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Friday, March 8, 2013

International Women's Day - Blogging Tips - 3/8/13

March 8, 2013 is International Women's Day. ........................................................................... Honoring Women. ....................................................................................................... At the time that I checked these urls/links they were all good and family-friendly. ................................... http://www.theheartlinknetwork.com/blog/ .............. Women Blogging Tips ........................................... http://www.oprah.com/health/Biggest-Supermarket-Time-and-Money-Savers-Dr-Oz/1 .... Supermarket Money Saver Tips ....... http://www.oprah.com/money/Save-Money-at-the-Supermarket-Healthy-Grocery-Lists ... How To Eat On A Budget ............. http://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/what-i-want-my-daughter-to-know-iwd ... What I Want My Daugher To Know .............. http://www.womenforwomen.org/ ... Women for Women International/March is International Women's Month .................. http://internationalwomensday.com/ ... International Women's Day 2013 ................................................. http://www.drrobynsilverman.com/body-image/international-womens-day-what-stands-in-the-way-of-more-women-leaders/ ... International Women's Day - What Stands in the way of more Women Leaders .............................................. http://www.moneywisewomenblog.net/ ... Money Wise Women Blog/Learning About Finances .................................. http://www.internetevangelismday.com/blogging.php .......... Christian Blogging Tips/Christian Blog Evangelism ........ A little history on women. ............................................................................................ The status of women was low in the Greco-Roman world. Not many women were given opportunities of an education. Girl babies were often exposed to die since boys were preferred. It was customary, however, for the girl to give her consent and to bring her husband a dowry. ..................................................................................... In a day when the cause of women had few to represent it, Jesus was considerate of their needs: ....................... Luke 10:38-42; Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 8:43-48; Luke 23:28

3-6-2013 .. True Worship

Jan/Feb/March 2013 Devotional & Educational Quarterly Emphasis is on True Worship. .................................... Devotional Scripture - John 4:23 ...................................................................................... Topic Scripture - John 4:24; 14:26; Romans 5:5; 8:26 .................................................................. Key Verse - "God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24) ........... God; Attributes of God As Being; Spirituality ......................................................................... Called To Worship: Psalm/Tehillim 95:6 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Externals of Prayer, Kneeling (There are different modes/postures for prayer) ............................................................................................ John 4:23; Duties To God; Prayer; Conditions of Acceptable Prayer, In Sincerity ....................................... John 14:26 ... God; Holy Spirit; Promised ... Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit Promised ................................. Romans 5:5 .. God; Holy Spirit; Effects ... Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit Promised ................................... Romans 8:26 ... God; Holy Spirit; Personality .... God; Holy Spirit; Offices .......................................... Devotional Message - John 3:6; 6:63 ................................................................................... John 3:6 ... Man Redeemed; Effectual Calling; The New Birth a Necessity ............................................... John 6:63 ... Man Redeemed; Blessedness of The New Life; The Indwelling of the Spirit ................................. Topic Discussion - Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:13; John 16:13-15; John 5:26; I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:14-15; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 1:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 14:26; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 14:26; 15:26; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Exodus 34:14; Isaiah 2:8; Acts 10:25,26; Revelation 22:8,9; James 4:8; I John 1:5-7; I John 1:8-9; I Thessalonians 4:11; II Timothy 2:15; John 14:23-24; I Thessalonians 5:17; Joshua 1:8; Psalm/Tehillim 1; James 2:17-24; Philippians 1:27; Matthew 6:33; John 13:34, 35; Romans 5:5 Question: Are you the worshipper that God is searching for? ........................................................... Reflection/Personal Assignment: Mediate/reflect on your devotional life. .............................................. Scripture & Reference taken/used from: KJV Topical Reference Bible & KJV Precious Promise Bible

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Fiesty First Ladies - Book Review

