Drop Everything And Read

It's D.A.R.E (Drop Everything and Read) Day.  Today is the day to skip the chores, forgo the errands, ignore the pile of paperwork on your desk and turn off the cell phone, TV, and computer.  Instead, settle in with a good cup of tea - or beverage of your choice - and a good book.




If you're not sure what to read, as always, I have some suggestions.  Yes, this is a network marketing and business blog.  But I am not only recommending business books.  This time I have a bit of a variety for you.  However, the authors ARE all connections I have made through my business networking, so maybe there is a business tip in there somewhere! 


Here's my list!


1.  Testimony: A Second Chance: Crossroads: Make the Next Time the Best Time - Sheree Darien:  This book is about healing, emotional intelligence and breaking through, opening doors and creating second chances.  It is never too late for a second chance!


2.   Back to the Kitchen with My Country Kitchen - Betty Reed Lynch:  Yes, it's a cookbook.  And yes, I do read cookbooks.  This has become one of my go-to cookbooks when I'm looking for a simple satisfying meal.  The Chicken Pot Pie and the Southern Style Pot Roast are two of my husband's favorites!


3.  Billion-Dollar Branding: Brand Your Small Business Like a Big Business and Make Great Things Happen - Honey and Blaine Parker:  Okay, so I had to include at least one business book.  If you are a business owner trying to build your brand, this book offers clear, practical suggestions and ideas that you can start using today.


4.   Like You Own It: Breakthrough Strategies for Confident Living - Carrie Perrien Smith:  Learning each technique in this book will transform your ability to communicate with others and address challenges. When you feel more confident about your abilities, it will change the way you interact with people and drastically improve your ability to achieve your goals.


5.  Mediterranean Diet: Sweet and Savory Mini-Tarts From Appetizers to Desserts - Cheryl Antier:  Yes, another cookbook!  Mini tarts!  Easy recipes!  What's not to love?!  The way to my heart?  The Monte Carlo Dark Chocolate Truffle Raspberry Tartlets.  Pure bliss!





                   

Read More to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

Think you’re not creative? You’re not alone.

Creativity is a subject that can bring angst to some people because they think they aren't creative or that they don't know how to be creative. Of course this really isn’t true. Each and every one of us has the potential to tap into our creative side. It's just a matter of practice and doing it regularly so we train ourselves to be creative. One of the ways you can do this is by reading on a very wide range of subjects. Reading stimulates your brain and that's what gets your creative juices flowing.

Not just any reading will do, though. Blog posts, short articles, magazines and the like are all a fun diversion, but they simply won’t turn your brain on the way a good book will. Here’s why.

Reading Stimulates Your Brain

Just as an Olympic Gold Medalist has to keep fit if they want to compete well, you must exercise your brain to keep it stimulated in order for creativity to flow. Your brain needs just as much exercise as the rest of your body. It's time to start focusing on the importance of exercising your brain every day. Set aside 20 minutes a day to go to a quiet place, pick up a book and read.

And don't always read the same thing. Stretch yourself and choose different genres to read from. If you normally read romance novels, pick up a biography instead. Immersing yourself, even if just 20 minutes a day, in different subjects will really help your mind start to look at the world differently and in turn help your creativity start to come out.

Reading Improves Your Concentration

With all the gadgets and electronics out there, it seems like we're always plugged into what's going on in the world. Most people are never truly concentrating on just one thing. Not that being plugged in is a bad thing, but sometimes it's a good idea to take a break from the negativity (and all the gadgets!) going on around us. And while there is sometimes a place for multi-tasking, we need to take a break from that too.

When you read, it forces you to unplug and focus on just one thing in order to be fully engaged with the book. The more you do it, the more you'll get used to concentrating on just the task at hand and that will help improve your concentration skills. By exercising that muscle, your creative thinking skills will develop more as well. Being able to concentrate helps you think more clearly and that's when those creative thoughts come out.  

Reading Improves Your Vocabulary

Reading is one of the best ways to increase your vocabulary skills and while you may be wondering what vocabulary has to do with being creative, it can play a big role, especially if you're a creative writer, blogger, etc. Most writers out there will tell you that they spend a certain amount of time reading every day. The more you read, the more you will improve your vocabulary and you'll probably be surprised at all the different words you start to see in your writing.
 
