In the past you were able to reach potential clients by yellow pages, television advertising, radio programs, and targeting community groups that are relevant to your subject matter. However, increasingly we have experienced a shift to a digital world. What this means, is that your potential clientele is no longer available through the traditional means.

Where can I find clients?

Everyone from my grandparents to my nieces use the internet to access information daily. More of the younger generation has even eliminated landline telephones, cable subscriptions, and even classroom college courses and are turning to the computer to access information.

Google is currently the key to reaching most of the connected world. Embracing social media is important to improving your exposure on Google so that you can reach potential clientele. If you are not easily accessible from Google searches, your clients may be unable to locate you. By interacting and sharing information on social media websites, you increase your visibility on Google.

What is social media?

The most popular social media site is Facebook.com.  Other examples of social media include LinkedIn.com, Twitter.com, MySpace.com, Google Buzz, and even YouTube.com. These websites all operate on the model of enticing users to register for free accounts and encouraging the sharing of information with individuals in their social network. The majority of social media websites provide you with options of exposing information to the public at large or simply with those within your defined network.

These are powerful tools because they are amongst the most visited websites on the Internet. These are sites that individuals use to find friends, family, and even follow celebrities. They are used for entertainment, education, and sharing of personal information. Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube all have options for creating pages that directly market the information that you are sharing. Facebook even provides you with weekly reports that contain details of the number of visits that your company page has received.

Why is social media valuable to me?

The value in these sites are that they are free to use. It is simple to create profiles and to share information with a wide audience. You are able to provide contact information for your office that is easy to find, and publicize important events that can draw attention to your firm. You can link to your company homepage and let your clients more freely interact with you.

Since I have been actively using social media, I have seen a 400% increase to my company website traffic. I have received national exposure for my firm, and I have had an opportunity to meet and learn from other experts in my field.

My website is now the number one referral source for new clientele for me. The quality of my clientele has improved since my social media efforts are targeted towards specific clientele that I seek. I also have noticed a huge increase in referrals from social acquaintances that have learned more about my professional life based on the information that I share on social media websites.

Embrace new technology.

The world is changing, and it is important that attorneys embrace the future and realize that they must find new ways to continue to develop their practice. As we move more to the virtual world, firms that do not have a virtual presence will be left behind. Social media is important because it is the future. It is okay to be intimidated as our business changes, but dismissing or ignoring the societal changes could be dangerous to your livelihood.

To learn more about attorney use of social media, please download Ethical Issues in Attorney Use of Technology. I created these materials for a recent presentation for the Delaware State Bar Association on the ethical implications of the use of new technologies for law firms.

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In my office, productivity is a major concern. Attorneys have used dictation as a tool to be productive for almost as long as the profession has existed. Dictation allows thoughts to flow quicker, and for individuals to accomplish more during the day.

When I began practicing law in 2003, analog tape recording was the primary means of dictating.  Young attorneys often find it difficult to transition into dictation, and I was no exception.  Being a child of the computer generation, I found it unnatural to dictate on several different matters in one steady stream on a microcassette.

By the beginning of 2005, my workload had increased to the point that I no longer could resist the use of dictation.  Luckily, by that time voice recorders had been introduced that included a four-position slide switch to mimic the traditional dictation experience.

Initially I procured software for use in my office that would also mimic the traditional transcription process.  I ordered a headset and foot pedal to plug into the computer, and software was used that allowed the transcriptionist to work in a traditional manner.  When our transcriptionist moved onto a new position, and we were unable to hire a replacement that could type at the same speed, I began to outsource my dictation over the Internet using a company called iDictate.com, who, at the time, had a relationship with youDictate.com.  Eventually youDictate.com became SpeakWrite.com, and iDictate.com continued independent operations.

Although iDictate.com and SpeakWrite.com are both inexpensive compared to traditional employees, the files still needed to be formatted and copied into our system once the transcription was completed.  This still consumed worker productivity, and caused me to turn to voice recognition.

In July 2006, my office began to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred.  The Dragon software included a feature for transcribing digital files.  After dictating, I simply could dock my voice recorder and the files were automatically transferred to my computer.  I configured the software to upload the voice recordings to a network drive.  My assistant has the same software on her computer, and is updated, as new dictation is ready to be transcribed.

