Helloooooo? Is anybody still there?

If you are – you might have noticed that I’ve been missing in action. The thing is though – I haven’t been missing. I’ve been spending time with my other love.

I don’t know how I’m going to juggle them both just yet but I thought I better pop in and say Hi.

It’s been heads down, shoulders hunched for the past two weeks while I’ve been working on Women in Business.

I’ve been quietly adding content to the site while I’m making it beautiful inside and out (whatever that means) getting it ready for it’s spectaular launch coming up next week.

So while I’ve been working away I found out yesterday that I’ve been included in Forbes.com list of 30 female entrepreuers to follow on Twitter.

Wow. What a great surprise and I have the fabulous Natalie MacNeil of She Takes on the World to thank for it. So – Natalie – thank you!

Now there are a several great things about this but as one clever Twitter friend pointed out. I can now put “As featured in Forbes Magazine” in my bio. I’m so down with that.

Filed under: Behind the Scenes
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I’m writing this post from the sunny Gold Coast – I’ve got views to the beach on one side and views to the shopping Mecca Pacific Fair on the other.

Their proximity has highlighted how important it is to be productive while you’re working away from your usual location. It’s all business – no busyness! If you want to enjoy your location, you get your work done promptly!!

We’re down here for a holiday break but I’m using it to live out a little location independent experiment.

I’ve always dreamed of being able to work from anywhere in the world.

Most recently, my dream found form in creating a business that consumed my passion and was driven by a desire to make a difference to people so they can change their world for the better. This business is being built on a model of processes and automation.

While this year I’ve had success with consulting – one on one and groups – the face to face nature of the model wasn’t helping me reach my goals.

Also, while consulting is great – it didn’t fulfil the passion side of my dream equation. However – if there’s anything I’ve learned this year is that patience is golden and allows you time to figure out what you want among other things.

While I will continue consulting – I’m looking at a more effective way to deliver my knowledge and experience to those who need it. But that’s another story.

I acquired the domain womeninbusiness.com.au late last year. Every time I thought about it I’d lose concentration from excitement.

I knew this was going to help me achieve my dream.

So here I am – the Women in Business website is up but still in development – getting ready for its official launch in a couple of weeks.

I’ve had a taste of managing the business while I’ve been away and it’s worked like a dream (oh <- that’s appropriate!)

I’ve spent roughly 4 hours a day working on the business – 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. Posting to the blog, handling enquiries, approving comments, managing the LinkedIn group and building features behind the scenes.

There are a couple of process I can see need to be refined but overall, if I could live my life like this I’d be one happy woman (in business).

Filed under: Do good business online, Inspiration
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I just came across this video on Mumbrella featuring an interview with Australian Anthill’s founder.

When I interviewed James Tuckerman I was so impressed with what he said that I’ve been keeping an eye on his opinions ever since.

This is probably the best summary I’ve seen yet about where media is heading and how individuals can take advantage of it.

Filed under: Content, Do good business online, Tips
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Do you know if your website is included in Google?

Are all the pages included or just the homepage?

The first thing your SEO consultant will check when reviewing your website is search engine accessibility.

Here’s why – search engine robots need to be able to crawl through your website before it can start reading your optimised web pages to increase your rankings.

Did you know it’s easy for you to find out if your website is included in Google?

You can do it right now – go on.

Go to www.google.com and type in site:yourwebsite.com.au – for example I would type in site:clarelancaster.com.au

Click search and hey presto – the results you see are the pages that are included in Google.

You can quickly see how many pages Google knows about by looking at the “Results” in the bar at the top right hand side.

Filed under: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Tips
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The super early arrival of Christmas trees in our shopping centres has got me thinking about how quickly this year is coming to an end. It’s also got me reflecting on my first ten months of business.

Generally – the first 6 months were incredible – exciting, I got some great exposure, made some fabulous relationships, established my blog, consultancy business and first eBook, secured a regular gig with Nett Magazine etc etc.

Then, around August something happened – I’m not sure if I was burnt out or it was Just One Of Those Things but I started to lose focus.

Image Credit: Paradise by Little Honda

I found myself questioning what I was doing – jumping from one project to the next -  strategising endlessly, designing logo’s – re-designing logos, writing content – re-writing content.

I was telling my husband about all of my big ideas and how everything’s going to be so great.

Meanwhile I had this little niggling thought that I didn’t want to admit to myself.

I was talking a lot more then I was doing. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve been busy – but not busy doing the right things.

I came across this post from Darren at Problogger and one day later I’ve set myself a 3 month deadline to get several large projects up and running.

The first was to set womeninbusiness.com.au live. I’ve got big plans for this site – and like all of my online businesses I’m developing it myself. I had a couple of features nearly ready to go but not quite.

I kept thinking of things to add and rationalised to myself that it should be one big launch with all the features included. Meanwhile, the 1/2 finished website sat behind the scenes while the holding page was getting a solid amount of traffic every day.

Now – I’ve got the site up and am adding the features as I go – the result? I’ve now got advertisers lined up ready to advertise to my audience. Today I’m working on the home page and will continue to add features weekly.

Moral of the story? You win when you stop dreaming and start doing.

What actions have you taken recently to take you a step closer to achieving your goals?

