Hello again; I apologize for being a bit behind with this week’s post. I had been proud of myself for publishing a post each friday. I consider the guest post on Harleena’s site my own post for that week. But this week I was sick with a fever for about three days. That combined with this oppressive summer heat had me thinking about skipping this week all together.
But then I remembered the people who had told me that my posts had motivated them to keep going. I thought of others who said they look forward to my weekly sharing. And I thought what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t keep of my schedule. So, I hope you enjoy this week’s effort.
The problem
In the early days of my business as an amusement equipment broker I had trouble getting people to return my phone calls or answer my emails. I understood that it would take time to get established. I also knew that my idea of running a commission sales site would be a tough sell competing against several free classified sites with longer track records and more well known names. But I wondered how I could overcome this. I thought there has to be something more I can do to get people to listen to me.
About this time I started reading posts online about promoting your website. There were a lot of posts about how you have to give people things to get their attention and as a result their traffic. . I thought well I don’t have a lot of money so what can I offer for free. I thought well I would love for people to add a link to me on their site. I figured I cant be the only person who wants more traffic.
The big idea
So, I decided I would offer a section on my site of links to the amusement industry and the companies that supply it. And in exchange for a free text link they would agree to receive emails from me about new additions to the site. I made it a little easier for people to accept this by promising to never email them more than once a week. I have stuck to this promise, and I rarely get any requests from companies wanting to be unsubscribed.
I went one step farther. I used search engines to find lists of carnivals, fun fairs, amusement parks, and party rental companies. I then created the link and sent them an email saying I added your link please review it to make sure it doesn’t need any additions or corrections. I then told them about the email newsletter and that their link would stay on the site if they signed up to my new mailing list.
Adding submission forms
I also added a form for people to submit their own links. Its not automated. I don’t believe in fully automated form submission because sites that use these end up with a lot of links that have nothing to do with their subject matter. I no longer have to add links for people because more and more business owners are finding the site and using the submission form. I also have since realized that the amusement industry is broader than I originally thought. I have now expanded the link section to include water, parks, food and game concessionaires, zoos and aquariums, ride modelers, trade associations, trade publications, circuses, etc. i now have over 3,000 addresses on the mailing list from companies all over the world.
And speaking of the submission forms, they are one of the few things where I had to accept that I couldn’t figure it out on my own or with the help of tutorials or other web masters. No matter how closely I tried to follow the instructions for creating my own submission forms, I just couldn’t do it.
Part of the problem was that building a form meant using a system of code called php. And part of it was I wanted an ambitious form. I wanted people to be able to submit photos and even videos along with their item listing information.
I finally decided the best thing to do was to pay for a form service. I searched the web and eventually found wonder Mill web forms. They offered or I guess I should say still offer a set up process I was able to navigate with speech. I was able to set up two forms one for submitting ad listings and another for adding new links.
And to be fare I should mention that when Ashley Faulks started helping me pretty up the site, one of the things he did was to edit my forms so they match the rest of the site. He also created the form for people to submit banner ads.
Wonder Mill costs about $20 a month, and I have been told I am paying quite a bit for this service. But I believe in supporting companies that have products a blind person can use. They also offer free storage to back up the submissions. Th text is held for 90 days and the media files for 30. And people can attach up to two gigabytes of data per submission.
The lesson here
The main thing is that my experience with forms fits into my basic philosophy. That is, if you can do it fine. If you can’t do it yet, then learn. If you can only do part of it or some of it now, then do what you can. If you can’t do it, do part of it, or learn how; then ask for help. If you ask with an open hart you may even find people who will offer to help for free or for a small percentage of what they would normally charge. I have been blessed to run into many such people on my journey. I just wish I had written all their names down. I’ll share as many as I can remember. I don’t know if it comes from being blind or just the way I was raised, but I firmly believe that you have to take action however small. If you wait for things to be perfect,
you will be waiting a long time.
Adding an auto responder
Now, you would think that someone who was doing list building before he knew what it was wouldn’t have had to be pushed to install an email sign up box on his new site, but you would be wrong. I did have feed burner, but as we all know; it isn’t really an auto responder. It can collect email addresses and send your latest blog post to them; but to me an auto responder like mail chimp or a weber does so much more.
