I have made a career for myself out of helping entrepreneurs in their journey to starting a business. The biggest decision you’ll make in legalizing your business is choosing what type of business entity works best for your brand. Here’s an overview of your options:

• Corporation (C Corp or S Corp): Protects your personal assets. Offers certain tax deductions and benefits. Acts as its own entity.
• LLC: Also protects your personal assets. Has fewer hoops to jump through than a corporation. Doesn’t require you to file business taxes (just report the income on your personal tax forms).
• Sole Proprietorship or Partnership: Your personal assets are liable, should you be sued, and can be taken from you. You file taxes as an individual.

Many business owners end up with the wrong business entity simply because they don’t know which one best suits their needs.

Why Incorporate?

If incorporating a business is the best strategy for you, there are many benefits you’ll reap from becoming a corporation:

1. Should you be sued, your personal assets (bank accounts, house, cars) cannot be touched.

2. You may be eligible for certain tax deductions that can lower the amount of tax you pay.

3. You create a sense of trust. Customers tend to trust “official” business entities!

4. Your business can outlive you. If you sell it, you simply sell the corporation and it carries on.

5. You can have shareholders and raise capital.

How to Incorporate

You’ve got a few options when it comes to incorporating your business. The first is to do it yourself. It requires a bit of legwork and patience, but is a perfectly reasonable option. Another option is to hire a lawyer. Many people feel comfortable having an expert advise them on this important decision, though in my opinion, most of the time a lawyer isn’t needed, and is an unnecessary expense. And finally, you can work with a business filing company like CorpNet.com that has the experience to help you through the process.

If you file your own incorporation, please be sure to read the requirements from your state and turn in your Board minutes as required. You’ll need a Board of Directors to comply with government regulations for corporations.

Busting the “Where to Incorporate” Myth

Like many entrepreneurs, you’ve likely heard that it’s best to incorporate your business in a state like Delaware or Nevada. Not so. While these states have favorable tax benefits for corporations, you’ll still be subject to tax laws in your own state.

Filing in a state other than the one you operate out of will just cost you additional fees and paperwork. Stick to filing your corporation or other business structure in the state where you conduct business.


Nellie Akalp is the CEO of CorpNet.com, an online incorporation filing service, where she helps entrepreneurs Incorporate, Form an LLC  or set up Sole Proprietorships(DBAs) for their new businesses.

I’m honored to be among the 7 experts who are sharing their knowledge to give you the boost you need to enhance your productivity and profit! This week’s stop is designed to teach you how to avoid the overwhelm and insolation of building a business when working as a solo entrepreneur!

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Starting a business can be daunting. When I first dipped my toe in the water, it seemed as though I was vigorously swimming upstream with no end in sight. That, combined with feeling pretty isolated by the vastness of cyber space, and working from my home office was a formula for overwhelm. Perhaps you’ve felt that way, or are currently feeling a bit lost and buried building a business all on your own.

First of all, take a deep breath and know that you are not alone! Even if off the top of your head you can’t think of anyone you can reach out to, rest assured that you’ve got me AND the fabulous ladies on this blog tour.

Secondly, I am going to share some great strategies with you so that you can streamline your business operations and start networking with the right people. You will walk away from this post and this week’s gifts armed with the tools to -

1. free you from feeling isolated, and
2. leave you looking like the belle of the ball in your niche.

The big secret is understanding the importance and value of being a connector.

Tapping Your Inner Connector

Wanting to build a business network and get to know others in neighboring niches, I learned that showcasing amazing women entrepreneurs was an easy and incredibly valuable strategy. Shining the spotlight on someone other than yourself is a great way to get noticed and start a conversation. And the truth is that you never know how far one conversation can eventually go. What might begin with a tweeted shout out, turns into several, followed by an email, a guest blog post or interview, mutual respect and admiration, a joint venture, and if you’re lucky, a business ally. And that’s just one strategy of many you will be challenged to implement.

When people ask me how I got started, the simple answer is that I reached out to one amazing woman at a time. What you’ll discover is how quickly connections multiply and lead you to partnership opportunities, affiliate relationships, and more.

Benefits of Being a Connector

When you reach outside the four walls of your home office, you begin to leave the “solo” feelings behind. Even if logistically you can’t meet someone face to face, Skype is one tool that has made the world a whole lot smaller. Instead of only tweets or email, you can branch out and get to know someone better computer-screen-to-computer-screen. I’ve had a blast getting to know entrepreneurs across the nation, in England, Paris, and Sydney to name a few.

A second major benefit to connecting with others is that you will begin discovering new and innovative solutions to the challenges you’ve been facing (or didn’t even know you had), and can share a tip or two in return. Connecting with an expert outside your area of specialty enables you to gain new insight into how someone else is successfully running a business, or has overcome similar business hurdles. Plus, you become a vivid blip on their radar, which could ultimately lead to more introductions, a bigger audience, and lucrative ventures.

If you think you have nothing to offer, you are selling yourself short instead of shining brightly. You have tons of amazing gifts inside! Every business owner was at one time right where you are today. How do you think they got ahead? To make things simple, below are 5 strategies you can use to become a “Connector” in your business and reap the rewards in the process.

