, don’t you?).
• The 5 myths most spiritual solopreneurs believe that keeps them STUCK at frustratingly low income levels.
• The must-have components you need for a successful website.
• How embracing the “juicy no” can create spiritual space in your business for growth and expansion.
• The #1 mistake both new and seasoned spiritual solopreneurs make that costs them tens of thousands of dollars.
• How Radical Forgiveness can free you from mental, emotional and financial debt.
• The #1 reason why most spiritual solopreneurs can’t “close the deal” (this one will surprise you!).
• And so much MORE!!!

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It’s all part of a brand new, complimentary training series:

The Brave Feminine Business Owner’s Guide
to Expanding Your Impact & Income
From Successful Divas Who’ve Done It

You’ll have access to all of the combined wisdom of some of the top leaders in the divine feminine business movement completely F.R.E.E. And, if you can’t make one of the live calls, no worries… a recording of each call will be delivered to your inbox the very next day.
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All you have to do is register NOW:

www.BraveFeminine.com
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If you are manually creating and tracking your client invoices, you need to check this service out!  My business is split between, strategic coaching, consulting and website creation, and my billing/invoicing was a scattered mess until I started using Freshbooks.

Freshbooks can be set up to take payments through PayPal, using a merchant account or you also have the ability to enter payments manually if clients pay with cash or checks.   And you can very easily add your logo and change the colors so that when your clients view their invoices they are consistent with your brand.

Simple, simple, simple!

I bill my clients in a variety of ways; of course my shopping cart handles the product and some of the program payments, but I also have clients who pay me via a recurring, monthly retainer and who pay me for project based work, either by the project or hourly.  I used to handle all my invoicing through excel, but found that I rarely entered the information in for tracking and never really had a good handle on what had been paid, what was outstanding, or even how much time I was really spending on projects.  Now as soon as I log into Freshbooks, I can see exactly what has been billed, what is outstanding and I can send reminders with the click of a button.

With Freshbooks and the Timer-Pro add-on, I am able to create individual projects for clients, track my time right from my desktop with detailed explanations of what I am doing, then bill the time out with the click of a button.  Clients can login and view their invoice at any time, so for those clients who are on retainer, they can just log in to see how much time has been billed against the retainer and how much is remaining.  This is great for managing client relationships and building trust with clients because they are empowered to see what it happening at any given time with their project.

PRICING: $19.95/mo
Website:  www.freshbooks.com

AFFILIATE LINK:  http://www.creatingwebsitesthatwork.com/recommends/freshbooks