For about 1 month, Terri Z. of Solo-E.com, had been ‘twittering’ with Twitter. She had some interesting observations and results that she decided to share with our panel of Solo-E Experts. If you are toying with the idea of Twitter, but are not sure if the efforts vs. results are worth it, check out this mock case study.  Terri writes:

“I put in a good number of hours of effort over about a month to get my twitter follower list to 400. I achieved this on Oct. 6. Since then, I’ve minimized my time spent — I follow a few interesting people mentioned by others I follow, I twitter a bit every couple of days, and I auto-post all new Solo-E blog posts and free/low-cost teleclasses.

On Oct. 13, just one week later, I have almost 100 new twitter followers. By doing only the amount and kind of twittering that I find fun!

Of those 100, 9 signed up for the ebook; I’m finding this typical of my twitter signup rate, which over the last month has been ~11%. (This is significantly higher than our signup rates from most other sources.)

Of those 9, 8 confirmed. That’s an 89% confirmation rate! I thought that was high, so I looked at all my twitter referrals — my overall conversion rate is 77.7%. It’s the highest confirmation rate of all my subscriber sources!

And it’s more than just about adding subscribers. Twitter followers respond to and praise your blog posts. They even comment on twitter about your articles! All *their* followers see their comments, too.

It’s early — but I really think this has turned into a viral marketing channel for Solo-E.”

Imagine a flock of little birds, twittering away, sharing your information with other droves and groups who are gathered, and directing them to a great source of food and celebration.  If you want to have flocks and folds discuss, comment upon and refer YOU — Twitter may well be worth the time it takes to build the nest.

Related posts:

1. The Secret to What to Say on Twitter
2. Find Time to Augment Your Twitter Feed
3. Twitter Followers or Spollowers?

For the past two weeks; I have had a dull and nagging headache — even long after my husband left for work in the morning! No really, all day, all evening – and I find it so difficult to concentrate on my work let alone work creatively!

This was different from other headaches I’ve experienced–it went all the way down my neck
and into my back, and the pain was mainly penetrating at the top of my
head. My two crazy wonderful children had wrecked my leather office
chair and for the last 6 months I have been sitting on a wooden kitchen
chair – sometimes for over 6 hours at a time.

Yesterday I was going to buy a new office chair – the kind that cradles your back and has a gel bottom – yet I hesitated…

This morning; my best friend and business partner called and said “I have been meaning to tell you this for weeks”… (funny how she chose this day) “I
purchased a giant exercise ball and I have been using it for weeks now,
I have had no headaches; no back aches; my posture has improved and
this morning while looking in the mirror – I don’t look like a boy
anymore – I have a waist again!” After a good laugh; I thought I need to check this out!

In my research; I found out that, “Sitting on an exercise ball,
your body is constantly making small adjustments with the postural
muscles, abdominals, gluteals and leg muscles. It is “active sitting”
rather than the slumping and poor posture we develop even in ergonomic
desk chairs.” http://walking.about.com/About_Walking.htm

While I do not make any health claims nor advocate this for those with serious back problems (do your own due diligence and seek the advice of a medical doctor)
I do know that for those of us who spend hours at our desks; this may
be a great and inexpensive option. Even if it is used for a couple of
hours a day.

Who knew a $19 ball was the answer to my two
week headache…the more I researched; the more I found that the ‘ball’
not only was a great Ergonomic solution to the home office; but would
allow people to roll with the punches of their business day too!

Now if I can just keep my kids from playing with my office chair; I could sit down and get some work done!!

Related posts:

1. 5 Top Reasons I Love Being Self Employed
2. 30 Days of Thanks! Day 1

I know all of you can relate to procrastination.  Procrastination can be a sign of feeling overwhelmed.  It is for me.  The more that piles up….for some reason; I procrastinate more.  Which you would think is the worst thing to do – given the fact that it only breeds more feelings of overwhelm.

