Home Based Entrepreneurs Share Their Tips for Serving All Their Masters

Home-based entrepeneurs wage a daily battle as they serve their families, their clients, and themselves. Here is a link to a compilation of 95 from-the-trenches tips that people swimming in that boat have discovered as they continue to navigate the sometimes rocky waters. (My tip is #5 on this list.)

My husband Steve and I both work from home, parent our son, serve our clients, make sure the dog gets a walk, and still find a few minutes for each other. It’s not an easy path we travel, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are the tips you have discovered to help YOU keep the balance as you work AND live from home? Share your best tips here so the rest of us can benefit from the wisdom of YOUR experience!

Speaking of working from home, I’d be honored to earn your vote in the Start Up Nation 100 Home Based Business Contest. I’ve entered in the “Recession Buster” category. You can read my profile and post your vote at this link. I am all for getting seen, heard, and celebrated — with a little help from my readers! Thanks for your support.

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Run a Home Based Business? StartUp Nation’s Annual “Best Of” Contest Offers a Way to Get Seen and Heard

Solopreneurs and mom-owned businesses have a wonderful opportunity to get seen, heard and celebrated in the StartUp Nation annual contest to identify the top 100 home based businesses.   It’s really a great vehicle to guide serious business owners in the art of building buzz and inviting interest in how they serve the world.

Those who are recognized among the top 100 certainly get the additional visibility and recognition that goes along with it.   That certainly makes it a whole lot easier to attract more perfect clients and fuel your prosperity. 

Those who enter should be engaged in putting their best image and story forward to touch the hearts and minds of those who are voting. 

Serious candidates should most definitely learn to be active commenters and posters in networking sites and blogs like StartUpNation and other communities where they can elevate their brands by providing value and all the while maintaining links to posts to their contestant’s profile, making it easy for others to vote for them.

It all sounds like a pretty darn good exercise to me.  That is why I put my own business in the ring in the “Recession Buster” category. 

Here are the other categories:

Most Innovative
Boomers Back in Business
Greenest
Yummiest
Wackiest
Savviest in Social Media
Most Slacker Friendly
Most Glamorous
Highest Vote Getters

Consider if a “win” in one of these categories would be a favorable reflection on your brand and reputation and help to attract more of the right people to benefit from how your business serves the marketplace. If your answer is “YES,” enter your story and start your own campaign to build support for your candidacy.

You just might earn bragging rights that could open up a world of new opportunity for your business and the customers and clients you can potentially serve in your own backyard and well beyond.   But you can’t win if you don’t enter.

And, if you are so inclined to cast your vote for Main Street Media Savvy, I’d be honored. You can even sign up for daily email reminders to cast another vote. This contest continues through September 30, 2010. You can vote once each day. Thanks in advance for your support.

Oh, by the way, my colleague and friend PR Coach Pam Perry has entered her business in the social media category. You can cast your vote for Pam at this link. She’s so worthy.

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Publici-Tea™ Graduate Todd Martini, Founder of Alex’s Coupons, to Appear on Good Morning America

Read all about it here.

The Get Away with GMA Contest rewards individuals who have done something extraordinary for their community, making friends and neighbors thankful for the effort. As a winner, Todd will receive a trip for two aboard the November 19, 2009 pre-inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas including round trip air transportation. Todd and the other winners will be in the audience when Good Morning America broadcasts live from the Oasis of the Seas on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Todd  Martini is one of 15 nationwide winners, and KOMO TV 4 News — the Seattle affiliate of the ABC television station — will be interviewing him in connection with this story.

This just goes to show that responding to national contests that are well supported by the media can bring abundant rewards in your own backyard and well beyond.

Congratulations Todd Martini for getting into action and making something really fabulous happen for your business and everyone around the nation who can benefit from what you offer to consumers through Alex’s Coupons.

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Shawn Johnson, Kris Allen … and Other Personally Significant Wins in My DIY Publicity Practice

For all the reality TV show fans here and beyond, the big wins this week have been something to see.  First, Shawn Johnson wins “Dancing with the Stars.”  Then, Kris Allen wins “American Idol” in what will no doubt be considered an amazing underdog victory over Rocker Adam Lambert. Oprah crowned the most talented kids in the world, many of whom delighted and amazed viewers with their remarkable singing, dancing, and musical prowess.

