If you’re a writer, you are likely passionate about keeping up with your blog. That is a good thing! However, there is this thing called “balance,” and sometimes it gets tricky to figure out what we want to do, what we should do, and what pays the bills. Not everything fits into all three of those categories!

Create a Community

If you have a significant following, encourage your audience to pay for the increased value you provide through a private membership option. In order to require payment for additional content, the information has to be worth it for your members. In a private membership area on your website or a confidential forum, you can:

• Offer personalized coaching or consulting.
• Provide an opportunity for members to get to know and learn from each other as well as you (specialized, premium membership).
• Give out detailed information, such as workbooks, courses, checklists and advice that is not accessible to the general public.

Maybe you have found that connecting with the global population is exhilarating and powerful. However, you can burn out quickly if you’re not being paid for your efforts. It isn’t a lack of enjoyment, but there is something to be said about paying the bills and keeping the lights on so that you can do what you enjoy!

Here are some suggestions on what you can do to help monetize your blog and earn a few extra bucks, doing what you love.

A successful private community requires engagement. Connect with and in the group on a daily basis. As an effective leader, you’ll encourage the group to interact even when you’re not there, freeing you up to work on other monetization approaches.

I really enjoyed my stint with MyBlogGuest, as featured here on SearchEngineJournal. As a part of building the community, I started up the MyBlogGuest Hangout, which was really successful. It even gave me the idea for starting a curriculum called “HangoutQueen!”

Of course, the real credit goes to the community and Don Sturgill for coming up with the hangout idea and Ann Smarty, the queen of MyBlogGuest (and now ViralContentBuzz and MyBlogU). What I am trying to say here, is just in this paragraph is a representation of communities galore! And successful ones, at that!

But, let’s not stop there. One of the best community builders I have ever met is right here on this blog (that is part of the reason why there are so many awards shown to the right!). Her name is Gail Gardner. Gail creates communities as easily as most of us breathe. So, my advice is that if you want to understand how to create a community, follow Gail and watch how she does it. Don’t forget to actually participate in her communities, too!

• How to Promote A Brand By Building Community #smallbiz
• Engagement From Scratch Compiled by Danny Iny: Free eBook Download

BTW – My favorite membership plugin is s2member.com. It may not be for everyone, but I have used it personally (several times) and I love it! In fact, I loved it so much that I became an affiliate! For those who want to see a complete list, here is an interesting article covering a bunch of membership software: The Best WordPress Membership Plugin of 2015. Ok, it isn’t a brand new article, but it is a pretty good list.

Make a List

I admit that that does not sound like a monetization method in and of itself, but give it a moment to percolate. What I mean by making a list is that you sit and brainstorm all of the different ways that you could make money. This also includes ways you could make money offline. Remember, this is brainstorming.

Do you have a teacher in elementary school that taught you how to brainstorm? (If not, it is probably time you learned!). One of the aspects (in fact one of the main aspects) of brainstorming is that you write anything and everything that comes to mind.

That is why it is ok to write down things that you would consider “offline” and having nothing to do with blogging. Then, after you have made your list is when you may cross off items that you don’t want to include. Also, that is the time to consider what items from the “offline” category fit within the money-making approach of blogging!

Tip from Gail @GrowMap: Use @Trello when brainstorming to categorize and reorganize your research. Click To Tweet

Trello is free and looks just like what you see in the photo above being done with sticky notes. Create columns:

• Priorities
• Other ideas to consider
• Crazy brainstorming ideas

Create a separate card for each idea, type details and even add URLs, videos, images or documents to the back of the card, and then drag and drop them into how feasible they are. Prioritize the ones in your Priorities list in the order you want to work on them. Use labels to track whatever is most important. See a video on ways I use Trello in this post on how to collaborate with us.

As a part of your process of brainstorming, don’t forget to add “research” to the list. This includes brainstorming creative keywords and keyword phrases to help you find other lists (where other people have brainstormed) to add money-making ideas to your list!

I’ll get you started here with a list of clever money-making ideas that I found. That should also give you ideas for additional search terms to find even more articles that have content and ideas to add to your list! Who knows, you may even have a blog article there!

Start a Podcast

If you’re funny, sincere and find people hanging on to your every word, you may want to expand your audience by creating a podcast. If you regularly broadcast material that resonates with your listeners, you’ll attract more traffic. You can then monetize your podcast by:

• Offering guest spots or interviews to other experts in exchange for an advertising fee or advertising your enterprise on their spot on the web.
• Building on your fame by securing speaking engagements.
• Asking a podcast hosting service to sponsor you in exchange for a shoutout at the beginning of every recording.
• There are so many other ideas on how to monetize a podcast that I’ve actually started a “How-To Podcast” course. For GrowMap readers only, here is a growmap coupon link to “get in the door” for free. I am still developing the curriculum, but free is free and when it has been completed, you will already have access.

Even if you are not funny, there are options. I have several podcasts and one example, in keeping with mentioning MyBlogGuest is the former MyBlogGuest podcast.

As you can see, it was as simple as lining people up for interviews! Gail was recently interviewed on the Marketing Impact Podcast and she is their #1 most viewed podcast there to date.

“If you are looking to try podcast hosting for only $5, with one of the top companies, visit libsyn.com. Rumor has it that you may be able to get the first month free if you enter the promo code ‘socialwebcafe’ under “promo code” on the check-out page.

Either way, LibSyn is one of two premier podcast hosting companies and definitely worth the $5. Wondering what podcast hosting is and why you can’t just use regular hosting or places like SoundCloud? I’m afraid that is a longer explanation and one for a more specific discussion on podcasting.”

Write a Book

Many experts suggest writing e-books to promote your brand, but you can position yourself differently than every other blogger by creating a physical book. Websites like Create Space will print your book and distribute it on platforms like Amazon.

All you have to do is create the content and upload it. You’ll earn royalties as the book sells. Marketing your product helps too, of course.

If you want to expand your options, you can set up a web store on your blog using a software like WooCommerce, added to a WordPress self-hosted platform and actually allow people to purchase your physical book by putting it in a shopping card and paying for everything in the shopping cart via PayPal.

Did you notice that word, “everything?” That next step, after installing WooCommerce, is to add even more “stuff” to your store and sell it from your site/blog. But, of course, we may be getting away from ourselves just a little bit… for now.

Ready to Start Monetizing Your Blog?

Do you see what I mean by the sky is the limit? I’ve only given you three ideas/four steps and you are off to the races! What other ideas do you have for making money while enjoying the aspect of blogging?

You can turn any e-course into a workbook that students can actually write in and save. This provides more perceived value than an e-book and can be beneficial for people who don’t have access to a printer.

You can also create a book from all of your blog posts. Make it a comprehensive collection of all of your content, and refer to it as the ultimate guide.

If people like what you’re putting out, they’ll be willing to pay for extras. Position yourself as an expert in your industry and add these perks to help pull in some profits from your blog.

The post Four Ideas to Start Monetizing Your Blog appeared first on Growmap.

