There are plenty of cool savings happening online for entrepreneurial types just like us.  This is definitely just a “short list” but hopefully you’ll find some worthwhile nuggets.

Black Friday StudioPress Style

Using the code THANKS at checkout (don’t forget that), you can save 25% off of anything you’d like at WordPress design shop, StudioPress.

1. Get the Genesis Framework for only $45.
2. Snag most Genesis/design combos for a song and save close to $20.
3. Wipe the entire shop clean and get the StudioPress Pro Plus All-Theme Package.  Get Genesis plus every design they’ve made, plus every design they make in the future, and save more than $74 off the regular price and over $875 off the retail price — and that’s just the existing 43 designs!
4. All you need to do is use the code THANKS when you check out and you’ll save 25% on anything and everything at  StudioPress.com .

This deal ends promptly at 7:00 pm Pacific time on Monday, November 28, 2011.  Hurry up claim your new WordPress theme and before the code expires!

Black Friday PLR

• “366 Tips Bundles” {Marketing, Crafts and Cooking} Use Them for Social Media, Email Marketing, Daily Tips and More  (Ends Wednesday, November 22nd so hurry)
• Creative Video Marketing Bundleincludes the following illustrated tutorials:* Turning Slideshows into Video* Creating On Screen Presentations* Google+ HangoutsAnd a handy checklist or idea list with 50 Creative Video Marketing Ideas for you.

Black Friday for Charity

Save the Children: Make a Donation to the Global Action Fund and receive a bonus gift for your generosity. For more details visit Save the Children.

 Black Friday Business/Charity Hybrid

Every year, Ryan Deiss does a free live training known as ”Black Friday Bootcamp” … and every year it’s amazing. This year Ryan really raised the bar. He will be teaching his “30 Days to $10k” blueprint. According to Ryan, a complete newbie can take this plan and build a $10k a month business by New Years Day. And you’re invited! You need to RSVP now to reserve your seat at Black Friday Bootcamp.

And when the dust settles, we’ll be making a very generous donation to charity, just like we did after last year’s BFB.

Other Cool Things

TechBased Marketing Plug-In Freebie

This is neat little plugin lets you add links to your social network profiles without taking up any premium sidebar space. It quietly hangs out on the left (or right) of the screen, enticing readers as they scroll up and down. Get your social media plug-in today.

Digital Marketer Pro

For only $49/year you can get access to the monthly digital magazine that covers that month’s highlights from DIgital Marketer LABS (the membership site) + monthly columns from MaryEllen, Deiss, Richard Lindner and other hot shots on their team. They keep their fingers on the pulse of internet marketing today.  If you want to keep in the loop visit Digital Marketer Pro.

Free ebooks you’ll get with your subscription

#1. Partnering With Amazon - How To Give Amazon Permission To Sell Your Products To Their Over 275 MILLION Registered Buyers

#2. Partnering With Apple How To Get Instant Access To Apple’s Database of More Than 300 Million Active Credit Cards On File

#3. Partnering With Facebook 7 Steps To Leveraging the Largest Site In The World For Free, Targeted Traffic

#4. Partnering With Google How To Make Google Your Biggest Affiliate and Crush Your Competition In The Process

 Livescribe - CyberMonday Sale

I love my Livescribe pen. It is an excellent way to take notes, record conversations with your clients so that you don’t forget a single detail as well as the ability to have your handwritten notes converted into type. I’ve had mine for about a year and a half and I can’t recommend it enough.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Living in my own personal zoo (two cats and two dogs with a bevy of fish), summer heat is something that my family has to take into consideration especially since we don’t have air conditioning.  Here are some tips for making sure your pets stay cool and healthy this summer.

Water
The importance of easy access to fresh water at all times is crucial, especially during the summer. If your animals are indoor/outdoor, make sure there is water outside as well as inside. 

To keep the water cool, you can put ice cubes in it or, to help keep the supply fresh and cool, freeze a plastic container of water (such as a margarine container) and unmold the ice block into your pet’s water bowl. It will slowly melt, providing a supply of fresh, cool water. Animals can lick the ice, too, and cool their tongues (the tongue is the primary way a dog cools itself).

And water isn’t just for drinking. My golden retriever likes nothing better than sitting inside the wading pool to cool off. And on really, really hot days I’ve even caught our cats taking a quick walk through it too.

Shade
Shade is vital for keeping pets cool outdoors. If you have dogs and cats that are exclusively outdoors, make sure to provide shady areas besides just a doghouse or one tree. Remember, at noon one tree doesn’t provide much shade.

