Making Your Business Pop - Music | Speaking

January 29, 2021May 6, 2022

3 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online

In this blog we share with you 3 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online. Unless you live out in the middle of nowhere, completely unplugged you are probably dependent the internet for your business. It may be any activity from banking, social media, streaming media or even looking up information in a web browser. In addition, smart devices, connected homes and even our cell phones, the very devices that keep us connected and entertained are dependent on online capabilities. Sadly, this creates the opportunity for cyber theft. Data breaches, phishing and ransomware are not anything you want to clean up after. Here are the 3 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online.

Manage Email Safely

Don’t open email attachments. While companies are educating employees about what to look for cyber criminals are getting craftier. With todays tools it is easy to replicate a company’s logo and font to make an email look legitimate. As a result, by opening one of these nefarious attachments you just launched a virus on your computer. Next that virus can infect the entire network extending beyond you. You can protect yourself by deleting the email. If you work for a company that has a security or privacy department make sure you inform them as well so they can get ahead of the attempt to sabotage your infrastructure or steal data.

Don’t provide your personal information in an email. According to INFOSEC, in 2016, employees at the University of Kansas were tricked by a “Phishing” attack. Initially the email requesting employees update their information seemed legitimate. As a result, three employees that updated their payroll information gave attackers enough personal data to steal their paycheck by diverting their direct deposits. When in doubt do your research, in this case contact your payroll department. A good rule of thumb is if you are asked for a social security number, bank information, or your personal demographics this is probably an attempt to steal your information. Criminals are even holding data hostage and demanding a ransom which is known as “ransomware.” Even if the request appears to be authentic, from the IRS or your bank, you should never send this type of information in an email to protect your privacy.

Have A Company Policy

Years ago assets were seen as more tangible things. In our modern world today, data is now an important asset and must be treated as such. Protecting yourself and your data is the lock on the door that keeps cyber criminals at bay. Make sure you have a clear company policy. Additionally, train your employees about the policy. Who do they contact when they receive a suspicious email?

Like it or not depending on where you are located there are now regulations that require privacy policies. These requirements are meant to safeguard data for both you and your customers. The Better Business Bureau has a template and guidelines to help you get started.

Get A VPN

What is a VPN? VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network.” I have to be honest when some random initials showed up as a user in one of my Microsoft products I was done. By the way Microsoft was just breached again so sure, I changed my passwords but this time I took it a step further and got a VPN.

The benefit of a VPN is online privacy and anonymity by masking your internet protocol or IP. Every device that connects to the internet has a unique identifier that is called an IP address. When you visit a site on Google and Chrome they track all your activity. Surely you don’t think it is magic that you can do a search for “Red Shoes,” and then for the next month all of the adds you run across on Google are for “Red Shoes.” Your habits are tracked with cookies. Furthermore, your internet service provider can see all you browsing history. Chances are they are selling this information.

Encrypt and Scramble

Here is where a VPN can give you peace of mind. Using encryption a VPN scrambles the data when it is sent out over the network rendering the data unreadable. This can really come in handy on your smart devices when you are using a public Wi-Fi connection. Your web activity is scrambled and your IP address is cloaked because the IP address that shows up is the VPN IP address. Yes friends, that search engine like Google is now tracking the VPN not you keeping your online activity private. So no creepy BIG Tech company tracking me when I am banking online, I can do without that.

Here is what a VPN will hide:

- Your devices
- What you do on a website
- Where your physically located
- When your are streaming
- Your IP address and location
- Your browsing history – the sites you visit

A VPN is not hard to install. We went with Express VPN. Consequently because we have a lot of devices we wanted our Network to have VPN. Our smartphones are protected which we love especially on an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Bye bye nosy cyber neighbors. Check out this blog from Express VPN providing 21 ways to protect yourself online.

Next blog – I will be sharing more about a VPN and things you didn’t know you needed until you need them.

#LeBaker Music, #Beextradorinary #womeninbusiness #entrepreneur #johnmaxwellteam #VPN #privacy #protectyourselfonline

December 31, 2020May 6, 2022

Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

It is a New Year and time to reboot and refresh. Dust off what didn’t get done. Create new opportunities and bring them to fruition. Take the time to invest in what YOU need to do for 2021. Now, I realize this has been a challenging year, but I believe in the saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Here are suggestions for the top 5 planning must do’s this year.

