6 one-ingredient prep ideas to make healthy eating easy

by Brian Greco - January 1, 2012 - Posted in Health Success

Ever feel like healthy eating can be daunting?

There’s a lot of misinformation out there these days that confuses health-seekers and ends up making things more complicated than they need to be.

What should and shouldn’t we eat? What foods are the best? What foods are the worst?

What about superfoods? What about supplements? What about this diet, or that diet?

A more effective approach, however, is to start simple and learn some easy and reliable ways to prepare healthy foods — a skill that is useful no matter where you find yourself.

Here are 6 ideas to get you started. What’s great is that many of these foods are complete on their own, but after preparation you can also include these in recipes.

>> #1: Banana Ice Cream

Bananas are a very valuable food. Not only are they cheap and regularly available, but they are a good source of calories for what you get. They have a consistent flavor and are easy to ripen and eat.

Bananas are fine on their own (once they’re covered in brown spots), but one excellent prep idea you can use is to make banana ice cream. Simply blend peeled chopped frozen bananas in your blender with a splash of water, and you’ll be surprised at how decadent the result is.

To learn how to freeze bananas for banana ice cream, check out my friend Veronica Patenaude’s video here.

>> #2: Chiffonade Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce is probably my favorite green. It has a hardy shape and fresh crunch while offering a great source of flavor and nutrition.

Many people choose to roughly cut lettuce leaves for salads, which is fine. But another idea you can use to prepare your lettuce is to chiffonade it. “Chiffonade” is a French word which refers to a thin, ribbon-like cutting technique for leafy greens.

Wash and dry your lettuce and, using a sharp clean knife, cut along the rolled leaves to chiffonade them. This is a perfect prep method for savory salads that brings a refreshing change of texture to this staple green.

>> #3: “Happy Apple Meal”

Veronica offers some helpful insight here too, this time on the humble apple. She writes:

“So you live in a Northern climate, it’s winter, there’s not a lot of tropical fruit around, there’s not really any “ripe” fruit around, you don’t have a lot of money to spend on produce; you’re hungry and want an easy inexpensive meal.

My friends, let me introduce to you the apple. It’s quite versatile and easy to get ALL over the world all year round. They keep well, can lasts for weeks if not months in the fridge or a cold cellar.

But how do you get this apply-goodness inside you without it being a pain in the jaw and eating all those waxy peels?

Simply take a bunch of your favorite apples (at least 5 good sized ones, more if you need) peel them completely and slice them into thin slices or cube them for an apple “fruit salad” you can eat on the go at work with a fork.

If you’re worried about them turning a bit brown and you’re going to eat them later you can pour a little fresh lemon juice over them and toss to mix it in. This will prevent the outsides from oxidizing and going brown.”

It’s easy to forget about apples, but they’re a healthy food that may come in handy and are good to know how to prepare! Check out more info and pictures at Veronica’s site, The Low Fat Vegan Chef.

>> #4: Carrot Noodles

Carrots: classic, cheap, commonly-available and unique in flavor and versatility. Carrots are a favorite ingredient for adding color and crunch to any dish.

Instead of chopping or grating, here’s a prep idea. Why not make your own carrot spirals? Whether with a spiral cutter or just a vegetable peeler, next time try adding some carrot ribbons and you may be pleasantly surprised at how this creative touch finishes off any salad, or can even be eaten alone as a savory snack.

>> #5: Healthy Low-Fat Potatoes

The lowly potato has been maligned by many nouveau health and diet sources, but is actually a very healthy and nutritionally-valuable food.

Particularly white potatoes have been deemed a dietary sin (which they are not) because of their association with unhealthy prep methods like being fried, or covered in cream, oil, and salt.

The potato itself is not to blame here, it’s what’s most often put on them. So how to prepare them healthy? Keep things simple.

You can never go wrong with aqueous methods such as steaming or boiling for potatoes, themselves or with other vegetables. Just wash, chop, and cook until tender with the touch of a fork.

Another classic way to make potatoes is quick, easy, and suitable for practically anyone as it’s one of the most mainstream of dishes: baked potatoes. When baked plain or with low- or no-fat seasonings, you’ve got yourself a healthy meal.