The power comes from being able to set up emails in advance. For example you can set it to send a new subscriber a welcome message. You can also use them to offer your list members things like a free ebook or a series of articles, audio messages, or video presentations.
I want to thank Eve Koivula for the nudge. She has been helping me develop my first online product, and the first thing she insisted on was that I have an auto responder. She said that you want to build up your email list in advance of your product launch. I told her I should have known this. 🙂
I chose A Weber mainly because my good friend and mentor Adrienne Smith uses it. Unfortunately, I was in such a hurry to get started, that I didn’t even think to look for an affiliate link on her site first. I apologize for that. I know that many bloggers depend on income from these affiliate products, so the above link to A Weber is a link from Adrienne’s site. Hope that helps my friend.
Installing A Weber
I was able to easily sign up with A Weber, but I did have some trouble creating my first sign up form. I contacted technical support, and they were very helpful even during the weekend. They visited my website, and matched it to one of their templets. They then created the form, generated the html code; and then emailed it to me. I had no trouble installing it in the side bar. I do need to consider adding a couple more fields to it as well as consider adding additional versions of the form to my site. But at least I made a start of it.
I know that color and design is important to the success of an opt in button, so i’m hopeful that my friends will check out the site and let me know what suggestions they have. Not knowing how it would look, I worked very hard on the text for my message. Your opinions are welcome on that too. I’m going to include it here to make that easier for you.
Email sign up box message
HELLO; MY NAME IS MAXWELL. I WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND BECOME FRIENDS. IF YOU ENTER YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS HERE, YOU WILL ONLY GET EMAILS WHEN I HAVE SOMETHING WORTH SHARING WITH YOU. I DON’T HAVE A FREE GIFT TO OFFER RIGHT NOW, BUT I AM WORKING ON A MOTIVATIONAL EBOOK. MY SUBSCRIBERS WILL BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE IT AND ANY OTHER ITEMS CREATED TO BENEFIT MY NEW FRIENDS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR JUST NEED A KICK IN THE BUT, THEN FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME THROUGH THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU WILL SEE IN YOUR CONFIRMATION AND WELCOME EMAILS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR YOUR TRUST. TAKE CARE, MAX
I’d like your help
I would appreciate it if some of you would sign up for my emails. I want to know how I can improve the confirmation and welcome emails. I can’t do that without my friends testing my work. I am currently the only subscriber. 🙂 Everything seems okay to me, but okay isn’t good enough when it comes to encouraging people to opt into a mailing list. And if you only sign up to help, I will completely understand if you unsubscribe right afterwards.
Sharing is caring
Naturally, if you enjoyed this post; I hope you will share it with your friends, family, and coworkers. I especially love it when i get one of those emails saying a friend has tweeted my post or shared about me on face book, linked in, or google. I know that i wouldn’t have the success I do without the help and support of my friends. And I always do my best to send just as much love back as I get from you.
Let’s get to know each other
I really do want to get to know you. I want to learn about your dreams and the things that frustrate you. i want to help where I can. So, if you have questions, feel free to email me via the contact form. If anything I am too open when answering questions, so don’t worry about offending me. As long as I can tell the question is asked out of friendship and a genuine interest in me as a person or as a representative of the visually impaired community I will be happy to answer you the best I can.
To me every conversation is an opportunity. It is my chance to make a new friend, get a new prospective, find inspiration, or even meet a new client. I hope you will take me up on the offer. Thanks so much for reading and take care out there, Max
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This post speaks to your determination and inventiveness. I like the philosophy around not being intimidated by something you don’t know how to do (yet). You learn or ask for help.
Donna Janke recently posted…Bucket Lists
hi donna; I may have approved two copies of this same comment. If so, I can fix that later. but I imagine this is because you weren’t sure if your comment went through. sorry it didn’t get posted immediately. I appreciate and treasure every comment. I’m looking forward to your future posts. Take care my friend. xoxo max
This post says volumes about your determination and inventiveness. I like the philosophy around not being intimidated by something you don’t know how to do (yet). You learn or ask for help.
