Vote Suzanne Franco Become the Next Blogging Idol!

Today has been a busy day… I’ve joined up with some really great “women” online. I’ll bet you want to know exactly where I’ve been and just what I’ve been up to???

I’ve heard about Twitter Moms for a while… I even saw some “tweets” about Warren Whitlock (my Blog World Buddy) wanting to join. Now… he just loves to join anything that will even remotely put him within a group of smart women. (He is nooo dummy)

So after joining in… I start getting some emails that people are making comments on my page at Twitter Moms. What’s up with that? So being the curious girl that I am… I of course go check it out.

The first one I see is from Suzanne Franco ~ the Next Blogging Idol. So I click over and find that she is trying to become The Next Blogging Idol . What is the Next Blogging Idol??? Well Suzanne is on a quest to earn the title of “Blogging Idol” in the second ever Blogging Idol contest held by Daniel Scocco on his blog, “Daily Blog Tips.” The contest will run from November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008.

Here is another description of the Blogging Idol Contest by Suzanne:

“It is a contest hosted by Daniel Scocco, Daily Blog Tips, where contestants compete in three categories: (1) Increase in RSS subscribers, (2) Voting by the Readers (that’s you), and (3) Votes by 3 judges (Daniel Scocco, Daily BlogTips; Ricky, Keyword Country; and Jarrod, Sponsored Reviews). They will each cast their vote for the contestant who uses, “the most clever and effective strategy for gaining RSS subscribers and for promoting the blog.”

And if anyone will write a blog post similar to the one your reading right now… Suzanne (being the generous gal that she is) will “give” you some great “stuff” in return. Really! You should not miss this opportunity to help Suzanne and she will be helping you in return! How cool is that? Here is where you get all the details to Help Suzanne Franco ~ the Next Blogging Idol.

Stitchery Service Business Idea

This question came in a few weeks ago…

Hi, Debra.

My question is this:

I have had an idea for a long time about doing cross stitch projects for some extra money. I’m in my 40s, and I’ve been a cross stitch enthusiast for about 30 years with many, many projects under my belt, both easy and difficult.

photo credit: virgo200745

I don’t just specialize in cross stitch, I can do other forms of needlework like plastic canvas and needlepoint. I also have collected over 1,000 patterns from many cross stitch catalogs over the years that are stored in a closet in a spare room, which I go through from time to time when I want to stitch something special for a family member. I also have other catalogs that have plastic canvas and needlepoint patterns in them, but my largest collection deals with cross stitch. I also know what it’s like to not have the time to finish that latest project that I started a year or so ago.

My idea was this: What if someone could hire me to finish their cross stitch project or find just the right pattern for a special birthday, wedding, or holiday to stitch for them because they want their gift to be something special, that was homemade, picked out specifically for them? I had done this for family members as favors (although one insisted on paying me because she was so grateful that I took the time) because they didn’t know how to cross stitch and wanted something for an empty wall in one of their rooms. That’s where my idea got started.

What’s your opinion on this idea? Are there more people out there like me who would like to help others with the unfinished projects or want to provide a service to people who love the look of a cross stitched piece of art but who don’t have the desire to do one themselves?

I’m not really sure where to go with this idea, and then I stumbled onto your site. Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Linda

————–

Hi Linda,

This is an interesting idea! I like it! The only problem I see is actually making enough money to make it worth your time. Stitchery is labor intensiv, so be very careful that you charge enough for your time. Price yourself a bit higher than your first thoughts.

If someone needs your service they should be willing to pay for it. A few less customers paying you more money per job… works out to the same income. But… you would still have time for a life!

Hope this is helpful… Debra

Subversive Cross Stitch

Making Money With Your Creative Paint Finishes

Making Money With Your Creative Paint Finishes

“This book shows you how you can use your faux finishing, stenciling and mural painting talents to make a little extra income or even a very good living!”

This book is not new… but I’ve used it for several years. When I have a question that needs an easy - quick answer, I can usually find it in this book.

I took the plunge from decorating my own home to professional painter many years ago… and it’s not easy. It’s not rocket science… it just takes planning and a desire to keep learning new techniques.

Lynette Harris shares everything she’s learned about making the leap from hobbyist to professional, including:

• How to put together a quality portfolio, whatever your level of experience
• Getting your Name out - from newspaper ads to free publicity
• What to do and say in the initial meeting with a potential client
• How to price a job - including when to charge more and when and how to compromise
• Putting it in writing - what to include in written estimates, proposals and contracts
• Tips for making each painting job go smoothly and successfully, from preparation to clean-up
• “Getting In” by working on showcase homes, with interior designers, contractors, architects and other professionals
• Managing the Legal and Financial issues of your business. - Do you need to get a sales tax license? Do you need liability insurance?

