Power Friending by Amber Mac

Do you want to start a blog or make money using social networking? Do you want to get the word out about an organization you belong to? Do you want free advertisement for your business? Do you just want to know what social networking is? Well this is the book you need to buy, YES BUY!!!

I was looking to advertise my business in a way that would connect to more customers using the least amount of effort and money. Amber Mac has helped many companies do just that by using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Many companies like Target, Zappos, Starbucks, and Sony have used social networking successfully to build a more dedicated clientele. The key is not only advertise products, but listen to customers.

Not only does social networking help you find out what your customers want, but helps you work out complaints before the issue gets out of hand. If you are listening to customer complaints and immediately help that customer, you are building a customer relationship not only with the person that complained, but all of those who were reading the complaint.

Yes, it can be overwhelming. I am having an issue keeping up with everything for my own business. But I plan to use some of the program that Amber suggested to keep track of statistics and better communicate with customers.

This book has a list of social networking websites, what the website does, and how to use it to build a business. It also gives a list of equipment that can be used, but it not necessary a requirement and how to use the equipment. She gives a list of ways to track everything about a companies website and social networking sites.

Used correctly, social networking can grow a business or organization. Used incorrectly can also close a business or organization fast. This book gives plenty of stories on what other companies have done wrong so that you do not make the same mistake. Amber also has plenty of stories of what was done correctly so that you can incorporate some of those ideas into your own social networking plan.

Putting your company or organization out on the social networking arena can be time consuming at first. It is best to find a person that can be dedicated to monitoring and posting to those programs. But if you are a one-man shop, you can still get on board the networking train. Just start with one program like Facebook or Twitter. Once you are comfortable with using the program and posting updates, add the next or just stay with one.

I recommend reading "Power Friending" before you start any kind of social networking program. It will keep you from making big mistakes but also help you grow faster with the least amount of money.

You can find the book at your local library or your favorite book store.

Stop Discounting Women

The Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to coworkers. Time is running out — the House already has passed the bill and when the Senate returns it must do the same.

In this tough economy, more and more families are counting on women’s earnings. Unfair pay practices make things even harder, especially for those families who rely solely on female earnings.

Please take a moment to forward this e-mail to your friends, family, and co-workers and invite them to tell their Senators to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Please also share our action on Facebook or post this link http://bit.ly/cuC115 to Twitter or any other networks you belong to.

Calinfornia's Women's Conference

I receive the O Newsletter and I discovered that yesterday was the first day of the Women's Conference in California. You can get a live stream of the conference at http://www.livestream.com/twc2010 . The conference schedule:

A Day of Health, Wellness and Transformation
Monday, October 25
11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET/8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. PT

It’s Time...to Take Action
World-class experts lead interactive sessions packed with practical tips, tools and takeaways on how to transform yourself personally and professionally. Speakers include Maria Shriver, Deepak Chopra, Sally Field, Martha Beck and many more.

The Main Event and Grand Finale featuring the Minerva Awards
Tuesday, October 26
11 a.m. -10 p.m. ET/8 a.m. - 7 p.m. PT

It’s Time...to be an Architect of Change
The world’s most authentic and influential voices participate in once-in-a-lifetime conversations on the issues that really matter to women’s lives. Speakers include first lady Michelle Obama, second lady Jill Biden, the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams, former first lady Laura Bush, Gayle King, Billie Jean King and many more.

The 2010 Minerva Awards, honoring Remarkable Women, Remarkable Legacies, features five winners, including Oprah Winfrey and the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor. The evening includes remarks by Mary J. Blige and a musical performance by Sarah McLachlan.

For more on other women's programs from Oprah:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-California-Womens-Conference-2010-Oprahcom

Interim Board

Interim Board information is now on Wild Apricot and in the October issue of the Illinois Bulletin. Lynette Jones has put together a great weekend of networking, business, and wine. Yes, Wine!!! Hopefully we will see you November 13th.

Election News

Check out this site www.changeil.org/home which has posted a series of
20 questions for all candidates for office in IL and their answers for easy
comparison. This group is not for any one party and is a collaboration group
of entities who want IL government to get CLEAN! They ask the same
questions of all candidates and while they may not be what we would ask of
them, it does shed some light on how the candidates think and may help
them make up their minds on who to vote for in the upcoming election.

Events This Week

Here are some of the events going on throughout Illinois during the Illinois Business Woman's Week.

In Mt. Vernon:

We start IL Business Women’s Week tomorrow. We have entered into the “Harvest Fest Parade” with two vehicles. Some of the ladies are attending church with me on Sunday; I am serving brunch at my house following worship service. We have an activity planned for everyday through Friday. One of our fun things is Thursday evening when we members model and do a style show for an assisted living facility treating the residents to some fun and fashion.

In Fairview Heights Area:

The Southwestern LO is having fundraisers at Olgah's at the St. Clair Mall on Tuesday, October 19th between 12:00 noon and 8:00 pm and at Applebees on Green Mount Road on Wednesday between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

Stay Tuned for more events.

Illinois Business Woman's Week

To start off the Illinois Business Woman's Week, I wanted to share this story from the Today Show on how far women have come in the wage gap, but how far we still need to go.