It happens to all of us. We mind our own business (don’t we always) and we are just going to meet that deadline and realize that some malware pop-up is warning us that it needs our attention. We have to drop everything to find out what it is all about (and, fortunately, it has been handled by our malware tool). Well, at least we hope it has been covered.

The point is that interruptions happen to all of us. Whether it is a case of the dog having an accident on the floor or a baby that wakes up early from his or her nap, there are challenges that face every freelancer, in the normal course of the day, no matter what “normal” is for each of us.

Solving Pesky Computer Issues

I admit it. I titled this article for “bloggers” and “social media marketers” intentionally. First of all, I can relate. Second of all, this article is for those of you who understand computers at a basic level but do not necessarily spend all day thinking up ways to enhance the computer.

After all, you are spending your time writing or coming up with your next social media marketing strategy, right? That is where “computer issues” can become an interruption for you and possibly affect your deadlines (or worse yet, your computer).

Since I am already a geek (by experience and college degree), I am happy to share some of those basics with you, in hopes that this will save you time so that you can reach those deadlines.

Relevant (Current) Issues with Windows 10

Recently, a friend mentioned an article that showed up in Yahoo News. In fact, the friend is Gail! The article is “How to stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading itself onto your computer.” It is an interesting and helpful article on how to uninstall the Windows 10 update, in case you didn’t want Windows 10 on your computer. According to the article, Microsoft was automatically downloading the Windows 10 upgrade.

Ok, a couple of clarifications on terminology. First of all, technically the Windows 10 “update” is actually an upgrade. An upgrade is anytime the version is an increase in number. So, upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 10 is just that. It is an upgrade. If the version increase is a dot something, then it is an update.

So, an update from Windows 10.0 to Windows 10.1 is just that. It is an update. That said, the Windows 10 “upgrade” is coming by way of the Microsoft Update System. Maybe it is just so that we can be confused, eh?

Secondly, the article terminology is just a wee bit misleading. The title made me think that this is all about stopping Windows 10. It is really more of a case of stopping a particular update, or the automatic updating altogether. Remember we said that Windows 10 upgrade is handled by an update? Well, then stopping an update process isn’t about Windows 10, it is about stopping an update, of which Windows 10 happens to belong. Make sense?

Now, for the article… Again, just a little misleading… In reality, what the article covers is how to “remove” the Windows 10 update once it has already been downloaded automatically onto your computer. It isn’t about “stopping” the automatic download, but about removing it after it has already been automatically downloaded.

If you find yourself in that situation (the update has already automatically downloaded), then the instructions are fine and go ahead and follow what the article suggests, step-by-step.

If the update has not automatically downloaded then 1) you have your Microsoft system set up correctly or 2) it just has happened to you yet. It is likely a case of #1 that you have already set your settings (or somebody has) in the correct way.

If you are in category 2 and need to set your settings NOT to download the update (or any updates), then I have the steps for you, below. I recommend this setup so that you can manage your updates when you want them. The recommendation that I suggest isn’t what Microsoft recommends, but considering I have fixed Exchange Servers when Microsoft (the company) has deemed them lost, I’d say I know a couple of things about Microsoft software. Here you go, instructions for a Windows 7 system:

1. Navigate to Start Menu > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update (half-way down on the right) > Turn Automatic Updating On or Off.
2. Choose one of the following: “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them” or “Never check for updates.” I suggest the “Check for updates but let me choose whether…”

The reason that I suggest the check for updates is that that way you don’t have to remember to do the task. However, you want to decide if/when you download and install. If you have that setting, the Windows 10 update is supposed to ask permission BEFORE downloading and you can choose not to download it.

That is the “real” solution to stop the automatic download, versus the article that tells you what to do after it has automatically downloaded.

One last thing about the article… While I’m sure that you will be ok if you follow the instructions (and you have few options short of following the steps in that article after it has automatically downloaded), you can sometimes run into trouble when uninstalling Windows updates. 95% of the time you should be just fine.

However, there are a few cases when opting to uninstall a Windows update that the wrong update is uninstalled out of order, and your system has hiccups. It can usually be fixed by going through the update process again, but sometimes you get the very update that you didn’t want. It is similar to “ripping” something out of a system (think human body system) and then hoping that there are no consequences.

Again, you should be fine, but it is not ideal. This is, again, why I recommend the option of turning “off” the automatic download and install and letting the OS check for it but wait for you to make the decision on moving forward.

Are you a Windows 8 user? The steps would be very similar to the steps I gave you for Windows 7 (above).

Whew.. enough about Windows for now. Now for a tip for you Mac users…

The Set-It-and-Forget-It Mac Backup Solution

Everyone should ensure that they are backing up their computer (specifically their files), right? Ok, that is up there with everyone should visit the dentist, too. This is good advice whether you are a Windows user, Mac user, or Linux user. The dentist advice is good for you, too.

There are many different software packages available to get the job done. Symantec/Norton makes some good software, too. For now, I’m going to reference Mac. BTW – After I titled this section “Set It and Forget It,” I visited Symantec’s site, and they use the same term! Must be the buzz phrase for backups, no matter what OS! Glad I think like Symantec.

Oh, first, make sure you have some storage ready for your backups. This is especially true if you want to store some versions (i.e. grandfathering the backups). You can get some external storage at a good price at NewEgg.com. That is where we always pick up our drives (yes, we like to collect those.. never enough storage).

Now, for the process of backing up your Mac computer. If you follow that link, you can read about the step-by-step using Time Machine. That is the software that comes pre-installed in the Apple OS. It is located under Apple > System Preferences and likely shows up in the lower right area of the preferences pane. The setup process is fairly simple, and as long as you have your external drive hooked up, Apple will automatically back your system up at preset increments.

As far as the grandfathering backup system (which could also be used for any other OS), that is a case where you perform full backups every Friday and incremental backups on other days. Then, at the end of the month, you keep one backup, and you can get rid of the other backups, keeping that monthly backup. At the end of the year, you should have 12 full backups.

Ok, I said this works for any OS. That is true. However, with Apple Time Machine, you don’t have to worry about all of that because the software takes care of it for you. This is the case with other software packages, as well. That said, it is good for you to understand what the “grandfather” backup process entails.

In Closing…

These are just a couple of tips to help you busy bloggers and social media strategists out, with your busy schedules. Those who are not bloggers can also benefit, too. If you have some other question, about any OS for that matter, let us know in the comments, and I’ll share my two cents. After all (and speaking of money), if I was responsible for the safekeeping, technology-wise, of Hollywood celebrities’ money (Director of IT in the Beverly Hills financial industry), I can certainly help you out with a couple of technology tips.

The post Solving Pesky Computer Issues for Bloggers and Social Media Marketers appeared first on Growmap.

It is often said that there is a role for every actor. How many times have you seen your favorite actor and thought to yourself, “His/her performance in such-and-such was so amazing. That role defined who he/she is as an actor.” Possibly there is not a limitation of one role, but multiple roles that define the actor.