Aside from reading being a way to help you be more creative, books are fun. So what are you waiting for? Grab a book, set a timer every day for 20 minutes and start exercising that brain of yours and see how fast your creative thinking skills improve.

AdSense and Social Poetry

Winter has finally come to Northwest Arkansas.  Which means I've been spending a lot of time curled up with a cup of tea and a good book.  Coincidentally, two of my recent favorites have been written by the same man - bestselling author, Joel Comm.

Several years ago, I read a book called the AdSense Code, written by Joel Comm.  I immediately put AdSense ads on all of my sites.  And I was so excited when I received my first check from Google!  Granted, it was only for $100.  But it was official!  I was making money online!  I was now a real internet marketer.  Unfortunately, I was in such a hurry to make money, that I did not actually implement everything in the book the way Joel explained it.  As a result, I'm sure now that I left money on the table.  So when I heard that Joel had written another AdSense book, I knew I had to have it.  And I was not disappointed!

AdSense Secrets 6.0 explains everything you ever wanted to know about Google AdSense.  This is not just an update of Joel's previous books on AdSense.  It is a complete AdSense how-to guide.  It starts with the very first step to making money online, building a website.  I already have several websites, so I almost skipped this chapter.  I'm glad I didn't! 

Once you have your site built, Joel goes on to explain everything else you need to know - things like how to optimize your ads, how placement affects your results, how to understand Google Analytics, the value of content, using AdSense on mobile devices and how to create a content hub.  There's a chapter on troubleshooting, if you use all his suggestions and don't get the results you expected.  He even provides several case studies from others who are successfully using AdSense.

I can't wait to go through this book again.  This time I'm going to do it right.  I'm starting with Chapter 1 and implementing every tip, suggestion, and piece of advice Joel has to offer.  I can't wait to see what that does to my next check from Google!

Joel's other book is a bit different.  I've been following Joel on various social media platforms for years.  And one of the things I look forward to are his photoquotes.  Joel uses photoquotes to share some of his best tips, his most profound thoughts - and his best jokes.  His book, Social Poetry, is a collection of some of his best.

Now I know what you're thinking.  Why would I be recommending a book of photoquotes?  Because I love Joel's photoquotes.  I see every day how he uses them to engage with people and build relationships.  And that is what social media is all about.

I've heard some say they were disappointed that Social Poetry wasn't more of a how-to book.  That was not its purpose.  That was not the purpose of this book. The intent of this book is to illustrate the power of photoquotes to capture the hearts and minds of your followers. But for those of you who desperately need that information, Joel does list the app he uses, as well as a similar app for Android, in the back of the book. So if you really need to know how to do this, download the apps. Meanwhile, I loved seeing some of my faves as well as some new photos and hearing the inspiration behind them. I am now inspired to create my own photoquotes, thanks to this book.

For once, I'm grateful for the last few cold and snowy days.  It gave me a chance to read two awesome books by one amazing man.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go optimize a few AdSense ads, find some cool photos for photoquotes, and start making more money!

What's On Your Reading List?

As a boomerpreneur, you know that reading is important.  And I'm sure you have made a resolution to read more this year.  Of course, actually reading is tougher than resolving to do so.  Use this problem-solving guide to help you on your way to keeping that resolution:

If you think you don't need to read: The average adult reads fewer than two books a year.  If you read a book a month, you are automatically in the top 5% of the population when it comes to educating yourself.  Reading informational, educational, or inspirational books is one of the easiest, least expensive ways to give yourself a competitive edge.

If you think you don't have time to read: No free time to crack open a book?  I have one word for you: AUDIO.  Books on CD, books on tape, books downloaded from places like audible.com, podcasts... you have lots of choices for listening to books.  Borrow a few from the library, download a book from the Internet, and load up your MP3 player.  Listen away while you're mowing the lawn, exercising, watching the kids' soccer practice, or driving around town.

If you don't know what to read: If you don't know where to start, choose one area you'd like to improve upon, whether it's public speaking, networking, technical skills, or time management.  Then head over to Amazon.com and look at top-sellers in that field, or put out a call for suggestions on your Twitter stream, Facebook page, or blog.  Pick one and go.  What are some of my recommendations?  Check out my list of books you should read!

