Four years ago I jumped into the blogging arena to share marketing information with individuals seeking to elevate their business. Although I have enjoyed sharing this information with you, I am taking a hiatus from blogging here in order to further develop a new project I started back in July called StarChiLife. I have…

I have a serious case of tablet envy and it seems as if the universe is taunting me because I don’t have one. I love tablets because they are small enough to fit in my purse and they would allow me to be productive anywhere. Needless to say, I want one!  Especially, since I had…

As I mentioned in my prior post, VIA is a great approach to create new market space. This post will provide you with the information you need to implement this approach into your marketing campaigns. The Value Innovation Approach has numerous steps that must be adhered to in order to successfully execute this method.  I…

It’s getting increasingly more difficult for companies to stand out from the crowd. In order for a company to experience continued success, they must find a way to create new market space.  One way a company can accomplish this feat is via the Value Innovation Approach (VIA). Today’s post will cover what the VIA method…

This post brought to you by Express. All opinions are 100% mine.  “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is one of my favorite quotes. The best place to see this statement in action is at a conferences and networking events. If you want to be taken seriously then you better…

The current state of our economy has people taking matters into their own hands, by creating their own opportunities (rightly so). Such action has also prompted me to do some soul searching. Through my journey, I have come across quite a few articles such as this one discussing the usefulness of college. When people are…

I am currently in a very unhealthy relationship with Sprint. I have been a Sprint customer for the past 11 years. We had some really good times together, but over the last few years things have definitely changed. I have been having major issues with my BlackBerry. My calls keep going straight to voicemail, they…

Some entrepreneurs have unnecessarily subscribed to the mindset that they have to wear a variety of hats in order to run a successful business.  Often, the reasons cited are lack of funds, not sure where to look for talent, etc.  Despite the reason why you chose to remain solo, you cannot continue to run a…

I failed to mention in my prior video, two other features that I enjoy that Facebook has recently implemented. I find them to be quite useful and believe you will as well. Please let me know what you think of the new Facebook Timeline profile design.  

Facebook redesigned the way individuals are able to view their profile. You now have the ability to view your ENTIRE history on Facebook via the timeline feature. I think this is one of the coolest profile designs that Facebook has done. Check out the video below in order to see my favorite features of the…

As I mentioned in a prior post, Chicago is one of twelve cities participating in Social Media Week. There are numerous events taking place throughout the city providing individuals the opportunity to learn how others are using social media. Depending on your level of expertise, you will find some sessions are more beneficial than others. You…

Today kicks off a variety of activities that will be taking place in various cities around the world. Social media has opened up quite a few doors for me. I have made numerous connections with individuals that I  might never have had the opportunity to know. It’s great to participate in the events taking place…

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There are a variety of pathways you can take in order to discover success. However, you will not be able to determine the road best suited for you without mastering one vital concept: You can’t take everyone with you on your journey to success, so be careful in who you choose to take along for the…

  Do you know what this is? In case you’re not familiar with what this is, it is a QR code. QR codes are similar to barcodes which enable consumers to immediately access information on the Internet by using a mobile application. There has definitely been an increase in the use of QR codes. Fox…

                      When you hear the words ‘road trip’ what images come to mind? Most people would imagine piling into a car/SUV with their closest friends and traveling to some far away destination.   Why? It’s not normal to take a road trip with strangers because you don’t…

Blogging has created numerous opportunities for me. I hope my story inspires you to start your own…

      As much as I enjoy blogging about marketing, technology and business, I have so much more that I want to say, but it doesn’t necessarily fit on this blog (I don’t want to confuse anyone). However, I still had this pressing urge to share my other interests, so I created another blog…

Brands who market to women and families seeking to elevate themselves from the competition realize how important it is to connect with bloggers. Consumers are more likely to purchase a product when it has been recommended by someone they trust. Bloggers are in a perfect situation to be that person. They are able to engage…

I’m not the “jump on the bandwagon” type of person, but Google+ is definitely worth the leap. In case you have been asleep and have not heard, Google+ is a new social networking site that allows you to easily share information. I’m sure you’re thinking, “Okay, so what is the big deal?” The big deal…

I am in the middle of creating a personal blog called StarChiLife and I also plan on using a Headway theme for this blog (my apologies in advance—this site is still under construction).  As I was making a list of all the plugins I wanted to install I couldn’t help but smile when I came across…

I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “ I have always wanted to learn (insert activity that I would LOVE to do, but too scared, broke or lack the time to commit). I’ll learn one of these days…” Thanks toLearnapalooza that day is finally here! Learnapalooza is a free event being held on…

I’m sure if you ask Twitter users what their favorite Twitter application is you will get a variety of responses (many can be found on this list). However, one application that does not get the attention that it is deserves is Timely. I LOVE Timely!  If you’re like me, I like to schedule content that…

I was walking along the lakefront and saw the message “Don’t look, fate will find you,” painted on a rock. There is a lot of truth to this statement.

