So I need to set up this guest blog post for you.

I met Rene Johnson a few months ago because I had 3 people in one week say, “Hey, do you know Rene?” I didn’t so I reached out to her. Interestingly enough, she mentioned that I caught her before she had a chance to reach out to me–same situation as a number of people had said the same thing to her about me.

Isn’t that funny? Do you ever have that happen?

While my systems in my business are very logical, left-brained, WHO I connect with is the other extreme. I have learned to tap into my intuition for making connections–whether the connection is for someone new, a promotional partner, or just a reconnection of some sort.

And it pays off!

Rene is definitely someone who shines a light on who you are at the core–and makes you want to be that person more! When I am with her, I feel like the leader that I know I am (some of the time) and I am inspired and motivated to be that person all the time.

If you understand what I am talking about, then you will want to check out her class she is teaching tomorrow evening on Leadership. Here is a great article excerpt from her latest blog post:

Power Leaks = Lost Potential, Revenue and Opportunity

For years, this was one of my most popular speaking topics. While I have evolved from conversations about Facebook and Twitter to how turn your friends into profit centers while developing authentic REALationships, the question still remains.

Can you make money hanging out in social networking spaces?

The answer remains an astounding YES!

This last month, you probably saw me share tips and links about creating REALationships and Jumpstarting Your JVs on my various social media platforms.

While I usually fill that program with an average of 70% strategic JVs and partnership referrals, this latest program was not the case. Oh, I still had my referral participants, but more than 1/2 of my paid attendees came directly from Facebook!

Why does this matter, you ask?

Well, let me start by saying that I love my Joint Venture REALationships and partners. But I pay them an affiliate commission to everyone they send over. (and I love writing those commission checks because I am very grateful!)

So when someone clicks on MY links in Facebook….or a comment that links back to my program, I make more money!

Please note that I didn’t just show up one day pitching myself to my social networks. I have spent years building my reputation and relationships here.

And I am continuing the process.

But it does pay off and I wanted to share this little win with you.

So the next time you are wondering if Facebook is worth the time, it can be when its done right!

Happy Independence Day!

Watching the fireworks at the baseball game

Today is a celebration of our freedom. But I have to think, are we really free?

I was speaking to my mom a while back and she shared with me that she worries about me ALL the time. With everything that I have gone through these last few years, she is concerned everyday.

A few years ago, I would have tried to calm my mom down and make her feel like she didnt need to worry.

But I found that I really didnt feel the need for her worry and prayers any more. Life is still trying to knock me down, but I explained to her that I am really happy. I mean REALLY HAPPY! and I dont feel like Im requiring quite the level of concern that, despite my comments to my mom, even I felt were deserved.

So in honor of Independence Day and our freedom that entrepreneurs strive and thrive for, I want to share that I feel like Im about there!

I mean, isnt happiness the first huge leap toward freedom and success? For me happiness IS the level of success I have achieved.

And I am going to just relish in it for a while.

What is freedom to you?

I started writing a post for today and decided that no one needs to hear about making money or other business strategies today.

For me, Sunday is a day of rest from my chaotic, fun life. I spend time with my kids, enjoying my beautiful yard, and feeling grateful.

At least those are my intentions.

And I believe that, even in the busiest of times, those few hours of rest get me through it all.

My daughter playing in the rain the other day....does life get better?

So in my JV travels this past week, I decided it was time to reconnect with Michele Scism. We met a year ago at Nancy Marmolejos I Heart My Biz event (one that catapulted the most transformational experience of my life, as I have mentioned previously on this blog). We tried to connect after but the timing wasnt right.

As I googled my new friend, I discovered she was just launching another Blog Challenge. And I thought How perfect! Just what I need!

I already know that daily blogging can double or even triple your traffic to your website in just weeks. And it also increases your credibility as well as your visibility. So why don’t we do this all the time?

For me, it’s habit….and I really don’t like to write. But I will do it anyhow because I know it works!

So here I am, kicking off this blog challenge with my announcement about it.

Want to join me? Everything is always more fun with friends!

Just so you know, I will be finishing up my 25 1/2 written blog posts that I wrote these last few months and haven’t yet posted–content and value driven! I will also share what I have been up to and what I have coming up. And finally, I have decided to use my favorite Wordpress App on my iPhone–so the quality of the pictures might not be the best. I will try to fix them later.

But right now, my priority and commitment will be to blog 31 times by the end of the month–and getting something good posted is better than waiting until it is perfect! (Again, I have 25 less-then-perfect posts waiting in the queue…)

Please share your thoughts, comments and ideas as you are inspired.

And heres to creating REALationships via blogging!