Quick Editing Checklist for Non Editors

Some of us are writers, some of us are editors and some of us are neither - very few are both. I have to admit to being a terrible editor, (fortunately I am married to a wonderful one).

If you don’t have the good fortune to know a great editor first hand, here’s a great little checklist.

Step One . Use your word processing software’s grammar and spell-check. I even use my email spell-check - I’m a good speller but not such a great typist. The grammar and spell-check function often catches incomplete sentences, confusing sentences, bad punctuation and of course misspelled words. It doesn’t however catch those pesky words which sound alike but are spelled differently.

Step Two. Use your "Find and Replace" feature and search for all of the Your and You’re words to make sure they’re correct. Search for the It’s and its to make sure they’re correct. Search for There, their, they’re and so on. The "Find and Replace" feature makes the job a quick and reliable one - you won’t miss a single word.

Step Three. Read it aloud. This process forces you to actually read your content rather than to skim it with your eyes. It forces you to be thorough. Quite often this is where you will catch the sentences which just don’t make sense and the other minor errors your word processing tools don’t catch. For example, I often repeat words in in a sentence. Spell-check won’t catch that but reading it aloud does.

Step Four. Macro Editing. Up to this point you’ve really been searching for the small stuff. Now it’s time to take one last glance at your content and make sure you have a beginning paragraph which introduces your topic, a body paragraph with at least three points to support your beginning paragraph statement and a summary or conclusion paragraph which wraps it all up. Kind of brings you back to your old Literature and writing classes doesn’t it?

Step Five. Double check formatting consistency. Make sure all your subheadings are formatted the same - if you’ve been bolding some and underlining others, make them consistent. Make sure all of your links work, all of your bullets or numbered lists have the same margins and so on. Polish the formatting so your content is easy to read and professional.

Take these five steps to keep your writing error free, polished, and professional. Happy writing!

Your Secret Successes

Today I have a quick exercise for you.  I developed it because I noticed many of my direct selling clients have a way of washing over many of their accomplishments.  They are too busy either 1) beating themselves up for missing a goal they set or 2) concentrating on “the next thing” to give themselves credit for their own successes.

So, take out a piece of paper.  Number 1-5.  As fast as you can write down 5 things you’ve done well or accomplished in the past six months.  Do not worry about whether they are “big enough” to write down or “worthy” enough to write down.  Just write down 5 successes or accomplishments.

Now, look over your list.  First I want to be the first to say “Well done!”.  I’d like you to say “Well done” to yourself, too.  And then I want you to take it one step further. 

Call a trusted friend and say “I want to celebrate somethings I’ve done.  I’m not looking for feedback other than a rousing “good for you”.

Now - your successes aren’t such a secret:) 

The celebration you’ve staged on your own behalf will buoy you to achieve “the next thing” or re-double your efforts to achieve that goal you missed. 

Give it a try - I’d love to hear your experience:)

Love & Success!
Sarah

Do You Know Who You Are?

 Sounds like a silly question but please take a moment to think about it.   Do you know who you are?

As women, we have so many “titles” WAHM, SAHM, WOHM, Mom, Wife, Sister, Aunt..etc.  All of those are titles that many of us share and freely blurt out when asked “who are you”.  

In my 4 years of coaching I’ve worked with many women who are on a quest to find out who they really are (outside of the above titles).  I find that there are many WAHM’s who struggle with  finding their identity while working a home business, raising their children and taking care of the household needs.  It is so easy to get caught up in titles and skip over our passions and our “inner self”.

Keeping in touch with who we are ‘outside’ of those titles are very important.  I challenge you to tell me who you are without using the following words “Mother, WAHM, WOHM, or wife.”

I will start:

1. I am a passionate women who loves to help others
2. I am very spriritual
3. I am a teenager at heart

Your turn….

Don’t Lose Your Domains To Bundling

In the early days of the Internet, not many people knew how to build websites, nor were there tools like blogs, Squidoo, FaceBook or whatever site/blog/profile builders we enjoy today. Also, web building was tedious. Oh my goodness. Have you tried to change the menu on a site with tons of pages? The early FrontPage versions did not have included content and other features it does now.

