It wasn't honestly enough for me to be making products and selling them just for the sake of making money.  What I really wanted was to make the web a better place.

But, then, that didn't see like enough, either. So, I had to have a serious talk with myself.

“Self”, I said. “Is this enough to make you feel like you've made a difference?”

I said “No, self, it isn't. And, you just answered my question.”

I decided that I have this huge audience, and by golly, I'm going to try to make a difference in the world as well.

Has it worked? Ah, I dunno. It never feels like enough, does it?

I started by talking more openly about organizations that I feel are changing lives.  And, I wrote my blog post Are Internet Marketers Slimy?

I then added a banner to my side navigation that rotates between a few organizations that I like to give them free exposure. ->

Last winter, when I hosted an orphan in my home for 4 weeks, I shared my adventure (as much as I was allowed). By sharing my story, I know of at least two others who are hosting orphans this summer just because they learned about the program through me. I can only hope they'll inspire 2 more people, and on and on and on, until the 147 million orphans in our world each has a loving parent who can nurture their bodies and minds.

And, when I got some flack for hosting an orphan from outside the United States, I spent a few hours researching and I found a great resource where the people who were concerned about our orphans here in the United States could find out more about adoption.

I also set up a Pinterest board for cool organizations who are saving the lives of women and children around the world. Let me know if there's anything else I should pin here:  Shop to Save Lives.

No, I haven't built or repaired orphanages in impoverished countries like my friends Paul Evans or Connie Green – with my bare hands, but I'm working up to that.

That is success to me. That means more than selling a butt-load of PLR in a day. (Although, I certainly do appreciate that, too.) lol.

Anyway, I would love to hear how you are using your platform, whether through your blog, your list, your Facebook account, etc – to make the web and the world a better place, too.

And, of course, please share your favorite organizations that you help here, too. You never know who might see them.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

PS. If you like this, please share.

Unfinished projects. They can't make you money until you get them out there and start marketing them.

If you are passionate about your market – FINISH your products so that you can help people. That's how you'll get a ton of raving fans who love you.

Talk to me…

What is the #1 thing keeping YOU from getting your infoproduct done and up for sale?

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

PS. If you like this, please share.

Therefore, knowing your lifestyle goals is just as important as making your financial goals.

What do YOU want out of your life? Yes, you need money to get there, but there is no “do over” button to go back and take time to live your life once the clock runs out.

If you like this, please share.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

If you like this, please share on Pinterest.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

PS. I’m learning a ton about Pinterest here: Social Media Challenge.

(If you decide to buy, grab it through my link and then send a copy of your receipt here and you’ll get my notes that I’m taking during the course, too!)

That's all I have to say about that. If you like this, please share on Pinterest.

Now get back to work!

Have a GREAT day.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

That's all I have to say about that. If you like this, please share or pin on Pinterest.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

The first one is all about competition.

I know, personally, if I'm too worried about what other people are doing, it means I'm not paying enough attention to what I'm doing.

I used to let this paralyze me. However, over the years, some of my biggest competitors have become my best friends.

I am usually one of their top affiliates, as well. I know my people buy from my competition whether I like it or not. By embracing it and endorsing them (through my affiliate link) – I get to earn money from that – without having to do the work.

That's all I have to say about that. If you like this, please share.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know how I feel about marketing and what I teach my coaching clients.

Choose ONE method of marketing and be GREAT at it before you get overwhelmed by the million and ten other things you COULD be doing with your time.

Right?

So, if you despise the thought of writing articles, but love talking at the video camera, then don't structure your marketing plan so that you're writing and submitting articles every week. Record a slew of videos instead and get those working for you.

It's common sense, right? (You'd think so. Wouldn't you?) Well, if it's common sense, then why are so many of my clients struggling with the “SHOULD's”?

• I “SHOULD” be doing article marketing.
• I “SHOULD” be guest blogging.
• I “SHOULD” be doing press releases.
• I “SHOULD” be doing social marketing.
• I “SHOULD” be doing video marketing.

Shoulda woulda coulda.

YES, you need to be doing some marketing every stinkin' day, but it's your business, so you get to choose which kinds you want to do.

AND… on that note. Let me continue my vent. (Remember all of those times you guys have said how sweet I am? Well, uh… hope you still love me in a minute.)

Speaking of Social Media. I think there's a BIG problem with it right now.

Everyone is being told they must do social media, but I feel that it's not a good fit for every small business.

