How to add a Google+ badge to your website

Anyone with a Google+ profile can now include one of two types of badges linking to their account. Follow these simple steps to get yours.

First, visit your Google+ page, and copy your account number (it’s the long string of numbers at the end of the URL). To see your account number, just click on your profile picture. Doing this will populate the numeric values associated with your Google+ account.

Open a new tab or window, and visit the Google Developers site to build your profile badge.

Once you pop in your account number, you’ll have two choices: a simple icon linking to your Google+ profile, or a more interactive badge, which also includes your name and the ability for a user to “Add to circles” right from your website.

Then, simply grab the two pieces of code (one piece shows authorship and the second displays the badge or icon) and add to your website or blog.

Once you’ve done this, verify your markup by putting in your URL on Google’s Rich Snippets Testing Tool. Don’t forget to circle me up on Google+!

Public speaking tips to boost your business

microphone for public speaking

What's feared more than spiders, heights or the dark?

Afraid of public speaking? My unscientific research proved the fear of public speaking more common than the fears of spiders, heights, darkness and flying. Learning to speak well is a surefire way to boost your business.

First, you’ll have to promote yourself as an expert in your field. I started out speaking and presenting to small, city- and county-based lawyer Bar associations, in front of as few as 4 attorneys. My pay was prestige, and I used these early events as currency for larger, more regional opportunities, such as my recent seminar at the State Bar of Alabama’s Annual Meeting & Legal Expo.

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Sandbagging and sales forecasting don’t mix

Just like oil and water, sales forecasting and sandbagging don't mix!

Mark Twain once said that there are “three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Little did he know how apropos this statement would be when it comes to sales forecasting, and the process of sandbagging (in general terms, you “sandbag” when you hold back a strength only to surprise your adversary with it later on).

So why do so many sales professionals, and sales leaders, like to sandbag the numbers? Maybe it’s because new business reps want to surprise leadership with a massively big week. Or maybe it’s because managers want to fire up the team – “we need $200k this week” when the real number is only $175k.

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Intro to Personal Branding

Your personal brand lets clients know who you are and what you stand for.

Personal branding can help increase your competitive edge and catapult yourself into the marketplace. Done correctly, personal branding will create a sense of individuality so that clients can differentiate easily between you and your competitors. Your goal with personal branding is to create a name for yourself that lets clients know who you are and what you stand for.

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