May 25 2013

The Joy Of Writing Online

 The Joy Of Writing Online

Many of us have had a dream of being a published author but so few achieve this grand goal. But with the internet there is now the opportunity to start up your own website and experience the joy or writing online.

What do I mean?

400 Words

It’s recommended that anything you write on your website is about 400 words in length if you want to get noticed (and who isn’t a bit narcissistic?). When you write a post or an article it doesn’t really take a lot of time to reach this number (FYI, the word “number” was Word # 99…a quarter done).

This typically amounts to about a page to a page and a half, depending on your spacing.

• It’s a letter

• A short essay or story

• A grocery list…for large families

• It’s easier than you think

Don’t Agonize…Write

I see many aspiring authors or web article writers agonize over what they’re going to write or state that they can’t write.

Hogwash…can you speak?

Write like you’re having a conversation, record yourself if you want. The best writing is from the heart and mind (thoughts), that’s what gets your stuff read (“read” is Word # 198).

You’re not writing the next classic novel or a treatise on world history…too boring and others have ‘been there, done that”! You’re writing from you:

• Who you are

• What you believe

• What you treasure and value

• What you think

Getting the Point?

Are you beginning to see how easy and simple this truly is? Don’t agonize and draft outlines or proposals until you’re blue in the face. Sit down (when you’re done this article) and take pen and paper or your computer and just get writing! There’s no magic or secret formula for everyone (“everyone is Word # 297).

You Are the Secret

No one comes at the world like you do and no one can comment on it like you can. That’s what others want to read and think about…how you think and what you believe. Trust me, these things will come through in your writing.

Now At Word # 350

This article has written itself because I sat down on a Saturday morning thinking about how much I’m enjoying writing online. It hit me that I wanted to share my thoughts about this so I’m typing almost as fast as I’m thinking…plus I’m avoiding my Saturday chores (yeah me!)

And I’ve just gone over Word # 400

This isn’t magic nor should it be difficult. Writing is something that you develop over time but…guess what?

…you have to write!

Thinking about it or reading great writers doesn’t “a writer make”. You have to actually sit down and do it and you must write passionately. Don’t be a copycat or a plagiarizer…be you! Whether you’re providing information, writing a blog, or selling products…

…the “who you are” must be in the “what you write”

Now go enjoy your writing…and I made it to Word # 500.




May 25 2013

Get Paid Faster With Better Invoices

Everybody wants their goods and services as soon as is humanly possible, if not sooner. But when it comes to tendering payment, well, that sometimes falls by the wayside. Granted, with many businesses, payment is up front, but that’s not always the case. Here are some ways that you, as a business owner, can make sure that customers remember your invoices, and consequently get paid faster.

Phone Calls

Boring! Besides, a lot of people have caller ID and voicemail. You’ll be lucky to talk to an actual live human being. Anyway, phone calls are so old fashioned. Pass.

 

141413 max Get Paid Faster With Better InvoicesCredit: flickr




May 25 2013

Target Mini Beauty Haul

 Target Mini Beauty Haul

I did something very naughty… I went shopping icon surprised Target Mini Beauty Haul I guess it wasn’t as bad as it could have been – afterall it was a mini haul at Target which isn’t exactly known for being pricey.. so I thought I would share with you everything I got ! So here are my new goodies :

Hair Care

Both hair care products I purchased from Target are from Leo Bancroft, but other than that they are pretty much complete opposites. First up I got the Leo Bancroft Simply Tousled Beach Wave Spray (woah that’s a mouthful!) which when I sprayed in the store on my hair, gave a very similar affect to the Toni & Guy Salt Spray, and was of similr price ($6) but I am trying to expand the range of hair products I use, so I thought I would give it a go.

The second product I got was an Instantly Sleek Smoothing Serum, again very similar to the Toni & Guy Product (Tame It Serum) and very similar prices (this Leo Bancroft product was again $6) so I thought I would give it a go and try to use to tame my hair in the morning.

Make Up

I actually got very minimal make up from Target this mini shopping spree. The only product I got was a Colour Couture Dream Romance Mini Cosmetic Box. The box came with four eyeshadows (A kohl colour, a creamy beige, a smokey brown and a deep purply/navy), a lipgloss (a grey/mauve colour), a deep pink nail polish and 2 eye shadow applicators – all for just $5 ! The eyeshadows were not completely matte, but not too shimmery either (wow I am not very good at explaining things), and they were all highly pigmented. The lipgloss was a dead set replica of the M.A.C. Kissable Lip Colour in Flaunting It, which shows how good this box set was value for money-wise. I haven’t used the nail polish yet, however gorgeous the colour may be I am not expecting great things from it as it doesn’t look like it’s great quality (the colour was already quite separated) and I would have to apply a lot of layers. I am not a big fan of the foamy/plasticy eyeshadow applicators which are what the box came with, so I will probably just stick to the applicators I already own. The packaging is a bit inconvenient as the eyeshadows are part of the box so won’t come out- guess it won’t be travelling in my handbag with me! All in all I think 4 eyeshadows and a lipstick for $5 was pretty good!

Bath + Body Care

I got a few things to do with Bath + Body so I’ll start with the Heathcote & Ivory products I got. First up – the Heathcote & Ivory Bath Bomb. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to use this yet as my vast collection of Lush products is stopping me! But it was $3.40, and is a bit bigger than a Lush bath bomb, but still about half the price! I purchased the Misteltoe Kisses scented bomb and I can’t even begin to explain how amazing it smells. I don’t really know how to describe it but it just smells really romantic (as the name would suggest.. funny, huh?) and oh my gosh, I cannot wait to use it! Next up, also by Heathcote & Ivory, I got the Vintage Collection Soap – Mimosa and Pomegranate Scent ($3.40) . Oh my goodness, just that Mimosa and Pomegranate name was enough to make me buy it, let alone how it actually smelt – heaven ! It also leaves my skin feeling amazingly hydrated and moisturised – It’s a bargain and I completely recommend it! The last thing I got was the Garnier Intensive 7 Days Hand Cream – I know, I’m a bit behind the bandwaggon and I’m sure you or someone you know has already been using it for like, years but I’ve only just decided to buy it – and I have no idea why I waited so long! It’s Intensive 7 Days Formula means I only have to apply it once a week – much easier than having to remind myself to apply everyday to avoid the wrinkly old lady hands I get otherwise. I got the one with shea butter and it smells so good! It’s definitely one of my favourite purchases of the day!

I am happy with most of my Target products I got, and totally happy with the price – less than $25 dollars all up – I am really getting quite savvy!