Creating a Free Website for your Business

This is so easy I never actually got to doing a "how to" but over the months, I've realised that although I found it simple and easy (and I'm sure you will too if you haven't already), some people need guidelines. Wozaonline.co.za has a wonderful service. To access this, you first need to set up a Google account (just go to www.gmail.com and set up an email address that syncs nicely with your business idea: I got 1000beautifulbracelets as a username, which was great. Actually I wanted "beautiful bracelets at gmail.com" but that was taken, which led to the next idea... you may have to play around a bit with words that best describe your own new business.

Once you are logged onto your gmail account, open another window and go to Step 2 on the http://www.wozaonline.co.za/getstarted page. One person who asked for advice had a problem with the "Add Products" page. I have to admit, since I am a complete layperson when it comes to IT, I actually have to "re-teach" myself each time I do it. But it isn't that difficult, and if it's taking too long, try the FAQ page  which may answer your question alternatively you could go to the Sitebuilder Help Centre, or Email the Support Staff or go to the online Support Forums. Although I have set up my own website (it took me 3 hours, others boast of setting up the whole thing in half an hour), please don't ask me for advice, I would have to refer you back to the help systems already in place that I just listed!!

There are many other "free websites" offered out there (do an internet search) but what I like about Wozaonline is you get a free domain for the first year of your business, which is very useful for a start up operation. Request the domain you want when you set up your Website. I first did a quick search to see if the website I wanted was already taken by anyone, amazingly, www.beautifulbracelets.co.za (my first choice) was available!! So within a few hours I had the website up and running on my own domain!

1000 Beautiful Bracelets Book Deadline!

Apologies to faithful followers, as you may have discerned if you've been reading this Blog regularly, I have been dealing with nipping Burnout in the bud (thank God I believe I have...). If you can recognise the signs mentioned in the previous post, you will be able to save yourself from more hardship. For me, this included a visit to a dietician who is linked to my physician, Dr Wian Stander who supplies the nutritional supplements and immune boosters I desperately needed to get back on track. You can order online if you like. Imagine yourself at your very best: healthy, nourished, at your ideal weight and raring to go? Future Health has the answers and you can order the products online. Dr Stander specialised in Functional Medicine, and there is a wealth of advice on this website for people who want to live a better, healthier longer life. The products are already working for me after only 3 days, my energy levels are returning (I am usually a high-energy person).

I have also a book deadline: "1000 Beautiful Bracelets- How I made a Profit from R1000 ($120) in just 6 weeks and you can too" will shortly be with the Publishers. It should be released in April 2013, you can pre-order your copy online here.

I leave you with a great video: You might have seen this already, I only recently came across it, I am working on finding my own Puddle of Joy, what a stunning place to be!

Burnout Prevention Tips

Start the day with a relaxing ritual. Rather jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, spend at least fifteen minutes meditating, writing in your journal, doing gentle stretches, or reading something that inspires you.

Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits. When you eat right, engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands.

Set boundaries. Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to say “no” to requests on your time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to the things that you truly want to do.

Take a daily break from technology. Set a time each day when you completely disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking email.

Nourish your creative side. Creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout. Try something new, start a fun project, or resume a favorite hobby. Choose activities that have nothing to do with work.

Learn how to manage stress. When you’re on the road to burnout, you may feel helpless. But you have a lot more control over stress than you may think. Learning how to manage stress can help you regain your balance .

Source: HelpGuide. For more info, read the entire article here

Why I think these Blog Posts are Popular..

Here is a list of some of the "all time" most popular "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" Blog posts to date and a brief reason why (although I could be wrong, have your say in the comment section if you have another point of view):

It seems the Money Show Challenge aspect of BeautifulBracelets continues to draw a great deal of interest and attention, and certain of the weekly reports get a lot of attention (I gave a report-back for each of the 6 weeks of the Challenge). I am not sure why certain weeks got more attention than others. Here are links to the most popular of those:

• Money Show Challenge Report Back: Week 3
• Money Show Challenge Report Back: Week 5

Then I feel the next two Posts are popular because these give practical advice on social media and on aspects of getting products marketed:

• The Day After.. and Selling on Twitter
• How To Get Your Products into Retail

Lastly, these three Posts I believe are popular because we all need a bit of inspiration:

• Anything is Possible
• How to Get an Idea for a New Business
• 5 Things Every Happy Person Does

The reason I continue to keep up with this Blog is to bring hope, inspiration and practical help to people working on their own micro business idea. It is worth it if just one person receives that encouragement.

