Annie Anderson | Blog

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We’re finally experiencing some summer here in Seattle. Actually, we’ve had nice weather for about a week and a half . . . but, you never know how long it’s going to last so I didn’t want to shout HOORAY!! too soon. I think it’s safe to mention it now, though.

This past weekend was a bit too hot for me - in the 90’s. Thank goodness it doesn’t happen often or regularly in this neck of the woods. Today it’s a respectable 68 with a high of 73 expected. That’s about perfect for me.

Anyway, lots of things happening lately and lots more coming so I wanted to drop by and let you know what to expect over the next several weeks on this blog. For starters, I’ve got some posts on various writing topics coming up as well as some basics on such things as business plans, marketing ideas, and other strategies.

I also want to announce that I’ll be updating my real estate book soon and the 2nd edition should be ready on Amazon.com by September (I hope). It usually take about 3 weeks from the final publishing phase before it’s available through the distributor and thus listed on Amazon. I’ll let you know when as soon as possible.

There will also be some web-related stuff available that you’ll get access to through the book. I’ll tell you more about that as well, as publication gets closer.

So, if you’re a writer or into real estate investing or know someone who is, keep an eye out here for updates. I’ll also be including some new free ebooks and other stuff. Oh - and Friday is, of course, Independence Day here in the US and I’ll be making some desktop backgrounds and other graphics for the occasion. When they’re ready, I’ll post them here for you to download free.

I have more but don’t want to overwhelm you so I’ll keep it short for now. And besides - the kids are outside playing in the sprinkler and I’ve got to go help my husband finish building the new gates for our driveway. Should be fun!

In the arena,

By the way - if this is your first time here, or you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to the RSS feed. You can get in any reader you wish.

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Today I’m going to talk about a project currently underway for my husband. Now, this topic might not excite you but please don’t discount the value of what I’ll be sharing here for that reason. You may just find a couple of things that could be modified to fit your business.

Last week I mentioned a new website called Northwest Stone Guide that I’m creating on behalf of my husband. Well, this project has now morphed into the main project plus a secondary project on Landscaping so I thought I’d share the process I’m using to get everything in place.

I find it’s helpful to organize things right from the beginning so each piece can be kept on track from day one. After discussing exactly what my husband had in mind, we brainstormed business names and corresponding domain name ideas. Neither of us liked the same thing so we took my husband’s favorite and my favorite and mashed them together to come up with Northwest Stone Guide. I then purchased northweststoneguide.com, uploaded WordPress and the Launchpad theme so the site would be live (and not an advert site for my hosting company or a blank page), added a FeedBurner feed to the theme, then set to work on the next phase.

Over the course of the last week, I did some minor research for local things we could include as well as information, photos and other materials that will ultimately make the site we envision.

Next steps include:

• Contacting local businesses. I’ll asking them if they’d like to be included in our directory. There will be headings for Builders, Stone Wholesalers, Granite Fabricators, Tile Craftsmen, Architects, Interior Designers, Landscapers and probably other categories as well.
• Writing content. Since the site will be an informational site about all things relating to stone (granite, marble, travertine, slate, etc), we plan to include info on each of the common types including where it comes from, how it’s processed, what the major uses are (countertops, flooring, etc) and other info that people often ask when they’re considering using these materials in their homes.
• Newsletters and mailing lists. I’m not entirely sure, but I think we may offer a couple of newsletters and mailing lists. Some will be targeted to the service providers who will use the site and others to homeowners and other people who come looking for recommendations and such.
• Monetization. Right now, the idea is to monetize using Google Adsense and that type of thing. However, I am also toying with the idea of paid adverts as well. This way, businesses will get more exposure and allow their companies to be featured on the main page as well as in their category listings. And I’m thinking of having both a free and a paid directory. The free directory will simply list the company website and contact info. And the paid directory will allow the company to have a larger listing although I’m not sure what all info will be included. That part is still in development.
• Miscellaneous. We are tentatively planning to create a short ebook of some kind that will be free to download. This will be aimed at homeowners who are looking for more info about using stone either in new homes they may be building or remodels of their current homes. It’ll include info on how to pick the right contractors and fabricators as well.

Once all of that stuff is figured out and configured on the site, I’ll make it live. Actually, I’m planning to make it live as soon as I have contacted enough local businesses and written enough articles to make the content worthwhile to people who might find the site. At that time, I’ll also start advertising it and of course, any business that has agreed to a listing will get some promo stuff they can pass on to their clients. I’m hoping to have the website live by mid-April, sooner if at all possible.

If you’re in the Seattle area, check the site out. All that is there right now is a placeholder with an RSS feed subscription or email subscription. Go ahead and sign up so you’ll get updates as soon as things are announced.

For a more complete list of projects, see the post from March 10, 2008 “Exciting Things Ahead.”

Design is the topic for tomorrow! See you then!

