HomeOfficeVoice

Wendy Peirsall had a problem.

The problem was, in fact, that she had become too popular.

You might know Wendy as the founder of eMoms at Home.

Ever since launching the little blog called eMoms at Home, Wendy’s star has been growing at an amazing rate.

And leveraging that amazing growth she re-launched her blog into an “internet magazine” with a handful of new blogs or channels.

But there remained one small problem. The eMoms at Home name and brand simply outgrew what she was now doing. A change was in the making.

And so Sparkplugging was born. eMoms at Home is no more.

My first reaction to the new name was, well - Hmmm… And after a few days it’s still the same.

To be honest, I raised an eyebrow upon hearing about it. I know Wendy worked long and hard on finding a name, remembering that as well as finding a name she had to also make sure the domain was available.

Here’s why I have some reservations about the name:

Go out on the street and ask a hundred people what they associate the term “sparkplugging” with and I’ll bet you 99% will say cars.

To me that’s poor branding. It’s confusing branding. I see no association between “sparkplugging” and home business, or the home office. Yes, you can cleverly explain the meaning behind the name but if you have to do so in your header - as Wendy has done - then, I’m sorry to say, you’re behind the eight ball right from the start.

For my liking, the name does not come even close to what her site is all about. In fact, there was nothing wrong with eMoms at Home. It’s a niche in itself, and it was going strong.

With the new name, advertisers won’t have a clue. The lay person won’t have a clue. To me, it just doesn’t make sense.

The tagline is another one. “Thinking Big in the New Work-at-Home Generation.”

It’s simply too long, too clever and needs some fine tuning.

Although, I must say that it did spark in me an idea for a book proposal that’s been swimming around in my head for a while now that needed a working title (but that’s another post).

As for the new site, it’s still early days, so it’s hard to tell. But for my liking it’s a bit clunky and cluttered. But I’m sure Wendy and her team are fine tuning it on a daily basis.

I am drawn to the Lifestyle Channel she has put in place - as that is in my area of interest - so it’ll be good to see the sort of topics covered.

But back to Sparkplugging.

It is worth pondering why Wendy came to such a decision. Why the rush? Did she take on some advice from seasoned marketers and branding specialist? If you’re looking at this for the long term, why not take your time, seek advice and get it right.

I invite Wendy to an interview here to try and get some reasoning behind this new direction - as this is not personal - but something I’m standing back from and seeing with fresh eyes from a purely business perspective and someone that is heavily involved in the home business sector.

Sorry Wendy - but ‘Sparkplugging’, I just don’t get it.

~ ~ ~ ~

You can read the initial launch announcement and interview Darren Rowse recently conducted with Wendy over at ProBlogger…

A quick post to let you guys know my guest post is up at Home Office Warrior.

The post is titled What is a Lifestyle Entrepreneur and is a two-parter - the second part will be out later this week.

Enjoy.

I just thought I’d let everyone know what this coming week entails for me.

Twitter

I’ve caught the Twitter bug as of late, something I never thought I would say. Hence, I’m working on an in-depth look into Twitter (from the perspective of the home business owner) and will post it later on this week.

I’ve also noticed that there has been a surge of interest in Twitter in recent weeks. Lots of posts being written, especially from a business perspective. Lots of ideas out there. Catch my post later on this week (oh yeah, and you can follow me via Twitter if you’re into Twitter).

Guest Blogging

Did you know I have never done a guest post … yet? I had a writing gig for a while at The Blog Herald in ‘06 but have never done a guest post.

Well that’s about to change. Grant Griffiths from Home Office Warrior has invited me to do a guest post. I asked him if he had any requests or any direction he wanted me to go down. Nope, I’m to write whatever I want. :-)

I’m polishing up a nice piece for him on the topic of … ;-)

Re-Branding

Wendy Piersall has done a tremendous job over at eMoms at Home, turning it from a small hobby blog into a well-respected, multi-channel “internet home business magazine”.

Well because of her roaring success, she’s doing a total makeover of her site to move to the next level - and when I mean a makeover, I mean a major makeover!!! This week she will Rename, Rebrand and reBirth eMoms at Home.

As a big fan of what Wendy has achieved, I’m following all this with great expectations … and of course, wish her all the luck.

That’s my week in a nutshell - as well as my continuing behind-the-scenes work here on HomeOfficeVoice. You’ll notice the little graphic up top here. By weeks end, it should be rolled out and available to all.

Have a good week and remember … business success means little without the lifestyle you want.

Cheers,
Martin

By now, you would no doubt have heard of the about-to-be-released book by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett.

Published by Wiley, the book, titled ProBlogger Book — Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, is a 240-page paperback due to be released in May (a few short weeks).

Here’s how they describe the book at the Wiley website…

Blogging has become a popular and fascinating pastime for many, but more and more bloggers are finding it can also be an excellent source of direct or indirect income. Although the barriers to starting a blog are low, without expert guidance it is easy to get frustrated when success doesn’t match expectations. Written by the creator of the world’s #1 resource for making money with blogs, ProBlogger takes the reader from absolute beginner to earning money from or as a result of blogging. Through step by step practical lessons the reader will choose a blog topic, analyze the market, set up a blog, promote it and earn revenue.

Having read the first chapter (22 pages), I must say I was mightily impressed by the amount of information offered - heck, that chapter alone could easily sell as a $27 ebook online anytime.

Apart from generating the two bloggers enormous publicity and credibility (heck, there’s no real money to be made in publishing traditional books), this book will no doubt bring blogging closer to the mainstream. Expect a swathe of new blogs (and probably blog networks) popping up over the next 12 months.