5 Essential Strategies for Successful Connecting

Pick the Pond with the Best Fish – Are you still a bit leery of social media? Don’t let me scare you away with this first tip. Surfing social media networks is a great way to build your list of potential contacts. There’s no need to get dressed up, plan a lengthy elevator pitch or even leave your office. Social media allows you to start casually connecting. The key is to select the network that best fits your purpose. Want to connect with other business owners who share the same niche? Find out where they are hanging out (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), and invest some time there each day watching, learning and sharing smart comments. See who others are following. LinkedIn Groups are other places to interact and connect with amazing entrepreneurs because they are targeted to specific interests. The deeper you dig, the more connections you can make.

Do Your Homework – Before introducing yourself to someone new, take the time to do your research and make a short list of interesting facts and stats about the person. People love being noticed. Get some background by Googling their name, reading their LinkedIn profile, checking out a couple of their recent blog posts, seeing what they’ve been tweeting about, and finding out what’s new in their business. Doing reconnaissance work provides you with many talking points to discuss over time. Creating a cheat sheet for those you wish to get to know better is a smart first step in actually getting to know them. Define in advance how you might be of service to this person, and even join forces in the future. As with any activity in business, before jumping in, establish your purpose and plan to see it through. As a result, your connection efforts go more smoothly and successfully.

Make the First Move – Once again, social media makes it simple to connect with just about anyone on your target list, and allow you to make first contact. Follow on Twitter, Fan on Facebook, add someone to a Google+ circle, or request to connect on LinkedIn. But when you do, follow-up with a pithy comment, share an “ah-ha” moment you had from reading something they wrote, or just retweet, repost, re-pin or post something they’ve contributed. Being thoughtful in your communications and it will probably elicit a positive response.

Be a Valuable Tribe Member – The people in my Tribe who are most visible are those who are my biggest cheerleaders, and like to comment on, or share my news. These fans stay front and center in my mind, and motivate me to take a closer look at what they are sharing online so I may reciprocate and show my gratitude. Become a valuable member of a Tribe by being active. Rather than just gathering information, take the time to become a contributor. No matter what you do, do it with care and attention to detail, always aiming for quality.

These are just 5 ideas to get your inner connector in gear. Don’t limit yourself to reaching out. Be creative and figure out ways to draw people in, and build a Tribe of your own. Think about what your audience has need of, and brainstorm ways to creatively connect with others to provide solid solutions — Need some quick ideas?

• Write a free ebook around a specific solution to a pain point for your audience, and invite experts with similar audiences to contribute a chapter.
• Interview the top 3 women entrepreneurs you admire and create a how-to audio or video giveaway.
• Join a blog tour or create one of your own.
• Start a guest blog exchange with 5 entrepreneurs whose posts would be of great value to your audience and vice versa.
• Read and post book reviews of authors with whom you’d like to start a conversation.
• Or you could try something really crazy big if you’re feeling adventurous!

The end of last year I decided to raise the bar on my connection skills and hosted the 12 Days of Experts series. This program was a great opportunity for me to invite some of the most impressive entrepreneurs I knew to showcase their expertise on what it takes to become a business power player. In partnering with 12 power players in their own fields, I was able to turn the spotlight on each one, build my credibility by association, share unbelievable content with my audience, expand my audience through cross-pollination and free access to the video series, and increase my online visibility.

Was it a ton a work? Yes! But nothing of value is ever easy.

Did I learn a lot? Absolutely!

If you are ready to start leveraging the power of connections don’t miss your opportunity to get your hands on my latest ebook - Top 10 Strategies to Become a Successful Connector in Business

Click Here to Get an Instant Download of my eBook Now!

Thanks for taking time to stop by my blog! There are some more great places to visit on the tour, so stay tuned. If you like this post, I would love to have you leave me a comment below.

If you were to catch yourself in a mirror while working, what kind of expression would you see?

What type of emotion and energy does your voice convey when you answer the phone?

These are important questions to ask yourself on a regular basis. Why? Because if your work has begun to get a little too serious, and you feel like the dry cleaners are adding too much starch to your shirts, it’s time to bring your inner kid to work.

How do You Invite Your Inner Child Out to Play?

Though most people probably would not admit it, we all have an inner child. Mine likes to come out to play when I am not providing regular outlets for self-expression in my life. Having been stifled for too long, she usually surfaces by making a moderately bold statement. The last visit came in the form of pink highlights in my hair. If you’ve seen my photo, that might be hard to imagine, but I do have a funky inner child.

I am not the only person who breaks out of her shell periodically. We all have moments when we just need to let loose and have some fun. The great thing about running your own business is never asking the boss if you can wear flip flops to work, or institute a bagel and smear Monday — you just do it.

The Benefits of Keeping Your Inner Child on the Payroll

A big part of being a successful entrepreneur is being able to tap into all the best parts of you, including your inner child.  Society has a way of stifling the creative and playful rug rats within all of us, and gets us taking life and ourselves way too seriously sometimes. But the inner child keeps things in perspective, and has a knack for out-of-the-box thinking when we get into a jam. Remember how there was little you couldn’t solve as a kid with some string, bubble gum and a tin can. Kids are some of the best innovators and you have that power within you, even as an adult.

