MarketingMoment

There are only 24 hours in the day, and yet there seems to be more and more demands placed on us as every day passes.

In order to be successful, not to mention enjoy a good work-life balance, it is crucial that we manage our time effectively — especially if we are sole traders. But how many self-employed workers can honestly say they are winning the time game?

As we all know, time is money. And once your time has been used up, it’s gone for ever; there is no  way of getting it back. So make sure you have control over your time, rather than time controlling you.

Start by ‘compartmentalising’ your days, mapping out time slots for each task you have to accomplish. The most important stuff should take priority over non-urgent or non-profit tasks. Don’t forget to include your personal appointments and absolutely make time for ‘quiet time’ and ‘creative time’ in your diary.

Ten to 15 minutes of daily ‘quiet time’ is essential for your overall wellbeing and can help with productivity (you always approach things with a lot more zest after a break, right?). Try gentle yoga or gardening, or read a book, or do some deep-breathing relaxation exercises or meditation. Ideally, keep your ‘quiet time’ at the same time each day.

Your working week should incorporate an hour or two of uninterrupted ‘creative time’, where you contemplate the ‘big picture’ — think about what you want for your business and your personal life, and try to come up with ideas how to start living the future you want.

***Need to be accountable to someone, or need help with your marketing goals? My mentoring programme can help you start off – and keep – on the right track.

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include.

From time to time, I like to post a little inspiration on this blog…

Today, in memory of my wonderful mother, whose light went out in this world ten years ago today (yet who still lives on forever in my heart and my memories), I would like to share this lovely little movie clip:

http://www.thedashmovie.com/

Wherever you are today, I urge you to please take some time out to reflect on who or what matters to you most, be grateful for all the good things you have in your life, and make a pact to start living it with the passion it deserves.  :)

The holidays are nigh upon us. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet (smug? Moi? Actually, I haven’t managed to get it all done. Still a few bits and pieces to get yet. Heyelp!)? If not, for last-minute gifts for people anywhere in the world you can’t beat ‘flexi’ vouchers. Click here to read more: http://tinyurl.com/y2cfce. 

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================
Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include at the end of the article.

I used to sell air once. Some people say I’m sometimes full of the stuff (ah, they love me, really!). But I can fill it rather nicely, too.  :)

If you need effective script-writing or editing services for films, videos, radio, telemarketing and speeches, then you’ve come to the right place.

I can provide copy for all of the above and offer creative direction, too.

Find out more, request samples or book your project in at: www.mediaminister.co.uk

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include.

Laughter is the best medicine, or so they say, and, in light of this being a bleary-eyed Monday I thought I’d share some of my favourite headline howlers (taken from actual newspapers):

1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
2. Miners Refuse to Work After Death
3. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
4. Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
5. Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
6. Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents 
7. Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge

Do you know any other howlers? Or perhaps, on the flip side, you’ve been suitably impressed by a newspaper’s headline… Please share using the comments link below. I hope to compile the best (and worst!) ones for a future post. 

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================   

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include. 

Tags: headlines, English grammar gaffes, headline howlers, funny headlines   

The latest guidance from HMRC means every business in the UK will have to take even greater care with their financial records, thanks to a swathe of new ‘penalty’ measures being introduced from 1 April 2009 (and, before you ask, no, this is not an April Fool’s joke, unfortunately).

Any error made in your financial returns, for instance, dating from the April 2008-2009 tax period will have to fight its corner if it is to be spared penalty. Once-innocent errors could now be simply errors that are open to attack. As an example, “failure to take reasonable care” with the current tax year’s tax return could result in an automatic penalty of 15-30% of any additional tax due.  

I’m not an expert, but I do see a potential problem with interpretation. 

The new penalties apply initially to Income Tax (including Self Assessment), VAT, employers paying PAYE, National Insurance contributions, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax and the Construction Industry Scheme. 

My advice? Seek the advice of a good accountant, or pay extra care and attention to your records. 

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================ 

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include. 