March 8, 2013 is International Women's Day. .......................................................................... In order to appreciate this book, you will have to understand the history of women. ................................... This book is about American wives, Madeleine Albright, Shirley Chisholm, Condolezza Rice, House of Representatives, mistresses, mothers, and maids but I am only going to share about the positive aspects from this book. ................ This is a good moral, family-friendly book. On pages 40 and 41 this book does have some topics on "occult." I must point out that "occult" is dealing in "sorcerer." I am not going to turn this into a sunday school class, but there are consequences when doing these types of things. ........................................................................ Reputedly the richest woman in Virginia was Martha when she wed George in 1759, Martha, a widow of twenty-seven, reentered the state of matrimony with two small children and a reputation attached. ................................... In 1789, when George Washington became President, Martha turned her attention to how the Chief executive's wife should act, and what she should be called. ................................................................................... After her husband inauguration, she wrote "I'm still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be." .................................................................................................................. Martha Jefferson, Rachel Jackson, Hannah Van Buren, Ellen Arthur and Alice Lee Roosevelt never lived in the White House; they didn't survive to see their husband assume the highest office in the land. ............................... Lou Hoover was the first woman to graduate from Stanford University with a geology degree. Lou and Herbert Hoover were married in 18 99 and set for sail to Tientsin, China. In the States, she became a passionate advocate of outdoor activities for woman that Girl Scout founder Juliette Low personally recruited her to serve on the organization board. .................... In 1930, the Southern section of the nation became disillusioned with Lou when she dared to invite a black congressman's wife to tea in the White House. Inspired by her example, the president promptly invited a black professor from Tuskegee College to join him at home for lunch. .................................................................. Eleanor Roosevelt was the first presidential spouse to hold her own press conferences, to serve (as co-chair of the Office of Civilian Defense) in an official government position, to write a syndicated column, etc. She was a twelve year term first lady, and she left the pampering of her husband to more willing women. For her, there were other pressing concerns - the elimination of racism, sexism, and poverty. ................................................... Eleanor told reporters as she left the White House after Franklin's fatal stroke in April of 1945: By the end of the year, she was engaged in myriad new causes, among them her role as delegate to the United Nations. .................... Jacqueline Kennedy was an ex-Republican until she met JFK. ............................................................ Elegant Jacqueline came into the White House in 1961. Like a pretty child, or a movie star, Mrs. Kennedy was admired. ....................................................................................................................... After an assassin's bullet fatally terminated Jack Kennedy's life in November 1963, many thought she should run for the Senate, or seek the nomination for vice president. According to a 1964 Gallup poll, American's admired no woman in the world more than Jackie. ............................................................................................... During two decades while ambitious LBJ was busy blazing his path toward the presidency, Lady Bird Johnson - lauded in 1964 by U. S. News and World Report as a "careful, shrewd and very successful businesswoman" - parlaying her own $21,000 investment on a small Texas radio station into a $6,000,000 broadcasting empire. She prevailed on aides to tutor her on significant political issues, hosted a series of "Women Doer Luncheons" to focus attention on female accomplishments, and lobbied her husband to amplify the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with a clause on women's equality. "What did you do for women today?" was a standard welcome - home greeting to the president from his wife. ................................................................................................................. In 1972, U. S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, was a forty-eight-old New York politician who became the first black American to make a bid for the presidential nomination of the Democratic party. ....................................... On the one hand, "the woman thing" presented a major obstacle in gaining the support of black men. .................... Let's do something about the children first, and then worry about the whales wrote Chisholm. .......................... "The mere fact that a black woman dared to run for President ... is what it was all about," wrote Chisholm, who would serve another eleven years int eh House of Representatives before retiring in 1983." .................................. "My goal was to shake things up a little. I think I made a dent or two." - SC ......................................... In 1975 Time Magazine's "Man Of The Year" turned out to be eleven women. Thanks to the influence of First Lady Betty Ford, female faces were popping up at an impressive rate in the cabinet, the foreign service, and other high-ranking government positions. ................................................................................................. Following her mastectomy in 1974, she lectured publicly on the importance of regular breast exams. .................... A 1976 National Enquirer poll revealed that the majority of its readers believed that the first lady would make a better president than her husband. .................................................................................... Her much-publicized battle with the bottle led her to found the Betty Ford Center for treatment of chemical dependency in 1982. .............................................................................................................. Rosalynn Carter did not set any fashion trends: she patronized Washington fabric store, and the conservative silk blazers she sported were her own twenty-five-dollar-a-yard creations. ................................................. In 1977 she sojourn to seven Central and South American countries as stand-in