Too often I come across business owners who have "lost" access to their domain (aka www.businessname.com). Here is how the story goes: "My ________ bought the domain for me because I had no idea what I was doing. Now s/he is ignoring my calls and emails and texts. Now what?" You can fill in the ______ with: boyfriend, programmer, husband, good friend, girlfriend, wife, son, daughter, etc. If they are ignoring you and basically holding your domain hostage you need to kiss that domain good-bye. To get it back (assuming the other party does not want to give it back) would mean bringing them to court. ![]() Because stories like this are so common I NEVER EVER will buy a domain for someone. I simply send them these instructions:
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The link I posted above is an affiliate link. That means I get a kickback if you buy a domain through GoDaddy. But kickback or not, I strongly recommend GoDaddy. They are HUGE, so I know the company is not going to disappear. Their customer service is the BEST I've seen. You can call them up and get real help. Sometimes they even call you just to make sure everything is OK or to remind you your domain is about to expire. Really, I love them. The only reason not to love GoDaddy is (as you saw) they try to upsell you on services. Now that you've bought your own domain you know it is safe (just do not lose the password) :) In my webinar on The 5 Pages Your Website Must Have, I talk about how head shots are mandatory! The Birth Workers featured in this blog, offered up their head shots for the world to see. As you may notice, they are setting the industry standard and YOU need to keep up. I also want you to take note that MANY of them paid NOTHING for their photo. Some had friends take their picture and others traded their services. Do YOU want a free head shot too? In my Launch with Laura class I go over how to get a head shot and what to do during the shoot. I also talk about my rookie mistake (knowing it will save you time and money. A huge thanks to everyone who participated! If you watched my webinar on The 5 Pages Your Website Must Have, then you know that I believe everyone should have an active blog. In a nutshell, here’s what blogging will do for you.
I wanted to INSPIRE non-bloggers, or those struggling to blog, so I reached out to the Birth Worker Community and asked them to share their most popular blogs with me. The topics are varied but all have ONE thing in common. All of these blogs are written FOR CLIENTS (moms, pregnant moms, soon to be pregnant moms, and dads too!). Remember that your peers (fellow birth workers) are not who your blog is for. So let's take a look at these talented, professional, women who are leading the pack in the BW blogging world! In no particular order: #1. 'Twas the Night Before Labor Author: Ali Fallis Link: http://www.lifeslightdoula.com/blog/twas-the-night-before-labor Laura’s Notes: The Huffington Post picked up this blog! #2. A day at home with your postpartum doula Author: Devon Clement Link: http://mamasbestfriend.com/day-home-postpartum-doula/ Laura’s Notes: I personally share this blog with everyone who thinks they need a “baby nurse”. What they really mean is they need a PPD! #3. I Left My Infant In The Car Author: Amber Mohr Link: http://brentwooddoula.com/2015/08/i-left-my-infant-in-the-car/ Laura’s Notes: I love how this made Amber very real and human. Any parent who made a mistake (um, all of them) can relate to this blog. #4. Our Birth Story Author: Tenaj Ikner Link: http://sojourningthru.com/2013/07/01/our-birth-story/ Laura’s Notes: Everyone loves a good story. Every mom loves a good birth story even more! #5. Too Bad You Had to Switch To Formula Author: Lindsey Harman Link: http://www.arrivalarts.com/arrival-blog/2015/8/5/she-doesnt-care-about-her-baby-so-she-gave-it-formula Laura’s Notes: This blog hit 3000 views on Facebook alone! Not too shabby. By the way, I teared up a little reading this. #6. Isn’t my Husband my Doula? Author: Amanda Mason Link: http://www.brownwooddoula.com/blog/isnt-my-husband-my-doula Laura’s Notes: EXCELLENT informational piece that could help a lot first time moms (and dads). #7. The Authentic Truth of Breastfeeding with Poland Syndrome (Part 1 and 2) Author: Sarah Case Link: https://www.tinysparrowphotography.com/2015/08/poland-syndrome-breastfeeding-photos/ Laura’s Notes: Another great story! Are you starting to see that you (and others) love reading stories? #8. 5 Reasons Chico is a Great Place to Have a Baby Author: Sarah Tingy Gordon Link: http://www.chicobirthservices.com/blog/5-reasons-chico-is-a-great-place-to-have-a-baby-by-a-chico-doula Laura’s Notes: Everyone loves a good list! When she sent this to me I didn’t even know where (or what) Chico was but her title made me want to click. Clearly this blog is great for those who may be doing a google search for ‘chico doula’. Actually, just an FYI for Sarah, I just did a google search and Chico Birth Services is 1st page, 3rd website down! #9. Beautiful is Your Postpartum Body Author: Eizabeth Luke Link: http://firstcoastdoulas.com/2015/07/beautiful-is-your-postpartum-body/ Laura’s Notes: Yup, Elizabeth proves you can given turn your poem into a blog. This blog got about 1000 views. #10. 