>> #6: Homemade Beans

Beans, peas, lentils and other legumes are an affordable, satisfying, and delicious carbohydrate staple that are one of the most versatile of plant foods.

Rich in fiber and protein and other nutrients, they are eaten by just about every long-lived culture and can become a healthy part of anyone’s diet when prepared the right way.

No-salt canned beans can be useful for convenience, but to save money and eat fresher, making beans from scratch is a choice that is easier than you think. The key is to cook a large batch at a time to avoid the constant need to soak and cook beans each time you need them. Try it!

So there we have it. Hopefully you learned some new tricks and tips to add to your food repertoire. Now go make health happen! :)

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: What is your favorite food to just eat on its own? / Do you have any handy tips or tricks for food prep?

Email

7 steps for getting your shit together today

by Brian Greco - December 22, 2011 - Posted in Getting It Done

Greetings friends! Well, here we are. It’s almost the end of the year 2011 as I write this and I’m excitedly thinking about what’s ahead.

‘Tis the season for holidays and fun but also for a lot of not-so-fun things that have definitely been getting to me lately: winter depression, general laziness, loose ends lingering, and honestly, stuff just everywhere. Blah.

I was brainstorming a person to-do list and figured: Why not share this on one of my sites to help inspire both you and me? As has been proven to me many times in my life, the advice ya give is most often the advice ya need to take!

So today our theme is DO IT. Affirm 2012 as an awesome year-to-come by getting your shit together with these 7 steps, all which you can do right now.

>> Step #1: Clean out your emails.

Make an easy transition into productivity mode while you’re still sitting here on the computer, no movement required. Just open up your email inbox(es) and let the clean sweep begin.

First, unsubscribe to random fucking newsletters and promotional lists you don’t care about. It takes literally two seconds and stops the problem at its source.

Next, delete redundant, pointless, or unneeded emails. You may Archive them on Gmail if you’re a digital pack-rat like myself but want your inbox tidied up.

Last and most importantly, get back to the people whose emails you marked as unread. Remember, you don’t have to send an eight-page masterpiece reply: Just answer them and move on.

>> Step #2: Turn off your fucking computer.

After you’ve sifted through your emails and files, it’s time to disconnect. Or rather, check your Facebook one more time, tweet something, and THEN disconnect.

You will get so much more done when you are off the computer, really! Take it from someone who is blobbing around on the computer right now.

>> Step #3: Vacuum and dust your room.

Now it’s time for your room, because a clearer room makes for a clearer mind and you know that. How can you expect to feel all serene and accomplished when shit is sitting around everywhere?

Getting rid of clutter and trash is a given, and then it’s time to vacuum and dust. If you think that’s only a maid or mother’s job, or is just a waste of time, you’re 100% wrong. Dusting and vacuuming transforms a space. All you need is a vacuum, some paper towels and some Pledge.

>> Step #4: Do laundry and take clothes inventory.

Clothes are often the biggest problem when it comes to an unorganized situation. Dealing with them can be daunting, but it is promising to know that simply by going through your clothes, you are already a good way done with cleaning shit up.

Collect the clothes off your floor. Put them in a laundry basket. Bring that basket downstairs. Dump the clothes in the washing machine. Turn it on. Add detergent. Close it. There, you’ve got a load of laundry going.

Don’t complain about it being difficult when there are people in this world who carry dozen-pound buckets of water obtained from miles away on their heads in sweltering heat just to have something clean to drink. You can clean up your fucking laundry.

Then, either during or after that, take clothes inventory. GIVE OR THROW AWAY THINGS THAT: DO NOT FIT, ARE STAINED OR RIPPED, OR THAT YOU DON’T WEAR, okay? :-)

>> Step #5: Get your eating in order.

When your body is not getting what it needs nutritionally, you’re honestly fucking yourself over … take it from someone who has been there. Having had food an interest of mine for over 7 years, and I’ve experienced a lot of different styles of eating and can assure you that food really affects your life.

There is such a huge spectrum of health and I don’t mean to oversimplify my advice but there are some simple things anyone can do to get on track with food.

