Audrey's Goals

[Audrey]

There are so many things I want to do...

I really want to produce at least one article per week

I really want to update my scrapbooking site....I haven't updated it in at least 6 months UG

I really want to find items to post on my blog so that I can post 3 times per week AT LEAST every single week

Those are probably the top three things on my to do list right now.

[Lori]

Hey Audrey :)

I moved this to your own 'Goal Thread'. Otherwise it might get confusing if more people participate.

Do you use the Google News Alerts? I find it to be a good muse for blogging topics. For example I have them send me news and blog posts as they happen on terms like: work from home, home business etc...

They come in the email and sometimes they inspire me to investigate and write about the topic myself. Other times I just comment on that persons blog...

[Audrey]

Lori,

Thank you!!!! I just signed up for two alerts...this should help me not only with blogging but also with articles.

[tam2005]

I just signed up for 2 alerts as well! :D

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Audrey,

I use the Link and Blog Challenge (http://www.linkandblogchallenge.com/) sometimes to help me blog. There are group challenges or one on one challenges. A person would choose a keyword and you would use that keyword in your blog post. For example: You choose the keyword "bread". I blog using the keyword "bread" on my blog post and use the anchor text (keyword) and link it to your blog post about bread. You have received an one way incoming link. The next person will blog about "bread" and their anchor text will have my blog post URL and so on.

There's wide range of categories and choosing a keyword is unlimited. It's a good way to help unblock the writer's block.

:)

[Audrey]

I have one goal today. To begin a new article.

Sophia...thanks for the web link...I read a bit of the first page and how it works.

[tam2005]

Thanks Sophia for the link. I bookmarked it! :)

[Lori]

Lori,

Thank you!!!! I just signed up for two alerts...this should help me not only with blogging but also with articles.

Glad that's useful for you too Audrey. Good luck on the article writing today!

[tam2005]

Good luck on the article writing today!

Audrey won't need luck...she's naturally good at it. :)

[Audrey]

Well the article is not going to happen today, BUT, I did recieve an invitation to write 12 very short cooking pieces for a newsletter....one piece for each of the next 12 weeks. I was able to complete 5 of them today. I'm pretty jazzed. When I receive the request last night, I just didn't know how I was going to be able to do this.

[tam2005]

I'm pretty jazzed.

Well...I would be as well. Congrats to you Audrey! :thumb:
That is quite an honor and see...you're almost half way finished with the project. ;)

Good going! I hope you receive many more offers. :D

[Audrey]

I read a tip today...something I'd not really thought about before, which is submitting my newsletter to directories.

I was able to find maybe 4 or 5 directories that are FREE to submit to and I did submit my newsletter there.

I'm hoping one of you might have a list of directories to submit newsletters to. Anyone?

[tam2005]

Hey Audrey,

I just did a search and came up with these...


http://www.qualitybooks.com/ezines.htm

http://www.freedman-chicago.com/nss/nwsltrdir.shtml

http://www.homebiztools.com/newsletter-announcing.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art12836.asp

http://www.i-m-r-c.com/resources/news_dir.htm

http://www.mobilestorm.com/digital-marketing-blog/submitting-newsletter-to-online-directories/

There are tons more on Google (http://www.google.com)

Also here are some more directories...however, they are not specified "newsletter" You'll have to go through them. ;)

http://info.vilesilencer.com/main.php?rock=seo-friendly.php
http://www.strongestlinks.com/directories.php
http://www.best-web-directories.com/directory-list.htm
http://www.seocompany.ca/directory/free-directories.html

:) Hope this helps.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

What kind of newsletter do you have? You may want to find niche directories for them....

[Lori]

Well the article is not going to happen today, BUT, I did recieve an invitation to write 12 very short cooking pieces for a newsletter....one piece for each of the next 12 weeks. I was able to complete 5 of them today. I'm pretty jazzed. When I receive the request last night, I just didn't know how I was going to be able to do this.

Awesome Audrey! Congrats :D

[SEO expert]

Awesome...Keep it up and keep us posted on how are you doing your articles.....

Great going...:thumb:

[tam2005]

How's things going for you today Audrey?

[Audrey]

Tammy,

Thanks for the links.

I did submit to several places and guess what? I've got about 10 new subscribers right now.

Ok...so before the end of Sunday, I need a newsletter for October.

Today....hmmm I slept in, went and go my blood drawn, went out for breakfast with a friend, went shopping and now I'm finally home at 11 am and just getting to my morning routine.

I'm not sure much productivity will happen today.