So when I feel myself starting to let these feelings creep in; I rely on the "5 minute principle".
I learned this principle just after giving birth to my first son (now
3.5 y.o) and I have been using it ever since!  I felt very overwhelmed
with the responsibilities of a new child; housework; feedings; lack of
sleep; all while trying to run my business.  During that time I found a
cool little website called FlyLady.

Among
one of her helpful hints for organization; housecleaning; productivity;
was her ‘5 minute principle’.  She suggested setting a timer (even a
microwave or stove timer) for 5 minutes.  She says "You can do anything for at least five minutes".
And it is true.  I started setting my timer and I would tackle a load
of laundry – make a bed – prepare a bottle and only in five minutes.
Then I would feel motivated to see what else I could accomplish in
another five minutes…next thing I knew, I had reset the timer for 15
mins and so on…

To this day, I take five minutes and clean up
my office before working, take five minutes to make the beds when I
wake up, take five minutes to tackle a work project.  Even if I decide
to stop after only five minutes; I have taken a ‘bite out’ of the
project.  Most times I have decided to proceed, because the ideas have
already started to flow.  But by telling yourself, "take only five
minutes"; you give yourself permission to stop if you want to, because
at least you did it for five minutes. 

So the next time you become overwhelmed or start procrastinating, set a timer, dig in
for five minutes and stop or continue, at least you are tackling a bit
at a time in manageable portions. 

Go ahead try it; see what you can get done in these next five minutes!

Related posts:

1. Free Video in Minutes
2. Find Time to Address Procrastination Using a Template!
3. Find Time for Calm by De-Cluttering-3 Tips

To get what we want – we’ve been taught to work hard and keep on trying – that persistence is required.  But at what point do we stop trying so hard?

When it just flows…

Many of us are looking…looking for affiliations, looking for help, looking for collaborative opportunities, we are trying hard to make advancement and a connection but sometimes nothing clicks.

Or perhaps we have been ‘burnt in a business relationship’ and say
“I will never work with a friend again in business", or "I’ll never work
with family.” But if you are looking for an opportunity to collaborate,
stop trying so hard, stop making rules and look for flow.

One
year ago, I was working for a Finance and Legal Company.  The Executive
Assistant to the President was just hired and we occasionally had to
collaborate on projects.  Over the next few months, we would exchange
e-mails, little jokes, frustrations, then phone calls, daily messages,
house visits, and before you know it, we both had left the company,
re-vamped our own businesses, became the best of friends in work and
life and are collaborating on more projects than we can handle.  We
talk anywhere from 4-5 times a day, we share our morning coffee’s on
the phone or net and if it has been a particularly rough week (we both
have two boys each under age 6) we share a virtual cocktail in the
evening. 

The point is however, that we realized early on each
person’s strengths and openly commended each other for a job we
admired.   Lori was brilliant in designing, programming and technical
projects.  I was talented in artistic writing, business strategies and
formatting.  I would do my part on a project and send it to her to
finish up. As a team, we were handing back outstanding pieces.  Our
clients loved the final product and we loved working together. 

Sometimes
we look for that perfect partner – that perfect relationship – and it
just doesn’t flow.  Stop looking for collaborative opportunities, and
just allow yourself to open to new friendships, new alliances, or old
partners…as long as it is easy. The key is that work shouldn’t be
difficult – partnerships shouldn’t be difficult. If they are, they are
not working.

When Lori and I talk about why we are so successful as a team, we
say that it is because it is effortless.  We both give in equal
amounts, we both understand the demands of life and have flexibility,
we tell each other how much we liked something we did, and we call each
other on our ’stuff’ if we are not being honest.  Bottom line, we never
would have suspected such a harmonious relationship would have existed
a year ago, yet now we feel like we can take on the world! 

Wait — be open — listen — and let it flow, you will find your partner when you stop trying so hard!

Related posts:

1. Facebook Event Spam: Please, Please Stop!
2. When’s the Right Time to Take a Leap In Your Business?

Creating your own world – your own way, can be a daunting experience.  There are so many challenges that Solo-Entrepreneurs face.  (i.e. demands on time, finances, lack of resources, self-confidence, establishing realistic goals, accomplishing ‘it all’). 