I am currently using a Philips Pocket Memo 9600 digital voice recorder with a four-position slide switch for dictation.  I use Philips bundled SpeechExec Professional software for downloading the voice recordings.  The SpeechExec software includes a function that automatically converts my recordings into a format that can be transcribed by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.  I am currently using Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version 10.1, which quickly transcribes my recordings directly into a Word document.

On average, about one word every two sentences must be corrected.  My assistant simply proofreads the documents, makes necessary formatting changes, and saves the file.

When I began as an attorney, my office required a dedicated employee to perform transcription work for the office.  By using digital dictation equipment and Dragon NaturallySpeaking, dictation is now just a portion of my assistant’s workload.  Since I can dock my voice recorder after each dictation file, most letters leave my office the same day that they are dictated.  Information is available much quicker, and my office is more efficient.

Please see the screencast below that provides a quick example of the transcription process using Dragon NaturallySpeaking.  Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the process I use.

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The easiest way to discover interesting podcasts is to use iTunes and search the iTunes Podcast Directory. iTunes provides categories of podcasts, with charts showing you the most popular podcast in each category. This is the easiest way to determine what other people are listening to and enjoying. (More information is available on Apple’s site.)

There are also several networks that have been created for the sole purpose of distributing interesting podcasts. These networks are working hard to create programming around-the-clock. The original offerings were mostly technology focused, but as each of these networks develop new shows, they are adding more diverse programming. The goal of many of these distributers is to eventually compete with mainstream broadcast television for viewers.

Most popular podcasting networks:

• Mevio – Network created by former MTV VJ Adam Curry. Show directory currently has 2,430 listings. Largest and most diverse of all podcasting networks.
• CNet – Mostly technology focused. Owned by CBS Interactive. Programming includes many of the biggest names in technology.
• Revision3 – Not nearly as large as Mevio, but almost as diverse. All content is available as video.
• Twit.tv – Network created by Leo Laporte (one of the original podcasters). Provides around-the-clock programming on live channel, but also includes many weekly shows with diverse hosts and topics.

My Favorite Podcasts

Although the podcasting networks are great, there are way too many programs available to watch or listen to all of them. Below I have provided information about the podcasts that I enjoy the most. Although I have separated the list by audio and video, it is important to note that several of the video podcasts also have audio versions, and vice-versa. I have categorized based on the ways that I have found easiest to enjoy each podcast.

Video Podcasts that I watch:

• Tekzilla – Hosted by Patrick Norton and Veronica Belmont, features reviews of gadgets and tips and tricks for making your tech life easier. A weekly show is produced that includes reviews and discussions of hardware/software, and a daily show is produced with a short tip.
• Cranky Geeks – Hosted by John Dvorak, features roundtable of technology professionals discussing current technology news and trends. New episodes produced weekly. (Open in iTunes)
• Loaded – Hosted by Natali Del Conte, features daily technology news. New episodes Monday – Thursday. Normally about 3-5 minutes per day.
• Apple Byte – Hosted by Brian Tong, covers all Apple news. New episodes once per week.
• MediaBytes – Hosted by Shelly Palmer, features daily technology and entertainment news. New Episodes Monday – Friday. Normally about 2-3 minutes per day.
• HD Nation – Hosted by Patrick Norton and Robert Heron, features all things HD. Includes discussion of video, sound, and equipment. New episodes once per week.
• Diggnation – Hosted by Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose, features discussion of top digg.com stories. New episodes weekly.
• GreekBrief.tv – Hosted by Cali Lewis, features news, interviews, and product reviews. New episodes multiple times per week.
• AppJudgment – Hosted by Revision3 personalities, features reviews of Apps for all popular SmartPhone platforms. New episodes two times per week.

Can’t Miss Audio Podcasts:

• This Week in Tech – Hosted by Leo Laporte, features a roundtable of technology experts discussing technology news. New episodes weekly.
• Buzz Out Loud – Hosted by Tom Merritt, Molly Wood and Jason Howell, features discussion of the day’s news. New episodes daily.
• Windows Weekly – Hosted by Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott, features all news related to Microsoft. New episodes weekly.
• MacBreek Weekly – Hosted by Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Merlin Mann and Andy Ihnatko, features all news related to Apple. New episodes weekly.
• The Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack – Hosted by Jay and Jack, features discussion of the television show Lost. New episodes two times per week.

