Since its launch in 2004, Facebook has taken over the world of social networking. Every time you post on your wall, you are marketing yourself, your likes and dislikes, and your activities to those you have marked as friends. Now that we can communicate instantly with enormous groups of people instantly, we need to be aware of the benefits of using Facebook as a marketing tool for our products and services.

If you are using Facebook as a true marketing too, which is the topic of this writing, then you want the publicity Facebook can generate.  All business / group / event pages are public, which means that anyone can view them at any time.  Internet searches for keywords contained in your pages will come up in search results, and friends can refer them to other friends without your knowledge.  But this is the whole point of marketing - getting the word out to the general public about your products and services. 

Because Facebook has become its own network, its own mini-internet, it has become as valuable a resource for information and services as the World Wide Web. If you're in the market for a anything from a mattress to a mover, a service or a celebrity, you can find it on Facebook.  Keep this in mind when developing your business profile.

The key to effective Facebook marketing is regular postings.  It won't do you much good to set up a business page but never post anything on it, as if you had placed an ad in a newspaper that nobody reads. Informative, related and timely postings on a business page will generate interest in you and your business.  The information contained on your business profile is also important:  it should be concise but explicit about what you offer, and should contain good quality photos.  The category in which you are listed (business, group, public figure, etc) and sub-categories are also important. 

If you have a blog, sign up for Networked Blogs, a free social media function which links a blog website with your Facebook account (or Twitter or other social media). Such cross-referencing will increase your visibility on the web and increase your exposure.

Once your public profile has been created, be sure to invite all your personal Facebook friends to visit and "like" your new page.  It's easy to switch from writing in your personal profile to your business one.  Simply click on the small arrow to the right of your "Home" page at the top of the menu, and click on "use Facebook as page." 

Through Lightseeds Office I'll be teaching a class soon on how to create business profiles. I plan to offer the class resources as an online tool as well.  Keep watch on www.LightseedsOffice.com or on Facebook for announcements.  As always, I know a great resource to help you develop your Facebook business presence - Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!

Okay, calm down - I can hear some of you cringing from all the way over here!  So many people hate lists, feel they're kind of anal.  Then there are those who are addicted to lists, making lists of lists.  But lists are only good if you USE them - making lists that get lost on a cluttered desk are useless (you know who you are..... ;) ). 

I've talked before about prioritizing, and a list (ONE list) can help you do just that.  They can remind you of ongoing tasks and urgent ones and will help organize your time.  I know several people who sit down to get organized, write out a list of tasks they want to accomplish, then get distracted by something else.  As with so much I've talked about in this blog, it's about self-discipline.  No, I don't mean extreme control; I mean sticking to your guns and doing what you promised yourself (or others) you would do.

For me, I find it easiest to write the most important and/or the item with the soonest deadline at the top, and go down in urgency.  Sometimes I'll brainstorm and write down all sorts of things I choose to get done, then go back over it and number the priorities.  Right now my lists consists of writing this blog, updating my Facebook page, contacting a couple of new clients, doing some marketing, writing a workshop I intend to hold soon, and read some articles I've downloaded. Having a list by my computer helps keep me focused on items that really do need to be done, while also including ongoing projects (like uploading articles to a website, or data entry into a social media uploader) so I don't forget about them.

I know someone who grabs the nearest piece of paper to write herself a note or a phone number, then ends up with reams of paper scattered all over.  She gets frustrated with herself, when a simple solution would be to only use a pad of paper so that everything remains together.  Avoid the temptation to be distracted by things outside your window, or seeing what's happening on Facebook, or a great new idea.  Stick to the "to-do's" for an allotted period of time each working day, using only ONE list, and ONE pad of paper. You'll find your time much more manageable.

And of course, if your list is entirely too long, I know a great organizer who could help you de-clutter it......Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!

When I decided to go into business for myself, I knew that to create awareness of my skills and to get clients, I needed to have a website.  In general, the days of yellow pages and classified ads are antiquated - today most searches for businesses are done on line.  However when anyone decides to take the step toward self-employment, they may not have much start-up capital, and likewise not a great deal of technical expertise to do it themselves.  There are abundant resources now to make this important step easier.

There are many free website systems online, including the one this website is created with - Weebly.com.  Google, Yahoo, WordPress, and many others, like Weebly, provide a variety of designs and options to choose from. The amount of customization varies depending on whether you choose a free or paid version, and the domain name (the www.blahblah.com part) will vary. If you have a basic knowledge of software, for instance a familiarity with MS Word or Publisher, you can create attractive websites yourself.  You will need to determine a business name so you can choose a domain name - there are resources online to help you with this, like GoDaddy.com, www.domainsuperstar.com and more.

However the physical creation of a website is not enough:  what do you fill the site with?  What do you write about yourself, and HOW do you write it?  That's where a third party is important.  Here's how I work when I create a website for a business.