If you normally eat pretty unhealthy and want to take in more nutrition than standard food offers, focus on fresh. Look to ingredients instead of packages. Simply eat more fruits, vegetables, greens, potatoes, beans, and so on and get rid of the JUNK (fried foods, baked goods, soft drinks, and so on).

If you are more involved in the ‘diet’ thing and are eating pretty well overall, great. Just remember to keep listening to your body and eating what makes you feel good, not just what someone says on the internet or in a book like I have too many times in my life.

Food is fuel. It is a beautiful thing and is very important but don’t make it more than it needs to be. Nourish yourself and you’ll be much more suited to organizing e’rything.

>> Step #6: Go on the treadmill.

I hate exercising. Especially running. Always have. Always will. Tons of people do. It sucks. But you have to do it.

Instead of rationalizing how you are too tired or hate the idea of feeling like a rat spinning a little toy wheel in a box or being stuck inside instead of actually going somewhere outside, just get your ass on the treadmill anyway.

Do at least a mile or so, even if you have to walk some. I never was a runner and the other day did 3 miles out of the blue. You try! You will feel better, you will feel better, you will SO much better it’s not even funny.

>> Step #7: REMOVE shit from your life, don’t just manage it.

Now I turn it over to you. Instead of just managing problems, remove them. This can help prevent things from getting bad again (though periodic maintenance is inevitable in life and that’s okay).

If you’re sick of clutter, throw it out, sell it, or give it away. If you’re sick of annoying fucking friends in your life, seek new friends and let damaging relationships fade. If you’re with someone who brings you down instead of lifts you up, work things out or move on from them. And so on.

So there we have it. This is your life, you have to make it what you want it to be because you’re the only one who can or will! I hope this has inspired you … now go make it happen.

Thanks for reading and please click “Like” below if you enjoyed this post. Subscribe at the top of the page to get new articles delivered to you.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Email

4 steps to your first website that brings you readers and income

by Brian Greco - November 12, 2011 - Posted in Better Blogging, Internet Life

Do you have a great idea?

A great idea is great. But an idea without action is nothing but an idea, without action.

Alright, so you have an interest. Let’s say you like flower arranging (bear with me here).

Not only do you love flowers in general, you particularly like tropical flowers. You’ve always dreamed of living the good life in Hawaii, enjoying your days surrounded by beautiful your beautiful flora.

Does that dream have to stay just a dream? Certainly not. Because of the power of the Internet, it can become a reality. But first we need to break through some fears.

Do you recognize these excuses not to make a website?

>> “There’s no one out there seeking my topic.”

Wrong! Your interests are cool. Simply build content that’s compelling and easy to find, and readers will come.

>> “There’s too many people out there seeking my topic.”

There is a myth that “oversaturated markets” do not attract readers or create income. Wrong! Why do you think they are coming? Give them what they want with a unique twist.

>> “I don’t have the time to write content.”

Do not tell me that you don’t have 10-15 minutes per day to spare. Even 5 minutes is all you need. Again, if you are reading this, you have all the tools you need.

>> “It’s too hard to start a blog/website.”

Actually, it is very simple and anyone can do it. Though they are nice to have, no design or webmaster skills are needed to create a successful website.

You don’t have to work hard to make a website, but you do have to work smart. Here is a quick 4-step plan to getting started online.

>> Define your interest.

The example I used above is important because it takes a broad topic (flower arranging) and makes it more specific (*tropical* flower arranging). It does so while leaving enough room for a strong market and expandibility.

>> Set up your website.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy at first: content is king. You can simply create a free page at Blogger or WordPress and pick a theme or design your own.

What to write? Well, make your first post an introduction and small bio so readers know who you are. Throw a picture or two up if you like. Now it’s time to write. So:

>> Get your bucket list going.

Always keep a running list of topics you are going to write about, and add to it as you get new ideas. As soon as you think of something, write it down: on your hand, on your notebook, on your phone, on your computer, wherever.

Pick post topics that you actually like and you think readers will like too. Be fearless, because with the Internet you can always go back in and edit so quickly and easily. Do not let perfectionism prevent you from taking action.