However, the most memorable doors that I will forever remember walking through were at the Oprah Farewell Spectacular Show taping on May 17th, 2011 at the United Center.

Last week I had the honor of being a guest on Brands Blogger Radio. This is an amazing weekly show hosted by Beth Rosen on Wednesdays at 9PM that showcases bloggers  who share their insights on what it is like to work with brands.  If you’re a blogging newbie and have a desire to work…

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Just when you get acclimated to the “new” Facebook, they go and make adjustments. One of the most annoying changes has got to be the ability for someone to create a group and add you to this group without asking for your permission. In case this sounds like the “break” you have been waiting for…

You don’t need me to tell you that there are numerous posts on WordPress plugins. However, many of these posts have failed to mention some of my favorite plugins and it’s only fair that they get some love! Check out the following plugins and I am sure you will agree: Dynamic Headers Changing the header…

You don’t need me to tell you that having a website is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. However, if you’re strapped for cash and not sure where to start, I highly suggest using WordPress. WordPress is Content Management System (CMS) software that can be used to create websites. The best part about WordPress is…

“Never give up.” This advice is often given to others when we’re at a loss of how to help someone through a difficult situation. Let’s face it—this is easier said than done! Deep down, we know that we should keep going, but sometimes fail to see why because we’re so focused on our present circumstance.

One of the main reasons why I am confident I will achieve my 2011 goals is due to winning the SheGeeks Holiday Giveaway Tech Makeover Package. SheGeeks is a fantastic blog where Corvida Raven shares social media and technology advice and tools, so I highly suggest you check out her blog. As the owner of a…

Happy New Year! I can’t believe 2011 is here! Time goes by quick, so in order to make the most of it, I never start a new year with out establishing goals (you’re asking for trouble if you don’t!). Recently, I adapted the way I create my goals by implementing the three words method. This…

Individuals and companies are continuing to allocate their time and resources to social media. Although this form of marketing is relatively inexpensive, many still struggle to comprehend the concept or the ability to effectively incorporate this element into their marketing campaigns. Lon Safko and David K. Brake wrote The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools & Strategies for Business Success in order to educate people in how to promote their product or service.

This is a departure from my “normal” blog posts about social media, business tips, etc. You have been warned… What is your definition of a win? Many people consider obtaining (insert goal(s)) to be a win. Why? The goal you desired to achieve was something you had originally lacked. However, through your efforts you were…

The marketplace is inundated with business books that many individuals flock to for guidance and inspiration. I am finding it to be increasingly more difficult to find a business book that “speaks” to you, let alone one that specifically addresses the challenges women face in operating a business. So I am sure you can understand…

Business owners are always seeking cost effective methods to attract new customers. However, none of them will ever be as effective as word of mouth marketing. Word of mouth marketing is a technique that requires companies to come up with concepts that would appeal to their customers and compel their customers to share their experiences…

I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people, so I try to attend at least two networking events a month. However, I currently live in the suburbs and the majority of the networking events are in the heart of the city so it is oftentimes difficult for me to make it into the city (Chicago). During one…

People are always seeking ways to create the perfect work-life balance. Many may challenge that such a balance does not exist if you are an entrepreneur. However, those that subscribe to this notion would be shocked to meet the entrepreneurs in Life Entrepreneur by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek. The authors interviewed 55 business and…

Many books written on the topic of social media spend the majority of their time persuading readers why they need to incorporate social media into their marketing campaigns. However, what these authors fail to realize is that the majority of readers no longer need to be convinced about the power of social media marketing, but…

One of my favorite ways to acquire new skills is through collaboration. I recently attended the Windy City Social Spring 2010 Marketing Challenge at Macy’s Narcissus Room. The event consists of three companies presenting case studies and nine teams are charged with the task of creating a marketing plan that will enable these companies to…

I am sure you do not need me to tell you that the Virtual Assistant Industry is flooded with Virtual Assistant books.  Many of them discuss the process in starting a Virtual Assistant business, but few concentrate on what it takes to maintain and expand the business. Tina Marie Hilton, author of VA Survival Guide…