And here in the DIY publicity trenches, I’ve been blessed with some wonderful customer reviews. I received a hand written ‘thank you’ note that brought happy tears to my eyes:

Dear Nancy,

Thank you for an amazing training on Friday!!!  It was beyond my expectations, and I look forward to implementing what I’ve learned!  The testimonial for your website is coming, too!!  More thant that, I want to thank you for your generous heart, your humility, your integrity, and the impact you bring.  You are a rare gem and I am so grateful to have you on my team!  May you be blessed richly!

Shannon Bruce, CPCC, Inner Wisdom Coaching Services

And, a new blog post by Seattle PI Reader Blogger Trisha Nerney makes me beam with pride.

To make a good week even better,  I got word earlier in the week that a proposal I submitted earned a new, perfect client to add to my full service public relations practice.  And, this engagement could not be better suited to my skills and passions.

I had a boss once (thank you Mike Sick, wherever you are) who said to celebrate the good days when they happen.   Today has been a very good day for lots of reasons.  I am grateful.

Enough reality TV for me.  I’ve got plenty of great work to do, and I can’t wait!

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Moms Everywhere Can Be Mom of the Year with This Free Video

I received a video clip this morning that celebrates me as Mom of the Year.   It made me laugh out loud.  The better news is that you can customize this video for your mom, your sister, or your best friend.  Check it out!

This video has the potential to spread faster than a Susan Boyle singing performance or perhaps the flu at elementary schools across the nation.  It will bring smiles all around.  Of this, I have no doubt.

Heck, we all want to be seen, heard, and celebrated in our own backyards … and beyond.   And this is sure a fun and free way to deliver that gift to the moms in your life with the power of what appears to be national media coverage.

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Seattle Chocolate Company a ‘Top Sweet’ Winner in March Issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

It’s definitely good news when one of Seattle’s most beloved and well-read lifestyle magazines celebrates the top sweets worthy of their affection on the cover.  The even better news is that Seattle Chocolate Company earned first runner up honors in the milk chocolate and chocolatier’s choice competition for its Meltaway Mint and Perfect Peanut Butter Truffle Bars, respectively.  Here is a link to the press room to make it easy for you to read the rankings and all the other great press for Seattle Chocolate Company.

If ever you wondered “What Happiness Tastes Like™,” the timing couldn’t be better to put these delicious and beautifully packaged delights in your shopping basket so you can taste and experience what all the fuss is about. Even during these challenging economic times, premium quality chocolate is an affordable luxury that lifts the mood at a price that makes good sense.  Who among us doesn’t need a some of that?

DIY Publicity Tip - When a local magazine calls to ask for samples of your delicious and beautifully packaged items for their taste test, be sure to ask for the submission deadline and deliver your goods in perfect condition to their judges well in advance of the deadline.   When you win, your product could be sitting very pretty indeed for everyone in your own backyard and beyond to see. What awards and recogntion have you or your products or services won lately?  And how have you leveraged your wins to earn even greater favor among your perfect clients?  Let me hear from you so others can follow your example.

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And the Oscar — and the Free Publicity that Goes with It — Goes to…

Sunday, February 22, 2009 is the biggest movie event of the year — the 81st Annual Academy Awards. For many, it’s a perfect occasion to have a party with friends, bring on the cocktails, and enjoy.   Those who win the awards have plenty to celebrate, and the nominees are pretty happy, too.  Being included among a group of talented, influential contributors has a bit of a “halo effect.”  Winning is certainly a powerful way to benefit from plenty of far-reaching, free publicity.  And, if it’s true that you are most like the five people you spend the most time with, being among award nominees for outstanding performance is a fabulous deal.  When you win, you can likely negotiate for higher pay and better opportunities.  You just might get invited to even cooler gatherings with even more remarkable people. Untold bounty is waiting.

That’s why I am a big fan of entering media supported award programs that honor excellence in business.  No one ever regrets winning.  Those who do are placed in excellent company.  They are seen, heard, and celebrated for their winning ways in the media and beyond.  Winners get invited to speak at prestigious gatherings and share their message with appreciative audiences.  Good things unfold.  It’s all good.

Here in the Puget Sound region, the Women Business Owners is seeking candidates to honor in its Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year competition.  You can learn more and apply before the  April 10 deadline via this link.