In the same way, there’s an audience for every tone in copywriting. Think about that for a moment. It is about the audience, and yet it is about the synergy between the performer and the audience and that has a lot to do with the performer finding his or her “voice.” That is what we are here today to discuss. Finding your voice to improve your copywriting.

Part of the process of developing your specific “voice,” is to find an effective balance between natural and audience-appropriate.

Throughout the day, it is natural that a person morphs. It is a hop from one situation to another. Your writing tone can do that too, as you get comfortable with your voice and realize the flexibility that your voice has.

First, before we evaluate ourselves in this capacity, we need to understand the industry tendencies and where we may fall prey to them ourselves. There are also many industry standards that we want to understand and actually study so that we understand the complexity of what lies before us.

Finding our voice is key, but there are also many “rooms” that we have to go through, first, to ensure that we are well integrated when we have arrived at that place where we can declare, “I have found my voice!”

Start with SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

One example of something that we want to do is becoming a student of the art and science of search engine optimization (SEO). To truly master SEO and, more importantly, to understand it and know how to apply it, is the enviable position of all professionals who intersect with the use of the Internet. When you have “arrived,” as an SEO expert, that skill set will benefit you in spades.

You don’t necessarily need to comprehend the most technical details and statistics, but a working knowledge of the concepts related to SERPs (search engine results page), keywords, and the long-term impact of consistently relevant, high-quality content, should be studied. That would be the minimum goal that you should set for yourself. A good place to start is with “SEO Basics: 8 Essentials When Optimizing Your Site.”

The Marketing Focus

Writing for marketing purposes will, of course, influence your style. But you still want to distinguish your content in order to elicit interest from your audience. With experience, over time, you may develop a personal formula for finding an effective tone for different clients. This is not unusual, and in fact, is desirable.

I have an assignment for you…

Research your audience and start noting the tone in your competitors’ content. This is likely what your target audience most relates to when they read your article. Doesn’t make sense? Ok, let’s assume that you are “new” to a particular blog. In that case, it is not a matter of you being the best or not. It isn’t even a case of you being good or not. It is a case of being known or unknown.

If you are completely unknown, and yet find that the audience is drawn to you, it may be because there is something that reminds them of one of your competitor writers, even on the same blog/site. That is an excellent opportunity! It allows you to research your competitor and truly analyze what it is that draws the audience in and where you may already be emulating that effective. Now, build on it!

Once you have spent time researching your competitor and what appears to be working and drawing that audience, it is time to move on to the next step. You can begin the process of finding the best way to bring your own voice into that tone that you have defined. This concept, as well as many more concepts like it (successful strategies), is inspired by the course and material at “Kopywriting Kourse: Learn Copywriting That Sells.”

Digging Deeper

Keep in mind that not all industries are created equal in regards to what is defined as the target audience and what causes them to respond to the author.

Consider the following points when developing a suitable tone for different types of businesses or individuals:

• Innovative and professional for business-to-business content.
• Exclusive and decoratively descriptive for a higher-end and women’s audience.
• Energetic and hip for youth, trendy social media, and fitness related content.
• Irreverent and hip for young boys.
• Dependable and sentimental for service businesses like insurance or schools.

Do you see some patterns there? What do you see? Can you add to that list, with other “tones” that appeal to certain audiences? If you need inspiration for your list, return back to the previous assignment/exercise and observe other writers, speakers, performers, and the audiences that they draw.

Your Personal Style > Your Voice

There is an excellent article that walks you through the exercise of finding your own voice, step-by-step: Want a Unique Tone-of-Voice Like Nike and Innocent Smoothies? Here’s How. This article starts by helping you to understand what “tone” and “voice” really mean, how that applies to you, and how you can find your own “voice.” This is very important, especially in branding who you are as a person/brand and the brand/company that you may represent.

These are general guidelines to encourage you to develop an awareness of possible tones for your content. There are also less industry specific rules of thumb for producing the most usable and interesting content. Her are some examples, inspired/adapted from CopyHackers.com. While there, check out the exceptional “The Ultimate Guide to No-Pain Copywriting.”

• Sound authentic, not forced.
• Avoid obviously forced humor.
• Keep headlines tonal and follow with plain, supporting content.
• Sometimes being straightforward instead of tonal is refreshing to the reader(s).
• Prioritize usability before tone.
• Be consistent with your tone, throughout your article.
• Let yourself be a likable expert.

The following tips are common and regurgitated throughout the Internet. There is a question of who the tips belong to, originally, and so there is a feeling of gratitude to the following sites, for their contribution to this list: justjasonjones.com; lingaureca.com; and copyhackers.com. Obviously, with a line-up like that, the tips have been vetted. Those tips, to help you improve as a professional copywriter, are:

• Practice self-awareness exercises as recommended at goinswriter.com.
• Favor a short and clear sentence construction style (versus the “overly-wordy” style).
• Always write with a single, specific purpose for your article (example: “Get them to subscribe”).
• Avoid the stiff, forced tone. Most readers sense it and will not trust it as much.
• Listen to and survey your audience.
• Write for one reader.
• Write in the same manner that you speak.

Time and Place

Remember, boring generally does not encourage or find, a following. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a time for a sort of toned-down voice. The toned-down, when properly placed, can sometimes support certain factual content, and some people will be more comfortable with that style. Also, most consumer decisions are influenced more by emotion than pure (or strict) logic. This means that you will want to inspire desirable emotional responses. A good way to look at this is that there is a time for different tones. Your job is to understand that and know when to use what voice.

In Closing

In closing, we will leave you with some real life inspiration that sort of pulls it all together. Granted, in this case, the performance is live (and sometimes musical), but the general precepts still apply. What can you draw from watching these videos? Do you see some of the same methods of study apply? What can you learn and apply to your own situation and finding YOUR voice?

‪TEDxBerkeley – Charles Holt – Finding Your Voice

Charles Holt, a talented actor, and musician shares the essence of Charles Holt and how he is able to embrace who he is in a humble, yet confident manner. One doesn’t need to get lost in the performance aspect, but rather, hear who Mr. Holt is and how he is able to embrace himself and represent himself in that quiet, gentle confidence that is appealing. He does this without being offensive in any way. He inspires while sharing his own “voice,” in more ways than one.

Kevin Rogers on Finding Your Voice

Kevin, a master storyteller, demonstrates how one can turn a story, any story, into something that causes the audience to sit on the edge of their seat, unable to move but for the next word that comes out of the storyteller’s mouth. What is it that draws the audience in, when listening to this orator speak? Like Charles Holt, he knows who he is and understands what his “voice” is and where the limits are. He knows how to dance up to the edge of the boundaries, and in his case, cross over those limitations for his own personal style. Warning: Some language may offend some listeners. Please listen/watch with caution if you are easily offended.

The post Yes, You Can Improve Your Copywriting appeared first on Growmap.

Are you a Pinterest user? If so, you probably have set up a few boards, at the very least, and maybe a Pinterest expert in your own right. If you haven’t tried Pinterest, what’s stopping you?

No matter where you are on the spectrum of Pinterest use, there is a lot of fun to be had in identifying creative uses for Pinterest and Pinterest Boards! It is no longer just a place for pictures or cartoons. The sky is the limit. Literally.