And, I'm talking plumbers, hair dressers, coaches, consultants, authors, speakers – EVERYONE.

Want to know what's worse than “missing” the social media train?

Doing social media inconsistently or half-heartedly. While you can do other types of marketing inconsistently and get away with it, social media is much different. It's all about “now”.

Let me explain.

Last week, I recorded a bunch of video critiques as part of a bonus that I offered to my readers. Well, several of the blogs were brilliant, but, they linked to Twitter and Facebook pages that were dead or very outdated. And, an old Twitter page that hasn't been updated in months makes people wonder if you're still in business – or responding to emails – if you're available for interviews – or if they should bother to refer people to you. It's better to have NO Twitter account at all than to have one that hasn't been updated in months.

And, that's the honest truth, whether you're a house painter, a restaurant owner, a blogger, a coach, and especially if you're a social media consultant. (Don't get me started on that last one.)

Here's what started this rant. I do a bit of work for offline businesses in my spare time. It's nothing big or time consuming and only for people who I like. Well, I whipped up a site for a friend who is an esthetician and it's getting her new clients on a regular basis (due to my marketing). Well, since everyone and his brother thinks they know marketing (even if they haven't made a single penny online for themselves) – she's getting advised from others who “know” stuff.

She comes to me and says …

“They say I need a blog. And, they say I need a Twitter account. And, they said I'm supposed to have a Facebook Fan page”.

And, I can hear the stress in her voice.

Now, this is an esthetician, NOT a marketer. She does facials – and she does them DANG well. But when it comes to the computer – she can barely send an email.

So, I had to ask her yet again – “Do you WANT to learn this stuff or do you want to do facials?”

Of course she said “I just want to do facials!”

So, the ONLY thing she'd be doing by creating a Twitter account, a Facebook Fan page, or a blog at this point in her business is either –

1. Creating work for herself that she hates.
OR
2. Creating a job for someone else to maintain her social accounts.

Obviously, since she doesn't know enough about online marketing, it would be #2. That would be fine except I don't believe that having someone else Tweeting on her behalf would really benefit her at this point enough to justify the expense.

So, she'd end up with either a neglected social media account, or one run by someone else.

Now, I've got nothing against outsourcing in your business, but you've got to outsource smart, and in HER case, that's not a smart move.

Instead, with her business, we're focusing on video marketing, list-building, and some link-building to keep her at #1 in Google for the terms that are bringing in clients from her website every week.

So, what's my point here? My point is to IGNORE the noise, guys. Just ignore it.

You can make money without doing a fraction of the things you're being told you HAVE to do.

As long as you have the following two things, you're set:

1. People who you can help. (Also known as “Traffic”)
2. Ways to help them – that you can be paid for. (Also known as “Offers”. ie. products, services, affiliate recommendations, etc.)

The rest is just gravy.

So, there. Stepping off my soapbox now. I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

Warmly (and sometimes prickly, too) –
Nicole Dean

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Reading http://losingitandlovingit.com/blog/1134 Excited that @fatlossquickie is on my podcast this week. Will post tomorrow. #

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Pretty please post a comment so I don't look like a loser… http://bit.ly/19WM2X Lessons Learned Working with a Guru – Thank you!!! #

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Last two comments are in no way related. #

All who just RT'd in agreement to NOT loving the nekked avatar – I'm now following you, now that I know it's safe. #

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Put away the post-it notes and finally get organized with this free tool: http://bit.ly/1kj1AO – Opportunity for training, too. I use it. #

RT @ShannonCherry: Loved your tour @NicoleDean You really gave great tips for http://www.jimmybrown.com <-TY! 2 more posts in the queue. #

Checking in with my accountability partners this morning. Gotta get stuff done! #

Yay!!! @Tracy_Roberts You're coming to #NAMS3? Life is good. Buy 2 tickets. 100% refundable if Jeff can't make it. http://bit.ly/29mUvs #

Adios. I need to go make the big bucks. Remember to ask “What one thing will I do today to DIRECTLY make money.” Go forth & profit! #

Yoo hoo @fatlossquickie – We're gearing up to get started on your program. http://bit.ly/1agFkR – You gonna cheer us on? #

Anyone else want to join us to lose belly fat in only 10 minutes/day? http://bit.ly/1agFkR – I need all the help I can get! #

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FREE keyword Research Guide (pdf file)
An e-book packed with insight, tips, and techniques on keyword research that you can apply easily to your own website.

I hope you enjoy it!
Nicole