With or without a team on your payroll, you are in a position of leadership. So for all those budding entrepreneurs who are watching your every move, be sure to show them what it’s like to stay closely tied to your passion. Remember that you broke out of the 9-5 mold so that you could be more YOU. Take every opportunity to enjoy that freedom, and don’t let the challenges of entrepreneurship change the best parts of what make you special.

The next time you start to get your knickers in a knot, take a moment and invite your inner child out to play. You might be amazed by what you accomplish, and how much fun you have in the process. And just imagine the impact that will have on your clients!

We choose our attitude, focus, and emotions, so why not choose to set you mind in the direction of success too? For me, inspirational and motivational business quotes can have a powerfully positive effect on my thinking, which fuels my actions each day.

As I teach my clients, garbage in is garbage out, so I endeavor to feed my mind with the type of thinking I want to maintain throughout the course of my day. By doing so, I reduce the frequency of my reactivity in the face of challenges, and am better able to uphold an opportunistic mindset.

Below are 50 of my favorite quotes, gathered from fabulous sources around the internet. I hope they will promote a shift toward a winner’s mindset for you, especially when the going gets rough — and it quite often does in business. Cast a vote for your favorite from this list, or add your own in the comments below.

I encourage you to write your favorite winner’s mindset reminder on a note card and place it by your bedside. When you awake each morning, take a moment to read the card, think about how you want your day to unfold, and make it happen.

Life is not a stage on which we were created to struggle — it’s the place where we are daily invited to dance in the spotlight. – Dr. Shannon Reece

From Under30CEO.com

Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions. – Tony Robbins

Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. – John Wooden

If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work. – Thomas J Watson

Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill

From Biznik.com

EXCELLENCE: is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible. – Unknown

From CarolRoth.com

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. – Harriet Tubman

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory that is within us. And as we let our light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. – Marianne Williamson

Generate so much loving energy that people want to just come and hang out with you. And when they show up, bill them! – Stuart Wilde

Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay. – Maya Angelou

We can do nothing to change the past, but we have enormous power to shape the future. – Walter Cornish

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. – Ayn Rand

From BusinessInsider.com

We are really competing against ourselves. We have no control over how other people perform. – Pete Cashmore

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. – Steve Jobs

From Entreprenista.com

Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. – Mary Kay Ash

My will shall shape the future.  Whether I fail or succeed shall be no one’s doing but my own.  I am the force. I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice. My responsibility.  Win or lose; only I hold the key to my destiny. – Elaine Maxwell

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand – and melting like a snowflake. – Marie Beyon Ray

Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great. – Cher

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

What if you began to expect the best from any situation? Isn’t it possible that you could write new chapters in your life with happy endings? Suspend your disbelief? Take a leap of faith? After all, what have you got to lose but misery and lack? – Sarah Ban Breathnach

From BusinessInsider.com

Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period. All right? – The Pursuit of Happyness

From QuickSprout.com

The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can’t do. – Dennis Waitley

The only limits are, as always, those of vision. – James Broughton

I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity. – Oprah Winfrey

Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were. – David Rockefeller

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same. – Carlos Castaneda

Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. – Vince Lombardi

Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day. – Francis Gray

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that, when mixed with definiteness of purpose, and burning desire, can be translated into riches. – Napoleon Hill

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. – Theodore Roosevelt

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. – Bill Bradley

From StrategicBusinessTeam.com

Success isn’t about the end result; it’s about what you learn along the way. – Vera Wang

You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you towards success? Or are they holding you back? – W. Clement Stone

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. – John D. Rockefeller

Start small and dream big. – Rich Dad

Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals. – Jim Rohn

Don’t spend so much time trying to choose the perfect opportunity, that you miss the right opportunity. – Michael Dell

It is better to aim at perfection and miss it than to aim at imperfection and hit it. – Thomas Watson

From Stephen Davis

Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes. – Zig Ziglar

From HumanResources.about.com

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. – Norman Vincent Peale

There is no such thing as can’t, only won’t. If you’re qualified, all it takes is a burning desire to accomplish, to make a change. Go forward, go backward. Whatever it takes! But you can’t blame other people or society in general. It all comes from your mind. When we do the impossible we realize we are special people. – Jan Ashford

Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek. – Mario Andretti

From MarketingArtfully.com

The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed in these two: common-sense and perseverance. – Owen Feltham

Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. – Cecil B. DeMille

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. – Robert Collier

Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when I know there are footprints on the moon. – Paul Brandt

From NerdBusiness.com

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. – Nora Roberts

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. – Maya Angelou

Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give. – William A. Ward

The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them … into the impossible. – Arthur C. Clarke

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain

I recently heard that Pinterest is much like a “visual resume.” This one of a kind platform gives you the opportunity to showcase who you are through your passions!

Just like every other social media platform, Pinterest is about developing relationships. And the reality is, once people realize that you are a “real” human being who has likes, passions, hobbies, etc., they are more inclined to look into what you have to offer.