Honorable Mention Audio Podcasts (I enjoy, but don’t get to listen to every episode):

• AppSlappy – Hosted by Scott Johnson and Eric Van Skyhawk, features reviews of iPhone applications. New episodes weekly.
• Engadget Podcast – Hosted by Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, and Paul Miller, features discussion of current technology news. New episodes weekly.
• gdgt Podcast – Hosted by Ryan Block and Peter Rojas, features discussion of current technology news. New episodes weekly.
• Married with Tech – Hosted by Doug Shill, Shawn Roberts, Jordan Patterson and Donny Benfield, features discussion of technology news from the perspective of married geeks/parents. New episodes weekly.
• iPhone Live Podcast – Hosted by Rene Ritchie, Chad Garrett and Mickey Papillon, features discussion of all things iPhone. New episodes weekly.
• Kennedy-Mighell Report – Hosted by Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell, features discussion of how technology impacts practicing attorneys. New episodes every 2 weeks.

Please feel free to suggest any additional interesting podcasts that you listen to or watch in the comments. As consumer electronics continue to become more connected, I expect that this form of entertainment will continue to grow and flourish.

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Today Steve Jobs finally announced what the world has been waiting over 2000 years for.  Apple is making a tablet that is more important than the one that delivered the world the Ten Commandments.  According to Jobs it is not a netbook, it is BETTER.  Apple is positioning the iPad in a new category between an iPhone/iPod Touch and a MacBook.

What jobs announced was exactly what I have asked for before.  I already have a laptop, and do not expect a tablet to be able to do everything that my laptop can do.  However, I have been searching for device that I am comfortable using in a situation where laptops have not been ideal.  The following are several areas where I believe the magical iPad will fill the void that I have had.

Using in a courtroom/hearing room.

A laptop has always been cumbersome in courtroom situations because I already have limited space available to me.  I usually am carrying a notepad, reference documents, and client files that weigh several pounds combined.  I need a device that I can use without having to plug it in, but also has access to the Internet at all times.  The iPad solves that problem.

The stated battery life of 10 hours means that I will not need to recharge the iPad even on days that I have multiple hearings.  The 1 1/2 pound weight makes it an item that I will not think twice about carrying.  The size will be slightly smaller than the legal pad that I already carry with me.  Since it does not have a phone, I do not have to worry about accidently forgetting to turn of the ringer.

Functionally, the iPad will allow me to check my calendar, e-mail, and client/reference documents while I am in court.  Since my practice is entirely paperless, I will be able to easily view entire client files.  When discussing a medical record or test result with the Judge, I will be able to quickly navigate the PDF to the appropriate location to view the document.  If I need to quickly find case law, statutes, or regulations, I will be able to do it on this new device.

Although Windows tablets have been around for years, the touch interface has never been simple enough to navigate quickly in a courtroom situation.  From my experience using the iPhone, I am positive that I will get a much better experience from using the iPad.  All programs are made to use the fingers to navigate with.  Windows tablets have been difficult because Microsoft has simply tried to add a touch interface to programs that are meant to be used with a mouse.

Surfing the web from the couch.

When I first bought my iPod Touch, the device quickly replaced my laptop for surfing the web.  I did not have to worry about the battery life of the iPod touch, and I could quickly move through pages in a natural way.  I no longer had to worry about the heat of the laptop on my legs, and it was not unsightly to store the touch on the coffee table when not in use.  Since the device is instant-on, I could quickly navigate to a website when I saw an advertisement that interested me.

The main problem with using the web browser on the iPod touch/iPhone is that you often need to zoom to read websites.  If the site is not formatted for mobile viewing, reading information on the web could sometimes be difficult.

The iPad solves this problem by providing a much higher resolution.  Less zooming will be necessary, but the device will still be comfortable to hold in an upright position similar to a book or magazine.  The iPad should take the positive experience of the iPhone/iPod touch and make it even better.

Using on flights.

