LinkedIn Recommendation
I was just notified of a lovely recommendation from Chris Murray over on LinkedIn.
“Sharon has worked with us on a number of occasions and we’ve found her extremely professional, personable and great value for money.
Businesses of all sizes should take note – don’t get ripped off and over charged for your web site by someone who doesn’t really care, give Sharon a call and you’ll be stunned with the difference.” May 9, 2012Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value
See my LinkedIn page for further information.
Review : A-Z of Small Business Tools
*originally posted in Create Bubbles 11th April 2012
I have been in business for over three years and consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable about various applications, programs and help that is out there. Despite this I still found things in this book that caught my attention and made me think “gosh, I didn’t know about/realise that”.
Helen’s book is jam-packed with lots of great tips and tools that any self-respecting business person would (and should) take heed of. OK, maybe they won’t be exactly right for you and your business but they will make you think “if this isn’t quite right for me, what would be?”
On my first quick flick through I noted down at least eight things that I wanted to look into further – and that was just first impressions. It wasn’t just applications though, Helen has sensible and useful thoughts on how to help you make your business run smoother and more effectively.
I feel that this book is well worth the investment – even if you only take away eight things (and I am sure you’d find more).
Buy the Book
From Amazon – A-Z of Small Business Tools (link opens in new window and offers choice of eBook, Kindle or Print versions)
The first 10 buyers of the eBook version will receive a £1 discount* – use code bayweb1
*(not available for Kindle or Print versions)
About the Author
Helen Stothard has been running her own successful business, HLS Business Solutions http://www.hlsbs.com, for over three years. In 2011 she founded intelligentVA, http://www.trainingforvas.com a website designed to help VAs start or move their businesses forward through training, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Helen is the author of the ‘A to Z of Small Business Tools’, ’30 Day Kindle Success Challenge’ and ’30 Day Setting up as a Virtual Assistant Challenge, and lives in North Yorkshire with her husband, daughter and two cats. Helen can be found on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/helenstothard
LJA Learning
LJA Learning had a functional website that they wanted to bring up-to-date and also include some new features, plus include their blog in with the website instead of separate.
This website was built around WordPress, which they were familiar with, and the theme was chosen to be functional yet friendly.
Quick Vid : How Google Works
This is a great video that Darren Poulson pointed me to following our conversation about page rank & SEO on Google+. I don’t usually watch a lot of vids on my PC but I made an exception for this.
Note! It’s not all about keywords, it’s about reputable linking & quality content.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/24/google-explains-how-it-searches-the-internet-in-under-half-a-sec/
Grateful Thanks
I did something this morning that I hate doing – I got up in front of a group of business women and gave a 10 minute presentation. Once I started it wasn’t so bad but the thinking about it beforehand was nerve-racking.
There were two things that gave me the confidence to do this.
1. The support and encouragement of Coral & Rae from Pink Link Ladies. They badgered me (in a very nice way) into doing this presentation because that’s what they are all about; supporting and encouraging women to grow both personally & professionally. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart.
2. The support and encouragement from my fellow Pink Link Ladies. I knew that, even if the worst happened and I mucked up my speech, the Pink Link Ladies would help me back on track and cheer me on. Sarah even got me a card & good luck gift (see pic).
People often ask me why I joined Pink Link Ladies and I always, always say it’s because of the friendly help and support more than the business I gain from it. In November 2010 when I first joined there was no way I would have done this without a sharp pointy stick being prodded in my direction. It’s not only me either, I have seen the way Coral & Rae have encouraged other business women to go that bit further. Even my husband has noticed the difference in my confidence.
So grateful thanks to all Pink Link Ladies – you’re FABULOUS.
*if you want to read the pdf ‘Top Tips to Avoiding Website Disaster’ that my presentation was based on you can get your free copy here
I’ve been photographed
Anyone who knows me also knows I hate having my picture taken. The only ones I have ever been truly happy with were my wedding day ones. Having a business though really needs at least one image of the owner so, after seeing some of the lovely shots he took of other business friends I asked Alan Howarth if he could take some of me.
We set up an appointment and the dreaded day arrived. I shouldn’t have been so worried. He sat and chatted for a while and got me to relax enough that he could start taking photos. He even made it a little fun.
I have got the photos back now and I am so pleased with the results.
Alan can also be found on Twitter.
My Easter Weekend
I have been a little busy lately (understatement of the year) so was determined that for most of this long weekend I was going to rest & recuperate. And I have, I am raring to go again.
I managed to spend time with my family, catch up on some TV and geek out a little.
It was a total failure trying to install any operating system on an old HP Compaq TC1100 tablet, but I think that’s because the HDD is toast so going to get a new one and try again. That tablet is ace, no good for travelling about as it’s a little heavy compared to newer models but great for tinkering with at home.
I had more success with re-igniting my old Asus 4G Surf netbook. Windows XP installation was OK but then my brother suggested I try installing Android on it. It works a blooming treat! OK, there’s no touch screen but the trackpad works fine (except in portrait mode because then you’re trying to figure out which way to move your finger on the trackpad). I only intend to use it for writing – I am not installing anything but necessary writing apps so there is less risk of distraction – but for that it will be far better than a tablet, even with a bluetooth keyboard. I have definitely got the best of both worlds.
Link to instructions how to install Android on a netbook.
Monday was spent mainly writing because Monday is always my designated writing day. I decided recently that to designate a day was necessary as something else always ‘came up’ and writing got pushed back.
Have a little look at Android on a netbook.
Writing, Batman & a Windy Walk
Friday nights are usually spent reading or catching up with TV I’ve recorded. However last Friday I ended up writing over a 1000 words; the basis for a mini-ebook I will be offering for free later this month. It all started with an article from Men with Pens in my Google Reader feed that captured my imagination. Things just snowballed from there. It was gone midnight before I went to bed.
So, Saturday was spent cleaning and having fun – and being tired because I should know better than to work late at night. I finally got chance to try out my new game Batman Arkham City, which was fun even though I died despite being on the easiest gameplay setting.
Sunday the sunshine beckoned and I went for a walk. I was fooled by the sun into thinking it was warm, it wasn’t – especially on the Barrows at Heysham. I do love walking up there, the view is beautiful. I had taken a book to read but the wind would have blown the pages about so I just walked for a while.
So here’s my weekend in pictures.
Have I Mentioned I Love Morecambe?
Well I do – lots! I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, certainly not anywhere away from the seaside.
I have been really busy lately and I always find that a walk along the prom on a fine day boosts my spirits and I return to the office with fresh ideas & a boost of energy.
Here’s a selection of images taken while I walk.
Choices Counselling
I loved working on this website because Hilary uses purple in her logo – I do love the colour purple.
Again using WordPress so that Hilary could update herself I took a theme and personalised it to tie in with her logo.
