Category Archives: review

My honest option of a product or service I have used. We do accept promotional products and services to review. Some but not all reviews are sponsored. Anytime we receive a product for review, we clearly state that these items were provided to us at no charge. We are open to reviewing items on this or other blogs. Samples must be provided. Please contact us with your request. Details on our review policy are available on the “Request Review” page of this blog.

Swag: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business

Heidi Thorn’s new book “

Heidi Thorn’s new book “Swag: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business”

Visit Promo With Purpose to learn more about Heidi Thorne and promotional  products to market your business.

Guerrilla Marketing For Job Hunters Book Review

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0: 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job
icon is chock full of unconventional ideas for landing your perfect position. My copy is full of sticky notes, highlighting and writing in the margin. This updated version has over 1,000 ideas to jump start your job search.

Employees who remained in positions due to lack of job opening are getting restless. Many people are looking to move up to a better job. According to CNN.com, 84% of employees plan to look for a new position in 2011.

But Paul Bernard warns that they shouldn’t leave their day jobs too soon. “People need to have realistic expectations,” he cautioned. “It could still take 10 months to find a job.”

Which ones will be successful in landing their dream job? Those who use Guerrilla Marketing techniques to demonstrate credibility and brand awareness.

This book gives specific tactics on how to research companies and people through accessible tools. Using the author’s advice you can learn how to find email addresses for those you want to contact, gather information on interviewers and identify associations. The search tips make Google a much more useful tool delivering more specific results and making more effective use of your time.

Networking is one of my passions and this book devotes a chapter to this topic. Their approach includes both online and in person connecting. The “refer yourself” tip works for me.

Networking is about building awareness and relationships. To get hired, candidates have to stand out from the crowd. The book gives solid advice on writing, getting published and podcasting.

Public relations is not just for companies. Job candidates should also create and implement a PR strategy. Read the advice on how to tell dynamic stories to make your point in networking situations, job interviews or your writing.

Real life stories are sprinkled throughout the book giving practical examples of these concepts at work in the work place.

I recommend this book for anyone who is even thinking about changing jobs. You will shorten your job search by implementing the ideas in this book.

New Blog With Professional WordPress Theme

Our new blog built with a professional WordPress Genesis Serenity Theme from StudioPress is here. This website is built with a WordPress blog foundation then a Studio Press professional Genesis WordPress theme for additional functionality and design elements.

Not only do professional WordPress themes give a blog more more flexibility, they give a business more credibility.

What I really like about the StudioPress Genesis themes is the support forums. The users and designers are very responsive and helpful as I develop this site. These themes were also used to create our “Where Are You Today?” travel blog.

As for our new blog, let us know what you think, we always like to hear from you. You can leave a message on our voice mail at 414.604.6635 anytime.

For information on professional WordPress templates, check out the variety of StudioPress professional Genesis WordPress themes available. Disclosure: this is an affiliate link.

For more information on becoming a blogger and creating your own blog, just give me a call. I’ll even help you install your StudioPress professional WordPress theme you purchase through this link.

StudioPress Premium WordPress Themes

Review Requests

REVIEW REQUESTS – PRODUCT REVIEWS

We accept products or services to review. Product samples must be provided and before writing our review we will use the item extensively. We provide our honest opinion based on personal experience.

A review will be written for all items received. Reviews will be posted on www.cyberlifetutors.com, http://aprilmwilliams.com within 4 weeks. Links to reviews will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.

For information, contact April.

Items we are particularly interested in for product reviews:

Career: books, videos, self study programs, seminars, webinars, workshops, group coaching, one-on-one coaching

Social media or social networking: books, videos, self study programs, seminars, webinars, workshops, group coaching, one-on-one coaching

Gadgets: Iphone, Macintosh, Apple Computer, software, wireless, bluetooth, internet service, telephone service, cellphone service,

MEDIA TOURS

Media tour requests welcome. We are based in the Chicago area | Hawaii and travel extensively throughout the United States.