Grooming

This is probably obvious to most of you, but keeping your dog’s hair short in the summer can be the best thing you can do for your pet. My golden really seemed to appreciate the coolness as she sported her  golden Labrador Retriever look last summer. (And I definitely appreciated not having to vacuum all the shedding hair.)

In or Out?

If you have pets that are indoor and outdoor, try to restrict outside time (especially exercise time, like brisk walks) to early morning and evening, when the sun is not strong or is even below the horizon.

If you have to walk them during other times during the day, I take the dogs on an abbreviated walk — instead of doing our regular mile I’ll do a quarter of a mile and try to make up the difference in the evening.

Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that your pets can develop after long hours (or even minutes) in the heat. In dogs, heatstroke is signified by excessive panting, agitated behavior, rapid heartbeat, fever, and lethargy.

Cats are a bit different – panting for more than a moment or two is cause for concern in felines, as are rapid pulse, agitation (like pacing), and fever. Ironically, cats may stop drinking or drink very little when experiencing heatstroke. (Cats always want to be special don’t they?)

If you suspect heatstroke here’s what you need to do:

• Get your dog out of the sun right away and into air conditioning if possible.
• Bathe your dog in cool water or cooled peppermint tea and wrap him in cool, wet towels.
• Cats should also be removed from the sun and heat, and placed in the shade in front of a fan or in an air conditioned room or vehicle.
• Try to get cold water into your cat by dropping ice water into the edge of the mouth.

Fish

I was going to skip the fish, but Cat in the Hat (the mayor of our fish tank) took exception so here’s a fish tip — monitor the heat of the water inside of your tank during the summer months.

Fish like a consistent temperature so keep the tank out of direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for most fish-only aquarium is between 76 degrees and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If you only have fish, the aquarium is stocked properly, and you only need about a 2 to 6 degree temperature drop, here’s a few things you can try:

• Buy an air conditioner! Sometimes this is the only solution.
• When the water heats up, the oxygen level in the water can drop, so aerate your tank with a strong air pump. It will also aid heat exchange at the surface.
• If your aquarium is well-covered, open the covers on your tank, and place nylon netting over the openings to prevent fish from jumping out. This allows heat to escape. You can aid this process further by directing the air-flow of a small fan across the top of the tank.
• Close the shades on windows in the room. Even indirect sunlight will raise the room temperature by a degree or two and every little bit helps.

Now, I’m far from being a fish expert, but the guys over at Aquarium Pros are, so if you have questions I recommend you give them a visit.

Cars

No discussion of summer pet safety is complete without a warning about leaving pets in hot cars. Even if “it’s not that hot” or “it’s just for a minute,” do not ever leave your pet in a car on a sunny day. Even with windows partly down (most pet owners can’t leave the windows all the way down because their pet would escape), the heat in a car can kill your pet in a matter of minutes.

So, how do you plan on keeping your pets cool this summer?

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there that go the extra mile to ensure their families are safe and happy.

The cute in the picture is the star of Father’s Day over at the Khalid household. He has earned the right to watch movies unencumbered by wives who talk all of the time (can’t figure out who that could be) and children who want to be taken to the beach to play.

This is the first Father’s Day that we’ve been able to celebrate as a family in a long time. He works weekends two states away and it’s hard to get time off. But thanks to our growing business he was able to sneak away without worrying about the effects on his paycheck (yea home business!)

And although I would have opted to uninterrupted sleeping with a couple of trays of food being delivered by the children, today he’s taking them fishing in the Father’s Day Fishing Derby.  And then they’re going swimming at our local pool. It’s because of sacrifices like this that he is our Dad of the Year!

(And the crowd roars)

Happy Father’s Day Akraam!

When you hear the term “Summer Camp”, nostalgic thoughts of campfires, canoe trips and camp fire sing-alongs might come to mind!

Well, our friends at VAClassroom with re-invented the concept with their new Summer Skill Camp designed to equip you with high-demand skills that businesses are seeking today.

Sorry, no campfires, just top-notch, virtual skill-based webinars certain to give your business a much needed boost heading into the last half of 2011. This year’s Summer Skill Camp features eight high-calibre 90-minute webinars happening at specific times throughout the month of July.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the timely topics that will be covered this year:

• Success Strategies for Creating a Social Media Monitoring System
• Creating and Promoting a Compelling Facebook Contest
• Tips and Tactics for Building an Effective Social Media Measurement System
• Discover the Fine Art of Setting Rates and Building Packages for Your Services
• Creating an Effective Mobile Marketing Campaign for Local Businesses
• Set up an E-commerce Platform with 1ShoppingCart
• Master New Tactics for Increasing Your Search Engine Listings
• Maximize Productivity and Enhance Communications using Google Tools.

