Google+ Pages were made available to the public yesterday. Here is a quick video with step-by-step instructions on how to set up a Google+ Page and add a badge to your website or blog.

Every month I take a few minutes to jot down my blog traffic stats. I can then do a quick analysis as to whether my blogs are moving in the right direction. I can also see if there are any areas of concern. My blog stats for last month had a lot to say…Primarily, ”Boy you’ve been lazy.”

It wasn’t that there was a huge downfall in my traffic numbers. In fact, my traffic was up for the most part across the board. One of my blogs was up almost 300%. What’s there to be concerned about? Let me tell ya…

Traffic Sources

StumbleUpon and I have been doing a little dance for most of this year with one little post. The traffic spike was exhilarating. But, you know how I roll. I spent a few months seeing if I could replicate that fluke. When that didn’t happen, I spent a few months watching to see what impact that traffic had on reaching my real goals. My goal online is not to woo PR firms. That is not what a single one of my sites is about. So the overall traffic numbers are not so important to me. What is important is that new visitors come back again, and they are interested in building a relationship long-term. That just didn’t happen with SU traffic. These visitors are primarily just browsing and killing time. Even though my bounce rate from SU is not high (I went back and internally linked the heck out of that magical post), it isn’t doing much for my overall success. That love affair has ended, and I would be perfectly okay seeing another site takes its place in my stats.

Search traffic is another thing I pay close attention to. Last month these numbers rose. Search traffic on one site rose another 16%. This was good as I was worried there may be a little faltering with that site. However, another site was at 89% of its traffic coming from search. Whoa! A certain sector of the online world would likely be thrilled with this. “You did it! Just sit back, relax now and keep pumping it full of keywords.” But, I’m weird I guess. When you are relying on any one thing around here, whether it is a traffic source or a single source of income, it makes me a little concerned. We all know search engine algorithms can change in the blink of an eye. And, they oftentimes make mistakes. I won’t depend on 90% of my traffic coming from search long-term. The traffic numbers can keep increasing here, but that percentage needs a little intervention.

What I didn’t see in here was traffic from comments. Why? Because I have been lazy, and there is really no excuse for it. I read numerous blogs daily. If I read it and had something to add, there is no reason not to leave a comment. Comments used to be a big traffic source for me when I first started blogging. There is no reason they shouldn’t be now. But, I have become complacent. As others have started promoting my blogs more, apparently I didn’t think I needed to. That’s just wrong.

There were quite a few blogs that linked to my content last month in my top referrers. That is one thing that cooled my jets a bit. The key here is not to become lazy with content. I also need to get out there and guest post more often. That was lacking last month, as well. Bad blogger…

What did your blog traffic stats say about you last month?

As opposed to a brick and mortar business where expenses are relatively easy to calculate, freelance businesses have a hard time figuring out the value of their time and services provided. For most, freelancing means flexible working hours and being their own boss. For others, particularly women, it is a means to contribute to the monthly budget while staying at home with the kids. However, self employment also has some drawbacks.

Many people assume that working from home is easier than having to work for an employer. Under this misconception, freelancers undervalue their services and thus time, and find themselves in a quarry where the long working hours don’t pay enough to cover their time and expenses. In the initial excitement of launching a home-based business, contractors grossly underestimate their expenses.

The first issue to address is that self employment does not cover medical insurance and other benefits that are taken for granted in a typical employer-employee setting. Taxes have to be paid, and leaves to account for. The best way to tabulate decent returns on your business is by conjuring up a net figure that you expect to take home at the end of each year. Remember, it has to be realistic – not too much or too little. If you are unsure of what your qualifications and experience are worth, research online for the amount professionals in your field make on an annual basis.

To the above figure, add your expenses: taxes, medical coverage, insurance and costs related to running the business which include marketing, electricity, stationary, bad debts, rent etc. These overheads may be unique to every situation. Don’t forget to add wages for staff members to this figure.

This will give you your Total Revenue figure – the amount that you need to collect every year to pay your salary and profits as well as meet other expenditures. This figure is your numerator.

