Are you looking for more traffic to your Blog, online e-Store or eBay Store?  Have you jumped on the Twitter bandwagon yet? If not, read on!

I signed up just recently and I’m having so much fun! Not only have I met new friends, but I find that it’s the perfect medium to stay on top of things. It’s also really easy to communicate with my fellow bloggers that I’ve met through Entrecard.  Hey ~ even this Baby Boomer tries to stay ahead of the curve on all the latest technology!  Here’s why I think it’s great for WAHMs to use to promote your online businesses, blogs or eBay business.

Whether you are just getting started with an online business or you have been around for a while and looking for a new way to network, have a look at Twitter. Part chat program and part tiny blog, you will find that the Twitter interface is one that can change the way you interact with your current customers and potential customers worldwide.

Here’s 5 reasons why Twitter’s a powerful marketing tool for online WAHM business owners like you.

1. It’s Short, Sweet & To the Point
Have you ever heard the phrase, less is more? You’ll find that one of the best things about Twitter is that it keeps all messages very short and sweet. You’ll have to give your customers and clients the gist of what is going on in short tweets (messages similar to instant messages) that allow their interest to be piqued in such a way as to make them investigate further. You won’t bother them with long-winded messages that make them yawn and move on. Instead, you’ll be able to catch their attention quickly and make them want to know more.

2. Immediacy
Much like a blog or an RSS feed, you can get access to the people that use Twitter regularly. In some ways, this is like making sure that you can reach them no matter where they are, and you’ll find that this is very important when you want to make marketing one of your biggest priorities. You’re making sure that they have all of the latest updates to what you are doing and what’s going on by simply sending a tweet their way.

3. Everyone’s Doing It
In many ways, Twitter is a social program more than it is a marketing one, and you’ll find that using Twitter can help you feel a great deal closer to your client base and other’s in your online community. If you are looking to make sure that they see you as a person rather than as simply a company or service, you’ll find that Twitter encourages them to think of you as someone they can get to know. This can be very important when it comes to establishing a customer base and customer loyalty.

4. You Get to Hear a Lot
Remember that it goes both ways; you can put information out on Twitter and you can also learn a lot too. By following other’s Twitter accounts, especially if it looks like they have a lot to offer, you can keep in the know about various products, services, and other happenings online. This can be a great way to keep an eye on what is going on in order to keep yourself in the know of your industry.

5. Make Them Laugh
You can also use Twitter to tease people a little bit, in a fun way, of course! When you use Twitter, you have to keep your messages short, and in many ways, a little mysterious. Pique their interest, joke around, and you’ll find that you gain a lot more followers and hopefully website traffic and customers as a result.

Be warned, just as with any other social networking site, Twitter can quickly become addicting if you let it. Don’t go overboard and get so involved in all the tweeting that it takes away from your intended purpose. Used wisely Twitter can be a great and powerful marketing tool to help create online business success.

Sign up for my Newsletter for more updates about Twitter.

Want to know what I’m doing now?  Just read my Twitter Box on my right-hand sidebar!  Follow Me!

Many of my Twitter followers and friends on the various eBiz forums I belong to know that I frequently stay up until the wee hours of the morning working on my websites. Additionally, I still work a full-time job and of course, have responsibilities at home.

Obviously that combination is not ideal for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, I’m a Baby Boomer, so my energy level is not exactly that of a 20-something year old anymore. (Although in my mind, I feel as if nothing’s changed!) The aging process, as well as lack of sleep can often result in mood changes that ultimately can affect all aspects of one’s life. Just click on my ‘Rantings’ tab for some excellent examples of late night posts!

Recently I had the opportunity to review SAM-e Complete, formerly MoodPlus, by Nature Made. SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound that is found in all living things. It’s distributed throughout the human body and it contributes to maintaining mood levels and promoting joint comfort.

SAM-e levels tend to decline as people get older and certain groups of people, including those with low mood, tend to have lower levels of SAM-e in their bodies.

I received one box of SAM-e Complete, which contained 36 Enteric Coated Dietary Supplement tablets. Each Serving Size is one tablet, 400 mg and comes in foil blister packs to ensure safety and freshness.

The suggested use is to take one tablet per day, preferably on an empty stomach at lest 30 minutes before a meal. Taken as directed, SAM-e indicates that it has been proven to restore a healthy mood in as little as 7-14 days when taken daily.

How does SAM-e work, you may ask? Simply put, according to the website ~

SAM-e helps other molecules in the brain do their jobs making you feel like your normal self. When SAM-e levels run low, those other molecules can’t do their jobs as effectively, and you can feel out of sorts from a mood standpoint.