The Make Mine a Million competition is another recognition program to consider.  This year, there is a new program called the Make Mine a Million Race.  If you are game to reach the $250,000, $500,000, $750,000, and $1 million revenue milestones and are prepared to invest $100 to apply and benefit from the support that Count Me In provides to help you achieve your goal, this competition could be just the ticket to get you there.  Learn more by visiting this link.  The deadline to apply is June 30, 2009.  Winners will be announced in Feb. of 2010.

And, if you want tips to make sure the awards you apply for have an excellent chance at bringing you to the winner’s circle, here is an article link to deliver the goods.  You are welcome to reprint this article and share it with others who can benefit with attribution to me as the author.  Over the years, I’ve written dozens of award applications for Puget Sound executives who have earned finalist and winner recognition with the Better Business Bureau, the Business of the Year Competition for the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, the Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards, the Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence Awards, and plenty more.  I’ve even won a few awards myself.   Get in touch with me at 425-641-5214 or nancy@nsjmktg.com if you want to trust your award-winning application to me.  It is my pleasure to be of service.

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Are You a Leading Mom in Business? Startup Nation Wants to Hear from You!

Winning awards for your fabulous ways can be a powerful means of inviting media awareness and new opportunities to be of service.  If you are a Leading Mom in Business, check out the latest contest being staged at StartUp Nation at this link.    While you are there, check out the other candidates and see what sets them apart.   And, if you have products or services that would appeal to this audience, this is certainly a good way to connect with those other winning companies to explore ways to work together. This is a bit of a popularity contest.   The winners are determined by the 200 businesses that capture the most votes, and all the candidates gain visibility on the website, making it easy to learn more about each.

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Seattle PI Shines Light on Nellie Finalists and the Winner

Getting nominated for an award is one thing.  Getting named a finalist is another.  And winning is cool, too. Last night, the five Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year finalists shared their stories with an audience of just under 400 local business owners, bankers, and other interested guests.  Today’s Seattle Post Intelligencer offered profiles of all of the finalists, in addition to the winner, bringing their stories to a wider audience of potential customers and fans of their products, services, and ideas.  My client – Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson – was among the finalists, and she earned fans among the audience by sharing samples of her line of truffle bars with every guest.  Dena Levine, the 2007 WBO Excellence Award Winner, declared that she had never seen such great swag in goody bags at a Nellie event before, and the Seattle Chocolates were a big reason why.

Given all the drama we’ve been reading about in the media lately, the invitation to read about business success is especially welcome.  Invite some good news into your world by reading this article and making the choice to support these award-winning entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles, taken risks, served the community, and built businesses of which they can be proud.  And, if you are a woman business owner who meets the criteria for the Nellie award, why not set the intention to put your hat into the consideration ring next year?  You can learn more about prior winners by visiting this link.

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Awards Wins Can Keep You in the Spotlight – Are You in the Game to Win?

Carol Nelson, president and CEO of Cascade Bank, is one of few bankers with good news to share these days.  She earned a #2 ranking on the U.S. Banker magazine list of “Women to Watch” in banking across the USA.

Jean Thompson, CEO of Seattle Chocolates, was named a finalist in the 2008 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year program.  This award program recognizes risk taking, community contribution, leadership, and financial results.  The winner will be named at a gala this Wednesday before an audience of 350-400 appreciative fans.

Any day now, the Puget Sound Business Journal will be alerting 20 top performing women in business that they have been named to the Women of Influence list for 2008.  I am waiting with great anticipation as several of my clients are under consideration for this recognition.  All the honorees will be profiled in a special section within the newspaper, and that is a beautiful thing.  The winning connections to be made with other winners are perhaps more valuable than the publicity.

When YOU win an award or earn recognition for your winning ways, it is a good idea to share the news with the people in your community who support your success, advocate for your products or services, and enjoy the contribution you make in the marketplace.  Now more than ever, we all welcome good news worthy of celebration.  Writing and issuing a press release about the news is an easy and effective way to deploy the power of do-it-yourself publicity to carry your good news forward with the power of the media.  If you are hungry to learn the difference between a good press release and the alternative, Publicity Hound Joan Stewart offers a fabulous, free 89-day tutorial that will show you the way.  You can read more about it at this link.

Just make sure to include a quality executive head shot with your award press release that puts your best face forward.

And, if you’ve been wondering how to win an award in the first place, here is a link to an article that explains the nitty-gritty details about going in to win with a stellar application effort.  As I always say, no one regrets being named a winner.  The key is to get in the game.

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