We write down all the keywords we can think of to describe a business.  Let's imagine a massage therapist startup: keywords might include relaxing, therapeutic, healing, expert, certified, licensed, compassion, professional ....and so forth.  We write down the vision for the business, the mission, the goal.  We write the steps we determine will lead to that goal.  We gather pictures, and testimonials from people who have experienced what the person does.  In other words, we get ALL our material together.  Not only do you want details about your business, but about you as well, giving an impression of your personality.

Consider the pages you'll need: a HOME page with the basic overview of what the business or topic is. Then an "about" or "bio" or some such, which is a short resume of your experience and why they should buy from you. A services / products / store page.  A testimonials page, and photos if appropriate.  Start writing a draft on each page using some of the keywords you determined.  After you get the basics written you can go in and flesh them out with more details.  Remember that the information should be clear, concise and to the point.

Most website systems online offer you a way to include keywords, categories and other Search Engine Optimization (SEO) options.  If you are doing a website yourself, you probably don't have SEO experience, but this is the aspect of a website that makes it visible on search engines like Google.  The better SEO information, the better traffic to your site.

The MOST IMPORTANT aspect of the website, in my opinion, is the professionalism.  If you have typos or grammatical errors, or if your content is not clear, then your work ethic and skills may not be as obvious as if the site were correctly written.  This is where the third party really comes in handy - have a second set of eyes look over everything before publishing to the web.  A clear, informative and professional website will convey the message you want the world to see.

Is all this intimidating?  I know a great resource to help you!  Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!

It's a common scenario today: laid off from a position, finding alternative ways to gain income, deciding to work for myself. Okay, great, decision made. Now what? What do I do? Well, a good place to start is to list all the things you're good at: fixing cars, comforting the elderly, working with animals, gardening, tailoring, whatever. List everything you can think of, no matter how silly it seems! When done, go back over your list and realize that this list is your resume for your new career!

I did it, and I know others who did as well. I realized that I have a valuable skill that others need and will pay for. Think about it - if you have a great affinity for the elderly, look online for opportunities to use that skill. Get any training you may need, donate or barter your services to get in the door, and opportunities for being paid will arise. Love to garden? Market your skills to neighbors who hate working outdoors. Be creative and you'll be amazed at the ideas that will come to you.

So, you've come up with your list and have a great idea you want to pursue. Ask friends and family for advice on how to market your skill set. Use all the free marketing available through social networking, through groups and associations, clubs and social events. As your excitement grows the momentum will create a client base for you. And then you'll realize that you need to organize the business aspects of this new career! You'll need a website, brochures, business cards. Client databases. Facebook/MySpace/LinkedIn pages. Computer files and organization. Plus many other details to get up and running. Don't worry, you're not on your own - consider looking into a virtual assistant to provide help.

One of the fastest growing home businesses today is that of virtual assistance. A "VA" can provide a startup company with all sorts of resources: marketing and websites, scheduling and organizing, record keeping and writing. There are dozens of resources online. You may find someone in your neighborhood who could work with you live, or you may find a specialist to help you online. With the internet and various networking tools like shared calendars and file sharing sites, you do not need to be physically together to get the work done. And the joy of using a VA is that you only pay for the time spent on your work. If you can afford an hour a week, that's fine! If you want to start the business quickly, get someone for 40 hours for two weeks. Whatever it takes, a VA can do.

Take charge of your career and your life, make your list, and contact Lightseeds Office today! Holly@LightseedsOffice.com

You all know the answer to that - "One bite at a time"!  Granted I'd never harm an elephant but it's a fitting metaphor.  We have all reached points where a project becomes so big it's overwhelming.  Whether it's organizing a file cabinet, office or closet, cleaning out the basement or garage, tackling a major work project, you may quit before you start because you're intimidated by not being able to decide where to start.  The answer is very simple:  pick something!

For instance, if I'm helping a client organize a cluttered office, I will simply pick up a pile and begin sorting through it, making stacks by category - mail, filing, receipts, correspondence, what have you. Then I'll pick up another pile and continue organizing it.  Yes, I'm moving paper from one stack to another, but the key is that the new piles are ORGANIZED!   Once all the messy piles are sorted and trash recycled, then I can go through the new stacks and file, process, or do whatever else needs to be done. The key, of course, is keeping up with it.  Developing the discipline to spend even a few minutes at the beginning or end of every day will make great strides in keeping clutter under control. 

Same goes for cleaning a closet or basement  or any other project.  Rather than stew about it, just pick an area and start.  You will be amazed at how good it feels.  The shift in your energy from "I can't do this!!" to "look what I accomplished" will be all the motivation you need to continue.

And if you still can't face it, I know a great organizer you can call on - Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!

For many years I worked for multiple supervisors and learned how to efficiently juggle multiple projects.  I do not believe in the ever-popular term "multi-tasking" because if you're juggling several balls you cannot focus on any of them.  However I do work well with what I think of as sequential multi-tasking.  I prioritize in this way.

