In honor of my favorite day, I added a Weekly Roundup on my blog where I share some awesome posts of stuff I find week to week that I know you can benefit and learn from. Some bloggers you will recognize and some you won’t. Either way, I hope you enjoy each post as much as I did reading them.

Social Media

14 Ways To Gain Trust and Turn Your Readers Into Customers, by John Paul Aguiar – From the twitter guru (John Rules!) himself, this post shares the best advice I have seen in a long time and we have read them all. If you want to know how to touch your readers, make sure you read this post. It will change how you look at what you may or may not be doing. Thanks John! Get More Comments: How Honesty Compels Readers To Comment, by Darren Rowse – Honesty is the best policy when posting blog posts. Some bloggers struggle to find their voice and not see realize that people want the real you and not what you think your readers want to hear. Sometimes the best stories are your own. Transparency online. Where do you draw the line? by Ameena Falchetto -How much do you tell online? Are you trying to relate to your audience or are you just giving away too much information? Finding a fine line on what you share and tell can be the as little as sharing what you ate for dinner and you talk about Technology, or sharing intimate moments when your business is on another topic.  What can you offer your readers that actually adds value?

Blogging

Is There Really Any Competition When Blogging, by Amanda DiSilvestro, via WeBlogBetter – Do you feel like you’re competing with other bloggers in your niche? Starting a blog for the wrong reasons can backfire if you create a blog with the intent to copy your competition.  This post covers some simple tips on how to find your place when there is already a crowded market. Blog Writing Checklist: Have You Covered these 8 Blogging Essentials, by Tom Treanor, via Basic Blog Tips – If you’re new to blogging, and lost on what to post, this article provides some easy blog post ideas and how to create a post that adds value. Remember, people want to know what’s in it for them and not what’s in it for you.

How To

How to Craft an Exciting Marketing Message… Even for a Boring Product, by Sean D’Souza, via CopyBlogger – If you have ever launched an ebook or product and it hasn’t been received well, you might have a mundane story behind it. This post covers why the most boring product (not yours) can be featured as the most exciting product just by tweaking the description. Trust me you will find value reading this article.

Video Tutorials

How to set up a Gravatar, by Catherine Alexandra – I still can’t believe that people don’t have a Gravatar!  Leaving comments on other blogs is another way you can also build your brand, because every comment you leave, your image or pic leaves your mark on that blog.  Cat, creates a dummy-proof tutorial on how to set this up easily and guess what? It’s FREE! Are People Ripping Off Your Business? How to Stay Ahead of Copycats, by Marie Forleo – Have you ever had someone copy something you did and try and take credit for it? We are all inspired by what someone might do, but when you don’t give them the credit back for a job well done, that is just plain wrong. This funny and informative video by Marie Forleo, provides some easy tips to keep you grounded and stay on track. How To Create Your Own Customized Aweber Email Template, by Sylviane Nuccio – If you have a blog, then you need subscriber’s right? Aweber is one the most widely used email services for business owners that have subscribers reading their posts, but how do they get them there? In this post, Sylviane takes the hard task out creating a customized template to give it your branded look. How To Use Flickr for Blog Images, Traffic and Links, by Brankica Underwood -When you use photos for your blog posts where are you looking to find them? Do you know where to find free images to use on your blog now? My dear friend Brankica created an awesome video tutorial showing how you can find images for free and how to keep yourself free from drama as well as create additional traffic. How cool is that?

Writing

How to Focus and Get Your work Done Without a Boss, by John Mak, via NewBizBlogger –  When you work for someone else, getting your paycheck is an attractive bargain to getting things done. Once you’re on your own, staying focused becomes harder because now you have to figure out ways to make your income.  This post brings up some helpful tips on how to get things done without anyone looking over your shoulders.

Inspirational

How to be Successful, by Catherine Alexandra – Ok, Cat, I haven’t finished reading this post, still caught up in the videos, but I had to include this. Need some inspiration? This post has some great videos that really made me sit up and think about some negative things people have told me when it came to my dreams and hopes for my future. Please stop and read her post and watch the videos. Her heart was clearly in it and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Cat, I seriously owe you a comment! How to Start, by Marlee Ward –Need a kick in the butt this morning? Got a project you haven’t started and need some inspiration? Whatever your struggles are, this post truly gives the meaning to START Now and how to leave fear out of the equation.

Entrepreneurship

It Just Tasks One, by Danny Brown – From the moment you meet people, how you conduct yourself can make or break you. If you run a business, you’re being watched all the time. Are you consistent with your message and are we getting the real you? I Got Slapped… and I Deserved it, by Bob and Rosemary Clarke – We have all done this at some point in our lives where something you started provided you with financial gain or massive exposure, then boom! You wake up and it’s all gone. Bob, share his story about why putting all your eggs in one basket spells doom if you’re not prepared. Business Respect; Why Independent Consultants Don’t Get It, by Mitch Mitchell – Are you a independent consultant? Have you ever faced adversity with the work you offer? Companies use consultants all the time, but are you starting to see a trend where businesses start to doubt their worth? I for one don’t, and this article covers a particular situation all consultants should be aware of.

Stuff that Cracks Me Up

The Day I woke Up As A T-Rex, by Brandon – I don’t need to say more. I was in tears laughing.