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Tips for over-thinkers, online retailers, outsourcers and the rest of us

By Julia Bickerstaff - Sunday, May 19, 2013

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Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. How often do you not do something because you are worried that there’s going to be unpleasantness? You know the stuff: the phone call you don’t make, the customer you don’t have that conversation with, the prices you don’t increase...... Well if this sounds at all like you here’s a fab article, to help you, um, surf over it.


2. There is such as thing as too much thinking and if you’re an over-thinker you’ll know  *sigh* how destructive it can be. As this uber helpful article says “Over-thinkers don’t need other people to sabotage their dreams or goals, they can do that all by themselves”. If you’re a bit of an over-thinker here are 10 tips to help you manage it.


3. Did you know that most online shoppers don’t make it past the first step of your checkout? Ain’t that annoying. And it’s not, as you might suspect, to do with your pricing. Here’s an article on why shoppers abandon their trolleys (okay, cart) and what you can do about it.


4. Have you got too much to do? Yup. Thought about outsourcing? Yup. Decided it was too hard, too expensive? Yup. Well here’s a good little process to use. It’s the when, the how, and the what-to-do to make sure it doesn’t go all pear-shaped!


5. And here are seven things successful business owners wished they’d known when they’d started out. What do you wish you’d known?


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Tips for tricky homemade questions, hiring help, mobile payments and tough times

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, May 13, 2013

Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. Do you do everything yourself? This teeny weeny little note is a fabulous reminder that choosing ‘myself’ to do stuff isn’t always best.


2. Here’s another fabulous little tip, especially if you make homemade.  I know lots of you will chuckle knowingly at the comment “Why don’t you make them in square loaf pans like everyone else?”


3. Did you know that we pay more when we pay by credit card? It doesn’t hurt as much. So if you’re selling on the go (at fairs etc)  it makes sense to be able to take mobile credit card payments. But where do you start? Here’s a good article on all the different types. The flip side, of course, is that if you’re trying to save money pay in cash.


4. Here are seven great ways to make your time go further. It’s not always easy to do but I’m a huge fan of number 2.


5. Finally, this one’s for you if you’re going through a tough time.


6. And even more finally. Did you see this on the Maker Movement? Of course we all knew it was big, didn’t we?!


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16 tips for business 8 ways to have a great year 4 tips to stop self doubt and more

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, May 06, 2013

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Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. Sometimes a one line reminder is all we need. Here are 16 of them.  They are all so good I’ve had trouble picking  a favourite. Today it’s number 13. Tomorrow may be different! Which is yours?


2. The New Year starts now. Well it does if you want it to. Here are 8 questions to ask if you want to have a year that matters. If you’re short on time, just read the questions. You can leave out the waffly part!


3. Do you ever doubt yourself? Well hello, um, yes. I loved this article ‘cos it’s got four great tips. Skim through it until you get to Corbett Barr, Tyler Teveroon, Tammy Strobel and Tess Marshall. Read theirs and then read the note from Derek Sivers. God love him. He nailed it.


4. Here’s a different topic. Jealousy. I think there’s quite a lot of it in small-business-world. Do you? This article doesn’t help if someone’s jealous of you, but is fab if you’re feeling, a bit, um,  jealous of them. And even if you’re not, the five questions at the end are worth a read.


5. I loved this simple article about the four main ways to get more traffic to your website. I think the final ‘one big piece of advice’ was probably the best bit. I’m a bit woeful on that. Are you?!


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Finding your second wind, motivation boosters, better internet marketing and more

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 29, 2013

[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]


Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. Now I know why I am too tired to work well in the afternoon but am awesome after dinner! It’s that second wind. Read this if only for the last sentence. And keep peddling.


2. Here’s a great little article about motivation and it’s cousin, overwhelm, and this 6 step motivation - booster is fabulous.


3. We’re all ‘internet marketers’ to some degree. We have to be. It’s the way people find us and check us out. So although this article is written for the most-very-important ‘internet marketer’ it’s actually for you and me. It’s good stuff. Especially points 1 and 2.


