Electronic Publications are taking over these days. With e-books, e-magazines, blogs and gadgets like the Kindle, there really isn’t any excuse if you’re serious about going paperless.  Since I have been working on and with others on publications such as these lately, I thought I would share some of these options.

• Ebooks: Electronic books have become quite mainstream these days, but how can you use them for business? Employee manuals, budgets, handbooks there is really nothing you can’t replace with an e-book to reduce paper.   An example of an e-book I recently completed is the Indie Shopping TV Information Kit.
Open publication - Free publishing - More video

• E-Media Kits: Gone are the days where you have to ship big bulky packages to Media and Publishers to get your information out to the masses. Your Media Kit summary, articles, reviews, logos, etc can all be made available on your site for the public use. Eco-Office Gals worked with Erin at Ely Organics to build her Media Resources page, no shipping required!
• E-Magazines: You can grab almost any popular magazine in it’s electronic form this days. However, you can also get a wealth of great information from the not-so-mainstream.  Smaller publications are taking advantage of electronic resources to get their information out to their readership.  One such publication, A Distinctive Style, was recently introduced to me by the publisher Denise Marie.  This magazine is full of great articles and beautiful artwork & photography.

We invite you to escape, take a new and exciting adventure while reducing your carbon footprint. Join thousands of other readers who have already taken Green to the next level by reading A Distinctive Style Magazine. We’re an interactive, online publication that brings you the latest news and trends in the world of ecology. A Distinctive Style Magazine is your one-stop source to live a greener, healthier and happier life.

Immerse yourself in the pages of our publication and journey through a world of art, fashion and inspiration, while discovering new ways to go green! Find every variety of the newest eco products, functional gifts ideas, recycled products and services, and allow yourself to be swept away by breath-taking art that will stir your soul and reconnect your inner spirit with the beautiful side of life.

Visit ADistinctiveStyle.com and travel through the pages in wonderment – it’s just like a printed publication, only you’re not contributing to the 7,400 thousand tons of paper waste that go into landfills each year* – (that means you’re helping save our planet!) And unlike a printed magazine you can click and shop, crop or clip articles, bookmark links and send feature stories to your buddy list and post them to your social networking pages too.

And with the growing need for sustainable products and services many eco-businesses have already taken advantage of our unbeatable advertising specials. So, for all you Green Businesses out there, live up to your reputation and advertise digital! Right now we are offering 50% off a full-page advertisement. Another great advantage to advertising with us is, we do all the work for you! We don’t just design an ad., we throw in a professionally written story about your company at no extra charge!

As you peruse through the pages of our magazine we know you’ll be amazed at the capabilities to link directly to the digital storefront of the businesses and services we advertise. More than that, you’ll wonder why you didn’t discover this way of reading before and it will definitely change the way you look at magazines forever.

Embrace Life and Enjoy the Journey!
Denise Marie – Publisher

publisher@adistinctivestyle.com

*Source: www.data.un.org

So, spend sometime looking around your work or home office – get inspired – go paperless!
All the best
Jen

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Eco-Options: Electronic Publications

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One area of your business that is easy to overlook when growing green is your business cards.  There are so many cheap, or free options these days. I have been quick to slap some images and text on a template and check out without a second thought of what kind of paper or ink is being used or even the shipping method used to have them brought to my door.

As an ecopreneurists, your most ideal option when going paperless in your office is not to have business cards at all.  Personally, I have not ordered business cards for Eco-Office Gals and since I am a 99.9% virtual business, I don’t miss them.  Yet, that .01% of the time that I find myself in the “real world” and someone asks what I do, I could kick myself for not having some to hand out.

So, what are your options when paperless is not an option? Here are a few companies that have been recommended or I have come across with a little background from their site:

PrintingForLess – (Use code RP1D6SEJM for $25 off your first order, no expiration) This company seems to have taken great care in covering every aspect of sustainability! Beyond being FSC Certified and 100% Wind Powered (from the site)

• Our paper is milled Elemental Chlorine Free. Trees are a renewable resource, but dioxin (used to bleach paper white) is forever!
• Our inks are vegetable-based, primarily soy, which is both gentle on the environment while producing bright, high-quality images.
• We package our products with biodegradable padding materials instead of those that are annoying and harmful to the environment, such as petroleum-based foam “peanuts.”
• We use water-based aqueous coating to protect your printed pieces. It provides a high-gloss surface that deters dirt and fingerprints and is more friendly to our environment than UV coatings.
• We are focused on reducing waste. By using top-grade paper with highly-trained press operators, we have considerably reduced the number of test or “make-ready” sheets needed to run through the presses as we set up your printing project.
  