Although there is a Good Housekeeping Seal prominently displayed on the box, I would highly suggest consulting your Doctor before deciding whether or not SAM-e is something that would be beneficial to you.

People with bipolar (manic) depression should not take this or any other product containing SAM-e except under a doctor’s supervision.

If you are pregnant or nursing, or taking prescription antidepressant medications, consult your doctor before using this product.

For a limited time, Nature Made is offering a $3-off coupon when you try SAM-e. Click here to get yours.

SAM-e is also available online at most of your favorite retailers.

The Banana Splits, a hugely popular costumed rock band from the ’60s is back! The Banana Splits are fondly remembered by Baby Boomers for their unique combination of kid-style comedy and contemporary music!

Now share the excitement with your own children or even grandchildren!

The Classic ’60s TV and Music Icons Return With New Comedy Shorts on Cartoon Network, Music Videos, Website and Live Entertainment.

Starting September 2nd, The Banana Splits will star in a brand new comedy shorts and music videos on the Cartoon Network.  This Fab Four - Fleegle (a dog), Drooper (a lion), Bingo (a gorilla) and Snorky (an elephant) are ready to introduce their unique style of humor and catchy music to a whole new generation of young fans!

Also debuting in August is the all new Banana splits website, where kids ages 4-7 can watch comedy shorts and music videos, play games and join the Banana Splits club at http://www.bananasplits.com

Want to know 5 Cool Things About BananaSplits.com?

1)  Phone-A-Joke: Does your kid love jokes (hearing them, telling them, making them up?) Why not have them phone in their favorite joke using the toll free number listed in the “Jokes” section.  If the ‘Splits think its top notch, it’ll be incorporated into the website!

2) Great Music (seriously):  Tired of listening to sugary sweet, repetitive, less-than-incredible kids’ music?  Get your groove on with the oh-so-adult-friendly tunes available on the site.

3) Secret Codes:  What kid doesn’t love a good secret code?  On BananaSplits.com, kids can check in daily to decipher a code, then solve a word puzzle to reveal - what else - a silly, groan-inducing, ‘Splits style joke.

4) Fan Mail: Does your youngster have questions for the Furry Four?  Help them send an email in the “Fan Mail” section, and check back often to see if Fleegle, Snorky, Drooper or Bingo answers the email in a Fan Mail video.

5) The Banana Splits Club:  Much like secret codes, special clubs are kid nirvana.  Join the official Banana Splits Club to receive a downloadable membership certificate and Club Card (the best part is, no email addresses, phone numbers, or other personal info is requested - these ‘Splits are a low key bunch!).

Your kids will really be enthralled with this colorful, action-packed and entertaining web site.  This is the perfect parent/child activity to encourage early computer use for your child while stimulating their senses.

Soon the Banana Splits will also be seen in concert tours, live appearances, as well as a wide range of exclusive merchandise including toys, games, books and apparel!

Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Check it out at http://www.bananasplits.com

As a Baby Boomer, I’m trying to get my “ducks in a row” and develop a supplemental source of income for my pending retirement.

As a professional Paralegal for over 30 years, I established CT Paralegal Virtual Assistant Services.

This week I was interviewed by the Connecticut Law Tribune, and I’m very excited and would like to share that interview with you. You can read the entire article HERE.

Currently I’m in the process of having a new web-site makeover, and switching to a new host for my Virtual Assistant site, so stay tuned!

If you think being a Work At Home Mom is something you’d like to do and and are looking for information on starting a  Virtual Assistant Business; are looking for a Guide to Writing for Pay, or perhaps a Proofreading Guide, check out these links or visit Moms Talk Network for more information on how to get going.

I have a friend who recently became a widow within the last several years. During the first year or so after her mate passed, we would have a ‘girls night out’ and joined adult education classes at the local high school, signing up for fun topics such as ‘gourmet cooking.’  Other times we would sign up for evening craft classes, such as bow-making or calligraphy at the local craft store.

After a night of these fun events, we Baby Boomers did what any group of hard-partying gals would do ~ we’d go out to grab a bite to eat and engage in ‘girl talk.’  Inevitably, we’d end up discussing the subject nearest and dearest to us ~ ourselves!