Then, it was common and acceptable for a web designer to offer bundling. They get the domain for you, set it  up, build everything for you. It is still common today, but they are usually options, not requirements. There was also a ‘rule’ with some designers that the client is not allowed to edit any pages on their own. Everything including small stuff like correcting a typo and updating your telephone number had to be done by them.

Then, there was good reason for them to do so because web building was a somewhat specialized knowledge. It was easy to mess up and takes lots of time to fix.

I’m not saying don’t use a one stop shop service. Some people just don’t want to mess with their own site and that’s perfectly fine. But if a designer tells you, that you cannot or are not allowed to edit your own site, transfer your domain or do anything with it, I don’t buy that at all. I’d be very wary of them.

First. There is no excuse for building a site the client cannot edit. I’m not talking about major design and structural changes here. I’m just talking about adding new content, adding a link or two, updating their picture, email address, phone number. Stuff like that. Even if a client didn’t ask for it, I’d plan it for the future.

Second, if you’re paying for the domain and it represents your business it should be yours to control. Sure, if you want them to handle them on your behalf that works but when it comes down to the bottom line, you are the ‘owner’ of that domain.

You paid for it. It carries your brand name, your name. Make sure the domain is registered to you. Not theirs and that’s something you need to watch. Some so called design companies take your money, buy the domain at dirt cheap pricing, register it under their name, their company and when you’re ready to move the site, they hold your domain hostage, demanding $30 or more to release it. It’s just not right in my eyes.

Happened to too many people. The problem is, some of these things are buried deep in their terms of service. So do check out your TOS and if you want, go to DomainTools.com enter your domain name to see who is listed as the registrant and administrative contact. That’s one quick way to check up on it.

Is it ok to take a Hiatus from your Podcast?

It is not only OK to take a hiatus from your podcast now and then, I think it’s a great idea!

I’ll admit that this is a relatively new opinion for me and that I’ve never taken a hiatus from Work at Home Moms Talk Radio in the four and a half years I’ve been hosting it.  But still - I see great value in occasionally taking a breather.

You don’t have to let your podcast feed go silent.  My friend Tara of Army Wife Talk Radio re-broadcasts popular episodes when she needs to take some time off.

If need a break - take it :)  Just let your listeners know in advance when the hiatus will begin and how long it will last.  They’ll be waiting for your return to action with smiles on their faces :)

A little bit of word fun

I recently stumbled upon a project where someone had used the word "stick-to-itiveness". Most of us know what the word means, tenacity, and believe it or not it’s actually in the dictionary.

Would ‘tenacity’ have worked just as well in place of "stick-to-itiveness" in the content? Probably. Would it have been as much fun? Maybe not.

When appropriate, a little word fun can liven up your content. Blog posts may be the most appropriate place for ‘made up’ words because they tend to be lighter and more personal.

Take care when using made up words to use them sparingly, one per post, and make sure the meaning is clearly understood within the context of the sentence. If it isn’t or you’re unsure, don’t use the word or find a way to incorporate the definition without pulling the plug on the fun.

For example,

Charlie really has stick-to-itiveness. His tenacity has taken him far.

Here’s a great site with an abundance of made up words. Best of all, they’re organized by category! http://www.unwords.com /

Here are a few favorites:

Cinemuck - the sticky stuff on the floor of movie theaters.

Blurple - a color that is the mix of blue and purple.

Smuffy - Used to describe weather that is foggy, cloudy, smoggy, and other forms all combined yet with no precipitation despite the fact that it looks like it will rain at any moment. Often this weather form makes it hard to breath.

At our house we’ve made up a few including:

Confuzzled - Somewhere between confused and befuddled.

If you have any great made up words, share her and/or post them on Unwords.com.

A good change about the links policy…

Okay, my last post may have been a bit over the top…

With all the changes eBay has been throwing at us - it is easy to lump them all together and just be frustrated! But, eBay is still a very good opportunity for a home business… and it is an incredible source of qualified (read: ready to buy) customers!

As I have been looking at this new link policy more closely (if you don’t know what I’m talking about - see previous post from June 5th)… and there is a silver lining - that might actually turn into a ‘gold’ lining ;-)

Although you can no longer include links to outside websites from your About Me page… look at what you CAN do that wasn’t allowed previously.

As a seller, you ARE allowed to:
Link to ANY page on eBay or an eBay property including PayPal, Half.com and StubHub

Let’s think creatively about this…

Previously, if you were selling an adorable outfit, you weren’t allowed to link to another listing you had up of shoes or a cardigan that matched… Now you can cross-promote like crazy! This is good news!

