Kicking Off 2013 with a New Seminar from Media 4 Women

Today on our radio program (www.TheWay4Today.com), Tonilee and I interviewed the CEO of oDesk.com, the world’s largest online employer. It was a very cool and amazing opportunity to speak with Gary Swart and hear his story. www.oDesk.com currently has over 1.2 million contractors across the world. Basically, there is nothing you cannot do in business today. The resources are astounding, from your own call center to a personal assistant to an app developer…all handled online.

2013 should be your break out year for success and prosperity. I know it’s time to see goals achieved and dreams realized. Are you ready? Media 4 Women is ready and making big plans. But, as we plan our goals for the new year, we also continue our mission to help others as entrepreneurs. Teaching, training and providing tools and resources to help those who want to be their own boss and control their own financial destiny are the motivations behind our services. From websites to social media to online marketing, the Internet is the future of most every type of business. Love it or hate it…we cannot escape it.

I’m kicking off the new year with a new seminar on Saturday, January 26th. The details are at www.Media4Women.com/seminars. The most important thing I have learned in working online is to not quit, keep at it and the rewards will come.

Here are my top 5 tips for online and social media success:

1. Think about and plan what you want to communicate; what you do; your mission; your services; etc
2. Engage and communicate authentically. Be real. Be honest. Be genuine.
3. Select your social media sites and use them consistently. Build relationships and develop trust with your audience by staying in touch with quality information on the same sites.
4. Promote others’ businesses, organizations, events, etc. Be selfless and willing to network without being competitive. The returns in the long run are greater.
5. Use the Internet and social media for good. Be positive in your communication and establish a solid quality reputation. Negativity and criticism should be avoided in online and social media postings. Choose your words wisely.

Make it a great year in 2013! Let us know if we can help. www.Media4Women.com

Tea is the Next Big Entrepreneur Enterprise

We have been working and getting to know a great company in San Diego called the Tea Gallerie. John and Maria started this tea company in their living room about 3 years ago. It’s amazing to see how much it has grown. They are smart entrepreneurs who have done a really good job of growing their business with minimal investment and no debt. They work hard but it’s paying off. I have truly enjoyed working with them. We are in the process of helping redesign their website and create some new marketing opportunities.

Speaking of the new marketing opportunities, I am impressed at how they have built their business on selling tea at the local farmers markets. It’s amazing. Tonilee and I went to the Farmers Market in Little Italy in downtown San Diego this past Saturday and it was packed out. They are making a small fortune with very little overhead. As a test, they have set up a “license agreement” with two people in other states: Washington and Chicago, IL. The guy in Washington is selling over $10,000 a month in tea! At the Farmers Markets! TL and I are on board…this is an entrepreneur’s dream.

As of now, we have put together a package that is literally a Business in a Box and the Return on Investment is about 8 weeks. Seriously, this is a great deal. Easy set up. Quick return on the initial investment ($10,000) and the profit is unbelievable. For about 5 hours of time, some people are selling as much as $500-$1000 of tea. I did some research and found that tea is one of the fastest growing products in the US and the world. Who knew?

To take advantage of this opportunity, get in touch with me. Do you know anyone that would like to work about 2-3 days per week part-time and make around $10,000 or more? We are not offering this to everyone but to selected and approved, serious entrepreneurs. Any city in the US is open to the opportunity. For more information on the Tea Gallerie, visit www.TeaGallerie.com to learn about all of their products. It’s pretty impressive.

Is it Tea Time? Email me at bobbye@media4women.com or call 800-992-0369

I’m Upset with Myself: A Lesson Learned About Persevering—Online

For the past few years, I have been studying and spending literally hours per day “online.” I am not exactly sure what fascinates me the most by it but I truly believe that the potential for knowledge and creativity is virtually limitless. However, I have also learned that with all of the competition and search engine strategies, there is one key component to success…be patient. Don’t stop with whatever you are doing online to promote your business or message. I know this firsthand and after two years of working on various projects, I cannot believe what I have gained and what I have lost. Lost, because I stopped.

Let me give you an example that I just recently discovered and to be honest, I am still upset with myself over what I did. In January 2010, I was learning and testing how to place a digital product online and sell it.(A company called Traffic Geyser was my coach, trainer and I was using their system.) Within 3 days of setting up my little system, I sold the first digital download. So exciting. For someone with no experience at this type of online marketing and sales, I was ecstatic at what I discovered could be done. And, the best part was this: the product was a Bible study. I learned about this system using videos, landing pages and a digital product website. I had everything set up in one day. I made a 60 second video using pictures, music and text. I bought a domain name and created a one page sales page. Pretty easy to do.