10 Creative Ways to Use Pinterest for Personal

What are YOUR ideas for creative and out-of-the-box ways to use Pinterest? I think if we sat down and started naming out ideas, we could come up with an incredibly long list of ideas. Once those ideas started to flow, they would just keep coming, faster and faster. Ok, that is an idea for the next article. For this one, we are going to look at some creative uses and figure out what tips we can apply to our Pinterest use.

What Does the Internet Say About Creative Uses for Pinterest?

Fortunately, places like MakeUseOf have an opinion on the creative use of Pinterest. In fact, they have four ideas, right from the get go:

1. Plan a trip
2. Create a Visual List
3. Create a CV (Resume)
4. Create a Gift Registry.

Those are pretty creative, wouldn’t you say?

Planning an Event or Planning a Trip

Many people have Pinterest boards to plan events (like parties and weddings). For those of you who are planning a trip, a Pinterest board can be used to plan your excursion from start to finish. Even the mobile app comes in handy for those last minute changes.

When you arrive at your destination, you can use Pinterest’s mobile application to look at your Pinterest board and all of the places that you would like to go while you are on your excursion. Maybe last minute planning isn’t ideal, but that Pinterest board does come in handy if you are forced (or desire) to change plans at that last minute. Don’t forget to capture your pics and store to your board, as well, so that you are ready to share with friends when you get back from your trip.

We went in search of some “trip” or “travel” boards and found a few to share with you. I have to say, after diving into these boards on trips, travel, and events, I am definitely stoked, and in the mood!

But, first, do you want to know how we found them? It is really easy. Just type in what you see in the image here:

In other words, >> “Planning your trip” site:Pinterest.com <<. Of course, you don’t need the arrows. And, capitalization is irrelevant. Here is what showed up in our search, complete with some fascinating Pinterest board snapshots!

Heritage Hotels & Resorts’ “Planning Your Trip” (ah, makes sense… complete with gadgets, ideas, cameras, travel essentials, and more…)

Hotel Indigo Rome…’s “Planning Your Trip” (Do you see a theme here? Not just the name, but the owners.. Travel Agencies have figured out the name of the game, eh? But, then, they would know, wouldn’t they?)

I really like where this board was going, with infographics that teach us how to pack lighter, plan for the family, pack in general, and more. However, it seems to have stopped before it really got off the ground, with only 41 pins and the last pin 28 weeks ago. Then, again, I probably shouldn’t talk, as there may be boards that I have with fewer pins and pins that are probably older!

I have to remember that this isn’t necessarily about resources or boards to follow (though we have that, too), but it is about finding ideas that inspire you and get that passion stirring inside you on how YOU want to use your Pinterest experience (and your Pinterest boards).

As a side note, this particular board has some graphics that look like infographics, but are actually articles. Well done, krystinaamato.polyvore.com and polyvore.com! (I feel another article coming on, focusing on how polyvore does their branding. It is something worth watching.

ECELA Spanish’s “Planning Your Trip”

I couldn’t help but notice what an excellent idea it is to store cables in a sunglasses case! I think we get the point, and what a cool point it is.

As you can see, there is a little bit of everything under the category of trips (and events). The idea is that if the article has anything to do with planning a trip; facilitating a trip; transportation; hotel; resort; activities… Pin it!

Now, the only thing you would need to define, for yourself, is your objective. Do you want to create a “Planning Your Trip” type Pinterest board to literally plan a trip for yourself and your family? Or, do you want to create the Pinterest board to draw attention and gain traffic and demonstrate what a Pinterest expert you are? Maybe you just want to gather items for a wish list, or you are into helping others with their “travel wish list.” The objective is for you, about you, or about others, if you so choose.

A Resume or CV

Some Pinterest users may not think of using Pinterest to create and share their resume (or CV), but it is really a creative and certainly a visual thing to do.

Some people create their resume or CV on Pinterest in a way that would be similar to putting together an online portfolio. In addition to the use of Pinterest, a social media site in its own right, you can expand the exposure of your resume, CV, or portfolio by sharing it on other social media/social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and more. Social networking sites can be the first step in sharing your pride, passion, and your many accomplishments. They can make a one-of-a-kind and unique profile that will stand out from others, in a sea of commonality. Yours may be that one shining bright light.

If you are more into the traditional paper type resumes, don’t despair. Pinterest still has the board (or boards) for you. Check out the following board that gives the visual representation of some really cool looking printed resumes!

Visit Dion Correia’s “Resume Design Layouts.”

Just when I thought that it couldn’t get better, I happened upon an “Explore” topic. And, yes, we aren’t the only ones who figured out that Pinterest is handy for resume development and design. Pinterest created the Explore tab and pulled it all together for us >> Resume Templates.

I became just slightly disillusioned when I realized that clicking on the pretty little round pictures of people produced nothing. Well, unless you count “So-and-so hasn’t created any boards yet,” something. So, are those pretty little pictures just that, little pictures for us to look at, but not click? Hey, the world isn’t perfect, and I guess that includes Pinterest, too, eh?

I would be remiss if I didn’t list some other “honorable mentions” among the resume Pinterest boards category. If you are in the market for a new job, or you just like to look at resume designs, you’ll want to check out these Pinterest boards:

• Randy Krum’s Infographic Visual Resumes;
• The Official Unemployed Pin…’s “Unique Resume Samples” (great for content ideas!);
• Give a Grad A Go.’s “Creative CV Inspiration” (Really? A LEGO-Video CV?);
• This final one deserved a picture.. ResumeEdge’s “Cool Resumes” (below).

The “Classic” Use as an Online Cookbook

This isn’t a new suggestion, by any means, but it is worth mentioning. Pinterest has long been used as a “list maker,” and especially in the area of a fashion scrapbook and an online cookbook, recipe collection.

Yes, I’m guilty. I use it to capture “crockpot recipes” or “slow cooker recipes,” so that I have all of those recipes in one spot, and I can be as picky as I like when I pull out the slow cooker. You can be picky when you have oodles of recipes to choose from, eh?

This is how easy it is. Or, at least, these are the steps that I took:

1. Subscribe to something like “The Daily Dish” from AllRecipes.com.
2. Set up a filter in your email to catch “The Daily Dish” and in particular, any versions that include your desired recipe type/food (i.e. “slow cooker”). If you have Gmail, check out this article on Mashable, to find out how to filter your Gmail email.
3. Depending on what filter you have, your emails will trigger a notification or go into a special folder, or whatever you have set up for those emails.
4. When you are notified that you have an email that matches your description, click on the link, in the email (see sample snapshot, below), and visit the recipe online. Then, you can pin it right from the recipe. Or, as in the case of the Daily Dish, you can pin from the email (in most cases). As you will notice, the email has a “pin it” button right there ready for you. Don’t forget to set up your recipe topic as a Pinterest board (i.e. “Deborah’s Slow Cooker Recipes”).