>> Be persistent.

With blogging or running a website, the first steps are fun and games. Then, about 5 or 6 posts in, a minor blogger’s depression or writing block can set in.

This is normal. Don’t let it discourage you! Too many times I’ve started a site and haven’t continued. Get over the first couple humps and you’ll be surprised that readers just start coming.

So there we have it. Now go niche your passion and start your action!

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: Do you have any other concerns about website creation that are holding you back? Write them in the comments below and I’ll see if I can offer help.

Email

4 techniques to avoid getting screwed over online

by Brian Greco - November 11, 2011 - Posted in Internet Life

Ah, the Internet. So much is happening online at every second of every day that it is impossible to really wrap one’s brain around it.

There’s a lot of opportunity on the Internet, but at the same time you’ve got to be careful that you don’t end up in situations you’ll regret.

Think of surfing the web as like walking around a big city. It’s exciting and fun, but it’s good sense to watch yourself a bit.

Here are 4 things to remember with that should help you highly reduce your risk of Internet incidents:

>> Once it’s typed, it’s immortal.

We recently had a school assembly where an Internet safety expert talked about some tips for high schoolers when using the Internet.

Usually 99.99% of what these types of programs say is ridiculous and goofy. I understand that what they’re doing is better than nothing, but most teens would agree.

There was one thing that hit home about her speech, though. She mentioned these three words: trackable, traceable and retrievable.

It’s important to remember that once it’s typed, it’s there for good. Even the huge textbox of information you just filled out and then your browser crashed and then you got so mad because you forgot to copy it before you hit submit, is still there in the system somehow.

Basically, the advice here is: Don’t type or send something that you wouldn’t want ending up anywhere else.

>> You never know who’s sitting right there!

Say you’re texting or talking over IM with a friend. And the conversation starts to build: gossiping about what she said to him, and what he did the other day, and other petty things.

Or, even worse, you start dissing someone or cursing when it isn’t called for, or whatever the situation is.

Listen: You never know when someone — who you DON’T want to see what you’re posting — is sitting right there by the computer, or has access to that same information.

Again, the advice is: Don’t be stupid.

>> Maybe it’s better to upload those photos later (or not at all).

It’s easy and fun to get nostalgic with friends about photo-taking. We’ve all had our share of taking goofy photos, going on Photo Booth at the Apple Store, or looking through old albums.

But I think it’s wise to mention that it’s always worth sleeping on the decision of uploading a bunch of photos to Facebook or another website.

Especially for those who are frequent attendees of events that can get out of hand (aka party-goers) who decide that it’s funny to mupload those shots from the so-mentioned event and wake up the next morning to find everyone’s making fun of them in the comments.

Isn’t this funny: the advice again is to avoid doing stupid things on the Internet.

>> Vary your passwords or be hacked.

How many times have you gotten a “CHECK OUT WHO’S LOOKING AT YOUR PROFILE!” or a “I GOT A FREE IPAD FROM THIS WEBSITE” spam link on your profile or in your email? Annoying, isn’t it?

Spam is huge and only gets huger, so vary your passwords site-by-site so that if someone gets hold of a password, it’s not applicable for your entire online presence.

NY Times says over 94% of total email sent these days are spam. It’s so obscene that it’s almost funny, but it wouldn’t be funny if your own account was hacked.

Hence, have a couple different passwords and email accounts, spread yourself around a bit and be careful of what you post.

So there we have it. Be in the here and now and take these security steps moving forward in your Internet life.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: Have you ever gotten hacked? What happened?

Email

5 ways to make fruits and vegetables more appealing

by Brian Greco - November 11, 2011 - Posted in Health Success

Who else wants more freshness in their diet?

Well, the opportunity is upon us. Mother Nature’s pinnacle of nutrition is just waiting to be enjoyed.

Everyone knows fruits and vegetables are healthy — there’s no argument about that. So why is it that so many people fail to get enough fruits and vegetables in their diets?

It’s simple: because they’re not eating enough fruits and vegetables!

