Promote your Business with VistaPrint Must Haves

About a year ago I discovered VistaPrint and was impressed by its quality and service. I have picked out a few items that I believe are “must have” items to promote your business.

Business Cards

Make a great first impression with a quality business card.  From my experiences I have learned that it is best to purchase business cards in smaller quantities such as 100-250.  How tacky does that look when you cross out your old email address to write down a new one?  We’ve all experienced it.  It’s a fact, from time to time email, phone number, addresses and website URLs change.  Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding your LinkedIn address to your business card, now’s the perfect opportunity. Get 250 premium quality, color business cards FREE! Order today! Click here.

So you don’t have a blog or business, that’s okay, they make perfect mommy cards, play date cards, or personal cards to give out to your friends and family!

Self-Inking Rubber Stamps

FREE Rubber Stamps


This deal is perfect for just about anyone!  Avoid a mess with this convenient rubber stamps. Choose from 10 different designs and personalize up to 3 lines of text.

Car Door Magnets

Free Car Door Custom Magnet

Get this free custom car door magnet for your ride.  It’s a perfect way to brand your small to mid-size vehicle with a personal or business message.  Your logo and information is printed on a durable, high-strength 9”x12” magnet.

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Show 013 – Interview with My Plate-Mate Owners & Her Big Idea Social Network

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Check out my interview with mothers, Paige and Michele, who are co-owners of My Plate-Mate spill guard feeding gear for toddlers, seniors and those with special needs. 

The mission of My Plate-Mate is to offer it customers a unique self-feeding product. As a learning tool, My Plate-Mate assists in promoting independence and self-confidence in all users no matter their age or limitation. Michele and Paige understand the importance and joy that comes from being able to share a meal with family and friends. My Plate-Mate will bring back this positive dining experience and eliminate the frustration and mess.

You can listen to the live Internet Radio Show hosted on BlogTalkRadio every Wednesday at 11 am PDT / 2 pm EDT.  If you missed the live show, you can access the show’s archives at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/herbigidea or right here at http://HerBigIdea.com/podcast-archives.   

Also, please check out my article on PoshMama Online Magazine and Social Network.  This week I wrote about the Entrecard and my experiences with this free advertising and networking site.

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And speaking of networking site, I have created an online social network just for Her Big Idea listeners and readers. The network can be found at  http://herbigidea.ning.com/ or your can reach this new online community by linking through HerBigIdea.com. 

I have created a place where women bloggers and business owners network, promote their businesses, bounce ideas off each other and support each others’ ventures and adventures. This is a private network so only women who invited by another member or who are screened via a questionnaire are allowed to join.

Please sign up today to be one of our inaugural members and remember to invite your friends!

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HerBigIdea/2008/06/25/Show-013-Interview-with-Paige-from-myplate-matecom.mp3]

What is BlogTalkRadio?

So I have an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio.  I know that many of you are like, “What’s BlogTalk What?” 

Here’s a short interview of the CEO Alan Levy on Fox Money describing BTR.

Enjoy!

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Show 012 – Interview with Author Chamein Canton

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This week’s live interview on my Internet Radio podcast show is author and inspirational woman Chamein Canton.  Chamein has lived her life as a single mother to twins, battled cancer and diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She has written books titled: “Not His Type” and “Down That Aisle In Style: A Wedding Guide For Full Figured Women” and her newest book “Bliss Inc.”

An interview not to be missed! Archives of this interview will be available on BlogTalkRadio or here on Her Big Idea after the show.

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HerBigIdea/2008/06/18/Show-012-Interview-with-Author-Chamein-Canton.mp3]

Show 011 – Check Out My Interview with Teething Bling Co-Inventor Amy this Wednesday!

teething blingSmartMom Jewelry

This week is going to be another great interview on BlogTalkRadio!  Wednesday, I’m interviewing SmartMom Jewelry Co-Founder Amy.  Smart Mom, LLC, in 2002 as a way to promote pretty and practical ideas for real Moms.  Their first product line, Teething Bling pendants and bangles, has been an enormous success. 