Moo.com – Is a fun twist on the business card and they have a 100% Recycled Fiber, Totally recyclable and biodegradable & Totally Chlorine Free (TFC) paper option.

Your business isn’t like anyone elses, so why should your cards be? With MOO, every card can be different, allowing you to show your product range, your portfolio or your full list of services.

US Business Cards – Eco-Office Gals really loves the idea behind these Cereal Box Cards!

Breakfast Cereal Boxes – Precision cut by guillotine paper cutter. Sharp, clean edges. Randomly cut from popular cereal brands such as Wheaties and Cheerios, plus colorful ones like Fruit Loops. Standard size is 2″ x 3.5″. Printing is on the blank side.

So, next time your business card supply runs low, consider some of the above “greener” options.  Additionally,  check out this post from Reencoded for fun ideas and design your own green business cards!

Grow Green!
Jen

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Eco-Options: Business Cards

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Last night as I was wandering around the blogosphere and came across a great widget on Pink-Heels.  I followed the badge to the Eco-Safe Website.

A little background on Eco-Safe from the site:

In 1998 a group of international friends thought it would be great to use web technologies to help the environment. For years we’ve been active in making technology more eco safe from our individual locations around the world. Fast forward to 2008 and we’ve enlisted world class talent to take that dream into reality with the development of ECO-SAFE.COM.

It’s a simple little option that is super easy to install on your blog or website. It gives readers easy paperless “printing” options for your post or page.  They can either e-mail a copy to themselves, email a .pdf version, or download a .pdf version.

I love it! I loaded it (see below)! I give it to you!

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So, what will your Green Steps be for 2009?  I have the 3 R’s covered for 2009:

• Reduce – buy a reusable coffee filter and reduce paper waste.
• Reuse – Work at remembering my reusable shopping bags when I go to the store!
• Recycle - I would like to try to start a compost pile.  I’d love to have one of those cool expensive tumblers, but I guess I’ll go the old fashion route.

What green steps will you try to make in 2009? Please share by leaving a comment below!  All the best in 2009!

Jen

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Your Green Steps for 2009?

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Wait! Isn’t it Flaunt It! Monday??  Yes, but since people will be in and out for the holidays I don’t want any giveaways to flop on the sponsors due to lack of participation.  So, Flaunt It! Monday will be back in 2009.

I am going to spend the week focusing on other topics to gear you up for 2009!  Some on growing green in your home and business others on strengthening your online (and paperless) presence on the internet.

Today I bring you 40 Ways to Deliver Killer Blog Content by Chris Brogan.  I found this list very inspirational for my business in the new year and hope I step up to the plate and use some, if not all, of his points!  I’ve referred to Chris before on my Tweetin’ Twitter post. I’ve learned a lot about Social Media from him, I hope you can take something from him, too!

The Basics

1. Brevity rules. Can you say it briefly?
2. Start at the main point, then work the story up. (Make the main point in the first paragraph.)
3. Use small words. You don’t have to impress people. You have to be clear.
4. Analogies help people understand things better.
5. So do stories.
6. You don’t have to write complete sentences, even though your teacher taught you to do that. But treat it sparingly. Like this. Like a condiment.
7. Keep paragraphs small, if possible. We balk at large blocks of text.
8. Make your point from the reader’s side of the fence. Who is your audience?
9. Depending on how you write, go back and see if you can cut out more. Reduce. Reduce. Reduce.
10. Use the word you’re thinking about, not a fancier, or more polite word.