Above all, being intentional about planning your year is a must for entrepreneurs and business minded individuals. Think about it like this, if you decided to complete that Master’s degree you will indeed have a planned schedule full of actionable items. Take that same approach for your business and plan 2021!

Tip 1: Be Clear About Your Task | Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

The first tip in our top 5 planning must so’s is to identify what does the big picture look like for you? In other words, think of it as taking your eyes off the tree in front of you and looking at the entire forest. For example, this year your task may be to decrease your business debt. So ask questions to gather your baseline facts.

1. How much debt do you want paid off?
2. What are you already paying on debt?
3. Can your business sacrifice anything to free income to go toward paying off debt?
4. Are there other ways or new services you can offer to increase your business income?
5. What is your debt free deadline and payment plan?
6. How can you celebrate without increasing debt all over again?
7. What protections can you put in place to make sure your business debt remains manageable?

Tip 2: Create SMART Action Items | Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

Clarifying the task is just the beginning. By the way, you have probably heard of the SMART method. In fact, this method has become a norm in the business world today. Furthermore, the SMART method will keep you focused as you pin point the specifics for your tasks. Use this modified version of the SMART method and write down an action item for each step.

Step One: Specific – This is your who, what and why

- Who do you need to involve
- What do you need to do
- Why does this need to be done

Step Two: Measurable – How will you measure your progress, on a regular basis and consequently complete tasks successfully.

Step Three: Achievable – Do you have the resources, knowledge, skills and abilities to complete this task?

Step Four: Relevant – Is this task relevant to your big picture? Is this task a must have or a nice to have?

Step Five: Time – When does this need to be completed? Is this time-frame realistic?

Tip 3: Schedule Your Action Items | Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

People use different tools to plan. For me, I like the convivence of accessing my scheduled tasks from any devise! My preferred tool is Infinity because I lost my planner once while in the military. That was a disaster for my OCD perfectionist brain. What I like about Infinity is pay once use forever. At some point I know I will need to upgrade. In either case, any tool works, a spreadsheet, document, printed blank calendar or paper planner. Just don’t loose yours like I did. The whole point is to get your action items assigned to dates.

Protect Your Time

To provide an example, when I was planning for the New Year, I knew I needed to schedule writing time. I had to be intentional to block out an hour a week-day to do nothing but write. That is on my calendar. This is important for me because I write books and blogs. Now I have a view of not just the appointments on my calendar but the time I have protected to work on a component of my business. As a result, I completed my first book last year.

With this in mind protecting your time just as you would for a 9-5 employer is critical to your success. Without scheduling your action items they will not get completed or will be severely delayed. Trust me I know. I used to be that person that said well I will get to it. Newsflash, no you won’t. There are too many other things that compete for our time. If you don’t schedule your action items you will not see the results you desire.

Tip 4: Collaborate | Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

You don’t have to do it all yourself. As a matter of fact, you will make a greater impact with a like minded individual. Think about it, you don’t go to a hair salon to study science right? Not to mention there are people who are just as passionate about what you are passionate about. Remember to define roles and reach a healthy agreement before committing.

Tip 5: Take Care Of Yourself | Top 5 Planning Must Do’s

Finally, schedule time for yourself. Sometimes people work, work, and work some more. As a result this leads to general stress, irritability, and even serious health problems. If you can’t take care of yourself, how will you take care of your business?

While you are planning out your tasks, schedule time for yourself. It doesn’t have to be a trip to the Bahamas. I have had many peaceful moments, simply taking a day or a week off and relaxing around the house. In all honesty, I am happiest when I have people in my house eating a good meal. Whatever you decide, schedule time for yourself because it is vital to your success.

Let’s Connect

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#LeBakerMusic #Beextraordinary #womeninbusiness #entrepreneur #johnmaxwellteam #newyear #2021 #planning #smartgoals

December 3, 2020May 6, 2022

Managing Your Christmas Card List

When you run a business the Holidays is an important time to recognize and remember faithful clientele. I have to admit, the daunting task of sending Christmas cards is not one I enjoy. To be transparent it is the time that I struggle with. In this blog I have a suggestion for managing your Christmas card list.

