Website vs Blog – Or Do You Need Both?

Creating a website for a new business? If so, you may be wondering which is the best choice – website or blog. The answer isn’t as complicated as you may think. Here are a few things to consider when choosing for you and your business goals.

Business model and purpose

Both websites and blogs, particularly a WordPress blog, can support just about any type of business model. WordPress developers have created plug-ins that can turn any WordPress blog into an e-commerce site, a membership site and more.

However, these plug-ins and add-ons can be more of a hassle than it’s worth. And finding the right plug-in may be a trial and error process. Believe me – I have gone through a lot of trials and made a lot of errors!

If your business model relies on the publishing of timely information, then a blog is likely better. However, if your business is meant to sell a product or service, then a website may be a better choice.

Maintenance and time

How much time do you have to devote to the upkeep and maintenance of your business? A blog still relies on consistently publishing content. Despite contrary “rules” about blogging, you don’t have to blog every day or several times a day.

Just keep in mind, people who subscribe to blogs do expect regular installments of new content. You can schedule your posts. However, it does require a bit more maintenance on your end. Whereas, a website can be left alone for a month or two without any issues.

Blog versus Website

Personality and ease of use

Some of your decision will be based on your personality. What format do you prefer to use? A blog is straightforward and easy to update and utilize. You may need help to find, install and set up the right plug-ins. You may also need help customizing a theme or adding a custom header. By and large, blogs are very easy to use.

Websites can be trickier for some. That being said, many website developers and design software make the user interface quite simple. You can modify pages and add content without needing to learn or understand a design language.

Goals

Quite often a blog and a website work well together. A website sells. A blog drives traffic and brands the business. A blog can speak to a niche within your niche.

For example, General Motors has a central website. They also have a blog that is car talk. It’s for car enthusiasts and its run by a head honcho at GM. He loves cars. The blog helps brand General Motors and it connects prospects and customers to the business, it also builds a community.

Before you decide whether a blog or a website is right for you, consider the above. What’s the purpose of your site? What will offer the best customer experience? What will be most comfortable for you to use and maintain? Finally, what will best help you achieve your goals?

If you decide that blogging is in your future, check out these 52 Blog Ideas for your business to help get you started!

If it is a website you are after, check out these 30 Tips for Building Your First Business Website off of smallbiztrends.com to get you started.

To your success!

3 Proven Ways to Market Your New Business

The world is filled with great ideas and broke business owners with fabulous products but no sales. Trust me. So here are 3 Ways to Market Your New Business.

The fact is, ideas are not what drives most business success. Marketing does. So before you quit your day job to branch out on your own, it pays to have a solid marketing plan in place. Start with these 3 ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Free Webinars

For information product sellers, coaches, and service providers, one of the best sources of new clients is in free training webinars. No matter what your niche, the promise of in-depth training at no cost is enough to entice potential clients to part with an email address (which you’ll be able to market to later) and an hour of their time.

Not only that, but webinars are a fantastic way for those potential customers to get to know you better. And the better they know you, the more likely they are to buy.

Content Marketing

Not comfortable hosting a webinar? Hit the keyboard and start sharing your thoughts and ideas via your blog, ebooks, guest articles and other written content. For internet marketers, this gives readers a taste of what they can expect from your product. If you sell physical products, it provides the perfect opportunity to share useful tips and other important information with your buyers.

Of course, there’s another important benefit to content marketing, too: search engine optimization. Google and other search engines index the words on your website and use the information to present search results to their users. Content marketing is a tool you can use to make the most of these results and to bring more potential buyers to your website.

Paid Advertising

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google and plenty of other sites all offer paid placement, and with today’s powerful analytics tools, it’s easy to create ads and drive traffic inexpensively. Consider starting with Facebook, since the cost is low and it’s easy to target your ads to your ideal client. Once you’ve perfected your funnel, you can branch out into more costly ads with a larger reach, such as Google AdWords or another ad network.

Don’t limit yourself to these three marketing methods though. There are dozens of others you can try, including affiliate programs, JV partnerships, automated funnels, direct mail campaigns, and even television advertising. The key is to keep testing and tweaking to make the most of every marketing effort so that your business continues to grow.

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3 Ways to Market Your New Business

9 Principles for Successful Women

Define your own success. If I can, so can you.

