Although I have yet to add the shopping cart, I am proud to announce my new website; Affiliate Marketing 101 Today I will be offering e-courses on how to begin affiliate marketing, Squidoo, Niche ideas and other options. Take a look and let me know what you think! Of course, Grandmas online will ALWAYS get first view and crack at new products and services (shhh...and get a discount!)
More tomorrow!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Life ain't always a picnic!
Isn't it kind of funny the way most adults try to put on their best face when online? I know I do, even though there are times I am reading twitter updates and thinking things like "Oh sure, but I think your a putz!" Does that seem mean? Honestly, I think we all have those thoughts. No, I don't actually type that back to people, but sometimes I think it. It is my opinion that especially older people (not OLD, just older) do that a lot when dealing with younger people online. I'm not a mean person, but like most Grands, I've been through a lot and hey, I'm entitled to my not so great moods. So are you! While some Grands throw it all out there, good, bad and ugly, I think a lot of us hold things in (or talk out loud, which is perfectly acceptable for anyone over 40!)
Grandmas are often dealing with trying to earn a living, we STILL have issues with our kids, many of us are raising our Grandkids and life just ain't always a picnic. That's before I even mention menopause! It's okay to have moods and to not always be in the pink. Just try to remember that the impression you leave online lasts a long time. Say whatever you want to out loud or to your dog, or even to your computer screen, but try to keep it civil online especially if you are trying to gain friends or employment! Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to break out my M&M stash, watch crime shows and wait out this hot flash! :)
Grandmas are often dealing with trying to earn a living, we STILL have issues with our kids, many of us are raising our Grandkids and life just ain't always a picnic. That's before I even mention menopause! It's okay to have moods and to not always be in the pink. Just try to remember that the impression you leave online lasts a long time. Say whatever you want to out loud or to your dog, or even to your computer screen, but try to keep it civil online especially if you are trying to gain friends or employment! Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to break out my M&M stash, watch crime shows and wait out this hot flash! :)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Get a website that's easy and (almost) FREE!
I wasn't sure if this would work, but sure enough, it did! Up front I'll tell you that it will cost $1.99 for a .info domain name and NOTHING for your hosting! Here's what you do: go to Synthasite and register for free. When they ask, click that you want to buy the domain name somewhere else. It will give you an IP address for a "Point to". Write that down. Once you do that go to www.GoDaddy.com and get yourself a $1.99 .info domain name. (You can also get .com domains for $7-$10 but, I'm cheap!) They will offer you a lot of other things like hosting and such, but if you want to save money, refuse offers and just get your domain name. Go back to Synthasite and use easy templates to build your website on Synthasite. (Trust me, I am a techno-tard and I did it! It's not completed yet but you can see that it works by going to www.granmasonline.info. (yes, it's misspelled, but I was in a hurry to see if it worked! That's GRANMASONLINE.info) I paid, after taxes, $2.14! It doesn't look like much now...but it's MY SITE! If you have any problems, just email me and I'll help, but you shouldn't have any problem at all, like I said, I did it and I get frustrated very easily if I don't understand something easily! Go ahead, give it a try!
Twitter me this...
I was checking in and out of twitter last night as I worked on my articles and I noticed in that time that two separate people had asked about outsourcing jobs to other countries such as the Philippines. I wondered why they would do that, so I asked. The answer was that a lot of mundane jobs such as small writing jobs and social marketing blurbs were often outsourced to other countries because people in the US just don't want to do them. Poppycock! I know a good many Grandmothers who would like the extra money! I'm not suggesting that we work for sub-standard wages but a few pennies here and there may interest some WAHGs, right? Well, more on this as I find out about it, but please leave me comments on whether you might enjoy getting work tossed your way in the future. More later!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Focus
Have you ever noticed how many pretty, shiny things there are on the internet? I have! I will get this brilliant idea for a project or a lens (Article) and start searching the net for information about it. That is normally where my entire plan goes awry. For instance, I wanted to do another lens on the Paranormal. I started to do some investigating and found a site that led me to a forum. On the forum, they were talking about websites and moving traffic from blogs to websites and the reverse. Wow! Then I started thinking about websites and where I should buy the domain names and who should host them...and completely lost focus on my lens that I initially went digging for information on! Oh, if my thought process only had stop signs and road maps, I'd be set. But it doesn't, so I have learned and am still learning to FOCUS.