I have had a couple people ask me, “What is a tweetup?” A tweetup is when people who interact on Twitter decide to meet in real life. Regardless of whether you use Twitter, I highly suggest you attend a tweetup event. Over the past two weeks, I have had the pleasure of attending two incredible…

Cover via Amazon Many business professionals are seeking new ways to connect with their target market because they realize the traditional marketing techniques are not as effective. Consumers are spending less and companies are encountering difficulty in getting recognition for their brand because they (consumers) “…have become more wary of where the information they receive…

This is a guest post by Claudia Anderson, Owner of Family Dental Care Park Ridge. Be sure to follow her on Twitter (@ParkRidgeDDS) and Facebook. I am a dentist.  You know, the person you have a love/hate relationship with at least twice a year.   The person who lulls you into a sense of calm with…

As a blogger, I am sure at some point in time you have had a case of writer’s block. If you want to get the cure, then I highly suggest you check out Skribit.

Many times entrepreneurs (especially those in the startup phase) often feel that they are unable to take their business to the next level due to the lack of funds, experience, etc. According to Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, even if you are experiencing the aforementioned problems, “…you have a shot at making this work.” I was hooked from the moment I read those words! A Toilet Entrepreneur (TPE) is someone who is able to “fight in the trenches” by efficiently utilizing the resources they have which often times can be viewed as having the equivalent of three sheets of toilet paper. Despite the lack of resources, a TPE can still achieve success, but it will “…take time to build.” Read the rest of this review here.

I do not think I need to convince you about the importance of blogging. However, if you are looking for ways to take your blog to the next level, you should entertain the idea of being a guest blogger. Guest blogging is the ultimate win-win situation for bloggers. The guest blogger is able to expand…

Cover via Amazon Women decide to become entrepreneurs for a variety of reasons. When they make the leap into becoming business owners, they quickly realize the struggle of finding the answers they need to effectively navigate their journey through entrepreneurship. In their quest, they frequently receive information that they already know or information that pressures…

I am huge fan of to do lists. However, I have always found it ironic that I fail to make the king of all lists—New Year’s Resolutions. I do not participate in making New Year’s Resolutions because I feel like it is setting myself up for failure. Mainly, because this is a list that contains tasks that I will never be able to cross off because I realize I am a never ending project.

I cannot believe we are getting ready to celebrate a new year! I remember sitting here a year ago contemplating whether I should start this blog. I cannot tell you how happy I am with my decision to do so because it has taught me many invaluable lessons, enabled me to meet amazing people (online and offline) from the various blogs that I frequent and I was able to garner some attention a long the way.

If you own a business and were presented with the choice to work from home or from a location outside of the home which would you choose? I think it would be safe to say most would prefer working from home. Therefore, it was not a surprise to me when I came across this article stating that the majority of small business owners who started their business at home continue to remain home-based. Oftentimes, the desire to save money is cited as the main reason why many small business owners choose to remain at home.

If you are looking to maximize your online productivity I highly suggest you look into using Flock. As I mentioned in a prior post, this is one of the tools that I believe many (especially bloggers) people will find to be extremely help in their endeavor to streamline their social networking activities. Flock is a browser that allows you the ability to effectively find and share content while monitoring conversations occurring within your social networks.

I am very excited to announce that today is my first day as the Virtual Assistant Forums Book Reviews Editor. Every month I will be weeding through the wide variety of materials on the market today in search of must read titles and sharing them with you (we are in the process of revamping our site so book reviews will be in a different spot in the future). I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my review of E-Marketing Essentials for Virtual Assistants: How to grow your business online in less time and with less by Lisa Wells:

Everyday people share information via various social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. why you should have a blog (especially a company blog). Yet, you hardly ever see articles that share lessons bloggers have learned from blogging. I definitely wanted to take this opportunity to share the lessons I have learned from blogging because one week ago was my blog’s anniversary.

One of the main reasons I started this blog was to provide information that would encourage and inspire people. Therefore, it was extremely gratifying when Amber Hunnicutt of the Hot Mommas Project sent me a link regarding a case I had written for the Hot Mommas Project.

“You will never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is one of my favorite quotes. It is imperative that you keep this in mind when choosing your company name.

You can have the best product in the world and it will all be in vain if people cannot remember your company name. Your company name sets the tone for your brand.

Although giving thanks is something that we should do everyday, it is nice to know that we will always have Thanksgiving Day as a reminder. Many times we become so engrossed in life with what we do not have that we take for granted what God has given us. We often overlook being thankful for the hardships that we encounter in life, and although we may not like going through them we become much stronger people.

This is the last part in my series called Go with what you know

In my last post, I discussed why companies should not hire a candidate based upon their connections, but for what they know. However, there is another option that many companies tend to overlook when hiring a candidate—potential.

