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Welcome to Biznik, Alan!

The term "indie" is becoming so much of a fad that it may just go out soon.

I wonder what will be labeled "indie" next and to what extent it might affect society. Indie U.S. Automakers? Hmm.

I recommend integrating your other online networking and marketing tools together with your blog to get traffic.

So, if you can link your blog to

a. your website b. the social bookmarking tools that you like and will use (such as digg.com or mixx.com) c. any online profile that you use (such as Biznik and Facebook)

that's a good start. Also, try to get around to other blogs with high traffic and contribute solid, great comments. When you do, you'll get a link back to your blog (be sure to enter your blog's URL in the Website field) and that will also increase your blog's readership.

Eventually, you'll get on other people's blog lists which will help. You may also try seeking out blog directories in your field or area. I was picked up by a local city blog directory that actually drummed up a nice amount of traffic for me for one of my blogs.

I absolutely love this article. Thank you so much for contributing it.

I never really give any thought to wellness or nurturing and caring for the whole self. Now that I think back, in my times of abundance, I was well-fed, well-read, going to yoga, very active socially and also very generous all around.

In times of scarcity, I'm exactly the opposite. It makes me think of the chicken-egg issue. Which truly does come first?

I guess I'll start today with a purposeful wellness plan, starting with some nutritious food!

Thanks again, Daenin.

These types of exercises remind me of college! They are helpful and I definitely don't do things like this often enough.

OK. My new one: "Simple website changes could bring you new customers. Email me."

Hi there Kaya - sent you a message directly!

This is the link to my page - http://www.biznik.com/members/tia-peterson.

Cheers,

Tia

Wow - this is really refreshing to read and I love your empowering message.

It's a gift! Thank you.

Hey Morgan,

I think I'd fit #2 and #5 - and I'm also a single parent, so I'm your target user - feel free to bounce ideas!

Love the Ning-based site - great job! Joining now... :)

I started working from myself at the end of my pregnancy, so that I could continue to have an income after my baby was born.

I was up and running quickly - in fact, I ended up emailing a client from the hospital apologizing that I couldn't finish her project right away, because I just had a baby! :)

Since then, my reasons have evolved. I can't say that I hate corporate America and don't ever see myself going back, but I will say that my personal goal is to succeed as an entrepreneur. That's the goal. The time-line for that is up to the universe.

Great article, Dani! I used LinkedIn for years as a corporate employee, and since starting my own business, have really only "updated" my company information to what it is now.

This is great stuff and will be useful when I start using LinkedIn as a networking tool.

@Ilise - I haven't used it that way, personally, but that's a great strategy and I know that at my last company, the sales team did use LinkedIn for prospecting and also for gathering contact data.

Wow - so many responses! Being "outside" the Biznik area and working from home, I'd say I'd be in for a teleseminar or two.

I must admit that I agree with the few people who spoke up here saying that Biznik does set itself apart by being the "face-to-face"/online networking group, even though I don't get that benefit!

But, it is good to consider the expansion of Biznik. If it's going to be open to members outside the primary community and if that type of membership growth is encouraged in any way - it might be good to allow events that are telecast.

Hi Ayhan,

what a great introduction. Glad you're here!

Tia

Chris - very funny! :-)

Plus, if we all paid top dollar to be #1...well, you can see where this going. It wouldn't happen.

Looks like claiming top placement is now a huge financial and legal risk for these companies!

1. Getting my son out of bed in the morning. He's always thrilled to be awake, even on Monday!

2. Crossing an item off my to-do list, however small it is.

3. Receiving a hug - they are so rare these days and my son is too young to give them right now!

You're very welcome!

Re: the page titles - if you look at the very top of your screen at the left, next to your internet explorer or Firefox icon - that is the page title. It's on the same line as where you can minimize or close your browser window.

For example, the page title as you're looking at this right now is "is the website working?"

My mom was a wedding planner for a period of time and I'd say that theKnot.com is a good place to get traffic and inquiries, but that it can get very expensive!

So keep up the good work with what you're doing in terms of getting the word out about your website.

cheers,

Tia

You're really talented! I really like your work.

Artistically, dark backgrounds tend to look nicer even though they are not considered visually-friendly, and that's because the eye has to work so hard to read the text when it's against a dark background.

As I was looking through the wedding portfolio, I thought, "wow - these photos would still pop and look amazing against a white background" - AND that would brighten up the mood overall.

I would also choose a sans-serif, non-Italic font for your text.

Don't forget page titles! :) Currently your site doesn't have any on some pages.

It's good that you're getting good traffic right away. What was your strategy? Are you listed with places like theKnot.com?

I blog, too (and am obviously a woman). I'd like to get connected with BlogHer eventually.

A few of my friends who blog personally rather than professionally have connected with a lot of other female bloggers.

Maybe women tend to blog on a more personal note (particularly about relationships)?

By and large, though, the vast majority of industry & business blogs on the internet are still tech-focused, and that industry is still mostly male. After that, they're news & media focused, and I haven't done the research but I assume that it's an even split between males and females.

I clicked through and voted. Good luck Colleen!

As more and more single moms are coming to me wanting advice about how to start a business from home, I've had to chance to mull over lessons learned.

Mine are:

1. Plan, plan, plan, plan, plan. I look back over the many months I've spent doing this and cringe at the "lost" money I spent - money that was spent without a purpose.

2. Research competition.

3. Take in as much solid, relevant and wise advice (free or paid) as you possibly can.

4. Turn OFF AIM on the days you really plan to get some work done. :)

The part about participating in online communities is a fabulous strategy. The benefit is two-fold: increased rankings in search results due to incoming links as well as increased targeted, relevant traffic.

A little while ago I published a press release and I'm still generating traffic and inquiries as a result, so I also recommend that strategy if you're promoting a new blog or forum or providing a new service that is truly noteworthy and different. I found the best results were from PR.com.

Hmm this brings up a thought - the part you said about Biznik being locally-based. The other day I referred a client to Biznik and she turned me down, actually, saying that she thought Biznik was just for west coast people. She still hasn't changed her mind and joined.

So my question is, is Biznik really just targeting locals? I'm from the east coast and I love Biznik so far and the people I've come in contact with, but now I'm wondering if I'm just the clueness newbie!!

I definitely miss out on all of the local events but Erie's got its own similar business networks and I'm happy to keep the two things separate - my online networking and local business networking.

Jacob - good question and I've tried both methods. I've offered free services and received a small amount of conversion - in hindsight, the hours spent doing the free work compared to the money brought in by the conversions was too high. But it's not the same for every industry.

As a person who loves massage and anything remotely related :), I can say that I am willing to pay high prices because it's a luxury.

No use in trying to market what's really a luxury item by giving it away or selling it at really low cost.

I would focus on networking, doing demos/giving talks (like Ondine talked about), and maybe trying to secure some financing so you can market this high-end product to the people who can afford it.

I would also try as best as I could to use the internet: local business directories, SEO and low-cost online advertising methods, AND make sure you submit a press release about the Wellness Center - it's free and could absolutely work out well for you.

Tia