So today, let me share with you some unique ways to use Pinterest to grow your business:

Be real, be authentic:

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to Pinterest is choosing to only pin your products and services. The truth of the matter is, we live in what I like to call a “curious” world meaning, people want to know you! Truthfully, I get the most responses on many of my social media platforms when I post about my life and what is taking place. So when it comes to Pinterest, pin pictures about your life. What do you enjoy doing, where have you traveled, what books do you like to read, what would your dream house look like, what are some of your favorite quotations, what are your favorite kinds of shoes to wear, what foods do you enjoy eating, what inspires you, etc. Really take the time to allow your followers to get to know you.

Be engaged:

Just like with every other social media platform, connect with your followers. When someone leaves you a comment, comment back. When you find a picture of something you like, leave a comment for the person who pinned the picture. Remember, it’s about building relationships and the only way you can do that is by being engaged with others.

Post Eye Catching Photos:

Pinterest is all about the visual. If you want to catch the attention of others…be sure to post pictures that are visually appealing.

Create boards around your niche: Depending on your business…create boards that represent what you do as a business. Don’t just create boards about the products you sell, instead create boards that provide visitors with great content and information. Give people the best you have!

Use Hashtags:

With each picture, be sure to include hashtags as this will allow others who are interested in your topic, to find you!

Create a link:

Be sure that your pictures are clickable and that they lead back to your website. If people are wanting more information about what you have to offer as a business…give them the opportunity to find out more. Provide a call to action; let them know what their next step is.

Utilize the “Pin It” Button:

Make sure that your website has the “Pin It” widget installed. This is HUGE! You want to give visitors to your website the opportunity to pin your content to their boards. Again, this increases your visibility!

Host a “Pin It 2 Win It” Contest:

This is HUGE! Host a contest that allows those who repin your product or service and who leave a comment, to win something that your business offers. This will create momentum and visibility!

It’s not about you:

I’ve recently read many people stating that they just don’t have time for another social media platform, that they don’t “like” Pinterest, etc. Quite frankly, I think we need to remind ourselves that it’s not about us! Our businesses are about serving others and when this becomes your core, you will do whatever it takes to provide the best and most useful wisdom and knowledge to your clients. Remember, Pinterest is bringing in thousands of people on a daily basis…there is something here that consumers are liking. So whether or not you like or dislike it, it’s about the customer and if you want to see your business impact the lives of others, then you will soon realize that’s it’s not about you.

Remember, social media is about developing relationships!  Get involved, share your passions, have fun and be real with others!  It makes all the difference!

What’s holding you back from pinning?

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Jennifer Bennett is Founder of SocialMediaJen.com and has had the opportunity to not only work alongside a variety of professionals as they build their online presence, but Jen has had the opportunity to lead in a variety of experiences including, Personal Development, Curriculum Design, Event planning, Event Management, Teaching, Instructional Leadership, Mentoring and Administration.

Jen is a master when it comes to bringing order out of chaos. She is known to be highly effective when it comes to implementing and sustaining the mission and goals of an organization. She loves new projects and challenges and does everything with efficiency and promptness!

Additionally, Jen is a polished public speaker who has recently been noted for her published curriculum guide, “My Soul Mission: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Students Discover Their Unique Soul Mission.”

Jen has a BA in Communications/Public Relations from the University of North Florida, a Masters in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is in the process of completing her Doctorate in Curriculum Development/Instructional Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Connect with Jenn on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

To be completely honest, I haven’t taken the time to study the platform and develop any strategies that coincide with my current marketing. This post was a step in the right direction, by reaching out to my Tribe for their feedback. I have to say I was initially surprised by the lack of response. I am left unsure of whether people aren’t really active Pinterest users, or haven’t determined whether or not there is any measurable ROI for their business. Of those who responded, the supporters won out. Be sure to click on the links to their boards to see how they are making use of this new social network.

To learn more on the subject (and share it with you), I scoured the internet and found some great posts and a ton of free resources. Below you will find -

• Information on Pinterest 101 (for the virgins out there)

• How to know whether Pinterest is right for your business

• Tips to Effectively Marketing Using Pinterest

• And lots of Free Pinterest Resources (even a free ebook from Hubspot)

There’s a lot to digest. But if Pinterest is of interest to you at all, take the time to do your research and try it on for size. As with any other social network, you’ve got to go where your target audience is hanging out. Maybe yours is on Pinterest. If you are an active user, please leave your two cents in the comments below. Enjoy!