The next step is to calculate the number of hours you expect to work in a week. Lay down the rules for yourself, since many freelancers lack discipline and work fewer hours than they originally anticipated. This is because there are plenty of distractions around the house ranging from kids, the refrigerator and procrastination. A home-office is a wise investment and it should be preferably in a quiet corner of the house. Ideally, a serious freelancer should be able to work 40 hours a week. Instead of multiplying this figure by 52, the number of weeks in a year, it is recommended to use 48 hours as a standard to account for holidays and sick leaves etc.

Most of the work is done at this stage. However, there is certainly some downtime expected for a freelancer as you have to spend a few hours searching for clients and pursuing new leads. Thus, as a rule of thumb, subtract 15 to 20% of your working hours to arrive at your total billable hours for the year. This figure will be your denominator.

The last step is to divide the Total Revenue figure with the number of billable hours in a year to arrive at the hourly rate. Remember, it may seem a bit high at first, but it is a realistic figure that will help you stay afloat. Many new freelancers are excited by the opportunity and start low, intending to charge higher as they establish their name in the market; but it is not easy to do so, once you build repute for giving away your services for free.

Author Bio: Anum S. writes on behalf of InvestmentAdvice.org, your source for clear and concise advice on money matters!

Recently, a survey came out with some startling information. 50% of small business owners don’t use social media marketing at all! Is your home business struggling to generate the profits, client following or goals that you set for yourself? Instead of waiting for your next big customer to come to you, consider social media marketing as a great opportunity to increase your home business beyond all expectations. Whether or not you have had any experience with Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, there are countless ways to market yourself online, connect with current and future customers and solicit yourself respectfully. Here’s how.

For Starters, Say Thanks!

So, you have your business goals for the year lined up but don’t know quite how to accomplish them? Begin to generate higher revenue by thinking – and thanking – your current customers for their loyalty. Send a mass email to them thanking them for their loyalty in you and your product, and then allow them to leave feedback. Connect them to your Facebook page, offer links to your new Twitter account where you can post daily, motivational and newsy information on your latest product and remind them that you’re making changes to make your home business even more beneficial for their needs.

Introduce Your New Product

The first trick of social media that you’ll need to learn is grasping what it’s all about. Connecting with customers online can be a challenge, and if your home business is set up with a website and social media network, you may wonder how to become more visible on the web and get your product out there! The goal is this: connect with as many organizations, individuals and companies as you can by introducing them to your new product. If your home business is selling mops, let them know firsthand about the latest model you just designed that will make those spills and stains come out easier than ever before. Are you a business coach and want to know how to beat your competition? Send out a monthly newsletter to customers with free motivational tips, the latest news on current affairs and developments in your area with different fields of interest. By starting a dialogue with free information for your clients, they will quickly see that you stand out from the rest.

Rely on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

If you haven’t gotten yourself a Facebook or Twitter page, now’s the time (and frankly, your home business can’t afford not to.) Facebook has over 500 million users worldwide and Twitter is a free way to market yourself by short messages your followers can read to stay connected to you and your latest product. Make sure to invite each and every customer to your Facebook page, as well as offering your Facebook link in each e-newsletter, email or mailed brochure you send. The more people you have on your Facebook page, the more response you will generate. Improve your social network even more by establishing a LinkedIn page. This will connect you to other business professionals, help you to generate leads and improve your online visibility. Lastly, don’t get overwhelmed by the Twitter movement! Instead, use it to your advantage by connecting daily with your customers. Over time, as you develop more fans through your social network, you’ll see your profits increase and your business goals met.

Author Bio: Ethan S. writes on behalf of AmazingDomains.co.uk. Buy a domain name, and watch your business explode!

With the onset of the internet age, it is more possible than ever for people to work from home. The internet is a hub and a hotbed for a wide variety of freelance work, projects, businesses and other work at home opportunities. There is income to be made via websites, blogging, product reviews and affiliate programs. It is easier than ever for independent contractors to connect with clients worldwide via the web. Many businesses and large corporations also offer the opportunity for their workers to telecommute.

