Who's Who Among Women in eCommerce

"I've always known I was gifted, which is not the easiest thing in the world for a person to know, because you're not responsible for your gift, only for what you do with it "
Hazel Scott Trinidad-US pianist, singer, writer.

The WECAI Network recently announced their plans to unveil the 2007-2008 list of Who's Who Among Women in eCommerce and are actively seeking women to add to the list.

If you are a women who does business on the web (either via a website or a blog), you may join the WECAI WIKI and submit your name and URL for inclusion in this list.

If you would like to know more about the list visit http://www.wecaiwiki.com/. You can join the WECAI WIKI and add your favorite women in ecommerce to the list (including you).

The list will be unveiled in mid-December 2007.

The WECAI Network, also known as the Women's eCommerce Association, International is a 501c6 not for profit organization whose mission is "to help women do MORE business on and off the WEB. You can read more about the WECAI Network at http://www.wecai.org/.

Being a Guest on OPP - Other Peoples Podcasts to Promote Your Book

"We are expecting podcasting to be additives on both the revenue and profit lines in 2006." Audible.com

Today The WECAI Network™, ™ again hosted a great eWednesday Chat mastermind session featuring Roy Montero, THE SEO Guy (and Verbal Networking sponsor) who discussed "How to promote your books on Podcasts - Being a Guest on OPP - Other Peoples Podcasts to Promote Your Book" without all the work that goes into production.

During our almost two hours together, Roy talked about what podcasting is, what types of programs work best, how to upload them to your site, where else to submit your podcasts, and mucgave some excellent resources to check out (listed below).

I would like to also thank Jerry Leventer of Red Apple Tutoring who shared his expertise on Podpress.org. He showed us some great tools on Podpress that we can use to upload our audio files and more.

In addition, Sheila Finkelstein of EteleTours and Natures Playground deserves a big thank you for once again recording the audio portion of our program. You can access it at: http://sheilaf.audioacrobat.com/download/WECAI-podcasting80807.mp3

Special Thanks to Roy Montero for again hosting the session on Verbal Networking and on his teleconference bridge line. Roy is our #1 Sponsor!

If you attended today's session, you know that there is "homework" for next week. Your assignment, should you decide to accept it (and you plan to attend next week) is to go to Odeo.com and set up an account and record a 30-45 second commercial that you can share with us next week. In addition to that, you are asked to get yourself "booked" on a talk radio podcast show and let us know about it. We will help promote the program during the session and also on this blog.

Now for the resources mentioned:

Book -- Podcasting: The Do-It-Yourself Guide by Todd Cochrane

Listen to an interview with Roy on the Let's Talk Marketing Radio Show with Cathrine Franz - it's available on the Let's Talk Marketing Radio Show website. Here's the link: http://www.letstalkmarketingshow.com/. The interview is in archives section on the website.

Free sound editor - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Excellent site listing hundreds of tutorials for audio and video - http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=audacity

For wordpress plugins - http://www.wp-plugins.com/

Free account for recording - http://www.odeo.com/

Google reader to read the feeds from the rss you subscribe to - http://www.google.com/reader/

Feed editor - http://www.aweber.com/

Where you upload your podcasts - http://www.podpress.org/

Roy says, "RSS your home page first and then just the pages that need to be RSS, you don't have to do all the pages, especially if you have 200 or 2,000 pages http://www.wordpress.org/

Load iTunes onto your computer - http://apple.com/itunes

Wave pad sound editor - http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/

A few places to look for shows to contact for interviews:

Lillian Cauldwell – Global Talk Radio http://www.globaltalkradio.com/shows/thelilliancauldwellshow/
The Podcast Network - http://www.thepodcastnetwork.com/
Podcast.net - http://www.podcast.net/
Podcast DirectoryPodcast awards - http://www.podcastawards.com/
Catherine Franz - http://www.letstalkmarketingshow.com/
Coach of the Airwaves - http://www.coachoftheairwaves.com/
World Talk Radio – http://www.worldtalkradio.com/
Heal Yourself Talk Radio - http://www.healyourselftalk.com/

For music to add to your podcasts and recordings:

http://www.podsafeaudio.com/ (free)
http://www.musicbakery.com/ (paid)

OPUZZ.com offers a CD with 10 songs for $59

BE sure to join next Wednesday at 12 noon Eastern Time at http://www.blogger.com/www.verbalnetworking.com for another lively discussion.