I’ve always encouraged cross-promoting… but, eBay has limited how you could do that before. I recommended including a shipping special if the bidder won multiple items to encourage them to look at other listings you might have had up at the same time. NOW, you can actually link directly to specific items you have listed! If you play this one right… you should start seeing an increase in bidders winning multiple auctions.

Here is how I would play it out…

• Get organized and list complementary items at the same time… same size, matching, other items that buyers would be interested in if they are coming to just one of your auctions
• Continue to include a shipping special and link directly to the other items that you think they bidder would be interested in. Be specific… “I have the perfect cardigan sweater that matches this here… and don’t forget if you win more than one auction shipping is only $5!”

My Dedication to Helping Fathers

 

As we honor fathers across this land on Father’s Day this weekend, I have to admit that I have been feeling truly sorry for them lately.

 

We live in the richest country in the world.

 

We are more educated than any other people on earth have ever been.

 

We dominate the most cutting-edge invention of all time – the Internet, yet way too many highly educated fathers can’t pay their monthly bills.

 

And although this country is heading for bankruptcy, just like in the days of the Depression, those who were prepared for hard times, thrived. Those who weren’t, jumped out of windows.

 

With the cost of gas rising daily and political change about to overtake the White House, who can guess what is about to happen in our economy?

 

How can this be?

 

Well, I think there are several factors to attribute this to but here’s one of the main ones.

 

Our government educational system doesn’t tailor education to fulfill the calling of the individual. That’s fine because that’s not really its purpose.

 

Parents, however, are supposed to be responsible for helping their young people find their direction, especially the father.

 

But somewhere in our recent history, we’ve delegated that duty to the state so now the state prepares men and women to work for it.

 

That IS the purpose of government education and it does a decent job.

 

But… what if you want to actually find fulfillment in what you do and desire to live a quality life with 5, 10 or 15 children, many grandchildren and your extended family members (all which can be expensive), while also blessing others?

 

Do the math on THAT bill.

 

Then imagine the stress.

 

(Maybe you don’t have to imagine it. Maybe you already live with it.)

 

I am really concerned about the weight that so many fathers bear on their shoulders these days.

 

And I am dedicated to helping as much as I can. My oldest son and I worked together to bring our dad home and I want to help you do the same.

 

Imagine how you could help those around you if you only knew exactly what you are supposed to be doing on this earth so you could tap into the power of God ASAP and channel the abundant blessings He has waiting for you to those who truly need them.

 

Just imagine.

 

Then imagine the cost of starting all over again with a new career AFTER you’ve found out that the one you fell into won’t provide for your basic needs… or give you the fulfillment that doing a good job with what you love brings.

 

The question you have to ask yourself then is this, “What can I do to change the situation?”

 

If you seriously need to do something different, there are three things you must do.

 

1.      Get vision for YOUR life.

 

You won’t get that from watching CNN or hiding in online video games.

 

2.      Get specific education.

 

You won’t get education on how to make money from government schools. That is not their purpose.

 

Yes, you can go back to college and spend 4 more years learning another trade or getting another degree, but you won’t be much closer to your goal than you are now. They don’t teach you the principles of success in college. They prepare you to have a job.

 

How do you think I know that?

 

3.      You’ve got to take action as soon as possible to solve the problem.

 

Waiting won’t make it better. If you don’t do something now, you won’t be any better off a year from now.

 

The problem is, where are the men and women who understand how to make money who should be directing fathers to help their teens make wise decisions?

 

Why aren’t the fathers of this land qualified to help their children directly?

 

Could it be possible that they lack vision, education and positive action? Hmm….

 

So we find ourselves knee-deep in debt and struggling frantically just to keep up while the flood waters of the economy are rising faster than the water in the streets of Cedar Rapids.

 

We’d better do something quick.

 

If you want to change your life, here’s one place to start:

 

http://www.EntrepreneurDays.com.

 

It may not be easy to make it happen, but hey, what are your options?

 

Read this page, and then plan to join us. And don’t forget to bring your teens. You’ll kick yourself once you get there and see what they’ve missed.

 

I am serious about changing this country.

 

I am serious about helping moms and dads.