Full of words of encouragement and advice from other professional faux and mural painters, this book will help you turn your love of painting into a successful business you love.

Making Money With Your Creative Paint Finishes

Home Based Business Using A Computer

Are you an Internet Marketer? Have you tried to make money online and feel like you just can’t get anything to work?

It’s a problem I often hear about… Your working to make money… any money online… and your frustrated with the results… or lack of results.

You’re working hours on end… staying up all hours of the night… burning the candle… etc. etc. etc. and nothing seems to be showing up in the plus column of your income stream.

I’ve heard it, seen it …. done it. You know… the - been there, done that - saying.

photo credit: _dominic

Some day’s I felt like I was wasting all my effort... and needed to quit wasting my time and money trying to get a website up and running that would actually show some profit.

You know you need a plan. A plan of action that makes sense. Something that will lay out the steps… in order… and taught by somebody that makes it easy to understand. You know you need an education… but for what?

We all have to learn… or we will get in over our head and give up. Usually the giving up part comes just before a success would have happened. Hard to imagine… but it’s true. Often… if we had put in just a bit more effort… all our hard work would have finally paid off.

Starting an online business without a good education… can put you at risk. It cost’s a bit of time and money to get a good basic education about starting and running an online business. Really.

I fiddled around with websites and marketing for over a year… thinking I could do it well enough to make a decent income. Not! I had no idea how much I didn’t know.

If you’re anything like me…. you have shelves and boxes filled with courses, reports, mp3’s and DVD’s that were the latest clue to gaining traction in your new business venture.

What I didn’t have… and I’ll be you don’t either… is a basic, down to earth, just the facts…. basic online business A-Z education.

Why didn’t I have this? Because I thought I could learn all the basics of internet marketing by reading the forums, following the guru blogs and getting on to every marketing email list available.

What did I really learn? A bunch of confusing… half-way answers to my burning questions.

Now what do I do when I have a question or need to know what to do next? I find out who has the real knowledge… and pay for their material. No questions asked.

It just makes sense.

It’s just like asking your neighbors kid to help you fix your computer. You know… the one who seems to know a bunch about being on the computer… so he must know how to get the blue screen of death off yours. Silly you. he has neither the education or the experience to fix any computer and he could possibly (probably) make the problem worse.

What will this accomplish? Most likely a higher bill… when you have to call in a professional.

So… what should you do?

Well you can spend more time looking for advice online and you will either have no clue what they are talking about or end up with information overload and just give up.

It’s good when you know you need great information and materials that help you learn sales techniques, marketing skills and how to build profitable (and multiple) streams of income.

I have a ton of reference materials, magazines, business books and manuals in my office today. Some of them good - Some of them are great.

I’ve learned how to create sales letters, web sites, generate affiliate income and how to get traffic to my websites. I have huge notebooks filled with ideas and tips from many private membership marketing groups. But… one of the most important binders I have… actually it’s two… is from the Internet Marketing Center’s Insider’s Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet.

“Insiders Secrets” is the first actual course about marketing online that I purchased. It was the best money I spent for a good… basic… online marketing course. That was in 2006.

The course has now been revised… as it is almost every year. The new - 2008 - course has be rebuilt from the ground up and now contains 900 pages of proven techniques and video training!

“Insider Secrets” leads their clients step by step through the essentials of starting and growing a profitable online business — to their most advanced Internet marketing strategies. Insider Secrets 2008 –is the ultimate driver’s manual for online success. And this year, they are certain this version of the course is going to blow all its predecessors OUT OF THE WATER…

* Special Report * “Leading Internet expert reveals proven strategies for starting your own Internet business!” This special report shows you, step-by-step, how you can start a profitable Internet business in less than 48 hours… … OR increase sales for your exisiting website in less than 12 hours! Thousands of business have started with nothing, and are now making millions, thanks to the proven test results and case studies outlined here…. To read this special profit-making report, click here now.

Income Taxes On My Avon Business

Well… it’s not really my Avon Business… it would be yours. It’s that time of year… and IRS and State Taxes are on everybody’s mind.

But… as with anyone with a small business… we are all unsure of what deductions and taxable income we need to provide to the IRS.