On the flip side, with those google alerts I do have a few emails to go through looking for ideas.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Audrey,

I forgot to congratulate on your short cooking pieces for a newsletter. Congratulations! :thumb:

[SEO expert]

Audrey, keep us posted on your goals....how many you have achieved and where are you getting stuck...maybe someone on the forum can help you and provide valuable suggestions...

[Audrey]

Lori,

I can not thank you enough. I did get one idea for a blog post today based on a google idea...I also have one title for an article.

I really took today off. I just couldn't work.

After posting...I went to the gym, worked out...went out for lunch...yep, I needed another meal out today LOL.

Then I met a friend and together we went over to another friends house to visit her new dog.

It's now 7:30 p.m. and after posting I'm done for today.

I don't do days like today very often but when I need them, I take them.

[tam2005]

Audrey...we all need days off. ;) That's the beauty of (work at home)
If we didn't take that much-needed time away, then we would face major burn out. And tomorrow is another day. :)

[Lori]

Lori,

I can not thank you enough. I did get one idea for a blog post today based on a google idea...I also have one title for an article.

Audrey -- it's nice to have been able to help YOU for a change :)

[Audrey]

Lori,

Oh my gosh...it's the best idea I've had in a very long time. I also have an idea for an article that just showed up last night :)

I did finish one article yesterday and submitted it.

The month of October I want to concentrate on customers. I'd like to reconnect with those who have made past purchases and I'd also like to find new customers :)

[tam2005]

Hey Audrey,

Congrats on the article! :)

Have you written any articles on Tupperware?

[Audrey]

Tammy,

I have not written any articles on Tupperware. The pages I worked on yesterday were Tupperware specific and keyword specific to Tupperware.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Where can we read your articles, Audrey?

[Audrey]

Sophia,

All of my articles are listed on ezinearticles.com http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Okaneko

Today, I added a few more pages to my site and wrote one of two newsletters :)

[tam2005]

Audrey...I'll never, ever catch up with you. You've written a ton of them!
My hats off to ya girl! :) Sometime, when I have the time, I'll read some of them.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Thanks for the link. :)

[Lori]

Go Audrey Go!!! You're inspiring me :)

[tam2005]

You're inspiring me :)

She is me too! I'm in the article-writing mode. :p

[Audrey]

I had an article that was about 1/3 written. I finished it today and my daughter now has it to proof. I want to read it over again tomorrow and then I'll submit it.

I dug out about 50 more recipes from a box last night. So...I hope to get at least some of them up on my site between now and Sunday.

I also have an ebook that I keep trying to work on, but for some reason it keeps being placed on the back burner. I really want to at least write some chapter titles between now and Sunday.

[tam2005]

Looking forward to the article Audrey. :)
I have lots more recipes of Mom's, but not going to work on that anymore until next week.

What is the ebook about? I don't think I could tackle an ebook. lol

[Audrey]

It's on marketing. I seem to see the same question over and over...."how can I market with no money?"

[tam2005]

Excellent topic for an ebook! ;)

[Audrey]

So....I had a weeks worth of Google alerts in my folder. I went through them this morning and now have 4 article titles :) In addtion I made a post to my blog. I feel good for this morning.

[tam2005]

Sounds awesome Audrey. You're on a role too! :D
I have 4 new article ideas myself.

[tam2005]

How's the article writing going for this week Audrey?

[Audrey]

I've changed my focus. I was FORCING myself to write and that was not working. I feeling discouraged not meeting goals and not producing articles. So...I'm on a different path right now. I want to add pages to my site.

I'm even thinking about redoing the navigation on the site.

I had a new banner made for the site. It's a blue color so I had to change the entire site colors. I've worked on that all week long. I even had to change my google ads as they were peachy to match the old colors.

I've been working on single pages. Pages not on the navigation, but pages that are getting indexed and showing up in search engines. They are all Tupperware specific pages. So...my goals are more page related right now versus content and article related.

I hope to have 5-10 new pages put up in the next week...that's only one page per day average and I think that's very doable.

[tam2005]

Good for you Audrey! Sounds like fun. :)

I really like that header. Warm and inviting.

[Audrey]

I have a lot going on this weekend, however I'd also like to get some of my existing articles submitted to a few directories.

I'd also like to do a bit more keyword research for some new pages.

So...I hope to post Sunday night or Monday morning that I've done these things.

[tam2005]

Sounds good Audrey...I accomplished quite a bit today. Will have a busy weekend as well. ;)

[Audrey]

I did get articles submitted today and for that I'm thrilled. I'm off to the football game. If only it wasn't raining LOL

[tam2005]

Have fun Audrey! :D

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

A nice way to wrap up a busy day! Good for you! :)

[Audrey]

I do not usually have financial goals...but something happened today that made me very focused financially.