Check out the photo gallery of celeb moms and dads showing off their SmartMom bling.  Included in this photo gallery is a pic of Sex and the City Star Chris Noth enjoying his Teething Bling!

They use only the highest-quality, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone in their Teething BlingTM line. The material is non-toxic, latex-free, food-safe and even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products. 

You can listen to the live interview on BlogTalkRadio on Wednesday, June 11 at 11 a.m. Pacific / 2 p.m. Eastern. To join the live chatroom, go to BlogTalkRadio and get yourself a profile. You can also ask Amy a question by calling (646) 200-4281 during the live show.

And remember, archives of all of my Internet Radio Shows are available on either HerBigIdea.com or on BlogTalkRadio.

Check out PoshMama.com, for part two of how to spruce up your press release by using the Associated Press Styleguide. PoshMama.com is an Online Magazine and Social Network just for women. 

Elaine of Her Big Idea has an Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio and writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HerBigIdea/2008/06/11/show-011-interview-with-smart-mom-jewelry-owner-amy.mp3]

VivaVogue eCards Interview and How to Write a Press Release on PoshMama.com!

BlogTalkRadio HerBigIdea

Be sure to listen to my live Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio every Wednesday, 2 PM EDT / 11 AM PDT. 

This week I’m chatting with VivaVogue eCards creators Tiffany and Jackie. Viva Vogue eCards are animated, fashionable, cool and funny cards that can be emailed to your best gal pal.  The Listener dial-in number is (646) 200-4281.  And sign up for a BlogTalkRadio profile and “Chat” with us to ask our guests a question!

 Plus, find out who the winner of the RuffleButts.com Pink Embroidered Bloomer is.  Good luck!

And check out my weekly article on Business Tip Tuesday featured on PoshMama.com.  I talk about the basics principles of writing a press release.  Next week on Business Tip Tuesday I will talk about press release formatting tips that will help make your press release look like it was written by a pro!

And remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com.

Elaine of Her Big Idea, writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Featured Fridays – Q&A with “List Plan It” Owner Jennifer Tankersley

Today’s Friday Featured Female is Jennifer Tankersley from ListPlanIt.com. List Plan It is a wonderful web resource where members can access over 300 printable lists and planning pages in PDF format and save them on to their computer and use them to organize their busy lives. You can find grocery lists and menu planning, holiday and party planning, calendars and to do lists.  It’s every list you need in one convenient place! 

Tell me about your products on ListPlanIt.com.
Until recently, the main thing offered at ListPlanIt.com has been access to the more than 300 lists and planning pages available to members for either 3 or 12 month subscriptions. Just this week, however, ListPlanIt.com has launched a new line of ePlanners (like eBooks)! This way, someone looking for just one type of list, such as meal planning, will be able to focus on the topic of her choice. Each ePlanner can be purchased for just $4.95 and has between 10 and 25 lists and planning pages all of the same topic such as baby, financial, birthday, holiday, travel, and more.

What is the difference between a membership and ePlanners? And can you buy a list individually?
Memberships give you access to everything ListPlanIt.com has to offer – including the new pages that are frequently being created. No need to store anything on your hard drive (unless you want to). You can also type into the pages that can be accessed as a member. The lists in each ePlanner are downloaded to your computer and yours to keep forever. You can narrow the lists and planning pages that you need down to a certain topic instead of committing to the entire selection available at ListPlanIt.com.

How did you come up with the idea for your product?
I’ve always been a list maker, but found that motherhood took the art of listmaking to a whole new level. One night as I was preparing for bed, I was mentally making a list of all the lists I needed to make for the following day and thought it would be great if all I had to do was just print out a form and fill in my own information. Suddenly, the concept for ListPlanIt.com was born! I sat right down and made a list of list ideas and in 30 minutes had over 500 pages that I would like to make.

