{She Troubleshoots} Pinterest?

I'm a fan...but I'm still learning how to make it all come together. I've started...and I think that if I really get into it I'm gonna be addicted to it. Kind of like I was addicted to Twitter when I first started Tweeting.

But if you don't Pin, it's a beautiful way to share what you find online, with others. I love it because it's a great way to share your taste with others in a visual platform.

But I just wanted to share that with you. If you haven't 'briefly' skip on over to Pinterest...I say briefly because if you stay too long...you may never leave...You Have Been Warned.

{She Troubleshoots } Participating in Small Business Contests

So if you're in the small business world, or maybe if you're intrigued by winning a large contest. I'm always intrigued by contests. Maybe it's because I'm super very competitive. As a kid I hated to lose at anything. When the hubby and I used to have game night before we had the boys, I would get all crazy mad when he used to win consistently at Uno...yeah I know pretty sad.

But hey listen I'm honest. I hate to lose! So when I enter a contest for growing my small business and the call to action is votes...I immediately get uneasy. Because I don't like to solely rely on others for the sake of my goal. I get it in order to get where I'd like to be I'll have to rely on others more experience than me, or with my skills. This I'm fine with...but purely on people voting, or choosing to support me. It makes me nervous.

Case in point. I'd love to win this contest hosted by Pitney Bowes, for a small business communication makeover. While only 50% of their criteria is votes, here's my schtick...I have over 700 twitter followers, and over 500 facebook 'fans'...so why in sam's hades do I only have 91 votes???? Oh and if you voted for me...Big Thank you...and Hugs!..now go tell your friends to vote too! :)

Can someone please answer this for me? Uugh...anyway. I press on...I'm a fixer of things...I troubleshoot.

----} My troubleshooting{----

I decide to keep entering other contests, that don't necessarily involve my 'friends' to vote. I've also entered a contest hosted by Daily Candy...which if you know anything about is a super swell website dedicated to bringing a huge mass of loyal readers neat, indie businesses. I want In!

{She Troubleshoots} Tires & Nails

Funny how life has a way of throwing nails at you. If you would have known me for the past 5 years you would know that in addition to having a liking to faster-than-average cars I also have a tendency to blow tires, blow engines, blow transmissions and clutches... Don't know how these un-forseen circumstances seem to follow me...because I'm a fine driver. Stop...Stop...Stop it. I know what you're saying....it's me not the cars...or the tires...

WHATEVER... seriously anyway...today proved to be no different...my 2010 Camaro while I love it to bits, it has already had to undergo major automotive surgery. (read rebuilt engine..w/ only 22k miles) and now today after I just replaced both of my back tires last week to the tune of $500...I stop in today because I hear a loud rhythmic noise as I drive....you guessed it..a big fat....honkin Screw!!!! (Note: this isn't the actual screw..I forgot to take a picture of the 'real' tire and screw....I know..I know)

Uuugh...luckily I'm in good with my friendly Colonial GM dealership, and they got me all repaired and on my way in no time!

My Troubleshooting strategy today...Let Go & Let God...before I would have had a remaining ruined day...but I took a breath..prayed and took heart knowing He's got this :)

{She Troubleshoots: Laughter} iPhone users I love ya....but this made me laugh my cheeks off

Excuse the harsh f-bombs later..but this is funny as schtick!

{She Troubleshoots} Kicking press releases to the curb

When I launched Stick Me Designs back in 2007, I was fired up and ready to take over the world. I had dabbled with writing press releases and knew that if I could work up a great release that all I had to do was get it out 'there'. While in all honesty I cannot deny the few website hits, and maybe a couple hundred dollars in sales...the honest truth was that my $1000+ dollars spent in sending out my release was futile.

Not only did I not get my investment back...but it discouraged me and dimmed my fire a bit. But after experiencing that I now realize that it was all in the delivery...

--} Here's why you should kick mass press releases to the curb{--

Media outlets, editors and blog authors are hammered with 'junk' every day all day. Your

press release all dolled up and pretty is more than likely gonna end up in the delete file, or better yet the trash. Save the send button, the stamp and the effort with mass mailings of your release.

--} Troubleshoot: Instead get the name of a contact where you'd like to pitch. Find a relevant and timely manner to pitch your products or services. If your product is friendly to mother earth, promote a 'gift with a cause'. Or maybe your product is great for expecting mothers, pitch your product or service as the perfect baby showers gift idea.

Think specific for the outlet, and timely for upcoming seasons or events. The more you can focus on each outle

t the better your chances for actually getting the attention of time-strapped media outlets. Make it as easy as pie to contact you, look you up and ultimately make a decision to share you with their audience.

What about you how have you troubleshot your way into the media? Let me hear your surefires...

Welcome to ST!

Oh how many blogs have I started..abandoned and gave up on? Let me count the many... Through it all I've learned a few things.

1) write about what you love, know or can fanatically learn about

2) don't write or blog for money (at least at the start) for me, it has to be about something more..and my goal is to eventually pay the bills?

3) I like to share the things I see, think of, find and learn about in my daily travels.

4) You may not think your life is worth writing about or what you know, but you never know who will be touched in some way by that little nugget or morsel that you share. You may not know who you'll make laugh, or connect with out in the world. It's worth the shot...

And as for me, I'll be sharing a whole gaggle of things. My brain runs on so many bits of life that I stopped trying to can it up and package it. Rather I'd prefer to just brain dump it all out there, and see what comes back from it.

You're a part of it..just because you're reading. And then again you never know what you'll find.

I. Fix. Things. Whether it's a helicopter, a computer, a copier, or just lending a helpful ear...It's what I know, and now it's what I'll share.

I'm a Fixer...

I fix things.
I've come to realize that it's what I do...it's what I've been doing for over 15 years.
It's only recently that I've come to accept it and stop trying to be anything and everything.