This month..

I recently discovered what RSS is all about - a feedreader for reading blogs. So I thought I'd share how it works for you below.

Also, a friend of mine in the US is launching a new book 'The Daughter-in-Law Rules' and it sounds like a great book for married women. Why not join in the fun of the official launch online?

• RSS - what is is really?
• The Daughter-in-Law Rules book launch
• Thought for the Day
• Need a speaker for your event?
• Mothers Day is coming up!

RSS - What is it really?

I didn't know what I was missing otherwise I would have done this ages ago.

I really could not picture in my head how RSS feeds worked (I know, I know, I'm into all this techy stuff and didn't get that!) and I didn't want to have to remember to go to some webpage regularly to check to see if people had updated their blogs. I mean, that's as bad as having to remember to visit their blogs anyway. That's why I've always been in favour of email subscriptions and using Feedburner for that. Besides, it's nice being able to see the number of subscribers too from the blogger's side of things.

Anyway, I finally decided to start exploring this RSS thing as so many other bloggers kept referring to it and after posting a question at LinkedIn Answers and also at Aussie Blogger's forum to find out about different readers I decided to give Google Reader a go.

Why? Because the percentage of people ‘voting' for it was way above the other suggestions and I also already had a Google account (who doesn't?). Plus some of the feed readers mean having to install software on your computer but with a reader like Google Reader, you can literally log into it from any computer anywhere - it doesn't have to travel with me. So, I was sold!

If you can see the image above well enough, what you'll see in the left hand menu is the list of blogs I'm subscribed to, and those in bold have numbers in brackets to the right to show there are unread posts listed. I'm amazed that some have 6 or more posts a day and others are like me, a few a week. Some just now and then.

Anyway, after seeing what I could do with it, I was hooked. I mean I started off with just a couple of blogs but now have over 30 on the list and growing. I've heard of some with over 100. I know my number will grow too - it's early days yet…

I love that I can leave my browser open all day and see in the Google Reader tab at the top of my browser (I use Firefox) that there are new posts waiting to be read as a number in brackets appears. The tempation to go and read straight away is something I have to learn to control but it does mean when I want a break from my work or read something over a cuppa, I can go to my reader to do that. Also first thing in the morning and last thing at night I can catch up with reading.

I can now keep up with things as they happen and not learn about them later on through Google Alerts or someone else telling me about it.

Of those blogs I was subscribed to by email I have changed my subscription to Google Reader and I know as soon as something has been published so I get to read it before the email subscription even goes out. It also means I'm inclined to comment more often and I have already noticed a distinct rise in the number of visits to my own blogs directly from some of those blogs, so it's working!

As an aside, I love that Firefox will allow me to save multiple pages for my 'home page' setting, so now Google Reader is one of my home pages and it automatically opens to it whenever I start up my browser each day.

Many of you know I have a multitude of blogs and if you'd like to subscribe to any of them via email of a feed reader, then you'll find the list at http://kathiet.blogspot.com/.

Have a great month everyone!

Kathie M. Thomas

The Daughter-in-Law Rules! Book Launch

In honor of Mother's day, we are all celebrating the official launch of Sally Shield's new and highly acclaimed book, The Daughter-in-Law Rules!  

http://thedilrules.com/specialoffer/

On TUESDAY May 6th (that's May 7th in the southern hemisphere), Sally's birthday - and in honor of Mother's Day - we have a personal goal to help Sally reach the #1 position on Amazon.com and we really need your help. And, for helping, we're going to reward you in a big, no make that HUGE way!

This offer requires the tiniest investment, but will bring you a return beyond belief: for only $14.95 you can get a copy The Daughter-in-Law Rules ... and over 75 free gifts!!!!

On May 6th (US time), Sally is being joined by over 75 relationship advice experts and success coaches from around the world, as well as 1-800-Flowers.com with a unique promotional code created specifically for this book, to give you an exceptional offer!

Go here to find out more about this promotion that makes buying a copy of The Daughter-in-Law Rules  really worthwhile on Tuesday, May 6th!

http://thedilrules.com/specialoffer/

But there's an even BIGGER PURPOSE to this promotion:

15% of the proceeds of this book go to the charity "Much Love" -- an amazing non-profit, no-kill organization dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse and neglect of domestic animals. (For more info, visit: www.MuchLove.org.)

