Stamping Is My Business!

My Birthday Message To You

Today is my 40th birthday, and, as people who approach a milestone birthday tend to do, I've been doing a little reflecting on my life.  Where I am... where I want to be.  What I've accomplished... what I'd still like to accomplish.

One thing I didn't need to reflect on, though... what I've always known... is how lucky I am to have the opportunity to work with all of you.  I take great pride and pleasure in playing whatever small role I have in helping you all build your businesses.  YOU inspire me every day, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you.

Enjoy your weekend!

How Important Is Yahoo Now?

With the annoucement Tuesday that Microsoft's Bing service will be providing the algorithm for all Yahoo searches for the next 10 years, how important does Yahoo now become to your business?

Well, the jury is still out, but some industry experts believe the Bing/Yahoo! partnership could now account for 30-35% of all internet searches.  If numbers like that are true, it definitely puts Yahoo back in the search game against Google.

In other words, how you show up in Yahoo searches can impact up to 1/3 of the customers who find you through organic search.  Something to be mindful of, to be sure.

Twitter Is Doing Pretty Good, Too!

Yesterday, I told you about Facebook's continued growth.  Well, Twitter is posting some impressive numbers, as well.  According to ComScore, in June, Twitter surpassed 20 million visitors for the first time.  This is up 14% from the month before and an astonishing 3000% from one year ago!

When you look at this on a percentage basis, Twitter's growth is even bigger than Facebook's!

Are you following Stamping Is My Business on Twitter yet?  If not, go to http://twitter.com/stampingismybiz and click the 'Follow' button.

Facebook's Numbers Continue to Astound

Facebook continues its march toward world domination.  ComScore recently released Facebook's June numbers and they are impressive:

• 77 million U.S. visitors

• Up 10% in the last month!

It's hard to tell when these numbers are going to level off, but if Canada is any indication, we may still have a way to go.  Recent figures indicated that 1 out of every 3 Canadians is on Facebook!

Are you following Stamping Is My Business on Facebook yet?  If not, go to www.facebook.com/stampingismybusiness and click the 'Become A Fan' button.

Quote of the Week

"It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste time."

- Henry Ford

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

I was reminded this weekend that inspiration comes in many forms, large and small. 

First, the large...

Here in Lake Placid, NY, today was the day of the annual Ironman Triathlon.  Thousands of the world's best triathletes gather to swim 2 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.  The top finishers receive an invitation to compete in the premier triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, but its the non-elites who inspire me.

These are the people who find time between their jobs, families and every other obligation to complete their training, which, as you can imagine, is intense.  It takes enormous dedication to your goal, as well as incredible time-management skills and discipline.  For me, watching those athletes cross the finish line (as much as 18-hours after they started) is truly amazing.

And, the small...

I'm happy to report my two-year old son climbed his first mountain this weekend.  No help from the baby backpack.  Just some occasional hand-holding from Dad.  We were slow, but we were successful.  And he didn't complain once! 

And if he can take his little legs up a mountain without a word of protest, it really puts the things I complain about into perspective.

Where do you find YOUR inspiration?  Let us know by leaving a comment below.

PERSONAL FINANCE SATURDAY - "Cash for Clunkers" Program Starts Today

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Facebook Update - You Can Now Change Your Username

For those of you who accidentally changed your Facebook personal account username to your business name (rather than changing the URL of your Fan Page), Facebook now gives you the opportunity to change your personal username ONCE.  You can do this by going to Account Settings, Username.

Having said that, I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUSINESS NAME YOU RELEASE WILL THEN BECOME AVAILABLE AGAIN.  As soon as I get an answer to this question, I'll let you know.

In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know this option now exists.

How Jeff Bezos Runs Amazon.com

Amazon.com annouced yesterday it was acquiring Zappos.com, the online shoe retailer, for approximately $850 million.

In the video below, Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, discusses the acquisition.  What makes this video really intersting, though, is his discussion of Amazon's origins and best business practices.

How To Deal With A Setback In Your Business

Business does NOT run smoothly.  If it did, everyone would have their own business!

Day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, running your business can feel like a roller coaster ride of ups and downs... and ups... and downs.

So, how do you handle a bump in the road?  Marla Tabaka, of Inc. Magazine, offers the following suggestions:

• Remember to breath

• Remove yourself from the problem

• Ask yourself - "What has really changed?"

• Go for a walk or workout

• Spend time with a child or pet

• Go back to your plan

To read the full article, click here.

And if you're looking for some help with things like your business plan, please see the post below for more information on openings in our Small Group and 1-on-1 Coaching programs.