Health Issues Facing Entrepreneurs

The events towards the end of 2012 including the start up of "Beautiful Bracelets" took their toll over the break between Christmas and New Year and I found myself facing what for me is an unusual (fortunately short) period of feeling extremely unwell. My body rebelled against the major stresses of working hard, long hours for an extended period of about 3 months with very little respite! I really do believe that it is important to rest one day a week, but that is not enough.

So in 2013, I will be factoring in fitness, an exercise program and making sure that I take nutritional supplements to assist the careful diet program I am on (I lost 25 kg during 2012 so that major weight loss with associated detox probably also contributed to the brief period of extreme unwellness). I do feel comforted to be under the guidance of a specialist physician (who is on holiday) and will be careful to take his advice going forward...

We all know what we "should" do healthwise.. the thing is, we need to DO it! The past week has been a little warning to me and a reminder of what I already know: the most important attribute for the success of an entrepreneur is to have good health. Do whatever you need to do to protect that!

Make 2013 Your Best Year Ever..!!

I love the tag-line of the January 2013 issue of Entrepreneur South Africa Magazine... which features the R1000 Start-up Challenge that launched Beautiful Bracelets! You can get your copy in stores now, alternatively sign up for an online copy at via their website at Entrepreneur Magazine. This website is well-worth a visit, it has many useful resources for entrepreneurs which you can get by signing up as a user on their website or if you prefer not to do that, just browse the website.

2013.. what I expect

I believe that we are going to need very much to tap into our spiritual resources for 2013. I am trusting God to be my Preserver in 2013. To this end I will memorise Psalm 91 and keep it close to my heart and mind. I have encouraged my friends to do the same.

Psalm 91

¹ He who ^[a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

² I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely,and in Him I [confidently] trust!

³ For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

⁶ Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

⁸ Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

¹⁰ There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

¹¹ For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.

¹⁴ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

10 Google Tips to Enhance your Business

Here is a brief overview of Google tools that can help your business online.

Ad Words Express

Many small-business owners don't have a lot of time or advertising agencies they can use, this is a quick and simple solution. Business owners provide basic information and Google creates their ad. Google will also manage your ad, pushing it to the right people whether they're searching on laptops or cell/mobile devices.

Google+ Your Business

Facebook has become an unstoppable marketing force for many businesses, and Google has its own version. You can share links, photos and promotions with the right customers at the right times. The posts can be public so people can find them using search, or you can use the Circles feature to tailor specific messages to specific followers. You can even initiate live video chats with potential customers who want to dig deeper.

Google Analytics

You need to know that your marketing efforts are not being wasted, and Google Analytics can measure your success. You don't need an army of analysts or even an enterprise to use this enterprise-worthy tool. The free system allows business owners to track sales and conversions and measure your site engagement goals against thresholds. Once you know who is coming to your site and what they're looking for, you can write more highly targeted ads and strengthen your marketing initiatives.

Google Offers

Customers are still driven by deals and Google Offers matches your business with relevant customers in your area looking for discounts. Customers prepay for these targeted discounts and small-business owners are paid a few days after the offer runs.

Google AdSense

While Google can drive customers to your business, it can also be a money maker. Small-business owners can add custom search engines to their site and earn cash from ads on the search results pages. With AdSense, entrepreneurs can also display ads that match their audience's interests on their website and earn from valid clicks or impressions.

Google Keyword Tool

It is all about the keyword, and it is important to select the right ones to attract the right customers to your business. This feature enables you to test-drive keyword ideas using any combination of keywords, a URL and categories. Users can compare statistics for your keywords with one or more match types at the same time. The mobile search component provides data by search volume and competition types.

Traffic Estimator

Once you perfect your keywords, you want to know how much your campaign will cost. Business owners will get a report on average estimated cost per click, total estimated clicks and total estimate costs for each keyword.

+1 Button

Word spreads on the Web like wildfire, and Google's +1 button makes it easier for customers to share their experiences about your business. The +1 button that connects Google+ makes it easier for your customers to start conversation with their circles while also providing timely recommendations. In addition, +1 annotations on Google search help bring these recommendations to users who are searching for your products and services.

Google Mobile

There are Google Search, Display and YouTube ads, but mobile is becoming a prime methods for targeting consumers at the point of decision. It is also important that your website displays well on an array of mobile devices. Using howtogomo.com, business owners can see how their site looks on a mobile device and get customized recommendations for creating a mobile-friendly experience.

Google Apps for Business

Communicating with customers and potential customers is key to your business, but it is not always easy without tech support. Google offers a suite of online tools that are ready for business, including email, a calendar and documents.

Resource: Business News Daily

It's Up To You!

Decide what your "Best Year Ever" would look like and make it happen!