I have never comfortable using a laptop on a flight.  Even compact laptops/netbooks were difficult to use if the person in front of me reclined their seat, or the person next to me needed to use the bathroom.  The iPad resolves these problems.

I do not usually use laptops on flights to complete work, so the lack of a physical keyboard is not a problem for me.  I have always used electronics on flights for entertainment purposes. The iPad will be great for playing games, reading books/magazines, and watching movies or listening to music.  These are tasks that I have used my iPhone for recently, but the small size was a limitation.  I expect the iPad to complete these tasks well, and to eliminate the need to travel with a book, multiple magazines, a laptop, and an iPod.

Using in conferences/seminars.

I have to admit that I have never been one to take my laptop to a conference/seminar.  It is not because a laptop would not be useful, it is more because I didn’t want to be “that guy” that took his laptop everywhere.  I have used my iPhone at most conferences, but the size becomes uncomfortable for all tasks.  The iPad, on the other hand, will be great at conferences/seminars.

The iPad will allow me to easily view materials on the Internet that are referenced by presenters.  In Delaware, the Bar Association has begun to make electronic materials available for all continuing legal education (CLE) classes.  I have opted out of this option in the past because I did not want to have to take my laptop to CLEs.  Having the ability to view these materials on an iPad will make it more likely that I will use the electronic material option in the future (and help save the environment).

As an e-book/magazine reader.

Since I read so much at work, I rarely read for leisure at home.  I receive several different magazines in electronic format, but I have never been entirely comfortable reading them on a laptop or desktop.  I have downloaded and read several books on the iPhone, but with the small screen I was constantly having to turn pages.  I have tried a Kindle, but the lack of backlighting has always bothered me.

I foresee that once I have in iPad, I will begin to read more materials while at home.  Since I am assuming that the iBooks bookstore will also be available on the iPhone, I expect that I will be able to continue to read e-books on the iPhone when I am away from the iPad.  The format of magazines will be much better to view on an iPad, and it will be nice to have the ability to click through links for further information about stories or to follow advertisements.  This will make every publication more valuable to me.

As mentioned above, having the ability to view documents on the iPad will also assist me in reviewing client files.  Since all my client files are converted to PDFs, I will be able to better review client documents from the comfort of my couch.  Reading will be much more natural with the iPad than it is on a laptop or desktop computer.

For extended car travel.

The iPad will be a device that will be nice to use as a passenger in extended car travel.  All of the benefits cited above for airplane travel will also exist for automobile travel.  It will also be a nice way for a passenger to use maps and GPS options to locate points of interest on the trip.

For vacations.

There have been several occasions in the past when I have not carried a laptop on vacation even though I thought may need one.  The size and inconvenience of using a laptop usually caused me to decide to leave it at home.  With the iPad size and weight I will not have to make this sacrifice in the future.

I usually do not need my laptop with me to perform long hours of work on vacation, I simply want to be able to check-in on the office and to plan activities while on vacation.  The iPad will be perfect for this task.  I will be able to research attractions, buy tickets, and easily plan itineraries.  If I purchase an attachable keyboard, I will also have an opportunity to perform the more intense work tasks.

See you in line when the iPad goes on sale.

These are just the areas that I have thought of where the iPad will supplement my ability to remain connected.  I am sure that once I purchase and start to use one I will add additional activities.  I never purchased a netbook because I simply saw it as a mini-laptop.  Since I already have a laptop, I couldn’t see how a netbook would offer any value to me.

Jobs was correct when he indicated that we should demand something better than a netbook.  I expect to be in line the day that the iPad goes on sale (go ahead, call me a “fanboy”).  I will update my experience with the iPad once I actually have a chance to purchase one.

* Thank you to Marcus Roland (@rolandlegal on Twitter) for the Moses Tablet name suggestion.  Definitely an appropriate name to match the Jesus Phone. Honorable mention also goes to Jaimie Field (@JaimieField on Twitter) for her Buddha Phone suggestion.

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There is not a right way or wrong way to use social networking. What is important about social networking is that you get something out of it. Some people have found ways to use social networking to make money, to become experts in their field, to learn new things, or to meet new people. All of these forms of interaction are useful and valuable. Do not let anyone define for you the way that you should use social networking. If you receive any benefit at all from your interaction with other people through a network environment, you are using social networking in a proper manner.

