Thorough Museum

Make Your Real Estate Website Visible!. The Search Engine Of The Future: Mobility Has A Pricetag.

2005-10-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

So, you've created a Website to highlight your realty services and listings. Now all you have to do is wait for the customers to roll in -- right? Wrong. Putting up a Website is only the first step. Now you have to fine tune your site's descriptors to boost its search engine ranking when prospective clients explore the Internet hunting for a REALTOR�½. It does you little good to have a Website if no one can find it. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take that increase your odds of being noticed when buyers or sellers turn to the Web to find a real estate agent.

Ideally, it pays to have a meaningful Website address (also known as a Universal Resource Locator, or "URL"). Instead of your own or a realty name, your Website address should reflect the geographic area(s) where your services are targeted or any specialties on which you focus. For instance, if you farm housing tracts in north Austin, then good choices for a URL might be www.northaustinhomes.com, www.homes-northaustin.com, or www.real-estate-north-austin.com. Using these, search engines are more likely to give you a higher placement when someone searches for "homes (or real estate) in north austin" than a competitive realty which services the same area but does not include the term "north austin" in their Website address. The key to achieving a higher ranking among search-engine returns is to be as specific as possible when casting your Internet "fishing net."

There is more you can do to enhance your search engine ranking. While the following discussion may sound technical, only new terminology is involved. The actual steps themselves are easy to implement.

"Tags" are descriptors in the underlying HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code which format Webpages. They contain important information that Internet search engines use to index your Website. This data is then compared to search information entered by engine users. Your Web authoring tool may allow you to enter Tag information without having to bother with HTML code. If not, don't panic! You don't have to become a Website programmer to manually insert critical data into your HTML code. Adding or modifying Tag information is surprisingly simple.

Whether or not your Web authoring tool allows you to enter Tag information, simply follow the advice given below to enhance your Website's visibility to search engines.

Hartworks: Providing creative alternatives through books, videos, and informative webpages

If necessary, download a shareware HTML editor and use it to open your main Webpage, choosing the function that makes the HTML code appear. Selida and EditPlus are two good HTML editors which are offered free for thirty days.

On your PC or Web hosting site, open your main Webpage (usually "index.htm" or "index.html"). Maneuver to the Meta Tag entry functions within your authoring software or else bring up your Webpage within an editor so that the HTML code is visible.

To achieve higher search engine placing, it is important to have meaningful page Titles, especially for your main (i.e., home) page. The "Title" Tag for each Webpage is embedded in the HTML code. Look near the top of the page to find a line that reads

   where "

Www.SaleAds.Net - Advertising, Games, Submitter, Scripts and Free Web Tools

 xxxxx" is the current name assigned to your Webpage.  In some cases, you may not even have a Title.  If so, enter it directly into the HTML code immediately below the Tag

   using the above format.
  Make the Webpage Title something meaningful, using words that a person searching for homes in North Austin, for example, would likely type in the Google or Yahoo search engine (e.g., "North Austin Homes").
  Following the Title Tag, you should see a Meta Tag:

   where the data between the quotation marks is your name (or the name of the company that prepared your Website).  It is a good idea to have this data consist of your name and the name of your realty.  For example:

    That way, if someone is searching for you or your realty on the Web, there is a better chance they will find your Website.
  Now, carefully choose the Keywords that describe your Website offerings.  These should also be words or phrases that a potential buyer or seller would use in conducting an Internet search.  Again, the more specific you can be the better.  In our example, you would might include "north austin homes" as one keyword phrase.  Perhaps "real estate agents in north austin" would be another good choice.  Don't worry about being case sensitive.  Ask your family, friends and fellow REALTORS for ideas.  You can even see what Keywords high-ranking competitors are using by going to their Website and selecting View/Source on your browser.
  Enter your new keywords and phrases using your Web authoring tool or an HTML editor.  When using the latter, look near the top of the page and you will find another Meta Tag that reads