After several attempts and failures at online dating services, my friend decided to go on a mission of self-improvement.  I, being still married to the same fella for over 30 years, was umm, not so motivated.  As she ate a late-night dinner of salad, while washing it down with a glass of water with lemon, my friend spoke of changing her hairstyle by having a cut and highlights done ~ I listened intently while drinking my chocolate milkshake and enjoying my Pastrami Reuben with melted cheese.  My friend spoke of how she joined a weight watching group, and was now exercising at a local health club.  I responded that I exercise by taking a 5-minute walk across the street for errands during my lunch to the corner drugstore to pick up a candy bar.

My friend then dropped the bomb that as a coup de grace, she decided to invest in having porcelain veneers cosmetic dental work done to enhance her appearance.  I remarked I just usually like to floss.

After sufficient mourning time had passed, my friend re-entered the social scene and began to date again.

Porcelain veneers are a common cosmetic dentistry procedure used to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers can improve the appearance of :

• Uneven teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Severely stained teeth.

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that fits over a damaged or discolored tooth. Porcelain veneers have many benefits over other teeth restoration techniques. Some common benefits of porcelain veneers are:

• Durable
• Color and translucent similar to a natural tooth
• Not susceptible to decay
• Resists staining
• Natural appearance
• Can effectively reshape teeth

Once veneers are permanently placed they will feel like a natural part of your teeth.

My friend is smiling once again and introduced me to her new “significant other” at a wedding we were at recently! Now those are results that give her something to smile about.

I’m going to make a few interesting observations on Social Networking Forums and Web 2.0 here.

While I don’t purport to be an expert, I have seen a change in direction from when I first started blogging.

Recently I’ve received several e-mails from some of the forums I belong to asking me to stop back & show my face.  Since I’ve been online, I’ve joined countless WAHM and Business forums.  While I still belong to all of the original ones I’ve joined, (outside of the ones I’ve gotten kicked out of, including Facebook ~ read about it here too) I only actually keep up with just a few.

Here’s where I’m going with this.

The newer forums I’ve joined, such as Mom Bloggers Club, Posh Momma, Hip Mama’s Place, MomDot, Moms United in Business, Cafe Mom and others, have all the bells & whistles where you can add your own “About Me” pages; put up your banner logos; website information; links to your blogs; article bases, Wow!  You can comment on other peoples pages ~ join groups, start discussions and more! There is just sooo much social interaction, it’s mind boggling!  There’s Twitter Groups; Entrecard groups; Digg Groups; Regional Groups; and on and on.

Some of the original forums ~ the ones that are sending emails saying “Please come back ~ visit us again ~ we’ve added new Contests to get you to come back ~ they just.don’t.get.it.

The format is older ~ just a list of topics, and you get to add a verrrrry limited siggy.  That’s it.  It’s so hard to keep in contact.   One particular forum, the bloggers mentioned they don’t use Entrecard (now, if you have a Blog, Entrecard is really a “Must-Have” for traffic.)  See my previous post HERE.

Also, hardly anyone knows about, much less uses Twitter.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much traffic I’m now receiving since I started “Twittering.” For those of you who don’t Twitter ~ it’s considered a form of micro-blogging, and there is definiately an audience for it that you need to capture.

Now what’s ironic about my observations, is all this is coming from me, a Baby Boomer Gram.  I’ve made light of the fact in the past how as a Boomer I’m struggling (well, not really, I’m a Geek at heart) to keep up with technology, and always have to stay one step ahead of the curve & my kiddos.  (Read THIS POST.) Now I’m not fresh out of High School, College or anywhere even close.

The difference between the new Web 2.0 forums and older forums is like night and day; analog and digital; VHS & DVD; Tape Decks and CDs.

Forum Administrators have to keep ahead of technology if you’re going to retain your membership.  Members are going to flock to where there are bells, whistles & graphics nowadays.

We are all spread so thin today and only have a limited amount of time to spend online, and obviously want to maximize that time to our fullest potential.

Why does it take Gram here to point this out?  What do you think?

Do you find yourself drawn to the newer forums?  Are you still frequenting the older ones?  Hmmm?

As those who follow me or have read my Press Release or bio know, I’ve been a Paralegal for over 30 years.  I received an e-mail the other day from the Managing Editor of the Connecticut Law Tribune and was interviewed for a story that they’re putting together about  Virtual Legal Assistants.  I can’t wait to see it when it goes to press.  Unfortunately, I had to pass on the photo op because of time constraints ~ not to mention a serious need for concealer after all the excitement of becoming a new Gram again!

In anticipation of my Baby Boomer retirement, I established another online ebiz,  CT Paralegal Virtual Assistant Services to continue to put my skills to use (keep the brain cells active, too) and earn a supplemental income. Here’s an article that all work-at-home moms might find helpful!