Jump-start your health today with these five uncommon ways to enjoy the goodness of natural food:

>> Make fresh produce more inviting.

When you walk in your kitchen, what do you see? How about inside the refrigerator? On the shelves and tables?

A kitchen is the center of eating and the hearth of a home. What’s featured inside your kitchen is what guides your food choices.

If you’re hungry, and there’s junk food available, you’ll eat junk food. But spin it around and focus on the fresh, and you’re ready to enjoy something that’ll serve you much better in health.

That said, take the first step by making produce your centerpiece. It even doubles as excellent decoration.

>> Immerse yourself in benefits.

Many people don’t eat fruits and vegetables because they find no reason to. Why eat produce when snacks and sweets seem to do the trick?

Take a couple minutes to learn about the benefits of healthful eating. Do a quick search online look around at your market at the variety and nutrition that the produce section has to offer.

Remember: knowledge is power. Getting educated about what you eat is very rewarding, because your choices do matter.

>> Think ingredients.

Hungry? Wondering what dish to make for dinner?

Open your mind, and rather than stress over different concoctions, design a mental menu of fresh ingredients and go from there.

Eating more fruits and vegetables encourages a refreshing new style of thinking about food. Whole, fresh, ripe produce is a gourmet delight in and of itself.

>> Get the real thing.

To eat more fresh fruits and vegetables strikes many as old-fashioned advice. Many health circles of late are focused on “trendy” topics that seem more sophisticated in the media.

In other words, people are seeking a solution for health, but they often get caught up in a mindset that they need all the fancy new products to achieve their goals.

Let’s get back to basics, friends! Stop wasting your money on packaged, refined, dried, bottled or processed stuff that sells for twice the price and yields half the value.

In today’s world, we have so much abundance around us if we only look. Fresh fruits and vegetables are timeless and the real thing just can’t be beat.

>> Expose yourself to new recipes.

Are you tired of complicated recipes that don’t even taste that great? If so, go novel with your food and try out some new fruit-and-vegetable recipes.

For example, my personal diet is based on fruits and vegetables. But although my diet is simple, many people I know and meet are curious about what I eat.

So what better way to share my lifestyle and promote healthy habits than to present some of recipes for success?

I decided to pick out out my favorite recipes I’ve made across the years, and compile them into a new book called The Fruit and Vegetable Cuisine, which I’m really excited to share.

All the recipes are quick, easy, and anyone can make them (no experience required!). The book includes 40 smoothies, salads, snacks and more.

If you’re interested in a new approach to recipes, and adding in those delicious fruits and vegetables to your regimen, check out the book today at www.TheFruitandVegetableCuisine.com.

So there we have it. I hope you’re inspired to improve your diet and pass on the message to friends. Healthy living really can be enjoyable, one step at a time.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: What is your favorite fruit? Your favorite vegetable? Any quick recipes to share?

Email

6 handy keyboard shortcuts I’m going to force you to learn

by Brian Greco - November 10, 2011 - Posted in Getting It Done, Internet Life

Keyboard shortcuts take advantage of your computer’s keyboard and give you quick access to common tasks on the computer.

In other words, they make the boring functions seem much easier. Honestly, keyboard shortcuts make ALL the difference for mastering your computer experience!

I know quite a few people who use them religiously and love them. (This group tends to be dominated by teenagers and children who are native computer users.)

However, many people are reluctant to use them because they think it is easier simply to stick to mouse-driven ways and avoid anything “techie” like shortcuts.

Today it’s time to let go of old computer confusion and learn something new with these top 6 handy keyboard shortcuts. Remember: You’re the driver, not the computer!

These are easy and work for any program or task. Here we go:

In the shortcut listings below, CTRL denotes Control key on Windows. Mac users, simply replace this for the CMD (Command) key.

>> New Window (CTRL + N)

What it does: Brings up a new window if you’re browsing the Internet, or a new document in programs like Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and so on.

Perfect for: Working on one document and wanting to start a new document to transfer information. Also good when having multiple websites up at once.

>> New Browser Tab (CTRL + T)

What it does: Brings up a new tab in an Internet browser (it may vary, but it works for major browsers like Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.).