Are you able to define your own success? For the longest time, I wasn’t. I am talking years, of feeling that I was not successful. Even though my business was booking 50+ weddings a year, family portraits, commercial work, corporate events… the list goes on and on. I was shooting as often as I wanted, editing and providing product and value to my clients. Every. Single. Day.

Yet, in my head, I was not successful. I could not put my finger on why I felt that way, I was doing what I loved and loved doing it! It wasn’t until I burned out that I realized what it was. I didn’t have anything to measure my success with. I had goals, yes but they were broad, vague and seemed to always be in the distant future.

At my wit’s end, I sat down and decided it was time to define what success meant to me, not to everyone else. I mean, specific goals aside, what EXACTLY did it mean?

So, I did what any reasonable person looking for answers did. I googled it.
What did I find? I learned the definition of success is:

‘the accomplishment of an aim or purpose’

That sure hit me like a hammer! I looked at my monitor and said, out loud, “So setting a goal and accomplishing it is the meaning of success? No, too easy!” I had to dig deep to define my version of success. Getting it in my head that it is not what my family and friends think or even my industry collogues or leaders think, but MY definition of success. It was vital that I stopped comparing myself to others in the industry and realize their success has no bearing on my own.

I took a few days to reflect and truly work out precisely what it is I needed to feel fulfilled and know what success meant to me. I realized I wanted to spend as much time with my family as possible. As well as continue to build my businesses and inspiring other women, like me, to follow their path. I needed to know that I was making a positive impact on the business world and genuinely making a difference. Finally, I wanted to be able to go to Starbucks or out for dinner whenever I felt like it without needing to see if I could afford it and have a Broadway Across Canada subscription. Very clear, very specific and very attainable.

So now, I work from home running two businesses, I help hundreds of women run their businesses and have the freedom to enjoy that latte whenever I want AND I have my subscription! Les Misérables in July! BAM!

For me, that’s success. For others, maybe not.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I changed my perspective on success and you can too. By no longer viewing what was perceived as success through the “glazed over” look of thinking I needed more, I was able to dig deep within myself and figure out what success meant for me. Which made it that much easier to achieve.

To help you out, if you haven’t already, download the free 2018 goal setting workbook, define your success, set and accomplish your goals!

Now I’d love to hear from you. How will you define success for yourself? Let me know below in the comments or visit V-Net and share with a community of women in business, like you.

Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations

I belive that one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself is time. Taking time to be more fully present. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Just under a year ago, the crazy successful TV series from Oprah Winfrey, Super Soul Sundays, was converted a podcast. Oprah talks with a fascinating selection of writers, philosophers, spiritual leaders, and celebrities about discovery, growth, life, experiences and so much more. It is designed to motivate you, guide you through life’s biggest struggles and help bring you one step closer to your best self.

I don’t have cable tv, haven’t for many many years, so I didn’t even know that Supersoul Sunday even existed until I came across the podcast! And I am so glad I did, listening to each episode has been very inspirational and motivating. The conversations are always along the theme of conscious living, self-discovery and how to live a fulfilling life.

Subscribe, listen, breath it all in and begin your journey!

Do you listen to podcasts? Share your favourites below or in the Facebook group, I’d love to find more to listen too!

Do what you love. | Monday Motivation

A little food for thought on this snowy Monday morning…

How to stop screwing yourself over | Mel Robbins | TEDxSF

“You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life”
― Mel Robbins

I love Mel’s straight to the point, no-nonsense style. Decide on what you want and go get it. This TedTalk is 21 minutes of straightforward advice on changing your life!

[Tweet “”You have life-changing ideas for a reason!” Mel Robbins”]

Now, I want to hear from you!
Tell us, in the comments below or in the Facebook group, what is it you want and how do you plan on going out and getting it?

Success is no accident! Free 2018 goal setting workbook!

It is time to actually live the life you have always dreamed of. Make 2018 the year you are going to achieve incredible things. Over the next year, you are going on an epic journey. You will be growing your business and will accomplish something incredible by creating a life you love.

All of this will not happen overnight, it won’t be by accident, and it will not be handed to you on a silver platter. It will happen because you will make it happen, with intention.

All you need to do is show up, work hard, and never give up.

About a that “hard work” part I mentioned, I am here to help, we will do this together! So, let’s get started!

First, be clear about what you want to achieve in 2018 – and stand by it! Everything you want to accomplish is going to need a plan, which is why you are going to make a plan to make it happen. It isn’t easy achieving your goals but with focus, you can set yourself up and get on the path to success.