Filed under: Miscellaneous
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Today I want to introduce you to two people that I’ve been following for a while. They’ve both inspired me and represent ideas that are close to my heart.

Chris Guillebeau and the Art of Non-Conformity

Chris is a writer and traveller – his blog is a place for people living their life according to what’s important to them.

The blog chronicles his journey to achieving a big goal – to travel to every country in the world before he turns 35.

Chris also offers practical advice and encouragement for anyone who isn’t content with a 9-5 existence.

His two free eBooks are well worth the read – A Brief Guide to World Domination and 279 Days to Overnight Success.

Gwen Bell

Gwen Bell writes about social media, creativity and entrepreneurship in a fresh, accessible way.

She’s a partner at Kirtsy, a brand enthusiast for Nintendo and owns a yoga studio in Yokohama, Japan.

Gwen always has interesting thing to say – visit her blog here or follow her on Twitter here.

I’d love to know who’s inspiring you right now? Any people that you regularly listen to or follow? Please share them below and spread their goodness around!

Filed under: Do good business online, Reviews & Recommendations, Social Media
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My first foray into the world of real time updates was watching the Vice Presidential elections streaming through CNN while watching a live commentary of Twitter users updating in real time next to the video.

It blew me away. I felt like I was watching an historical moment and it gave me goose bumps (I’m a nerd like that.)

I knew I wanted to be a part of it so I signed up to Twitter.

At first it was entertaining and exciting to connect with people around the world while sitting at my desk in Brisbane, Australia.

Pretty soon though – it became an everyday utility.

I’d wake up and instead of going to a news site, I’d open up my Twitter stream with 100% confidence that I’d get everything I need to know about the state of the world and news about my industry – filtered through my trusted network of global citizens.

My use of search engines has dropped dramatically – there’s nothing like the instant response from a group of trusted people.

The amount of information available is growing exponentially.

Image Credit: yskafotografie2007

People need filters to sort the noise from the sound.

We used to turn to search engines because they were the tools that organised the information into searchable content. That was the best we had – but now we have social networks.

The people in our social networks have become our information filters – information DJ’s.

We’ve added them to our network because we share common interests, or are thought leaders in our industry. They distill the information they find online and through their own networks and distribute what they deem worthy or useful.

Just as we depend on them for news, useful content and inspiration – other people in your network are depending on you.

What do you think? How much do you depend on your network to filter the information you see online every day?

Filed under: Do good business online, Social Media
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This case study is so sexy I can hardly stand it.

We’ve got U2 – a huge band – teaming up with You Tube – a huge force in social media – and the community sharing the experience  with each other in real time on Twitter.

In this world first – U2 have broadcasted their Los Angeles concert live over the internet via You Tube – allowing citizens of the world to share the experience with people live at the concert.

U2 have changed the way that music concerts are watched and given us an example of how free content works within social media.

Free content

U2 are giving away free content but they will still profit from playing live concerts – people will go to the concerts for the live experience. This is a great example of giving the content away for free and monetising “The Souvenir” (if you follow Seth Godin.)

Leverage

U2 are leveraging their free content with four call to actions located in prime page real estate next to the video – directing the viewer to complete an action that is a meaningful conversion for the band.

• Buy the album
• Join the newsletter
• Visit their website
• Donate to their chosen cause

Functionality

• You can follow and add to the conversation on Twitter without leaving the concert page
• It’s easy to send a link to the content to your Twitter and Facebook network through the two distribution buttons
• Video and sound streaming is extremely high quality

Here’s some stats

• First concert broadcast live across the  world in real time
• People across 7 continents viewing it as it happens
• Roughly 530 new tweets every 60 seconds during broadcast

What people on Twitter said

Filed under: Case Studies, Social Media
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Image credit: SarahR89

I’ve just updated my blog with a new header – in the process I decided to pick three words to describe myself, what this blog is about and what I can offer you as a reader.

Online business owner

Self explanitory – I’m writing about my experience as an online business owner – the objectives, strategies and marketing techniques that I’m using and want to share along the way.

Teacher

I own an online business consultancy and spend a lot of my time explaining online business and marketing concepts so that other people can use the internet to grow their business.

Dream hunter

This was a tricky one – I wanted to sum up my philosophy of business and life in one sexy little statement.

I’ve started my online businesses for a few reasons.

1. I love the internet and I love the game of business
2. I believe that online business will help me achieve what I want to financially, personally and as a member of my community (local and global).
3. I want to inspire other people to take the time to think about their values and skills and design a life that brings out the best in them, to make their world and the world around them a better place.

Not sure if it’s an über wanky term but I feel like it sums up what I’m about at the moment. I have big dreams and I’m going to act big to make them happen and nothing is going to stop me.

Update: Decided it was a bit wanky. My third one is now Writer – which is also very fun.

Filed under: Behind the Scenes, Inspiration
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Jessica Watson’s ambition is to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world.

She set sail on the 18th of October. Here she’s interviewed by the current holder of that title – Jesse Martin.

“Whatever your dream is you should go for it – if you really want something you can go out and achieve it.

It’s going to be hard but you’ll find a way.” Jessica Watson.

You can keep up with Jessica’s journey through her blog.

I don’t know about you but watching this young woman hunting her dream with determination and belief has given me faith that I can achieve mine. What dream do you want to achieve?

Filed under: Miscellaneous
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