Michelle's Musings
Dear Friends,
I have been busily gearing up my team to take over my business as I am about to embark on a journey to Ireland from July 24 - August 4. It will be the first vacation I have had in over five years and I won't be taking my computer either! I will try to stay away from the web cafe's if I can and only call in once every few days.
I am really excited for some much-needed 'me' time. Now, I do have to say that this is a business conference and I will be a speaker, but we will be well taken care of at this conference. They'll feed us (some of the time) and take us on some fun excursions. I plan to stay in a tiny B&B on the Irish Sea and visit the Rock of Cashel and many other places. I am part Irish and Scottish so the Celtic part of me feels like I will be going back to my homeland, although I have never been to Ireland before.
My team will be without their Captain (me) for two full weeks. Yikes! Actually, I know they can handle things in my absence. They are awesome and many have been with me for over a year now so they know my business very well.
I have been working on procedures and systems to gear up for this big trip and soon, I'll be launching a new product as well. I have a Web 2.0 product that will help explain what it is and how to use and find Web 2.0 technologies. Read the featured article in today's ezine to learn more about this buzz word. You might be surprised at how many programs you already use that are considered Web 2.0.
On a personal note, I want to thank all of you who have emailed me, sent cards and even sent gifts to show your support when I announced my brother's passing. I really appreciate it. As my youngest daughter would say, "I feel loved!"
If any of you would like to make a donation to the American Cancer Society to celebrate life - whether you do it on behalf of my brother, Michael, or someone you know or lost, please do so; it could save a life.
To all of my US-based colleagues, clients, friends and family, I wish you a fun and safe Fourth of July. For all of my non-US-based colleagues, clients, friends and family, I wish you a fun-filled weekend!
With Gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich
Upcoming Events
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July 2008
July 8, 12:00 pm PST - "Five Surefire Ways to Break Through Writer's Block" Teleseminar hosted by my client, Susan Borkin. You can register at http://susanborkin.com/teleseminar.htm
July 9, 10:00 am PST - "Build Your Online Marketing Plan for Authors" Teleseminar hosted by my good friend, Stephanie Chandler. Register here.
July 25-Aug. 4 - Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager of The Virtual Nation™, will be Waterford, Ireland presenting, "Virtual Professionals—The Business of Globalization" at the International Society for Business Education. |
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August 2008
August 19, 10:00 am PST - "Body Image Workshop:
Losing Your Weight for Good! Why Diets are out and healthy body image is in!" with my friend, Laura Fenamore.
Register online (scroll down through our 2008 Teleseminar listings) |
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September 2008
September 16, 10:00 am PST - "The Joy of Sales: Yes, you can enJOY Sales!" Teleseminar with my colleague and friend, Rick Cooper. Register online (scroll down through our 2008 Teleseminar listings) |
Featured Article: What the Heck is Web 2.0?
Compiled by Michelle Ulrich
According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is a term describing the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. These concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies. The term became notable after the first O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004.[2] [3] Although the term suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but to changes in the ways software developers and end-users use the Web. According to Tim O'Reilly:
Some technology experts, notably Tim Berners-Lee, have questioned whether one can use the term in a meaningful way, since many of the technology components of "Web 2.0" have existed since the early days of the Web.[5][6]
So, if we are using existing and new technology components on the internet to make up Web 2.0, what are some of these programs? Some are still confused over what these programs are.
O'Reilly suggests that MapQuest, Yahoo! Local, and Google Maps (mapping-applications using contributions from users to advantage could rank as "level 2"). This is possibly because they are more interactive than they used to be.
It is also suggested that non-web applications like email, instant-messaging clients, and the telephone fall outside the above hierarchy.[8] These may not be included in Web 2.0 applications.
Social networking is a huge part of Web 2.0 applications as well; much of this information has already reached millions of users on My Space and Facebook as two of the most popular examples.
According to Wikipedia, a social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.