Download the 2018 Goal-Setting & Planning workbook at start your year off with intention. No sign up required, it is totally free to download! As I said above, the only thing that will get you to where you want to be you. So it is time to make a plan for how you are going to be the best version of yourself for 2018.

Be sure to leave a comment and share your business goals for 2018!

[Tweet “Success is not an accident and I know that you are going to achieve the incredible in 2018.”]

2018 Goal Planner

Everything you want is on the other side of fear.

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” ~ Will Smith

Just kidding – That quote should be credited to the brilliant Jack Canfield.

Will Smith is credited for this quote all over the internet because of this amazing motivational video. He actually said, “On the other side of maximum fear are all of the best things in life.” Which is a pretty good quote in itself! The video is fun, witty and inspiring. Be sure to take a couple minutes to watch!

The internet is full of misquotes, what is your favourite?

Is starting your own business a good idea?

Have you ever wondered “Should I start my own business?” I am thinking that is a solid yes, or you would not be reading this. I hummed and hawed about it for years, the only regret I, eventually, had was that I did not start sooner. Starting Your Own Business

There are a lot of things you need to consider before you start your own business but that is not what this article is about. Today, I am only going to talk about the reasons why you should.

I am going to fill you full of “the grass is greener” syndrome. Don’t get me wrong, there are just as many perks to being an employee as there are being your own boss. The same goes for the downsides, there are plenty to go around on both sides of the fence. However; not everyone was born to be an employee. Some of us were meant to be leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs.

So here is my happy little list of why I say, Yes, it is a good idea to start your own business.

Freedom

The biggest reason, I feel, one should start their own business is freedom. When you are your own boss you have a lot more freedom. Yes, there will be customers, regulators and possibly investors telling you what and how to do things – but – you have the freedom to make your own decisions. You can even make the decision to not listen to those listed and do your own thing. The choice is yours, just remember so are the results.

You will have the freedom to determine your own work hours. Of course, within reason. You may not get away with sleeping until noon every day and only be available to customers only between the hours of midnight and 3 am – but – you will be able to plan your days according to your own personal schedule. You can schedule your days so you can pick up your kids from school, schedule any appointments whenever you want, or even go grocery shopping in the middle of an afternoon on a Tuesday. (It’s the little things in life, right?)

Being your own boss also gives you the freedom to be your creative self! Every person should strive for this, and when you are calling the shots you are able to do this by building on your own ideas as opposed to implementing them into someone else’s business success.

Challenges

As a business owner, every day will be full of new challenges. You will constantly be learning, creating, problem-solving and more. You will never say that your work is the “same old boring routine, day in and day out” again. I promise you that.

Job Security

Sounds a little wonky, I know but believe it, there is job security in owning your own business. How is this possible? You ask – well, as long as you have a business, you will have a job…

Financial Opportunity

Not trying to blow any smoke where it doesn’t belong but when you own your own business the financial opportunities are endless. Whereas an employee, your salary will most likely be capped at some point in your career.

There you have it! A few key reasons why I believe starting your business is a good idea. I am not saying it is the easy path to take but for some of us – it truly is the right path.

If you have no idea where to start, check out The Virtual Studio’s Idea to Income Group Coaching Program! In this 90-Day Program, I walk you through big-picture dreaming and planning by helping you create a business plan, define your purpose, set goals and build a strategy.

Do you need more? Accountability. Community. Support.
Why not join us inside the Study Hall?

Become a member for only $7/month!

Benefits of the Study Hall Facebook Group:

Accountability Calls – 30 minute “working” room sessions. You can pick and choose which ones you want to join, just a few or all! (total value of $120/month) (These are NOT social or coaching sessions – we hop on, we focus on our business, we work together-quietly.)
Ask Me Anything Sessions – Monthly 1-hour AMA group session, inside a Library Room, that you can ask Joelene anything you want. During AMA sessions, I will do my best to answer all questions, but research may be needed and patience is appreciated! (Group coaching value $150/ month)
A goal-setting session on the last Friday of each month to review successes and declare intentions for the next month. There is also an accountability goal-setting thread. (Group coaching value $150/ month)
Access to the Studio Library Resources

This group is capped to allow for intimacy, networking and to ensure member success.

Starting Your Own Business Why starting your own business is a good idea.

Starting Your Own Business