And, having time for a family, having time for you, for living life, for just being.  And yet each day, each hour we are driven to succeed, driven to make a difference, driven to keep enjoying this wonderful thing we call "Entrepreneurship"!

So to celebrating your accomplishments, your efforts and all the fun you’ve had in your ongoing develepment – we encourage you to submit your story to the "Entrepreneur of the Year Award". 

You can nominate yourself or nominate someone who has inspired you!  All nominations must be received before 11:59 pm – September 15, 2006. 

If you or your nominee advances to the next round, come back here and post a comment with the link where your story has been shared on the INC. Website. 

To submit your nominee now, visit:  http://www.inc.com/entrepreneur/ and carefully read the instructions!

To your Solo-Success!!

~ Amy Ewart

Related posts:

1. Do You Think Like An Entrepreneur?
2. How to Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever

Good Morning – Good Night!

I have met only one person in my entire life who literally bounced out of bed (okay besides my children, I am talking adults here).  That is my friend Amanda.  From birth, until now, she whips off the covers, bounds out of bed, hands deep into a project immediately with passion and zing!  When we had our girly sleepovers, the sun would peak through the night and Amanda would be eggs into homemade pancakes and I was still head down in my pillow, wiping the sleep from my eyes. 

But my guess is that the majority of us are sleep deprived.  We generally crash into bed at night and wake up groggy in the morning.  I however have learned over the years (still practicing mind you) that there are two important routines, slash that word; I should say ‘commitments’ that we should ensue before and after bed.  Why? 

1. If practiced our quality of sleep will improve
2. Once you determine if you are a night owl or a morning bird, you will learn to work ‘with’ your body and not against it
3. You Maximize your highest level of learning

Good Nights

Having a good routine or commitment before bed is essential.  Taking this time each night allows you to prioritize your goals, and enhance your sleep knowing that today’s actions contributed to those goals and tomorrow’s action items are listed in your calendar.

• Review your schedule for the next day
• Cross off what you accomplished that day and pat yourself on the back.
• We are often too hard on ourselves feeling that we did not accomplish enough, but take 3 minutes to reflect on some your thoughts from the day, revelations, decisions made, love expressed, assignments accomplished, phone calls made, loads of laundry done, and feel good about what you completed that day. 
• Slow down!  In preparation for your bed time, plan what time you want to go to bed and one hour before, shut down your computer, look over your to do list, wash your face, brush your teeth, put on your favourite jammies, listen to your favourite calming CD, have a cup of tea, kiss your children, snuggle with your spouse, do some stretching and THEN climb into bed with your favourite book.
• Do not stay up late watching TV, playing on the internet, responding to e-mail.
• Close the day calmly and slowly, shut your brain down, slow your body down and your body will cooperate and replenish itself as you have just prepared it to.

Good Mornings

So if you are like anyone except for my friend Amanda, you generally wake up in the morning not fully awake, a little clumsy, foggy and not completely alert. Apparently this time frame in the morning occurs 1-2 hours after awaking. It is known as the Alpha State. Meaning, you are awake, conscious, but not at that fully awake state known as the Beta State. In your Alpha State, your brain waves and physical movement are at it’s slowest of the day – but in fact you are at the highest level of learning receptivity.  Children are often in the Alpha State. Studies show that while in the Alpha State you can double your learning rate. So use this time first thing in the morning to ingrain daily habits that will set the mood of your day. 

• Try to get up earlier than anyone in the house so you can have peace and quiet.
• Don’t turn on the radio, don’t turn on the T.V. 
• Get out of bed, wash your face, brush your teeth, shower (whatever you need to do), and take the first 15 minutes of your day to visualize and focus on what you want to accomplish and what mood you want to set for the day.  Write in your journal; see yourself accomplishing your goals.
• Read some positive and uplifting messages, say your mantras, listen to an educational or motivational CD’s, say your prayers, read something healthy.
• Take 15 minutes to stretch, go for a walk, water your flowers, watch the birds, or admire a leaf!  When was the last time you studied a leaf?  I bet you were 9!
• Have breakfast
• Begin your day

By maximizing that one hour in your Alpha State you have taken control of your mind, your body, your spirit and your environment!  You have taken the time to fill your energy tank and you now have the stamina and fuel to confidently navigate your day!