Concepts and the Bigger Picture

1. Set up series of posts, even if you don’t call them a series. Make a post that brings up follow-on points from a previous post, and link back to that post to reinforce the original content.
2. Get your inspiration from reading. #1 source for my ideas comes from other blogs not in my space. Not sure what to read that’s NOT in your space? Alltop, my friend. ( see also).
3. Think strategically, if this is for business or a cause. Ask yourself what you want your reader to do next. Try to write from that point of view.
4. Theme-wise, writing very helpful things that people can use is way better than writing thoughtful things that make people think and just walk away. You can have thoughtful but not helpful, but you’re striving for helpful and thoughtful in the same piece.
5. Never write the me-too blog. Look to be ahead of the wave and feeding backwards, not behind the wave and eating someone’s wake.
6. Look for ways to think forward, but that tie to your business interests. When I write about the future, I’m also inviting someone to make that future with me.
7. Mix it up. Keep an editorial calendar and note what kinds of posts you’ve written lately. Thought posts? Lists? Interviews? Make sure you’re mixing up the type of post you’ve written lately.
8. Consider the occasional dip into Google Trends to write a story that might draw new audience to your conversation. Don’t do this all the time, because the gimmick can wear off quick. Again, think condiments, not meals.
9. If you don’t have anything interesting to blog, skip a day. Don’t skip many days.
10. And never never never (raise your hand and repeat this with me) “I” (state your name) “solemnly swear never never never never ever to post another ‘I’m sorry I haven’t blogged lately’ posts ever again. Ever.”

Overdrive

1. Consider your audience but write from your passion.
2. Don’t mince words. If it’s a “pissing match,” it’s not a disagreement.
3. Ask questions. Blogs are conversations starting and flowing. Ask. Questions.
4. Link to people. If you write about Steve Garfield, link to Steve Garfield.
5. It’s not all about your blog. Get out and comment on other people’s blogs. Often.
6. Leave a few ideas unfinished. Ask for input. It always improves a piece. Blogs are great for that.
7. Use tags. Lots of tags. Make sure you claim your blog with Technorati, and submit it with Alltop.
8. Make sure your blog’s URL is everywhere: in your email signature, in Facebook, in Flickr, in Twitter, in every outpost you can think about.
9. Don’t email, DM, and otherwise push every blog post you write to other people. Share the best ones. Let the others be found on their own merits.
10. Always know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Question yourself often. Look for ways to improve the game.

Encore

1. Comment back to the people who have left comments.
2. Follow those people’s links sometimes and go explore their blog.
3. Look for ways to empower the community you inspire.
4. If you haven’t found your community yet, keep looking, searching, and connecting.
5. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). It’s no longer okay not to know even the most basic things.
6. Find great Creative Commons photos and use them for your post (with attribution).
7. Deconstruct what your favorite writers do, and try it your own way.
8. Occasionally, try something completely different.
9. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid of not being interesting enough.
10. Write as if someone believes in you, because someone does. (me!)

Feeling inspired? Go forth and blog! All the best in 2009!

Jen

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Gearing Up Your Blog For The New Year!

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The Eco-Office Gals relaunch has come to end, save a few loose ends and official “Thank You” post coming during the week.  Thank you everyone for joining in all the fun and a huge welcome to all the new readers!

Meanwhile, it’s Monday morning and already not chalking up to a great one when you realize you have to wash the paper coffee filter since you never made it to the store over the weekend! Ugh! Guess that’s one way to reuse, huh?  I need to get one of those gold baskets and stop using paper filters, I know!  Saving paper… how nicely I accidentally walked into the topic of today’s blog!

EcoBrain is an online digital download store, dedicated to educating people about environmental living options while affording them the opportunity to purchase materials digitally in an effort to radically reduce the impact on the environment. Because eBooks are paper-free, easily storable and transferable electronic files, they give book readers the option of reading on the computer screen, a hand-held device, or printing off only the pages they deem necessary (preferably on recycled paper.) Additionally, because EcoBrain eBooks are delivered and produced electronically, very little energy is used in their creation and no fuel is used in their delivery.

Mission Statement – EcoBrain’s mission is to be the largest provider of educational material about green living and the environment. They offer quality material that is fairly priced, respects the earth and helps to educate their customers about living a greener life. They are committed to excellent customer service, sustainable business practices, heightening global awareness on green issues, and providing a marketplace that rewards authors and publishers who create green education materials. We believe that each of us can make a difference.

EcoBrain offers a free download every two weeks.  I went ahead and downloaded the freebie this morning John James Audubon: A Great Appreciation of Nature Unit Study. No, I did not read it (come on, I’m only on java cup number 2).  However, I wanted to get a feel of the sign up and download process.  EcoBrains asked for very little information during the sign up process and the ebook downloaded in seconds.  No snags or glitches, a big thumbs up since I have no tolerance this time of day! The site has simple navigation & design, ease of use all around is a definite plus for all ages!