If you forget what you read: Even the most dedicated readers can burn through books, then move on the next, only to forget what you read in the first volume.  While knowledge is great for knowledge's sake, it really only becomes wisdom when you put it to use.  By reflecting on what you read and choosing one or two lessons to implement in your own life, you will convert your knowledge to wisdom and improve your business.  Think about joining a business book club where you read a business-related book a month or quarter, and discuss what you're learning.  That will also help the lessons sink in.

There's a famous quote that says that a year from now, you'll be exactly the same as you are now, except for the people you meet and the books you read.  Start now on your path to a bigger and better you.

 

What are some of your recommendations for a great read this year? 

Books You Should Read

Today is World Book Day! To celebrate, here's my list of the must-read business books! How many of them are on your bookshelf??

Basic Business Books:?

The Impact Factor (Ken McArthur) -Ken's book is loaded with advice on how to get your message heard. Step-by-step plans, lists, and bullet points are provided to help you put his advice into action. He illustrates everything with personal examples from his own experience and the experiences of others. A must read for anyone trying to stand out in the online business crowd.

Conversations with Millionaires (Mike Litman) - The first business book I ever read. It is filled with secrets from successful millionaires that will help you skip lots of struggle and wasted time and help you get started making money.

The E-Myth (Michael Gerber) - Just because you have a skill or knowledge or a great business idea, doesn't mean it will be a success. If your business is totally dependent on you being there to make money, it's not much better than a normal job. This book will show you how to turn your business into a system, like Starbucks or McDonalds, which anyone can run.

Take Action! Revise Later: A Simple Guide to Success in Business (Bob Jenkins) - I bought this only because I met Bob at a jvAlert event. I saw the book and since I learned quite a bit from him at the event, decided it might be a worthwhile read. And it was. Not only did he show me I didn't have to get it exactly right the first time because I could always change it later, it is filled with tips to help you take the action necessary to get your business going. I even have TARL posted on the wall in my office as a reminder to Take Action! Revise Later.

Marketing Books:

Guerilla Marketing (Jay Abraham) - My business bible-every small-business owner should have it on their bookshelf.

Duct Tape Marketing (John Jantsch) - Practical advice on creating a marketing system that won't cost you a fortune to implement.

Testosterone Free Marketing (Denise Michaels) - One of the best business books I have ever read. If you have ever dreaded having to get out there and ask for the sale, this is the book for you.

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon: Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World (Brian Basilico) - If you are looking for a “How-to” social networking book, then this is not for you. This is a “Why-to” book. If you have been overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting examples and theories about why social networking works for some and not for others, this book will be an eye-opening breath of fresh air.

31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles (Tracy Repchuk) - I love books that give tell you why and how something works. I also love books that give you definite steps to follow to make that something work for you. This book does both!

PR:

How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder (Beverly Mahone) -This book is simply brilliant. Bev tells you exactly what you need to know and shares her personal secrets on getting media attention. With all of the information she provides, she makes it easy to gain the publicity you need to shine the spotlight on yourself and your business.

Customer Service:

The Celebrity Experience (Donna Cutting) - Customer service should be a red carpet experience. At least that's what author Donna Cutting believes.

Absolute Must Reads:

21 Ways to Make Money Speaking (Felicia Slattery) - No matter what business you start, you can expand it and promote it through public speaking. And Felicia will show you 21 different ways to do it!

The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed: The Only Personal Finance System for People with Not-So-Regular Jobs (Joseph D’Agnese and Denise Kiernan) - The title says it all. If you are self-employed, you need to read this book!

The AdSense Code: What Google Never Told You About Making Money With AdSense (Joel Comm) - Google AdSense was one of the first ways I tried to make money online. Emphasis on the "tried." Because I failed miserably. Then I heard about this book. Now, while I'm not in the ranks of the six-figure earners - yet - Google does pay me regularly. This book will show you how you can do it to!

Do you have a book to add to the list? Please share!

How Do You Like Your Bacon?

I enjoy my bacon in a couple of different forms. When I want full bacon flavor, I go for strips of bacon. And when I want to highlight the flavor of what else I'm eating I use bacon bits. So it is with Brian Basilico's books. When I want to dig deep into his knowledge and get the full experience, I reach for his book, "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon" with it's new companion workbook. And when I just want a taste, a tidbit to satisfy an immediate craving, I reach for his new book, "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon Bits."