	1. Pinterest – A Pin Says A Thousand Words When I first saw Pinterest, I thought WOW! What a great idea! I’d heard a few underground rumblings about it, & upon investigation saw that it really had great potential. Pinterest had gotten wise to the popularity of images of Facebook, & devised a platform where any user could collate different ‘Pin boards’ for various images of things that took their interest, which also capitalised on the hashtag-type feature of Twitter. Now, this new kid on the block may have seemed like just another channel vying for your attention, but stealing position No.3 in the social media stakes told us that Pinterest was a serious contender. As a Lead Generation Tool, or promotion channel it has huge potential, limited only by one’s inventiveness. Take note, or a ‘Pin’ – Pinterest is here to stay! Find my Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/2excelcoaching/ and me on Twitter @Coach2Excel Thanks to Grant Willcox of 2Excel Coaching
	2. Keep Calm And Carry On Pinning! I believe in Pinterest! In my opinion, Pinterest is yet another layer of exposure in the social media world! Apart from time each day to keep your boards current and spread some love with pins, Pinterest is an inexpensive way to subtly get the word out about your company. I use Pinterest to promote giveaways, share smart tips and my blog with images, plus spread general information that would interest my followers. I have seen an increase in website hits plus more Twitter and Facebook fans. It takes time to build your boards and your followers but I believe, it is well worth the effort! Check out Teach My’s Boards on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/teachmy/ and @teachmy on Twitter! Thanks to Christy Cook of Teach My
	3. I LOVE Pinterest I am new to Pinterest, and I already love it. You can pin both videos and images, so I have created a board for my Internet Strategy Tips. I am finding that they are repined, shared on Twitter, Favorited, and commented on more than the other social media platforms. Other things that I pin are business ideas, images that spark thought, images I may be able to use in future blog posts (with permission), and images that have personal interest. I have also read from social media gurus that Pinterest drives more traffic than Facebook and Twitter – the jury is still out on that for my website. So far it does have more Social Interaction. Check out my Internet Strategy board and give me your thoughts. Find my Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/premiumwebsites/internet-strategy-tips/ and me on Twitter @AskDotty Thanks to Dotty Scott of Premium Websites, LLC
	4. There Is A Future For Pinterest I see a lot of potential in Pinterest yet to be tapped in the U.S. for businesses. I say in the U.S. specifically because Pinterest in the U.K. is already being used very differently. While crafts, weddings, and food items are primarily targeted by users in the U.S., U.K. users are using it to pin favorite business articles and ideas. For businesses who want to drive traffic in the U.S. they need to come up with something creative to get people involved, such as a contest or a promotion. Have people take pictures with your item, or pin pictures from their favorite blog posts for a chance to win a prize. This will encourage more pins and give back to the people spreading the word about your biz. You can find my board at http://pinterest.com/kimberly721 and me on Twitter at @SavvyCopywriter Thanks to Kimberly Crossland of The Savvy Copywriter
	5. Not For Everyone Pinterest really doesn’t fit the criteria for many businesses. There is just too much clutter to sift through to find any kind of connections. Personally, we feel that it’s a waste of time. We could be spending that valuable time on marketing, public relations, or better sources of social networking. Every week there seems to be a new networking fad. This one will fade and fall like the rest of them. It’s tough to compete with the two social media monsters, Facebook and Twitter. Eventually, one or the other will buy out Pinterest, and shut it down for good. Find me on Twitter @GovtAuctions Thanks to Max Aronson of Government-Auctions-Guide
	6. Lead Generation Tool Study your analytics to see where your traffic is coming from. For my business, I get lots of hits from Pinterest each month! Definitely a keeper! Find me on Pinterest and on Twitter @trainingonthego Thanks to Zenee Miller of Training On The Go
	7. My Work Is So Visual… Pinterest really does work for me. I’ve used it to get the word out about my free events and free gifts in a variety of ways – by designing quotes to get pinned and re-pinned, and by making special graphics to share. I’ve created a couple of special business boards where I share business-related stuff. I also keep a few “extracurricular” boards as well. Plus, I’ve pinned things from many other sources so I don’t look too biased. I do think that one of the reasons it works for me is because what I do is visual (graphic and brand design) and my clients tend to be very visual as well. You can find my boards at http://pinterest.com/erinferree/ and follow me @erinferree on Twitter. Thanks to Erin Ferree of BrandStyle Design
	8. Build Your Vision Board On Pinterest I love the idea of a vision board and I started creating several on Pinterest. I use the site for fun. I do get referrals from the site, but it’s way down on the list and doesn’t compare to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I recommend that you spend a week playing around on Pinterest. Set aside 20 minutes a day and don’t be surprised if that stretches to an hour. It’s fun. What does your dream office look like? What are your favorite shoes and handbags? What outfits will you where to networking events? For me, Pinterest is another way for me to promote my business, promote dog rescue, and promote my brand. You can find my boards on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/TheFurMom/ and me on Twitter @TheFurMom Thanks to Kimberly Gauthier of Keep the Tail Wagging
	9. Potent Connector People respond to different stimuli. For potential clients that are visually oriented, Pinterest can attract them in a unique way. Images become more powerful than words. They entice you with quick glances and if interesting and appropriate, invite you in for further examination. Businesses are using Pinterest in many ways. I have themed boards that relate to organizing, life and other interests. I only pin beautiful images. Clever or interesting isn’t enough, it also has to be well composed and eye-catching to be board-worthy. Since using Pinterest, I’ve generated more leads for business, sold more books, increased followers for all social media venues, increased blog interaction, & increased newsletter sign-ups. Activity all around has increased. It’s well worth the experimentation. Find my boards on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/ohsoorganized/ and me on Twitter @LindaSamuels Thanks to Linda Samuels of Oh, So Organized!

Pinterst 101

For the Pinterest virgin, here are some basic guides to the ins and outs of how to use Pinterest.

Everything You Need to Know About Pinterest
If you are still a bit in the dark about Pinterest, this post will get you started.

Pinterest: A Beginner’s Guide to the Hot New Social Network
Great basics from Mashable on the what, where, and how of Pinterest.

