The new Facebook Timeline has been burning up the blogosphere over the past few weeks as people get excited (or miffed) that they need to make changes to their Facebook pages in order to maximize the new format. With rules in place such as no call to action or linkable URL within the 800+ pixelwide banner, some businesses have become quite creative in developing a page that appeals to their followers.

I haven’t been doing as well as I'd like with my Facebook business page and I took this new change as an opportunity to see how I could fix that. Enter Charles Sandor of mPoweredWebs.

Yes, you can add all the content you like to your profile – skills, experience, education, associations, networks, interests – but please do not use any old party shot for your profile picture. They weren’t kidding when they said that a picture is worth a thousand words and it would take about two seconds for someone to glance at the off-center, ultra casual image of you and think ‘Hmm. Not sure if I’d do business with him.’ 

The past several years for me have been focused on developing well-crafted copy for various marketing communications, with an emphasis on websites.  Over the past five years, my research and study of search engine optimization has helped me to give advice and information to those small business owners who needed a website and weren't in a position to hire a huge agency to get it built.  People seemed thirsty for this information and I am so happy to share what I've learned.  It seems I've got a real passion for helping small business owners be successful. Maybe it's because I am one. Maybe it's because seeing someone do well and knowing that I helped in some small way is a really good feeling.  I wish everyone could have that feeling and I've grown somewhat addicted to it that I seek it out every day.

Thanks to the FreelanceFolder.com for the following list. I think with social media, we all hear the hype but we don’t realize the slow, methodical amount of work and commitment that’s involved in achieving our goals.  For more details visit the full post at freelancefolder.com 

Running a small business can be very rewarding. Someone recently told me I was 'living the dream'. Although it sounds impressive, the daily slogging to keep the business running, let alone growing, can be an awful lot for one person to manage. I often find myself wondering what it was that got me into this business in the first place and reflecting on whether or not those reasons still exist. The last thing I want to do is get mired down in the minutia of admin tasks when I could be doing what I truly love - writing.

Enter the Virtual Assistant (yes - capital V, capital A). I've worked with a few and they are worth their weight in gold. I'm particularly fond of Betty Anne at At Home Administrative Services. Not only does she have what it takes to take care of admin tasks (not just uploading website content, but developing spreadsheets, managing social media etc.) but she's so helpful and friendly I find myself wondering how I managed without her in my corner.  She quietly takes care of business, usually only needing a quick email, and I don't have to add office space and overhead to employ her.  We do meet in person from time to time because that's just more fun.

Do yourself a favour, hire a VA to take those mundane tasks that are hampering your passion for your business. You'll be very happy you did.