Sweetie Saturday: 2 Unclaimed Prizes Have New Winners
Well, after 10 days of not hearing from two of the winners for the Sweetie Saturday PLR Membership, I went ahead and pulled two new names. The winners gets a 3 month membership to the Special Report Club.
And the 2 new winners are:
>> Carol Smith from Oklahoma, USA
>> Katie Byrd from Franklin, North Carolina
Congrats…you must claim your prize by emailing support @ specialreportclub.com [subject line: "I'm a Special Report Club Winner"] within 7 days or we’ll draw another winner.
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Psst…get a sneek peek inside the members area of Mom PLR Ebooks
This cool video provided by Wendy Wood from the mom niche PLR site Mom PLR Ebooks gives viewers an inside look into the monthly membership. If you’ve always wondered what it’s really like to be a member, check out the video and let me know what you think.
**Note: Use coupon code F16C to get your first month to
Mom PLR eBooks for just $5
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Mommy Blog Sellout – Moms…
Take Back Your Blogs!
I’m a mommy and a blogger (probably not what you’d refer to as a “mommy blogger”), and have for years taught moms and other entrepreneurial spirited people how to make money from their virtual property. I’ve seen so many moms carve out a living for their families…and even beyond.
But then there is what I’m going to call the “Mommy Blog Sellout”.
I am sorry if it sounds mean, condescending or anything of the sort (please see the edited to add at the bottom of this post before you shoot me !). I say this with care, concern and hope that any mommy blogger who hoped to be earning a living from their blog can appreciate this.
I don’t want to go into a long journalistic depiction of what I’m talking about in regard to this term. Just do a search for “blogher” along with the words “sponsor”, “swag”, etc. You can get caught up on your own if you aren’t already in the loop.
But in short, in an attempt to monetize blogs, mommy bloggers are accepting free product, attendance at conferences, etc. in return for pimping a product (yeah, sorry for the word “pimping” – just trying to make a point). Big name companies know the power of the mom market and instead of paying them for advertising, they are infiltrating mommy blogs with free stuff.
Mommies – Popularity Ain’t Where It’s At
Somewhere along the line, I think the distinction between popularity and entrepreneurial success has been perverted. If you started a blog just to be popular and get some free stuff now and then – so be it. That’s totally cool. But if you started a blog and thought you needed to be ultra popular to make money – I’m sorry, you have that ALL wrong.
I assume that some moms resist commercialism in their posts because they fear they’ll lose readers. Yeah, you probably will…but you know what you will gain? CUSTOMERS. A few hundred customers are way more valuable than thousands and thousands of readers who just want to read about poopy diapers. 
And let’s be serious – by accepting these sponsorships and free stuff, you’ve ALREADY gone commercial, but in a different way. And that way ain’t always very profitable.
Anyway ENOUGH – I Want to Help
Here’s what I want to do. We have a Blogging (for profit) Bootcamp – it’s currently retired from accepting new students. It retails for $297 for the 4-week program, but I want to take 10 want-to-be profitable mommy bloggers through this program – FREE of charge.
I actually run this program with Lynette Chandler. I haven’t talked to her because I rushed to make this blog post (this is something I feel strongly about and just reached the boiling point), but I’m pretty sure I can nudge her to be on board without much trouble. 
Here’s How to Be Considered in the 10
1. Read the details about the bootcamp. Apply ONLY if this is a good fit for you and you are willing to commit to completing the entire program.
1. Submit a ticket under “Product Support” here.
2. Use subject line: “I’m a mommy blogger”.
3. Then tell us about your blog, your goals and why you want to be one of the 10.
Deadline to Submit: 11:59 PM, Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Guidelines: We will contact the 10 chosen moms on Thursday, August 6. Bootcamp begins August 10 – and you must commit to completing your 4 weekly assignments. If you don’t complete – you get booted and we’ll choose someone else.
IMPORTANT: We won’t be able to reply to all the requests. If you are chosen, we will contact you by Thursday, August 6.