Hi Donna; thanks for those kind words. sorry your comment ended up in my spam folder or I would have replied sooner. I’m happy to be a motivating factor. Let me know if I can do anything to help you along. take care, max
Your determination and inventiveness are evident in this post. I like the philosophy around not being intimidated by something you don’t know how to do (yet). You learn or ask for help.
Hi Donna; thanks for the kind words. I don’t know any other way to do it. No one knows it all, and even if someone gets to where they know most of it; things change. Certainly no one can do it all. I have had to, but I’m learning to turn loose some of the control. In the past I asked for help so i could do it myself. Lately, when I ask for help; I’m hoping someone will do it for me. Just hoping the post reaches someone who really needs to hear it. thanks again and take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Max, you’re so humble in asking for help and that’s something not seen too often these days. I’ll bite and subscribe and help you out. Thanks for being so honest and kind in your posts and replies. Cheers.
Carl recently posted…Writing, a Manifesto
Hi Carl; thanks for such high praise. I know how much I enjoy getting comments, so I like leaving quality ones on my friend’s posts. That plus I find that you can always connect with a post in some way if you keep your heart and mind open while reading. As for the humble part it reminds me of one of my favorite cartoons from childhood. I loved underdog. the hero was mild mannered shoe shine boy who was known for being both humble and lovable. but when the city or his girl sweet polly purebred needed him; he became underdog. 🙂 I look forward to your suggestions on the emails. Take care friend, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
First, I am sorry you have been ill…that’s no fun at all:) Hope you’re better. This is great stuff Max! I love that you just won’t back down when it comes to your goals.
Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) recently posted…Hope…Where’s The Justice?
Hi Jacqueline; I am feeling better. It was some sort of bug. all tests were negative. 🙂 and I love the image. It sounds like you are comparing me to a bulldog. I think its a combination of natural stubbornness and the belief that I just don’t have a choice. I mean my friends had to convince me that I am an inspiration. but once convinced I give it my all. And friends like you have been great examples. I thank you for continuing to encourage me. Take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
This blog is so appropriate right now. I am in the process of starting a mailing list. Your comments and experience is a big help for me.
Hi William; I am always glad to help. I think that if you take a long hard look at your goals for the site you may find an unusual way to promote the mailing list. One thing I have learned about lists since I started is they are like property. You own the list. It doesn’t belong to your blog platform. It isn’t owned by face book or linked in. It is yours. and if everything went wrong and you had to start over, you would still have your list and the relationships you have built through it to start over. I still have a lot to learn. I would be happy for us to learn together. so please share what you find out. thanks so much, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
I really like the advice that you gave in this week’s post.
So many people give up when they realise that they can’t do something or when things don’t go according to plan.
However, successful people aren’t people who can do everything themselves but people who try hard to do as much as they can and who then ask for help if they can’t finish the task on their own. After all, we can’t be experts in all fields and our range of knowledge and experience gives us a valuable resource to share with our friends, colleagues and customers.
Kirsty recently posted…Animals
Hi Kirsty; So glad to read your comment. None of us can do it all. In truth the most successful bloggers have progressed from one man or one woman outfits to successful companies with large staffs. No matter how much you know, no matter how extensive your skills; there will always be something beyond your current abilities. So, I do what I can, and ask for help when I can’t.And happily now I am in a position to help others. Thanks again my friend, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Hi Max – I agree with your thinking – “if you can do it fine. If you can’t do it yet, then learn. If you can only do part of it or some of it now, then do what you can. If you can’t do it, do part of it, or learn how; then ask for help. ” Ever since I started blogging, that is what I’ve been doing. Like you, I’ve also met many generous people who have helped me out in numerous ways. Good luck with your eBook.
