Kelly asked….

My next question for you is this: What do you think of Twitter? And why don’t I see more of you there?

Hey Kel,

I really enjoyed reading your list of Pet Peeves for your Online Talk Radio Show. I agree on all of those. They would bug me, as well. As for not promoting the interview, that is just bad manners. But, I do find that a lot — that lack of reciprocity. Now, when I promote something that John Reese comes out with, I don't expect him to reciprocate — or if I promote something like GoDaddy as an affiliate, but in networking circles, I don't hear “What can I do for YOU?” as much as I'd like after doing something for someone else. Or even a “Thanks.” Hmm… I guess I feel a blog vent coming on about this one. lol.

However, that wasn't YOUR question to me. Yours was Twitter. I am on Twitter, as you know – Nicole Dean on Twitter. I actually do enjoy it, although I find my time on Twitter gets spent quickly. All of a sudden it's time for me to get the kids and I haven't gotten through my To-Do list at all. Kind of like me with forums — so I have to limit that time a bit. The other reason I haven't been Twittering is that I haven't been able to get the site to load in weeks. I click on it in my browser and it sits on loading … and loading… and loading… but that must just be me? Maybe it's a sign. Or maybe I need to try it in a new browser. lol.
I still get traffic from Twitter and I do like stopping by to say ‘Hey I just blogged about…' but I can't chat on there too much or I'll end up chatting with my wonderful friends and making new ones. (Dreadful, I know.) Maybe I just need a good lesson in moderation?

So, that's my Twitter Truth.

ok. So, back to my question for you… going back to my beef earlier, what do you consider when networking with other work at home moms on a long-term basis. For instance, what makes you loyal to one person and not another? (Other than quality, of course.)
Chat soon, mi amiga!

Nicole

Kelly asked….

My next question for you is this: How do you do a ‘brain dump‘?

Hey Kel,

I took some time off. Can you tell? My blog has been a bit neglected, but I'm back!

Speaking of blogs, I loved seeing the picture of your nieces and nephews on your blog. Thank God they are finally able to go home from the hospital and you are there to help.

As for your question about how do I do a brain dump, thankfully, I have a pea brain so there is little to dump.

But, in all honesty, I LOVE and crave brain dumps. Instead of keeping everything in my head, I can free myself by putting everything on paper, so I can have less stress of trying to remember it all.

I find that writing is one of the most effective ways I figure out how I really feel about things. I find that even writing articles and blog posts, I'll often stop and say “Wow! Do I really feel that way?” and usually I find that, yes, indeed I do. I find it similar to journaling — except everyone gets to read it! (Scary!) Writing helps me to organize my thoughts in a way that reaches past my busy, active part of my brain to connect with deeper levels of … something. This is also one of the reasons I'm getting my white board. I'm very visual. In fact, you may not know this about me, but I prefer buying learning ebooks to buying audios because I learn better when I see than when I hear.

As for a traditional business brain dump, though, I have to do that away from the computer. I have too many distractions at my computer and I need to feel pen in hand in order to get everything out of my brain. My husband is very technical, so he prefers to organize in a program we use here called Fogbugz. As long as he has everything in Fogbugz, he's a happy camper. I, on the other hand, prefer handwritten lists — which has caused us to butt heads on multiple occasions. (MULTIPLE)

For me, my brain dumps usually consist of a big pad of legal-sized paper and a pen and a series of questions. 1. What do I need to do with my business stuff? 2. What would I like to do with my business stuff? 3. What do I need to do with my personal life? 4. What would I like to do with my personal life?

I find that this gives me the opportunity to list the things that are critical (must-do) and things that are dreams and ideas (would like to do). I prefer to keep the personal and business lists separate, just for my own sanity. If I saw them on the same piece of paper, I think I'd melt down!

After I have my four lists started, I go somewhere quiet for awhile (usually when the kids are at school) and I start writing. I don't stop until I feel I have everything out of my head onto paper. Then, I normally feel so liberated, I take a nap!

One other thing I do to keep that feeling of overwhelm down is to keep pads of paper by the bed and in the car. That way if I wake up in the middle of the night with a thought or idea, I can jot it down and fall right back to sleep. And, if I'm driving and have an idea, I don't have to tell the kids “Remember this for Mommy”. I can instead say “Jot this down for me, please.” It's very freeing to me.

I'm not sure if that all made sense, since I kind of hopped around from a brain dump to daily sanity, but I think you get the picture. If not, go ahead and ask.

ok, Kel. Your turn. You're getting organized for 2008 — and Focused. What are some of your tips for staying on track this coming year? Make any interesting decisions? I'm sweating, thinking about trying to organize and focus this year, so I'm all ears!
I look forward to chatting soon,

Nicole

(Keep an eye on Kelly’s blog for her reply.)

Click here to read Kelly’s Question and then continue to my answer below.

Hey Kel.

Whew, affiliate marketing has been *very* good to both of us. Got to love those residual affiliate programs, eh? I don't know which ones you're doing well with, but here are some of my favorites –> Best residual affiliate programs (Notice that our MomWebs.com is at the top?)

As for your question, which relates to Lynn Terry’s blog post, I've got to tell you my answer may be kind of boring, but no. I haven't really suffered from Guru Envy. Mostly I just beat myself up for not being further than I am. (Don't we all do that? Even as successful as we are… it comes back to confidence all over again.) I don't know that I envy them in a bad way, but I aspire to their levels and get inspired by them. Is there a difference?