Over the course of that year, I made money every month selling online products, using the same system. But, I learned so much that I began working with other businesses and clients to help them with their products. Last year in 2011, I decided to stop the very first campaign I had set up, the one with the Bible study. I did not renew the domain name. I took down the digital site and the landing page to sell it. I just stopped. Why did I do that? I think I figured it was just such a small piece of activity that it was not really doing anything anymore. Boy, was I wrong?!

I let the domain go and did not renew it. It is now being sold for almost $1000 as a premium domain. The little video I put on Youtube has almost 10,000 views and has comments as recent as last month. People are looking for the original domain and website to buy the product, the digital Bible study. I realized that the momentum did not slow down but it grew. My little online experiment from 2010 would be worth 1000% more today if I had just been patient and kept it going.

I am writing this blog to both encourage and warn you. If you have a business or are starting a new venture online, with a website, social media, online marketing, PLEASE do not stop. Time is on your side. If you are putting out quality, value-added content and products, then just keep going and keep telling people about your business. More people may be paying attention than you realize. I am still upset with myself for stopping this one little campaign.

I have a renewed motivation and enthusiasm to expand on what I have learned and to help others not make the same mistakes I have. I can honestly say that in just 2 years, the online world has changed dramatically. Every week brings more developments and “new” things. I try to test as much as I can before recommending certain services and I do love experimenting and seeing what happens. My next new venture is in App development. Apps are definitely the future.

Take home message: Don’t Stop! If you are just learning about social media, keep working with it. If your website is new and not getting much traffic, keep promoting it…through social media. Just keep learning, growing, trying new things…but don’t quit. Our next seminar is Tuesday, April 10th from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the West Inn and Suites in Carlsbad, CA. We are doing a 3-hour, hands-on training for how to set up your own WordPress blog site and start marketing it. Spots are limited but a few are left http://wordpressblogsitetraining.eventbrite.com/    Join us as we learn and grow together to use the tools available to us online. Keep going.  Bobbye Brooks

Bobbye & Tonilee New Internet TV Program

Five NO-NO’s On Your Website

Article posted by The Costco Connection, June 2011

by Bobbye Brooks & Tonilee Adamson

Social Media Atomics

Social Media is everywhere and everyone is talking about it to some extent. We often ask people if they are using social media to promote their business and most always, the response is “yes”, at least they have a Facebook page. Within a year, we have seen social media explode with people of all ages. What once seemed appropriate and applicable to the younger generation has now become a necessity for all of us. We cannot escape the power and presence of social media. A business today that is not using social media to some degree may not be in business a few years from now. Think this sounds impossible?

YouTube is now the number 2 search engine behind Google, which, incidentally, owns YouTube. More than 300,000,000 people visit YouTube each month and watch more than 12,000,000,000 videos.  So what does that mean to your business? It means online video should play a key part in your online marketing strategy. You need to establish “social authority” for your business in the subject areas where you have expertise. And online video legitimizes your business more quickly and broadly than any other method.

What about “mobile marketing”? Almost everyone over the age of 13 in the U.S. has a mobile phone. Twenty percent of them—50 million people—have so-called “smart phones” that can access the Internet and email. That number is increasing by 20 percent every month. How do you reach mobile users? Mobile text messaging is a must.

But isn’t a website enough? Not so anymore. Even if your business has a Website, it isn’t enough anymore. It used to be that you could set up a website and maybe buy some Internet ads to drive traffic. Instant traffic. That was then. This is now. You need to engage with your prospects and customers on their online turf: Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; their mobile phones. Plus online directories, maps and other social media . And the updates need to be daily, weekly and ongoing.

How in the world does the average business have time to keep up with all of this “social media” activity? In a simple answer: they can’t do it alone. A Facebook page is not enough by itself.  A couple of videos are not enough on YouTube. A great website is not enough, especially if no one is finding it online. What about SEO? Traditional SEO is out the window. Google has continually changed the rules of search engine strategies. What once worked for the SEO gurus has changed. Even the Inernet marketers have been forced to re-think their tactics. Bottom line: learn to play by Google’s rules. And by the way, Google is well-entrenched in Social Media and using it in its algorithms.