There are certainly many obvious benefits to “being your own boss” and working from home. For one, there is no longer a need to drive to the workplace! One need only shuffle from the bedroom to the computer, and the “commute” is complete. It is wonderful to avoid spending the time in traffic and experiencing the stress of a drive to and from an outside workplace. There can also be a significant savings in gas money and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Other cost benefits include not having to invest in a particular wardrobe of clothing for the workplace. Working for yourself also frees you from exposure to “office politics,” and there is no more danger of having to deal with difficult co-workers or “toxic bosses.”

However, there are also certain challenges that can come along with maintaining a home based workplace. After one has worked at home for awhile, it’s possible that a certain amount of boredom might set in. If your work is in any way repetitive, the monotony can be draining. If one works alone, there might also be periods of loneliness or social isolation. Despite the stresses of a workplace with multiple people, there is the opportunity there for regular social interaction and bonding with compatible people. These opportunities are not as readily available when one works from home.

Despite these pitfalls, there are things you can do to make the most of working at home. Here are the top 10 tips for making your work at home experience a productive and enjoyable one:

1. Create a separate, defined space where your work is done. If possible, face your desk toward a window. Keep your work area free of clutter, and include a plant or two in your decor.

2. Schedule your work times when your energy is best for the task. For example, many people prefer to do bookkeeping or other detail-oriented work first thing in the morning, when the mind is fresh.

3. If there are others in the household, set boundaries to avoid interruptions while working.

4. Keep an organized, prioritized, up-to-date To-Do list.

5. Set short and long term goals for productivity and stick to them.

6. Discipline yourself NOT to check e-mail excessively or surf the web recreationally, except on breaks.

7. Get a “productivity buddy.” Check in regularly and hold each other accountable for your To-Do lists.

8. Need a change of scenery? Most coffee shops and many restaurants have free Wi-Fi. If your task list allows, work at another location at least once or twice a week. (Use noise-canceling headphones if needed.)

9. Schedule lunches, coffee breaks or other social time out with friends several times a week. The meetings can be work-related or purely social.

10. Appreciate — take time to feel and express gratitude that you have such a flexible work life!

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the finance, entrepreneur, and technology fields for three years. When Nicole set up her home office she also set up a business voip so she never misses a call even when she is out of the office. Whenever Nicole finds something to interesting about new technology she likes to start a website and blog about it.

If you have been involved in direct sales at some point, you likely already know you should keep track of your home business leads. Keeping track of business leads allows you to have a directory of those possibly interested in your services or products at a moment’s notice.

There are a variety of reasons you may need to resort to your leads. You may be in need of adding a few more service hours to your schedule. Perhaps you lost a big client. Maybe you added a few new products to your arsenal, and you want to get those selling immediately. These are all great reasons to call on your leads.

Where Do Get Home Business Leads? 

I am not going to recommend buying a list of cold leads. This is not only going to cost you money, it is also going to cost you valuable time trying to turn these cold leads warm. Instead, start collecting leads as soon as you open your virtual doors. Collect them now for later use.

Opt-In Services – Build. Your. List. I have heard every excuse under the Sun for not building an email list. There is absolutely no valid excuse for not doing this. It costs too much. Services like MailChimp are free. If you need to step it up, go with Aweber. I’m not ready for newsletters. That’s fine. Set up your opt-in box to state that you will notify your subscribers when new service offerings, products or special deals are available. If you run a blog on your home business site, you can easily set up your feed to go out with new posts.

Image by marklarson via Flickr

Your Contact Form – Every website should have a contact form. Every person that contacts you through that form should be logged. Keep a spreadsheet with the person’s name, email, website address if applicable, the date they contacted you, what services or products they were interested in, how the conversation ended and any other little notes you feel may help you down the road in deciding whether or not this is a good person to follow-up with. If you add a new product or service that person expressed interest in, send them a follow-up email letting them know you can now help with their current or future needs. If you had to turn them away due to time constraints at the time of initial contact, but you are available now, let them know. Never assume they already received the help they requested. They may have gotten busy with other things or never found what they were looking for.

