It’s getting close to that time of year when good cheer and well wishes spring forth as if trapped all year waiting for this one special moment.

With everything that has happened impacting my family this year, especially toward the end, it has me wondering why (or why not) holiday season’s are treated any differently then throughout the year.

Perhaps you are one of the lucky ones. Love and happiness raining down upon each and all day-in and day-out regardless of the day or week or month. And, yes, you should consider yourself lucky, because life is not so typically black and white for many.

This year continues to see, for many, fruitless attempts to return to the workforce. In addition, since it was a “political year” we have all been bombarded with negativity via the television, print ad, snail mail, email, videos, and more. (more…)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

I think it’s safe to say that the Hampton logo is well recognized by hundreds of thousands, if not millions across the United States and Canada.

But what I’m about to tell you is just plain crazy! And, it’s an incredible opportunity!

The fact is that Hampton is running a Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes where, hold onto your socks, the Grand Prize is an ENTIRE HOTEL – yes 100 rooms for two (2) nights – for you, your friends, your family, business associates, the list goes on and on with possibilities. One hundred rooms!

So… Who would you ask? How would you fill your 100 rooms Grand Prize?

Hampton didn’t stop there though… their sweepstakes also includes 100 1st place prizes. These First Place prizes are currently being given away on a daily basis for weekend stays for you and three (3) of your friends.

Let’s get the “how to enter to win” details out of the way, because it is really easy. Just click the link above, click on the “enter now” button, fill in your information, and submit. Doesn’t get much easier.

Now on to the really fun part! What designation would you pick? Who would you take with you? Remember, your choice of which Hampton hotel means almost endless possibilities within the U.S. and Canada, so think big (if you’re budget allows, after all you’re getting the stay for free) or closer to home for a nice romantic getaway?

Getting together with friends is a great way to melt away stress and just, for at least a weekend, have a great time.

Or… Maybe this summer you didn’t get a chance to take the family on vacation; well here’s your opportunity! (Yes even family members count as friends LOL!)

For me, I’m going to dream big! (more…)

Diane Scott started out as the persona of two great friends living on opposite ends of the country. Diane currently calls Las Vegas home, while Scott lives in Baltimore.

While we both have spent the last decade(+) online (and offline) making our livings by analyzing and applying search engine optimization, traditional internet marketing, and social media strategies, as of August 2009, “Scott” is no longer part of OIMS – having decided to take his energies elsewhere – with well wishes to all his new endeavors!

So Diane Scott becomes a whole person – my alter ego so to speak – where “she/I” can let loose on any subject (just about). However, my main focus continues to be the testing, evaluation, and recommendation (or not) of methods to promote your website/blog and increase website traffic.

I do enjoy writing the occasional “get paid to” post – and try to pick out the ones I find most interesting and intriguing (and yes, the ones that pay well for doing so – if you’re a blogger you can/should/could, too).

Well that about brings you up to date as of September 2009.

Be sure to visit my ezine advertising co-op, My Wizard Ads, along with the Whole Hog Blog blogging system I also own and operate. Then stop on by ImWebNiches for an A to Z search portal on all sorts of subjects.

I hope you enjoy your visit not only to Online Internet Marketing Strategies, but all the other websites and blogs, too.

All the best,
Diane Scott
(and would it be aka Theresa Cahill? Or the other way around LOL!)

UPDATE 9/25 at 4:03 p.m. – we just test installed it and unfortunately while installation went smoothly, as soon as it was activated the entire blog disappeared – never fear just deleting the plugin brought the blog back online. However, we urge caution and read, read, read first

Now onto the information:

It’s great to have great friends, and this morning Linda Rembowski of ForcedGreen gets my high five award

She sent me information that you’re sure to want to investigate for yourself. WordPress Double Opt-In Manager Widget. (more…)