Perfect for: Toggling between different links and pages on websites, or doing a quick search.

>> Cut (CTRL + X), Copy (CTRL + C), Paste (CTRL + V)

What it does: Performs your favorite online functions of taking text from one place to another with cut/paste.

Perfect for: Making your computer experience much quicker. Why bother going to the Edit menu at the top?

>> Select All (CTRL + A)

What it does: Highlights all the text in the area where your cursor is placed. For example: highlighting an entire Word document, selecting all the text in a text box, or grabbing all the files in a folder.

Perfect for: Saving time on large documents or groups of files where you would previously have to drag your mouse and wait for the scrollbar to go all the way down the page (which can take forever).

>> Tab Over (TAB)

What it does: Moves your cursor over to the next text field or file. For example: when filling out shipping information in an online order, or entering a username and password.

Perfect for: Not having to reach over from the keyboard to the mouse for each new field of information. Also, if you’re creative, trying to function entirely online without the use of the mouse.

>> Close a Window (Windows: ALT + F4 / Mac: CTRL + W)

What it does: Closes the current window you’re using, for example the Internet window you just opened with CTRL + N.

Perfect for: Doing a quick close if you’re working on … private information …, or logging of a school or work computer when your teacher or buss is rushing you.

So there we have it. Let these help you maneuver around the digital world with greater ease.

Try opening a new window, or tabbing around on my site … whatever you like.

If you’re already a pro, I hope I gave you a fun refresher. If you’re new to keyboard shortcuts, start forcing yourself to learn them and you’ll realize it becomes second nature so quickly.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: Do you use keyboard shortcuts? What are your favorites?

Email

How to write a literary response when you are stumped

by Brian Greco - November 10, 2011 - Posted in Writing Tips

Whether you are a sophisticated English major or simply a high school student who is working their way through homework, you will often need to respond to literature.

Experiencing literature can involve many things, such as:

>> Essay creation.

One of the most common ways to show your reaction to both fiction and non-fiction is through a formal academic essay.

>> Group discussion.

You may need to present your response verbally in a group setting such as a class or club, or simply be able to talk about a book freely.

>> Note-taking or journaling.

Your assignment may just be to annotate a passage, jot down some notes to self, or keep a daily or weekly reading journal.

But how should you form your response? What is the best way to begin?

Writer’s block can happen to anyone, so here are 5 ideas to you can use no matter what type of response you use.

>> Point of view.

In a narrative, who is telling the story? In a poem, who is the speaker? In an essay, whose opinions are shared? In non-fiction, what biases are present? It is always a good idea to take literary perspective into account.

>> Character development.

Fiction is nothing without characters. Describe how you imagine major characters as if they were real, or compare image of them to how the author characterizes them in the story.

>> Defining the conflict.

Any novel must have a central problem in order to have a strong storyline. Talk about what you perceived this to be for your reading. Who or what does the issue involve? Why does the issue matter? Or, make a prediction as to how it will be resolved.

>> Author’s message.

Every piece of literature has a purpose. Look at the text and determine if it is informative, narrative, educational, persuasive, entertaining, and so on. Then consider: What is the author saying? What is the “take-home” message?

>> Your opinion.

Last but not least, what do you think? Ask yourself how what you are reading relates to your values, interests, and personal backgrounds. Remember: There is no right or wrong for this one, so take advantage of that.

So there we have it. I hope this article helps you jump-start your creative juices. Now go make it happen!

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: Do you have a favorite book or genre? How do you respond to what you read?

Email

How to plan a business that you won’t end up hating

by Brian Greco - November 10, 2011 - Posted in Entrepreneurial Spirit

Dear aspiring entrepreneurs:

There’d be nothing worse than spending so much time and energy into creating a business idea only to regret it a couple months or years down the road.

As an entrepreneur, your business is about YOU. And accordingly, there is something very important that you need to keep in mind during the planning process.

You are a human being and live in a world and mind that is constantly changing. In order to achieve true success you must go with that flow.

Your business must be based on your values and reflecting the growing person you are unless it will result in failure, whether actually in terms of money or in terms of how you feel about it.