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This week, you’ll notice a lot of stuff happening. My husband is home on vacation for the next 9 days (doing some remodeling in our house and keeping the kids occupied) so I’m busy, busy, busy! I have tons of ideas on the table, many of which are being put into action as we speak. I intend that by Friday, much of what I’ve been working on the past few months will be live. Yay!

This is so exciting!

Projects on the table:

NW Stone Guide - this is a new project my husband is the mastermind of. He works for a granite and tile wholesale place and has been working in this industry for quite a few years now so he has a lot of knowledge in the stone market that he wants to share with others. NW Stone Guide will have local resources including stone fabricators, import warehouses, builders and remodelers, and info on all things stone. It will not only be for homeowners looking for info, but we also hope to make it *THE* portal for all facets of the industry. All that’s there right now (that viewers can see, anyway) is a nice little subscription form you can fill out to get updates so that once the site is live, you can have a look. You can subscribe via RSS or email.

The Write Point - my original writing and design project. It used to be a site for all of my writing and design endeavors but it’s now primarily a blog on writing - including fiction and non-fiction tips, writing how-to, editing, publishing and everything else. The site is in redesign right now as I add new stuff but it is live and you can check it out. Subscribe to the RSS feed for updates.

Weight Loss Papers - a new-ish site dedicated to my pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. It’s about weight loss, healthy eating, balance and just living life in the best way I possibly can. The tag line is “A Journey in Lifestyle Creation” - which really explains it all. I hope you’ll visit and come back to it often. My plan is to update at least 3 times or more per week about what I’m learning about all things health, etc. Ultimately I plan to have some recipes, articles on exercise, and other topics of interest. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed over there as well.

ASAmedia Group - where my writing and design business is now located. This is the actual business side of things. It is live but not everything is there yet. This is the project I’ll be pushing hard this week. Right now, you can see the *copywriting* section when you visit the homepage but the *design* link will take you nowhere. At least for now. I’m opening my business up for writing clients so if you are thinking of hiring a writer for any of YOUR projects, please check it out. This is the first time I’ve opened up my business to new clients in 2 years. So, if you might want to work with me, you should seriously jump on it right away. Just go fill out the form on the bottom of the Copywriting page and I’ll get in touch with you as quickly as I can.

So . . . As you can see, lots of stuff going on! The office door is closed, radio is cranked up and the To Do list is dwindling!

See you again soon!

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Chris Brogan, who blogs on commercial and social media topics, recently asked his readers to share his blog with others on his “Subscription Drive” post.

I’ve been reading Chris’ blog for about 8 months or so and usually find great topics that are helpful in a variety of ways. If you use the web for marketing, business, or any kind of social media, I encourage you to check it out.

~ Annie

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James Brausch, a successful internet entrepreneur, publishes a monthly print newsletter called “Testing” and the March issue comes out Monday. He recently explained on his blog that one page on one of his websites has made him $1,460 a day for the past 10 days (which works out to $532,900 a year!!) and all of the details are coming out in the newest issue of “Testing.”

I can’t wait to read it! James is giving away a free copy of the issue to anyone who follows some simple directions as outlined it his newest post - Anyone Want a Free Copy of Testing?

Once it comes out and I’ve had a chance to read it (hopefully by Tuesday), I will post a review of it right here. I’ll let you know what I think of the methods outlined in “Testing” and how I plan to implement it into my own business.

I encourage you to check out James’ blog. It’s loaded with excellent resources and information. You’ll find it here - http://www.jamesbrausch.org/anyone-want-a-free-copy-of-testing/

~ Annie

PS - James, click on my name for my email address.

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Jay Conrad Levinson, the marketing mind
responsible for the Marlboro Man, and author of
the best selling marketing book series of all
time will be answering your questions

You can get the details to listen live tonight at
www.FeBeNe.com/jayspeaks.php?rid=117

and also…you be able to submit your questions
for the training…and get the Guerrilla Balance
Sheet if you haven’t for $7.

I’ll be listening,…

Regards,

Annie Anderson

PS This is not the same-ol’, same-ol’ interview.

Jay rarely speaks on webcasts and it is the only
one he has scheduled so far this year. So be sure
to go now to
www.FeBeNe.com/jayspeaks.php?rid=117

PPS And if you miss it, you can get the replay at
www.FeBeNe.com/jayspeaks.php?rid=117 as well…

Share

Jay Conrad Levinson, the marketing mind
responsible for the Marlboro Man, and author of
the best selling marketing book series of all
time will be answering your questions

You can get the details to listen live at
http://www.febene.com/?rid=117 and also…

…when you register you’ll be able to submit
your questions for the training on February 26…

I’ll be listening,…

Regards,

Annie Anderson

PS This is not the same-ol’, same-ol’ interview.

Jay rarely speaks on webcasts and it is the only
one he has scheduled so far this year.  So be sure
to register now at http://www.febene.com/?rid=117

Share