Debra Simpson, Magic In Blogging, Named Woman Blogger to Watch in 2008

Wow, what an honor to be named one of 25 Women Bloggers To Watch In 2008. I can't thank Heidi enough for this honor.

I've talked for three years now about blogging. It's a great tool for any online business. I've created "how-to" videos for the folks using Blogger and Wordpress blogs. You can find them at Magic In Blogging. Let me know if you want a particular task video to help you in your blogging!

Read the post here: Magic In Blogging

Google Gadgets For Your Website or Blog

Ok, we call them gadgets, widgets, or plug ins. The point is they add interactivity to your site, compelling your visitors to hang around. I've used many on my various sites. So let's talk about a few of the Google Gadgets For Your Website.

You go to Google, choose a gadget and customize it. Google will generate the code you need to place your gadget in your post or on your sidebar. Just play around with them. Give your visitors a reason to stick around....

Crystal Ball
Ask your question and tap the ball to reveal the answer to your question.

Sudoko Puzzles
Test your skills.

Coloring Page of the Day

Jigsaw Puzzle of the Day

Leadership Quote of the Day

Skype Me!

Google Talk

These are only a few gadgets. Go to Google's Gadget page and check out a few for your website or blog. Keeping our visitors engaged is how we develop relationships with them. Try one or two gadgets today!

Let me know what gadgets you like, leave a comment below!

My Blog Log, A Fun Widget

Ok, what's a widget?

According to Wikipedia, a web widget is a portable chunk of code that can be installed and executed within any separate HTML-based web page by an end user without requiring additional compilation. They are derived from the idea of reusable code that has existed for years. Nowadays other terms are used to describe a web widget including: gadget, badge, module, capsule, snippet, mini and flake.

YIKES!!! What does that mean to you? It means you can easily add fun stuff to your blog without having any programming knowledge.

Today I'm going to share with you a fun "widget" I recently discovered, My Blog Log. My Blog Log is more than a "widget", it's also a social networking site.

If you have a blog, well with the exception of wordpress.com blogs, you can add this "widget" to your blog. It shows which members of My Blog Log have visited your site. This is a great way to expand your online community. Why not try it out on your blog and participate over at My Blog Log by visiting other members logs.

I've written a "how to" for grabbing the code you need (it's generated for you after you do some things, like pick colors) and putting it into a text widget. Try it out and if you have any questions, IM me at magicinwords on Skype or Yahoo, or comment on this post. Let's hear from you. Did you try the widget? If you did, how do you like it?

What To Charge, Pricing Strategies for Freelancers and Consultants

This is a consummate guide to all your pricing questions. Author, Laurie Lewis, provides an in-depth discussion of pricing strategies, tracking methods, establishing gees, analyzing projects, and developing contracts and agreements for professional freelancers and consultants.

This is an easy read and full of great tips and advice for appropriately bidding and pricing projects. No freelancer should be without this book.

You'll want to read this book with pen and paper in hand for all the notes you'll be making. You'll want to immediately use the formulas, suggestions and pricing rules it contains.