Your Small Business Coach, Trainer, & Solution Provider
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Vol. 4, Issue 3 | March 2015
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March marks my 25th anniversary of stepping into the rooms of recovery, learning to live life on life's terms, and coming to believe in a power greater than myself. It's hard to believe the biggest shift in my life -before or since - occurred that long ago, but 'tis true. I've no doubt my path would have been tremendously different in all ways: physical health, personal relationships, career, etc. I'm so grateful I was finally willing to explore another way to get me back towards wholeness, towards joy and peace, than I'd previously been open to. Thanks to all those I've met directly or indirectly over the years (some will never know) who accompanied and assisted me in the journey. And, thank you, for being in my life now.
This month I have really important news to share for anyone who uses the Internet - that's a whole lot of folks I'd say! Come next month Google is making what is said to be the biggest change ever in how websites are ranked in searches. So whether you own a website or use websites, take a moment to read the related articles contained herein.
Happy reading!
Blessings,
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Spiritual/Personal
Invite the Divine In
As you probably know, my mantra personally and professionally is "You are not alone" (we teach what we need to learn). So when I recently joined the Waking Up with Ryan email list, I was thrilled when one morning Ryan wrote about this topic.
Here's an excerpt from his 03.20.15 email...
You can go it alone - but why? You're surrounded by support. Not just from the people around you, but from the Divine itself...
IF and only IF you invite the Divine in.
The way the Universe works - without your permission, the Universe cannot work Its miracles through you.
Whatever you most need help with, take a moment now to ask for guidance and support. Ask for clarity - ask to have your thinking changed - to have your perspective shifted to the level of the solution.
Ask for help!
The Universe will not violate our free will, so if we forget to invite Its brilliance, It cannot enter into our thoughts.
Think of your mind like a bouncer at the club...
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People Helping People
A Pizza Shop Customer and Its Owner Change Philadelphia
Owner Mason Wartman, who left his Wall Street desk job to open Rosa's Fresh Pizza, says pay-it-forward pizza started with one customer, one dollar, and one Post-it note.
Watch this video and you will be uplifted by some people who are giving Philadelphia's homeless a daily taste of hope and kindness.
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The Pizza Shop That Pays It Forward
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General Computer
Google Searches: Huge Change Will Impact All
Whether you have a website (owner) or you search and visit websites (user), Google's biggest ranking change ever, coming next month, will impact YOU! Please do read on... (and, if you're an owner, also see the article below entitled Website Owners: Preparing for Google's Ranking Change).
When you run a website it seems like there's always something to worry about. The latest worry is being called Mobilegeddon - seriously (you can search on it!) - and it represents a very real threat to the Google rankings of millions of websites. AS OF APRIL 21, GOOGLE WILL START RANKING MOBILE-FRIENDLY WEBSITES HIGHER IN SEARCH RESULTS.
Read more...
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Workshops
As a current or prospective website owner, perhaps now with this huge change in the Google ranking algorithm as noted above, you're really interested in learning about and test driving self-hosted WordPress. Our workshops are offered regularly, limited to just 4 participants, are hands-on, and include hands-outs and access to practice in a real live WordPress site. Some spots are already reserved, so don't linger in registering. Here's the schedule for April's workshops in Sedona, AZ: | Date | Day | Time | Event | | Apr 2 | Thu | 5:30 - 7:30P | "Intro to WordPress:
First Steps" | | Apr 20 | Mon | 5:30 - 7:30P | "Intro to WordPress:
Going Deeper (Part Two)" |
For more information and to register for a WordPress workshop, visit Websites and Coffee. I also offer coaching by the hour as well as 1/2-day retreats where me, you, and your team can dedicate 4 hours solely towards developing your WordPress website. I look forward to your joining me over a cup of java.
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e-Newsletters
Improve Your Email's Deliverability, Spam, and Open Rates by Cleaning Your Lists Regularly
 Cleaning your contact list not only helps you to avoid list reviews, it also helps improve your email's deliverability, spam, and open rates. A "clean" contact list only contains people who still want to (and can) receive your emails. To clean a list collected outside of Constant Contact, follow the list of things to do before you add contacts. Otherwise, try these tips to clean up a list that has been in your Constant Contact account for a while: - Rescue or Remove Contacts Who Can't Get Your Emails - Manage bounces (abandoned, invalid, or unreachable email addresses) to improve your email open and deliverability rates.
- Age Your List by Sign-up Dates - If some of your contacts joined your list long ago, and your emails are starting to get spam complaints or bounces, consider aging your list.
- Remove Role Addresses - Get rid of role (i.e., [email protected]) and group addresses. Constant Contact won't send to most role addresses as they are typically directed to multiple users who may not have given permission.
- Use the Permission Reminder - Adding the Permission Reminder to each email you send helps stop spam complaints.
- Ask Contacts to Update Their Profiles - Add an Update Profile link in your emails, so contacts can easily give you their current personal information and mailing list preferences.
Read this article to learn more.
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Website Development/WordPress
Website Owners: Preparing for Google's Ranking Change
We've all been aware of the consistent huge increases in the use of mobile devices. With Google's biggest ranking change ever coming April 21st ( see Google Searches article above), Google is basically telling us to make our websites responsive. And that includes moi - ya know, it's like the shoemaker's children who need new shoes... Yes, my two main sites are not responsive, but you can rest assured they will be in the near future!
The good thing about this big change is that Google has given us notice. You have the better part of a month to test your site, make sure its mobile-friendly, and make any necessary changes so that your site is not negatively impacted by this algorithm change. Google has created a complete guide to mobile-friendly sites and there's a mobile-friendly test. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you can find an array of information on the Google Developer's website to make a great site for your mobile visitors.  If your current WordPress theme isn't mobile-friendly, look for another theme.
You can browse for a new responsive theme. WordPress.org maintains a themes directory. Customize your theme search with their tag filter functionality to customize your search for a theme: - Browse themes with the "responsive layout" tag. These themes use the principles of responsive design. If the theme has a link to their demo, be sure to check it out on Google's mobile-friendly tool.
- Browse the most popular WordPress theme downloads. Many of the most popular themes incorporate responsive design. Check for keywords that use "responsive" or "mobile" in the descriptions of the theme.
And, remember, you are not alone. Join me at a Websites and Coffee workshop, private coaching session (can be done via phone/Skype), or customized retreat. Good luck!
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Yours in Spirit,
Joyce S. Kaye (AKA The Computer Spirit)
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Joyce "came to believe" in a Power greater than herself about 25 years ago. Thanks to hearing the novel idea that one could choose their own concept of God - and name too - and the workings of synchronicity, Joyce embarked on a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of being in the world and with others. Since that time of commencing her conscious spiritual journey, she has endeavored to remember The Presence in all that is, all whom she meets, and all that she does - including working with others and helping to empower them as she provides solutions for their computer projects and marketing needs. |
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