In The Beginning There Was HTML…

This is the first part of a beginners' tutorial covering some simple terms about the internet and internet advertising. It is meant for those brand new to website promotion. These terms lay the groundwork for much of the material covered for promoting a business online. For those already versed in the subject, it may be easy to forget that first steps have to begin somewhere. The terms and the concepts are easy. A basic understanding will give you the foundation for further learning. This first part is about html, what it is and why it's important to us.

Html (spoken as the letters H-T-M-L) stands for HyperText Markup Language. That may not leave much to go on, but a little background can clarify things. You may already be familiar with the term link. You click on a word, usually highlighted in some way, and are taken to another web page or a website that the word is linked to. This simple concept, clickable words that take you to new pages, is called hypertext.

Hypertext, intended as a means of quick and easy information retrieval, was a very simple concept bought to fruition by the dawn of the Information Age. It is the simplest of concepts, however, that may well be the most powerful because by the very nature of their simplicity they can't be disassembled. They give a foundation which, rather than being outgrown, can be built upon. Though hypertext had been around for a while, it was the visionary founders of html who conceptualized the World Wide Web. In hindsight it seems almost an effortless step. You create something sublime, naturally you want to show it off and share it with the world.

To complete the thought, keep in mind that it is not only text that can be hyperlinked, but also images. The linking part is the information retrieval part. By clicking a link, you are able to retrieve the information that the hyperlink is connected to.

So now you know the hyptertext part. You could think of hyper text as the magic part of it, the part of the equation that set the world on fire. Markup language, well, that's the geek part. A markup language is a language of code, universally accepted, that when translated means certain things. It is a collection of letters and symbols, all from the computer keyboard, that in certain combinations create certain results. Html writers call these combinations tags. Tags are used not only for linking but also for formatting the text and images to make up the document, the part that you see.

Html is the foundation of our internet experience. And it is reachable too. Its seeming complexity lies not in complicated equations but rather its layers. With layer upon layer of completely simple commands, it's an example where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. All it takes is a little patience to learn html. Though, one doesn't even have to do that. It's easy enough to pick up pieces of it to use as desired. And there is something satisfying about getting under the hood of a webpage. Not to mention it sounds amazingly smart to be able to say things like, "I altered the code."

So now you have not just a definition of html but hopefully a look into the marvels of it. Keep that mindset on the wonders of these things that make up this world. These are the tools of our limitless opportunities. They are the allies of our potential. Take the mindset of wonder, add you, and your possibilities, and watch what happens. If something as simple as html could change the world, imagine what you could do.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

Profile: Wendy's Web Page Design

Graphic artist Wendy Ward does quality work at bargain prices. Wendy's Web Page Design is a one-stop shop for your internet design needs. Whatever your business is, having a web presence could help you make the most of your image, relay information to your customers, attract new prospects, and generate sales.

While there are plenty of services out there where we can automatically generate our own website, there is no substitute for professionally done work. A case in point is this website, a business blog with a template automatically generated from Blogger. There is a lot one could do with these templates. They're really great and with any amount of creative inclination you could really run to town with them. Of course, that's exactly what I have been doing, and I've been having a ball doing it too. There did come a point, very early on actually, where I knew I wanted some professional work done in order to give my blog a unique appearance. It was time for my brand.

Brand is a word I've been hearing a lot in internet marketing circles. Brand yourself is a common refrain of professional internet marketers. In effect, the theory goes the most successful internet marketers do not promote a product, but rather their brand. Coming from a background of being a musician, this was an easy concept to understand. In music we call it creating your image.

So whether you're going after a brand or an image on the internet, unless you're a graphic artist yourself, you could benefit from the services of one. Wendy Ward is both graphic artist and website designer, which greatly simplifies the process when it comes time to have some work done. Ward takes on a variety of projects and has found a niche with new and advancing marketers whose needs vary greatly. And while she could build you an entire website, she will tell you that no job is too small.

For myself, what I wanted was a header and some matching banners for advertising this blog. After viewing the samples of her work on her website, I e-mailed her explaining the work I wanted done and asked for a quote. Ward works surprisingly fast and, after taking a payment through PayPal, she delivered my work the next day.

Perhaps this may give some insight into Ward's artistry and professionalism. Just brimming with ideas for what I wanted, I sent her a long description of what I was looking for. I told her I wanted something fun on one hand, keeping credibility on the other, that I didn't want something overly formal, and particulars for certain scenarios. So how does an artist deal with the varied and sometimes conflicting needs and desires of clients and come up with something gracious? No problem for Wendy Ward. She understands the creative language. As a professional she knows how to translate clients' needs into visual perfection. She understood what I was looking for without missing a beat.