Social networking has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information with one another in today's society. Various social networking websites are being used by millions of people everyday on a regular basis and it now seems that social networking is a part of everyday life. The main types of social networking services are those which contain directories of some categories (such as former classmates), means to connect with friends (usually with self-description pages), and recommender systems linked to trust. Popular methods now combine many of these, with MySpace and Facebook being the most widely used in North America;[1] Bebo,[2] MySpace, Skyrock Blog, Facebook and Hi5 in parts of Europe;[3] Orkut and Hi5 in South America and Central America;[4] and Friendster and Orkut in Asia and the Pacific Islands. CouchSurfing is a new type of social network called hospitality exchange networks.[5][6]
If you are interested in connecting with me on the Web 2.0 applications I use, check me out at my favorite hangouts. I am on about 30 different applications, but these are my favs. below.
I hope to see you around the internet!
P.S. I am working on a Web 2.0 product that will help you know how to maximize your marketing using these programs. I'll be announcing it in my next ezine, so be sure to tune in next time.
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Recommended Resources
Basecamp - Project management and collaboration. Collaborate with your team and clients. Schedules, tasks, files, messages, and more.
Instant Teleseminar - This is a great service we have begun using to record our teleseminars via telephone or webcast. Many people are not able to call in from other countries, so we now offer live webcasts of our teleseminars. Just sign up for one of our upcoming teleseminars to experience this for yourself.
Professional Cart Solutions - Now you can benefit from a professional online shopping cart program - without installing expensive and complicated software on your website. We deliver the best in Web 2.0 functionality - by offering this powerful web-based system on a monthly or annual subscription. That means you can affordably create your own branded shopping cart system, and easily integrate it with one or more of your websites!
Ring Central - Internet Phone Service for small business
The RingCentral virtual phone system with a Toll Free 800 Number delivers all the power of a “big company” system but with no hardware to buy and nothing to maintain. It’s an ideal telecommunications solution for mobile professionals, home offices and small companies.
You can put the power of RingCentral behind your business for as little as $9.99 a month. There are no long-term commitments and no cancellation penalties. RingCentral even offers a free trial so you can try out the service for yourself. RingCentral is the first virtual phone system developed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals. Try it for free – it’s the powerful, cost-effective new way to manage business communications!
The Joyful Business Guide
We had the most amazing teleseminar back in April with Laura West of The Joyful Business Guide. If you missed it, you can get it over at our online store.
If you'd also like to get your own Joyful Business Guide, you can! Just click on one of the links below to get your full package or purchase individual items. Trust me, you'll want the full package to get the most out of the program.
In fact, when you become an owner of the Joyful Business Guide, you will also have access to telecalls once a month. They are a phenomenal group of people who are also going through the program. It's complimentary, so don't miss out on this special opportunity.
Joyful Business Guide - all items you see in the photo above
Joyful Business Guide Individual Products
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Marketplace
Planet Teleclass
At www.PlanetTeleclass.com you can take a class or
list your teleclass at
The Net's Largest Teleclass Community!
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The Virtual Nation™ does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. You are responsible for handling your own due diligence before purchasing any product or service.
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Virtual Volunteers
We'll announce our new volunteers during each ezine to get you motivated to help, too.
- Kimberly Grass of Virtual Workforce, LLC will be our Volunteer Manager
- Denise Aday of Aday VA Solutions will be our New Member Benefits Manager
- Wenda Rogers will be our Resource Library Manager
Would you like to join the ranks and be part of a grass roots community of Virtual Volunteers?
Would you be interested in a Volunteer position with The Virtual Nation in exchange for a complimentary membership?
Become a Volunteer - complete this 5-minute survey
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Thank You for Joining Me!
With Gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich
Want to share your gratitude? Mosey on over to the Gratitude Club and check it out.
Michelle Ulrich is the Business and Internet Marketing Strategist of Virtual Business Marketing as well as Chief Villager of The Virtual Nation. She publishes the Virtual Vision bi-weekly ezine with hundreds of subscribers. At Virtual Business Marketing, Michelle and her team empower and promote authors, coaches and speakers to tackle their ecommerce and new technology struggles while also helping them build a profitable and successful business. So, if you're ready to dig your feet into business, work on your internet marketing strategies, increase your bottom line, and have more fun with your business, get your dose of invaluable resources from either one of these two sites: www.virtualbusinessmarketing.com and www.thevirtualnation.com. |