Each webinar will include practical checklists, templates and resources to ensure that you can effectively apply what you learn to your business. Our friends at VAClassroom have established a good reputation for creating training programs that produce a very positive return on investment for their students.

Currently, they are offering an early-bird registration and a $100 discount, making this a very affordable training program. To join this year’s Summer Skill Camp and get all the details, visit this page here:

http://www.hs-wahm.com/VASummerCamp2011

Oh, and one of the best benefits for me is that all of the sessions are recorded and yours to review anytime you need them.  With all the science camps, swimming lessons, karate, parties, family reunions — hey, you get the idea — I usually end up missing a couple of the live classes.  So, if you’re hesitant about joining because of your summer schedule, you don’t have to be because the classes are yours forever.

Enjoy!

 

 

photo credit: Paulo Fassina

If there’s room for zombies to do business on the internet, why are you still agonizing over your niche?

I remember agonizing over what *magical* niche I could find that would fulfill my dream of actually earning money from home.

Well, as I’ve discovered (and you will if you haven’t already) there is no magical niche and there really isn’t a right or wrong answer. What really matters is that you pick something and start working it. Only through work will you find the niche that is right for you.

This week, while doing research for one of my writing projects I found a company that proves that you can make money doing whatever interests you as long as you are a bit creative.  Here’s a case in point – The Zombie Research Society.  If they can do it, so can you!

 

photo credit: YayAdrian

Guru.com is one of the many popular freelance job sites. It enables employers to find quality service providers. It also enables service providers to find great freelance projects. If you’re looking for work, consider using Guru.com.

The First Step

The first step to placing a bid on a project at Guru.com is to join. Membership ranges from free to forty-five dollars a month. Free membership enables you to bid on ten projects a month. The most expensive membership offers unlimited project bids and vendor status. It’s recommended you start with a free membership. As your business and needs increase, you can increase your membership too.

Creating Your Profile

The next step to successful bidding on Guru.com is to create a compelling profile. Your profile will include your business name, experience and your website URL. On your website, make sure you have samples of your work. Testimonials and reviews are good too. They help boost credibility.

You can also upload work samples to your profile. It’s recommended that you do this. Also list any certifications, awards and other items that can enhance your credibility. You want to stand out above your competition.

Bidding on Work

The next step is to start searching for projects that match your interests and skills. There are thousands to choose from. Start with the category that matches your skills. For example, web design. Then you can move through the projects. Compare them based on:

• The project requirements

• Desired pay rate

• Turnaround time

• Reviews for the client – providers can review clients based on how easy they are to work with, how quickly they respond and pay, etc…

Once you find a project that looks compelling, it’s time to place a bid. The actual process is simple.

Click on the “Submit Your Proposal” button at the bottom of the Project Details page.

Write your proposal. Be sure to include your fee – how much you will charge for the project. Also be clear about the details. How long will it take you to complete the project? What are the steps to delivery? For example, do you offer a rough draft? What are your skills and experience? Have you handled projects like this before?

You’re submitting a proposal, so make sure to stress the benefits of working with you. Keep it short and sweet. There’s no need to go into your entire work history. The employer simply wants to know what’s in it for them if they hire you. Be professional. Market your skills.

When you’re done, click the “Submit Your Proposal” button at the bottom of the page. Then follow the instructions to complete the process.

When bidding on Guru, the more projects you handle successfully, the more credibility you earn. Each successful project makes it easier to earn new projects. Thus earning that first project may be the most difficult part of the process. Be patient. Guru.com can be a great way to fill your freelance schedule.

photo credit: ralphhogaboom

If you want to be a Mom Blogger, you’re going to have to get over the idea that your work should be applauded on it’s own merits. Blogging is a social activity, so let’s get social!

The first thing you should do after setting up your blog is to set up your social media accounts. You might already have some accounts set up; now you need to make sure you are using them the best possible way.

Social media is an amazing tool for anyone online, and especially for moms. One of the top reasons moms spend time online is to be social. They are looking to make friends, find information, share what they know, sympathize with others, and maybe even make some money.

Over the past month I’ve shared ideas with you for ways your teens can make money. Actually, a few of those ideas sounded really good for moms who want to make extra money from home too!