There you go! Half of the process is automated, but you are setting up your online cookbook without breaking a sweat. Before you know it, you will have oodles of recipes to choose from, right at your fingertips.

Branding Yourself or Branding Your Business

If you have a business, you are in the right place. Yes, regardless of the fact that there are many recipe boards and fashion boards, and favorite places to visit.. boards… Pinterest is still the place to be for business.

Just check out the advice that is in this article, entitled, “8 Steps To Create a Successful Pinterest for Business.” Simple and straightforward enough, eh? Well, this article is way more than just its title. If you haven’t taken that step for your business, this is your how-to guide to get started. Don’t miss the opportunity to bookmark it and refer to it often.

If you don’t have a business, it is still the opportunity to create the brand of YOU. Yes, you can be that brand. Just think about how speakers and authors do it. Yes, what they talk about when they speak is important, but they also want to create the brand of who they are as people. If the only brand is the book or one speech, it ends there. If the brand is about the person, it doesn’t have to ever end.

10 Creative Ways to Use Pinterest for Business

Tools and Tips for Pinterest Use

We caught up with some fascinating people. They gave us the opportunity to interview them. Now that your mind is spinning (in a good way!) with all sorts of ideas for your Pinterest board, personal and/or business, let’s sit back, relax, and take in some more tips and ideas for creative uses for Pinterest straight from these talented people…

Dan R. Morris Talks Pinterest (Social Web Café Interviews 2.1)

Dennis Kashkin * Board Booster on WebToolsTV

TailWind: Marketing Manager Melissa Megginson on #WebToolsTV

The post Exploring and Re-Exploring the Creative Uses for Pinterest Boards appeared first on Growmap.

Many times when we start our blog (or website) we don’t see a need for a content delivery network (a.k.a. CDN). In fact, it is not surprising that we wouldn’t know what a CDN is, when we first get started.

What is a CDN and How Do I Know When Someone Is Using It?

First, let’s get a mental picture of what a CDN is. A CDN helps to balance the load, when it comes to media file serving. Or, at least, that is one function of what a CDN does for you.

You see, when you visit a web site, you are asking the server (that hosts the web site) to deliver the web page, and all of the media files that are associated with that web page. There may also be some other components on the page and it may take time for those components (possibly connected to other sites) to load on that page.

All of this adds up to an increased load time. Where the CDN comes in to help is to serve up those images and media files so that it isn’t an extra load on your web server. That way, your web server can concentrate on loading the text of your web page (or database-driven web site).

Let’s look at an image on Dragonblogger, taken from this article: The Many Benefits of Wearable Gadgets:

Do you see how the image URL (web address) starts with dragonblogger.com? In this case, the image is serving off of the dragonblogger.com site.

Now, let’s take a look at an image on Mashable, taken from this article: Fill your frame with your favorite things for this week’s Instagram challenge

Do you see how the image URL (web address) starts with http://rack.1.mshcdn.com? In this case, the image is serving off of Mashable’s CDN, to help with that load balancing and performance. (Note: The image is a bit different, in this article, to protect copyrights. The key issue that we are looking at is the URL/web address.)

Looking at the URL (web address) is one of the most visual ways to demonstrate when a CDN is in place, to right-click on the image and open it in a new tab (or new browser window) and look at the URL.

Do I Need a CDN? If So, Why?

Yes and no. Many people survive quite well without a CDN. I don’t use a CDN currently (though I’m considering it). Also, as you noticed, it does not appear that dragonblogger does. That is ok. Many people consider the cost of the CDN and balance it with the income from the blog or web site. It is all about the ROI (return on investment) and the right choice is up to that person.

However, if performance is the most important thing in your life (more important than eating), then you will likely want to consider a CDN. Also, if you site is getting slammed with traffic and is becoming so slow that people are leaving your site (supported by a high ‘bounce rate’ in your analytics), then it might be time to consider a CDN. It is all about performance at that point. Based on that, it is understandable why Mashable set up a CDN. Look at their social shares level and it is easy to see that they have a need for a CDN.

It Isn’t Just about Performance. It is About Security, too.

We have only been speaking about how CDNs help with the performance. There is also the security aspect and protecting yourself against DDOS attacks. Here are a few articles where you can read more about that (including some great articles from Dragonblogger!), in the context of the company that we are discussing, Incapsula:

• Configuring Incapsula for Best Cache Performance
• Using Incapsula to Protect your Websites
• CDN and VPN: Protecting Your Site and Protecting Yourself
• Your Site IS Under Attack! Use a CDN to Keep Out Hackers, Scrapers and Bots

Incapsula is one of many CDN providers. It is a security company for your business when you want to keep out the undesirables who may do harm to your site (see the links, above, on security).

Incapsula, our Example CDN Provider

Note: This discussion is based on the information that is available on the Incapsula site, so there may be some limitations. However, there have been extensive case studies and research that is available and that is what we are examining in more depth.

The content delivery network provided by Incapsula is described as safer than anything else you could use, and you will be able to set up a site that you can have some level of surety that it will be safe for you and your customers.

You need to take many steps to make sure that you are protecting yourself, and these steps are going to be much easier to take if you simply put in the time that is needed to make your website safe. That can sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbo and confusing, but that is where you need a reliable company, like Incapsula, to walk you through the process.

According to their site, the Incapsula team is creates the best kind of website and security detail for you, based on your needs. However, in order to do that, you need to tell them what you want from the site itself. Likely you have ideas about what you should do. This is the time to communicate it to the team at Incapsula so that they have all of the information that they need to meet your requirements.

Every CDN is a little bit different, and you will be able to enjoy the safety of the site knowing that you put in the time to make it the best place for you and your customers to visit.

You have to remember that Incapsula is going to make decisions about how your site is protected based on what you tell them, and you will receive what they have been told to give you. You are free to change your mind, but you must make sure keep them informed, so that they can deliver the best for you. Every site is a little bit different, and you will get amazing results if you are willing to provide the details that a company like Incapsula needs.

Hint: Check out the dragonblogger articles for more information on configuration and getting started.

All of this that I have just described, as well as more details about CDN functionality and benefits, can be explained in Incapsula’s CDN Guide.

Now for Some Stats, to Help Put this Into Context

First, let’s look at security…

If you look at the grey line, you can see the traffic that made it to the site. The green indicates the traffic that was served up cached content (that is a good thing and we will talk about that in the next section). The red color indicates the traffic that was blocked, and for good reason. Do you see how much was saved, as far as traffic to your site? You can see that the load on the site was minimal (look at the grey color). This is an indicator that the site performed well because it was not overloaded. From a security perspective, you can see that the “bad traffic” was blocked. The site was protected (security) and optimized (performance).

This is where you can see how your site may be able to perform better because of the caching mechanism and the blocking of the “bad traffic.”

I promised you that we would talk about caching. Remember how we mentioned the images being served up from another source, to take the load off of the original server? Well, in the same way, the actual site content can be cached on other servers, provided by the CDN, in order to alleviate that pressure on the original server. Think about it. It isn’t like you change every word on your site, on every page. In this way, the CDN process caches your site so that it can be maximized in performance. This will mean faster load times and hopefully lower bounce rates.