As an artist, she has a good instinct, a good judgment. Wendy's designs have a unique flavor. Her work does stand out. If you look at her work you will see an artist of versatility.

Here is a smaller version of my header…

Here you can see a scaled down version of one of my matching banners…

You can find more examples of her work on her website. And as you can see, if you are looking to create a look or feel that is your own, you can be confident that is what you'll get. For me, it was a pleasure meeting and doing business with Wendy Ward. Getting some design work from Wendy's Web Page Design was an easy and simple step to create a look to get my business blog noticed. And that's all it takes, folks. Doing the next thing to promote your business really is easy.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

Site Update: A New Look With More To Come

Besides a new look, I made some html changes so when outgoing links are clicked they will now open in a new window. Take note of this if you are blogging for your business. This is an important site navigation feature that will enable visitors to stay on your site longer. Stay tuned for a future article about the importance of this and simple instructions how you can do it yourself.

A special thanks to Widget Blogger for the code that enabled me to remove the standard blogger navigation bar from the top of the page. You'll notice a number of changes along the sidebar also, for both aesthetic and navigation purposes.

All this, with more changes to come, you have an example of a work in progress. As with here, you can take steps in the smallest of increments which, over time, create something tangible and lasting.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

Special Welcomes

I would like to welcome the first person who signed up to follow this blog. The first subscriber is a milestone for any blogger. I'm privileged to say he is another home business blogger. He's also a Floridian and a Cool Hand Luke fan, like myself. Glad to have you here.

I would like also to say welcome to the world. My most recent fascination is my hit counter, and it is something special to see visits from all over the globe. So welcome to London, Cairo, Islamabad, Moscow, and the rest of you. So many nations, places and people. I see those small dots on my spinning NeoPlanet and I wonder about the faces and the lives of those passing through. It may be only for a brief moment that our lives touched. But they did. Proof of each other's existence. The internet is a marvelous place.

So you witness here the beginning of a blog. Where it will go who can say. I can say I'm enjoying it. And that, my friends, is what is required of us. Whatever you are doing, make sure you love doing it.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

About This Blog

I wanted to say more about what I'll be doing here. First and foremost we all need to have a little fun, so I'm hoping not to turn out something too dry or technical. Also, there are plenty of high profile marketers telling you how to become rich. They can do their job and I'll do mine, which is I want to give some basic and useful information for those just starting out or are thinking about a home based income venture. Add to that some motivation and inspiration, and there you have it!

So as not to leave anybody out I will be starting with some basic terms. As for those of you who already have successful ventures, know the ropes, or are experienced marketers, I'd just like to say it would be fun if you came along for the ride. There is plenty of room for all, and you certainly are invited. As this blog goes along we'll explore different ideas, so there's going to be some good reading ahead.

If I could break down the goal here it's: autonomy, philosophy and fun. Autonomy, being that's what anyone wants from a home based income. Along with that comes a certain confidence in ourselves and our business. we want to be the masters of our income, not the slaves. Philosophy because knowing the plan behind the plan will help you to streamline your efforts. Why on earth are we doing what we're doing? What is our motivation? Having a clear philosophy will keep us on course as we move along with our ventures. And fun, well…are any of us aspiring to be miserable in our ventures? Might as well be up front about it, we want to make profits, yes, but we want to have fun doing it.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

Site Update

I changed the hit counters early this morning, so we're back again at zero and climbing. I had a generic counter and a 2D map at the bottom of the page. They were nice, but I wanted something snazzier. Now at the sidebar there are two very nice features: a flag counter that's just too cool to be free and the spinning globe NeoPlanet from Neoworx, a company that makes quality premium widgets for your website or blog. If you have a website check them out here.

Also, along the sidebar is now a Follow feature which makes it easier to well…follow this blog.

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo

Welcome To The Home Business Success Blog

Hello and welcome to the home business success blog. If you're like most people you work hard and deserve more for your efforts. Maybe you are brand new to an opportunity or have tried before only to see your efforts wasted. Maybe you've heard a lot of confusing terms, or you know the ropes but just haven't brought it all together yet. You've probably heard the promises of insane earnings or wild profits without lifting a finger. You want your slice but don't want to get scammed or end up with little to show for your efforts.

Hang around and in the weeks and months to come you may find you are on a very different kind of journey. One where you are confident to let your common sense be the guide, where you comfortably call your own shots like only you can and finally make the money you deserve. If you belong to Blogger click Follow Blog at the top of the page, if not, bookmark this site so you can come back to it. (The website address is: home-business-blog.com ).

Good luck to you in your chosen endeavor. –Louise

© 2009 Louise Ciofalo