IN THIS ISSUE - Prepared Exclusively for YOU

Message from Marian: Screw it and Just do it! Events: [WEBCAST] "Spark Imperfect Action, Fall on Your Butt and Laugh About It" Featured Article: "How An Integrated Comment Strategy Makes You More Attractive to Follow on Twitter" Recommended Resources: Resources That Help You Share Your Message About Marian Please add "Marian at SparkActionNow dot com" to your whitelist or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!

September 4, 2009  Volume 1, Issue 7 Published twice monthly.  You're on our list because you signed up for one of our programs or updates to the blog.    To change your subscription, see the link at the end of the email. Sign Me Up for this eZine!

  

 

Engage with Me Online:

http://twitter.com/mariansparks

http://facebook.com/mariansparks

by Marian Sparks!

Want people to get to know you better?  Provide more value when you share your experiences, knowledge and opinions on the topics that matter to THEM.  One way to do that is to integrate your comments to the twittersation.  So before you (re)tweet that interesting blog post, do this first:

You'll be surprised by the number of people who see a tweet-worthy headline and simply pass it on by affixing "RT" in front it.  Or they simply forward it because a "popular" person sent it out. Read the headline, then click on the link to assess whether YOU think the content is relevant and valuable to your community.

Some blog posts don't move you to comment on them directly.  For example, a list of "50 Ways to X" may be useful to you.  But leaving behind a "thanks for the post" comment isn't  insightful or valuable to others.  However, in your retweet (or RT) you can add, "gotta do #12 & #35".  It gets readers curious. When they click the link, they will mentally agree or disagree with you. And if it's tweet-worthy, they'll pass along the information to their followers.  But great conversationalists do more.  They respond to you directly about your comment which enhances the conversation and your relationship.

For opinion pieces, see if there is a point that the author makes that truly resonates with you.  Share your direct experience (stories are wonderful here) or suggest an alternative point of view. The point is to leave a comment that adds value to the community, so that when read, gives people a better view of who you are as a person.

If the original article came to you from someone on Twitter, then use the same link as part of your retweet (RT).  It's the courteous thing to do.  Otherwise, use a URL shortener like http://bit.ly to share the blog post with your Twitter community.  Remember, you just posted your insightful comment.  So when you tweet your link, refer to the fact that you've made a comment. Interested reader will be curious about what you said.  And your comment gives them more information about who you are as a person.

You've left an insightful value-added comment on the blog.  You've included your Twitter ID so that others can engage you further. You've shortened the link (or the original) to get to the article.  Now you simply bring attention to your contribution when you (re)tweet the article.  

Commenting on blog posts first, then sharing the link on Twitter does require an investment of time.  An integrated comment strategy could mean the difference in generating mindful conversations and connections with people. 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Marian sparks strategic action that moves busy solopreneurs, independent professionals and small business owners from where they are to where they desire to grow their eBusiness. If you’re ready to jump-start your success, get your FREE tips, tools and recommendations now at http://sparkactionnow.com

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Marian's Spark Action Now blog.

DID SOMEONE SHARE THIS EZINE WITH YOU?  LIKE WHAT YOU'VE READ?
Sign up to get future issues delivered straight to YOUR inbox:

Sign up here!

One more thing…
I'd be grateful if you share this issue with a friend or colleague.  You see, I'm so happy to have you as an eZine reader, that I'd love to connect directly with more people just like you.  And since I want to keep you all to myself, I'll never share your email address with anyone including the people you refer to me!  You always have the power to unsubscribe at any time (and so will your referred friends!)

The resources below are select services and products that I use so I know they work. Please check them out.  Learn more about how they can benefit you as you design your business around your strengths and services.  I'm just an email or Tweet away for any follow on questions that you may have.

Conducting teleseminars is a cost effective way to deliver your services, build relationships with your market and leverage your time to serve more people in a one-hour period.  Alex Mandossian is the best when it comes to teaching you time-tested strategies to make teleseminars a profit center. Now you can access 4+ hours of what is normally an 8-week teleseminar training course. You'll have instant access to the audio and written transripts filled with actionable tips to expand your business now.  Go here to save $79.

I prefer listening to conference calls and teleseminars through my computer and with head phones.  And what's wonderful about this service is that about 60% of attendees choose the webcast option versus the phone line -- this makes it affordable for colleagues in the UK (and elsewhere) to join at the cost of what they would normally pay for Internet access.  The question feature makes it simple to capture what's on your audience's mind before, during and after the call.  Give it a whirl with the 21-day trial.  But only when you're ready. You want to get the most out of your $1! Get details here.

One tool I simply can't live without is Roboform!  I have 250+ online accounts (yes, I counted) and it's challenging to manage and track all my usernames and passwords by myself. Sound familiar?  If you find yourself clicking the "forgot password" link on websites, then check out Roboform.  You can generate secure, "strong" passwords and auto-fill forms with a click of a mouse.  Download Roboform for free. 

This is the service I use to create and deliver the Spark Online Success eZine, blog updates and automated email.  I read their email marketing tips 6 months before I finally decided move my business to their service.  What made me finally decide to give them my business was the ability to send my blog feed by email, post my emails to a web archive and send a tweet to twitter with one-click. Learn more.

Marian Hodges MBA (aka MarianSparks!) is a MIT-trained MBA, business strategist, and success mentor. She works with business leaders and service-focused business owners seeking to achieve their optimum revenue and cost savings, but struggling with the best strategy to get things going and get things done.

A former educator, Fortune 50 executive and now entrepreneur, Marian combines her passion for making an impact and harnessing the Internet to build connections, collaborate and serve clients. Her philosophy: It’s Your livelihood. Your lifestyle. Your legacy. Experience it now!   

An American born and raised in the Philippines and Japan, Marian acquired a unique perspective for sparking change and making an impact. What gets her excited?  Exchanging ideas and collaborating on how to make an impact, build a legacy, while enjoying as many laughs as possible along the way! Because doing well while doing good in business is supposed to be fun!

Sign up for the Spark Online Success eZine to learn about my latest projects and  programs underway.

For a wealth of action strategies to jump start your success, browse Spark Action Now and sign up for blog updates by email.  You'll receive a complimentary subscription to my Spark Online Success eZine published twice a month.

For more frequent updates or to simply connect with me live, follow me on Twitter.