What you need to do is be flexible.

How so? Here are a couple ideas in different areas of a business:

>> Flexibility in topic.

It is important to be flexible about what your business says or does. If your business is in its infancy, the best way to accomplish this step is with brand name flexibility. When choosing a brand name, consider your focus but don’t rule out other options with a title that’s too specific.

For example: Do you sell information products like ebooks, books and DVDs? Create a strong and cohesive line of products, but don’t be afraid to write about something new and add a little bit more diversity to your portfolio.

Let’s say you write Pokémon-related content (just go with it). You call your website Pokémon Plaza. But then let’s say Pokémon goes out of style. Now what? The solution is to expand your reach and with a balanced brand name. How about Virtual Village instead? Note: I’m actually not sure if that’s really the name of something, though, lol. But you get the point.

>> Flexibility in market.

It is always good to have in mind a pretty specific answer to this question here: What is my ideal customer? Keeping in mind age range, gender, interests, you will not know where to turn without a goal market for to sell your products and services.

However, be flexible. Don’t lock yourself in to such a small market that runs the risk of either being a) unprofitable or b) simply gone because of the changing society we live in.

>> Flexibility in business model.

Your business model is sort of the HOW of things geting done in your business. How is your product made? Shipped? Sold? Where do customers purchase your goods or services? And so on.

With a focus on Internet business these days, there are so many options in the way of automation and passive income. So when you are setting up your business, leave room for growth.

For example: You are writing a book. Are you going to manually print and dispatch them? You could in the beginning if you just wanted to DO IT and get started with a readership. But there’s little flexibility because it is unrealistic to be manually sending out orders as your orders increase in number. So try to automate it. Find a print-on-demand publisher (a great option: Createspace) and take the petty work off your plate so you can focus on writing great content.

So there we have it. Go with the flow and business success is yours.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: What are your business ideas? Do you have the next big thing?

Email

Elements of an appealing article: how to write a good blog post

by Brian Greco - November 10, 2011 - Posted in Better Blogging

Every blogger wants one thing: more readers. Readers who visit their website and eagerly come back for more. How to do that?

You’ve got to write posts the right way. Here are 4 elements you will need to organize your blog posts, starting from top to bottom:

>> Post title.

Make it eye-catching, yet informative. Let readers know what they will find at your article but don’t ruin all the surprise.

Also, a subtitle preceded by a colon (:) is an excellent way to get more specific, improve the article’s search engine optimization, and ultimately attract more clicks.

Ideas: Ask a question you will cover. Share a benefit readers will receive from reading. Prepare for a surprise. Or, simply describe the gist of the content you will cover and you’ll never fail.

>> Introductory blurb.

Does your article offer a solution to a common problem? Is there any background info (definitions or other context) that is necessary? What will your article talk about? If it’s more personal, why did you decide to write this article?

Warning: Don’t spend too much time on this part. Internet surfers like quick bulleted lists (see below) and may skip through the introduction. Yet without it, your article is incomplete, so think of something.

>> Your content, in bullets.

Unless this is a personal blog, you should be writing in a “how-to” style. This means articles based around concise and useful tips for your readers.

Appeal to busy schedules (and short attention spans) by writing your main content in list-style. Focus your time on this section because this is what readers came for.

If you are stumped on what to write, do some research. Get inspiration from different media in your life and make it informative. Were you reading a book that made you think? Any TV shows, commercials, recent news, etc. that you want to comment on?

Most importantly: Do you have any tips for saving money, looking good, performing well, having fun, or simply getting things done? Write them down.

>> A take-home message.

You’ve written your bullets, so now what? Close up your article with something that readers can really take home with them. If there is a central theme or greater meaning to what you’re writing, state it.

Or, simply restate information from the intro and tie up any loose ends to finish your article strong. To get readers involved and increase your blog comments, pose a question upon concluding like I do.

So there we have it. Now you know how to write a good blog post, hey? Go write.

Wishing you the best,
Brian Greco

Question of the day: What goes through your mind when writing an article? Do you follow a basic format or do you wing it, or both?

Email

WP Like Button Plugin by Free WordPress Templates