Interesting articles and information!

article #1 SuperMom

article #2 How Every Woman Can Celebrate Mother’s Day

article #3 A Testimonial is Worth 100 Cold Calls

#1 SuperMom

Do you consider yourself to be a SuperMom with a schedule, which seems to get busier every day? If so, you are certainly not alone. Moms everywhere are finding it increasingly difficult to make time for themselves, even if it’s just an hour or so a day.

It is very easy to get caught up in a daily routine and push aside or simply ignore the fact that you have needs. You take care of your family; you need to remember to take care of yourself, as well. In a nutshell, don’t neglect yourself!

When you take the time to do something for yourself, no matter how small, it will help to relieve the stress of the day. Even if it’s just enjoying a cup of coffee or reading a few pages of a good book, it will help. It’s during these times that you can shed the SuperMom persona and just be yourself.

As difficult as it is to believe, your children won’t love you any less if you put yourself first, every once in a while. If you are less stressed it stands to reason that the children will probably be less stressed, as well.

Honestly, if you’re like most moms, chances are you are your own worst enemy. Why? The answer is simple.

You are probably putting added pressure on yourself, thinking that you have to keep up with all of the other moms, in the world. That is just not true. It may come as a surprise; SuperMoms are really nothing but a myth. Yes, there are women who may make it seem as though they hold the title, but in reality they are struggling with the same ‘I’m not doing enough for my family’ issues as you are.

Some women tend to be a bit more organized than others, which may make them seem like SuperMom. But if you take a closer look at the situation, these same women usually only have one child and far less commitments than a mother of five. If the truth be known, they probably have more time to themselves.

As parents, most of us strive to be the best role models we can be. It is vital to teach our children… especially our daughters that it is acceptable NOT to be a super parent.

Children and not only the most important people in a mothers life but they are usually the most influential as well. As you know, children are just like sponges and everything they see mom do, they want to try. If your children constantly see you putting your needs on the back burner, they will be more inclined to do the same. What you do today can determine the kind of life your child will lead tomorrow. Keep in mind that is much more important to be a parent that is not always in a hurry and can spend quality time with their children. Taking time out for yourself on a regular basis will transform you from a SuperMom to a better, less-stressed, mom.

Aurelia Williams is a certified life coach and author of. Learn how to overcome the situations that cause you to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and, most likely, under appreciated. Article Source: www.articlebiz.com

#2 How Every Woman Can Celebrate Mother’s Day

By: Mary Foley

Recently I read something in the book “Uppity Women of Ancient Times” that made me pause:

“Slowly, very slowly, women became individuals, people whose consent mattered.”

So, the wise women of old are telling me that before others will take me seriously, I’ve got to be my own person, someone who takes herself seriously. When I value myself as a Bodacious Woman, others notice and value me back. (The “slowly, very slowly” part is killin’ me, though. I gotta speed this puppy up!)

It turns out that thousands of years later this same “I value myself first and then others value me” gave birth to our modern day Mother’s Day in the United States. It all started with Anna Jarvis who thought her individual ideas and actions were valuable and should be recognized.

Better known as “Mother Jarvis”, Anna organized women’s brigades to help injured men during the American Civil War, not matter what side they were on. She continued to be active in the community, including helping resolve post-war conflicts between opposed neighbors. She took her nurturing “mothering job” seriously and demonstrated her belief that mothering went beyond child rearing.

Then, in 1878, Mother Jarvis’s daughter heard her comment during a Sunday school lesson, “I hope and pray that someone, somewhere will found a memorial mother’s day. There are days for men but none for women.” A few years later her daughter, also named Anna, petitioned current and past Presidents, along with other prominent men, to do just that. In 1907 the first Mother’s Day was celebrated in Grafton, WV and Philadelphia, PA. By 1914 the national Mother’s Day holiday was born. Mother Jarvis’ dream had come true.

What I love about this story is that Mother Jarvis fully embraced her individual worth in society and spurred other women to do the same. As more and more women believed and acted this way they became a “people whose consent mattered.” In this sense, Mother’s Day is a day for all women. What we think and do matters, as long as we believe it ourselves.

So, on Mother’s Day let’s honor the women of ancient times, the women of our American history, and our own mothers who esteemed being female and contributed to women being “people whose consent mattered.” Let’s do our part by being women who value ourselves, cheer each other on, and make a difference. Now that’s bodacious!

During a successful, demanding, rising through the ranks 10 year career with America Online Mary learned that the only way to thrive in today’s world is to be bold, positive, and courageous – bodacious! Today Mary inspires women everywhere to be bodacious in their lives, careers and businesses. You can be inspired, too! Get a free copy of Mary’s e-book “How to Be Courageously in Charge of Your Life and Lovin’ It!” Article Source: www.gobodacious.com

#3 A Testimonial is Worth 100 Cold Calls

By: Kirstin Carey If you hate cold calling, and even if you don't, you should start capitalizing on the work you’ve already done.

So often we don’t utilize one of the most persuasive selling components in our marketing materials – the words of our own clients. Many creative people have wonderful testimonials from clients, but never use them for fear that they are “bragging” or that it is “too self promotional.”

Well of course it’s self promotional! That’s what good marketing is!

When you are finished a project for a client, why not capture that moment in the client's own words to use for showing potential clients the value of your services? Testimonials are even more crucial for creative businesses because it is more difficult for the average person to set a value on most arts related items and services. Seeing others talk about the value of working with you will help them more readily understand the value of your work.

If your client doesn’t come running to you with a testimonial, then ask her for one. There is nothing wrong with that and most clients are honored you asked them.

The best testimonials are ones that show a measurable goal has been reached and uses language that your potential clients can identify with.

For example, here is a testimonial I received from a client who is an artist: “I just recently got back from a job I did up in Cape Cod worth over $11,000 and it is because I used the techniques I learned from you to turn a consultation into my biggest job ever.” -Amy Ketteran, Ketteran Studios

Here's another example of a testimonial I received from a corporate client: "My improved confidence/speaking skills has helped my career as well as Verizon Connected Solutions since we are now working on developing partnerships/joint ventures with some large manufacturers and I am involved with seminars to promote these potential partnerships. Since I began working with Kirstin I’ve had several speaking opportunities and I can tell you her methods work. In fact, because of my work with Kirstin, I gave testimony in court that caused VCS to win a nearly $1 million lawsuit with customer who refused to pay. I can’t thank Kirstin enough!" -Ed Ruby, Director of Business Operations Verizon Connected Solutions

If you have testimonials, but they are not measurable, then they aren’t as persuasive as they need to be in order to sell a future client. To get measurable testimonials, all you have to do is ask for them. If you receive a testimonial from a client that isn’t measurable and doesn’t show a specific example of how that client has improved since working with you, then thank the client for the kind comments and ask him to narrow down the success to one or two specific items that are improved due to your work together.

You can respond with something like: “Thanks for your feedback. It’s wonderful to hear about your success. What specifically has improved during our work together? Were you able to measure the difference?”

The more measurable the testimonial, and the more the client speaks in his own words, the more persuasive it is to the potential client, and the easier it is to generate new business.

Review your client list and look back over recent projects. Ask your best clients for measurable testimonials. It’s a whole lot easier than making a cold call!

Kirstin Carey is the author of "Starving Artist No More: Hearty Business Strategies for Creative Folks". Kirstin knows that most creative professionals hate sales, contracts and discussing money. She consults creative folks on the business side of creativity so they make more money, attract better clients, and love what they do. Get proven strategies and insider secrets to help creative types like you get the business help you need at Article Source: www.articlebiz.com