This blog is an example of using social networking. I place my ideas out on the Internet for other people to read, digest, and comment on. I broadcast the new blog post on my twitter and Facebook accounts so that others can read my thoughts. I share my interests, I respond to current events, and I provide advice. My personal blog is not-for-profit. I am not trying to sell anything with this medium, and I am not required to adhere to a set schedule. I use my blog as a way to communicate more information about my interests and myself.

I encourage everyone to find a method of social networking that they are comfortable with. Do not allow an expert to tell you that you are not properly using social media. It can be a great marketing tool, if used properly, but if you are not willing to devote the time and attention to use social media as a marketing means, you will fail. If you try to force yourself to use it in a similar way that has been successful for others in driving business, but you are not comfortable in the process, it will not be meaningful.

Using Twitter, Facebook, or even LinkedIn, to simply update friends and family on your daily activities is perfectly acceptable. Using these services to follow updates of others is also an acceptable means of interaction. Social media can be a tool for following current events, for learning gossip, for educating yourself, for marketing yourself (or your brand), or to simply distract you from the rigors of daily life.

The important thing to remember is to enjoy what you are doing. Do not be concerned with the number of friends, followers, or responses that you receive. If your life is enriched in any way in the manner that you are using social networking, it is beneficial to you. If you consider it a chore to use social networking services, they are not beneficial to you. If you want to expand your brand through social media, but it is unnatural to you, find someone else to do it for you.

Social media/social networking are just means that have been created to communicate with others through technology. In the same way that vehicles, telephones, e-mail, cellular phones, and text messaging have changed social interaction, social media is doing the same. Social media represents a natural progression of the electronic universe to take advantage of technology to interact with other people. It will not be the last change in interaction that we have, but it is an important one. Embrace the forms of social media that enrich your life, and ignore those means that do not. Find individuals on social media that you enjoy interacting with, and mimic the way that they communicate to you develop your own style.

Please share your thoughts on social networking in the comments section below. I look forward to continuing to interact with all my readers through comments, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and any other means that develop.

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In designing future operating systems, it is important for Apple, Microsoft and Google to develop an OS that maintains the same user experience no matter how the applications and data are accessed.  In today’s world, users are almost always connected, but currently data is stored in many different locations across several computers and mobile devices.  To make life easier, Windows 8, MacOS 11 and Chrome OS should all natively support Cloud Computing.  Windows 8 or MacOS 11 should have a login screen that recognizes if you want to login to your account on the cloud, or use the local machine.  When new applications are installed, the programs should actually be installed in your own self-contained folder in the cloud.

From the OS perspective this should be preferred.  Microsoft or Apple would only have to install the program one time, and then the user would need to provide proof the program was purchased or purchase directly from the OS provider (similar to the iTunes App Store).  It would help with piracy, because proof of purchase would be necessary before access to the application was granted.  It would help with compatiability, because the OS creator would only need to certify that the application worked in the cloud.  Even though the the need for packaged software is eliminated, online retailers could still act as resellers of the license.  The cloud architecture would allow everything from settings, installed applications, desktop backgrounds, and start menu configurations to remain the same on every computer used.

By having a Cloud OS, the end-user would be able to store all documents in one central place.  The user would not have to worry about using a third-party program to sync documents between a home computer, laptop and work computer, they would be able to store and access everything in the cloud.  This would provide central storage of photos, documents, music and video collections.  It would also ease transition to new machines because all the user’s programs, data and settings would immediately sync to any new machine used.

The risk of this type of architecture is loss of data and privacy.  As seen this week, even Microsoft cannot be trusted to backup cloud data,  so to be successful, the Cloud OS would need to offer third-party services for archiving data, and also provide an option of downloading copies of the data to the local computer.  This may be data intensive the first time completed, but once data is transfered the first time, only changes would be synced between the local computer and the cloud.  The Cloud OS could still require that you purchase a license to install the base OS on every computer, and even could charge an additional subscription fee for the cloud option.  It would be important that a local-only option be provided for individuals that are concerned about having all personal data in the cloud.