How to Decide If It’s a Good Fit for You

5 Ways to Tell if Pinterest is Right for Your Business
No one needs to waste precious time on something that is going to be a complete time suck and not deliver results. The Social Media Examiner gets you to ask some hard questions and do a bit of strategic thinking before jumping on the Pinterest wagon.

Pinterest for Communications
Great guidance from New York Women in Communications members – Love the quote, that Pinterest “should fall in line with your existing communication strategy and complement it.”

Why You Shouldn’t Market on Pinterest
For an opposing view, check out this post from Adam Kreitman and cross check your reasons for wanted to become a pinning fool. Is it another bright shiny object, or a legitimate fit for your current marketing plan?

Google+ vs. Pinterest: Where Should You Market Your Business
If it is a question of choosing one or the other when investing your time, hopefully this side-by-side comparison in a free ebook from Hubspot will help you make an informed decision.

Why Brands That Market to Women Should be on Pinterest
Some great statistics and a case study on the power of Pinterest for women-targeted brands.

Why You Should Be Using Pinterest to Pick Up Women
Research is showing that Pinterest is of particular appeal to women groups. So if your target customers falls within the typical Pinterest demographics then maybe you should take the next step to determine how it might be an effective mechanism to reach more of your audience. Find out more in this post from Forbes.

Tips for Effectively Marketing with Pinterest

56 Ways to Market Your Business on Pinterest
This post comes from Copyblogger and offers guidance to the Beginner, Intermediate and Black Belt pinners. There are some really creative strategies in this post that piqued my interest.

6 Tips for Branding with Pinterest
To get the most out of your time on Pinterest, be sure to follow the basic guidelines provided in this post from Social Media Today to boost your brand.

Using Pinterest for Small Business Success
After answering yes to the question, “Does your business lend itself to visual representation?” you can keep reading for 5 tips to maximize your use of Pinterest for your small business.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Post on Pinterest
If you just need a laugh and some common sense after all the seriousness above, you will enjoy this post on the do’s and don’t when it comes to Pinterest.

How to Add a Pinterest Tab to Your Facebook Page
From social media expert, Karen Moran, a step-by-step guide to start cross pollinating between your social networks.

Going Viral on Pinterest: Huge Traffic and Big Opportunities
A Slideshare presentation with some helpful tips.

64 Pinterest Marketing Tips and Tactics – Infographic
Sometimes you just need an infographic to make sense of something, so here you go.

More Free Resources

How to Use Pinterest for Business – Free eBook from Hubspot
Hubspot is a regular source for focused free ebooks on marketing topics. Be sure to sign up to get your hands on this 43-page gem to walk you through their best tactics for using Pinterest for Business.

30 Resources, Tips and Tricks for Marketing Your Business on Pinterest
Great list of resources from Jeff Bullas. Dig a bit deeper to find even more great posts on Pinterest.

17 Free Resources and 59 Tips for How to Use Pinterest for Your Business

The Ultimate Pinterest Marketing Resource Guide (89 Helpful Resources)

103 Resources for Becoming a Pinterest Expert
And if you still haven’t gotten enough, this is a pretty long list of resources to teach you even more — from the inception of Pinterest, statistics, how-to’s, lessons learned, marketing and more!

Hope you find all of that helpful as you continue to determine if Pinterest is right for you!

Thanks so much again to all our wonderful contributors for sharing your thoughts and experiences on Pinterest! We hope to hear from you again. And to all our readers, if you have an innovative idea to share, we hope you will leave it in the comments below.

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CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY QUESTION of the WEEK LIST

If you have a question that you would like to see addressed on my blog please leave it in the comments below, and your topic might be featured on an upcoming post.

Thanks for reading!

My latest juicy post was inspired by Miley Cyrus’s song, The Climb. It got me thinking about how often we as women entrepreneurs worry about, rather than embrace the nuances of the climb in our businesses. I invite you to be inspired by this post if you’ve been feeling held back by all the what-if’s and fears related to growing your business. And please take the time to see what else has been going on at Dr. Mommy and Friends. You won’t be sorry you did.

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Starting the New Year on the Right…Thought

Sidestepping “March Madness” In Your Business

3 Steps to Being Queen of Your Castle

When It Comes to Focus, Are You a Bird Watcher or a Hunter?

Thanks for reading and please be sure to leave me a comment if you were touched, inspired or generally feel that life got a bit sunnier after reading my thoughts on business.

Just take a look at the stats: in the U.S. alone, 71% of adults have paid for products or services online in the last three months, according to Forrester Research. Over 50% of those sales were nurtured by content alone.

Numbers aside, we can take away a powerful lesson from these statistics: content is what attracts prospects, forges relationships and brand loyalty, and encourages consumers to purchase from you.

Yet, recent studies show 22% of the buying process is wasted with ineffective content—a number that translates to leads lost and sales forsaken. A shame, especially considering that valuable content adds a 25% increase in likelihood that a sale will be made.

But what exactly is “valuable” content?

