7 Ways to Network With Anyone
I don’t care what your goals, industry or interests are, there’s no getting around it: Personal relationships run the world. But why is it that some people seem to build instant rapport with most anyone they...
A 10-Part Strategy for Boosting Daily Productivity
Do you begin your day full of grand intentions of all that you want to accomplish, yet somehow end up going to bed feeling as if you’ve gotten nothing done? Like many of you, my daily priorities vary....
Securing Your Network in 5 Simple Steps
Hacking into computer networks is a growing threat in today’s data-rich environment. Business owners continually see news of cyber-attacks and even recently customer credit card data getting stolen. The damages caused by these criminals for...
How I Turned Failure Into 30,000+ Newsletter Readers
When I started my new social media training business in 2009, I knew that email newsletters were an excellent way to stay in touch with prospects and customers. I was determined to make my new...
Turn Your Brand Story Into an Epic Narrative
Storytelling is a hot business trend for a reason. In the face of growing cynicism and distrust, stories are how people decide if they belong in your tribe. Going all the way back to ancient Sumeria,...
5 Strategies for Finding Your Ideal Mentor
Everybody could benefit from the helpful guidance of a mentor. Whether you are searching for an industry pro to bounce ideas off of, or simply looking for someone open to sharing general business advice, it’s...
How I Did It: The Story Behind 99Designs
In its early days, 99designs didn’t originate in Silicon Valley, result from a roomful of MBAs brainstorming, graduate from Y! Combinator or raise a single penny in outside money. Instead, 99designs grew out of SitePoint.com, an...
Starting Up? 6 Questions to Tackle First
So you’re thinking about starting your own business? Many new entrepreneurs focus solely on their business idea during the startup process—and rightfully so. But what about those less exciting yet important business decisions that can...
5 Tips to Stop Failing at Social Media Marketing
Over 800 million people in the world are on Facebook, including over 180 million Americans, or 1 in 2 adults. Twitter just topped 300 million accounts. Small business owners in droves are trying to capitalize...
Can Being a Workaholic Improve Your Relationship?
Trying to coordinate, manage and delegate work schedules between partners can be a challenge. This is especially true when one partner has a heavier load than the other. Working women often feel extremely overburdened, trying...
How to Make Your Website’s Call to Action Count
In content everywhere, there’s a key bit of information that’s being left off the paper. It’s prevalent in white papers, in blogs, in web copy, and even on social media updates. It’s a tiny little...
Do Young Entrepreneurs Need An MBA to Succeed?
Some great entrepreneurs have a master’s in business administration; others don’t. But many aspiring business owners still trade in their pinstripe suits and briefcases for hooded sweatshirts and backpacks in pursuit of an MBA degree...
7 Questions to Measure the Value of Your Network
For the introverted, socially awkward, or shyster-averse, networking can be a major challenge. On one hand, we know that effective networking is essential to any flourishing career or business. I have literally witnessed quantum leaps...
Branding: A 4-Part Strategy for Startups
Entrepreneurs need branding advice more than ever before. I wrote a very popular introduction to personal branding specifically for entrepreneurs that got over 800 shares on social networks. The reason? Most entrepreneurs focus on building their corporate brands, and...
Beat Your Online Competition, No Matter How Big
Starting an online business is the last American Gold Rush. Think about it. These days, the top 1 percent of the country controls 40 percent of the nation’s wealth. This kind of competition makes it harder and...
Starting Up? Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes
The opposing forces of the economy tanking and technological advances soaring have created a prime environment for first-time entrepreneurs. That said, “entrepreneur” has become a buzz word associated with the few startup founders we’ve watched...
The Business Lesson That Cost Me $30,000
When I was first honing my chops as a young entrepreneur I heard a lot of advice—including the golden rule to outsource what I’m not good at. However, I was also told to never outsource...
How to Embrace Your Quirks (and Attract Better Clients)
I’ve been writing about sex for almost as long as I’ve been having it, starting with a college internship at the Boston Phoenix in 2003 (I was a late bloomer). Back then, I didn’t expect...
10 Different Definitions of Entrepreneurial Success
What does true entrepreneurial success look like? Is it by number of books sold, number of columns secured, number of press hits, number of blog subscribers, or revenue? I asked ten rock star entrepreneurs: How have...
Cash Flow Really Is King: I Learned the Hard Way
At 23 years old, I started Infographic World, a data visualization company working with brands to tell their story in a more visual and effective manner. It doesn’t matter that I’ve practically studied business since...