From time to time, I post a little inspiration on this blog. Today, in memory of my wonderful mother, whose light went out in this world nine years ago today, I would like to share this lovely little movie clip:

http://www.thedashmovie.com/

Wherever you are today, please take some time out to reflect on who or what matters to you most, be grateful for all the good things you have in your life, and make a pact to start living it with the passion it deserves.  :) 

This time of year is a particularly emotive time for me. On the positive side of the fence sits some wonderful memories and anniversaries, not least:

1. My ‘pseudo wedding’ (we’ve never gotten round to doing the big white wedding thing – I guess you could say I have an unnatural fear of marriage. But I’m not worried; we’ve been happily living together for many years now, so why not celebrate our pseudo-wedding anniversary each year?!).
2. The canine addition to our family (pictured here, five years ago).
3. The official launch of MediaMinister.co.uk – my copywriting, editorial and marketing consultancy.

And then, the other, darker side of the fence marks some especially poignant anniversaries:

1. The passing of my beloved mother.
2. Breaking my back. (Although it was a traumatic time, I’m OK now. Still feel some pain, but thankful to be able to walk and enjoy yoga and dancing, among other things!) 

Now, judging by the latter two, you’d be forgiven for thinking I’m a rather morbid soul at this time of year. Not so. (Well, I do allow myself to feel sad emotions whenever they spring up, else to ignore or suppress them would be just silly, not to mention unnatural.)

Of course, I can’t possibly keep all negative thoughts from cropping up. I am, after all, only human. Last time I checked.

But I do try my hardest not to look back in anger or with sadness, and instead focus on the positive or something that makes me smile, feel good or laugh.

And besides, as author Ida Scott Taylor wrote:

“Do not look back, and grieve over the past,
For it is gone; 

Do not be troubled about the future,

For it has not yet come.

Live in the present, and make it so beautiful,

That it will be worth remembering.”

The important thing is not to be bitter over life’s challenges and disappointments. And while every day won’t be a sunny one, if you look hard enough you can find your own ray of sunshine…

For me, that can be as simple as pulling on my trainers, rounding up my dog and heading for a lovely long walk on the beach, in the local park, through the woods — anywhere close to nature, where I can quite literally “ground” myself. In fact, that’s when I often come up with my best headlines or marketing ideas for my clients.

What about you? What’s your ‘sunshine’ button? When the going gets tough what helps you through? I’d love to hear your solutions… Go on, please share!

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include.

ShareThis    

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, your purse (or wallet) is almost certainly feeling a little bit lighter, what with all the festivities and shopping…

So, to help you out and give your purse/wallet some holiday relief — as well as to THANK YOU for all your business and support throughout 2008 — I have an early holiday gift for my newsletter and blog readers:

Save 20-50% on every digital download, from now until 19th December 2008…

While many game-boards last just for Christmas and this year’s toys are next year’s throwaways, the residual on a learning system or one of my products will last a lifetime. 

 The way it works is simple. Buy one PDF digital download (including all my ebooks and TeleMasterClass transcripts) and get a 20% discount. Buy two and get a 35% discount. Buy three or more and get a whopping 50% off the price. 

But here’s the catch:

So if you’ve thought about buying one of these informative, easy-to-follow-and-implement guides before, now is your chance! Start here (But do NOT order from there! You need to email the code “HOLIDAYS 08″ along with your choice of products and preferred method of payment to me first.)

BONUS #1: But that’s not all! For every order over £100, I’m going to include *complimentary*email support and mentoring (limited to four email consults per order) to help you get the most out of your new business assets.

What better time to re-commit yourself to making your dreams of taking your business to the next level a reality than now, with the New Year just around the corner?

I recommend: 

“I’d like to say what a refreshing change from all the hype out there it is. I found it to be very well written and accessible, with an easy to follow plan. I’ve already applied what I’ve learnt and its already transforming my business.”
– Aaron Beads, Homeopath

Fellow blogger randfish has published a great post entitled “Oh My God! Search is Changing Forever! SEO is Doomed! Run for the Hills!” which has caused quite a stir among search engine optimisation specialists and ‘newbies’ alike.

I won’t spoil the main point of his post, nor his conclusion, but what I will say is, if it ain’t broke… 

Besides, all my optimised sites are still ranking high, and clients are still commissioning me to manage theirs, too.   

================================
Add my RSS feed to your reader now so you never have to miss a post.
================================

Want to use this in your ezine, blog or website? No problem! Just let me know. I’ll send you a short resource box/bio to include.

Digg This :: Email This :: Add to del.icio.us