I look carefully at my "to do" list and decide what categories the items fall into.  There are things i can do quickly and get them off the list.  There are ongoing projects that I need to spend some time on. There are "emergencies" - rush jobs that someone else needs done right away.  There are routine parts of the job that need to be done daily. 

It's also important to understand in what time of day you work most efficiently.  I'm a morning person and enjoy my creative and more difficult tasks before about 2:00. I usually first tackle a few of the "quick-draw" items that needed attention - quick phone calls or emails, checking on the status of something I'm waiting for, that sort of thing.  I set a time limit for doing these so the important tasks are not ignored - perhaps half an hour. This ensures that these short items don't sit unattended for too long.  I'd work on items that need alert concentration after that, while I'm still fresh.  I'd save cleaning off my desk and filing and such for late afternoon when I'm least productive.   After 8:00, my brain is done thinking for the day.  But if you work best in the late evening or right after lunch, save your creative or project work for those times, and handle such "brainless" tasks as filing or cleaning when you're least alert.

If you deal with rushes and emergencies often and have control over any part of that process, it's a good idea to think of preventive measures and ways to organize to stave off crises.  If the rushes are given to you by supervisors and you find yourself trying to juggle several "top priority hurry hurry" items, you may need to go to your supervisor to ask for guidance on how to prioritize.  Presented in the context of providing excellent service rather than complaint, a supervisor will usually help the process along.

And if you run your own business and can't decide how to prioritize, I know a great office assistant who could help you: Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!!

It's just as important and useful to organize your emails in the same way as your files (above).  Create new folders of the main topics of emails you need to keep (related to events, business, family, etc.).  Mine are very similar to my file folders - one for each client, for major projects, for personal business, etc.  You may want to either flag or file (depending on your email program) not only incoming but also sent mail, so that you have a way to track things that need follow-up.  Nothing is worse than realizing you've deleted important older emails because you forgot to save them. You also have quick reference for past discussions, deadlines, website log-ins, etc. 

And don't forget to periodically purge your deleted emails.  Your email provider may not automatically delete them for you, and you can quickly use up your storage allotment with useless emails.  I first delete old sent mail (that I did not flag for followup or importance), then I purge all deleted emails except the last week or so (just in case). Then I know that what I need is accessible, but what I don't is not wasting space.

If you get the general idea but want someone to teach you in person, I know a great resource you can call on: Holly@LightseedsOffice.com!

Ever try to find a piece of paper when you have no filing system?  Well, organized files in your computer are just as important as organized files in a drawer.  Have you tried finding a picture in hundreds on your computer?  Or an important document lost in the mists of obscurity?  Here's a way to solve that problem.

Think of the most important topics, the main categories of your work.  For instance, mine for Lightseeds Office are Photos, Clients, Taxes, Budget, Forms.  Write down yours, leaving room between categories.  Then within each of those main labels, write down the next level.  For me it's making a folder for each client's name under the general label "Clients", and for each tax year under "Taxes." 

Once you have the top two levels of categories, go in your computer and find the Documents folder.  For most PC users, if you click on the Start button you'll see it at the top.  In the Documents folder, you'll create your top-level categories by clicking on "New Folder" (sometimes hidden within "Organize" depending on your version of Windows). Make a new folder for each of those categories you wrote down.  Think of these main categories as a hanging file folder in a drawer, containing several manila folders. Then within the top level, the main folder, create new folders for your next level (the manila folders - again, for me, it's client names within the Clients folder).  You can create as many sub-folders (the virtual manila ones) as you want, but don't get carried away.  You don't want each item in its own folder any more than you'd want one piece of paper in a manila folder.

I can hear you complaining from here..."I have too many files right now to organize them!"  Well trust me and my experience, it's MUCH easier to take some time now to set up files than to go on forever with the "virtual pile" growing.  You'll thank me later, I promise.

Oh, and if this is all just too much to contemplate, I know a GREAT freelance virtual assistant that can help you!  Holly@LightseedsOffice.com

Do you know about "shortcut keys" on your PC?  Rather than moving your mouse up to the toolbars, you can use the keyboard for some quick and easy functions.  Look at your keyboard now....go ahead, I'll wait.....at the bottom left (usually) is a key labeled "CTRL" - that's your Control key.  It "controls" how other keys work to provide you with shortcuts. 

For instance, if you press CTRL and then the O key, you'll open a new file.  Always press CTRL first and then the letter key, then let go of both.
Likewise, CTRL + S lets you save a file. 
CTRL + P = print. 
CTRL + C = copy selected text. 
CTRL + V = paste selected text. 
CTRL + B = bold selected text. 
CTRL + U = underline selected text. 
CTRL + I = italicize selected text. 
CTRL + A = select ALL on the page. 
CTRL + Z = undo the last action
CTRL + X = delete selected text