I may not be jealous, BUT I can get a little snippy. There are gurus I just don't like. Yes, there are gurus who I roll my eyes at. And, there are gurus who I think are phonies and/or snakes. (Didn't know I had it in me to be so catty, did you?) lol. But, I think that's true if you look at any selection of people.

You and I have talked about the gurus we each like. I happen to like one that you REALLY don't like. And, you have a few people you like that I'm not crazy about either. lol. That's not because we're jealous. It's because our guts (and experiences) may be telling us different things.

Here's my question for you…

Is there ONE task you just HAVE to outsource or it'll drive you crazy? I'm gonna limit this one, too, because I know you'll say “email and customer service” so it has to be something else.

I am becoming the outsourcing queen. You'll be proud of me. I have cleaning ladies that come twice a month, a neighbor kid who mows my lawn, a book keeper, and now I have a food service where I get all my meals for a week in advance. (I'm almost embarrassed to admit that one, but I'm going to blog about it soon, anyway, so might as well share.) Plus, I have writers and four awesome VAs who keep me looking good. (It's a rough job, but someone's got to do it.)
So, tell me.. what kinds of tasks do you dish out to other people?

Chat with you soon, my friend!

N

(Keep an eye on Kelly’s blog for her reply.)

Click here to read Kelly's Question.

Continue to read my response…

Hey Kel,

I still can't believe the last few years. I look back to when we first met during your WAHM MVP Contest. I think the nominations started in December of 2004. Wow. Has it really been that long? And, then, you invited me on your show. Remember how scared I was? You had to talk me into the interview, because I was just terrified. That interview was hilarious. I was so nervous that I giggled like crazy! I still can't believe you ever asked me back after that first interview.

After that contest ended, I joined Mom Masterminds (Feb 2005), strictly for the chance to get to know you better. (Didn't know I was a stalker, did you? lol.) Once I was in there, I was so happy to realize that you are truly as genuine as you seemed on your show. I then made it a point to keep the door open for a real friendship.

When you asked me to partner with you on Easy Article Marketing — THAT was the one thing that boosted my business the most. I'd always said I felt like I was “clawing my way up the learning curve with bloody little fingers” but that JV with you taught me SO much about how to put a product together and market it. Heck, it taught me everything. I knew a bunch about how to run an online business and market, but I'd never put together an full course before, and I'd been kind of … scared to. I look back at that project as the major turning point in my business. Plus, of course, it showed both of us that we enjoyed working together and that we agreed on the most important aspect of any JV — putting out a high quality product. And, since then, we've done more JVs together. (Oh, that reminds me… we need to finish up www.EasyPartnerships.com .)

You asked if I ever look back and wonder how I got where I am? Hmm… I pretty much know how I got here. A TON of sweat, keeping my integrity throughout my business, and developing friendships with other women with similar goals to mine. But, did I ever in a million years think I'd be working with Jimmy D. Brown? Oh, HECK NO. It's a dream job. You know I gush about him all the time. He's just the best! Talk about someone to aspire to. He's got the business smarts and he's kept his integrity throughout the years. He's just a really good guy with a big heart. I'm hoping to have dinner with him and his family next week since he'll be in the neighborhood. We missed each other last time he was in town, so we'll see if our schedules work this time or not. But, if you'd asked me even three years ago if I would be this successful today? I'd have said “I sure hope so!” but I wouldn't have bet the farm on it.

As for your question. Hmm… What have I learned most about myself in the last year? I think I've learned to look at myself differently, if that makes sense. Even back in February, when I first started working with Jimmy, I was *very* timid to give him ideas. Now, I just toss ideas out there. He says “Go” and I run with them. Also, a year ago, my goals were lower than they are now. I wanted to make a certain amount per month. Now, my goal is $20-25K/month profit after paying my helpers. I figure, why not set my goals to where I actually want them to be instead of where I think they can be? So, I guess, to answer your question, the one thing I learned about myself in the last year is that I am an expert in my field, and my time is worth more money than I was charging, and that I do have a heck of a lot to offer someone when I do consulting with them. Of course, that's kind of a moot point since I'm not taking any clients right now, but still… So, I guess it's just another level of confidence. I lacked confidence for that first interview with you. And, I still struggle with it. But, I do know now that I can charge a higher hourly rate or a high percentage of sales for my time and not bat an eye doing it because I'm worth it. I also know that I'm quite good at branding and coming up with catchy, fun sites. I'm a very good writer. I know that I'm a heck of a good marketer. And, I know that I'm an expert in several areas of Internet Marketing. (And, a year ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to type all of that with a straight face.) So, I'd say it's still that darned confidence, Kelly. You once referred to me as your “much scared friend” at the beginning of one of my first interviews. I think that “much scared” person is now holding her own. And, much of that, my friend, is due to you.

You said that I amaze you? Well, ditto, to you. I actually have a question for you that I've been wanting to ask you forever on this exact topic.

Ever since I've known you, you *always* seem so together, so confident, so sure of everything that you do. On your show, you just exude confidence. And, when you see a “wrong” in the work at home mom community, you are the first one to call it, even though you know there'll be a back-lash. It doesn't even seem to phase you to put yourself out there as a target. Are you really that confident all the time in business and in personal life? And, were you always that confident or is it something you learned over time? And, if you learned it… any tips for me? It may be an odd question, but, it's something I've always wanted to know about you.
Well, it's 6:44am and my day is now about to start. Enough time on the computer. I have to go give my kiddos and my Joe their morning kisses and wake them up.

I'll chat with you soon, girlfriend.

N

(Keep an eye on Kelly's blog for her reply.)