I couldn't be prouder or happier for her. She's been the voice of WAHMs online — a protective guard-dog as well as an encouraging big sis for many of us over the last 5 years, and I'm proud to call her my friend. I always know Kelly will tell me the truth and I appreciate her so much for it. She's also been a supportive business partner over the years and we've learned from each other through working together. You go girl!!!

Swing by and grab the great freebies she has to offer, listen to her show, and, if you would, post a shout out to her below in the comments section to cheer her on for her next 5 years – I'd really appreciate it!

ALSO, speaking of Kelly, she's got a cool barter-swap over at Sparkpluggin. If you want to trade VA hours for ghostwriter hours or get a press release in trade for candles — swing by there. Bartering is one of the coolest ways to save money in your business. No cash out of your pocket – and the potential to JV with other businesses owners. Have a look and see if there are any win-wins for you.

That's it for now. Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,
Nicole

I've mentioned in the past that I'm happy to do interviews, especially written ones, since they are easy for me to fit into my schedule. (Want one? Just contact my helpers helper@justaddsweat.com and we'll get you set up.)

Here are two interviews that I did recently —

• Vonetta @ Small Business Sanity – Entrepreneur Spotlight: Nicole Dean, Multiple Income Stream Diva
• Affiliate Tips – Interview With Nicole Dean the Affiliate Success Coach

Why do I take the time to do these?

1. New Readers. As you can see, both interviews expose me to new readers. The Affiliate Tips interview has already been rated almost 200 times. Who knows how many eyeballs have seen that page. The interview is archived, so it has the potential to send me traffic for years to come.

2. Talking about ME. I also get the opportunity to talk about ME without feeling silly or braggadocios. That's kind of the point — to talk about myself and what I have to offer people. Unlike my a press release, an ecourse, or an article for article marketing, I can freely talk about how wonderful my products are. Of course you can do that to some extent in your articles and press releases, but that's the POINT of the interview so it comes naturally.

3. Talking about my products and freebies. I'm also given the opportunity to showcase my projects when the interviewer asks what I'm up to, or where people can learn more.

4. Link love. For search engines, I'm given some link love, which is always nice.

5. It's fun! I get to meet new friends.

6. Credibility/Endorsement. The interviews also lend an air of credibility. The fact that I was asked and am featured on these sites acts as an endorsement by the readers.

So… when the last time you thought about doing interviews? Got anything to talk about? If you've got a blog, the answer is “yes”!

Get started.

Here are a few places where you can learn more.

1. In my Web Traffic Basics course, I share tips for being a Guest on an Online Radio Show.
2. Of course, Kelly McCausey has a great course about Press Releases.
3. I recommend you stop by Shelancers.com to see how affordably you can get help with your press release writing. (I have a press writer who I found through Shelancers.)
4. Many of my interviews are found through networking. People chat with me at places like www.MomsMastermind.com and find that I am a real person who is willing to grant interviews when it's a win-win situation. So, I highly recommend that you find a group of successful marketers to hang with. It's amazing the deals that go down when you're chatting with people who can get things done. (Check out www.MomsMastermind.com if you're a mom. It's great!)
5. HARO. These are reporters looking for people to interview. Join the list. It's free.

You've GOT to market your business if you want to keep growing. Whether you're doing that with article marketing, guest blogging, or search engine optimization, it's all good.

Interviews are another avenue of marketing. Give it a try.

Have a wonderful week.
Nicole

Webmomz has a cool opportunity to get you publicity for your local business, read for details below.

As some of you may know, Doing Business in Your Bathrobe Day is coming on February 12th, 2007 – a day to celebrate the freedom of owning your own home business! This holiday was established to recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to be an entrepreneur.

It's an internationally national holiday to call attention to the millions of home business owners who have waved goodbye to the corporate rat race and settled into a better quality of life. We felt it was high time to recognize the efforts and dreams of entrepreneurs.

And I'm excited to share that already one mom has gotten a TV story for her business from it. Tracy Ebert, from Virginia, already sent out the local press release and got calls from one TV station, a print publication, one online resource! Way to go Tracy!