Conclusion

The CDN providers, like the example we used, with Incapsula, allow for optimal delivery of your site (performance), as well as protection for your site (security). These are the two selling points that Incapsula mentions from their home page. It is worth considering. At the end of the day, the choice is yours and you need to evaluate your own ROI (return on investment) and decide what is right for you. In making that decision, it helps to have some information ahead of time so that you can continue your quest, armed with knowledge.

Author information

Deborah Anderson

VP, Operations at Hall Analysis

Deborah wears many hats, from professional sound engineer, to marrying a professional sound engineer and recording a Jazz album that put her and kept her on the RN Jazz charts in Los Angeles, for a year. From that experience, she learned how to make it work with social media marketing. She traded in her position as Chief Technology Officer in the financial industry to help small businesses to realize their success online.

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The post A Look at the Incapsula Product (CDN: Performance and Security) appeared first on Dragon Blogger Technology.

…Using an Analogy of Building a House

Many people tend to avoid starting a blog because of fear. There is this thing called the “fear of the unknown.” Even those of us who are experienced bloggers can still suffer from the fear of the unknown. It may not be about a blog, but it can hit us in any area and hit us when we least expect it.

Fortunately, we can face that fear of the unknown by approaching it systematically and using process. For example, if you plan out your approach to something and make a list of checklist items (tasks), you are on your way to completing whatever it is that was blocked before you made your list.

The Exciting World of Blogging! (Sharing Something That Gets Me Excited!)

Before we talk about overcoming fear and the steps to start your blog, I want to give you a glimpse of just how exciting blogging can be, even if you are not currently viewing yourself as a blogger.

I found an excellent resource that includes 150 blog post ideas! Yes, that is over one hundred ideas! Can you imagine how much that can help you to create dynamic content for your blog? Even if you only blog once a week (more on that later), that is almost three years of ideas!

151 Blog Post Ideas

Ok, back to our approach…

One approach is to embrace the challenge, using that systematic process, revealing our courage to move forward. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others.” By following the systematic process, you will be on your way to creating your successful blog, allowing you to share your message successfully with the world.

What Is Your Reason for Blogging?

People blog for a variety of reasons, including spreading their message, marketing something (allowing them to make money), helping other people overcome a problem(s), establishing themselves as an expert, and staying connected with, or finding other people who share a common interest.

The Blog’s Domain (a.k.a. neighborhood / address)

Once you decide what your purpose for blogging is, then it is necessary to choose a domain name. The domain name is the home address for your blog and where it can be found on the Internet. Think of words that will connect with your target audience and consider using them as your domain name. Try to create a list of five or more possible names and then go to a site like GoDaddy to see if those domains are available. There are many different domain registration service providers to choose from and GoDaddy is one example of a site that will suggest additional potential names that may work for you. The best addresses end in .com so concentrate on those names. However, you may want to pick up other endings (i.e. .info, .biz, etc.). You will see those options if you use a tool like the one provided by GoDaddy.

Now that you have your domain name, you need to choose your web host provider. You will end up feeling like your blog is your baby, so it is very important to make this decision carefully. While choosing a domain name is like choosing a neighborhood, choosing your web host provider allows you to build your blog a home. Just like most people would never buy the cheapest home on the market, this is also true of buying the cheapest web host provider.

Read more on the topic, here on DragonBlogger.com:

Look for a provider that offers plenty of ways to contact support because you will eventually need to use it. Make sure that the provider backs up your blog on a regular basis because accidently deleting your blog is like hitting it with a bulldozer and you will want a way to get it back. Find a provider that is up most of the time, because there is no need to spend your precious time to build a blog if no one can get to your home. Look for a provider that allows you to customize your site to suit your needs. The best providers allow you to use WordPress to customize your site.

Read more on the topic, here on DragonBlogger.com:

The Blog Software (a.k.a. the house)

Now that you have chosen the address, and the provider, it is time to build your home. A great place to start is to install WordPress on your site. After that installation (which is often made easy by your hosting provider), you are ready to go on your first date with your blog.

Clean up by choosing a WordPress theme that goes with the style that will connect with your date. In other words, in explaining our dating analogy, you are looking for a theme that will appeal to your target audience. Choosing a premium WordPress theme allows you to look your best when you meet your date. However, if you need more time to think and/or are limited in funding, you can choose from quite a few free themes available (downloadable from WordPress, within your WordPress installation). Whichever theme you choose, make sure that you stay very attractive, highly functional, and unique.

Read more articles related to this topic, here on DragonBlogger.com:

The Blog Posts (a.k.a. the rooms)

You are now ready to write your first blog post. It helps to think of it as building the first room in your home. You need it to express who you are and what you hope to accomplish in the room. Furthermore, you need to let others know that they are welcome in the room and how you want them to use the room.

So far, we are talking about overcoming any fears and jumping in and taking those first steps in getting that blog up and running for the first time.

However, you will also need “continuing education” and need to pay attention to content (i.e. writing) and media (graphics, videos, Slideshares) to encourage your readers to pay attention to your articles.

There is a great resource that I found, recently, that covers many of these topics. This one-page resource-rich blogging guide that goes further by digging into topics like how to make money with your blog (not exactly a first step, but likely one you may be interested in reading). The guide also covers the topics we are mentioning here, namely, content.

Back to the topic of content, specifically the written part, you need to have a clear idea of what you are going to talk about on your blog on a regular basis. The posts will change here and there, but the overall tone of your blog needs to be pretty consistent.

When you being, you may have thousands of ideas to choose from, but you must zero in on a few things that are most important to you. You don’t want your blog to appear to have no direction and be a hodge podge of every thought that pops into your head (unless that really is the point of your blog).

The first three or four things you write on your site are going to be very telling, and you need to make sure that those couple things are very well done. You can plan your first three or four pieces before you even write anything, and you can roll out those articles all at the same time (scheduling some to go “live” the following days).

Many times we may feel tired or feel like we have written everything there is to write on the topic of our blog. Of course, we know that that is not the case, but it feels that way. Fortunately, you can obtain some inspiration when it comes to blog post ideas (remember that great list I mentioned at the beginning of this article?). Another great idea is to keep a swipe file and every time you see something that gives you an idea for a blog post, mark it in your swipe file. I use Trello for that purpose – a great tool that helps me “organize everything.”

Read more articles related to blogging, here on DragonBlogger.com:

Graphics for Your Articles (a.k.a. window dressings, etc.)

When it comes to graphics, there are a couple of resources that you should add to your list. One is Canva, a free online tool to create custom graphics for your posts, as well as your social media profiles. The sizes are already determined, so you don’t have to figure it out for yourself. You can also choose to opt for custom sizes. The tool is free, for a one-person account, and especially if you use your own images. However, they also offer images that cost $1 (and possibly more) if you need just the right image. As with most things, the quick way to do it is to pay for a flashy image or design and it takes a little more time and effort for those who want to save their pocket change.

