the NET CAFe´~ a Woman, her Work & the Web in 2010

LinkedIn is often discussed as a powerful social networking tool, particularly for business professionals, employers, and jobseekers. What is not discussed as frequently is the site’s ability to simply drive traffic to your site.

Entrepreneur Lewis Howes lists the steps to getting started:

1. Complete your profile.
2. Increase you connections.
3. Customize your website links.
4. Answer questions.
5. Update your status.
6. Join niche groups.
7. Post comments in groups.
8. Add RSS feeds to groups.
9. Create a group.
10. Add the blog application to your profile.

View my Linked In profile and connect with me today!

Before you start a project working from home, you will accomplish a lot more if you create an enjoyable environment for everyone. Setting up a play area for your child by thoughtfully selecting a group of toys that will keep them busy and close to you, is one way to dramatically extend the time you can spend without interruptions.

Depending on your child’s age, you might want to include:

*a mat or blanket to informally define their own space
*stuffed animals, dolls, action figures (for pretend play)
*blocks, stacking rings, & puzzles; plus, a big bag to put things in and take things out
*a stationary bike for kids is great if they have lots of energy
*a favorite toy that you take out only for “special” occasions
*an educational dvd (save this for the last 30 minutes)

When they have their own age-appropriate activities to do nearby, you will notice that children will take your lead and focus on our their “work” longer than usual while you do your own.

The extra time you take planning for your success will be well worth the effort.

SPECIAL NOTE: My 15-month old daughter will take a break from her activities to interrupt me from time to time-with a great big kiss on the lips:D

Do you have short and long-term goals for the project?
Do you know what to focus in on to reach your target market?
Do you have a plan-step 1, step 2…?
Are you in a good environment to make it happen?

Make adjustments as needed to get 4 yes answers and you will be both effective and efficient.

Happy 6th Anniversary DESIGN NET Complete Website Solutions!

Every January, I am renewed and motivated, excited about all the possibilities the coming year has to offer. And, I am overwhelmed with appreciation:

• to GOD for keeping our business going strong another year and for His faithfulness in His promise to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future…
  
• to ALL of DESIGN NET clients who give me the great privilege to be involved with your continued business success

I also highly value the on-going ~ long-term client relationships DESIGN NET has built with:

ANGELS WATCH INN: a true gift of kindness and hospitality, along with the most beautiful Bed and Breakfast around.
CONCEPT ENGINEERING: brilliant, always a pleasure.
ESSEX PRINTING, EVENTS MAGAZINES: an amazingly talented group led by an innovative, interesting and inspiring business leader.
GLOBAL DYNAMIX: a truly impressive, professional organization.
PASTA VITA: excellence, the model for business success (plus, the best gourmet-to-go you will ever find).
TISSA’S MARKET & CAFE: hard-work and great vision~much success in your new location, both in Old Saybrook and on the Web.

Thank you all so very much for your inital trust, continued loyalty and referral after referral-I am honored to work with each of you and wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!

Do not be afraid to claim your power, control your destiny.

Be the Hero in the story of your life!

Switch your business line to Vonage.

At $24.99 a month, it’s a great deal plus, you keep your same phone number. You can set up the router at the home or office for the same price and forward it to your cell when you need to so you don’t miss any calls during a business day.

Want mobile internet access?

Tether your iphone.  AT & T doesn’t currently install the tethering option even though you pay for the data plan but you can configure it yourself easily.

Here’s how it works:

Go to: http://help.benm.at/tethering.php, download the app to your iphone. Switch network settings on your phone to iphone tethering > on. That’s it. Thanks, Ben M:)

Your phone is now your modem for an internet connection away from home, or at the office. It’s not suitable for large uploads or downloads but for simple web browsing, it works well and saves over $1000 a year.

You can’t completely control the outcome of web projects. This concept is especially difficult to accept if you are most familiar with working in print.

I understand that initially many people don’t believe this and have to learn the hard way. So I won’t expand on this other than to advise - choose EXCELLENCE, not perfection.

Follow me on Twitter.

• It will not be as easy as leaving to go to work.
• There will be interruptions no matter how often you say, “I’m working”.
• Making a to do list is better than making a schedule.
• Toys, dvds, games can and should invade your workspace.
• It is good to hire a babysitter/ mother’s helpers. (It is actually great!)

Find the career that suits you best by answering two questions.

1. What do I love to do?

2. How can I utilize my skills, talents, and past job experience doing what I love?

If you are well suited for your career, it gives you the confidence to start out and motivates you to stay with it when it gets difficult. And perseverance is the trademark of success.

Are you interested in a career as a WEB DESIGNer?

In this field, you need to know a little about a lot, and a lot about enough so it’s very helpful if you like to learn and keep learning.

Here are some other traits of a web designer, particularly a freelance web designer categorized by the frequency the skill or ability is used with each project.

Helpful - understanding the general and unique structure of each business
Important - artistic, writing, editing and math skills.
Very Important - good understanding of design and layout, planning and organization skills, communication with client and team, knowledge of industry-standard (web design, photography and illustration) software, web standards, internet marketing strategies and implementation.

Read about how I became a web designer…