In my article How to Make a Screenshot I gave instructions on how to make a basic screenshot using the Paint tool that comes free with every PC. Paint is not the most elegant tool for making screenshots, but its big advantage is the price (free). And if you only make the occasional screenshot, it does the trick just fine.

However, if you make a lot of screenshots, you might want to consider purchasing screenshot software. I must admit that I don't use Paint anymore - I use SnagIt because it's so much easier. SnagIt costs 39.95 but you can get a free 30 day trial here. I've also tried WinSnap, which costs $19 or $29 (I can't remember exactly). Although WinSnap has some nice features, I prefer SnagIt because it seems more user-friendly to me.

Related Article:

How to Make a Screenshot Smaller

Today's interview is with Mike Flannery, an editor who works with people to help get their books (and other information products) polished and published.

Mike, why would an author choose to self-publish their book or information product?

I have found that people who choose to self publish (versus going with a publisher) do so for reasons of: speed, control, artistic license and money (it costs less and the profit potential is higher).

But isn't it better to have a "real" publisher if you can?

Some of the reasons to go with a traditional publisher include: credibility, ego or just to 'see if you can'. This route can be slow and expensive. You'll have the benefit of the publisher's editing, layout and marketing team behind you, but you'll also have less control (i.e. other people will be telling you what's okay to do and what's not). And publishers actually don't do as much marketing of your book as you might think.

In your experience, are people happy with their self-published book?

In most cases, writing a self-published book exceeds the authors' expectations. Having a book says you are the expert and it forces you to step up your game and become one. Often, this can help alleviate the 'inner fraud' factor. The process of publishing is also a learning opportunity.

How many books can a self-published author expect to sell?

When you're setting goals keep in mind your market niche - in some cases selling 1000 books may be seen as a huge success. Quite often the authors I have worked with have set goals, but not hard and fast ones and it does take time to reach them. But if the goals are realistic, they are often exceeded. Remember too,

by Katja Bartholmess

Today's homepage booster is for Kerry Oldfield of Oldfield Performance Dynamics (OPD). OPD is an Australian company that helps clients improve productivity through coaching and consulting.

Founder Kerry Oldfield says that his website currently acts more as an “electronic brochure” than a business-generating machine. “I figure that a search that someone may do (e.g. on leadership, cultural change etc.) will get so many sites mine will have little chance to be opened by a searcher.”

We’ll see about that, Kerry!

7 point Homepage Booster critique of Kerry's website

What can Kerry do to get more business?

Kerry’s goal is to “get calls on how I could help potential clients/managers.” Let’s take a look at his homepage and see which areas are working and which ones need to be overhauled.

Remember: my 7 point homepage critique is available to anyone with a company and a website. If you fall into that category and want to drum up more business, click here to get more info. And as you read the following critique, ask yourself how these comments could be used to hotrod your homepage.

Okay, let’s dive in!

1. Clear purpose – does the reader know exactly what you’re offering?

GENERAL CRITIQUE
• Within seconds of opening your page, web surfers should be able to tell if they’re in the right place. Your title, slogan and headline only indicate that you’re addressing businesspeople – not the size or kinds of business that you work with
• Good work on your simple, catchy slogan (“Adding Value and Vision”). By itself, however, the slogan doesn’t tell the reader what you do. To what do you add “Vision and Value,” and to whom do you offer these services?
• Your headlines and body copy seem vague. “Performance business strategies” doesn’t really describe what you can do for the reader