ambassador for her husband. ............. Due in part to her influence, an unprecedented number of high-ranking positions were filled by females during the Carter administration. As honorary chair-person of the President's Commission on Mental Health, she testified before Congress regarding reforms in psychological services, and helped pushed through the liberal Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. It was her strong support that finally convinced the president to proceed with the historic Camp David meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Begin and Egyptian President Sadat that led to the Egyptian Israeli peace treaty of 1979. ................................................................................................................. A 1982 poll of presidential scholars ranked Rosalynn in third place among successful first ladies of the twentieth century - and Jimmy Carter as the least significant president save one. .............................................. Nancy Reagan spent $900,000 on a deluxe White House makeover while her husband slashed the welfare budget and his administration suggested that catsup would do as a vegetable for the poor. ............................................ One reason for her unpopularity, she speculated creatively, was that women resented her size - four figure, and her ease in staying slim. ................................................................................................. By 1985, the first lady was ranked as one of the most popular president's wives of recent times - beating out Jacqueline Kennedy. ................................................................................................... Barbara Bush wasn't embarrased by her wrinkles, or stating her actual age. ............................................ Her pet project, literacy. ............................................................................................ She had dropped out of college to get married and had five children which was her full-time. .......................... Family Circle magazine stated that Yale J. D. Hillary Rodham Clinton mixed up a tastier batch of chocolate cookies than her Republican counter part, career home make Barbara Bush. ........................................................... In 2000, New York voters elected her to represent them in the United States Senate. In 2004, they returned her to office for a second term. And ion 2007, she announced herself as a contender for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. ........................................................................................................... After a hard-fought race, in which Hillary prevailed in more primaries and caucuses than any woman in U. S. history, sudden superstar Barack Obama nabbed the nomination and his rival reluctantly bowed out. Never one to burn bridges behind her, Hillary managed to put a positive spin on the loss. ....................................................... Born in Czechoslovakia in 1937, Madeleine Albrighht "fell in love iwth Americans in uniform" as a child in war-torn Europe. The first woman ever to head the State Department, Albright had not only studied the lessons of World War II, but also personally experienced them. She kept a vigilant eye out for human rights abuses, and unabashedly advocated the use of "force by force." Albright endorsed Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, but also has served as a foreign policy advisor to Clinton's rival, President Obama. ............................ Laura Bush, a former school teacher and librarian, a woman with a deep feeling for Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazor. ....................................................................................................................... As first lady, Laura devoted herself to promoting literacy and women's health issues domestically and abroad, and distinguished herself as the first person other than a president to deliver the weekly presidential radio address. The first lady's public approval ratings soared far above the presidents. ................................................. Condolezza Rice intended to become a concert pianist, not Secretary of State. Her parents named her with Italian opera in mind. She was accepted as a freshman at the University of Denver at the age of fifteen, planning to devote herself to art. By nineteen, Rice had earned at B. A. in political science, and music was an avocation. Swept off her feet by the intellectual poli-sci professor Josef Korbel, father of Madeline Albright, she changed her major to international studies. .............................................................................................................. Rice went on to make a name for herself as a teacher at Stanford University, consult with the Pentagon and George Herbert Bush as a foreign affairs expert, and serve as national security advisor under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. In 2005, at Bush's second term, Rice was named Secretary of State - the second woman, and the only African American woman, ever appointed to the position. ....................................................................... "My parents had me absolutely convinced that, well you may not be able to have a hamburger at Woolworth's but you can be President of the United States." - CR .............................................................................. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson (Obama) , a newly-fledged corporate lawyer at the Chicago law firm of Sidney Austin, she had been assigned as advisor to the twenty-eight-year-old summer associate from Harvard Law School, her own alma mater. Barak, the blushing Beta, fell for his mentor immediately. ............................................................ In 1992, the power couple tied the knot. Over the decade, she gave birth to two daughters, Malia and Sasha, and (a six-figure salary that exceeded her husband's non-insignificant earnings) as Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals, and grudgingly agreed to campaign for Barack during his 2000 run for the U. S. House of Representatives. ................................................................................... "You are a good man, but you are still a man." - MO (to her husband) .................................................. I was sent a review copy of this book by VIVA Editions. ............................................................... Autumn Stephens is the author of the bestselling and groundbreaking Wild Women Series. She has been featured in Glamour, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times. She lives in Berkeley, CA.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