For taking the time to look around EcoBrain (and listening to me grip about my coffee filter situation) New Society is offering one of Eco-Office Gals readers a free copy of Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth.

eBook Description:
Imagine you are first in line at a potluck buffet. The spread includes not just food and water, but all the materials needed for shelter, clothing, healthcare, and education. How do you know how much to take? How much is enough to leave for your neighbors behind you – not just the six billion people, but the wildlife, and the as-yet-unborn?

In the face of looming ecological disaster, many people feel the need to change their own lifestyles as a tangible way of transforming our unsustainable culture. Radical Simplicity is the first book that guides the reader to a personal sustainability goal, then offers a process to monitor progress to a lifestyle that is equitable amongst all people, species, and generations. It employs three tools to help readers begin their customized journey to simplicity. Read more.

So, grab a cup of recycled coffee filter coffee (not recommended) and check out EcoBrain.  Feed your brain some green! Come back here and let us know what you think of the EcoBrain site or which eBook caught your attention.  If you have used EcoBrain before, give other readers a mini-review in your comments.  Twitter or Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry.  Remember to leave a separate comment for each one you do and I will announce the giveaway winner on Wednesday, Nov. 5th!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Mommy Go Green Blog Tour: EcoBrain

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So, you have built this great business idea of yours into a reality.  You are networking around town and online.  Now what?

A website is a wonderful step towards growing your business green. You can bring a wealth of information to your current and potential clients by having a site chock full of organic content (evolving and growing content).  Forget about the hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars you would spend on printing newsletters, fliers & catalogs.  An attractive business card (printed on recycled paper with non-toxic ink, of course) with a catchy website address is all you need to get your information out to the masses.

So, what kind of website do you create?  Is there more then one?  Learn from my trials and errors… there is!  Many of you that have been around since the beginning of Eco-Office Gals may remember the static site I had, the free one with more restrictions then I care to remember?  Not much goes on with a static site, there may be an updated article, picture or product changed here and there, but that is about it.  Chances are if you’ve been to a static site once, not much will change if you go back next week.  The owner of a static site depends on e-newsletters, forums and the like to get out new information.  Plain and simple… BORING!  Hey, I can be honest, I can critique myself, it was boring.  At the time I didn’t think so because I was behind the scenes creating it.  I was staying busy tweaking, trying to figure out different ways to keep you coming back to the same ol’ site with the same ol’ information over and over again.

So what is the alternative? A blogsite is a hybrid of a website and weblog, a fairly new concept where your blog also serves as your website.  An example?  You’re looking at one.  At Eco-Office Gals I have dropped my old static sites and my separate blog and now I present to you the all new Blogsite!  A blogsite is considered dynamic due to regular changes of content & comments and search engines tend to favor this form of website.  A dynamic site is about change.  Chances are, if you take a break from Eco-Office Gals for a week or two you will need to spend some time on the site to catch back up.  Additionally, readers pick up blogs on RSS feeds, spreading you content even further out into the blogosphere!  Blog platforms are also fairly easy to use and with so many or low cost or free themes and plug ins available, the sky is the limit!

Static sites are a thing of the past, as outdated as that computer you’re staring at!  Get with the program and contact Eco-Office Gals about setting up a blogsite!  All the cool kids are doing it!

Read more about BlogSites:
7 Reasons Blogsites Attract More Visitors and Help You Get More Clients Online

Grow Green!

Regards,
Jen
Eco-Office Gals

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Is Your Website Boring?

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As a green VA I am always trying to find new ways to make my clients less paper dependent. This week I found a gold mine! A while back I ran into Echosign, I had signed up for their free option, but never had any reason to use it. This week I had 2 reasons! Two customers were interested in ad space on my Eco-Biz Opps page and I needed to send a letter of agreement. So, I tried it out – I uploaded the word doc onto EchoSign then I picked all my options, e-signed and sent. My customers also e-signed and we recieved an email wih the e-signed document attached! BAM!! Saved it on the computer and that’s it!! I NEVER PRINTED ONE SHEET OF PAPER!! To follow up with my eco-friendly contract signing, I billed them through PayPal – no paper invoice, no paper checks. We completed a totally paperless transacton from first to last. Can it get any easier??! Visit Eco-Office Gals often for all of your green office resources!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

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