When did you start your blog and why?
I reserved a blog back in September, but found little motivation to get started even though I kept reading how great a blog could be for your business. In January, the format of the Top 10 style of lists hit me and suddenly List Mama Blog was born. I was worried that blogging would take up too much of my already precious time, but I love it! I enjoy the opportunity to look for topics that would be meaningful to both myself and to my readers. Being a mom certainly has a plethora of interesting topics.

How do you come up with the lists you on your site?
Basically, if I need it myself, then there is a list for it. There are a few pages that I created for people that I would never use, but mostly I encounter a scenario where I think, “It sure would be nice to have a list (or record or journal or log or timetable) for that!” and then I make it.  I love the creative part of it!

What list or lists do you use most in your every day life?
My most frequently used lists are the Grocery List, Menu Planner, Daily Planner, Weekly Planner, Monthly Cleaning Schedule, Contact pages (address book), Newsletter Lineup, Goals and Achievements, almost all of the Financial pages in the Finance section, and since I have 3 children, I am very often printing pages for birthday/holiday planning.

What does the future hold for ListPlanIt.com?
I hope to begin to work with professional life coaches and organizers. Lists can really help people gain control of their lives once they learn to prioritize. I am also hoping to eventually put the lists and planning pages into print form and sell as a kind of workbook.

What are some of your favorite websites for business and pleasure?
Oh, there are so many out there! I LOVE Allrecipes.com, Amazon, Cafemom.com, BlogCatalog.com, ConstantContact.com, Craigslist.org.

Is there any advice you would like to give someone who is thinking about starting a business?
Yes, pick something that you can really stand behind and feel passionate about. I have had so many business ideas in my life, but not until this one came along did I really feel like I could make a go of it. Because I love the concept of ListPlanIt.com, I can throw myself wholeheartedly into developing, promoting, and maintaining the business. It takes a LOT of work! I had the misunderstanding that a website would be easy and that after I created the content, I could jut sit back and watch people flock. I have learned that that was wrong. It takes a lot of time and energy, just like any business. Thankfully, I LOVE it! It is difficult to pry me from my computer during the day. Since I have 3 young children, I don’t get to spend as much time with it as I would like to, but I certainly work as often as I have the chance.

Check out Jennifer’s Blog at : List Mama Blog:  Lists of Lists for List-Lovin’ Mamas 

Enter to win a ListPlanIt Yearly Membership
ListPlanIt.com is offering a special contest to HerBigIdea’s readers and listeners. Enter to win a chance to win a yearly membership to ListPlanIt.com (retail value $29.95). As a member, you will have access to over 300 lists and planning pages such as grocery lists, menu planning pages, birthday/holiday planning pages, to do lists, calendars, packing lists, and so much more.

To enter:
1. Go to the ListPlanIt website and find three (3) lists you could use in your everyday life.
2. Write a comment in this blog post saying which three lists you would use in your everyday life.

Rules:
1. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter.
2. One entry per person.
3. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific on May 29, 2008.

Until next week. Remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com.

Elaine of Her Big Idea, writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Show 007 – Interview with Johanna from Wupzey High Chair Food Catchers

Johanna is the managing director of Neat Baby, LLC and the inventor of the Wupzey Highchair Food Catcher.  Johanna created the high chair food catcher to be lightweight, compact and durable and to catch and contain all of baby’s crumbs and messy food. It easily attaches and detaches to a highchair. 

The featured artist was Ingrid Michaelson with her song “The Way I Am.” You’ll find yourself humming this catchy tune throughout the day. Go Amazon.com to purchase her CD or download her MP3!

Plus a Giveaway and Discount!

Johanna was generous enough to donate a Wupzey Highchair Food Catcher to a reader/listener of HerBigIdea.com.  Just go to the Wupzey website and pick out a color and pattern then write a comment in the comments section of this post.  A winner will be chosen on Tuesday, May 20 and announced on the Her Big Idea Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio next week!  Good luck!