1 of 2 ... 3/10/13 Lesson .... Apocrypha

My Sunday School Bible Reading for the week of 3/10/2013 is coming from the Book of Daniel Chapters 1, 2, & 9. ........ I'll explain at the end of this post/blog why I am sharing about "Apocrypha" & "Apocrypha links." ..................... Internet offers ... free ... online Bible Study Tools & Information ... but choose them wisely for truthful applications . ........................................................................................................ 3/4/2013 - Monday - Daniel's Resolve - Daniel 1:8-15 .................................................................. 3/5/2013 - Tuesday - Daniel's Recognition - Daniel 1:16-21 ............................................................ 3/6/2013 - Wednesday - The King's Challenge - Daniel 2:1-11 ........................................................... 3/7/2013 - Thursday - Daniel's Intervention - Daniel 2:12-16 .......................................................... 3/8/2013 - Friday - Daniel's Success - Daniel 2:36-49 ................................................................. 3/9/2013 - Saturday - Daniel's Prayer of Supplication - Daniel 9:15-19 ................................................ 3/10/2013 - Sunday - Daniel's Prayer of Confession - Daniel 9:4b-14 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Apocalyptic Literature: Chapters 7-12 of Daniel contain the earliest mode of Apocalyptic Literature. .................. Apocrypha: non-canonical which, Jerome (400 A.D.) considered useful for private perusal, & "for example of life & instruction of matters," but which ought not to be used to "establish any doctrine." ................................. These books were not admitted into the Hebrew canon by the Jews. ...................................................... http://www.gotquestions.org/apocrypha-deuterocanonical.html .......................................................... http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Apocrypha-Books/ .................................................................. http://www.mybiblesource.com/?t202id=3188&t202kw=apocrypha-bible-books ................................................ http://www.biblestudytools.com/apocrypha/ ............................................................................. http://www.riseisrael.com/apocrypha.htm ............................................................................... http://bible.org/article/preface-net-bible-apocrypha .................................................................. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/apocrypha.html .................................................... http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/A/APOCRYPHA/ ........................................................................ https://support.biblegateway.com/entries/20075797-What-are-deuterocanonical-apocryphal-books- ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Scripture & reference taken/used from: KJV Precious Promise Bible

Saturday, March 2, 2013

2 of 2 .. 3/3/13 Sunday School Lesson

Sunday School Lesson for 3/3/2013. Unit I. The Kingdom of God. Better Days Ahead. Daniel 7:9-14. (Devotional Reading .. Daniel 6:25-28) ....................................................................................................... Daniel in the Lion's Den (6:1-28) ..................................................................................... The vindication (6:19-28) ............................................................................................. The Four Beasts, The Judgment & The Kingdom (7:1-28) .................................................................. The judgment (7:9-14) ................................................................................................. Ancient of Days, God, is sitting on His throne, & God is in control! .................................................. God's kingdom is eternal. ............................................................................................. Earthy kingdoms will pass to make room for the kingdom of God - Daniel 7. ............................................. Bible Questions Answered: http://gotquestions.org ..................................................................... Daniel 6:25-28 ........................................................................................................ vs 25 ... The Hebrews; The Captives; The Captivity in Babylon(Iraq), Daniel Made First of the Three Presidents ........ vs 26 ... God; Attributes of God As Being; Eternity ... The Hebrews; The Captives; The Captivity in Babylon(Iraq), ...Daniel Made First of the Three Presidents ......................................................................... vs 27 .. Promise ... The Lord's Love & Care for His Children .......................................................... Miracles; Miracles In The Animal Kingdom; Lions Restrained ... The Hebrews; The Captives; The Captivity in Babylon(Iraq), Daniel Made First of the Three Presidents .............................................................. vs 28 ... The Hebrews; The Captives; The Captivity in Babylon(Iraq), Daniel Made First of the Three Presidents ........ Daniel 7:9-10 ......................................................................................................... vs 9 .. God; Anthropomorphic & Anthropopathic Representations of God; God Appears in Human Form ....................... Anthropomorphic - attribution of a human form ......................................................................... Anthropopathic - human feelings ....................................................................................... vs 10 ... God; Anthropomorphic & Anthropopathic Representations of God; God Appears in Human Form ... Angels, Good & Evil; Offices of Good Angels, They Wait on God ........................................................................ (Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 1:13, 26; Revelation 20:12-13; Ezekiel 1:4-28 ... Reference Scriptures from Sunday School Book) ...................................................................................................................... Question: Since knowing that God is recording in His Book of Life all our/your/my life does this motivates us to live righteous? ............................................................................................................ Daniel 7:11-12 ........................................................................................................ vs 11 ... Other Nations; Notices of Gentile Nations: Chiefly Prophetic & Denunciatory; Rome, Described ... (Denunciatory - public condemnation) .................................................................................. vs 12 .. Other Nations; Notices Of Gentile Nations: Chiefly Prophetic & Denunciatory; The Little Horn, To Be Destroyed ....................................................................................................................... (Revelation 19:11-20:3; Acts 5:29) .................................................................................... Daniel 7:13-14 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Kingship ............................................... (Revelation 5:1-7; Ezekiel 1:26; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:9; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 1:6; Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1; Daniel 2:35; Revelation 20:1-4, 21-22; Psalm/Tehillim 2:6-8; Revelation 11:15; I Corinthians 15:24-28; Psalm/Tehillim 37:2,9) .......................................................................... Homework for young adults: What do you wish to happen in your lives in six months, one year, & five years concerning your dreams? .......................................................................................................... Scripture & reference taken/used from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, Zondervan Bible Commentary, Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary & Reader's Digest Complete Word Finder