I think many of us do that. We have busy lives and are often even helping to raise our Grand children. We try to make money online (and it CAN be done, I do it.) There is so very much information out there that we get pulled away from our initial objectives. It takes a lot of practice but we can become more focused. Since I often have several projects going at once, I now carry a notebook with me and as thoughts occur to me I write them down. I picked 2 projects, or themes that mattered most to me. Those themes were being a WAHG (work at home Grandma) and Saving money. When I am online, I try to spot things that pertain to these two things and follow up on them. If my main priorities are taken care of for the day, I move on to my other interests.
Especially if you want to make money online, focus is extremely important. Pick two things that you want to focus on. Don't make them general such as "I want to make money." Well, of course you do, and the best way to do it is through doing something you love. For me, it's writing. I'll give you a tip; Online exposure normally involves several avenues. One is blogging. If you can type, you can blog. Start blogging about something you love. Another avenue is Squidoo. If you don't know about Squidoo, it is a site where you can create web-pages and be very creative while doing it! In fact, if you don't know what your "niche" is going to be, start with Squidoo before you begin blogging. Join Squidoo- It's fast, fun and free! Create a lens on something you love...anything, just start creating! You can always change the lens in any way you want. Soon you will discover that there are certain things you love writing about more than others. Just start with that for now and we'll go more into it later. Find your focus, that is the message here. It is the beginning of learning to make money online.
I think many of us do that. We have busy lives and are often even helping to raise our Grand children. We try to make money online (and it CAN be done, I do it.) There is so very much information out there that we get pulled away from our initial objectives. It takes a lot of practice but we can become more focused. Since I often have several projects going at once, I now carry a notebook with me and as thoughts occur to me I write them down. I picked 2 projects, or themes that mattered most to me. Those themes were being a WAHG (work at home Grandma) and Saving money. When I am online, I try to spot things that pertain to these two things and follow up on them. If my main priorities are taken care of for the day, I move on to my other interests.
Especially if you want to make money online, focus is extremely important. Pick two things that you want to focus on. Don't make them general such as "I want to make money." Well, of course you do, and the best way to do it is through doing something you love. For me, it's writing. I'll give you a tip; Online exposure normally involves several avenues. One is blogging. If you can type, you can blog. Start blogging about something you love. Another avenue is Squidoo. If you don't know about Squidoo, it is a site where you can create web-pages and be very creative while doing it! In fact, if you don't know what your "niche" is going to be, start with Squidoo before you begin blogging. Join Squidoo- It's fast, fun and free! Create a lens on something you love...anything, just start creating! You can always change the lens in any way you want. Soon you will discover that there are certain things you love writing about more than others. Just start with that for now and we'll go more into it later. Find your focus, that is the message here. It is the beginning of learning to make money online.
A little about your Grandma Host here.
I have an extensive online presence and have learned more than one or two things about
~Writing
~HTML
~Blogging
~Squidoo-ing
~Social Media
~Marketing
Now, take a look at that list above and that will also be the answers to "what I need to learn more about!" I love to learn and maybe I'm just too hard on myself, but...that's just how I roll!
About being a Grandma; I have two of the most gorgeous, sweet and talented Grandchildren God ever put on this earth! Sound familiar? I'll bet it does. It's probably the same thing you think about your own Grandchildren. Well, I am pretty proud of my little 2 year old Grand-daughter, Loveyah and her 7 month old brother, Jeffy (Jeffery Lee III.) They live here with me and I am helping to raise them. Their Mother also lives here (My daughter.) While I absolutely LOVE my grand children, it also gets difficult with them living here because hey, let's face it, I did my Momma gig and I'm older now...I want a little peace! So, I spend a lot of time in my room writing, blogging, Social marketing and trying to make a living being a content writer. When I do leave my room, my little Lovie ALWAYS makes a bee-line for her "gramma!" She thinks I am SO cool, and I love that! Jeffy always gives me his sweetest smile when he sees me and holds out his arms. How can I resist. After all, I am a Grandma!