EDITED TO ADD: Yes, I am aware that what I am saying here is going to annoy a large chunk of the people I’m talking to (and note: If you’re happy with your blog, I’m not actually talking to you…k?). My goal with this post is to connect with mommy bloggers who are ready to make a change, are willing to learn and accept new ideas.  That’s all…so if that’s you, please apply.
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When A “To-Do” List Just Doesn’t Cut It
Do you ever feel like you’re just winging it?
That’s the way I’ve felt for the past couple of weeks – ever since I took on a new project. But it wasn’t just the one new project, which is huge by itself, but it seemed like all of a sudden everyone started clamoring for a piece of me. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t quite like that, but it sure feels like it.
And with so many projects on the go, I’m feeling a little out of control to say the least. I mean things are under control project wise, but I feel like I’m just winging it day by day without a real plan of attack. I use Basecamp as my project management center, and it works wonders for keeping me organized and on track, and it will also make adding a project manager to my team a breeze because it’s just a matter of making them a part of various projects.
I love being able to see what everyone is doing, assign projects, see what’s done and still has to be done – but I think I’m a paper list kind of gal. I use my planner every day, and I just make a “to-do” type of list in my notebook, but the list just isn’t working for me anymore.
I still need a list, but I think my problem is that I need a more detailed list. So I’ve decided that maybe it’s time to switch to using a daily agenda.
An agenda is different because everything is broken up into 30 minute chunks from 8 in the morning until 8 at night. So instead of just listing what I need to do, I have the ability to plan out when to do it, and I can even schedule in breaks.
Â
My hope is to:
* Cut down on distractions by giving myself the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee, check email, blog, twitter, etc. before getting to work, and then allowing myself to enjoy those distractions during scheduled breaks.
* Get more accomplished in my work day because I’ll stay focused on what needs to be done during the allotted time using my handy little minute timer.
*Â Stay motivated because IÂ won’t be spending so much time working on the same thing, instead I may work on something first thing in the morning, and then not get back to it until later in the afternoon.
* Free up my time because right now I am working way too much. From the time I get up in the morning until past midnight, I am working on various projects throughout the day, and it feels like I’m not making any progress. I know that I am, but I think using an agenda will help me see exactly what I’ve done each day.
So how about you, do you ever feel like you’re winging it day by day? What have you done to get focused and back on track?Â
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What would you like to learn how to do online?
Do you ever wish you had the ability to do certain tasks in your own business instead of paying someone else to do it for you? If you could become skilled at one thing you currently outsource, what would it be and why?
For me, it would have to be graphics. My talent in that area, well, it doesn’t exist, and so I spend a lot of money every month having graphics made for me. It would be cool to learn how to do some of things my graphic designer does.
So how about you? What skill would you like to learn and apply to your business?
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A New Project for Me &
A New Blueprint for You
I am emailing my subscribers about this in the morning, but thought my blog readers might like a little more insight into what’s happening and get a first peek.
If you’ve been keeping up at the Sweetie blog, you’ll see there are some changes in the works. We’re looking forward to unveiling them and offering you a bigger and better resource than ever. It’s our goal to continue to provide with straightforward, honest and ethical advice when it comes to your online business. You can look forward to more frequent updates, tips and other indispensible resources.
In a previous post, I mentioned that a certain brilliant blonde will be hanging out more. And that is well on the way now as Melissa Ingold joins us for more frequent posting at the Sweetie blog. You’ll also be seeing her presence in other places too. She’s a very sharp copywriter and marketer…and I know you’re going to love what she brings to the Sweetie experience.
Now…the new project…
My company also has an upcoming project and it’s called Contentrix. I’ll reveal more soon and I promise this will be nothing short of a stellar resource when it comes to your content marketing.
We’re hard at work on getting that resource together for you, but have just released a super-quick and incredibly valuable Content Idea Blueprint (it’s the first in our series of content marketing blueprints). Pick that up if you’ve ever struggled with coming up with content ideas and topics. Whether it’s article or blog topics, what to write about in an email or any other type of written content – we all hit stumbling blocks now and then.
