I don’t know if many other pro bloggers have a conscience, but mine is telling me I need to give something back. I’ve made a bit of money off this website, as is the purpose, and I’d like to thank my readers for that. I comment back to each one (if I’ve missed you, let me know) and that’s all fine and dandy, but where’s your slice?

I always thought it’d be exciting to run a contest since the first one Amanda had here. But for what? I’m not really sure. A lot of people are giving iPods, but who doesn’t already have one? And some people are just giving cold, hard cash. But I would like to give a gift that helps the pro blogger.

The purpose in this entry is to ask you what you’d like, what you would participate for. I’m really excited to hear what you come up with.

Do you have what it takes to be among the top 2%? Maybe a little self improvement would help you get there. I personally think people are wonderful the way they are, but if your goal is to be rich and powerful, you definitely need to look at yourself compared to those out there doing it. Maybe you’re a nice person, maybe you’re laid back and friendly. Well, that’s apparently not going to cut it.

I did this little test on whether I could be the top 2% or not, and I failed. Why? I was told I needed self improvement in the interpersonal skills area. It’s very strange that of all my weaknesses, my social skills are the worst. I mean, I understand it, but really I thought my lack of drive and motivation would have come out #1. Oh well, it’s a website, what does it know?

The test suggested a book called “The 5 Essential People Skills”. I don’t really have any interest in buying it, even for the $1, 30 day trial period offered on the site, but I do think I may go sit at Barnes and Noble and see what it’s about. I love how you can go to book stores and read the entire book.

Do me a favor, take the test. Comment here to let me know what your result was.

If you’re looking for a quick boost in visitors and something to post about, you may be able to accomplish both by participating in a Meme.

A meme is basically a central topic to post about on a certain day. Or some do it every day. Some give you the topics to post about, while others will simply allow you to pick the topic and run with it. Usually there will be multiple questions, a steady number, which you will need to answer on your blog.

The first I’ve seen of this was many years ago with the Friday Five, and all the bloggers were using Greymatter or B2 (remember those?). Its popularity was astounding. It’s no surprise people jumped on the bandwagon and made their own sites just like it. If you want to get started on your first meme tomorrow, try the new Friday Five.

A very popular meme is the Thursday Thirteen. From their website you can find a link to others who have done the meme and comment on them. Usually they’ll return the favor and comment back on yours. Participating in this meme gives you a long, interesting article and will probably generate anywhere from 25-300 new visitors.

My favorite meme has to be the Photo Friday. It adds an extra level where you take a phone to try and show an artistic interpretation of a word. Last week’s word was purple and some of the things people came up with were amazing, like this beautiful photo.

If you’re interested in memes, but these aren’t for you, check The Daily Meme. He offers a much better explanation (and another way to pronounce it) along with a list of 105 meme-esque sites.

Voice over IP is one of the greatest innovations for business. Back when my mom started her busines she had to pay a few hundred dollars per month for a business phone line and had to pay for every long distance minute she used (at about $.50/minute). Since VoIP small businesses can get the great business class phone service and a much lower price. For my own hosting company I use a business VoIP line.

Packet8 offers a wide range of VoIP small business phone services starting at just $14.99 per month for their Virtual Attendant. This service is very interesting, it allows someone to call 1 number and choose an extension to call another number, like a cell phone or a home phone. I’m thinking about trying this service so people have the choice to ring my cell phone if there’s an emergency.

If you don’t need that kind of service and you only need a traditional phone line, they have that, too. Their Unlimited Extension package is a lot like the business account I have with Vonage, but includes their Virtual Attendant and their business-class voicemail. And it’s the same price I’m paying with Vonage now.

Don’t forget the fax line. You can do that over VoIP, too. Packet8 offers a fax extension package at only $9.99 per month and it includes up to 300 minutes free. Add that to your phone line and your virtual attendant to have your business running smooth (as far as the phones are concerned).