So my two worlds come together here. From being a member of Squidoo I know that there are a LOT of Grandmas that are online. Some are very internet savvy and others not so much. If you run across something you need clarification on, just speak up and I'll be glad to clear it up for you or send you in the right direction anyway! Grandmas UNITE! :)
So, I'll share a little of this and a little of that. I'll share things that other Grandma's might want to know as well as things that Grandmas who work online may want to know. Ohh, and my hobbies? Hmmm, crocheting, the Paranormal, Forensic science (and shows) and spoiling my grand kids! One more thing you may need to know is that I am deaf. I try to put videos on my blogs and lenses, but of course, I cannot hear them, only see them and check into them a bit. If I ever have a video up that is questionable PLEASE tell me! lol. Otherwise, I may never know.
~Writing
~HTML
~Blogging
~Squidoo-ing
~Social Media
~Marketing
Now, take a look at that list above and that will also be the answers to "what I need to learn more about!" I love to learn and maybe I'm just too hard on myself, but...that's just how I roll!
About being a Grandma; I have two of the most gorgeous, sweet and talented Grandchildren God ever put on this earth! Sound familiar? I'll bet it does. It's probably the same thing you think about your own Grandchildren. Well, I am pretty proud of my little 2 year old Grand-daughter, Loveyah and her 7 month old brother, Jeffy (Jeffery Lee III.) They live here with me and I am helping to raise them. Their Mother also lives here (My daughter.) While I absolutely LOVE my grand children, it also gets difficult with them living here because hey, let's face it, I did my Momma gig and I'm older now...I want a little peace! So, I spend a lot of time in my room writing, blogging, Social marketing and trying to make a living being a content writer. When I do leave my room, my little Lovie ALWAYS makes a bee-line for her "gramma!" She thinks I am SO cool, and I love that! Jeffy always gives me his sweetest smile when he sees me and holds out his arms. How can I resist. After all, I am a Grandma!
So my two worlds come together here. From being a member of Squidoo I know that there are a LOT of Grandmas that are online. Some are very internet savvy and others not so much. If you run across something you need clarification on, just speak up and I'll be glad to clear it up for you or send you in the right direction anyway! Grandmas UNITE! :)
So, I'll share a little of this and a little of that. I'll share things that other Grandma's might want to know as well as things that Grandmas who work online may want to know. Ohh, and my hobbies? Hmmm, crocheting, the Paranormal, Forensic science (and shows) and spoiling my grand kids! One more thing you may need to know is that I am deaf. I try to put videos on my blogs and lenses, but of course, I cannot hear them, only see them and check into them a bit. If I ever have a video up that is questionable PLEASE tell me! lol. Otherwise, I may never know.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Goal Setting
I wanted to get the first post up so that after Christmas everyone could start thinking about their goals for 2009. Goals will be one of the main categories of the blog. Hope you enjoy!
Five Myths and Realities about Setting Goals
To some, goal setting may seem like an urban legend. Only nerdy people write things down that they’d like to achieve. Goal setting is a powerful and effective tool to get what you want out of life no matter what type of person you are.
Here are some of the more common myths and their truths when it comes to the issue of goal setting.
Myth #1: Goals do not have to be written down to be effective.
Reality: Goals can be as fleeting as our breath on a cold morning if we don’t make them permanent. Writing them down gives them weight in our life. It is something that we want to do and will do with the right planning. Starting a business is a worthy goal, but no successful business would work if all of their plans were left to the ether and not to the paper.
Myth #2: Long term goals are too hard to achieve.
Reality: Long term goals require a series of steps to achieve. The things that make a long term goal manageable are the small goals we meet along the way. A person who wants to totally wipe out their $50,000 worth of debt will not do it in one fell swoop. It takes time and that time can be broken down into steps. For instance, creating a five-year plan with each year wiping out $10,000 in debt, versus waiting until the entire amount has been saved.
Myth #3: Goals are achieved faster when we work alone.
Reality: A support system is not only encouraged, but necessary for achieving goals. Take weight loss for instance. People trying to lose weight are more successful when they have a friend or family member to hold them accountable with them than someone who goes it alone. Without support, setbacks can be permanent and obstacles can seem insurmountable.