If you are writing a book, have written a book or are considering writing a book, then this mastermind group may just be the place for you!

Wishing you a terrific day... and then some.

Heidi

Heidi Richards, Founder of the WECAI Network™,

17 TIPS to Get the Most Out of RYZE Social Networking

"The pros, the champions, the ones who are determined to succeed (and you're one of them), do the little things right, consistently." Bob Burg

I have been a member of RYZE Social Networking Site since January 2004 and in that time have participated in more than 60 networks. Some of those I am still a member of and some of them I have left for a variety of reasons. What I would like to share with you today are ways to get the most out of your membership in this Network (or any Social Networking site for that matter) – to truly make the time you spend there worthwhile. So here are a few things I have learned in the past 3.5 years. Please feel free to share your ideas as well.

17 TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF RYZE

#1 Participate! The key to success in networking is allowing others to get to know you. That means responding to posts you have an interest in as well as posting items of interest to women.

2. Ask questions! If you have a challenge, need or concern, use your network to seek guidance. With the number of members in this network, there is certain to be someone who can help you.

3. When you post a new topic, please include a specific topic or brief description in the subject line. That way, only those interested will read and respond. It will also endear you to the members because they will know you care enough about them to not waste their time by making them read items that they have no interest in.

4. The length of the message is not as important as the details necessary to get your point across. Given our limited time, IMHO the best posts are those that "get to the point" early in the conversation. Exceptions are when you are selling something. People ask me all the time how long a sales page should be and I have learned from many experts that it depends. It depends on what you are selling, how much it costs, who you are selling to and a number of other factors. Your message should be as long as it needs to be to "tell the story."

5. If you want to post an article that pertains to a specific topic, please post the first paragraph and a link to read the rest of the article. Also, be sure to give proper attribution to the author of the article, especially if the author is you:).

6. Create a signature line to use with your posts. Something that tells us about you or displays your websites. Give people a reason to click on the links. Hint: when you include the http:// in the URL it makes the link clickable on the page.

7. Say hello to other members of the network by stopping by their RYZE (or other Network) page and signing their guestbook.

8. Be open, listen and read other posts and respond in a positive way. I have seen Negativity MULTIPLY on other boards, leading to hurt feelings and withdrawal (or even banishment) from the boards. My grandmother use to say “You attract more flies with honey than vinegar” words I live by and try to model each and every day.

9. Posting MLM opportunities – I have not problem with MLM opportunities, many of them are worthwhile and have made people very wealthy. However, this board is not the place for recruiting your downline. If you want to share a tip that helps other MLM folks, it is welcome. However anything deemed inappropriate will be quietly removed. RYZE has many other networks devoted to Network Marketers. HER Mastermind Network is for learning, sharing, and connecting with other women.

10. When someone on the network has done something nice for you or provided a great service, feel free to thank them publicly. Let us know who you do business with and help promote one another in a positive and supporting way. You will be a hero in there eyes (and ours).

11. Lurking is encouraged here. Until you feel comfortable getting to know the members and the “attitude” of our network, feel free to lurk. However, if you want to get known quickly, the best way is to jump in with both feet and get involved. It is remarkable how much more you will receive out of your membership once you engage in the conversations.

12. Stay on topic. If the post is about relationships, and you have something to add to the conversation, please do. I have seen people “hijack” conversations by changing the topic in midstream, which can demonstrate to others a lack of respect for the poster. If you want to change the subject, please start a new thread.

13. Introduce yourself. After visiting a lot of members it seems they have very little information about them on their RYZE home page. Which means we don’t know if you are married, single, have children or pets, what your hobbies are, etc. The best way to develop rapport and build a relationship is to share personal tidbits over time about yourself. Feel free to include those tidbits here. Let us know what you do professionally and personally.