As a marketing company, we have been using social media for the past few years and have continued to study its dynamics. To be honest, it can be extremly time-consuming and intensely difficult to keep up with all of the posts, videos, updates, links, articles, blogs, directories, etc. We knew we had to streamline these activities and find the right automation tools. We have been testing several types of software and online programs for the past year to see which ones are the most effective and the easiest to use. The goal was todevelop an efficient system that could reach a massive audience, faster and with greater results. We next needed to select a name for this process, one that captured the extent of what we are doing with social media.

The phrase, Social Media Atomics, came out of a discussion about the explosive properties and potential with the program we were creating. Social Media Atomics has a blueprint that, from a distance, might resemble a nuclear diagram (not that I am familiar with nuclear blueprints). We must acknowledge that a key source of support and training has come from our friends at Traffic Geyser. They have amazing tools and resources for those who are do-it-yourself people. I highly recommend Traffic Geyser to anyone wanting to go beyond their existing marketing strategies. One of my favorite tools from them is their Market Me Suite system. Definitely worth checking out.

So, what is our blueprint for Social Media Atomics? It involves a strategy consisting of 8 different online and social media components, from developing a strong web presence to strategically using the top 5 networks to automated mobile marketing to enhanced video marketing to web 2.0 to utizing hundreds of online media outlets. Media 4 Women Enterprises has tested and measured the results for the past several months. Using our own business as the key test subject has proven to be a major benefit. The Alexa rankings for http://www.media4women.com/ objectively illustrate the vast growth and exposure of that website alone and we have seen these same results with every client using this system. It works. There are no magic formulas or overnight windfalls but with time, diligence and a strategic plan, the results are undeniable. Massive exposure for your business ultimately leads to growth and financial success.

We encourage people everyday to look at what is happening online. There is no escaping the power of social media. Take the initiative and educate yourself on Google. Are you unsure of what all of the terms mean? Do you feel a bit left behind? It is never too late to catch up and captivate. We offer classes that teach you how to use Facebook, Twitter and WordPress. We have a book that teaches the meaning of the top 51 Internet terms, Internet 101. We offer free consultations to businesses or anyone needing assistance. We hold seminars and training classes. How can we help you? Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Subscribe to our Blog. Check out our videos on YouTube. Let’s connect. If interested in learning more about Social Media Atomics and the benefits for your business, send us an email at info@media4women.com or call toll free 800-992-0369 to request a free consultation. Let’s connect. Let’s talk. Let’s get “social” and help each other succeed.

Bobbye Brooks, CEO Media 4 Women Enterprises

Kathy Hansen – The Bag Lady

Kathy Hansen
“The Bag Lady”

“After researching, speaking with, and reading testimonials about different POD companies I decided to speak with Media 4 Women–I should have started with them and saved myself a lot of time! Right away the staff at Media 4 Women welcomed me as one of their own. Tonilee and Bobbye caught my vision immediately and began sharing ideas they had that would not only enhance my project, but would also promote my book and my speaking. I asked for a very tight schedule and Media 4 Women delivered a superb product. They had only about 5 weeks to edit, design and print my mini-book as well as create business cards, a website, and get some promo pages out. Everything was done for my launch. The graphics and book layout team were very fun and easy to work with as well as very knowledgeable. Any time I need anything I get a prompt response from the Media 4 Women Team. I will definitely recommend them not only because they are competitively priced, but because they care  for each of their clients and work to make sure that the product they are asked to create  is professionally done.”

www.kathythebaglady.com

Your Purse: The Image Counts

Your Purse: The Image Counts

To all my fellow Bag Ladies:

Life for the modern day woman has sped up tremendously over the past ten years. We lead richer, fuller lives that are also more hectic and overwhelming than those who came before us. May you be encouraged as you read this mini-book. My prayer for you is that you will be able to turn that sense of being overwhelmed into an intentional, eternity minded lifestyle that is full of joy

From one Bag Lady to another – Carry on with Joy!

Updates & Changes…

Check out our new updated BLOG!  We have also been working on our Facebook, Twitter & YouTube accounts and all have been updated with new information – tools and of course graphics!

check them out @

wordpress (https://media4women.wordpress.com/)

facebook (http://www.facebook.com/media4women)

twitter (http://twitter.com/mediaforwomen)

youtube (http://www.youtube.com/media4women)

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**Also – Stay tuned for our NEW Blog Schedule!!  3 Blogs a WEEK! – More updates with of our favorite videos, graphics, tips & tools!