Your Network – Keep track of those you have networked with, whether that is online or in-person. As with those from your contract form, jot down any pertinent information about the person and what they do. You never know when you may need to call on your network for joint ventures or even to share leads.

Keep track of your home business leads from Day One. If Day One has long passed, get started today. The next time you are in a panic to replace a lost income stream or boost your business to the next level, you can instantly open your file and get busy.

Most small businesses do not have a huge promotional budget to help them connect with prospective clients (or connect with book fans if you’re a book author). Promotional opportunities that are free, such as most of social media, can be very effective for creating relationships with prospective clients.

First, though, you have to be clear about who your target audiences are.  It’s not an effective use of your promotion time to use a scattershot approach.

Let’s take an imaginary example using Twitter.com (I’m using Twitter because I find it the easiest social media site on which to connect with targeted audiences): You are a therapist for children and you also like horror movies.  You set up your Twitter account and share a bio that is targeted to attract parents of young children in your local area.

Image via CrunchBase

Then you do a search on Twitter using words that are relevant for your therapy practice and are also relevant for parents seeking help for their children.  These words might be ADD, behavior, nutrition, or whatever you think might be appropriate.

The search results return tweets that have your search words in them, and you look at the bios of the people who posted these tweets.  Then you follow those people who either talk about topics that can help you in your practice or who appear likely to be interested in the topics that are relevant for your practice.

Next you start sharing links to articles that you have written or others have written that provide information about these topics.  This sharing of good information helps establish your own credibility on the topics.

Meanwhile, you may do a search for tweets on “horror movies” and start following people interested in that topic in order to know about new horror movies being released.

But – and this is important – you probably don’t want to tweet about horror movies because that topic may not fit comfortably with your children’s therapy tweets.  The horror movie tweets could result in some of your therapy Twitter followers unfollowing you or ignoring any of your future tweets.

Now let me clarify:

You can have more than one area of interest that you tweet about from the same Twitter account – I tweet about three main areas: social media marketing, book marketing, and supporting our troops – as long as these multiple topics don’t “fight” each other.  Horror movies and children’s therapy are probably not very compatible.

The truth is that everything you do online is a marketing decision.  How do you want to position yourself?  So although Twitter looks “simple,” make sure that you understand the unwritten “rules” behind the apparent simplicity.

And a word about time management:

Once you have set up your Twitter account and followed several people, some of whom will follow you back, you can allot only a few minutes a day to making these connections.

Here’s the warning though:  Do NOT start on Twitter if you can’t commit to at least a few minutes (less than 10) preferably three times a day for at least five days a week over a long period of time.

(There are no overnight miracles.  Plus I don’t believe in purchasing Twitter followers.  You want organic followers – people who are really interested in what you tweet about.)

Before you protest that you are way too busy to make this commitment, let’s consider this.

If you are adept at smartphone use, you can interact on Twitter while waiting your turn at the ATM or waiting in the carpool line or waiting for that really slow cashier to check out the person in front of you.

And if you give Twitter a fair test, you may learn the time investment can truly be worth it. After all, if you want more clients and don’t have the budget to spend on promotional activities, you will have to engage yourself.  But that engagement need not take hours and hours.

Of course, if you find yourself easily distracted by the fascinating information people share on Twitter, set an alarm clock for 10 minutes.  When the alarm goes off, you’re out of there.

And do check your @ mentions inbox several times a day.  You want to reply in a timely manner to people who have sent you public tweets because this is how you can truly connect with your target audiences.

Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller on Twitter) has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is the co-founder of the marketing consulting company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com , which offers “done for you” and “do it yourself” social media services including marketing-focused WordPress websites. Phyllis is also a book author, and info on her books and ebooks is at http://budurl.com/PZMbooks  

International Freelancers Day is September 23. As is usually the case, some cool freebies are released prior to the free event. This year’s free report is a 2011 Freelance Industry Report full of freelance statistics. There are some great stats to note in here:

• Women out-earn men in most hourly rate categories.
• We love our independent lifestyle – no surprise there.
• We haven’t been impacted too severely by the economy.
• We have high hopes for the future.
• Finding clients is the Number One concern now.