In my earlier review of his first book, "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon," I stated it was page after page of information. It explains all of the "WHYS" of Social Media and Relationship Marketing. But if you're new to this concept, the book can be a bit daunting. The solution? Brian's new companion Workbook and Guide. It's the perfect tool to help you get as much out of Brian's book as possible.

Just as in the original book, each chapter starts with a list of points to take home. Called "Bacon-izms," these are the important ideas in each chapter. Things like "Social Networking is about the message, not the tools." And "Give the people YOU want what THEY want from your website." Or "Social networking is a process, not an advertisement." All important points. But what do you do with them? How do you incorporate them into your business? That's where the workbook is so helpful. We know that social networking is about the message, not tools." We just learned that from Brian. But the workbook goes on to explain that the key concept here is focusing your message. So as we read the chapter, we now know what we are trying to learn - how to focus our message. And as you go through the chapter, the workbook provides you a place to jot down notes from your reading. complete with the page number, so you don't have to try and remember everything you read or mark up your book with underlines and highlighter.

After you have read your latest chapter and taken note of what's important to you, Brian helps you apply what you have learned. The next section of the workbook contains questions designed to help you think about these concepts and apply them to your business. How do your messages get your audience to KNOW you? How do they get those who know you to LIKE you? How do they get those who know you and like you to TRUST you? And again, there is space to write down your thoughts and ideas as they come to you so you don't lose them. And once you have gathered every piece of information from Brian that you possibly can, there is a place to create an action plan or to-do list to ensure you put it to use. After all, all the information in the world is pointless if you don't use it!

"It's Not About You, It's About Bacon" really is 276 pages of solid information. Add the companion workbook, and it's a full-blown course in relationship marketing. But if you prefer your bacon - and your information - in smaller bites, then "Bacon Bits' may be more suited to your taste. "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon Bits" contains 101 relationship marketing tips. Things you really need to know and can use. Find your niche. Kill the elevator speech. Set reminders. All great tips if you want to succeed. But as usual, Brian takes it one step further. Instead of just listing 101 tips, he tells you how to do it. Kill the elevator speech. Great! But what do you say instead? Brian tell you. Do you frequently forget your business cards? Brian tells you how to solve that problem. Speaking at a networking event and want to take a giveaway? Brian has a suggestion for the perfect item!

Whether you like your information in-depth or in bite-sized bits, Brian Basilico has just what you need. If you are like me and like it both ways, depending on your mood, then these three books are the perfect combination to learn about, and more importantly, learn how to use, relationship marketing. "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon" gives you the information you need to lay the foundation. The companion workbook and guide shows you how to use what you have learned. "It's Not About You, It's About Bacon Bits" provides the tips and ideas you need to take it over the edge. I have all three books in my resource library and I refer to them often. You should also!

31 Days to MillIonaire Marketing Miracles

I am a certified bookworm.  I would almost rather read than eat or sleep.  In fact I have sometimes chosen to do just that.  That's why I love being part of the jvAlert family.  Whenever a "member of the family" publishes a new book, the rest of us are often the first to hear about it!

That is exactly what happened when Tracy Repchuk published her book, "31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles."  And of course, since Tracy is "family", I hurried right over to buy my copy.  I am so glad I did!

If you're like me then some of this Internet marketing stuff is still a mystery.  We've read all the books that tell you what to do and why to do it.  But there are many that tell you HOW to do it. 

Tracy covers every aspect of Internet marketing.  From something as simple as your email signature (mine needs an overhaul) to article marketing to product creation to PPC, Adwords, and Facebook - Tracy covers each one in depth.  But the best part is that she means it when she says 31 days!  And so she leads you by the hand, step-by-step, telling you what you need to do each and every day. 

Each chapter is devoted to a particular step in the process.  Chapter 2, for example, tells you how to prepare by finding your market and creating your brand.  In Chapter 4, you learn how to create products, set up a sales page, and perhaps even start an affiliate program.  Then at end of each chapter is your Action Plan.  Steps to take to move to the next level.  Things like create your Facebook page.  Join an affiliate program.  Set up a sales page. 

Many books I have read do something similar.  What makes Tracy's book different is what comes inside those chapters.  For example when your Action Plan says create your Facebook page, she doesn't just leave you there.  She tells you exactly how to do it - even what to use as the name for your page.  She even describes the difference between a personal page and a business fan page - and why you want to have both. 