Essentially, good content boils down to a matter of personality—that is, the personality and character your business projects through its message:

• Potential buyers are looking for assurance, entertainment, and information. That is the beauty of online markets—it puts buyers in a position to research and be selective with their purchasing decisions. Show them you are a trustworthy business by providing succinct, knowledgeable content they can’t find elsewhere.
• A good way to spark prospects’ interest and give them your brand information is to utilize narrative elements in your content. Our human nature is hardwired to respond to storytelling.
• Your brand has to have finesse if you want to stand out in the vast ocean of online information. Show your prospects you value their time with concise and directive-driven content that pulls them through your site.
• Marketing is all about the right note for the right buyer at the right time. And if that’s not a tall enough order, you have to know your audience—their wants, their needs, and their pain points. Know what they like to hear and what they don’t, and make sure your content reflects those tastes.
• Appeal to your target market with a voice that gives your brand a genuinely likeable personality. Aim to be conversational in tone, but maintain professional presentation (grammar matters).

You can’t blame buyers for being choosy. With the entire world at their fingertips, other options are readily available. You just have to make your brand content inspire trust, then action.

Need help implementing these strategies?

Let the Sūmèr team customize a plan built for all your content marketing needs.

____________________________________________

Michelle Salater is the CEO of Sūmèr, LLC, a full-service content marketing firm that helps high-end entrepreneurs and small business owners capitalize on their vision to achieve online exposure, increase sales, and generate a higher return on investment.

I have been so blessed in my business to have had the opportunity to get to know many amazing women entrepreneurs through my interview series. Not only did I bring you their expertise and best strategies in business, but I did a lot of learning along the way too. It has been like having my own, not so little, mastermind group.

This series began as a tribute to the members of my Tribe, The Advisory of Women Entrepreneurs, through which I was able to capture and share the stories of 28 incredibly talented businesswomen. As I have continued to watch these women soar I felt it was time to reflect on everything we have learned from each of them.

My sincere thanks to my original Spotlight guests for sharing your struggles and triumphs so that the rest of us could learn from your experiences. Cheers to these A.W.E.-inspiring women!

If you missed the interviews the first time around, or just need a reminder of some top-notch strategies to move your business ahead, you now have an easy reference to this fabulous content. Enjoy!

Gayle Naftaly – Queen of Connections, Queen of Networking, the Rocket Fuel to Business and Founder of access.office
We discuss the biggest lesson Gayle learned starting up, the very best decision she made for her business success, how she can bring her vision to your business, and much more!
Watch the Interview


Holly Kile – Virtual Bridge Builder, Chief Virtual Officer of Virtual Partners in Success
Discover the catalyst that inspired Holly to start her business, her hardest lesson, the very best decision she made for her business success, how she can bring her vision to your business, and much more!
Watch the Interview


Lauren MacEwen – Spunky Social Media Strategist and Founder of SM Cubed Consulting
Our interview covers informative topics including the catalyst that launched Lauren into the social media world, her biggest lesson, proper social media etiquette, ways she can show you how to effectively utilize social media in your business, and much more!
Watch the Interview


Nicole Fende – Finance expert, profits tamer, Numbers Whisperer, and Founder of Small Business Finance Forum
Find out what launched Nicole from her word as a CFO and investment banker into the entrepreneurial finance world, her biggest lesson, greatest tips for start-ups, how to tackle those sometimes scary numbers in your business, and much more!
Watch the Interview


Ellen Rohr – The brilliant and entertaining President of www.BareBonesBiz.com
Ellen starts our interview off with a bang, by sharing how she nearly sank her own family business, but got turned around with some bold moves.  She covers business planning basics and essentials, her best tips for how you can achieve success in your business, and illustrates her points with some great stories that make this interview so much fun.
Watch the Interview


Alison Kero – An incredibly courageous woman, who turned her life right-side up, and President of Alicat Pet Service
She shares her story of giving it up to go after her dream business, and never looking back. Hear about her biggest “aha” moment that changed everything, her journey, and her dreams for the future.
Watch the Interview


Valérie Berset-Price – Global businesswoman and President of Valérie Antoinette
You will discover the biggest challenges she had to overcome, her most significant decisions, and hottest tips for anyone interested in expanding their business abroad.
Watch the Interview


Michele Benza – Personal Coach and Founder of Michele Benza, Image Consulting & Posture
Michele shares the upsides and how to manage the downsides of business; she discusses how you must discover your style, not through your clothing, but by integrating it with your personality; and why your image is your first non-verbal business card.
Watch the Interview


Natalie Sisson – The Suitcase Entrepreneur herself, and Founder of SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com
From her early challenges, to making the big shift to solo entrepreneurship, Natalie shares her best tips and strategies for starting and running a business that is fun and profitable.
Watch the Interview


Erin Ferree – Founder of Brand Style Design
Erin discusses how she takes her clients through the brand planning process. Find out what’s more important than having a pretty brand, and how to make sure your brand is built on a solid foundation to be sustainable over the long haul.
Watch the Interview


Randi Busse – A true customer service expert and President of Workforce Development Group, Inc.
Randi shares the reason why she left a large corporation to break out on her own, how she transforms businesses from the top down, and her biggest tips when it comes to putting your customers first.
Watch the Interview


Kimberly Gauthier – A professional-amateur photographer, and Founder of a fabulous photography blog called Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier
Learn how Kimberly assists aspiring photographers in discovering the joys of using their cameras off auto mode, and how she managed to get a free car and major PR for a month.
Watch the Interview