4. Do you ever take your computer down to a cafe to work? I do. Sometimes I use cafes as an ‘office’ when I’m in between meetings in the City and other times just as a quiet place to get away from my noisy boys! Normally I barely glance at stuff like this but “How you get hacked at Starbucks”  got my attention. And slightly alarmed me.


5. This article answers a very specific question. But if you’re planning to get some stuff made in China you’ll be glad you read it.


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Rules to live your business by, how to get more done, how to blog when you don't have time, and how to borrow money from family

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 22, 2013


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Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.

1. This is billed as 12 time-management tips, but it’s so much better than that. I think of these as great rules (for want of a better word) to live your business by. Number five is a brilliant way of navigating through chaos.

2. Are you thinking about borrowing money from your family to help you fund your business? Lots of us do because we can’t get money anywhere else - but it’s not an easy loan! Here are some things to think about before you dive in.

3. I love a ‘how-I-started- story, and this one is raw, real and a good read. Plus it’s got an interesting angle on pricing.

4. More tips on how to get more done. I like lists like this 10 easy ways one. Not because all 10 are good but because there’s usually one fabulous little tip that works. I’ve been trying the 5 minute walking break and reckon it’s a goodie.

5. Blogging. Lots of people rave about blogging as a good way of marketing but how do you find the time?! Here’s an awesome article on how to get it done when you’re busy, busy, busy. All 12 tips are great but the one that works best for me is the simplest of the lot; number 3. Oh yes, and if you don’t blog take a look anyway - most of the tips make sense for any type of work.


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Rules to live your business by, how to get more done, how to blog when you don't have time, and how to borrow money from family

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 22, 2013


[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]

Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.

1. This is billed as 12 time-management tips, but it’s so much better than that. I think of these as great rules (for want of a better word) to live your business by. Number five is a brilliant way of navigating through chaos.

2. Are you thinking about borrowing money from your family to help you fund your business? Lots of us do because we can’t get money anywhere else - but it’s not an easy loan! Here are some things to think about before you dive in.

3. I love a ‘how-I-started- story, and this one is raw, real and a good read. Plus it’s got an interesting angle on pricing.

4. More tips on how to get more done. I like lists like this 10 easy ways one. Not because all 10 are good but because there’s usually one fabulous little tip that works. I’ve been trying the 5 minute walking break and reckon it’s a goodie.

5. Blogging. Lots of people rave about blogging as a good way of marketing but how do you find the time?! Here’s an awesome article on how to get it done when you’re busy, busy, busy. All 12 tips are great but the one that works best for me is the simplest of the lot; number 3. Oh yes, and if you don’t blog take a look anyway - most of the tips make sense for any type of work.


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Rules to live your business by, how to get more done, how to blog when you don't have time, and how to borrow money from family

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 22, 2013


[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]

Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.

1. This is billed as 12 time-management tips, but it’s so much better than that. I think of these as great rules (for want of a better word) to live your business by. Number five is a brilliant way of navigating through chaos.

2. Are you thinking about borrowing money from your family to help you fund your business? Lots of us do because we can’t get money anywhere else - but it’s not an easy loan! Here are some things to think about before you dive in.

3. I love a ‘how-I-started- story, and this one is raw, real and a good read. Plus it’s got an interesting angle on pricing.

4. More tips on how to get more done. I like lists like this 10 easy ways one. Not because all 10 are good but because there’s usually one fabulous little tip that works. I’ve been trying the 5 minute walking break and reckon it’s a goodie.

5. Blogging. Lots of people rave about blogging as a good way of marketing but how do you find the time?! Here’s an awesome article on how to get it done when you’re busy, busy, busy. All 12 tips are great but the one that works best for me is the simplest of the lot; number 3. Oh yes, and if you don’t blog take a look anyway - most of the tips make sense for any type of work.


