Indie Business Blog

Blogging: So Easy, Anyone Can Do It

5 Actions That Keep Blogging Simple And Fun

I'm helping a client launch a blog this week so I'm answering a lot of questions. While each one has a different slant, there is one central theme: Am I doing this right? Unfortunately, there's really no right or wrong way to answer that question.

          

I've been blogging now since 2005 and I've helped a lot of people launch blogs. One thing that's universally true is that no one feels comfortable when they first start blogging. But for most people, blogging eventually becomes second nature with practice and consistency. One way to help make that happen is to commit to these five actions that keep blogging simple and fun.

It's Not About You

Shame On You If You Pull the Ladder Up After You

Earlier this month, while I was on Capitol Hill and at the FDA advocating Indie Beauty Network member positions against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, I was accompanied by 4 amazing women. Each has at least one successful and profitable business, yet, she took time away from her rice bowl to join me in a fight that will positively impact business owners around the country for years to come.

         

Kayla Fioravanti, Anne-Marie Faiola, Lela Barker and Jamila White are screaming examples of women who are not so wrapped up in their own success stories that they abandon a moral obligation to pave the way for others to enjoy the same opportunities they have.

Indiecation Nation

With More Americans Becoming Entrepreneurs, Indiecations Are the New Vacations

A lot is being discussed these days about "staycations". These alternatives to vacations are taking place more and more as families find that the rising cost of gas and other consumer goods is making it more difficult to vacation away from home. They are meeting this challenge by taking time off, but staying at home to "staycation."

       

Last week, I was on "indiecation," a term I coined to describe the kind of vacation Indie Business owners like me take. Indiecations are enjoyed by solo and family owned businesses who take traditional vacations away from home, but who still have to manage their businesses day to day, even while away. Indiecations are characterized by a mixture of traditional vacation time and work time, often done at the same time. Here are some tips you can use to enjoy your Indiecation.

Greetings From Hilton Head

We are having a blast on Hilton Head. Thought I'd share a photo from our glorious Indiecation.

            

Want to know what an Indiecation is? Subscribe to Indie Business Blog today so you don't miss finding out in my next post!

Sample Letters You Can Send To Congress and the Media

Use these Samples to Prepare Your Own Letters!

My last post offers tips and strategies to help you impact the political process in your favor. Now that you have an overview of the process, here are some sample email letters you can use to reach out to the media and your representatives in Congress.

          

Remember that these letters are meant to be samples and they have already been used effectively by IBN member Lisa Rodgers of Cactus & Ivy to set up a conference call meeting with a South Carolina Senator's staffer, and also by IBN member Starlene Moore of Supplies by Star so set up a conference call meeting with a Texas Congress woman. It's always a good idea to include a sentence or two that personalizes them so that they don't appear cookie-cutter to the person receiving them. While these samples are designed to address issues associated with the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, they can be used for most any political outreach you may be involved in at the federal, state or local level.

Preparation, Practicalities and Politics

10 Tips For Impacting the Political Process For You, Your Family and Your Business

In his book, First Things First, author Stephen Covey offers valuable tips to help us do more than just be busy and get things done. Covey says that, to be productive, we must distinguish between doing things, and doing the right things. Doing lots of stuff may land your arrow on the dart board, but in order to hit the bull's eye, you have to do the right stuff, and it all starts with being prepared. In this first in a series of posts, I put Covey's advice to good use to help you participate efficiently and effectively in the political process.

          

While my post will be written from the perspective of what we are doing regarding the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, you will be able to use my suggestions in any political arena, whether it's federal, state or local. Be sure to subscribe to Indie Business Blog so you don't miss tips to help you be effective in matters of importance to you, your business and your family.

The Sky Is Falling ... Or Is It?

The federal government is always doing something that affects us. Sometimes, we feel powerless to change these situations -- gas prices is a good example of that. Other times, we know there are things we can do to have an impact, but we are just too busy with other priorities. Then, there are times when we feel like the federal government acts, and the sky is falling.

          

This can happen when a proposed new law threatens to adversely affect how we live our day to day lives. How we generate income. How we feed our children. How we pay our bills. How we build wealth. In these times, we find ourselves mobilized as never before. We know that, if we choose to, we can affect change for the better. We realize that we are not powerless. That we can rise to the occasion, inform ourselves, create a strategy and move forward to implement a change that serves our just cause and alters the course of a nation. The 700+ members of the Indie Beauty Network now find ourselves in such a situation.

Indies On Capitol Hill

Sweatin' For You In Congress and at the FDA!

I'm excited to be back from our trip to Washington, DC to advocate against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008. I will be reporting all the details to Indie Beauty Network members in a members only conference call tomorrow. (Check your email members!) In the meantime, I just have to share some photos and a little bit about our journey. It all started at 1:00AM Tuesday (yesterday) when my dear youngest brother picked me up from the airport. I arrived at our family home at about 2:00AM and fell asleep almost immediately. When the alarm went off at 5:30AM, it was on. We squeezed in 4 meetings all over town in one day. Here's how we did it.

First Call

I met up with Kayla Fioravanti (see pronunciation lesson below) of Essential Wholesale, Jamila White of j.blossom, Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry and Lela Barker of Bella Lucce at 8:15 at the Food & Drug Administration's Office of Cosmetics & Colors. We huddled in the lobby (there were no chairs) for about an hour rehearsing our presentation. The energy level was high. We were looking our best, even showing off our fabulous shoes. These are Lela's. Note the high heels.

          

Preparing For A Date With Congress

Thank You For Your Support!

As Anne-Marie Faiola, Jamila White, Kayla Fioravanti, Lela Barker and I prepare to rock Capitol Hill on Tuesday, I want to thank all of you for visiting this blog, watching the video, reading the Petition and leaving your comments as opposers of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008.

            

As I type these words, there are 1,690 signatures opposing the law at this blog. By the time I upload this post, there will be more. I'm sure of it.

Indies In The City: August 5: Washington, DC

Join me, fresh from my "march" on Washington against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, for the next Indies In The City!

When: August 5, 2008
Time: 5:30pm
Where: California Pizza Kitchen, Dupont Circle (on the red line)
Special Guests: Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry (pictured with me), Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale, Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (see me and Lela on video from Indies In The City: Columbia, SC). UPDATE: Jamila White of j.blossom will be joining us on Capitol Hill!

Please leave your comment below as an RSVP because we need to get the restaurant a count. Bring some cash to pay for your meal. One drink of your choice is on me!

See you there!

For regular doses of Indies In The City fun, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.