I received a phone call with an invitation to a huge gala. It's about $2000 per table and I was invited to sit with a couple who bought a table.

I want to do that. I want to buy a table next year and be able to invite others.

How can I reach that goal? More customers and more recruits...which means more marketing :)

[tam2005]

Audrey, that sounds interesting. ;) Congrats to you.

When is the event scheduled?

First, I would see what it's all about and what it involves. That is a steep price. After attending the gala event...and you like the experience, and you think it will benefit you and your business then start advertising it on your sites and various boards. Since you have a year to do this, also start getting listed in business directories.

Audrey, I can just see you at a table with all your tupperware products. :p Sounds like fun. :)

[Audrey]

I was really unclear :? It's a dinner fundraiser. That's why a table is $2000. It's a black tie dinner event.

It's actually next Sunday.

[tam2005]

Ahh OK, Very interested in how it turns out for you. Please let us know! :p

Also...if you are interested in doing this yourself, you can post flyers out, pass out business cards around your area to advertise the event, etc....
:)

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

This is just my opinion and I don't know what kind of fundraiser this is, but I think it would be very tacky to hand out flyers or hand out business cards at a dinner fundraiser -- black tie, nonetheless. If the question, "what do you do?" came up then you can say what you do without making it a sales or recruiting pitch. You can still market yourself, but in a tactful way. There's a time to be "talking and working" business and other times to just leave it.

[Audrey]

I am not interested in conducting business. My ONLY interest is in having $2000 more dollars next year so that I can buy a table, invite others and enjoy the evening.

[tam2005]

This is just my opinion and I don't know what kind of fundraiser this is, but I think it would be very tacky to hand out flyers or hand out business cards at a dinner fundraiser -- black tie, nonetheless. If the question, "what do you do?" came up then you can say what you do without making it a sales or recruiting pitch. You can still market yourself, but in a tactful way. There's a time to be "talking and working" business and other times to just leave it.

I should have made myself clearer there. LOL...That sure would have been tacky! I didn't mean pass out flyers or cards (at the event itself). ;)

Audrey was asking ways she could achieve that goal.

I edited my post.

I am not interested in conducting business. My ONLY interest is in having $2000 more dollars next year so that I can buy a table, invite others and enjoy the evening.

Ahh...cool, I share in that interest Audrey! :D

[Audrey]

I actually wrote two articles today. I'll let them sit a few days and then reread them.

I don't know where they came from, but I started writing and next thing I knew, I had two articles LOL.

[tam2005]

That's great Audrey. :)

I wish they came to me that easily. lol

I have an idea and a title so far for a new one. I might start on it tonight.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

I should have made myself clearer there. LOL...That sure would have been tacky! I didn't mean pass out flyers or cards (at the event itself). ;)

Audrey was asking ways she could achieve that goal.

LOL! My bad! :hee:

Yay Audrey! It's rare that article writing will hit me smack in the face and I'm able to produce two in one day. You're lucky to have that talent.

:)

[tam2005]

Have you written anymore Audrey? Hope things are going well. :)

[Audrey]

I have not written more. I don't do well setting goals. If I wake up and don't feel like doing what my goal is, then I don't.

This morning I woke up and felt like writing people. I sent out close to 60 messages this morning. Just touching base with others.

I am a strong strong believer in networking, so this morning it was time to put some networking into action.

As a result, I got several emails back and was able to help a few folks with questions they had and refer a few folks to others I know.

I feel good about my morning.

This afternoon I've been cooking for a party tonight. There will about 20 of us. Ahh my house smells wonderful :)

[tam2005]

Good for you on the networking Audrey. :)

I hope you had a wonderful time with your guests. :D

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

I don't do well setting goals either...I can sooo relate. How did your party go Audrey? And what did you cook?

[Audrey]

Party was awesome!!! There were 17 of us. I did this with a friend. She and I try to do a get together every other month or so. We had a wonderful speaker last night. Each get together, we do a dinner and then a speaker. We try to keep dinner really simple. We had salmon with artichokes, salad, bread and potato casserole, oh and deviled eggs. A few women brought dessert, so a nice but really simple meal.

I have another party here on Wednesday....halloween. I chose a menu last night actually LOL. This time there will be fewer of us and it's just me.

Today....not sure I have any goals for today. I'll have to see where my fingers lead me LOL.

