In This Issue

Dear ,

Valentine's weekend was awesome! My new beau (I feel too old for a boyfriend) came up Friday afternoon and we got an early walk in up to Sunset Rock, a lot of fun despite clouds and cooler temperatures. Dinner at one of my favorites, Cyprus, was Mediterranean in flavor complete with a flaming appetizer (always good for sparks to fly, LOL).

Spoiled me delightfully! Saturday we strolled Highlands, and "he" was decadent with a handful of stylish new acquisitions to my wardrobe. Great to find a man who enjoys unique finds despite his conservative tendencies. Dinner was a riot as there was another couple that got engaged very quietly and I'd been admiring her handbag. After my fifth comment, "he" congratulated them on their occasion, pulled out $100 and said he'd buy her bag for me. I was thunderstruck and giggling hopelessly. She promptly dumped the contents of her purse and handed it over, evidently it had been an outlet mall find! The entire restaurant was agog!

Got a hike in! Sunday we made it up Whiteside Mountain with incredible views and fresh air. The weekend forecast had been littered with rain, but it held out for us. Next plan is the last weekend this month with Cirque du Soleil and Chairish the Future. I have to confess being spoiled is great fun and it has been a very long time since that happened!

Back to work! I'm still hearing that many of you need websites and aren't sure what to do about it. I will do another website teleseminar but solo this time with the nuts and bolts of how to get your materials together and make it cost effective and profitable. Look below for the MARCH 2nd Social Media Teleseminar!

Prospering by Design, ARE YOU?

Melissa Galt
The Six Figure Design Professional
Your Interior Design Business Systems Specialist
Devoted to Your Design Business Success

ASK MELISSA about Social Networking for YOUR Success!

http://askmelissagalt.com/

On Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 8pm EST I am going to have a 60 minute teleseminar on social networking for Design Professionals! I know you have questions; this is your BIG CHANCE to ask me anything you want to know about the networks. This means Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Plaxo, and Ecademy. I can also address questions on Avaliving and ID-Digest. In order to get the number for the call, PLEASE REGISTER http://askmelissagalt.com/ with a question or simply "I have no question but want to be on the call." The call is F.R.E.E!

http://askmelissagalt.com/

5 Mistakes That Will Silence Your Social Networking Success

When I speak of the social networks I am referring specifically to building your nest on Twitter, finding friends on Facebook, connecting on Linked In, getting contacts on Ecademy, and expanding your reach on Plaxo. Yes, there are more, this is more than enough to overwhelm anyone. The beauty is there are some neat tricks and shortcuts to making it manageable, marketable and ultimately profitable!

Mistake #1: Too much business!
Solution: The rule of thumb in social networking is 80/20. That is to say that 80% of your communication is personal and 20% is professional. When you violate this rule and spend all of your time on business, friends, followers, and connections get turned off. Be sure to let them know not just what you are about but who you are and what is important to you. Sharing bits about family, your kids, trips you take, favorite restaurants, movie comments and more make you interesting and give a 360 view. It creates POINTS OF CONNECTION!

Mistake #2: Ignoring that your audience is mixed!
Solution: Fortunately I don't see this often any longer but in the early days of the social networks I did. Comments like "I just urped up Chinese from lunch!" Yuck! And why did someone feel compelled to share that? Skip the bathroom talk and remember that your audience is male and female and we all know there are things we don't share in mixed company! A guy might find this hilarious (remember they are the ones that think farting aloud is hysterical) but women generally don't. And while women can joke to each other about panty lines and more, men don't want or need to hear it!

Read the Rest of the Article Here!

WOMEN ONLY, You May Save Your Life!

I have seen this video once or twice, it is a VITAL REMINDER that when in doubt get it checked out. If you are at all like me, you avoid going to the doctor unless it is absolutely essential. Okay you go for your annual but otherwise you don't want to take the time, figure nothing is serious enough, and generally dodge it. Better to be SAFE than SORRY!

Please view this for your health's sake and that of other women you know.