Lenie
Lenie recently posted…MICROGREENS: Superfoods You Grow Indoors
Hi Lenie; Thanks so much for the comment. It seems that many of us successful bloggers have this approach in common. The surprising part for me is that I am now helping to teach others. Its great when I can repay some of those people who helped me along the way by sharing my experiences here. Hoping we can continue to grow and learn together. Take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Greeat ideas Max. You are a genious. I haven’t thought of all those things even though I added few links on my blog. The links were added because I love those blogs. I didn’t ask them to subscribe or anything. Nice idea.
Hi Bindu; Well, I appreciate your kind words; but you have to remember we have different goals. If you like a blog or its owner there is nothing wrong with adding a link just to show your love. We don’t always have to get something in return. I have a personal favorites page in my links section. None of these people are on my mailing list. Some of them are bloggers and others have something to do with blindness. You are welcome to add yourself if you like. I had to sell stuff so getting people to answer my emails was critical. Perhaps you would want to add a sign up form on your links page if it isn’t there already. thanks so much my friend. Take care, Max
Auto response and install aweber o mailchimp will be boost your link build..
Akash recently posted…What To Do When Someone Copies Your Content
Hello; I have installed aweber. It took a lot of getting used to. I have now also started putting the subscribe box at the bottom of every blog post. You should try it, max
I have said this before Max and it’s worth repeating. You are quite the inspiration to anyone who has ever come across a problem, decided it was insurmountable, and backed away. Not you sir and I admire that. I loved the idea of creating a link form with photo and video support. All the best Max with everything.
Tim recently posted…Island Lembongan and Leatherjackets
Hi Tim; thanks for the complement. I am glad that my posts can inspire others. I realize that there are a lot of people out there who need an example or need to hear stories about people like me. I just wish I could solve my problem with travel. I have flown before by myself, but I am unsure about how to travel to promote the midway marketplace and to make myself available for speaking and coaching without someone to travel with me. Its a puzzler. but rest assured I will solve it with help from my friends. thanks so much for being a good friend. take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Good idea Max. By putting links to companies in the industry on your site you don’t just get the email list to use, your site becomes a resource for the entire industry. I would think that the more information you have about what is undoubtedly a pretty clearly defined niche audience, the more effective you can be in selling from the site.
Ken Dowell recently posted…city of bridges/city of gardens
Hi Ken; thanks for reminding me of that. The site does get a fare amount of traffic from people seeking companies to provide carnivals, bounce houses, catering equipment, etc. I do have to work to maintain their accuracy and clean up broken links; but it is all worth it. good luck, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Hi Max,
I love your perseverance!!! You offer a really good strategy that many business owners, marketers and sales professionals overlook: you know your target audience!
As a result, you knew how to research them, find out who to contact, and then execute your strategy.
Brilliant!
If others would do the same they would achieve much more success than they think is possible.
Great post Max. I hope you feel better soon and that this week turns out much better than last week did!
~ Don Purdum
Don Purdum recently posted…11 Step Unique Process to Creating a Dynamic, Compelling, Converting Website
Hi don’ I was impressed with your post. I thought it was a masterpiece of combining information with examples images and testimonials. and I’m glad that I can set an example and be a motivating force for those who need it. and sorry your comments ended up in my spam folder. thanks again, max
I very much agree with your thinking Max … in essence “Just Do It”, the learning will come. If and when you get stuck, always ask for help.
From the very first day I started blogging, I learned as I grew and did, and do, much as you suggest and describe. Much like you, I’ve met some pretty awesome people who have offered a hand when I really needed it.
All the best with your eBook ad venture my friend. 🙂
Susan Cooper recently posted…Milk Can Lesson: #Story
Hi Susan; I think its interesting how many of my friends read down that far. what i thought was summing up turned out to be the headline. 🙂 I started working on the ebook because I had been asked to come up with one for a summit. the summit fell through, but I’m continuing to work on it. I gave myself a deadline of having it written by september 1st. we’ll see how close I come. It will be short, but then its a first effort. thanks for the encouragement, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Max!! I LOVE the lesson!! I’m doing a whole series this month on newsletter stuff so this post is right up my ally but ” if you can do it fine. If you can’t do it yet, then learn” = my mantra! We are all so powerful and limited only by our limited thinking. A classic phrase I always say is “Figure it out!”.
