Women Unlimited newsletter // February 20, 2009

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February 20, 2009 ~ visit the Women Unlimited website ~ subscribe to newsletter ~ like this newsletter? forward it on to a friend

What's new this week

Hi,

It's been a great couple of week for events and networking. I recently went to an event hosted by Enterprise Nation where they released their predictions for the home based business for the upcoming year. You can read those predictions here. We have just booked out a series of slots at the British Library for our upcoming workshops which will be starting in April. Before the British Library workshops, we are holding a marketing workshop on Get Clients Now! and Mastering Communications on March 28th. Spaces are limited to 8 people, so check it out and book your place while you have the chance!

Thank you VERY much to all of you who responded to our survey questions, it was very useful and has given us a clear idea of what you want. We will be announcing the line up over the next few weeks, so watch this space.

We're also doing a poll about when women like to network. Please visit our events page and tell us your preference! We are looking for women across the UK who would like to get involved with Women Unlimited. Please email me if you are interested in becoming an advocate for women in your area.

All the best, Julie.

This Weeks Featured Article

7 surefire ways to keep your visitors engaged on your website
by Margaret Webster

Web-users are fast, focused and read in an F-shaped pattern. People act like information hunters when they are using the internet according to web usability guru, Jakob Nielsen. They usually scan the top two paragraphs and the left-hand side of a webpage and read only about 20% of the words. People typically spend much less time reading a web page than a printed page in a book or magazine.

They are also more likely to move to a new page before finishing the page that they are reading.You have probably noticed this yourself when you are using the internet.

So, how do you write your website so that people will actually use it? You make it easy for them to read your pages in the way that they prefer. Here are seven things you can do to make your website reader-friendly... read this article

It's competition time! Five tickets to Mother's of Invention at the British Library

We have a new competition running for the next three weeks. We have FIVE tickets to give away to the British Library Mothers of Invention, part of their Inspiring Entrepreneurs series in the evening on March 10th, 2009.

If you have a great business idea, long to pursue your dreams or just want to be your own boss, the British Library is bringing together four trailblazing British women for an evening of inspiration. Who are the mothers?

Gurinder Chadha OBE is one of Britain's most successful film directors, best known for Bend it Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice. Liz Jackson MBE the founder Great Guns, a telemarketing business. Laura Tenison the founder of JoJo Maman Bebe. Dee Wright, the founder of The Hairforce is an innovative nit and lice removal service

Click here to find out more and enter the competition.

One of our favourite books...

The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More

20% of Amazon's sales are from books that sell less than 10 copies each, and are so niche they are nearly impossible to find in bookstores, is merely interesting. But Chris Anderson goes on to explore this phenomenon from many angles, discussing the economics for local booksellers and music stores, sub-segmenting the various long tails that make up the entire long tail, exploring the cultural implications when diverse personalities can find items better suited to their tastes than available in the mainstream, and other interesting twists. This book is a must have for anyone creating a presence on the internet today

Some Articles you may have missed in the last couple of weeks

Can you make your life work the way you want it to? An excellent article by Jack Canfield on dealing with difficult situations

Get in touch with YOU Hazel Walker has written a short article on getting in touch with your values

Long lost loves Another great article by Michelle Daniels on how to keep contact with lapsed customers

What’s in a name? This is an article on the importance of getting your business name right by Tim Berry

And if you haven't already, check out the DIY business review series that is running from Penelope Herbert. We still have two more to go, but these questions will really make you think!

Click here to see more articles that you may have missed

Fantastic events for your diary

women in business conference

Have you booked your ticket yet for The Conference for women in business this year? We have 4 fabulous speakers, a panel session, fantastic networking and the chance to win some great prizes donated by Violet May London, Titfertat Hats and Dermalogica.

Join us! And choose the future you really want for you and your business. Tickets are selling fast and you don't want to miss this fantastic event.

And watch out for Women Unlimited in the Guardian Women In Business supplement next Thursday!

Neo Consciousness - Do you want to make a difference in the World?

February 26, 2009. London. This is an event you must attend! Your world needs you!

Neo Consciousness marks the UK launch of Neo.org and iConscience.co.uk and a unique chance to meet Bill Liao and Philip de Lisle – leading facilitators of business and personal transformation for people across the globe.

Click here to find out more and book your ticket today.

The Next Woman Funding & Pitching Event

This is your chance to speak with those in the know about how to get investment in your business. 5 lucky women will have the chance to do a trial pitch for their business in front of some of the leading players in the UK

Don't miss out on this opportunity to hear some great speakers, gain insight from others' experience and avail of excellent networking opportunities. Find out more on The Next Women website

Speakers and discussions will include:
Sháá Wasmund of the newly launched Smarta.com
Andrea Cockerton of Mudhut, Pitch expert
Anna Sofat of Addidi Business Angels
Judy Gibbons of Accel Partners and Mippin, VC, CEO
Bill Morrow of Angelsden
Emmet Kilduff of CMYPitch

With numbers limited, be sure TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW.

Competition Winners!

Tracey, Julie and Naomi

A big congratulations to Naomi Dunford of Ittybiz (a fantastic website for small business marketing) and Tracey Rissik, the owner of The Simple Web Company for winning the tickets to see Seth Godin in London this week. It was a fantastic afternoon.

Scavenger is a great resource if you are researching a new business idea or need some business templates. They have over 800 reports and guides to help research a business idea or market, write a business plan, and start up a small business.

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