This quick-reference guide will change all that. Here are there details - including how to get yours for only 5 bucks out of your PayPal account. The cool thing is, it’ll save you so much time and directly save you money on your own content creation.
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The Barriers Are Just About All Gone
Things sure have changed since I brought my typing fingers to these Internet marketing world. It was a fortunate thing for me that all my life, I’ve been a writer. I loved creative writing, writing letters to people and even enjoyed essay assignments (although my teachers and professors didn’t always think I was the best at them).
In fact, IÂ have always been more comfortable expressing my thoughts in feelings in writing, so my arrival on the Internet was a perfect fit for me. Of course, if you didn’t write or have the budget to hire writers, it was bit tougher.
Back in the olden days of 2002, people said you should never use video because of slow Internet connections. People were using some audio, but it wasn’t terribly common. So in most cases, you had to write (or hire a ghostwriter) to make it on the Internet.
Well, times have really changed, haven’t they? Streaming audio is common and downloading an mp3 is a snap for most Internet connections. Equipment and software are cheaper than ever. Just about everyone has a podcast, a vlog or some kind of multimedia online presence. Well not me – cuz I’m still a writer.
In other words, the barriers are pretty much gone. It doesn’t matter what your budget is. It doesn’t matter what medium you prefer to communicate in, there are opportunities for you. Of course, if your communication is limited to grunts and random hand gestures…you may still 
have a tough time.
Even though the modes of communication have expanded, the goals are still the same. Provide information, entertainment and interaction — centered around your unique marketing message, the problem your readers need solved and you’re golden.
So no more excuses, right?
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What is “Million Dollar Copy?”
Have you ever heard of copy being referred to as “Million Dollar Copy”?
It’s kinda hard not to come across that term when you work online, and I don’t know about you, but I find the phrase to be a bit distasteful. I think the word “million” puts people on instant alert, and they’re not as open to learning the concept behind it.
As a copywriter I’ve formed my own perception of what this phrase means, and I’ve come to the conclusion that every business owner needs to be using “million dollar copy” in their business – whatever their business.
It’s really not complicated, let me explain…
First, it isn’t necessarily copy that sells a million dollars worth of product. The factors that go into turning that kind of volume include a lot more than the copy itself. Any copywriter who tells you otherwise should be avoided.
In fact, it’s quite possible to sell a million dollars worth of product with less-than-perfect, even mediocre, copy – if you get enough of those other factors right. It’s just a lot harder.
Don’t make things harder on yourself than you need to.
The first thing that differentiates Million Dollar Copy from ordinary copy is that it converts a higher than usual percentage of targeted prospects to buyers.
After that, it’s not quite so obvious.
The main factors that separate “Million Dollar Copy” from everything else are, in no particular order:
=>Â The copy creates appropriate expectations in the reader. It highlights every benefit, while never exaggerating or misleading – even by omission. It also never leaves the reader feeling manipulated, whether they order or not.
=>Â It increases the likelihood that the prospect will not only use the product, but use it correctly and get the results they’re looking for.
=>Â It doesn’t call attention to itself. It communicates with the prospect without them thinking about anything but the product and what it will do for them.
=>Â It’s more powerful every time you read it.
=> Instead of just trying to provoke emotional reactions, it creates an experience that engages real prospects. When this is done correctly, the reader feels as though they’re interacting with the copy and the benefits of the product while they’re still reading your letter.
=> It doesn’t start with the letter or end with the order. It begins with the way the prospect talks internally, and sets the stage for any communication that follows the purchase. It’s part of the customer’s experience with your product and your company.
True “Million Dollar Copy” focuses on building your business, rather than just making the current sale. It sets a positive tone by which your firm is judged, reduces refunds, encourages future sales, and helps to create customers who feel more like “partners in the product” than just “buyers.”
Put in its shortest form:
“Million Dollar Copy” starts in exactly the same place as the prospect, and guides them through a positive experience that makes your product a necessity in their mind.
Think about that. Go back and look at your existing copy and see how much of it can be changed to make it fit this model better.
If you’re not sure, have someone else read it and tell you how they feel as they go through the copy.
Then consider how that fits with what you’ve just read.
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