…I know your post was about more than this but it just rang so true to me! I see it’s spoke (spoken?) to others as well. Thanks so much!
Kristy @ ohksocialmedia recently posted…What You Should Put in a Newsletter that Doesn’t Suck (And What Not To)
Hi Kristy; I was surprised by the fact the it did speak to people too. It was near the end of the post, but then maybe that’s why they always tell you to include headings. I will have to remember that for future posts. I wonder if the others who commented on the lesson skipped down to that part or read all the way through. I am learning about using an auto responder and how to write more effective emails; so your series of posts was perfect timing for me. thanks and take care, Max
Max, I am working on getting an auto responder too, so this is very timely for me. I love your candor and honesty, and you’ve given some very good information here. If I decide to use A Weber, I’ll use this link, so your friend will get some love. I really like the wording of your email signup message. On this post it shows up in all caps, which is a little hard to read, so that’s my only suggestion. Also, where do I find the sign up box? Is it on your other blog? I don’t see it here, but definitely want to sign up! Thanks, Meredith
Meredith Wouters recently posted…Trend Alert: Block Printing is Cool Again
Hi Meredith; Well, you know me or should by now. I don;’t know any other way to go than honest and open. I’m just glad that’s what people like online. I entered the text for the form in lower case, but for some reason it came out all caps. I hope it displays better on the site. the box or form is in the side bar. Just enter your name and email and press submit. then you get the email confirmation message where you have to click confirm followed by my welcome email. I appreciate your willingness to help out a friend. Let me know if I can do anything for you. Take care my friend, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Max- A fellow blogger wrote about Forms her name is Leora Wenger. Her website information might be of help http://biz.leoraw.com/making-contact-contact-form-plugins-wordpress/
Glad to hear that you are getting back to yourself.
Arleen recently posted…How the Ice Bucket Challenge Increases Awareness for ALS
Hi Arleen; its always nice to know I can depend on my friends to help out. take care, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Blogging certainly comes with a huge learning curve, but for some of us, the challenge to learn all we can about becomes almost addicting. Your line about waiting for perfection really hits home, and it’s a tendency within myself I have to always be consciously aware of so I will keep learning and getting stuff done. We learn from trial and error. It’s too bad schools try to soften everything for students nowadays. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Jeri recently posted…#PubTip: Publishing Fact and Fiction (PNWA 2014)
Hi Jeri; thanks for the kind thought. I am feeling better. I think its interesting that we seem to have so many young people who are doing so many amazing things in spite of the educational system. and yes there is a tendency to say if i can’t do it all why bother. People need to be taught that the act of trying has value in itself. and how many more people would keep going if they focused on personal success rather than financial success. a lot of people quit because they aren’t making money or aren’t making as much as they would like to. but they are discounting the work they have done. and far too many quit just before the real rewards can start coming in. let me know if I can help. take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Max — I admire your perseverance. You just won’t give up. I do agree, though, that we all have to accept our limitations. I can fiddle around a lot in my WordPress dashboard. But when I get to a certain point — even if I could learn how to do it myself — I turn it over to my webmaster. I don’t want to drive myself crazy and also there is a value to the time I’d spend trying to figure it out myself.
Jeannette Paladino recently posted…Why Donât People Show More Gratitude?
Hi Jeannette; Yes, there are times when my stubbornness or cheapness doesn’t pay off. Time does have a value, and I have come around to your view on this. when i made the move from blogger to word press with the new site I wanted to hire it done. Things just didn’t work out. I have learned to let go more and more where it comes to my website and can actually see a time when I will turn all of that over to Ashley and Lorraine. Ashley for actual website maintenance and improvements and Lorraine for post and page editing. I will probably still want to know how they do it, but won’t insist on doing it myself unless time is a factor. thanks for the support my friend. Take care, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
hey
thanks,
this is my first visit on this blog and i am impressed awesome post
i almost forgot where i am, though a great post list building is indeed a great job to do and this post has done it all
thanks
supreeth bharadwaj recently posted…How to edit and update your outdated Blog content:SEO
Hi Supreeth; glad you enjoyed the post. I do my best to share meaningful content with my readers. Let me know if I can ever do anything to help you. warm regards, Max
This is some very good info Max.