If you can’t wait for the contest and have to have the Wupzey Highchair Food Catcher for your little one,  Johanna is also offering 20% off discount off the total purchase with coupon code “HBI.”

Until next week. Remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com.

Elaine of Her Big Idea, writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HerBigIdea/2008/05/14/Show-007-Interview-with-Johanna-from-Wupzey-High-Chair-Food-Catchers.mp3]

Listen to HerBigIdea Internet Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio

Don’t miss a live interview with Johanna, managing director of Neat Baby, LLC and the inventor of the Wupzey Highchair Food Catcher.  Johanna created the high chair food catcher to be lightweight, compact and durable. It easily attaches and detaches to a highchair.

Also on the podcast you will hear music from an up-and-coming artist, Ingrid Michaelson with her song “The Way I Am.” You’ll find yourself humming this catchy tune throughout the day. Go Amazon.com to purchase her CD or download her MP3!

You can listen to HerBigIdea live every Wednesday at 2 pm EDT / 11 am PDT. And don’t forget, you can call into the show and ask our guest a question by dialing the call-in Number: (646) 200-4281. We also have a “chat room” available to ask questions. Please go to HerBigIdea on BlogTalkRadio.

And don’t miss Friday’s Featured Female, Jennifer Tankersley, owner of ListPlanIt.com and the blogger on the List Mama Blog. Jennifer is an amazing woman who has created and compiled dozens and dozens of lists, put them all in one place for you to download to your computer and organize your life. We will have a special giveaway announced on Friday, so don’t miss out!

And remember to live your life to inspire and aspire with HerBigIdea.com!

Elaine of Her Big Idea, writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.

Show 006 – Interview with Karin from Ah Goo Baby Inventor of The Plush Pad

This week’s show was a re-broadcast of a live interview with President and Founder Karin from Ah Goo Baby from earlier in the day. We had some minor technical difficulties with the live show but luckily I was able to fix show and keep Karin’s great interview. And a special thank you to Karin for being patient during those minor difficulties!

As I mentioned, Karin’s company is Ah Goo Baby (named after the sweet sound her first daughter made while learning to talk). Karen and her husband invented The Plush Pad, a portable baby changing station with a patented memory foam insert.  Any baby would love getting changed in comfort, luxury and style with The Plush Pad.

Not only is The Plush Pad for alll those on the go changes but the portable changing station can be used as a second diaper changing station in the home or a permanent changing station for parents with limited space. The Plush Pad also comes in adorable prints and is machine washable!!!

Karin felt there was a void in the marketplace for a comfortable, affordable yet luxurious changing pad. While recovering from two c-section Karen was bothered that she had to go up and down the stairs of her two-story house. With her second child Karin improvised and put a foam-changing pad on her kitchen table. But unfortunately the foam rubbed the varnish off her table! She thought, “There has got to be a better way!”

Eventually Karin found a prototype company to create the very first Plush Pad. After about a year of prototypes being mailed back and forth and about seven renditions later, she had her final product. In retrospect, Karin mentioned she probably could have used a local seamstress but was happy with the quality of the end result.

One tip Karin gave during the interview was to always improve your product. “Each time The Plush Pad goes to the manufacturer. We always make subtle improvements to make it better and better each time,” said Karin.

Recently Karin has hired sales reps because after a year of selling, Karin discovered The Plush Pad had to be touched and seen. Her husband did much of the research, cold calling and commission negotiation with the reps. In choosing the reps, they opted for reputable reps who did not represent competing products. The Plush Pad is now in over 50 stores all around the world.

“We expect to be in 150 stores by the end of the year,” said Karin.

To purchase The Plush Pad online or to find a store near you, please go to http://www.ahgoobaby.com.

And remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com!

P.S. Click the player below to listen to the full interview or go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/herbigidea to listen to this show and others!

[audio:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HerBigIdea/2008/05/08/Show-006-An-Interview-with-Karin-from-Ah-Goo-Baby-Inventor-of-The-Plush-Pad.mp3]