In a recent post -  Do you let people know who you are, we had some discussion about letting our identity be known on the discussion forums or online in general.

I thought it was a good topic and so want to go further into why we should or shouldn’t reveal our identity online.  If the answer is yes we should reveal our online identity, what does that mean.

Here are some examples of when you really do need to let people see who you are (and yes, I’m sure we can come up with more reasons than this):

1. Building business relationships - If you are online to do business, it is important that your potential client base know who you are and trust that information to be true. 
2. Establishing yourself as an Online Expert in your niche - Do the people in your niche know who you are and trust what you say?
3. With Social Networking & Web+2.0” rel=”tag”>Web 2.0 being all the rage, it’s increasingly important to be part of that trend or get left in the dust.
4. With the insane amount of anything available at our fingertips these days, customers are not just buying your product.  They are buying the experience and relationship you offer.  For example, if I’m looking to purchase some information on Dog Grooming I have hundreds possibly even thousands of books to choose from.  What makes my decision to get Book ‘A’ as opposed to Book ‘B’ is going to depend on who I’m buying from and what kind of experience they are offering me.

What kind of information and how much do you need to make available to the public?  That is really a personal choice.  I can tell you what I think, from working online but the decision’s really up to you of course.

First off, being honest is really important.  When I’m dealing with someone online and have come to establish a relationship with them, it would really turn me off to discover they’re not who they say they are.

Generally, people want to know some basic information: who are you, what do you do for a living, how did you become knowledgeable in this area, why should they listen to you.  I like to know a bit of personal information.  Are you a work+at+home+mom” rel=”tag”>work at home mom, how many kids to you have, what do you and your family do for fun, what kind of hobbies do you enjoy.  Just some basics. 

I like to put a face to the name.  I think showing a photo is important.  Even more important is that it’s a picture of YOU.  Like Lynn Terry commented in that previous post “One thing that really puts me off is finding out a photo that I have come to associate with a name, is not the photo of that person after all… “.  That’s so true.  It really gripes my when people put up a photo that’s not them, just because that photo is pleasing to look at.  If I can put up a real photo and Lord know I’m no super model, anyone can!

I don’t think you need to be put under a microscope.  Your personal life is just that, personal.  I’ll give you an example.  In my case, I let people know that I am a WAHM and that I have two boys with special needs.  You will notice about me that I never give out many details or pictures of my kids.  I don’t that’s fair to my kids.  They don’t need to be examined by the online world, that part of my life is off limits.

I also think that you need to play safe online.  Just being smart about not giving out things like your exact personal location, deciding whether you want to be available by phone, and being safe about your personal identification, logins, and financial numbers (with so much phishing activity online right now).

By giving out an email address that people can ask you questions or make comments on what you’ve said,  you are helping to build that relationship.  But, if people do send you and question or comment MAKE SURE that you give them a timely response.  Otherwise you’re losing points.  If you’re using an auto responder and have to put in an address, I would suggest to get a PO Box that you can direct inquiries to. 

We could get into so much more on this topic, but alas I’m not going to right now…look for future blog posts on it. 

I’d love to hear your comments on this subject.

Blogging, business relationships, identity, niche, online expert, online identity, relationship marketing, social marketing, social network, trust, WAHM, Web 2.0, web2.0, work at home

Doing regular backups on your system may not seem like such a big deal…until your computer crashes and everything is lost.

IBackup Online Backup provides a convenient method of file backup and storage solutions.

IBackup features include:

• schedule regular auto backups
• provides the highest level of encryption to ensures secure data transmission
• can set up a wizard to exclude certain files in the backup
• reduces the bandwidth required by only backing up files that have been modified
• provides you access to your data from anywhere there is an Internet connection
• allows you to restore from the 30 most recent backups
• allows data storage and sharing

These are just to name a few of the features.  IBackup has won awards from PC World and PC Magazine.  IBackup is a small business solution that provides the same data protection techniques used by fortune 500 companies.

If you are looking for a backup solution for your small business, you should check them out.  They even provide you with a free trial.

This is a sponsored post

business solution, file sharing, file storage, IBackup, Pay Per Post, Reviews, small business

I was reading a post in The Best Online Earning Strategies this morning. 

It was about a new resource for Web 2.0 & Social Marketing Resources.  This is more than just a quick free guide, it’s really packed with information about Web 2.0 and Social Marketing. 

