Radio Show and Book Review: My Interview With Shel Israel
Donna Maria interviews Shel Israel about how small business owners can use Twitter to get closer to their customers.
Donna Maria is an entrepreneur mentor, the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, and the host of the Indie Business Podcast and the Indie Business Retreat. She has been recognized as one of the most trusted voices for Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs. Her coaching and consulting enterprise trains thousands of new and evolving entrepreneurs every day.
Twitter, Google, Bing, You and Your Small Business
Today, Google and Bing and FaceBook announced deals to include Twitter status updates in their search engine results. Let me say that again, soon, your Tweets and FaceBook status updates will appear real time in Google and Bing search engine results. The magnitude of these new developments cannot be understated. In a nutshell, it means…
3 Steps To "Yes!"
A salesman once told me that he had to get through an average of 11 “no” responses before he got to one “yes.” He defined “no” responses as more than just the word. Also included, he said, are things like body language (excessive fidgeting, arms folded across chest, furled brows, etc.) and being easily distracted…
Indie Business Movie Takes 2nd Place in WE Magazine Video Competition!
We won! I am delighted to announce that the Indie Business Movie won 2nd place in the WE Magazine For Women Video Competition, in the “Inspirational/Human Interest” category! When I say “we won,” I mean my husband business partner and the four fabulous small and independent business owners featured in the movie: Lisa Rodgers of…
Announcing the iPhone App Winners!
Last week, I announced a contest for two people to win a free download of IBN member Bramble Berry’s new soapmaking iPhone app. All that was necessary was to share a favorite business tip. Out of the entries two names were drawn: Charlene and Renee! Congratulations to both of you ladies!! Even though there could…
Vault Episode #169: Christy Strauch [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 169 featuring my interview with Christy Strauch, the author of “Passion, Plan, and Profit.” Christy specializes in assisting individuals in creating profitable businesses centered around work they are passionate about. She also…
Announcing Indie Business Advocate.com!
For as long as I have served small and independent business owners, I have observed how challenging it is to have an impact on public policy that is commensurate with the positive impact we have on our communities and the American economy. I hope to change all of that with the announcement today of Indie…
3 Reasons Why I Still Publish An Email Newsletter
There is no shortage of expert commentary and analysis on whether or not email is dead when it comes to business communications tools. On October 12, Jessica Vascellaro of the Wall Street Journal said email is dead. On the same day, Kit Eaton of Fast Company said email is alive and kicking. Because I have…
Blog Action Day: No Child Left Inside
Yesterday, Mike Collins, a local talk show host, interviewed a representative of No Child Left Inside, a division of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. No Child Left Behind is devoted to ensuring that no child is deprived of the blessing of enjoying the great outdoors. I was not able to listen to the interview,…
Why I Predict Miley Cyrus Will Return To Twitter
Donna Maria shares why she predicts that Miley Cyrus won’t be able to stay away from Twitter for long.
How To Bore Yourself To Profitability
A 1983 television commercial depicts “Fred, the Dunkin Donuts Guy,” who arose at 3:30AM daily, and headed to his Dunkin Donuts franchise to make donuts. As he rose from bed, he mumbled, “Time to make the donuts.” He also moaned, “I bet the guys who make super market donuts are still in bed.” I was reminded…
Vault Episode #168: Shel Israel [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 168 featuring my interview with Shel Israel, author of “Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhood.” Shel is a social media journalist and public speaker who has extensively studied…
Bramble Berry Launches First Indie Bath & Body iPhone Application
I am delighted to announce that IBN member and longtime sponsor of my work Anne-Marie Faiola, CEO of Bramble Berry, Inc., has launched the first iPhone application focused on the independent bath and body care products industry. I think it may even be the first iPhone app in the cosmetics industry, period. I am excited to…
3 Brand Building Tips For Artists And Crafters
Yesterday, I delivered a branding presentation to the artists, crafters and independent business owners at the Arts & Sciences Council of Charlotte, NC. Branding is such a huge topic, and while it was impossible to treat it thoroughly in the hour I had today, I managed to cover a lot of ground, and the students…
The 3 Chief Things Small Business Owners Do That Kill Their Businesses Before They Start
In nearly 10 years of serving small and independent business owners, I have made a lot of mistakes and I have seen a lot of mistakes. In fact, dozens of people are sharing the small business mistakes they’ve made right now over at our social networking site. Some mistakes are unique, but over the years,…
Radio Show and Book Review: My Interview With Mike Michalowicz
Donna Maria interviews Mike Michalowicz on how you can launch and manage your business in ways that maximize your chances of long term success and profitability.
Commentary And Analysis: The FTC's New Blogger And Social Media Advertiser Guides
On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (PDF). The Guides were issued pursuant to the FTCs authority, as granted by Congress in Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45, to protect consumers from deceptive trade practices with regard to endorsements and testimonials…
Vault Episode #167: Mike Michalowicz [Podcast]
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 167 featuring my interview with Mike Michalowicz, the author of “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur: The Tell It Like It Is to Cleaning Up in Business, Even If You’re at the End of…
The Most Useful Blogging Tip In The World
I wrote my first official blog post on September 29, 2005. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that it has undergone many changes over years. I first used Movable Type. Then, with the help of Tasra Dawson, I switched to Typepad. Later, I switched to WordPress. When things didn’t work…
Radio Show and Book Review: My Interview With Thom McKinney
Donna Maria interviews Thom McKinney about the disciplines and mindset that helped him achieve, first as a military man, then as an actor, and then as a small business owner and speaker.
Stop Making Excuses For Yourself!
Excuses are the tools of the incompetent.