I absolutely love this book.  I think I might finally understand Internet marketing!  Day 1 and counting.  See you in 31 days!

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon

Yes, that's right.  It's all about BACON!  Or at least that's the premise of author Brian Basilico.  You may have noticed I have been conspicuously absent for the past week.  Partly because this week seemed to be my week for everything to blow up - flat tires (that's what happens when you run over a ladder - even in a Jeep), recurring knee problems, sick pets, husband's health problems (and the news that his cardiologist has been suspended!) etc, etc.  But when I wasn't dealing with the latest crisis I had my nose in Brian's book. 

I warn you now.  If you are looking for another marketing book with lots of pictures, charts and diagrams - something you can whip through in a night or two - this isn't it.  This is 276 pages of information.  But trust me - you will want to read - and even re-read - every word.  The information Brian shares will change the way you network, if you use it.

Brian says the this book is a "Why-to" not a "How-to".  But I still found lots of "How-tos" here.  Things like how to choose the best networking groups.  How to build the 5 pages essential to every website.  How to create great content.  But Brian was right - he not only shares some of the "Hows" he also shares the "Whys".  So many "coaches" simply tell you "do this/don't do that" without ever explaining why.  If you hate that as much as I do, then you will love Brian's book.

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon explains networking in all its forms.  Not just social media.  Face-to-face networking.  Blogging.  Websites.  But don't worry all of you Facebook fanatics and Twitter addicts.  Brian devotes entire chapters to each of these, as well as LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest.  And yes, he even tells you why-to (and how-to) use YouTube.

Each chapter starts with a list of Bacon-izms - statements of the important points of each chapter.  Things like getting people to like you takes time and effort.  Web stats rarely tell you the whole story.  You can't just copy and paste images, text or videos.  You know this stuff.  Brian just makes it all make sense.

I met Brian through Felicia Slattery's 21 Ways to Make Money Speaking program.  I am SO glad I did because I must admit - Brian, I love you but I probably would not have bought this book.  But after hearing you talk about it during our group sessions with Felicia, I knew I had to have it.  If it was even half as good as you made it sound, I knew it would be an invaluable resource.  Well, I hate to tell you but it's even better than you described.

It took me a week to to read the book.  The information in it will be forever worthwhile.  I intend to start back at Chapter 1 and take each tidbit of info and see how it applies to my business.  I can't wait to see what happens when I do! 

How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder

Well, she has done it again. My friend and mentor, Beverly Mahone, has written another fabulous book. When she first shared the title - "How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder" - I knew I had to have it. Bev is a PR genius! If she was going to share some tips, I wanted to know what they were.

When I was working as a "professional Girl Scout" (yes, there is such a thing) I handled much of the publicity for local events so I am not exactly a newbie when it comes to PR. But Bev taught me a thing or two in this book. In fact, she taught me 8 things. Her book contains 8 Killer Tips and each of them had at least one thing I found useful. Whether it was the list of journalists on Twitter (Killer Tip #5) or information on podcasting (Killer Tip #7), I finished the book armed with some new media savvy. If you have some PR experience, you, too, will still find helpful advice. If you are new to the world of publicity, this book is a must read!

In addition to her PR tips, Bev has also provided an invaluable list of resources. She leads you to the best press release sites, shows you places to post your teleseminars and workshops, and gives you a list of podcast directories. Just the resource list alone is worth the price of the book.

This book is simply brilliant. Bev tells you exactly what you need to know and shares her personal secrets on getting media attention. With all of the information she provides, she makes it easy to gain the publicity you need to shine the spotlight on yourself and your business. And now I'm off to look at the sites where I can post event announcements (Killer Tip #6). I have a teleseminar coming up soon and I'll be needing some publicity!

Are You a Woman With a Book or a Product?

If you're a professional woman with a book or product, give us an opportunity to purchase from you on Friday, June 20.

This is the day we are celebrating who we are as women---as women who are on the move and making a difference!

June 20 is the 2nd annual celebration of Baby Boomer Diva Day. Showcase your product for 15 minutes for the very low price of $10. A few vendor slots still left. Also, there will be plenty of prize giveaways with special guest speaker, Heidi Richards, who will discuss how blogging can turn into $$$ for your business or product. It's going to be the most fun you've had online in a LONG time. 10am-3pm

To get more information or to sign up now: keybusinesspartners@verizon.net