Mark your calendars because beginning Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 you can start enjoying “Webinar Wednesday.” We will have several Webinars every Wednesday on various topics like Google Adwords (from Google Certified Adwords Pro Noah Boswell), Technology Tips (from 20 year veteran Fred Wood who will also be doing many other Webinars), Creative Copywriting (from our lead writer Christine O’Kelly) and finally, me, David Williams on Marketing and more. Best of all, it’s 100% FREE! Use share this to tell someone via e-mail! Talk it up on your blog! Be sure to sign up for RSS if you are not already a subscriber. If you are new to RSS, click here to learn about RSS.

This announcement will come out every Wednesday through July 18th, 2007. On Wednesday, July 25th, we will announce the August 1st schedule.

We like having fun around here… and with the Podcast Contest nearing its end on July 18th, we thought it was time for another fun contest. I’m not revealing the details yet, but I will say that involves social networking and a fun prize with around a $300 value.

These contests aren’t just fun for you and us, we’ll also let you know how they worked out so that you can hopefully find new ways to promote your blog.

I’d also like to give a thank you to all of the people who blogged about the podcast contest since the last mention on June 8. Reminder – If you’re a current RSS subscriber send me an email so that I can enter you into the contest to win $335 in podcast gear!

Simple Economics -A site dedicated to carrying on the thought process known as common sense, before it disappeared from everyday life.

Erik Karey – A blog following a young internet entrepreneur on his journey to wealth.

Catholic Media Connections – a lay-run Catholic apostolate whose mission is to spread the Good News of the Gospel through the medium of the microphone.

Rod Barnhart – A day in the life of a computer geek.

PR Newbie – Exploring the Transition Between PR Student to Entry Professional.

The Link Bait – Links and techniques to help you out.

Contest Blogger – Blog Contests, Writing Projects, Backlinks, and More.

Fracat -Free resume and career toolbox.

Needless Productions- offering unique view on the current events in Canadian music and entertainment.

Gorkworld - The daily life of a Linux geek who enjoys Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica (Reimagined), playing with servers, and podcasting.

And a big thank you to all of our subscribers and commenters.  We appreciate you and really enjoy hearing from you!

- Christine

Having just returned from a week long vacation in the Rocky Mountains, I can write firsthand about the benefits to taking time off. Most people have a misconception that when you own your own business you automatically have the flexibility to come and go as you please or take as much vacation as you want. Reality is quite different, however. Business owners are often the last to take a personal vacation. It is much easier to leave when you know you have two allotted weeks and if you don’t use ‘em you lose ‘em.

One thing to remember, however, is that everybody needs a break. Even the most dedicated business owner with no personnel needs to find a way to take time off. The obvious reasons are to avoid burnout and alleviate stress. What is harder to remember is that taking a break can often increase your productivity because you return to work with a clear mind and renewed interest.

If you cannot afford to leave your business for a week, here are some ways to get away without really going too far:

Schedule yourself for a Friday afternoon massage

Take Friday off and spend two nights at a nearby vacation spot

Join an exercise class that meets regularly.

Load up your ipod and take a morning walk before work or after dinner.

Schedule a golf game during the week.

Spend a weekend with no laptop, cellphone or Blackberry.

Read a little bit of a totally-for-pleasure novel every day.

I am sure you can come up with more ideas too. The point is just taking time for your self. It is so easy to fall into the trap of equating time off with money lost. And that is just a shame!