Judy's Biz Talk posts

Happy Blogging Moments

Blogging can be a lonely pursuit. We all have our days when we wonder if it's worth it.

Wouldn't it be great if we could motivate each other by sharing what's working for us in the blogging arena? This is your place to do that.

I'll be using your successes in my weekly Savvy Blogging group update. I encourage you to share things like: special recognition; a particular post that got you an increase in traffic or one that you are especially proud of (leave a link so we can visit); a new client or customer you got from blogging; something you figured out that made the blogging process easier, a guest post assignment you landed. You get the picture. Just anything and everything that made your day or week.

So come on, don't be shy. Jump right in.

Any People Knowledgeable About Ghostwriting?

I have been approached by someone who wants me to ghost write their nonfiction book. I have never done this before and don't know how to go about weighing the benefits and, if I decide to, navigating the process, including what to charge.

Is there anyone who can point me to a resource?

Bizniks star in article on social media and small biz

FIVE bizniks were interviewed for an article that just came out in the March issue of the Business Report! Read about Dan McComb, Ron Copple, René Fabre, Barry Hurd, and Paul McFadden at The Business Report on page 8.

Bloggers: Take a Stand Against Poverty!

This Wednesday, October 15, something special will happen. 7,978 bloggers with a combined readership of 9,887,537 will participate in Blog Action Day 2008.

Last year's theme was the environment; this year's is poverty. The goal is to raise awareness and start a conversation about poverty. It's a complex issue and each blogger will bring their own perspective to it. Each will engage their readers a little differently.

If you have a blog, here is what you can do:

• tell a story from a personal experience • show the ways that one person can make a difference • if you make money from your blog, contribute that day's earnings to The Global Fund • explain things parents can do to help their children develop empathy and understanding and do something positive • tell what your business is doing in the way of ethical practices and business citizenship to support social issues like poverty

Register and get a banner with a Blog Action Day logo at blogactionday.org.

You can see our banner on our blog. And visit us on Wednesday, October 15 to read our post on poverty.

Come on, all you bizniks with blogs. Let's band together to get the discussions going!

Want To Be Profiled in The Business Report?

Anybody out there (solo or small biz owner) offering gas-related incentives to customers right now? Or maybe you are easing the pain at the pump by implementing online ordering systems, or delivering products to your customers. Or extending hours so your customers can combine errands and save gas.

I'm writing an article for The Business Report and need people to profile/interview. Business must be located in Kent, Federal Way, Renton, Tukwila, Auburn, Burien, SeaTac, Des Moines or Covington.

The question the article will answer is: With the rising fuel prices, what are you doing to make it easier for your customers to purchase from you?

If you fit this story and would be willing to be interviewed, please send me a message. Thanks!

Need Interview Subjects for Magazine Stories

A rather specific request:

I am writing two articles each for Renton Magazine and Kent Magazine. The topics: benefits of bicycling and running. The publisher wants me to dig into the other ways these two activities can improve people's lives, aside from the obvious physical benefits (relationships, bonding among family members, etc.)

Does anyone know any families in the Renton or Kent area who either bicycle or run together, or even any singles who engage in one of these two sports for additional reasons (besides the physical ones)?

Would like to interview them briefly and possibly get a photo to go with the story.

If you have any thoughts, please post here and/or send me a private e-mail through biznik. Thanks!

Face Up: Who's Done a Biznik Video?

Going through the pages of members is too time-consuming, so I'm wondering:

1. Who has already produced and posted a Biznik online video?
2. How many takes did it take to get it right and what were your biggest challenges?

Hoping to learn from you all before I make mine. From your responses, I'll know which member profiles to check.

What Was Your Worst Copywriting Blunder?

Over the years, I've heard so many stories and collected some of my own. A few that come to mind:

Working for an international relief and development organization, as manager of grantwriting, I didn't catch a typo in a proposal before it went out the door. The writer left the "t" out of the word "mortality," so the goal of the project was to reduce child MORALITY. It was probably the worst mistake a Christian nonprofit could make!

I was writing a grant proposal and the name of the applicant school was Dimmit. Spell check changed it to "Dimwit Middle School." Fortunately, I caught that one in time.

And once at a trade show, I saw a banner for a company that listed, in huge letters, one of their services: "pubic relations" (left the "l" out).

So, copywriters: what was your most embarrassing typo of all time?

Looking Forward To Meeting All of You!

I'm excited to be a member of this community and know I will learn from all of you. Hope I'll be able to contribute in some way, too.

My business, MarketingYourSmallBiz.com, provides marketing advice and resources to small businesses with free weekly e-tips, an interactive small biz blog and a membership e-zine filled with practical tips and strategies to help businesses reach their marketing and sales goals.