SO-HO owner why and how to create a blog

Last night I tried to take count of how many blog directories are out there; my head is still spinning and did not get anywhere with an answer. (according to Technorati there are over 15 million blogs as of today)
There are thousands of sites, categories, personal, business, media, social, technical, environmental, political. You name it, there is one that you are looking for. The number is overwhelming and intimidating.


Everyone is online, connecting, chatting, asking, selling, training and words are flying.
The basic blog types  I will list here are main 4; social, political, business and media.
Why, where and how would the small business owner fit and deal with this task, more importantly, why bother to have a web site, social media or blog presence.
WHY
Considering that the Internet today is the best and cheapest advertisement tool available, just like having your own sales person working 24/7 around the globe without having to pay a dime.  No salary, no benefits, no commissions.
Having a presence on the Internet means that your business gets exposure, your service and products are displayed to anyone and everyone that comes by. Depending on how well you planned out your presence is how fast and how many visitors/ customers you will acquire. 
WHERE
There are plenty of free services available and perhaps already have or familiar with. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Photo bucket, Google, available with just a simple creation of ID and password and you have a tool to blog and connect online. More so, some of these services allow you to create a blog, but also a profile, pages with info you can upload about you, your company, hobbies and anything you would like to share with the entire world, becoming a big and happy family.
HOW
Some services have comprehensive video and learning tools to take you through first creation process. As a member you will also receive tools to optimize your blog with keywords, links to feeds, news and community information.
If you know your way around the Internet, it is a pretty simple process to start a blog and available tools to create mostly any content, via quick links and resources.

My favorite blogging site is Word Press. Wonderful themes and a variety of layouts. Great community and helpful people.

GET STARTEDClick on the icon to take you to the site for training videos and support to help start your blog site.     
Go to http://wordpress.com/ to create a log in ID ( this will be your blog name, so careful what name you choose, since once the blog site is created, you cannot change the name) enter a password. Voila, you are the owner of a new public blog site.
You will receive a confirmation link to the e-mail address you created your account. When received, confirm the link and now you are ready to proceed to the dashboard where you will be able to choose your settings for your blog account.
In the dashboard you can choose the theme, the way your pages will show to visitors, keyword tags, color schemes and more.
Once you have decided what look, how many pages, what content, pictures to upload, you are ready to blog and share your thoughts.
To answer the question regarding how though it is to create a blog, as you can see, if you have Internet connection, you know how to follow directions from a tutorial and have any information to share, it is a fairly simple process.
You can also check out http://www.blogspot.com/ and check out features and available video tutorials, for yet another great blogging place.
Have fun with your new blog!

Choices of a “to be” SO-HO entrepreneur

We all had that “aha” moment empowering us to do something to better our lives, to make something happen, to choose a lifestyle we deserve.

Starting a home based or small business after we come to the decision that we are good at something that we can share with others, and make a change is exhilarating.

You decided that you are ready to start your business, you have the plan, the idea, the knowledge and the desire and now you are ready to take the first steps into turning your dream into reality.

You are excited, ready, and dear I say feel the rush of your new lifestyle.
BUT, once you started sharing your ideas and your dreams with your friends and family members, they act as if you had lost your mind. All have an opinion and all of them try to make you feel as you are trying to abandon them for something new. Your excitement allowed you to feel empowered, and you have taken their power over you away.

Now what?Your family and friends need to understand that this is your decision, and regardless what they think it has nothing to do with them.
You will be the same person and share your free time and interest just as before, and by starting your new endeavor it will make you a better and happier person, and they all will benefit from it.

Present your opportunity, your plan, involve them in your new business. Ask if any of them agree to help you with research, ideas, or spreading the word, This way you get to spend more time together and in return they will fell better helping out.

 

Team work is a great opportunity to strengthen relationships…. 

A virtual place for SO-HO owners

 

      Places4us started as a web site without a concrete idea of what it will become.
A few years back, I decided that with my background and knowledge in starting
and running a manufacturing business, I can be a valuable asset to other entrepreneurs
ready to start a new endeavor, but do not have the tools, time or budget to do so.

I am here to support start ups with a turnkey consulting solution package at affordable pricing.

Please visit http://www.places4us.com to see how I can add value to your start up and your benefits to a successful start.