If you currently use a VA, please comment and share your experiences!

I’m a Work at Home Mom; Do I Need a Virtual Assistant?by Debra Nail

The term “Virtual Assistant” is becoming more and more common every day. Small businesses utilize VAs for administrative tasks such as data entry, research and many other related tasks.

But, you might say, I’m a work at home mom, how can a virtual assistant help me? I’m glad you asked!

First, for a definition—a virtual assistant is someone who works from their own home-based office to perform tasks pertaining to their client’s business. The VA pays their own insurance, taxes and social security, saving the client’s company money. A virtual assistant is a business owner and works hard every day to build their practice.

There are many ways a virtual assistant can help the work at home mom community. For those just starting out, it could be creating a business image with logos, business cards and forms, etc, all done through desktop publishing by a virtual assistant.

Once your business is off and running, you need customers. The best way to get customers—advertising. Online or offline, your VA can put together a marketing package tailored to your specifications such as banner creation and placement, advertising through classifieds, etc.

Even after customers have committed to doing business with you, there are lots of other tasks your va can perform from sending out direct mailings of specials and promotions to ghostwriting and submitting articles pertaining to your target customer.

A virtual assistant can be your right-hand person to make your business succeed.

About the author: Debra Nail is the owner of WAHM Virtual Helper, a virtual assistance service for work at home moms. You can visit her website at http://www.wahmvirtualhelper.com
Article Source: WAHM Articles

I recently did a post on how I attended a backyard barbecue at the home of my niece who recently got married last weekend.  The young couple is fresh out of college within the last few years, and has a rec room (is that what they’re still called?) that’s to die for.

There’s theater style seating, a bathroom, surround sound, plasma TV, and a wet bar!

Even after 34 years of marriage, this Baby Boomer is still not able to keep up with the Joneses!

If you’re in the market for bar sinks for a kitchen makeover or home improvement project ~ such as updating your rec room or great room, check out the Kitchen Sink Outlet.  You’ll find brands from Kohler, American Standard and more!

The Joneses will then have to keep up with you!

It’s been a week now since the 3-day Wedding of the Season took place. I’ve put away the (so I thought) sexy little black Red-Carpet Runway dress that I wore. You know how you look forward to special events, and then after they take place, it’s like such a letdown that the big event is now behind you?

My youngest daughter, the college student, looked stunning in her boutique Jessica McClintock dress, and got many compliments. She’s turned into a real stunner. But I have to mention that we spent many long hours in the waiting room of dermatologist offices when she was in High School. She had tried every over-the -counter acne products and prescription medicines to try to clear up her skin.

Are you planning a wedding soon?  Perhaps you’ll be a bridesmaid this summer.

Oftentimes acne problems aren’t limited to just teenagers, and can manifest during pregnancy and even mid-life. If you find yourself looking for a solution, check out Get Acne Treatments.

Get Acne Treatments is dedicated to exhaustive and comprehensive research on all the best acne treatments. They systematically categorize products based upon the following criteria:

* Safety
* Efficacy
* Value
* Quality
* Company
* Customer Feedback

Their reviews are constantly updated, and their list of Top Acne Treatments changes frequently.

Awhile back I wrote about how Baby Boomer Gram is trying to keep up with technology and the times.  You can read my post here.

As a mom of then teenagers, and now young adults, I’ve had to learn to use AIM Instant Messenger to keep in constant contact; then I had to learn how to text message on my cell if I wanted to know if the kiddos were still alive, and it goes on and on.

My latest feat is that now I am …. Twittering!  Even my kids don’t Twitter, yet  ~ so I’m ahead of the curve here!

Here’s a great tip for WAHM moms, or any online ebiz, or ebay store owner.

Would you like to earn auto-pilot commissions every time you post to your blog? And at the same time use the Power of Twitter to drive massive amounts of traffic to your blog.

I know it sounds like a fairy tale, but it just became reality, with the launch of John Merrick and Soren Jordansen’s new “Tweet My Blog“.

Just by using the powerful free plugin, you will be promoting your affiliate link on auto-pilot. In other words, you can earn commissions just for posting to your blog.

But that’s just one of the many benefits of using TweetMyBlog, visit the page to learn more - and grab your free copy today.

And… Even though they are giving this plugin away for free, you should take a close look at the special offer they have in store for you when join. I instantly grabbed my own copy, and I know it will skyrocket my marketing power when using Twitter and Wordpress.

I don’t know if they’re are going to keep this free forever, I certainly feel they could start charging big bucks for it. So, grab your copy today, while it’s still free - and start using it before you competition does!