Friday, March 1, 2013

2-27-2013 .. True Worship

Jan/Feb/March 2013 Devotional & Educational Quarterly Emphasis is on True Worship. .................................... Devotion Scriptures: Psalm/Tehillim 18:3; Psalm/Tehillim 117:1-2 ...................................................... Topic Scriptures: Psalm/Tehillim 145:2; Hebrews 13:15-16; I Peter 2:5 ................................................. Ps 145:3 … Everyday I will bless Thee, & I will praise Thy name forever & ever. ....................................... God; Difficulty Of Knowing God; Unsearchable .......................................................................... Ps 18:3 … Duties To God; Prayer; Conditions of Acceptable Prayer; In Faith ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Ps 117:1-2 .. ........................................................................................................ vs 1 … Duties To God; Praise; Praise Due from All; From All on Earth .................................................. vs 2 … God; Attributes of God As Person; Veracity (devotion to the truth) .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Ps 145:2 .. Duties To God; Praise; Everlasting Praise Due to God ..................................................... Hebrews 13:`15-16 … personal instruction & conclusion (Hebrews 13:18-25 – personal instructions & conclusions) ...................................................................................................................... vs 15 … Sacred Rites & Forms; Bleeding or Animal Sacrifice; The Significance & Worth of Sacrifices; From the Christian Standpoint ............................................................................................................ vs 16 … Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces of The New Life; Ministering to the Necessity of Saints ....................................................................................................................... I Peter 2:5 … an exhortation to perseverance under persecution ........................................................ Jesus Christ; Figurative Characters Of Christ; The Corner Stone & Foundation ….. Sacred Persons & Offices; The Priests; The Priesthood of Christian Believers .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Devotional Message Scripture: Ps 117:1-2; Ps 18:3; John 3:16 ......................................................... John 3:16 … St John writes from personal knowledge .................................................................... Man Redeemed; Faith; Immunities & Rewards of Faith; Life Everlasting …. Man Redeemed; The New Covenant; All May Be Saved .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Topic Discussion Scriptures: Matthew 15:8; Leviticus 1-7; II Samuel 6:14; Ps 77:11-12; Ps 66:16; Philippians 4:6; I Peter 3-9; Ps 145:2; Hebrews 13; Romans 12:1 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Matthew 15:8 … the works of the kingdom & its true nature (Matthew 4:17-16:20) ........................................ Fallen Man; Sins Against Our Neighbor; Hypocrisy ...................................................................... Modes of Praise: Lev 1-7; II Samuel 6:14; Ps 77:11-12; Ps 66:16; Philippians 4:6; I Peter 1:3-9 ....................... Leviticus 1-7 … laws relating to sacrifices in general .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. II Samuel 6:14 … In the Talmud, Samuel is stated to have written the books that bear his name, also Ruth & Judges. (II Samuel 2-24, the reign of David) ...................................................................................... Talmud – doctrine, from the Hebrew word “to learn” large collection of writings, containing a full account of the civil & religious laws of the Jews. Consists of two parts: Mishna & Gemara. ................................................. Sacred Places; The Tabernacle & The Ark, From Moses to Solomon; Michal’s Contemptuous Behavior …. The Hebrews; The United Kingdom; David’s Reign over All; Fetches the Ark to Jerusalem ....................................................................................................................... Ps 77:11-12 … Man Redeemed;; Duties & Graces of The New Life; Thoughtfulness & Vigilance .............................. Ps 66:16 … Sacred Rites & Forms; Bleeding or Animal Sacrifices; Joy in Sacrifices ..................................... Philippians 4:6 … Duties To God; Prayer; The Duty of Prayer ........................................................... I Peter 1:3-9 … an exhortation to perseverance under persecution (I Peter 1-2:10) ..................................... Romans 12:1 … Christian duties (Romans 12:1-15:13) .................................................................... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces of The New Life; Consecration ........................................................... Scripture & reference taken/used from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Merriam Webster’s Deluxe Dictionary

