I’ve thought long and hard about how I’ll promote my book when I get it published.  (Contrary to popular thought, traditional publishers don’t typically do a lot to promote your book unless you are already successful.  Therefore, whether you are publishing traditionally or self-publishing, a lot of the promotion falls on you.)

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. I’ll have a website for the book.  I already have a writer’s website, but I want the book to have its own website.  However, just posting a website isn’t enough — you have to be proactive about getting the word out.  A website can quickly get buried among all the other websites out there, so in order to generate a higher search engine ranking…
2. I’ll have a blog on my website.  This will be updated regularly, which will help in several ways: It’ll boost my search engine rankings, help to keep readers coming back, and (hopefully) generate contextual links to my blog and/or website from other people’s blogs.
3. I’ll write press releases about my book.  This is a dual marketing effort: I’m trying to get mentioned in the media, but I’m also using it like many online marketers’ link building compaigns.  The more links point back to my site, the more popular it will seem to the search engines, and therefore the more useful and relevant they will assume it is.
4. I’ll write marketing articles on topics related to my book.  These can also be excerpts published for free on other sites.  The idea is the same as the press releases: To increase visibility, but also to increase my link popularity.  This is another approach that is often used by a search engine marketing company.
5. I’ll know when to let someone else take over.  Of course, all this takes time.  And if everything goes as plan, I’ll be successful with my first book and be working on my next book, so I’ll want to make sure I have enough time to devote to that.  If it comes down to it, I’ll need to be willing to find an Internet marketing service to take over all of these tasks, freeing me up to do other promotion such as book signings and still have enough time to write.

Technorati Tags: book marketing, book promotion, blogging, article marketing, higher search engine ranking, Internet marketing service

You regularly use powerpoint presentations in your line of work. Often, you publish these projects to the web so that others can continue to see them after your initial presentation is complete. Because of this, you’ve decided that you want to get a powerpoint designer to create a custom template for you to use in all of your future presentations.

Here are some qualities to look for when hiring this designer:

• Strong portfolio. You want to see the work that this person has done in the past so that you can verify that they have a variety of different styles that look truly unique. If they don’t, you might as well just use free powerpoint templates and do the work yourself.
• Open lines of communication. As with anyone who designs something for you, this person needs to be able to interpret what you want and accept feedback to change it as it goes along.
• Understanding of your business needs. Make sure that your designer has some familiarity with the work that you do so that the design will be appropriate to the nature of your business.
• Technical support. Make sure that you get someone who is going to continue helping you out if there are problems down the line.

Getting custom powerpoint templates can be a great step in moving your business to a more professional level. Just make sure that you think smart when choosing the designer that’s going to do this work.

Technorati Tags: powerpoint designer, free powerpoint templates, powerpoint templates

People who throw parties on a regular basis know that the most successful parties are the ones that are designed to give people something to talk about. Good parties bring people together while providing them with ’small talk’ topics that are neutral yet interesting. The key to doing this with your own parties is to use good food and good design to give people something worth discussing.

For example, let’s say that you choose to make your guest chairs the topic of a party’s conversation. Every party has to have chairs for people to sit in but most parties just offer something simple. Get someone to design you a set of folding chairs that are shaped in a really unique design and you’ll give the people at your party something to talk about. Everyone who is sitting in one of these chairs can turn to their neighbor, make a comment about the way that they stand out and therefore start a conversation.

Of course, not everyone can afford to get custom-made chairs. Choosing chairs that are intended for something other than a party can also create a design worth talking about. For example, purchase cutting-edge reception chairs designed for a high rise office building and use them in your home to set an edgy style. Your guests will talk, people will mingle and the party will be a success.

Technorati Tags: guest chairs, folding chairs, reception chairs

• Weight Loss—Because Dahn yoga is a type of exercise, you may actually notice loss of weight. Dahn yoga enhances blood circulation and metabolism. This allows your body to burn fat more effectively. 
• Stress Relief—Dahn yoga uses breathing and relaxation techniques to help you better manage stress. 
• Healthy Recoveries—It has been proven time and time again that daily yoga exercises straightens the immune system and increases your body’s natural healing power.