15 Reasons you Need a Doula Author: Maria Pokluda Link: http://greatexpectationsbirth.com/2015/03/15/15-reasons-you-want-a-doula-at-your-birth/ Laura’s Notes: Another great list that educates. This blog gets 700 views PER MONTH! #11. Top Ten Tips for Writing a Birth Plan Author: Bethany Sawhill Link: http://phoenixfamilybirth.com/birth-plan-tips/ Laura’s Notes: Not only is there great info, Bethany even gives away a worksheet at the end of this blog (genius). #12. Why you won’t hear me suggest galactogogues Author: Tipper Gallagher Link: http://theboobgeek.com/blog/why-you-wont-hear-me-suggest-galactogogues.html Laura’s Notes: This blog received 31,000+ views. She published it June 2013 and August 2015 people are STILL commenting on it! Need I say more? #13. Birth Partner No No’s Author: Justine Geberdt Link: http://www.allaboutbirthboutique.ca/blog/birth-partner-no-nos/ Laura’s Notes: Justine pulled off serious and funny at the same time. Plus this blog has gotten 7k+ views. #14. I love TEA!! Safe herbal teas for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Author: Ashley Shea Link: http://yoginimomma.com/2013/12/07/i-love-tea-safe-herbal-teas-for-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/ Laura’s Notes: This blog has gotten 10k views so far! Think of how many moms google “safe tea pregnancy”. #15. Attack Formula Companies--Not Formula Feeders Author: Christy Jo Hendricks Link: http://birthingandbreastfeeding.blogspot.com/2014/10/attack-formula-companies-not-formula.html Laura’s Notes: 37,758 views so far on this one. Christy Jo's blog is for professionals because that is who your clients are. If you are a birth worker who trains other birth workers your blog should be for peers as well. #16. You’re Not Allowed to Not Allow Me Author: Cristen Pascucci Link: http://birthmonopoly.com/allowed/ Laura’s Notes: 76k likes, 250,000 views (that’s not a typo). #17. 13 Myths About VBAC Author: Jen Kamel Link: http://vbacfacts.com/13myths/ Laura’s Notes: 128,000 views. This was the only VBAC blog submitted to me, which is surprising because it is a popular topic among moms in Facebook groups. More VBAC blogs from others please :) #18. Cervical Scar Tissue – A Cause of Preventable C-Sections Author: Dawn Thompson Link: http://improvingbirth.org/2012/07/cervical-scar-tissue-a-cause-of-unnecessary-c-sections/ Laura’s Notes: Great facts may get you 1 MILLION views! Wow. #19. Denying the Pain of Labour is Like Denying the Pain of Life Author: Nadia Raafat Link: http://nadiaraafat.com/index.php/blog/49-denying-the-pain-of-labour-is-like-denying-the-pain-of-lifehi Laura’s Notes: Another blog that was published in the Huffington Post. #20. Early Labor: What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You Author: Kate Novotny Link: http://taprootdoula.com/2015/07/23/early-labor-what-your-doctor-wont-tell-you/ Laura’s Notes: This blog has another irresistible title. I challenge a first time pregnant mom to read that title and NOT click it. #21. 5 Awesome Things About Oxytocin You Probably Don’t Know Author: Emily Fontes Link: http://www.serenedoulas.com/5-awesome-things-about-oxytocin-you-probably-dont-know/ Laura’s Notes: Another great list that is easy to absorb. Are you inspired!? Feel free to post a link to your blog in the comments below.
When I first started out I used an @hotmail.com address for my business. This was in 2004 before @gmail.com was public. But after I few years I knew it was time for an @MyDomain.com email address. By then I had a gmail account and I loved the ease of it so signing up with Google Apps was a no-brainer.
Your Google Apps email looks just like gmail but the address will be @YourDomain.com instead of @gmail.com. The cost is $5 a month per user or $50 a year. To save some money go here (affiliate link) and give this promo code a try. It is first come, first served so it may or may not work.
Starting on 4.21.15 Google began ranking Mobile Friendly websites HIGHER in the search results.
What this means? If someone searches for "San Diego Doula" the websites that are mobile friendly will show up higher on the search page. A non-mobile website may not show up at all. Is your website mobile friendly? There is a quick way to find out. Just go here and enter your URL. Did your website fail the test? Then you need to upgrade right away! If you are using Wix, Weebly, SquareSpace then contact their customer service to see what your options are. If your website needs a full upgrade, then check out my Launch with Laura Class where I will teach a group of birth workers how to build a Weebly website. |
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April 2022
AuthorLaura Occhipinti is on a mission to point people to websites, apps, and products that they MUST know about! Categories
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