With all this activity, I can see many little niches opening up for the lifestyle entrepreneur to take advantage of - more of that in future posts.

They have setup a special website for the book at ProBloggerBook.com

Following are the Table of Contents…

1. Blogging for Money.
2. Niche Blogging.
3. Setting Up Your Blog.
4. Blog Writing.
5. Blog Income and Earning Strategies.
6. Buying and Selling Blogs.
7. Blog Networks.
8. Blog Promotion and Marketing.
9. Secrets of Successful Blogs.
10. Creating Something Worthwhile.

Last night I installed WordPress 2.5 for the first time. It does all that it’s supposed to do, it’s a little more polished looking but …

I’m not a fan of the user interface.

The menu system we’ve become so used to has been messed around with, names changes, split and placed into different areas.

You know the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

I think this applies in this instance.

There was nothing wrong - and everything right - with the 2.3 version with an added plugin I had a beautiful drop-down menu navigation system.

I don’t know much - yet - about any new real feature changes but the new design layout and navigation structure is a disappointment.

This blog was first started in late-2004 (my first foray into blogging) and was at its peak during the whole of 2005. Since then it’s been a shell of itself :-)

Well the almost 4 year journey - and boy has it been a ride - is about to come full circle, as HomeOfficeVoice is back on my agenda.

So I thought it appropriate for this ….

More details coming soon on the direction HomeOfficeVoice will take.

Cheers,
Martin Neumann

Darren Rowse over at ProBlogger.net has a couple of beauty articles on mind-mapping.

Now anybody that knows me would fully well know that I’m a massive proponent of mind-mapping - I use it instances in that you would not believe. ;-)

Now seeing the picture I’ve used above you might be thinking to yourself - woah there, my heads hurts. But there’s method to the madness. The guy who basically invented mind mapping, Tony Buzan, has a few book out, so I suggest you check out Amazon. And there are even a good range of mind mapping software out there (but for my mind, nothing beats a good old fashioned pen and paper).

Back to ProBlogger, check out the initial post - Starting a New Blog? Start With a Mind Map - and follow through onto - Discover Hundreds of Post Ideas for Your Blog with Mind Mapping.

I guarantee you’ll have ideas spewing forth in no time. :-)

In this post I’m going off the topic, slightly (but deep down there’s a lot more to think about in regards to my engagement with the lifestyle entrepreneur ethos).

Yesterday, very sadly, a well-known Australian businessman, John IIhan, died suddenly of a heart attack.

He was only 42.

He founded from the ground up Crazy John’s, which he grew into a giant mobile phone reseller across Australia. He amassed 120 retail outlets and had 600 staff. He was worth $310 million and was high up in Australia’s rich list.

At the age of 25 and with only $1000 of his own money he set up the fledgling phone retailer - the story of his first few phone sales are amazing stuff, giving heart to every bootstrappers’ dreams.

They say he was a workaholic.

He had 4 young kids, seemed to be in good health. His life seemed ideal.

Now he’s dead.

Now leaving aside the sad demise of this great Australian, I’d like to venture into a topic that has been on my mind for quite a while now.

Life is short. Why the mad rush to make money? Why the crazed hours people spend, pushing themselves beyond the limits to achieve, achieve, achieve?

They have a group called “slow food” and for good reason (google it) … maybe it’s time for one called “slow business”.

Over recent years, the Eastern ways of Feng Shui have struck a chord with many in the West who struggle day-in, day-out in their home offices and finding a balance.

Wikipedia explains Feng Shui …

Today’s Feng Shui schools teach that it is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. Feng shui literally translates as “wind-water.”

There are many skeptics when it comes to Feng Shui - and at times I sway to that side.

But … I’m a great believer in many things Eastern. I tend towards Zen Buddhism, and I’m an alternative medicine kind of guy. So I’m giving Feng Shui every chance possible.

So along comes this beauty of a post titled - 50 Practical Home Office Feng Shui Tips

Personally, I don’t believe one should religiously follow every tips as stated - one should be able to pick and chose what feels right for them … what gives them the harmony to carry on in their home offices. It might not be “pure” Feng Shui by picking and choosing but whatever makes your days more balanced and you more happier is what it’s all about.

Thus, I’m picking apart this list and giving you what I think best suits me, remembering that everyone is different.

#3. Move the TV to another room - pretty obvious that one. If you’re serious about your business than Feng Shui or no Feng Shui having a television on in your office in totally unproductive.

#8. Don’t overcrowd the room - Definitely sense this one. I’ve worked in probably one of the messiest home offices in my time and it simply sapped my energy every time I entered the room. Today, I’m very much of the minimalist mindset.

#11. Windows - In my experience - and those of many others - natural light is almost a must in any work from home situation. Being couped up and isolated is not good for your health. Direct sunlight has been proven to give you a lift. If possible, get as much natural sunlight into your office. I can guarantee you it’ll do you wonders.

#42. Organize your desk - I can read a persons mindset by the way their desk is organized. It’s a natural instinct I’ve developed over the years and putting all modesty aside I’m usually 100% right. A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. And that’s not good for business.

#50. Make to-do lists to keep your mind clutter-free - this one’s pretty obvious and one that I’ve been working on over recent times. I personally like to do a daily and weekly brain dump - where I simply write down all my thoughts and ideas and things to do. Once written down, my mind can rest at ease at not having to remember it all. It’s all there written down on paper, ready to acted upon.

So there you go. I’m not a total Feng Shui enthusiast (yet) but I like the principles behind it.

Go and read the 50 Practical Home Office Feng Shui Tips and see how you can use it for yourself.