But just in case you missed the series, or just want to revisit here is the “master” list for any teen (especially the complaining variety) that is lamenting their lack of cash:

1. Earn money as a puppeteer.
2. Are you a handy teen? Turn that talent into moola as the neighborhood handy person.
3. For those social butterflies amongst us, try your hand as a party planner.
4. For the teen that is always the life of the party (even when there isn’t one), becoming a party entertainer might hit the right spot.
5. If you organization is your thing, try your hand as basement and garage organizer.
6. Help fellow entrepreneurs and small businesses while you earn by distributing flyers for others
7. Are you super coordinated? Then juggling might be a perfect way to earn while you play
8. Does your teen have a driver’s license (and has proven that they are responsible)? Then working as a delivery service driver might be a good way to fill up those empty pockets.
9. Teens can cash in on their literary talents. From blogging to writing articles for other bloggers, teens can make a pretty penny and practice their gift.
10. Volunteering is one of the greatest gifts a teen can give to their community. Fundraising is one way to combine their need to give with their need to earn.

As these articles have shown, with a little ingenuity teens can learn to earn the money for those expenses that we parents are just not willing to foot the bill.  And what a great way to fulfill those high school economic credits — a real world portfolio.  Sounds like a win-win to me!

photo credit: Originality Since 1994 Photography

Whether you’re doing legal, medical or general transcription you’re going to need a few tools to get started. Thankfully, most of the tools are affordable so you can get started right away.

1. Download and install the free transcription software called Express Scribe.
2. Express Scribe can be controlled with a USB Foot Pedal, preferably the Infinity IN-USB-1 USB Foot Pedal for PC Transcription (available for sale at NCH and www.PCDictate.com). If you’re really strapped for cash you can also control software using keystrokes. (I’ve found this to be extremely tedious, although effective while you’re waiting for the foot pedal to arrive.)
3. A headset is essential. It helps to block out the  family’s noise.  :-) Aside from the children’s antics, headsets amplify the person speaking and help to make out words that might be inaudible.
4. Like it or not, Microsoft Word is the preferred format. However, if you don’t yet have the money to purchase Microsoft office, you can use free programs like OpenOffice, Google Docs, Zoho Docs and even Microsoft Office Live.
5. Internet Explorer or Chrome: When downloading the transcription audios from the internet,  Firefox wants to automatically play the files for you while the other two will let you save them down to your hard drive.

After you’ve downloaded Express Scribe, you’ll need to create a folder for your transcription audios. Express Scribe will automatically go to this folder when it looks for new audios. For more information on setting up the program, check out the video below. Or, if you prefer reading, here’s the pdf manual.

Express Scribe Setup

Stayed tuned for the information on the tools you need to do video transcription from your home.

photo credit: Ethan Hein

You may not realize it, but there’s a huge market for computer wallpapers. Many people are avid collectors of computer wallpapers because they want to have something in front of them at the office to inspire and motivate them to do their best.

For example, think of your last bad day at the office. Wouldn’t it have been great if you had an inspiring quote handy to help you snap out of it? Computer wallpapers can do just that, which is why there’s such a huge market for them.

Not only that, but having custom-branded wallpapers (check out mine) with your website or brand will bring people back to your site each week or month for new wallpapers. It’s a simple, yet brilliant strategy to draw people in!

The Benefits of Computer Wallpapers for the Website Owner

The average website owner would be smart to offer computer wallpapers on his site. Why? Computer wallpapers encourage people to come back again and again, especially if they find a new wallpaper every week.

Your visitors will return at least weekly to get their fix, especially if you’re able to offer them for free. (You can always offer additional wallpapers for a fee.)

PLR.me Computer Wallpapers

The PLR.me computer wallpapers are particularly effective in driving traffic because of their high quality. It’s obvious to your visitors that these wallpapers have been designed by a professional graphic artist and photographer. The endless supply of cheap looking wallpapers most websites provide pales in comparison to the PLR.me wallpapers.

In addition, each of these inspiring wallpapers include a motivational quote or positive affirmation. PLR.me computer wallpapers can be used in many ways, all of which will benefit you as the website owner. Some great ways to use these high quality wallpapers include:

• Install them on your own computer to inspire you.
• Use them as a free gift for signing up for a newsletter or mailing list.
• Offer them as a download on your site to drive traffic and repeat visitors.
• Use the computer wallpapers to dress up a blog post or ebook cover.
• Create a photo montage.

The PLR.me computer wallpapers are such high quality that there’s truly no limit as to how they can be used. Download a free sample and check out the quality for yourself.

photo credit: kit