Sometimes bloggers would rather skip the process of creating their own graphics and opt for a paid designer. There is a new concept out there, called crowdsourcing design. This is a process where you can put out a sort of RFP (request for proposal) to several graphic designers at one time, to create your perfect graphic for you. It can be a fun experience, with a graphic design contest so that you get the best design possible!

The perfection of this model is that you choose the custom graphic design that you want and you are not forced to accept the first one that comes your way. Designhill is an example of a site that does this, a graphic design marketplace. You will definitely want to check out the site. Don’t forget, with your start-up blog, you may want Designhill to design your logo so that your blog has a graphical branding continuity (in addition to those graphics for your content).

Listen, as Rahul Aggarwal, Co-Founder of Designhill, explains how it works:

And, Finally… Last, but not Least…

The list of topical areas (a.k.a. systematic steps) that are listed above will get you going and likely help you get past the fear of the unknown. You also have some additional reading, right here on the blog. Some of those articles also give you links to additional resources.

However, if I stopped here, this article would be incomplete. We also need to continue to learn. We need to utilize resources that will keep us sharp. This allows us to be more relevant in what we provide to our readers as well as the opportunity to improve our skills.

Another way to keep those skills honed is to participate in forums. There are some popular ones run by Internet Marketing Ninjas, for starters. Also keep communities like Blog Engage (see article in the above listing, for more information).

Hey, maybe we will see you there!

SPSS has some awesome forums, with workable solutions to SPSS issues. Here is a suggestion on how to get started…

1. Visit (and search) the IBM SPSS Discussion Forums at https://developer.ibm.com/predictiveanalytics/forums/ (There are also other forums, including those that are not run by IBM, but specifically for SPSS. A good Google search for the error is also another helpful idea.)
2. You may also phone them, but they claim to not offer support for students and will likely refer you back to the discussion forums.

Also, don’t forget that if you are having trouble with the actual SPSS installation, that a clean install may be in order!

Continued learning is important not only for kids but also for adults. It is important for us to continue to learn, for the rest of our lives. The reality is that we are learning even when we haven’t sat down and made that one of our life’s goals.

When was the last time that you watched something like a TV show (or Netflix, Hulu) and learned some historical item or some current event or anything that you didn’t already know? Hey, it is the way we are wired, as humans.

A Plan for an Intentional Learning Process

Continuing to learn for the rest of our lives has a variety of benefits for the mind and even the body. There are so many different ways to take steps toward the intentional effort of learning. Even fun ways!

These opportunities can include anything from reading to experiences, and everything in between. The following sections include a few ways to keep anyone in the continued learning mode, no matter how old or how young they are.

Content Consumers and Content Creators

A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and through that conversation, I observed that some of us are content consumers and some of us are content creators. She was mentioning how she could spend hours watching YouTube videos. That would be consuming content. Now, in this case, this particular friend also makes wonderful YouTubes, so she is a bit of both (content consumer and content creator).

The advantage to being a content consumer is that it is easier to intake material, like training material. Generally, you are more interested in taking in the information. A content creator wants to spend less time consuming and is flying high with ideas of what to create, write, produce in videos, etc. Probably most people have a bit of both.

Why does this matter? If you are a content creator, you are the type that can go out and produce almost like a machine and the fact that you love it makes it that much more fun for you. However, it can sometimes be a challenge to manage sitting down and consuming information (like training modules). The key for you content creators is to challenge yourself to take some time to consume training. Even if you set a goal, say 60 min, to learn something that day or that day of the week.

For those of you who are content consumers, you have it made as far as “consuming” training. The challenging part is stopping the consumption to go create. Really, it is about focusing. If you have some sort of need to create, go create. If not, consume at leisure. Maybe the only other challenge is to train yourself to consume things that help reach your goal of continued learning.

Continued Learning Through Reading / Consuming

Probably one of the best ways to keep on learning is to read. You have several options when it comes to reading, whether it includes books, magazines, newspapers, and any other reading material. However, the really fun material to read, for current learning opportunities, is those blogs.

Once you find the blogs that you enjoy, you will want to bookmark them or add them to an RSS feed, so that you can return back. Possibly you will want to read your favorite blogs daily. You may not learn something that qualifies you for a degree in rocket science, but you will likely learning something, even a fun fact or two.

One of the really helpful blog posts (even relating to learning) that I read the other day was 6 Key Blogging Lessons From Famous Business Pivots. If you are into blogging, you will want to add that blog post to your list and possibly add the blog to your list of favorite blogs.

Reading books and blogs helps expand the mind and give you new ideas and insights.

Blogging / Writing

Going in hand with reading blogs another area of learning is writing blogs. This is where that content creator side of you will thrive, as well.

Why does this fit in the category of learning? I have the answer for that.

To write a blog one must do research, as well as organizing those thoughts into something that is interesting to your readers.

Trying new things, going to new places, and learning about different stuff are all great ways to get ideas for blog posts as well as a great way to keep learning. Many people have made careers out of blogging that is essentially an online diary of all your great thoughts and opinions… and all that you are learning.

Traveling / Exposure to Adventure

Visiting new places is another great way to learn. The brain reacts to new environments and responds to exciting situations. By going to new places and learning about new cities and experiencing new cultures, we are expanding our knowledge and also finding great things to blog about in our next article.

Museums, zoos, and aquariums are all great attractions to visit when traveling. Many times they are accessible in most metropolitan areas. They also offer the opportunity for pictures to share in social media.

Classes, Meetings, and Online Training

Most cities and towns offer some classes that can be taken in the “old fashioned” brick-and-mortar fashion. There are places you can drive to, like community education, yoga classes, or even painting class.

Sometimes there are book clubs that meet in coffee shops. It may not be a class, but it is a way to get out of the house and learn something new. The local library or community center may offer free or low-cost classes. If not, maybe you could try proposing one.

If free classes are not available, consider paying for a course that you would highly enjoy such as learning a new language or learning how to draw. Classes are one of the best ways to take in information while also interacting with others.

Another great place to learn is online classes like the following:

Here are some favorite classes on Udemy (one of which is my own):

In Summary

Whether you continued learning by reading, watching videos, attending yoga classes, or even watching Hulu, find a way to ingest new ideas and allow your mind to soar. If you haven’t experienced it, you can find a new exhilarating way to spend time, in a way that you want to spend it.

Let me leave you with a quote from Malcolm Gladwell, “It takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice achieve mastery in a field.” Don’t focus on the number, notice the word “mastery.” You can do anything. The first step is the learning (part of which is practicing) and soon you will be on your way to that mastery. You can be a master of your newly added skill, or a skill that you want to grow. Go for it!

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Deborah Anderson wears many hats and her addiction to acquiring knowledge. From professional training as a sound engineer at the Los Angeles Film School, to graduating summa cum laude in software architecture, and then on to becoming the director of Information technology at the high profile Bel Air Investment Advisors, she often comments that she is only just beginning. She enjoys sharing her knowledge discoveries with her readers and is always ready to offer a helping hand.