So don't miss this chance to get free publicity for your business. Get your local press release for Doing Business in Your Bathrobe here to get publicity for YOUR business http://www.webmomz.com/bizinbathrobe-local.shtml

Enter to Win Tons of Great Prizes in the Doing Business in Your Bathrobe Drawing
http://www.webmomz.com/bizinbathrobe2007.shtml

And finally, don't forget to send us a picture of you working in your bathrobe and we'll post it on Webmomz! Send that to kristie@webmomz.com Put “Bathrobe picture” in the subject.

This contest is sponsored by Webmomz.com and International Bathrobes.

If you know of a local parenting magazine or church newsletter who might benefit from our free articles, please share the press release with them. It can be found here – About LadyPens.com

Let's get our articles published!
Nicole

However, summer is also the time when you can get ahead of the competition! While they're lazying away the days, you can get things in place to be light years ahead of them by fall.

How do you do this? One big part is planning and scheduling. I know… yuck. I hate it, too.

However, if you know you'll only have an hour each day to work your business, then think of the ONE thing you can do that will impact your bottom line.

If you're in Direct Sales that means PICKING UP THE PHONE. That's the best way to get those events booked and get your schedule rockin'.

If you're in Internet Marketing like me, then you may need to do some rotating.
Write and Submit Articles
Post to your Blogs
Add content to your websites
Add content to your autoresponders

Got an online store?
Do a little promoting of your site every day. Whether you write and submit articles, write a press release, or promote your affiliate program, get the word out.

Get things in place so your business is building, a little each day.

Yes, we have the flexibility to work our businesses when we want to, but sometimes that can bite us in the butt by allowing us the flexibility to NOT work our businesses as well.

Get going. I'm cheering you on!
Nicole

Although Article Marketing is my #1 passion, I also enjoy the free traffic and publicity that press releases offer.

Here's a free tutorial to get you started with the basics.

FREE PRESS RELEASE TUTORIAL

Let me know what you think!
Nicole

Ready to learn and take a step closer to have a very successful year in Business and at Home? Here's what we're covering today…

• Question 1: What are my options to become a WAHM?
• Free Motivational CD – Is your Greatness Being Held Hostage?
• Questions 2: What is a press release?
• Spring Cleaning!
• Preschool Fun: Bugs, Dinosaurs and Earth Day

Please forward this to a friend!

Nicole Dean, owner

Question #1 – What type of business will work best for me?
Kelly McCausey and I discuss the options available for Moms and the pros and cons of each. If you know any Moms who would love to be work from home, have them listen to our discussion on WAHMTalkRadio.com.

Free CD
I requested this Free CDand it helped me rethink my daily strategies and long terms goals and how I want to achieve them. Will you spend 2005 THINKING about achieving your goals or will you actually take the steps to Achieve them?
Stop Holding Your Greatness Hostage. Discover the Secrets To Unleashing Your Greatness And Becoming Financially Free This Year! click here

Question #2 – Press Release 101
Question: Here is where my ignorance for marketing will show. Once I have a press release written, where do I send it etc to get coverage? Pattihttp://www.pattibears.com/

Hi Patti. I've got you covered.
Press Releases – Why pay for an ad in the newspaper when you can have an entire article promoting your website?
65 Reasons to Send Out a Press Release
How To Write a Press Release That Editors Will Publish
Press Release Tutorial – I recommend this free press release tutorial.

The Online Mentoring at MomsMasterminds offers an entire Press Release Course for free, included with the membership.

And to answer your question, one of the places to send your press release would be http://www.prweb.com/. And, I also recommend sending a customized version to your local press. For instance, when I won the WAHM Talk Radio MVP award, Kelly McCausey sent out a major press release through PRWeb. In addition, I sent a different version of the sampe press release to my hometown newspaper, incorporating some information about the year I graduated from the Local High School and information about my parents. (Because it's a Small town newspaper, I knew that would be of interest to many residents.) I also sent a third version to my local newspapers in the town I live in now, that said “Local Resident Awarded Work at Home Mom Award”. I did get interview requests from both of the personalized versions, so I feel they were worth it, even though they took a bit more time.

It's Spring Cleaning Time!
Cheryl's Miller, our organizational expert, asks us “How Much Stuff is Enough?”

Brand new April Crafts & Activities for Kids
Dinosaur Activities for Kids

Insects and Bug Activities for Kids

Earth Day Activities for Kids

Have a great week everyone!

Nicole