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Fortune Is In The Follow-Up: Book Review

Awesome book for any woman to have starting out in business. A great tool for men to have as well. .................... This book talks about building relationships, taking action, developing your marketing plan, networking, Positive mindset, a short list of entrepreneurs who dealt with rejection some even bankrupt but would not give up on their dreams. ............................................................................................................... I love what she said about Nelson Mandela. ............................................................................ There are many options available to entrepreneurs to help them create successful profit centers from their businesses that do not involve huge influxes of capital. ......................................................................... Gone are the days of "build it and they will come!" Business owners must search out new and emerging markets for their goods and services. ................................................................................................... Business owners need to excel in marketing and sales, in order to succeed in business today. .......................... Action is the name of the game. ....................................................................................... The author's professional career has been one typical of many women in her generation-lots of transitions, constantly reinventing herself professionally, all while balancing the needs of her children and family. ......................... Two important things she learned from her father: cultivate who you know and always treat everyone well - you never know when you will want or need something from someone. ............................................................... A key component to success in any business is to have a support system. ............................................... People do business with those they like, know, and trust. ............................................................. Marketing is about building relationships. ............................................................................ A great marketing plan starts with defining your target market. ....................................................... Most people want to hire a specialist, in this day and age. ........................................................... If you develop the reputation for being an expert in a certain field, on a specific subject, or for a targeted population, you will differentiate yourself from your competition. .................................................... The bottom line is that everyone is not a viable target market. ....................................................... Having a focused market does not mean that you serve or supply only the market position you choose. ................... If you are selling services or products online, make sure that your target market has access to the Internet. ......... Does your target market have money? This is critical for building a business. ......................................... A marketing plan is like a roadmap. It tells you where you want to go and how to get there. ........................... Don't limit yourself to thinking that marketing is the same as advertising. ........................................... A business coach will help save you time, money, and energy. .......................................................... We know that marketing takes time and sometimes money. ................................................................ You want to pick a target market and then become their expert - remember experts make more money. ..................... You need time for your health and personal life, too. ................................................................. Grow too fast and you will not succeed. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Marketing Strategy Ideas: ............................................................................................. eNewsletters, Blog, Articles, Publishing, Videos, Public Speaking, Internet presence, Direct Mail, Joint Ventures just to name a few. ........................................................................................................ Pick only 4 to 8 strategies to work on at a time. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. We need some downtime, some time when we are not working. ............................................................. Business owners need to be able to creatively handle all sorts of challenges and opportunities. ....................... Delegating is not a simple or easy chore to put together, but it will yield huge results for growing your business. ....................................................................... Be careful about delegating any task to anyone. ....................................................................... It takes time and thought to train someone to do the task the way you want them done. ................................. Relationship building is critical, and follow-up is the way to do this. ............................................... Your follow-up is to remind them that you are still here and able to help them. ....................................... Education-based marketing educates your prospects and clients by sharing information that they will find valuable, as opposed to constantly pitching to them. ............................................................................... The key is to make sure what you provide is meaningful to them. ....................................................... A slower economy has made everyone more cautious in their purchases and elongated the process. ........................ Keep a file (hard or electronic) of articles and information that you write and/or come across from industry e-zines, magazines, newsletters, blogs, etc. This is information that you will share with your prospects and clients in your education-based marketing. ............................................................................................ There are a few industries and target market where networking will not work; however, they are the exception and not the rule. ............................................................................................................. "An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life," according to Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. ....................................................................... The good news is that networking does not take a lot of money. ........................................................ There are many social network groups such as facebook/ twitter/linkedin. .............................................. Great networking goals include meeting people with whom you can: connect, have fun, be able to help, be authentic with, be an interested listener, be curious, ask questions, be of service, build rapport, and meet potential clients. ....................................................................................................................... Relationship building is not just about how you can help someone professionally, it can be about how you help them in other aspects of their lives, as well. ............................................................................... Don't make an offer that you can not deliver. Make sure that you have the time and resources to make good on what you offer. ................................................................................................................ Never lose sight of what your clients need and want from you. ......................................................... Survey your clients: find out why they do/did business with you; invite clients to a special event, etc. .............. Mindset matters and allowing your fears to determine the outcome of your financial success is not effective. .......... Informal Market Research: information you gather help you to market more effectively and sell more persuasively to your target market. ........................................................................................................ There are many factors that affect our success of our businesses that we cannot control: market conditions, the economy, suppliers, or consumer demand. ............................................................................... Creating a positive mindset begins with thinking positively about yourself, your abilities, and what your business has to offer to clients/customers. ........................................................................................ The definition of an entrepreneur is one who sees problems as opportunities and can capitalize on them. ............... Dream big. Dreams fuel our abilities to grow, take calculated risks, and find success. ................................ In order to learn from failures, start viewing them as inspiration. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Short list of famous entrepreneurs who all had to deal with rejection and failure long before they found success: Henry Ford, R.H. Macy, Akio Morita, Soichiro Honda, Bill Gates, and Walt Disney. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Your desire for a better life and a better business is the beginning. ................................................. There are wonderful tools, techniques, and very talented life coaches who can help. ................................... 30 days to better habits. Try picking one or two habits at a time that you want to either add or end. ................. Read inspirational books. Books are all about ideas and concepts. .................................................... You can find most books on tape, and, of course, there are millions of videos online that are wonderfully inspirational. ........................................................................................................ Listen to inspirational songs. Songs and other audio content are a powerful influence on our lives. It is important to find a piece of music that plays to both your intellect and your emotions. ............................................ Watch inspirational movies. Make sure that the movies you watch are those that help you create a can-do and what-is-possible mindset. ..................................................................................................... Who we surround ourselves with affects our mindset positively or negatively. It is critical that you only allow positive people access to you. ........................................................................................ Reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography about his 27 years in prison, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, reminds people that even under awful conditions, a positive mindset makes all the difference. ................ The sky is the limit with the right skill set and a positive mindset. ................................................. Small-to-medium-sized businesses are the future of our economic engine in this country. ............................... Business owners need to remember the basic - the sound, tried-and-true business principles that have served entrepreneurs for generations. ........................................................................................ Business success will be a bit different for each of us. .............................................................. In this shaky economy, moving forward is the key. ..................................................................... Not all businesses will make it; however, those that succeed are those that choose to follow the 5 POWER strategies with energy, focus, and passion. ...................................................................................... The author sent me a free copy of her book for review. I truly thanked her. ........................................... I review books for publishing companies, publicists, authors, businesses and ministries. .............................. The author, Heidi BK Sloss teaches independent sales agents and business owners how to think, breathe, and behave more entrepreneurially. Her specialty is working with Real Estate, Mortgage, Interior Design and General Contractor professionals. ........................................................................................................ She has been an entrepreneur all her life, her 31-year history spans from building a direct sales biz from the ground up, to running an international manufacturing to playing an active role in the success of a global non-profit. ........ She is helping more entrepreneurs and independent sales agents connect with their inner salesperson via of her book.