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For freelancers, there are many challenges, some of which were unanticipated from the start. Hey, you find what you are good at, and before you know it, people are paying you and the money starts rolling in at a favorable rate.

It is easy to miss that part about actually setting up a system for your freelancing business. And, especially formalizing the financial management portion of your freelance business.

After all, when did you become a freelancer? … Not sure if you are a freelancer? You may have a day job and still be a freelancer on the side.

Let’s talk about freelancing just a bit before closing out with a discussion on the topic of financial management. As a bonus, we’ll include a review of just such a solution, called Due.com.

Statistics of the Freelancing Community

According to a study last year (commissioned by Freelancers Union and ELance-oDesk), 53 million freelancers contribute to the United States’ national economy. The amount of that contribution was quoted as $715 billion. Who says that? It was ELance. They put together a very informative SlideShare version of the study:

It is possible that you are a freelancer and simply do not think of yourself as one! If you are performing a service and getting paid, you are a freelancer, even if you do not do it full-time.

Five Types of Freelancing

• Independent contractors are the traditional freelancers. These are the types of freelancers that come to mind when we think of the word, “freelancing.”
• Moonlighters are those who have a “day job,” but also freelance on the side.
• Diversified workers are the types of freelancers that have a sort of combination of the first two, a little traditional, a little non-traditional…
• Temporary worker label may apply to the one who is doing a freelance gig in between “regular employment” gigs.
• Business owners of small businesses (i.e. five or fewer employees) function on a similar business model as a single freelancer, but with a few more moving parts.

Freelancing SlideShare Slide 8

You can check out more information on this topic in the report, above, and the SlideShare.

All You Need To Know About Freelancing (and Accomplishing It Successfully)

Due.com (reviewed, below) offers a guide for freelancers, called the “Ultimate Guide to Freelancing.” As if the tool (Due.com financial management tool) itself were not enough (which it is!), the folks at Due.com (John Rampton and Murry Newlands) also provide helpful information in answering your questions and closing the gaps in the topic of “Freelancing.”

They cover the following topics, which pretty much encompass the discussion on freelancing (and point you in the right direction for any additional discussion or questions):

• What is Freelancing?
• Pros and Cons of Freelancing
• Setting Up Your Workplace
• Branding Yourself
• Creating Your Portfolio
• Setting Estimates and Rates
• Marketing and Promotion
• Where to Find Work
• Working With Clients
• Project Management
• How to Get Paid ***
• Final Words of Advice

The above listing is quoted from the Ultimate Guide, itself.

*** This is where the Due.com web application truly comes in handy.

John Rampton granted me an interview and shared a bit about himself, as well as this new venture. You can watch that interview here:

So, let’s talk about the application and a review. But first, some helpful startup resources that I helped compile (worth a bookmark). I helped put together this list of tools and helpful links for anyone looking to forge ahead with their own start-up or diving into the freelancing work.

Simple Online Time Tracking & Invoicing

Due.com: “Time Tracking and Invoicing”

Sometimes it is easy for us to get so involved in getting the project done for a client that we miss some details of invoicing (or even project management). Fortunately, Due.com handles the details.

Due.com and Project Management

Project Management That Gets It Started

There are applications online that help manage project management. One of them is the well-known BaseCamp, known for its ease-of-use in project management and especially working with teams and project management. Fortunately, Due.com is built on the same framework. That means that anyone who is familiar with BaseCamp will find the project management aspects of Due.com easy-to-use.

Why does this (project management) matter? It matters because not all freelancer projects are the same. Speaking from experience, what may appear to be a simple task-type job may turn into a multi-layer complicated project.. overnight. By setting it up (no matter how easy it may seem at first) in a project management framework, you are prepared and ready for that moment when it becomes more complicated.

And, the more projects that you complete, the more your process will develop and the more efficiencies will emerge. Most importantly, it provides you with the opportunity to develop the appropriate pricing… that pricing that pays you what you are worth.

Due.com: Handling the Details

Drilling Into the Details

Because Due.com is built on this project management framework, it is ready for the details. You can make it as detailed/complicated as you like, or as simple as you like. Either way, you can keep the invoicing side of things simple, for your clients. By logging as much (or as little) detail about what you are doing, you are ready to answer your own questions(s) of “what was that project all about?” and any questions that your clients may have for you. It’s all in the details, and more importantly, you can control it to whatever level you want.

Due.com is Mobile Ready and More…

Take It With You Wherever You Go

We live in a mobile world. We need to be able to be adaptable to whatever situation is presented, whether it is our office or a Starbucks. Fortunately, Due.com goes with you, adapting to the mobile world, the laptop, and the desktop with the 27-inch monitor.

Due.com Dashboard and Utility Calculator

Overview (Dashboard)

As expected, the Due.com dashboard is easy to follow. After logging in, you are presented with the opportunity to choose which part of the software you want to use, including setup and configuration. Even if you have forgotten some of the features that come with the Due.com software, you have this simple reminder in the Due.com dashboard.

The Cons

I am told that a proper review includes the plusses, but also the minuses. Truly, Due.com is so wonderful, that it is difficult to come up with any negative aspects (especially since it integrates so well with my Quickbooks application!).

The only drawback is two-fold, and it is not really a fault of Due.com, but is a by-product of “the way things are.”

I sent an invoice to my client, and later my client claimed I had not sent an invoice. Why? The client was looking for an invoice directly from PayPal.com and was searching for an email literally from PayPal. This is more of a product of our culture. So many people invoice via PayPal and so, to this client, that became the expectation and that is what he/she searched for in his/her email inbox. It probably didn’t help that I mentioned that it was payable by PayPal.

“Payable by PayPal” meant that the client would be able to pay via a PayPal link (which is 100% doable in Due.com!). However, the client interpreted that as an invoice coming from PayPal.com. So, therein lies the two-fold aspect, the client expects an email from PayPal.com (literally), and they expect that the invoice is a PayPal invoice. Instead, the email is a notice to view the invoice online (and PDF) and click a link that will direct the client to PayPal to pay the total amount of the invoice.

In reality, there is a very nice (pretty!), functional, printable (PDFable) invoice that is presented via Due.com. The invoice could be considered more impressive than the PayPal invoice, in some cases. Also, that Due.com invoice is connected to the details of the service, so it is easier for the freelancer to track the service and the billing. The potential hang-up is that the invoice is accessible at Due.com and the email does not come from PayPal.com.

You know what the good news is? This is so easily managed. Simply include the verbiage in your documentation and messaging and let the client know that they will be receiving a Due.com invoice with a wonderfully easy link to pay via PayPal. By managing the expectations with the client, this “issue” becomes a “non-issue.”

In Summary

There are so many wonderful things about Due.com that I could not possibly sing all of its praises in one article. And, as you can see, the only drawback is so easily overcome with up-front communication with the client.

The only regret that I have is that I did not implement Due.com from the very beginning. Instead, I spent weeks (months!) of time developing my own solution. So, take some advice from me and use Due.com earlier rather than later. It will save you the time that you need so that you can apply that time toward drawing in more clients and putting out that awesome freelance work that you do!