[tam2005]

Audrey,

Sounds like you had a nice time. :)

It also sounds like you're a very busy lady! I can tell you are very business minded...a good thing. Keep up the good work! :thumb:

[Hisgirl0305]

YUM! The menu sounds awesome! LOL...I should go eat lunch!:hee:

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

I love salmon...I'm glad you had fun! What's the menu for Halloween?

[Audrey]

All finger foods for Halloween.

Yesterday....I ended up doing a lot of emailing again. Just writing folks asking how they're doing etc.

Today...I want to search out some ideas for my November newsletter.

[tam2005]

Audrey...how's the newsletter going?

[Audrey]

October came and went and took only two breaths LOL. I did not get it done. I have a completely free day on Sunday and the newsletter has to get done then.

On the flip side I found myself with some "free" time very unexpectadly yesterday and I was able to create about a half dozen new webpages and get them uploaded. I also wrote and submitted one article. I usually sit on them a few days but I really wanted to upload this one.

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Your productiveness yesterday made up for the no show newsletter. Good for you on the article writing and submitting it. There are times when an article just doesn't need that "curing" process. 6 new webpages...Woo Hoo! I'm sure you're flying now.

:)

[tam2005]

Sounds awesome Audrey! You go girl! :thumb:

[judilynn]

Audrey, sounds like you have been very productive. 6 webpages is quite an accomplishment! Great job.

[Audrey]

I am so not a goal planner. While I believe goals are awesome...I just consistantly don't make them.

Now, having said that....I've been working on a training series for my own personal business. Yesterday I completed 3 more pages.

This will be one email per day through Aweber. It feels good to have 3 more pages done!!!!

Today, I do have a goal of working on more new pages for the site.

[tam2005]

Well...sounds like you've been quite productive within the last couple of days, with not being a goal planner. You might be more of a goal planner than you think. ;)

Good job on the pages. :D

[Audrey]

I"m still here. My goal this week is more pages on my site and more pages written for my training. I'm up to about 9 pages now and I'd like at least 30.

On the personal side, I've been camping this weekend. I had not been camping for quite some time prior to this weekend. There were about 100 of us that went and we had a blast!!!

[tam2005]

Good job on the pages Audrey! :D

I've not been camping in years. We used to go all the time. I'd like to go again sometime. It's a tad bit chili now for my taste though. Glad you had fun! :)

[judilynn]

Great work on your website.

Glad you had fun camping. Kids were just asking me when we were going again.

[Audrey]

I have a lot I want/need to complete.

1. I need a November newsletter for both sites. I just haven't done that yet.

2. I need to put together everything I need for the boutique this weekend (I'm really stressed over this)

3. I need to complete the training I'm working on.

4. I need to look at my blog and get back to posting regularly in it. Once again I just let it go.

On the personal side:

1. I need to continue to exercise daily now that my daughter left (she's my exercise buddy).

2. I need to make sure all laundry is done so we can pack. (for those that don't know I leave for Colorado on Tuesday, my daughter already left for Colorado today)

Hmm I need a break just thinking about all I need/want to do LOL

[tam2005]

Audrey...don't get too stressed out. :?

On the personal side, I need to take the time to get back to my exercise routine as well! :rolleyes:

Hmm I need a break just thinking about all I need/want to do LOL

LOL! :hee:

Well...I'll be taking a good break starting this weekend, as I'm having Thanksgiving for the family this year. Will be nice break...however, I need to do a little bit of cleaning too. This weekend my hubby is going to help get the lights and decor up. We always display lights outside our house. :D

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

One goal at a time and you will be fine. You have a lot on your plate, but I'm confident you will tackle each one and complete them. Exercise releases a lot of stress so even 30 minutes a day is better than none.

You can do it Audrey...I know you can!

:)

[Audrey]

Yesterday I got everything ready for Sunday. I have all the catalogs labeled and packed. I have all the products packed. I have all the recipe sheets and information sheets ready and packed. I feel good that I got all of that done.

[tam2005]

Good going Audrey...see, you're already ahead of the game. I wish you tons of success! :D

[judilynn]

Yesterday I got everything ready for Sunday. I have all the catalogs labeled and packed. I have all the products packed. I have all the recipe sheets and information sheets ready and packed. I feel good that I got all of that done.

Way to go! I know you will do great! Let us know how it goes :)

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

Great job Audrey! I hope things go very well for you!

:)

[Lori]

Best of luck at the Boutique this weekend Audrey :)

[tam2005]

Audrey...how did things go last weekend? I know you've probably been super busy getting caught up. ;)

[WorkAtHomeSpace]

We want updates Audrey. :D How did things go?

[tam2005]

Still waiting on those updates Audrey. Please... :p