For information, contact April.

Press Pause Moments Anthology

I was delighted when Anne Witkavitch asked me to participate in her “Press Pause Moments” anthology about women authors facing transition in their lives. As a co-author, I contributed a story about experiences with transition in my personal and professional life.

The 36 contributing women writers tell their individual stories of change, struggles and triumph.

Get your copy at Amazon.com.

Social Networking for Career Coaches Helping Job Seekers

The Career Transition Center of Chicago is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization providing professional assistance to individuals in employment transition. CTC represents an alignment of academic institutions, faith communities, and businesses concerned with supporting people in their search for meaningful employment and sustainable success.

Over the past several years I worked with the Career Transition Center of Chicago providing coaching to job seekers. Laura Sterkel, Program Director, asked me to recommend resources for their coaches related to Social Networking. I am speaking to the group about social networking for a job search this week. Anita Jenke is the Executive Director.

Word of Mouth Advertising

What book is April reading this summer?

I am reading George Silverman’s book The Secrets of Word-of-Mouth Marketing: How to Trigger Exponential Sales Through Runaway Word of Mouth and learning new ideas. Can’t wait to share these with you over the next few months.

What word of mouth advertising techniques do you use in your business?

If you read this book, what is your favorite idea either in the book, from another source or your own idea?

Giving Tree Band Green Guitar

Do you remember the “The Giving Tree” book written by the late Shel Silverstein? It is one of the first books I owned. Enter the Giving Tree Band from Yorkville, Illinois.

The Giving Tree Band uses social networking to connect with their fans and share their message of environmental sustainability. The band knows their audience and how to connect with them. They made a green statement when they recorded their “Great Possessions” album in 2009. While recording, the group stayed near the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center where they recorded the material to reduce their carbon emissions. Even the instruments used were made of recycled materials. After the recording, the band raffled off this guitar, signed by the band, through the Chicago Blues & Blue Grass Festival. Kyle also a song writer and guitarist, won this Taliesin model guitar which Jason Harshbarger of Highland Strings created from reclaimed materials.

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Guitar Giving Tree Band used on the “Great Possessions” album
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Guitar inlay Giving Tree Band used on the “Great Possessions” album

Read more about the band’s eco friendly practices and recording. Purchase the Great Possessions album.  Listen to their music on MySpace and Facebook. Follow Giving Tree Band on Twitter.

Blog Rules on Endorsements

Did you know the U.S. government enacted new laws impacting a blog, bloggers and endorsements effective December 1, 2009?

These revised rules require anyone who blogs about products, including books, to disclose any connection with the company. If the blogger receives a free product to review or some other benefit from the blog post, they must disclose this fact.

Not disclosing a relationship with the product or service may result in fines.

Unmatched by anything
Creative Commons License photo credit: TheeErin

On occasion I am asked to review a product or service and give my opinion. If the product is of benefit to my target audience, I will investigate or test it out. If I feel the product or service is valuable to my readers, I will comment on my blog.

I only promote or cover any products or services I have used and believe in.

Are you a blogger? You can learn more about this law from information available on the FTC website.

Professional WordPress Blog Themes

Are you using a WordPress blog for Your Business? Are you using a professional blog theme?

Some of you may be just getting started with blogging and find your choice of free themes limited or cumbersome. If you are ready to take your blog to the next level, check out the professional themes from StudioPress. They have a variety to choose from and each can be customized to reflect your business look and feel. Colors, fonts and graphics can be configured.

I installed the Serenity theme on another blog site recently and like the ease of installation and support that comes with all the themes. Each theme comes with text and video tutorials to get you started. If you get stuck, send an email to the forum for a quick response.

Check out the professional looking themes from StudioPress available for your blog. Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. I will help you install this theme for free if you purchase through my link.
StudioPress Premium WordPress Themes

What questions do you have about setting up or upgrading your business blog?