P.S. Please share this offer with your friends and family. It's easy... just send them this link by email to let them know about the many gifts we have made available for them on 6th May:

http://thedilrules.com/specialoffer/

P.P.S. As well, please join Sally on a free tele-seminar (no charge) Tuesday, May 6th at 6pm US Eastern Standard Time (That translates to Wednesday 7th 8am Aust EST)

She'll reveal:

• How a scarf and shower curtain can turn your worst nightmare into your BFF [best friend forever!]
• The Most Common Mistakes to avoid with your mother-in-law
• Your mother-in-law is coming - no problem! 3 easy techniques to calm your nerves
• 3 simple strategies that will eliminate all arguments with your husband in regards to his mother - forever!
• A simple 4 step process to put the kibosh on jabs and zingers.

…and much more!

The phone number to get on the teleseminar is: +1 419 400 0202 and the passcode is: 180244#
...and as a special bonus, Sally's birthday gift to you, everyone who attends will get a free eBook version of The Daughter-in-Law Rules!

Go to this link to Listen Live via web and submit your questions:

http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=2723205

Thought for the day:

"Other people can stop you temporarily. You're the only one who can do it permanently."
--- Zig Ziglar

Need a speaker for your event?

“Worth More Than Rubies is a great starting place for moms who desire to work from home. Packed full of practical, useful information as well as the story of Kathie's own journey, I know this will bless many, many women.”
~ Jill Hart, CWAHM.com

Kathie M. Thomas gives women permission to return home and shares with the audience how she did exactly that, bringing up 5 daughters, while establishing a new industry, using skills she'd developed in the corporate world for over 20 years.

Where is Kathie speaking this month?

16-18 May 2008
OIVAC , 3 Day Virtual Conference
"How a Blog Can Help Your Business Profile"
Kathie will explain what a blog is share on the benefits of blogging and how it enhances your profile online. She will also share various blogging platforms, hints and tips for obtaining blog exposure.

23 May 2008
Baby Boomer Divas Blogtalk Radio Teleseminar Series
"The Value of Being a Work At Home Mom"

23 May 2008
I'll be in Sydney/Penrith and happy to meet up with any Virtual Assistants that afternoon. Please contact me for details.

24 May 2008
Faithwriters Conference Downunder , Sydney, NSW
"How to Promote Your Writing for All It's Worth"
Whether you believe it or not, writing your book or article is the easy part. The real work begins when you've got to sell it. Promotion and marketing are the two aspects most often overlooked by writers, and they are the two most essential things when it comes to getting your message into the hands of your readers. First time author Kathie Thomas didn't let the grass grow under her feet when it came to marketing her book. She dared to aim high, and she got results. Join Kathie as she leads this highly motivating and encouraging session. After listening to Kathie, you'll believe you can do it too.

28 May 2008
Women in Business Breakfast , City of Monash, Victoria

Kathie can speak at your next meeting, seminar or conference on:

• Email Etiquette
• Blogging for business or a book
• Hidden Benefits of Working at Home
• It's a Virtual World

Mothers Day is only a few weeks away. If you are seeking a gift that's special for a mother who is special, why not get her a copy of “Worth More Than Rubies: The Value of a Work at Home Mum”? Kathie's story will inspire any woman who is a mother, or would like to be, and shares how they too, can combine their experiences and skills to work at home and be present for their families. There are a number of other items available there too, if she already has a copy of the book.

About Our Organisation…

What is a Virtual Assistant?
It's a term for home-based secretaries, administrative and secretarial support, and others who supply remote or virtual office support.

We are as close to you as your computer and can do almost anything traditional support staff do - except virtually. You don't need to provide office space, equipment, software or furniture - we have our own!

Location no issue as the work is carried out 'virtually' no matter where you are!  However, if you need someone locally we can supply. See our list at VA Directory

We have a new resource for the VA Industry called VANetwork News. If you're interested in what's happening, or would like to know more about the industry, then please do visit! There are opportunities for suppliers of services and products to sponsor the newsletter.

Make sure you visit OIVAC for their upcoming convention in May! A fantastic 3 day online conference with speakers from many different countries - there is sure to be a topic of interest to you!