Jessie's Biztalk posts

Calling All Eco-Friendly Indies...

I am working to grow my business that not only provides a livelihood for myself, but also leaves the world a better place than I found it.

I've spoke with so many like-minded people that share a similar level of excitement and I'd like to develop a network of people who want to grow, learn and help one another develop their green businesses.

If your business somehow relates to an eco-friendly service or product and are seeking a network for growing, please say hi. I also invite you to share your view on what you would like to see in a place where green-minded indies come together.

...and what would you prioritize?

SEO and website traffic building

Hi All,

I just posted a social learning event in the north-end for next Monday on SEO and website traffic building.

If anyone seeks to learn/share some aggressive tips on building and analyzing website traffic, this will be the place!

How to Submit Articles to Increase Website Traffic

I've learned that it is critical to know HOW to post website articles, as it can dramatically increase website visibility and page ranking (PR). I could post articles:

1) on our website?
2) on our blog?
3) submit them to other sites with a PR of 4 or higher?
4) do all of the above?

What are your thoughts on submitting articles to sites like these to increase website page ranking and SEO? As "Directory Submission Services" claim to make this process easier, do you know if they actually work?

Sales Commission/ Referral-Based Programs

Do any of you have experience in contracting sales people on a commission basis or producing referral programs? I'm seeking such support and, as I'm a start-up business, my only (known) option is to offer commission or referral fees.

A little about my offering: I have a tangible product that is in the initial stages of being clinically-proven. It is a "results-oriented formula" for creating a stress-free environment, packaged for online or DVD. It is aimed to those who influence others, such as leaders, practitioners and executives. The free online preview is found at my website: www.healthshareclinic.com

Do any of you have suggestions for seeking, or working with contract sales people, based on commission? Or do you have any experience producing a referral-based or affiliate program?

If so, would you care to share your DO's and DONT's before I set foot into this world??

Thank you VERY much for any insights, or suggestions...

Online Survey Services?

Okay. I love the ease of surveymonkey.com, but I'm running into some limitations with them...such as the need for sending automatic emails to myself when a person completes a survey. They don't have this!

Has anyone had experience with other small business survey solutions that grow as the panel grows??

Thanks for your help.

3 message limits per day

okay. it says I only have 3 messages a day as a free member. I could swear I only sent 1 message to another Biznik this morning thru their profile pic though.

this hasn't happened up till now. do messages sent within our "email" area count? if so, I'm still able to send there, but not by "pinging".

thanks!

Determining Ideal Target Audience

I've heard that every show has its audience. and there are two steps in finding it. one step is easy. the other is hard.

the hard is determining what kind of audience a particular show requires. after that, the rest is easy.

so, if the target audience can be framed in relation to the purpose, my purpose is to prevent divorce without using an effective method FIRST. This is especially useful for blended families, where children are certainly involved.

after determining my purpose, the next logical step is to determine an ideal audience who will purchase such a service. It seems as if we are jumping a step here and I can't put my finger on it.

I think it would be powerful to first determine a way to emotionally connect with families (to determine a particular audience for my show) rather than just choose an audience.

I have more to add, but I'll keep it short for the sake of receiving input outside of my own brain.

Has this worked for anyone? thoughts, questions, suggestions?

CALLING ALL INDIE TRAINERS!!!

I have a passion in helping others "upp" their training gigs, but I'm constantly seeking venues to learn and grow.

Anybody interested in participating in a Train-the-Trainers feedback session? This could be a one-time thing or an ongoing process...where participants can share/gain the necessary skills to facilitate an effective workshop.

"Effective" might be defined and measured in various ways. That could be our first discussion ;)

Book, Discussion, Refreshments, OH MY!

I’ve published an interactive book on living life values and relationship promises. I actually call it a training activity book, as it offers 15 visual activities that navigate the reader to separate fact from fiction in life.

I'm trying to figure out how to contribute it to the world now! What better place than turning to my Biznik friends...

I was thinking about hosting a (1.5 hour) event where participants receive free facilitation (since it's an activity book). This would be a FUN opportunity for learning about relationships (personal/professional) and would be a LIVELY discussion that would take place in a professional training space.

Refreshments will be served and a copy of the book will be provided.

I would only charge a nominal fee (like $10?) because you would be helping me co-produce outstanding future events!!

Would you be interested? I welcome your questions or suggestions.

~jessie

OFFERED: [Relevant] IceBreakers that boost your events! WANTED: Photos

Generate learning, laughter and your BRAND through fun activities.

How? I learn about your event goals and you get that PERFECT activity that incorporates your principles into the game of PLAY.

If you would like to learn how your participants can walk away with the highlight of fun and you're willing to let me take photos of your event, say hi!

6/30: Morning Coffee Teleconference!

As an entrepreneur, I have a desire to network and have conversations, but as a stay-at-home mom, it's difficult to even get to the Biznik events!

Because I'm an optimist, I was thinking about getting a teleconference # and inviting people who would like to join in each saturday morning from 10-11am.

I'd call it something like "Morning Coffee Conversations." We'd send our kids to go watch cartoons while we put our speaker phone on, connect with other locals, and have a discussion around one posed question for the hour.

If this interests you, I'll send you an evite. We might even be able to do it tomorrow morning if there's enuf interest today! It would be fun! You provide coffee and cartoons. I provide the facilitation (that's my profession). We all supply conversation. How 'bout that?

My intention is to bring together a group of people on a regular basis to increase awareness around [life fulfillment] using a fun facilitation method I believe in.

Email me if you'd like to participate tomorrow morning or in a future Saturday conversation!

~jessie

Online Video Publishing (for training or marketing)

It was suggested that I capture the training found in my book as role-playing on video and serve it up on my website. As a multimedia enthusiast, I'm stoked.

• Do any of you have experiences with free online video publishing with resources like currenttv.com or youtube.com?

• Are you using this type of media to promote yourself online or your content?

• How do you use it to drive traffic back to your website, or produce business?

Thank you for your insights ~

jessie

Creating a Foundation for Marriage and Families

As I've discussed with many of you, I'm planning on a gathering of great minds to have an phenomenal conversation around "Creating a Foundation for Marriage and Families." We will be discussing married life, blended families, new families, divorce, parenting, & seeking to build a family - all through the context of a new communication tool called OUR WAY.

If you and your fiance or partner would like to participate in this fun & social event, you are sure to let out an "ah-ha!" or "OH MY!" one or more times ;)

WHEN? Next Monday, June 11th, from 7:00-8:30pm WHERE? NORTH SEATTLE, TBA

Please contact me at jupp@myway2ourway.com and I'll send you an official invite ~

Jessie Upp

"To gain knowledge, add things every day. To gain wisdom, remove things every day." -- Lao Tzu