    The words in-between the quotation marks following CONTENT are your Keywords.  Erase the old ones if you wish and enter your new words or phrases, separating each by a comma.  It is best to keep the number of entries under a dozen, and be sure to place the most important ones first.
  Looking at the HTML code, you should see

   directly below the Keywords Meta Tag.  This is where you enter the text that a person using a search engine will see in the returned results, so make it descriptive and enticing.  In our example, perhaps you would enter "Find your dream home by working with the number one realty in North Austin.  Special programs for first-time buyers."  Keep it concise but make it a marketing message.  After all, your objective is to get a prospective client to visit your Website.
  A final piece of advice - try to use your Keywords in the text on your main (i.e., Home) Webpage, as this reinforces your focus to Internet search engines.  When finished making revisions, remember to save your changes and upload modified Webpages to your hosting vendor.  Then be sure to re-submit changed Webpages to the major search engines - Google, Yahoo, and MSN for sure - and directories (e.g., Google, Yahoo and the Open Directory).  After submitting, it can sometimes take weeks or months for a search engine to categorize your changes. Be patient.  Periodic checks using your important Keywords in each search engine will alert you to when the changes begin to take effect.
  Al Kernek is a real estate broker and author of "Creating E-Mail Newsletters - A Practical Guide for the Real Estate Community."  To learn more about how to increase real estate sales using low-cost Internet marketing techniques, visit http://www.renewsletter.com
  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Police career, law enforcement, Cops, book. Critically acclaimed book leads aspiring police officers...

We all know the ease of using a search engine to garner information from around the world in microseconds. We've gotten accustomed to accessing these for the price of our hookup to the internet, be it dial-up, cable or wireless. But as more of our world connects via wireless media, what is included in our 'free look' may be changing.
Mobile phones are taking over the world. There will be 1.7 billion wireless subscribers by 2006 according to Strategy Analytics. Interestingly, among the so-called "first world" countries, Europe has the most wireless customers and the United States the fewest. Not even in consideration is China and her billions--yet! Your company webmaster might be advised to take a closer look at fee-based advertising, because there is likely to be extreme competition for the key slots in any search result in the very near future.
In many parts of the world, a fixed line telephone is still a luxury. That is not the case with mobile phones, which are getting cheaper by the day. Add to this, access to the world wide web from a PC requires a great deal of hardware, most of which is costly. Conversely, access from a cell phone can be facilitated by a variety of different technologies and the target market for your company will soon be available to the tiniest of villages in the remotest part of the globe! The only constraint will be whether your website is correctly positioned on the web's search engines.
This is a fascinating time for increased communication, but you must seen to be heard. That is not as odd a statement as it sounds. As access to the search engines from cell phones, PDA's, car telematics, and pagers continues to increase, so will competition heat up for the key spots on search engine listings. Your company must target the parameters of the search engines to gain the advantageous top spots or it will be ignored. Or, you must pay for the privilege of the 'top dog' slot.
Facts are that portables are being used for everything and that the young are the most plugged in of the age groups. They will talk and drive. They will text message and drive! They are strung with ear pieces and voice activated microphones and can barely get through a meal without being in communication with someone elsewhere than at the dinner table. In the very few years that it takes them to grow into your boardroom executives, they will have determined your future. Cater to them and you shall be rich--but they must know you are there.
Things change quickly. When text messaging and ads first started coming to cell phones, the response rate was stupendous. All you had to do was offer a poll, a free chance on something or even a free newsletter on an interactive screen and your response rate was as much as 11%! That is down to 2% if you have a really good offer. And the spam cops are out there, ready to close you down if you are not thoroughly permission-based. Likely, search engines will have to change to accommodate the every increasing need for information from an increasing mass of people. The competition will be fierce. Your ideas, products and services must be piercingly targeted for your customer or your message will never be heard.
About The Author
Chris Palau is CEO of the software development company http://www.techcoders.com, which offers custom wireless development.
webmaster@techcoders.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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How To Treat and Prevent Low Carb Diet Headaches. What Is Most Important - Copy Or Pic?.

2005-10-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Are you a Carbohydrate addict? Learn How to Change Your Body by Changing Your Mind.

Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed a reputation for giving dieters severe headaches. Dietitians have identified a number of different factors that could cause these headaches. They vary from person to person.