New Calls Start Next Week - SIMB Group and 1-on-1 Coaching Openings for August

In 2008-2009, SIMB Group and 1-on-1 Coaching clients achieved the following:

 - 53% of them made Cruise
 - Their sales INCREASED an average of 27% over 2007-2008
 - Their recruiting was UP an average of 36% over 2007-2008
 - The size of their downline GREW an average of 22%
 - Their profit was UP an average of 21% over 2007-2008
 - And, when you add Business Stampers Coaching Group Members, approximately 1 OUT OF EVERY 4 Cruise Achievers is a SIMB Client!

If you'd like to achieve similar gains in the new year, and you'd like someone on your team, independently working for YOU... helping you to achieve YOUR goals - whatever they are - then I would like to invite you to step into Group or 1-on-1 Coaching.

We have the following openings beginning in August (some calls begin next week):

GROUP COACHING

:

- Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Eastern - 2 spaces available
- Wednesday evenings at 10:00 p.m. Eastern - 1 space available
- Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Eastern - 2 spaces available
- Thursday evenings at 10:00 p.m. Eastern - CLOSED

To learn more, or sign up for Group Coaching, you can go to http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/GroupCoaching.htm

1-ON-1 COACHING:

We have just TWO openings available for a BI-WEEKLY 1-on-1 Coaching client. If you'd like to be in one of those spots, please e-mail me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Anyone who e-mails me after the space is filled will be placed on a Waiting List.

To learn more, or sign up for 1-on-1 Coaching, you can go to http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/OneOnOne.htm


The Groups meet via conference call once per week. On the call, each member has time to talk about their personal business and receive personal coaching from me, as well as helpful guidance from the other Group members. Following that, I then cover our topic of the month.

1-on-1 Coaching is a more intense Coaching model. It's for those stamping professionals who would like to see speedier progress, or feel like they would benefit more from the individual format.

All openings are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once a slot if full, I will start a waiting list for future openings.

To learn more, or sign up for Group Coaching, you can go to http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/GroupCoaching.htm

To learn more, or sign up for 1-on-1 Coaching, you can go to http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/OneOnOne.htm

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Quote of the Week

"You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance."

 - Lee Iacocca - Famous American Business Leader

Getting the Results You Want - The Stamping Is My Business! July Newsletter

 

The Stamping Is My Business! July Newsletter is here. This month's issue features:

• I Need My Stamping Business To Generate Some Revenue FAST!  How Can I Make That Happen?

•  The Numbers Are In!  SIMB Coaching Clients Had Another GREAT Year & OUTPERFORMED Company Averages!

•  Is It Time To Make Changes In Your Business?

•  Kick-start the New Year with The 12-Month Business Success Program!

•  The Power of Writing Down Your Goals

•  Did You Miss Our Free Call, “How To Make Next Year Your Best Year Ever!”?  Here’s Your Chance to Listen To It

•  Book of the Month

In case you’re not on my mailing list, or you didn’t receive the e-mail, here’s the link:  http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/newsletter071509.htm

 

And if you’re NOT on my mailing list, you can add yourself by visiting: http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/subscribe.htm

The Numbers Are In! SIMB Clients Had Another GREAT Year! Outperformed Company Averages!

Congratulations to my SIMB Group and One-on-One Coaching clients!  I'm happy to report their numbers simply blew away industry and company-wide averages for 2008-2009!

 

2008-2009 Results for Group & 1-on-1 Coaching Clients      - 53% of them made Cruise    - Their sales increased an average of 27% over 2007-2008    - Their recruiting was up an average of 36% over 2007-2008    - The size of their downline grew an average of 22%    - Their profit was up an average of 21% over 2007-2008    - And, when you add Business Stampers Coaching Group Members, approximately 1 out of every 4 Cruise Achievers is a SIMB Client!

 The bottom line is this:

At a time when many stamping business owners are struggling... when the stamping companies themselves are struggling... SIMB Clients are running thriving businesses! 

 

The independent Coaching that Stamping Is My Business provides gives stamping business owners the information and motivation they need to maximize their productivity and profitability, regardless of the economy.

 

Congratulations to all of my clients on their success!  You all deserve it and more, and I couldn't be more proud to work with you! 

 

If you'd like to step it up in 2009-2010, click on the links below to see the different Coaching options offered:

• To learn more about 1-on-1 Coaching, click here.

• To learn more about Small Group Coaching, click here.

• To learn more about becoming a member of the Business Stampers Coaching Group, click here.

And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

Facebook Is Worth More Than CBS!

According to the New York Times and Mashable.com, Facebook is allowing its employees to sell shares at a valuation of $6.5 billion.

In layman's terms, that means Facebook is worth more than CBS!

Why is Facebook's value so high?  In part, because it's being used by so many people.  More than 1 out of every 4 adults in the United States is on Facebook!  Think about that... can you think of anything else that 1 out of every 4 adults participates in?  Probably not.

So, the question for you is... is your business on Facebook yet?  And if not, why not?