Myth #4: Goals are not meant to be altered in any shape or form.
Reality: It is wise to review your goals every few months. Maybe something in your life has changed and the goal needs to be amended in order to continue. Life happens and rigid goals can lead to failure. The path we map out for a goal can require an alternate route at times but all roads are leading to the same destination; to our ultimate goal.
Myth #5: Goals can only be started at the beginning of the year.
Reality: We have all fallen into that New Year’s resolution trap. If we don’t get going on the first day of the year, all hope is lost. If that were the case, there have been a lot of broken dreams and unhappy people. Goals can begin today. All it takes is an idea and the willingness to create a plan for achievement.
No matter what misconceptions you might have heard in the past, toss all preconceived notions out the window right now. Begin goal setting with a clean slate and see how much more you can accomplish.
A friend of mine has a great e-book called "Banish the Blahs" and along with it, you can download the "10 x10 Workbook" which can help you set goals for 10 things you want to accomplish by 2010! You can check it out at her Banish the Blahs Site.
Five Myths and Realities about Setting Goals
To some, goal setting may seem like an urban legend. Only nerdy people write things down that they’d like to achieve. Goal setting is a powerful and effective tool to get what you want out of life no matter what type of person you are.
Here are some of the more common myths and their truths when it comes to the issue of goal setting.
Myth #1: Goals do not have to be written down to be effective.
Reality: Goals can be as fleeting as our breath on a cold morning if we don’t make them permanent. Writing them down gives them weight in our life. It is something that we want to do and will do with the right planning. Starting a business is a worthy goal, but no successful business would work if all of their plans were left to the ether and not to the paper.
Myth #2: Long term goals are too hard to achieve.
Reality: Long term goals require a series of steps to achieve. The things that make a long term goal manageable are the small goals we meet along the way. A person who wants to totally wipe out their $50,000 worth of debt will not do it in one fell swoop. It takes time and that time can be broken down into steps. For instance, creating a five-year plan with each year wiping out $10,000 in debt, versus waiting until the entire amount has been saved.
Myth #3: Goals are achieved faster when we work alone.
Reality: A support system is not only encouraged, but necessary for achieving goals. Take weight loss for instance. People trying to lose weight are more successful when they have a friend or family member to hold them accountable with them than someone who goes it alone. Without support, setbacks can be permanent and obstacles can seem insurmountable.
Myth #4: Goals are not meant to be altered in any shape or form.
Reality: It is wise to review your goals every few months. Maybe something in your life has changed and the goal needs to be amended in order to continue. Life happens and rigid goals can lead to failure. The path we map out for a goal can require an alternate route at times but all roads are leading to the same destination; to our ultimate goal.
Myth #5: Goals can only be started at the beginning of the year.
Reality: We have all fallen into that New Year’s resolution trap. If we don’t get going on the first day of the year, all hope is lost. If that were the case, there have been a lot of broken dreams and unhappy people. Goals can begin today. All it takes is an idea and the willingness to create a plan for achievement.
No matter what misconceptions you might have heard in the past, toss all preconceived notions out the window right now. Begin goal setting with a clean slate and see how much more you can accomplish.
A friend of mine has a great e-book called "Banish the Blahs" and along with it, you can download the "10 x10 Workbook" which can help you set goals for 10 things you want to accomplish by 2010! You can check it out at her Banish the Blahs Site.
Go Grandma Go
With so many Grandmas going online, participating online and making money online, I decided it was time to have a blog dedicated to helping. I'm a Grandma too and I see many sites and blogs dedicated to WAHM's but nothing for WAHG! (Work at home Grandma's) So that is how "GO" (Grandmas online) came into being. The objective of this blog is to offer support, helpful information and articles pertaining to things Grandmas Online can appreciate. I will also be putting in humor because that is just who I am.
So come on in, grab a cup of hot coffee, have a couple of cookies, relax and let's get started. Also, feel free to join my newsletters, they will have a lot of information too. Thanks for stopping by!
So come on in, grab a cup of hot coffee, have a couple of cookies, relax and let's get started. Also, feel free to join my newsletters, they will have a lot of information too. Thanks for stopping by!
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