Change is in the Air!

I've been doing some searching of my heart lately.  I've been writing in my journal, working on my websites, studying, researching, talking to lots of people, making new friends, talking to old (no...not in years girls!) friends, and spending some time just thinking.  I've even been driving without music or a book playing the background....  Ok...fine!  One day I drove all the way home with music blaring so loudly the people in the cars around me were looking to see if it was coming from my car.  I think my dancing behind the drivers seat gave it away and they knew it was me.  hahaha!  It was pretty funny.  You should do it sometime!

Anyway, what I have come to realize is that I need to make some changes and do things differently.  I've been part of the 98% as Dani Johnson would say.  The 98% that just keeps doing what they are doing and hoping their lives will change.  I need to be part of the 2% that actually makes things happen!  I need to step up and make my life the way I want it.  No more excuses. 

I CAN!  I can succeed!  No matter what anyone else tells me I can be successful!  And so, some decisions have been made and I've taken the first steps this weekend.  Here's the plan...


Shorts Across America!

I'm going to become an online publisher!  I'm going to compile a book of 50 stories from all over America of short stories.  Well, actually I'm going to compile 3 books. 

• "Children's Shorts Across America"
• "Teen's Shorts Across America"
• "Shorts Across America"

It is going to be AWESOME!  This weekend I started a blog which will turn into a website hopefully by the end of the year and I've written the Release for publishing purposes (which will be checked over by my attorney).  Next step...make the blog what I want it to be with all of the details and start advertising for stories.



Real Estate Answers

The next thing I'm going to work on is a website for real people to get real answers about real estaste without a sales pitch and without all of the real estate lingo.  I'll invite real estate agents, at least one in each state, to contribute and article and/or answer a direct question submitted by our readers.

Real estate agents will be able to advertise in our "rolodex" and they will be rated by us and by their clients.  The rating system will be kind of like on Amazon where there are stars and comments.  There will be 5 categories they will be rated on and that will be averaged into a total rating.  Their clients can write in and submit a reference which will be published on their rolodex card.

Prospective clients will be able to search the rolodex or ask us to find them an agent.  They can tell us the questions they want asked and tell us exactly what their needs are and we will do the research for them and find the top 3 agents for them to call.



Secret Suprise

The last project I have is already in the works, but I cannot under any circumstances give away the secret!  Shhhh !  It's going to be amazing and you'll love me when it's done!

Not even a hint of what it will be!





Have a great week everyone!





 

Get Clicky

I have been using Site Meter for years on my site, but I've found a new application that I think is better.  It was recommended by a friend and I like it a lot.  I can look at the stats on all of my websites in one place and compare.  Check it out!

Looking for a Mentor

Recently I've been looking for a mentor. Most everyone I know is a real estate agent and they don't know much about social media, building a website, or building an online company. They are all wonderful people, but the person I am seeking needs to be... well... a techie. Having built at least one successful online business would be helpful.

First a little background:

I've been reading and doing research about starting an online business and formulating a plan. I've found some amazing people to follow on the social media sites and also found some great free advice, but to get one on one time is probably not even an option.

Maybe you know some of them: Dani Johnson http://www.danijohnson.com, Sandi Krakowski http://www.arealchange.com/blog, Michelle Dale (Virtual Miss Friday) http://www.virtualmissfriday.com, and Ali Rittenhouse http://aliciarittenhouse.com to name a few. What wonderful women! What I wouldn't give to be able to have just a few minutes of their undivided attention! I'm sure they have tons and tons of requests every day. I don't want to be in the spotlight like they are, but I do want to be as knowledgeable and successful. All of these fabulous women have given me tons of help and guidance. They are mentors to a point, that's for sure!

I need to ask some direct questions in relation to my specific idea to someone who won't try to use the idea themselves. I'm not trying to sell a product online and that is what most of their information is about. My idea is a little different. My idea will provide information and the participants will pay to be on the site.

Anyway, I came across someone on several social networking sites who I thought just might be able to help. So, after reading about this person, reading their blog, looking at some of the links posted etc., I got up the nerve to contact this person.

The reply I got was disheartening to say the least. Which brings me to the following question:

Should a mentor be someone you "study and admire" or someone you can actually interact with?

Would love to hear your answers!