From a security prespective, the Cloud OS would have to include encryption and virus detection natively.  With the primary version of the data placed in the cloud, the OS could prevent the spread of malicious code and prevent phishing by providing constant updates without any action needed by the end user.  As security risks were found, the updates would be installed in the cloud.  This would automate tasks that consume valuable IT and end-user time and expertise.

The other component necessary for the Cloud OS to be sucessful, is having a mobile access option.  Data would need to be availabe whether using an iPhone, a Windows Mobile device, an Android Phone, or a BlackBerry.  On the mobile device, due to space limitations and connectivity issues, options would need to be provided to sync some data locally (i.e. music, documents or photos), and stream or have online access to the remainder of the cloud data.  This structure would have to be implemented through device specific applications or a mobile browser.  (A subset of these features are already available from cloud-based backup services like SugarSync and MobileMe).

It is also important that software developers incorporate cloud computing in all future software releases.  When new software is developed and sold, both locally-installed and cloud versions of the applications should be created.  Large companies like Adobe, Microsoft and Google are already working on products that embrace cloud computing.  Microsoft’s next version of Office is being developed concurrently with a web-based version, and even a free ad-supported version.  This is great for the Cloud OS, because it guarantees that Microsoft Word and Excel functionality would be available to every user of the Cloud OS.  Google already has cross-platform versions of Google Applications that offer similar functionality, and is developing its future Chrome OS to extend the features of the cloud applications.

Fortunately, current trends suggest that the future of computing is Cloud-Based whether Microsoft of Apple embrace it.  Many people already use and depend on cloud computing everyday without even realizing it. GMail, Yahoo Mail, HotMail, AOL Mail, and Exchange Accounts all use the cloud to store your data.  Even Facebook and Twitter are cloud platforms.  Many users are now using Facebook as a primary address book, instant messaging service, mail service, and photo archive.  If you enjoy the availability of the data on FaceBook, imagine how great it would be if everything you used on a personal computer was available the same way.  The Cloud OS would take these features and seamlessly integrate them everywhere.  Every document, song, picture, or program you purchased would always be available, and you would never again have to reconfigure program preferences or options repeatedly.

Please let me know your thoughts on my vision of the Cloud Computing future, and if you haven’t already, start to take advantage of cloud computing options that are currently available.

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Below are instructions for adding a blog feed to a page other than your homepage when using the Headway theme.  A blog feed is basically a list of all your posts in your WordPress blog.  These instructions apply to version 1 of the Headway theme.

1. Login to the WordPress Administration control panel on your blog.
2. If you haven’t already, add a page to your Wordpress blog that you would like to use to host the blog feed. (I used a page I named “Blog”).
3. Enter the Headway Layout Editor by selecting “Headway Layout Editor” in the Appearance section of the WordPress Administration page.

   

4. In the “Headway Layout Editor” select the page that you want visitors to click on to view your blog feed from the drop-down box (for me it was the page named “Blog”), and click “Show Page Layout”.

   

5. On the page layout screen, click on the “Add a Leaf” option and select “Content” (has a T next to it).

   

6. When the leaf appears in the Layout Editor, click the “Edit” button for the leaf you just added.
7. Select the “Posts” mode in the options for the leaf.  In the categories section, you can either leave it blank to include all posts from every category in your blog, or you can limit it to certain categories by using the “Include” or “Exclude” options.  (The categories are pulled from your WordPress posts.  If you have not categorized your WordPress posts, you may not see any categories.)

   

8. You can add a post limit (that indicates the number of recent posts to show on your page), and the number of posts to be “Featured Posts”.  (Featured posts are posts that you want the full text to be shown on the page.  I set my Featured posts to one.)
9. Click Okay, and then click “Save Changes” in the “Headway Layout Editor”.  The page you configured should now include your blog feed.

   

If you are using the Headway theme, I hope that these instructions help.  The Headway Theme is great for customizing a WordPress blog that you host on your site, but not all the options are easy to discover.  Please visit Headway Themes for more information or to purchase the theme for use on your blog.  (I am not receiving any compensation for publishing this post or for recommending Headway Themes.  I have paid the full purchase price for Headway themes and I am simply a happy customer).

Please let me know if you have any difficulty following my instructions.  Good luck.

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