DON’T FORGET :: We want to hear your suggestions for blogs!  Check out our Suggestion Page (CLICK HERE) – and submit a blog title, idea or simply a question.  We want to hear from you!

“All Things Are Possible!” – M4W

Don’t Wait—Go for your dream!

Bobbye and Tonilee from Media 4 Women discuss how you can achieve any goal or dream starting today. Don’t wait for times to change. Get going with what you have, even if it is just an idea. Check out their recent television interview on San Diego Living.

Top 10 Web Design Mistakes

At Media 4 Women Enterprises, we work with our clients to ensure that their website vision actually works in reality and is what is best for their business or personal use. Designing a website is not just about the colors and font, there is so much more to consider. Below are what we see as the Top 10 mistakes made in web design that we work hard to avoid with our clients.

1) Poor Color Choice

There’s one important thing to keep in mind when designing your web site, and that is

always keep it simple. More is not necessarily better. Your web site should contain no more than three colors. Also remember that your body text should be a contrasting color from your background. There’s nothing worse than trying to read yellow text on a pink background. It may look cool to you, but cause your visitors to go cross-eyed.

2) Confusing Navigation

If your visitors cannot find their way around your web site, they’ll leave…plain and simple. Your navigation should be logical and consistent on every page. Studies have also shown that web surfers prefer the standard left or right side navigation over other layouts.

3) Inconsistent Font Face and Size

Just like your navigation, you’ll want your font style and size to be consistent. If your home page text is in Arial font, size 10, make sure the rest of your pages adhere to the same font style and size. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and you may need to use a smaller font for disclaimers, terms and conditions, etc. However, in most cases, you should use the same style on every page.

4) Long Paragraphs

To make your web pages easy to read, remember to break up your paragraphs often and use subtitles. Most people will skim when trying to find what they’re looking for so when your paragraphs are small and separated by logical headings, it will make it much easier on your visitor’s eyes.

5) Misplaced or Lack of Contact Info

Don’t make people search for contact information…especially if you’re selling goods and

services. Always have your contact information visible on every page of your web site.

Hidden contact information looks fishy and makes people leery of doing business with you.

6) Long Page Loads

If your web site does not fully load within 10 seconds, your HTML files are too large. Check your graphics. Are you using too many? Do they need to be resized? Make sure your multicolor graphics (photos) are saved in JPEG format and use GIF files for solid colors and poster art.

7) No Meta Tag Info

Meta tags are HTML code invisible to the human eye but read by many of the search

engines. While these don’t have as much of an impact as they used to, many search engines still rely on this information when displaying your site in the search results.

8) Use of Frames

Frames can become somewhat of a burden. Many search engines do not list pages with

frames, they don’t allow visitors to bookmark certain pages, and they can cause printing

problems.

9) Scrolling Text

The marquee tag is a cool feature, but many overuse it. Although the idea of scrolling text may seem appealing, remember that not everyone will find this idea entertaining. If you do decide to use it, make sure you clearly evaluate whether or not it is adding value or enhancing your page. There are some instances where this feature works, but there are many where it doesn’t. Use it very sparingly. If you have a sentence or two that you feel is very important to your readers, don’t make them wait eons for the message to scroll across your screen — just use plain text and save the scrolling text for the less significant messages or perhaps sub-titles.

10) Wrong Resolution

The average web surfer surfs with their PC screen set to an 800 x 600 resolution. If you

create your web pages to fit a 1024 x 768 resolution or higher, keep in mind many people will have to scroll left and right to see your entire page. I don’t know about you, but I find that quite annoying. If you want your web page to be displayed correctly in all resolutions, create your web pages with tables and use percentages to define your table widths instead of actual pixel values. For example, if the table width is set to 100% instead of “800” then it will take up 100% of the screen no matter what the PC resolution is set to.

Media 4 Women Enterprises works with people on a daily basis who have been disappointed and disillusioned with their websites in the past. Our goal is to accomplish your desired result with the best solution possible, one that will get you the most traffic and ultimately, the best Return on Your Investment (ROI). For a FREE consultation, call us at 800-992-0369 or check us out online at www.media4women.com.