 

Picture me as a redneck home school mom from the backside of nowhere driving through the floodwaters of Cyberspace in a monster truck coming to rescue you.

 

You’ve heard the joke about the guy on the rooftop in the flood who prays to God for help, then refuses to take the helping hand of two different guys in boats and a ladder hanging from a helicopter just before he drowns.

 

Well, here comes that ladder again.

 

Grab it before it’s too late!

 

 

So many books, so little time…

 

Rhea!

 

P.S. No matter what’s happening in your life, forget about it all for just one day and have a happy Father’s Day!

Getting the Most from Your Direct Sales Convention

Many of you will be attending your company’s National Convention this summer. Going to big conferences is one of my very favorite ways to get energized and inspired. So many great ideas to implement. So many great goals to set and work toward. There’s only one problem. Overwhelm. I used to get home and get so overwhelmed by my new information and my new goals that I either flew around in an unfocused frenzy or did nothing - at all.

 

Some of you may have no idea what I’m talking about (!) but just in case you know someone who has felt this way after your company’s Summer Convention, here are a few tips to keep you sane and focused while you are there and after you get home.

 

1. Before you even get to the convention - maybe while you are on the plane - think about what you want in the next six months. Write down three things that would thrill you if they happened by December 1 or January 1. Just three things.

 

2. As you attend workshops and listen to speakers, take notes on the ideas that will help you get those three things. Just those three things. If you muddle your mind with ideas that aren’t immediately useful, you will quickly move into overwhelm. This is hard, I know. But believe me, taking strategy notes on 3 goals will keep you plenty busy.

 

3. Connect with your team in a meaningful way. Ask questions and listen, listen, listen. Support what your team members want from their businesses. Understand their frustrations and help them find useful practical solutions to their challenges. Help them get what they want. You will be amazed at how that will help you get what YOU want:)

 

4. When it is time to say goals out loud, avoid the temptation to say something that will impress those around you or that sounds as big as the next person. Say a goal that feels good and authentic to you and that you feel is a stretch, but in the realm of doable. Again, this is tough in the rarified environment of a convention. Remember, I want you to come home inspired and focused with an achievable goal out in front of you that will pull you forward into your business. What others think is none of your business.

 

5. Lift up someone who is struggling. Every now and then I hear a horror story about a someone who is practically shunned  in her company because she dared admit she was having a tough time. How sad - and what a poor reflection on the industry. Find someone who needs encouraging and give them your full support and attention. You will be the better person for it.

 

And most of all - have some fun.  This industry is supposed to be just that - FUN!  So enjoy yourself:)

 

Love & Success!

Sarah

 

When Your Kids Ask You to Go, Go!

 

 

My oldest son, Drew,  has been selling backhoes on eBay lately and making a great profit on each one.

 

That’s besides the houses and junk he’s still listing.

 

So this year he decided to go to eBay Live in Chicago in a few weeks to learn more.

 

The other day, he casually asked me if I wanted to go with him since he is going by himself.

 

Now, to go to a big city like Chicago is not this country girl’s favorite thing to do.

 

To book an expensive hotel room there is not my idea of a good investment.

 

And to book a flight this close to the departure date doesn’t seem very economical at all.

 

But when your 26 year old son asks you to join him at a professional event where he hopes to learn more about his interests and meet experts who can introduce him to others and to concepts that will take his business forward, should I say “no”?

 

I weighed the costs.

 

I weighed the eternal value of spending a weekend with my married son at yet another conference.

 

(I’ve escorted him to many since he was 18.)

 

And I determined that even though this oldest son has already left home and has a family of his own, he is one of my top priorities in life.

 

So this year, I will be going to eBay Live with Drew.

 

And we will be hanging out there with our new sponsors from Powerteam International and Franklin Covey.

 

We also have plans to meet with one of the speakers from our upcoming conference EntrepreneurDays.com, Kerim Emre, who is one of the featured speakers there.

 

Kerim is a Titanium PowerSeller who has created a system and ships 5,000 items per day!

 

So I think this event might just be eventful for us.

 

If you want to go, I’d love to meet you there… if you can make it!

 

 

 

So many books, so little time…

 

Rhea!

who believes in investing in young people

 

Here’s an investment you don’t want to miss!

 

http://www.EntrepreneurDays.com

 

 

 

 

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