Is your blog a business? Would you like it to be?

If you answered “Yes” to either question, then you’ve probably heard about Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind program.

I haven’t joined it yet, but I did read his free Blog Profits Blueprint (chock full of lots of useful, practical information–a must read).

What is Blog Mastermind, and how does it work?

See for yourself. The Blog Mastermind program is focused on marketing. What I like most about Yaro’s style is that he’s not just writing to fill up space. He isn’t just saying, “Marketing is great. It’s important. You’ve really got to do it. Yep. Marketing. I love marketing.”

Yaro’s program actually gives an action plan, and includes specific steps to take (homework), gives real life examples, and even tells you what he doesn’t have much experience with.

I’ve bought an ebook or two that filled up pages with useless, obvious information that was clearly hypothetical. The free Blog Profits Blueprint is more than just theory and ideas.

If you’re serious about making good money from your blog, read the Blog Profits Blueprint. If it resonates with you, then the Blog Mastermind program may be just what you’re looking for too.

In my quest to make freelance writing work for my family, I joined a freelance writers’ group on Yahoo. It’s a great resource for anyone wanting support and advice for their commercial writing business.

One of the members, Danny Thompson, started a Yahoo Group to help freelance writers survive. It’s completely free, it has tons of resources in the Files section, and it sends you daily reminders for your business. He acknowledges that it may not fit your particular situation perfectly, but there are definitely gems for any business owner.

Check out Danny’s free group, Freelance Survival Training. You won’t be disappointed. Remember to check out the Files section too.

I can dream, can’t I?

A vacation would be wonderful, especially since the last time I went anywhere just for the fun of it was the Bahamas, and I won’t tell you how long ago that was (or how short my visit was). It was beautiful, though. The beach was amazing, with sand that was so white, and with ocean water that was so clear and blue. I’d love to go back one day.

Because I lived in Detroit, I often visited Canada. And thanks to Anne of Green Gables (one of my favorite non-fantasy/sci-fi book series), I’ve always wanted to go to Prince Edward Islands. One day I’ll have to check out the rates for flights to Canada from Arizona.

I just found out about a company called DialAFlight where you talk with someone over the phone to book your next vacation or holiday. If I’m ever in the market, I’ll definitely see how they compare to other travel agencies. It never hurts to shop around.

When was your last vacation? Where did you go?

I think that one of the most important parts of a freelancing business is generating viable leads. I’ve done my share of cold emailing and cold calling, and that’s definitely one way to get leads. Perusing the classifieds for companies that are looking to hire permanent people with my skills is another.

Recently I found a web site that offers to find leads for your business to business telemarketing needs. It might be worth it to take a look at their services if you’re looking to build your business.

Have you tried a lead generating service like The Lead Dogs? If you haven’t, would you? Why or why not?

Many freelancers work with clients remotely. The world’s the limit!

But there are times when meeting face-to-face with a client or even a prospect might be a good idea. Email correspondence can leave too much room for interpretation, and phone conversations are only a little better.

There’s a fairly new company, LifeSize, that offers high-definition video conferencing services and other products to help you connect with people all over. They even have what they call “LifeSize Room” where you can connect up to 6 people at a time.

Check out LifeSize if you’re looking for ways to reach out to your customers in a more true-to-life way.

Writing a blog on a regular basis can be difficult. You have to think of something to write about constantly, and every so often you get blogger’s block.

I recently read a wonderful post by Graham Jones that is really going to make my blogging life much easier (if I make myself take his advice, that is).

Basically, Graham likens blogging to being the publisher/editor of a major publication like a newspaper or magazine. You have certain columns that are written on a regular basis. You know what I’m talking about. Like “Dear Abby,” letter to the editor, horoscopes, etc.

To translate this for your blog, you come up with the type of story you want to write each day for a week, month, 2 months, or whatever timeframe you like. I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers have “Wordless Wednesdays” where they post only a picture for that day. Or Thursday 13. Perhaps you’ll save Fridays to announce your projects for the week. You get the idea.

What makes this appealing to me is that I won’t have to come up with a topic all the time. It’ll be mapped out for me in advance, even if I don’t have the actual post written. I’ll just know that today is Copywriting Tip day, or that tomorrow is New Poll day.

Do you have a blogging schedule? How does it work for you? Or do you write by the seat of your pants, like I tend to do? What’s your preference if you’ve tried both methods?

As we all know, having health insurance is a lifesaver.

As business owners, it’s very important not to neglect your own health by omitting health insurance. Being without insurance is a major gamble. Do something to get it, even if it means going back to a ‘day job’ so you can save money toward an individual plan (while getting the company’s group plan).

Even though I am insured, lately I’ve been overlooking my own health because I’ve been “too busy.” But I found this website, Inside Cardiac Arrest, that reminded me I really need to get checked out.

Years ago I started having heart palpitations, but my doctor told me it was nothing. So I’ve left it alone for almost 10 years. All that’s happened is I’ve gotten older, and my Irregular Heartbeat issues are even scarier now. If I wind up having a heart attack while my daughter is home, she won’t be able to help, and worse, I won’t be able to help her.

So it’s time for me to get a second opinion. Past time.

Is your heart healthy? Are you at risk for cardiac arrest? Insured or not, your health is important to someone.

Photo credit: Elvis Santana

Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely disorganized at home. I don’t have “a place for everything, and everything in its place,” though I desperately want to.

Business owners, whether at home or in an office, also need to maintain some sense of order so they can be productive.

Are labelmakers the answer? Maybe for some of us.

DYMO has labelmakers for all types of folk. There are several simple, “turn and click” designs that even children can work. These are probably best for household labeling, like food canisters, files, and drawers.

DYMO also has high-tech labelmakers for offices, including LabelWriters for printing. There’s also an easy way to get online stamps using DymoStamps for your postage needs.

How can labelmakers simplify your business? Perhaps you’re a freelance writer, and you send your clients a copy of their project on disk. DYMO has a DiscPainter that can turn your CD into a marketing tool.

Files and shelving space with clearly written labels make it easier to put everything where it goes, especially if you’re working out of your home. You can obviously make your own on your computer, but the labelmakers save you time by omitting several steps.

Check out DYMO’s website and take a look around. It’s easy to navigate, and it may give you some ideas for your business as it expands. Or you might find something handy for your home life.

Are you organizationally challenged like I am?

Photo credit: Constantin Jurcut

I use the computer a lot, as many of you probably do too. We all know that we need to exercise our bodies to stay healthy, but what about our eyes?

I found this cool site that offers a lot of tips to exercise your eyes, and possibly improve your eyesight. My daughter, at not yet 3, is already wearing glasses, but I wonder if trying eye yoga might help her out.

Here are some quick exercises you can try before you even go read the site:

1. When you’re using the computer, make an effort to blink more often. Staring at the computer is a strain on the eyes.

2. Gently close your eyes and roll the eyeballs around for about 60 seconds.

3. Squeeze your eyes shut for about 5 seconds, then open them. Do this exercise several times in a row.

Feel better yet?

Are you a work-at-home parent? Even if you’re a home-based entrepreneur without children, this resource list is gold.

The list includes 100 resources, from articles to blogs (mine is included…very nice), to networks and miscellaneous information. Everything’s online, so there’s no need to run to the library.

Even if you don’t have time right now, just go to The Bootstrapper’s site and bookmark the WAHM’s Toolbox. This is a list you don’t want to ignore.