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Marketing lessons, energy rituals, phoning it in,hiring a freelance designer and taking an energizing break

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 15, 2013

[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]


Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. Here’s just a fabulous list of ten marketing lessons. The stories are about big companies but there are gems in there for little ones. And if you need a giggle just head to the quote in number 4 by P T Barnum.


2. Is there something that you’re trying to to turn into a habit?  Like a daily dose of marketing, say. Well here’s a great thought - create Energy Rituals. The phrase alone is enough to get me (thinking about) going! If you’ve got time read the whole article here. My favourite tip? “Reduce the challenge, but stay the course.”


3. Are you doing your work to the best of your ability or are you ‘phoning it in’. I love this little article and, hey, you don’t need to be a big movie star to have one of those ‘just enough’ days.


4. Ever thought about hiring a freelance designer but not known how to? Here’s a super-detailed article on what to think about.  I think one of the trickiest things to do is to hire a specialist - after all when you don’t know what to do you don’t know what to ask for. Agree?!


5. And finally, how to take a break from your work. You wouldn’t think you’d need ideas on how to spend a ten minute break, but then again, these are ways to make sure you return to work energized!


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How to be an expert, follow your passion, get productive, get motivated AND cut costs

By Julia Bickerstaff - Sunday, April 07, 2013


[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]

Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. Not sure you’re enough of an expert? Feeling a little under confident about your abilities. Here’s a great article about how to be an expert......and why you are one already! Oh yes, and why is being an expert important? Because customers like to buy from experts.

2. Have you got a spare 18 minutes? Then you must watch this. It’s an interview with a lady who had followed her passion and almost accidentally created a few (yes a few!) fabulous businesses. She makes it all sound so doable!

3. I love a book list. Do you? Here’s a list of the 10 best motivational books of all time. Most of them are fabulous golden oldies. I don’t think you need to go mad and read them all but if you’re feeling a bit flat any one of them will be a great pick-me-up.  If you’re looking for more reading, the books mentioned in the blog’s comments are pretty good too.

4. Busy? Yes! So how do other busy people get so much stuff done? Here are 12 tips from famous busy types.  Tip 2 mentions Rescue Time - a tool I use. It works best if you do a lot of your work on the computer. If that’s you, try it, it’s scary!

5. Most “How to cut costs” articles are a bit hopeless for the very small business. There’s not much to cut when you running on a (frayed) shoestring. But this article was a surprise! Seven really good tips. Number 1 is tricky but really worth giving a go.



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How to manage your time, persuade people, get back into a good mood, sell stuff and sleep.

By Julia Bickerstaff - Monday, April 01, 2013

[Fancy getting this delivered weekly to your inbox? Just sign up here for our Snacks of Profitable Goodness (blue box, top right hand corner)]

Hello

Here’s this week’s collection of articles from around the traps. We pick articles which we think will help you make a healthy income, work a little more productively or just inspire you to ‘get on with it’! Enjoy x.


1. I’m not a huge fan of salesman and ‘sales techniques’ but we all do selling in one way or another and, well, I found this so interesting that you might too. I think if you did this in your own style you could use it find out what your potential customers are thinking and, you never know, it may even work!

2. So this article was written to help people with ADHD manage their time but the ten tips are fabulous for all of us. And who’d not, at one time or another, embarked on a one hour task and faffed around until it took five?!

3. There’s a fabulous book by Robert Cialdini called “Influence: the psychology of persuasion” all about how to get people to do things that are in their own best interest and that also benefit you. Like buying your stuff and supporting your business. If you don’t have time to read the book this article has 21 principles of persuasion to get you started!

4. Anyone who’s had a baby that doesn’t sleep (yawn) knows this is true. Sleep is more important than food. But don’t we still burn the candle at both ends in the name of getting stuff done? This article might help us think twice about doing it!

5. Finally here are four tips for getting yourself back into a good mood. Well we all have those days don’t we!

Till next week




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