I think companies miss out on hiring a lot of talented people because they cannot think outside of the box. Companies have a bad habit of classifying whether someone is capable of performing a job based upon their level of education or because they do not have a background in a particular industry.

When an employer is influenced in hiring a candidate based upon their connections, the employer is doing themselves a disservice. I have no problem with hiring people within your network if they have the experience that is required to get the job done. However, where the problem comes in at is when employers choose to “overlook” qualifications altogether and rely solely on a candidate’s connections. You don’t have to look very far to see examples of how embracing this type of thinking can backfire (i.e. public officials, large corporations, etc.).

I often wonder if the reason why many employers resort to using this tactic is because it will “relieve” them of the pressure of having to sort through resumes, profiles, etc. Regardless of how time consuming it may be, I believe that it is imperative that companies put forth the necessary effort to hire a qualified candidate.

What matters most in one’s quest to succeed in business—who you know or what you know? This is a question that seems to keep resurfacing in my life (i.e. talking with friends, watching the news, etc.), so I figured I would write about it to get your opinion on the matter. I am sure that you do not need me to tell you that this question cannot be responded to with ease.

I’m sure everyone is aware by now that Twitter has implemented the ability to create lists. When they started rolling out this feature I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to make one (I still haven’t made one). I am forever making lists (i.e. to do lists, grocery lists, topic lists, etc.) because they help me stay organized. Plus, I absolutely love the feeling of victory I feel in being able to cross off a task (I am well aware that this may also indicate I need to get out more, but let me have my moment okay!).

In my last blog post, I discussed how important it is for companies to implement a multifaceted methodology into their social media campaign. Last Thursday (Oct. 15th), I had the pleasure of seeing this approach in action when I attended the opening of Garrett Popcorn’s store on Michigan Avenue.

For those unfamiliar with Garrett Popcorn it is the BEST popcorn you will ever taste (I am neither exaggerating nor being paid to say this!). This is Garrett Popcorn’s 60th year of being in business and they were opening up a location on Michigan Avenue. Obviously, they wanted to tie the two milestones together, while simultaneously demonstrating to their customers how much they appreciate them.

A lot of individuals and companies are getting involved with social media. I have had people express to me that they want to get in on this “social media thing” and automatically rattle off the three most recognized social networking sites—Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I have absolutely nothing against the aforementioned sites (I participate on…

Has your to do list gotten out of hand? The fastest way to get it back under control is to outsource tasks that prevent you from focusing on your business to a Virtual Assistant (Virtual Assistants can also be hired by individuals). You may be interested in partnering with a virtual assistant, but might not be familiar with how to find and work with one.

If you are like me, I am sure you have not been able to go a day without receiving junk email. They often begin with informing that you have won some foreign sweepstakes you never entered and can’t collect your prize unless you reply back with your name, phone number, your social security number (can’t forget to send them that one!), etc. The rest of the junk email is often pitching crazy products or services that are supposed to “help” you. However, I think these scam artists are becoming more “creative” with the junk email they send. Take a look at the following email:

Like most people, whenever I am trapped on the expressway I comfort myself by listening to music. However, on my way home yesterday instead of being entertained by music, I did something I have not done in a long time—I started reading billboard ads.

Twitter is one of my favorite social networking sites. I have met a lot of great people while simultaneously increasing my brand recognition. For those who still aren’t convinced that Twitter is a site they should incorporate into their marketing campaign, take a look at these figures…

In order to be successful, you have to master the art of delegation. No one makes it to the top alone because success is the result of a team effort. Again, I am not trying to talk anyone out of attempting to tackle difficult tasks, but you have to know your limitations. The faster you recognize your capabilities the closer you are to achieving success. Why did you go into business?

I am on top of the world. Who doesn’t like feeling this way? In order to continue feeling “thrilled,” you might even be motivated to seek out other projects to tackle.

Now as much as I enjoy the feeling of defying the odds, I realize the importance of recognizing my limitations.

This is the first time we have featured one of our newsletter articles on our blog (we like to keep our content fresh which is why the topics for our newsletter are different from those that are on our blog).  However, we wanted to share this article on our blog because there are a lot…

Many career sites cater primarily to experienced professionals. Obviously, if you are a member of Generation-Y you rarely meet the years of experience required for many of the positions you may seek. However, if you are never given the opportunity to demonstrate and hone your skills—how can you gain this experience? It is the ultimate catch-22.

Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions. ~Albert Einstein

I immediately fell in love with this quote because it reaffirms what has been instilled in me since childhood—you are what you think. As a child we have all had dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. However, somewhere a long the way many lose that zeal and drive we once had to pursue those dreams and turn them into reality. Why?

If it were not for social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, Virtual Assistant Forums, etc., I never would have had the opportunity to meet these amazing women. We are constantly being bombarded with how essential it is to participate on social networking sites that sometimes we forget how important it is to foster these relationships offline (via meetups, phone calls, etc.).

Check out this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0). I do not know who Jill and Kevin are, but they have become celebrities overnight because of their wedding entrance. I am sure many companies are scratching their heads wondering why they are unable to garner the attention these two amazing people are receiving (my guess is they didn’t plan on having their wedding entrance being a hit on YouTube).

I believe those of us in business (myself included) can learn a lot from these newlyweds. You may be wondering, “How in the world can you apply their wedding entrance to business?”

I have been asked on more than one occasion by small businesses to name my favorite social networking website. Now even though I go through the process of explaining to them that social networking expands beyond Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn—I am still cornered into giving them a direct answer to this question. So when I am “forced” into choosing between these three sites, my answer without a doubt is going to be Twitter (sorry Facebook and LinkedIn fans!). I am a bit of a Twitaholic. I am a social butterfly that enjoys learning from and speaking to different people and Twitter enables me the ability to simultaneously do so! I love the ability to be able to interact with people without having to wait for them to add me as a friend or being invited to join their network.

I have been to quite a few networking events and I guarantee you will hear the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” Many people are able to answer this question with no problem, while others seem to struggle. If you find yourself experiencing the latter, one way to combat this issue is memorizing an elevator speech.

Individuals have varying requirements a company must meet before they decide to become a customer. In order for companies to be successful, they must be able to identify these requirements (conducting market research enables companies to get these answers). Businesses are often chided for not listening to their customers. Of course it is the organization’s responsibility to start a dialogue with their target market, but as a consumer are you doing your part to keep the conversation alive?

I entered the below post into the VAF Blogging Challenge on the topic of inspiration and wanted to share it with you. Inspiration can come in many forms.  Many are inspired by their families, friends, athletes, etc., so you may find it odd that I found inspiration in my parents rose garden. My family and…

Image by T|ng~ via Flickr Some may chuckle at the notion of listening being a skill because you are not “doing” anything. After all, you are just waiting for the other person to stop speaking so you can share your information? However, it is this mindset that has gotten companies into trouble. Many companies have…

Image via Wikipedia When we work hard on a project or finish writing an article that we consider to be a masterpiece, everyone to some degree craves to be praised. Oftentimes, this does not happen and you are left feeling uninspired. Everyone feels more energized when there are people cheering for them on the sidelines….

Image by © dabawenya © (back to normal for a while) via Flickr Does the idea of article marketing without you writing any articles sound appealing to you? If you answered ‘yes’ you are in luck! It is possible to reap the benefits of article marketing the following ways: Hire a ghostwriter. Ghostwriters are writers…

Entrepreneurs are always looking for cheap ways to market their brand. Well you can not get any cheaper then article marketing! Article marketing is a subtle way companies can gain exposure for their business by writing articles that provide information about news and trends occurring within their industries. It is a cost effective form of…

Image by luc legay via Flickr I know from experience how anxious you feel when you first start your business. Many entrepreneurs start with limited funds, so you are probably wondering, “How in the world can I promote my business without going broke in the process?” Here are some inexpensive ways in accomplishing your goal…

If you are anything like me, you probably hate it when a service issue arises. I get irritated when I have to call or visit customer service. Why? For some reason, you are often left trying to explain your situation to someone who seems extremely disinterested in their job. Many people who work in this…

The other day, I attended a great conference with a fellow entrepreneur. What I loved about the conference is that it was all about entrepreneurs sharing their stories about the struggles they have encountered. Sometimes as entrepreneurs we tend to keep everything inside. We typically do not like to show vulnerability for fear of what…

I recently went to a boutique store and although I was just going there to buy some hair products, I left with so much more. The atmosphere of this boutique was very warm and inviting and the owner was in the shop as well helping her employees with creating merchandise displays. I got the chance…

This is the last post in a series of posts that deal with preparing for a conference, etiquette during and after a conference. The presenter has just finished speaking and the conference is officially over. Like many you probably just want to go home and get some rest. I totally understand this desire (especially if…

This is part two in a series of three posts that will deal with preparing for a conference, etiquette during and after a conference. So you are at the conference and it is break time. This is your chance to mingle and get to know those around you. The saying, “Be yourself,” is great advice…