One of the factors is caffeine. Most low carb diets prohibit caffeinated drinks because they cause fluctuations in blood sugar, which can potentially jeopardize the efficacy of the diet. The Atkins diet suggests that dieters begin scaling-down caffeine consumption before they start the induction phase of the diet to minimize unpleasant withdrawals.

Another factor is wheat and sugar addictions, which can be the byproduct of reliance on refined carbohydrate products for a quick boost in blood sugar levels. If you snack to increase your blood sugar level, you may be addicted to carbohydrates, according to Dr. Atkins. Again, you may want to begin scaling down your snacks before you start the induction phase to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

The last factor is dehydration. If you are losing weight rapidly on a "no carb" initial phase, you are also losing a lot of water that is bound up in your carbohydrate reserves. In fact, you are actually losing four-times as many grams of water as you are grams of glycogen (or stored carbohydrates).

In addition to preventing dehydration, your body needs to replenish all of the water it loses daily to simply maintain organ functionality, flush out toxins, replace electrolytes, and promote good skin health.

Most low carb dietitians suggest that you consume 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. This is especially important if you are losing more than the average amount of water each day, so make sure you are sticking to the "8 x 8"--or whatever amount you can drink comfortably each day--so you don't become dehydrated during the first phase of your low carb diet.

The key to preventing low carb diet headaches is to make sure you are consuming enough water and to scale-down your potential "addictions" before you start.

If you have already started your low carb diet, there is nothing you can do about these headaches. Most experts suggest that you simply wait it out. If they don't go away after four days, then you may have food allergies, in which case you should halt the diet and consult your physician.

Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle.

How To Find Lost Treasures In Your Own Neighborhood

The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a list of low carb foods along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

When,

Stock Photography: GOING DIGITAL - How You Can Sell Your Digital Stock Images Online Today

some little time ago now, I first descended upon the advertising scene, we were a good deal more concerned than most people seem to be today about the nature of the business we found ourselves in. We were always holding debates - in the saloon bar of the Coach & Horses in New Bond Street, to be tiresomely precise - about the meaning of advertising, the significance of advertising, and the past, present and future of advertising. And an unconscionably serious lot we no doubt were. Not to mention drunk.

Among the hardy perennials of our debates was the relevance of sex in advertising, and also the question of whether the copy element in ads was more important than the visual or vice versa.

Of course, these were the days when it was possible for agency personnel to slope off round the pub during working hours and nobody on the management side of things turned so much as a hair at our absence. Just so long as the work got done on time, nobody gave so much as a tinker's cuss whether you were doing it in the office or down at the dog track. These days, agencies are a little more sanguine in their approach to creative people; and I recently heard of a designer being sacked on the spot for turning up at a client meeting wearing jeans - and I kid you not.

But back to our hardy perennials. The &sex in advertising' question was a hotly debated topic, mainly because the copywriters and designers in my milieu were always anxious to attend the relevant photo-shoots, and not because sex was liable to help sell anything. Thus, we were constantly coming up with speculative ad campaigns that featured semi-clad females so that we might catch a glimpse of a naked thigh or better. Few of these concepts saw the light of day, but it was always worth a try.

As to the copy versus pic argument, this has still not been resolved to this day. Then, as now, I was on the side of the angels, holding that around 80 per cent of ads could, at a pinch, do without illustrations, whereas only about 2 per cent could do without words. (In regard to the other 18 per cent, you can make your own arrangements.)

Such an argument, as you'd expect, was met with widespread alarm by the designers, who saw that I was presaging their redundancy. Then as now, they would do everything they could to give their illustrations the prominence they thought they deserved. This usually resulted in a design in which the pic took up four-fifths of the ad, while the copy was relegated to eight-point solid and rendered practically illegible.

My attitude, obviously, was simply a debating stance - true though it undoubtedly is. I am not suggesting for a moment that 8 out of 10 ads should be wholly typographical. But if you take a dispassionate look around you, you might agree with me that a whole lot of ads (and brochures and websites, too, come to that) carry pictures for pictures' sake; and that in quite a few cases the pictures, far from helping the transmission of a message, actually hinder it.

