Here are 3 simplified steps for securing your domain (URL) and web hosting (website storage) accounts.

1. Free online tool to research available domain names and spin ideas: http://www.domainsbot.com/ 

2. Purchase domain (URL) at GoDaddy.com

Godaddy is an inexpensive and reputable business for your domain purchases. Perfect in fact. Domain registrars are not the place to host your website or purchase additional features. I know it seems tempting to put all of your eggs in one basket but this really isn’t the easiest or right solution. I also never recommend hosting your website on your webmasters account.

3. My Top Pick for Web Hosting: Purchase web hosting from BlueHost

If you need in-depth help with any of these steps or providers feel free to contact me.  I’d love to hear from you.

-Laura

Simple, reliable, inexpensive and my recommended web hosting provider for any website is BlueHost.

BlueHost has all of the powerful tools that allow easy implementation of a WordPress content management system plus everything you’ll need to establish a strong online presence or quickly move established website(s). The most reputable and affordable web hosting solution on the net. 



The Official Geezer Guide to Creating & Selling eBooks: A step-by-step guide to making money with eBooks by Julie Fast

rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Official Geezer Guides are the real deal.

I have worked with this author as her marketing and PR exec. for many years. If you’ve ever considered writing and selling your own e-Books, this guide will answer all of your questions and put you on the road to success, nothing held back!

View all my reviews.

www.goodreads.com

Utilize Google’s free analytics and webmaster tools by setting up a free webmaster account. This provides you a birds eye view into the information your visitors are searching for, how long they are staying on any particular part of your website, and gives you the data you need to test.

Analyzing your web vistors  will boost your eMarketing efforts by providing the data you need make appropiate adjustments. 

It is super easy to set up a Google webmasters account, easy to install the small piece of code to your website (or have your webmaster do this) and the reports Goolge porvides you are written in plain English.

No IT degree required! 

Here is an easy & great way to get started using Twitter. 

I’ve come across some very interesting, engaging and intelligent people in my short Twitter travels and look forward to growing these relationships. I want the same for you.

1. Sign up for your own account and follow me, it’s a great way to learn what Twitter is all about…then use Twitter in your online endeavors! I am still learning, creating relationships and I don’t pretend to be a Twitter guru. I can tell you that I was slow

2. Add your website or blog link in your Twitter profile so others can learn about you.

3. Be sure to fully set up your profile so people can easily find you, your locations,and interests.

4. Set up your alert message preferences. You can be alerted to updates via email or device. Very easy to follow directions on the Twitter website. I use my blackberry for Twitter updates. Revision- had to remove updates from my blackberry while in the Middle East so I am a bit slower to respond but try to check in frequently.

5. Put your Twitter information on your blog or website for Twitter savvy visitors.

6. Engage-tell the world what you are doing & offer help, insight and timely information.

7. Listen and learn: Follow me, follow others, and see being part of Twitter can offer you. It should only take a week or two for you to figure out how you can best use Twitter to makegreat connections, find a following and better yet – grow professionally.

8. Most important: Make friends and add value. Please don’t spam people. That is exactly what Twitter isn’t for!

I would love to see you on Twitter, be sure to follow me and tell me how you found me.

Warnings: Limiting communication to 140 characters is tough, I am a talker! You’ll get the hang of it.

There are so many fascinating people, business models and thought leaders you can easily fall behind in your day to day activities just reading Twitter posts, blogs and websites. I must say, it’s been a guilty pleasure and well worth the time.

Here is the link to my Twitter profile : http://twitter.com/publicityscout

Time required: About 10 minutes and you are using Twitter! Hope to see you there.

If I had a dime for every time someone has asked me exactly a publicist does…

One of things we do: read newspapers, stay on top of world news, read   magazines, subscribe to RSS feeds, and use Google alerts to stay on top of breaking news and
media trends. Being the reader I am, I wish reading was all I had to in my daily
activites… it’s not. It is a very important piece to my professional acumen though.

Authors and experts who want publicity need to do the same thing although most can’t afford to spend hours everyday reading, you can add to your media acumen simply by subscribing to Google alerts with the top 5 or 10 keywords in your area of expertise.

Google will then email you alerts when your keywords are used based on your initial criteria.

This will allow you to watch current trends, hear others thoughts, and concerns within your field. This kind of pulse taking helps you stay relevant in your field AND…develop valuable media pitch articles and sales and marketing strategies.

Bonus: You will become familiar with journalists that write about your expertise. Priceless!

It was a Google alert that landed one of my clients air on an ABC affiliate TV morning show. The producer loved that I supplied her with an expert that could talk to their audience about a hot and widely covered media topic. The client was thrilled!

Even if you aren’t actively pitching the media, I strongly suggest you set up your own alerts here www.google.com/alerts to stay on top of your market.

If you find a trend that you would be a great media source for and want help with the pitch…contact me! Ladat (at) Comcast.net

Nothing is quite as rewarding as supplying media a fantastic expert on a hot media topic, and a client a high value lifetime placement!