The Authority Black Book

Web 2.0 Resources for Marketing and Publishing 

The head writer is Jack Humphrey from the Friday Traffic Report.  It includes 100’s of links to web 2.0 and social networking sites. 

Just to give you a clue, The Friday Traffic Report in February 2007 was recieving 4500 plus ‘unique’ visitors PER DAY.  Jack Humphrey IS an authority in his niche, and in this guide he is sharing that valuable information with us.

I downloaded the guide this morning and gave it a quick read.  It has some really good stuff inside.

Over the course of the few days, I will be putting into practice the techniques outlined in The Authority Black Book.  I will then report back here on any changes I’m noticing in my traffic.

For now, you need to click on the link above.  That will take you to where you can download the free guide for yourself and then get busy putting into practice on your site. 

I’ll certainly let you know what happens to my traffic.

With all the threats online these days, it is HUGELY important to keep your antivirus software up to date.

It’s also pretty cool to save money, so take a look at this…

Norton Antivirus (#1 Rated Antivirus software) is working with Google and offering a *free* antivirus software download. 

This download will keep your computer browsing and both incoming/outgoing emails protected.  Plus you get 6 months worth of free updates.

I know as work at home moms, we are looking for ways to cut costs and save money. Norton Antivirus for free. 

Take a minute to look at these great Reviews from PC Magazine and CNET. 

Now, go download your copy.

This is a sponsored post

I was reading Lynn Terry’s Clicknewz today and she had a post about the Top 3 Online Marketing Methods.  It was a question that was raised on her forum SSWT.

Good question and interesting to read the results.  As online business people, we are all searching and constantly working to find new and better ways to drive traffic to our sites.

My answer would be something like this:

1. Social Networks (Myspace, Mylot…)
2. Blogging
3. Forums

I’m working on other methods such as SEO and list building like Lynn suggested for herself.  I think that they are among the best, I’m just not as strong in those areas yet.  I have recently joined a group of ladies that will help me learn these areas and put them into practice. (more to come about that in a future post =))

As far as PPC goes, I have never had a bunch of luck in that area.  I find I’m putting out more in expenses than I am gaining in revenue.  I know many marketers use this method with great success.  I have just not found it to be for me, especially with all the changes that have been made surrounding PPC campaigns.

I find that I am getting a significant amount of traffic from MySpace and from the forums.  It really does help to form relationships  ”put yourself out there” so to speak, and start networking.

What do you think?  Do you have a website that you are trying to get traffic to?  What methods do you find the most beneficial?

Tags: Marketing Methods, Internet Marketing, Blogging, Social Networking, Forums, Lynn Terry

Social Networking

Mine could.

I was sitting outside this morning enjoying my cup of coffee and “surveying my kingdom”!

My gardens and flower beds are really going to need some work this spring.  The main reason for that is because of my little (haha) puppy Takara!  She has virtually destroyed the work that had been done in the garden last year.

I’m one that goes for the easy fix to get things looking good.  I like perennial flowers and I’m thinking of adding some lighting outside this year.  I really like the look of outdoor lighting that comes on automatically at a set time each night.  It gives added security as well being pleasing to the eye.

Maxim Lighting has a good selection of outdoor lighting.  I really like post mounted lighting it makes me think of the old days when that’s the only kind of yard lighting that was available.  Kind of romantic.

They had free shipping on orders over $100 (check details) and you can pay with paypal.

This is a sponsored post

Home & Family, Pay Per Post

I was tagged this morning by Esperance.

Cool - I’ve never been tagged before, it has always looked like a fun game and way to get involved with other bloggers, which I’m really wanting to do.  So here we go…

”5 things you didn’t know about me.”

1.  I hate socks! It doesn’t matter if it’s 30 below zero I can’t stand having my feet constricted like that.

2. I sing a french song to my cockatoo, because she likes to dance ;)

3. My first job in high school was working at McDonald’s.  I stayed there for 5 years ended up being a manager and really had fun.  It’s a great place for young people to work.

4. I have had my ears pierced 3 times on each side but keep letting the holes grow in because I can’t be bothered wearing ear rings.

5. I hate washing floors.  Give me any other house cleaning job and I’d be OK with it, even cleaning the toilet but I can’t stand mopping floors - don’t know why!

OK  a few strange things you did not know about me.  

I think that I’m going to tag Stefani and Dani, have fun with it ladies!!