Seeking advice from Entrepreneurs for New Book

"When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes." Desiderius Erasmus (c.1466 - 1536)

I am looking for business owners who have been in business for 5 years or more to interview for my new book "From Wantreprenueur to Entrepreneur". The interviews will be used in whole and/or part in the book and on my blog. Please answer any or all that pertain to your situation.

Everyone who participates will receive a link from my blog, acknowledgment in my newsletters and a copy of the book (in digital format) when it is completed. In addition, answering these questions is a great exercise which you can use to create an article, or other material to promote yourself.


Here are the questions:

Why did you go into business for yourself?

What product/service do you sell?

What’s your USP (unique selling proposition or position – what differentiates you from the competition)?

Who’s your TARGET Market?

What was the biggest obstacle you faced going into business?

What, if any mistake did you make that turned out to be a blessing in disguise?

What advice would you offer new entrepreneurs or those thinking of going into business for themselves?

What was the best advice you received before going into business or since you have been in business?

What resources would you recommend for those thinking of going into business?

Any other comments?

Please include your company name, URL and any contact info you would like to add as well as your company logo or picture.


You may send your responses to Heidi (at) successandthensome.com or Heidi (at) wecai.org.

I hope to hear from many of you.

Heidi

Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO – The WECAI Network™www.WECAI.org - “Helping Women Do Business on and off the WEB™”
www.HeidiRichards.com - "Advancing Small Business!"
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Free Webcast on Copywriting

One of the things I hope to accomplish with this blog is to share valuable information and resources. They will sometimes come from others and often from the organizations in which I belong. So today I wanted to tell you about a free webcast on copywriting that could help you with your marketing messages. I don't know about you, but when it comes to using the "right words" I could learn more. Copywriting is an art and I know just the "artist" to share her experiences and wisdom with us.

Tomorrow at 12 Noon Eastern time the WECAI Network™ is hosting a webcast on the subject of Copywriting Myths and Musts Featuring ROSALIND SEDACCA, CCT - a business communication strategist with a twenty-five year background as a marketing consultant, award-winning advertising copywriter, professional speaker and corporate trainer. Through Rosalind Sedacca and Associates she has provided marketing, advertising and public relations services to businesses in finance, hospitality, real estate, technology, healthcare, sports and other industries.

Rosalind is the author of the ebook, How to Break In as a Professional Speaker or Trainer. Her newest book, How Do I Tell the Kids about the Divorce? will be launched on the internet in just a few months. Rosalind is profiled in Blythe Camenson’s VGM Career Portrait book, Writing as well as Dana Cassell’s book, Writers At Work and is a guest columnist in Linda Brakeall’s book, Unlocking The Secrets of Successful Women In Business. She has shared her marketing and business expertise on numerous TV and radio programs and has written articles featured in many business and trade publications including WE Magazine for Women

Rosalind believes that words are the most important element in marketing any product or service. Make yours powerful, convincing and distinctive – and watch your business success soar!

You are invited to attend this FREE webcast at http://www.eWednesdaychat.com. All you need are a computer and speakers to attend. If you also have a microphone you may be able to participate "live."

I hope to see you there!

Warmest regards,

Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO - The WECAI Network™

Getting on the Blog Wagon

Today I decided it was time to get on the blog-wagon. Actually it’s been a goal of mine for nearly a year now. Something inside me has been yearning to take this blogging thing seriously for my business and for my own sense of satisfaction. And yet it scared me! After all who would read it? And what could I say that hasn’t been said hundreds of times before by others? Then I realized … blogging is a great platform to put your ideas and thoughts out there for posterity. And maybeeven my family and close friends will read it!

Those of you who know me know it’s not just about me, however. It’s about you, providing you with value, with insight and maybe even helping you to learn something the “easy way,” instead of having to start from scratch and learn from the “ground up.”

After all, I consider myself somewhat of a mentor – it excites me to see others grow and prosper, knowing I had a small part in their success. It is the greatest gift I can offer this world.

And we are in the WEB 2.0 generation. So blogging is becoming the “norm” for people who take the Internet seriously. Many of my friends and colleagues have inspired me over the years and blogging about it is a great way to publicly thank them. Women such as Suzannah Richards (my business partner and youngest daughter), Gina Aronoff (my Office Manager and right hand), Linda Pereira of CPL Events in Portugal, Mary Hunt, author of In Women We Trust, Holly Buchanan of Marketing to Women Online, Toby Bloomberg of Diva Marketing, Yvonne DiVita of Lip-Sticking, Teresa Morrow of Morr Services and others whom you will read about in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

And then there’s the men – Jay Berkowitz of Ten Golden Rules (who teaches the world about WEB 2.0), Bob Burg, author of Endless Referrals (who taught me the art and science of networking early in my career), Dan Poynter, author of The Self Marketing Manual (who inspired me to publish 8 of my books), Tom Antion who shares his Internet Marketing Secrets with everyone, Terry Brock who is one of my Technology Coaches, Jim Barber, of The Barber Shop who believed in me when I didn’t, John Dennison and Mark Halpert my mastermind buddies… and the list goes on.

The idea that I can post my random thoughts that really have no where to go – except my head – is really exciting. It is really cool to comment on the “world” and then be able to access it immediately. This blog thing is instant gratification at its best. My suggestion to you – if you haven’t gotten on the blog wagon yet, 2007 is the perfect time to do it. Don’t wait ‘til 2008 – it might be too late.

To your success... and then some!

Heidi