Jason B recently posted…8 More Tips For College Freshmen
Hi Jason; glad you got something out of it. Best of luck with your own site, Max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Hi Max! Sorry you haven’t felt good – hope you kick it soon! I signed up for your emails confirmed with the email! I don’t think anyone else has mentioned this, but in your welcome message, the word ‘but’ needs another ‘t’ to indicate kick in the tush/bottom/butt. I look forward to getting your emails!
Pamela Heady recently posted…My New Gadget: The Vegetable Slicer
Hi Pamela; thanks for the giggle. I honestly didn’t know there were two t’s in butt. and yes you are the first to notice it. I asked lorraine to look at it, so I imagine she will mention it first thing. I felt bad for three days, and then it just went away. but you know how it is. you don’t do much for three days and it feels like you are a month behind. thanks so much for being my first subscriber. take care, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Max, sorry to hear you’ve had so many problems lately. I’m sure things will get better, both healthwise and blogging-wise. 😉
It’s great to hear that you are so devoted to your readers, too. 🙂
Lorraine Reguly recently posted…Capitalizing Nouns! #writingtips
Hi Lorraine; thanks for the comment. I am feeling better, and the problems with the blog come from always wanting to do more with it. 🙂 if i could just learn to be more satisfied, I wouldn’t have as many issues. thanks for your help with the blog. And I feel like I would be letting my readers down if I didn’t publish at least once a week either on my site or as a guest somewhere. Its the cost of being an inspiration. You know there are people out there who are counting on getting a post from you. thanks again and take care, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
It is always interesting to learn about your stories of how your blog, etc. have evolved. You never give up and always have something unusual to relate.
Beth Niebuhr recently posted…3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Productivity
Hi Beth; thanks for the complement. I am just glad that people continue to be interested in my story. I figure that stubbornness or perseverance depending on how you look at it can help others with their own challenges. Of course, it took friends like you to get me to this point. take care, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
This is great stuff Max. You have so much determination. I get lost with all this technical jargon, but it’s great to see you working so hard for your goals.
Kerry recently posted…Day in the Museum: Part Two, shakespeare’s First Folio
Hi Kerry; well, I’m starting to learn that my time has value and am working on letting go of some of the technical stuff. after i posted this, lorraine reguly got to looking at it. she explained that while my block of text was awesome it was too large for the space. so she edited it for me. It sounds cool. I just hope more people start signing up. I now have three whole subscribers counting me. but I have to remember that a lot of people who read my posts find out about them from our groups so there is little incentive to sign up for more email. I was happy to hear from lorraine who is a published author that she loved the text i had written as well as my welcome letter. and i wish i were going more places like you have been. keep it up my friend. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…List building without realizing it and getting an auto responder
Hi Max,
You are doing great!!! Look at all these wonderful and interesting comments! Wonderful job!
I also loved your post and really need to apply some of your principles. I’m not quite sure how or who I should target for links. But I loved that you went out and did it! I am trying to build my readership and email list as well.
Thanks again for your honesty and goodwill!
Amy
Amy Bovaird recently posted…Take Your Dreams Out of the Closet
Hi Amy; I’m always happy to hear that I have helped one of my readers be it through emotional support or technical advice. building an email list for the new site is far different than it has been building one for the midway marketplace. and of course, its made harder by the fact that I don’t have an ebook or a video or anything else to give away in exchange for sign ups. I did just subscribe to your blog thinking its the neighborly thing to do. 🙂 I am working on an ebook that expands on my guest post titled life lessons from a blind blogger that appeared on aha now in july. I’m having difficulty editing a large document with my screen reader and would appreciate any suggestions you have. I’m planning a book that will be motivational and include suggestions as well as exercises that readers would complete in conjunction with email support. the hope being that this generates income of its own or adds subscribers to my mailing list or both. and I am hoping to have my first coaching client or speaking engagement soon. thanks for the encouragement and take care, max