{She Troubleshoots} Vacation/Staycation

It's not too often...well hardly never that I get a whole week by myself...no spouse (by Navy default) no boys (by Sister-in-law Yay). I cannot even tell you the last time this has happened...but anyway I'm trying my hardest to not stress over returning to work on Monday and just enjoy this.

Everyone knows that first day back to work after a glorious vacation is the Worst! But I'm putting in good effort to get things accomplished, breathe and enjoy this time.

So far I've gone to lunch at Gordon Biersch, my fave.

Had my very first pedicure...ever~ that was a nice experience.

Mowed the lawn..no hoopla there

Got to read a real book...wow that's a big one

And today I'll be having lunch with my good friend Amanda who happens to be an awesome Chiropractor.

Later today I'll be having dinner with my friends from Gel group...and later after that its...wait for it.....Janet Jackson!!! How sweet this vacation has been...now if I can just really enjoy the time and quit stressin' over going back to my 9-5 I'll be good.

But wouldn't it be nice if I could ditch my 9-5 and truly live a life that makes me feel like this all the time...without the time off part?

I hear it happens when you are doing things you're passionate about and truly enjoy...I'm working on that right now. I have a client I'm meeting with on Thursday to finish up her web design for her new business, and then following up with a potential new client with some mobile marketing assistance.

Guess the trick is to replicate this over and over and get into a groove...*sigh*...and I keep grindin'...

{Digital Marketing} Taking Full Advantage of your Google Places Page

Just in case you've missed what has been happening right in your back yard with Google, here's a brief synopsis.
Actually let's take a quick step back and review the Google basics for a minute.
Let's look at some truths that we know for sure.

-> The best place to be on Google is in the center of the page, this is called the organic listings. People don't pay to be here...they're there because of a few things that Google has deemed important. Mainly backlinks, relevance, maturity (in terms of how long it's been around) and quality. For some getting anywhere near this coveted area on the first page above the fold has been promised over and over again...and never delivered upon. Especially if you're trying to get there for general popular keywords such as 'Dentist' or 'Dry Cleaners'...very difficult to achieve.
-> Being listed in the area on the far right hand side is known as the paid-listing area. These poor guys are paying for every single click that takes place there...in hopes of a sale or heck anything for that matter! Every single time a lookey-loo is curious... A click$...every single time someone by accident clicks... Another click$. Can it go without saying that managed in the

wrong hands or by a novice, money goes down a deep black drain in a matter of hours in some cases? It's not pretty friends...I say this from experience. As a marketer I find it a bit

necessary to give most avenues a good 'ole honest try...this one I have to report did absolutely Nothing for me..except spend money that I could have happily used elsewhere...with better results.

If you're running a full time business the time, effort and knowlege learning curve can be astronomical, not to mention time-consuming. You quickly find out why you do what you do...because you DON'T like to do This stuff! Lucky for you there are folks who do!
Let's talk about Google and what they're doing for your business...it's pretty darn nifty...and you should be excited! They have taken all the information they can find on your business and given you your very own spot in the Places Pages. But not just any spot my friends...the best spots in the house!
I'm talking right there under those silly paid advertisements at the top! They've even given you an opportunity to rank up towards the top with some regular maintenance, authentic reviews, pictures, videos and a thing called citations. Which is a another way to say other sites have something to say about you.
This is great news for you because:
*** The idea of the whole Places evolution is to better connect you with the enormous audience that is now searching for anything and everything online. If they're searching for a Optometrist and they're in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach, Google will bring back (first) a few forgettable directories, and then viola...the Google Places businesses. If you have met the qualifications they specify...you're in!

You want to be in? But are lacking in the time to make it happen? Give 7 Cities Mobile a call to schedule your consultation.

{She Troubleshoots} Launching Mobile Marketing

It's no secret that everyone has a smart phone. And if you're one of these folks like I am, you keep it with you everywhere. Mine is by my bed while I sleep (even though I don't check it once I 'power down') it's with me all day, literally I take it with me and feel a little lost without it. Like how I forgot it on Thursday...don't ask me how but somehow I did...

I think it's pretty safe to say, me and my smart Google phone are inseparable..and when I get a text message I generally check it within a few minutes. How 'bout you?

Well how cool, awesome, fabulous would it be if you could market that service to small business owners in your local area? Or you can even just offer the text message service for them to handle...you still make a profit on commissions.

What do I mean? Well what if you could offer them a super easy, affordable way to broadcast deals, contests and polls to their audience? What if you could tell them that text messages have over a 95% open and read rate?? It'd be pretty sweet dontcha think?

Yup I thought so too. So after finding the perfect platform to launch this I jumped on it, and jumped in with 2 feet! I'm a Local Mobile Monopoly Agent and it's Awesome!

I'm offering text message marketing to all the local business owners here, and profiting by helping them reach their audience no matter where they are. It's an awesome gig and I enjoy connecting with the community here and helping them see real results in real time.  Every time a customer comes in to redeem their text blast...they know that's mobile marketing at work. And in turn know that my services are working for them, and all they're doing is shooting me an email or giving me a call with their broadcast request. Easy, Effective Fun!

Are you offering this service to you local market, or do you use this service let me here your results.

{She Troubleshoots} Local Mobile Monopoly

Anyone who knows me even a little tiny bit, knows that ultimately my goal is to allow my hubby the opportunity to be able to Really Retire after his time in service with the Navy..we're working on 16.5 years here my friends and the clock is a tickin'! He has sacrificed so much for our family, not to mention to serve our country that I want more than anything to give him a truly Retired lifestyle.

In order to do that, I need to really starting cookin' that bacon...or in other words make that money honey! While Stick Me Designs plugs away and grows, I'm always on the hunt to share what I know, help others and get whoever is interested on board to the wonderful world of online media and marketing (I do have a degree in Marketing anyway:) So when I find something that looks promising I'm happy and eager to share...or let you in on my progress.

I recently like just today decided to give the Local Mobile Monopoly strategy a try. Why? Well because who isn't using a smart phone these days, texting, emailing and going online with their phones. But how many local mom and pop business owners do you know that are actually, fully taking advantage of this explosion of mobile technology. I can count on one hand here in Virginia Beach...it's not too many. Maybe the local radio stations and a bar or 2, but up till now the price point has been too outrageous to dive into for the local seen...Until now ... :) [Check that screen shot...already looks like something I'm excited to be a part of, crisp clean...and professional]

Not only is the members area of this strategy on point, but the training 50+ videos we're talking, and a free hosted website? Are you kiddin' me...and these guys are down to earth and real live people who are trustworthy from the start. Not only am I happy to share this with you..I wholeheartedly endorse it 100%.

Now I'll be using my {She Troubleshoots} to give you updates on how things are coming along for me, but if you wanna jump on this bandwagon...you better hurry because if another marketer secures your local market...you may just miss you ticket.

Cheers! and Please share your experiences too...I'd love to hear how you're doing too!~