As with any small business… knowing what to do about Income Taxes On My Avon Business is your responsibility.

When I first started out in business… which was a very long time ago… my husband couldn’t get his head around business tax deductions.

He just could not understand what a bonus to a business tax deductions really are.

You see… what most new entrepreneurs don’t take into consideration… is all the equipment and supplies that are necessary to run a business, are in fact tax deductible.

I have been shouting from the rooftops to all my friends and acquaintances… that the very best way to pay the tax man just what we owe him… and no more… is to have a home business.

Why… because you can deduct so much from your business income… and save a ton of cash! This cash can be reinvested into your business… so that it grows at a much higher rate!

You see… It’s like the government want all of us to set up our own business. They want to help you grow… and buy more things… and hire people… which just helps grow our economy.

The government expects that you will buy a car for your business. They expect that you will have to have a desk, filing cabinets, a phone and a computer. They also expect that you will have to have electricity, phone service and an internet service provider.

Even if you are marketing other peoples goods through a MLM type business… you can deduct lots of expenses against your income.

I found a free report… you can download it right now… about deductions for home businesses. Click on this link to get it now…. while your thinking about taxes! Income Taxes On My Avon Business

Retire at Fifty and Make Money With a Digital Camera

Doesn’t turning 50 hit you gob-smack in the face? Where did life go? I feel all the aches and pains of old age creeping into my body… and I hate it!

Are you as tired of working for a paycheck as I was? Anyone who is close to turning a half century old has got to take stock of the situation and wonder… where will I be at 60? and 65? and 67? Still working just so I can have the money to do some fun things in retirement.

You know what gets me??? I watch the 65 and 67 year olds try to do the things they could have done at 50 and they are too tired to enjoy most of it.

So… what would I do? A friend of mine just asked me yesterday what I thought she could do to make a self-employed living. Isn’t that the $64,000 question. If I could guarantee you an income doing something you love and you wouldn’t have to worry about money… wouldn’t you be climbing over each other to buy my idea?

Gee… I wish I had the answer for everyone.

I am working at my new career… not making 6 figures yet, but making a ton more than I was last year. The key is to learn about anything that might interest you and pick a mentor or coach to guide you through the rough stages.

I found this neat idea recently and am investigating it (in my spare time ). I use a boatload of photos in my new career and most of them are of things I can’t just go out an take a picture of anytime I need one. Beside that… I don’t want to take the time to go out and take pictures that I can easily find online.

Here is the sticky point. You just can’t go online and find any picture on a website and use it as your own. Copyright laws pertain to websites, and the law will get you in trouble eventually if you break it.

I learned that buying photographs to use for my websites, books and other ventures isn’t expensive. Most cost about a buck and they are clear and crisp photographs that I can crop and use to my hearts content.

So where do these photo’s come from??? My favorite website to purchase photos at is istockphoto.com

Now, I am seeing some photos are being sold 50 - 60 times. If the photographer gets half, that is still $25 or $30 for really just one picture. What if you uploaded to a photography sales website and sold 6000 images??? (I have seen that statistic) That is about $3,000… that’s dollars!! Okay, now aren’t you as curious as I am? It’s not a living wage but it would help pay for some travel!

And… I found out their are other places to sell photographs, not just these websites. I also figured out this could just be a side business… it does not have to be full-time.

I also learned that you just need a Digital Camera… A nice one, but not top of the line. You DO NOT have to be a professional. Just learn from one book how to take quality pictures and take pictures of things others (like me) can use on their websites, marketing materials and other printed materials.

I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 [OLD VERSION] as my photograph editing software. It is simple to learn, no extra bells and whistles and I didn’t pay a hefty price. It usually sells for around $80. It is worth every penny if you own a digital camera!

Did you notice that you have invested less than $100 for extras other than a camera. This idea could be the least expensive career change you could make. What do you have to loose?

Top 100 Simplified Tips and Tricks for teaches with simple language, screen shots of each project as it is being edited and a ton of shortcuts and tips that will help you learn Adobe Elements fast.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks

I already have a camera, in fact I have several that will take excellent close up, landscape and portraits. So I don’t have much to invest at all to try out the idea of making money with a digital camera.

I do need someone to guide me through all the trouble spots. Don’t you always want to jump in, and wouldn’t it be helpful to be coached by someone who has already been there - done that?

I found the step by step, hand holding system also. I am starting to work the Camera Dollar System Click Here! step-by step… I’ll let you know how it goes.

Leave a comment if you have tried this system or have any other thoughts to offer.