As a result over the years, I have missed opportunities to share Holiday cheer and deepen my client relationships. However, I found a tool I fell in love with called “Postable.” So before I share this tool with all of you I have to share some of the companies that like me use Postable. How about well known outfits like The New York Times, Lifehacker and Martha Stewart Weddings. I am in love with this service and I use it for all of the cards I mail to customers, friends and family!

Meet Postable

Postable is a one-stop kind of place. You simply pick a card, type your message, and then Postable will print, stamp, and mail the cards for you! Not to mention the paper they use is 100% recycled. They use realistic handwriting fonts that give people a more personalized experience. Best of all no hidden pricing and volume discounts!

The benefit for you is no more shopping for the right card, loosing addresses, forgetting to send cards for important events and spending precious HOURS from start to finish just to send your cards. You can even upload your own design for those of you who want to add a creative flair or business branded materials.

This service is a no brainer for me because the one resource I never have enough of is time. Already have an address list in a spreadsheet – upload it! There is a card for any occasion and a REMIDER service. No matter the occasion for sending a card, Postable will print, stuff, stamp, address and mail all of your cards directly to everyone for you. Can you say snail mail heaven! Oh it gets better, take advantage of the automated service meaning you can schedule all of your birthday cards for your friends, customers, church members, or anyone in advance!

Special Offer – Save Some Money When You Sign Up

From my business to your business, use this unique Postable code MRUCIWU7C4 when you place your first order of $20 or more and you will receive $5 off. So what are you waiting for, in this quarantined time where we all need more human connection. What better way than a personalized Holiday greeting to make someone’s day and show you care.

#LeBakerMusic #Beextraordinary #womeninbusiness #entrepreneur #johnmaxwellteam #holidaycards #businesstool #postable #snailmail

October 7, 2020May 6, 2022

Planning Your Music for the Holidays

What is it about holiday music that makes us feel good? Is it the memories, the nostalgia, the FOOD or the family get-togethers? Today at LeBaker Music we are going to discuss planning your music for the holidays.

Are You a Musician? How About Recording Covers For The Holidays

Creating your own holiday music can be tricky. However, there are plenty of Christmas songs and even Thanksgiving songs to choose from! In fact, even if you are not doing a holiday-related song, covers are one of the easiest ways to get noticed. I’m not saying it’s going to rocket you to stardom but it can certainly help people get more familiar with your music and add to your brand.

Let’s face it, people like familiarity! When you visit someone’s music channel on YouTube and you see “Silent Night” or “Jingle Bells” next to an original called “Love of My Life.” Which one are you more likely to click on? The point is people love what is familiar, and what do they do when they dip their toe in the pool of your music and like what they hear? They dive deeper!

Although people love Christmas classics, don’t hesitate to add a holiday-themed original to your catalog. Many people do get bored with hearing the same Christmas tune over and over. Don’t be afraid to experiment with cool sounds and ideas as you build your brand. For example, if you are a pop artist, try doing an unplugged version of a Christmas tune or your most popular original. Add some jingle bells in it to give it a Christmas feel. Different tricks like this can keep things interesting and your audience engaged.

Creating Originals For The Holidays

Creating originals for the holidays is something heartwarming you can do. Why not try it this holiday season. Create or have someone create an original tune for a family member this Christmas as a present. These types of songs really mean a lot to people. Especially if that person is also a musician. So many times it is challenging to figure out what to give that person that has everything. Give them a song. If you really want to make a difference and show your appreciation for people this is an excellent option. If you are looking for this type of gift I may be able to help.

Traditional Christmas Music

Personally, I believe you can’t go wrong with your rendition of a tried and true Christmas classic like, “Joy to the World,” or “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The cool thing is this, many of these songs are Public Doman so you can let your creative music arranger out for some air and fun. Check this list of common Traditional Christmas Music which identifies Christmas songs that are Public Domain. If you want to refresh a lesser-known Christmas song check out this list on “The Cyber Hymnal.”

Closing

It’s been a rough year, but I do believe we can all make difference. Not just through music and cards. But by our actions and deeds. Be a blessing to someone else and spread some cheer with your creative talents! Stay strong and God bless!

#LeBakerMusic #Nashville #Christmas2020 #HolidayBlog #original #songwriter