Two simple commitments in the morning and evening will help you to accomplish more, to maintain positivity, accomplish the goals you envisioned you would and perhaps like Amanda (so maybe not at 5 am) but you too can demonstrate a little passion and zing, hands deep in the projects you love!

Related posts:

1. 30 Days of Thanks! Day 1
2. A Noticeable Difference in Peace
3. Our Body Talks Louder So We Can Get Quieter

One of my most favored quotes is by Anne Frank (a young holocaust victim, who documents her experience, if you have not yet read her diary, it is motivating beyond measure) which says: â€œHow wonderful it is that we can start doing good at this very moment.” This quote appeals to me. As a mother, a person, a Solo Entrepreneur and Self-deprecating, Self-Improvement Junkie, it suggests that if we ‘choose to’ we can immediately change direction or improve and ‘do good’ if we put our mind to it. I thought of this quote when I was reading a recent survey conducted by Wells Fargo titled Found: The secret to small business success.

Some of the key points highlighted reminded me that even though we may label ourselves as “SMALL Businesses” we have BIG ideas, BIG dreams and have shown BIG growth. For instance, it is reported that:

- â€œSeventy-five percent of small business owners surveyed have adopted new procedures to improve quality assurance, demonstrating a strong customer focus as a top business line objective. 

- "Small businesses are built on the concept of innovation, and their ultimate success depends on their ability to grow and adapt to unexpected market changes," "Innovation happens in many different ways: through ideas, product development, process enhancements, or revised marketing strategies. There is no blueprint on how to innovate, but time and time again, small business owners demonstrate resiliency and an uncanny ability to respond to the changing needs of their customers." 

- More than half of small business owners surveyed — 57 percent — currently allocate time for idea generation and creative exploration. Fifty-nine percent also are taking courses or training to improve their skills and continue to learn. 

I was so encouraged to read this positive survey! Confirmation that the ‘little guy’, the ‘Small Business’, is the turtle, upstaging the rabbit, happily elevating itself, preparing for the slow long climb. We are self-motivated, we adapt, we are innovative, we learn from our mistakes, we are resilient, we are creative, and dedicated to improving our skills and businesses. 

Now back to my original thought, even if we have floundered, even if we have lost clients, even if we have overspent our budget, even if we have not dared to dream as big as we know is possible for ourselves…. “How wonderful it is that we can start doing good at this VERY moment!”

Related posts:

1. Seeds Grow Into Mighty Trees
2. How to Create a Survey Using Survey Monkey: All You Have To Do is Ask

Well I have really done it now!  I was a very committed and responsible person, and I have been taken over by an addiction!  An addiction so strong – that I am drawn to it every morning and each night.  Now, I cannot do simple errands without taking my ‘drug of choice’ with me.  That’s right folks – email!  And I get my fix by using my new toy the "Crackberry". 

I make this joke, because we all know how addicting e-mail is, and it is quite humorous to me to see people walking the streets, with the wireless blue tooth in their ear, (I thought for the longest time people were talking to themselves) but now we cannot leave our homes without our wireless voice and data plans!  We literally have phones attached to our ears – e-mails in our palms and work on the brain!!  The Treo, the Sidekick, the Nokia, and my device – the Crackberry also known as the Blackberry – have us chatting and engrossed in work, perhaps more than we care to. 

I love my little device, but I think it is time I set some ground rules before I have to go into Rehab!  That would be like Grandma’s Cottage – where there is no wireless signals for miles…might just have to book myself such a vacation!

All my best to you, wish me luck (tongue firmly planted in cheek)!

Related posts:

1. Small Business Marketing – A Different Look at Understanding Your Niche