14. Get organized and keep track of where you are posting by making a folder to store those valuable responses, and keep track of which networks regularly visit. (Submitted by Susan Anderson)

15. Some networks require you to post in certain threads only. You can save those posts as FAVORITES on your computer and then when it is time to post to that thread you have it as a favorite and don't have to look for that thread when you need it. (Submitted by Kimberly "the Eagle" Motivator)

16. Appreciate diversity. Many of us come from different walks of life--some from different countries and I believe we can all learn something from each other. If we feel uncomfortable branching out and getting to know others because they look different, we may be missing out on a grand opportunity (Submitted by Beverly Mahone)

17. Connecting with people via private message is a good way to network if; you are truly looking to expand your circle, you have something to offer and it is clearly stated in the message. In the book "Never Eat Alone" Keith Ferrazzi makes a point of always telling folks what's in it for them before he EVER asks something of them (except a meeting). He makes the offer almost irresistible by doing research on his prospects to find out what hot buttons they are most likely to respond to. (Thanks to Martin Russell for initiating a conversation resulting in this tip)

I also suggest you check out the Frequently-Asked Questions page on Ryze for more ideas - http://ryze.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=view

If you have questions about RYZE that the FAQ page does not answer you can also contact support3@ryze.com and ask them!

Building trust takes a lot more time in an online networking environment. You will see the same people posting week after week and month after month. They do this because they know participating on a regular basis helps the members to get to know them. Be one of them and let the other members get to know, like and trust you!


Wishing you a terrific day... and then some!

RYZE-ON!

Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO - The WECAI Network™

What Makes Your Administrative Professional So Special? Enter our Contests!

"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something."
Sandra Day O’Connor

Administrative Professional Week is April 23^rd - 27^h

This annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers. It was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers.

In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

(Source: International Association of Administrative Professionals)

Now’s the perfect time to honor the “gatekeepers” in your office and the office of your top clients and customers. Some of the things you can do are: Send flowers, plants or a bouquet of balloons. Be sure to include a personal note or a card that mentions the occasion and an appropriate sentiment, such as "Thanks for all you do," or "I appreciate your help." Be sure to send the gift to the office, not to the recipient’s home – visit: www.edenflorist.com for more gift-giving ideas.

2 Contests you can enter!

The WECAI Network™ and Eden Florist are sponsoring a contest.

Enter Our
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS CONTEST

Your Assistant could win a FREE bouquet of fresh flowers every month for a year and be featured in an upcoming issue of WE Magazine for Women!

Please tell us what makes your Assistant so special. If your story is chosen, your assistant will receive a FREE bouquet of flowers every month for a year. She will also receive a one page profile in an upcoming issue of WE Magazine for women. And that’s not all, everyone who is nominated will be mentioned on this blog and receive a beautiful downloadable Certificate of Appreciation! Be sure to include your contact information in your entry.

Deadline for submission 5:00 pm, April 27, 2007.
All entries will receive a beautiful
Administrative Professional of the Year
Certificate of Appreciation.

Please submit your entry by sending it to:

Administrative Professional Entry
c/o Eden Florist & Gifts
7100 Pembroke Road
Miramar, FL 33023

You can also fax your story to (954) 964-3135 or email your story to flowers (at) EdenFlorist.com

Be sure to include your name, address, phone, fax, and email in the event your assistant is chosen!

My friend, and Charter Elite Member Teresa Morrow is having a contest too!

In Celebration of Administrative Professionals Week and the recent launch of her new business Key Business Partners, Teresa is hosting a "Share the Love" Contest

The first 3 people who answer all the questions correctly will receive:

1 FREE Hour of VA services (value of $25)

AND

20% discount off VA services until May 15, 2007

Send an email to Teresa at keybusinesspartners (at) gmail.com with "Admin Contest Questions" in the Subject line and you can play too!

Celebrate those who make your life easier...

Warmest regards,

Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius (Chinese Philosopher 551-479 B.C.)