Melanie Hope – Award-winning speaker, author and President of Hope Speaking LLC.
Learn why she refers to herself as a “Momentum Speaker,” and more about her upcoming book, Get Over It and Get Started.
Watch the Interview


Laura Petrolino – Chief Communications Officer with Flying Pig Consulting
Laura is a fantastic resource, and in our interview she shared the important difference between helping people and giving away your time, the benefits of creating a valuable network with your peers, and what your very first step should be prior to launch.
Watch the Interview


Dr. Marlene Caroselli, Corporate Trainer and Accomplished Author
Find out how her career path led her from property management to a contract with the Department of Defense, as well as many Fortune 100 companies in the Total Quality Management arena (TQM); why she is such a prolific writer; the importance of thinking both big and small; and her top three recommendations for maximizing your communication skills.
Listen to the Interview


Stephanie Calahan – Productivity Powerhouse and Founder of Calahan Solutions
This productivity and organization expert shares the importance of establishing a framework for your vision, what you can do to regain power in your business over busyness, and why multitasking is so unproductive.
Watch the Interview


Tawana Necole – Founder of Corporate Chics, LLC.
Tawana shares her biggest start-up challenges after being “released” from her full-time job, the motivation behind creating Sistergirl Tuesdays, why her best decision was to simply give up control, and what the 3 E’s are that make up her business philosophy.
Watch the Interview


Leslie Josel – The Clutter Controller and Founder of Order Out of Chaos
One of my favorite points that Leslie made was when she shared that there is no wrong when it comes to de-cluttering your life.  It all boils down to finding what works best for you, rather than trying to fit into any neat and tidy little box.
Watch the Interview


Nora Whalen – Brave Entrepreneur and President and Founder of The Institute for Beautiful Business
Learn her top strategies to stay laser-focused, the number one decision she made for herself and her business that helped her get very clear on her priorities, and much more!
Watch the Interview


Taylor Louie – Co-Founder of Skill Addiction
Find out why it is so important to be completely honest with yourself about your strengths, how you can boost the success and growth of your company by interacting directly with your customers, and more!
Watch the Interview


Scarlet Paolicchi – Founder of Moms Wear Your Tees
You will learn Scarlet’s best tip for selecting a url when starting your business, the 2 best ways to grow your business, how to get the biggest bang for your investment in social media, and more!
Watch the Interview


Janna Hoiberg – Executive Coach and Owner of Action Coach Advantage
Janna shares her best tips for women working in a male-dominated environment, the first steps she took to build a new business network from scratch, the importance of having a coach, even if you are one, and more!
Watch the Interview


Suellen Hughes – Amazing woman entrepreneur from “down under,” Founder of The Kickstart Business
Learn how to navigate through the ups and downs that are a natural part of entrepreneurship, the proper way to go into business with a partner, the 3 tiers of her business model, and more!
Watch the Interview


Elena Patrice – Co-Founder of Websites Give Back
Elena shares how she transitioned from losing everything to starting over, why targeting a niche is so important for business success, the advantage women have in business by taking a softer, more relational approach, plus more!
Watch the Interview


Dr. Monique Y. Wells – Founder of Understanding Time Management
Discover how she reinvented herself when the market fell out from beneath her main business, why when starting a business you must be crystal clear about your direction before moving forward, the importance behind establishing a support network for her solopreneur venture before she branched out on her own, and more!
Watch the Interview


Angie Segal – Owner of an ActionCOACH Business Coaching Franchise and Co-founder of ORIGINAL Tuesdays
Angie shares how she successfully transitioned from Corporate America to business coaching, the benefits and challenges of franchise ownership, the importance of creating a business around her core values, plus more!
Watch the Interview


Vicki Donlan – Business Coach and author of Her Turn: Why It’s Time for Women to Lead in America
Learn why an exit strategy needs to be a part of your business when you begin, how to hire people who can truly add value to your company, the importance of vetting potential clients before you begin working with them, and more!
Watch the Interview


Nancy Butler – National Speaker and Founder of Above All Else – Success in Life and Business
Find out how Nancy pulled herself up by the bootstraps and built a business following a difficult divorce, why your mindset can make or break your business, the reason she sought employees who were the opposite of herself, and more!
Watch the Interview

That’s how I feel when I get in over my head as a solo entrepreneur, and have loaded too much on my plate.

Have you ever felt like that?

My solution is to take a break from the daily to-do’s to focus on creating, locating and/or integrating new tools and systems to simplify my tasks and get my business back on a forward track.

It’s about deciding which is more painful — to stay stuck and treading water, or to put things aside for a short time to focus on the tasks that will move my business ahead. For me, the decision is always the same. Staying stuck is far more painful than switching mental gears to build or integrate more systems. Though the work in the short-term is tough, detailed, and not always enjoyable, the payoff in the long run is worth the discomfort.

What’s got your business stuck in the mud these days, and what’s it going to take for you to gain some traction? Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a step back from the daily grind and questioning why in the world you spend time doing some of the things you do. More often than not, this change of perspective may be just what you need to see a clearer, more expeditious path toward the same goal.