The biggest offenders in this respect are what might be describes as semi-industrial ads. Just leaf through a trade mag (or brochure or website) and you'll see irrelevance in illustration well carried out. You'll see, for instance, pictures of the factory or, as they call it these days, the production operation. You'll see pics of two obvious male models in white coats staring idiotically at a computer screen or a blueprint. And you'll see pics of two obvious male models, plus a female model, in white coats staring idiotically at a computer screen. The female is included in the latter pic because the designer had originally planned for her to be shot with her clothes off.

Here's what I think. With today's wonderful digital photography opportunities, with an instant replay of whatever has been shot, one might hope that illustrations in ads, brochures and websites might be made more relevant. They might actually show the product in action - demonstration is, after all, the soul of advertising. But, no, we still get pics which have nothing whatsoever to do with the product or its benefits.

I don't mind admitting that there can be few people in the whole wide world who know less about photography than I do. What I do know, however, is that promotional material is far better off without an illustration if that illustration does not augment the sales message. So, in this respect, copy is more important than illustration.

Mind you, there is a lot of copy around that doesn't augment the sales message either. But that's another story.

About The Author

Patrick Quinn is an award winning copywriter with 40 years' experience of the advertising business in London, Miami, Dublin and Edinburgh.

He publishes a FREE online monthly newsletter, AdBriefing, designed for those who have a very real interest in producing good advertising. Subscriptions are available at: http://www.adbriefing.com

j.p@markethillpublishing.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Three Poems: The Monkey Man of Lima, Plus Two More. Dog Aggressive Training: Understand & Eliminate Your Dog's Aggressive Behavior.

2005-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Your Fortune in Penny Shares

What Hides behind the Minute?

What hides behind the minute?
It seems, no one really knows;
How many times will we wakeup,
To count the minutes gone?

The rose was dead when I arrived;
The sword, was rusty and dull;
The window curtain was open,
And there was music in the hall.

Oh lovely minute, where art thou?
One, is not like the other-:
Whirling in an earthly orbit,
As the boundless world discovers.

#675 5/18/05 [at the bookstore caf�½; Roseville, MN USA]

12) Vietnam: Shrapnel

Here under the ball of blood
In Vietnam, the moon rises
The battlefield reeks with flies-
I swear I'll come out in one piece,
Or die...

The air-is melting Hot!
The heavens vomit shrapnel out.
A towering inferno-
My helmet, ashes and stones
Shrapnel rips by my face
The ground shakes.

You know you're all alone
With the blast and heap of metal.
One dies today, trapped...
In the middle of the blast;
Two wounded!...

#671

The Monkey Man of Lima
[Miraflores]

Advance: He is the last of his breed, I do believe; the Monkey Man of Miraflores, Lima, Peru. Who winds his wooden music-box up, while the monkey dances, pulls out a slip with your fortune on it, from its drawer, and hands it to you; he is seventy-four years old, small framed and I confess, whenever I go to Lima, about once or twice a year, I look forward in visiting him; which he is normally in the park seven days a week, from about 2:30 to 9:00 PM. He vacations about three times a year for about two weeks each time.

I used him as a character in one of my previous books, "The Mumbler," and gave him a copy, as one of the artists did a water color painting for the cover of the book, of him, and his monkey, and his music-box. His son read the book to him, since it was in English, and not Spanish. He thought it quite the item.

I know he is getting up in age, and his back will not hold out forever, carrying that big wooden box on his back ((a belt tied around him and the box))this man of five-foot three, 110-pounds) with his monkey in it-which he has carried for 60-years-but until it does, until he retires, he is worth seeing, if one takes a trip that way, that is. Permit me to echo an almost lost tradition in the poem that follows, one I saw when I was a kid for a short time in Minnesota, and one that lives on in Lima, Peru, today, but may not tomorrow. #661; 5/14/05.

-I get a-thinking!
Thinking of the &ol Monkey Man
In Miraflores Park-;
As he carries his heavy load:
A music-box and Monkey-
Down the road
On his aging, solid back;
Looking for his special spot!
Once found-he cares and feeds
His long-tailed monkey...
Then settles down.

-I get thinking!
Thinking how he waits for the curious
To entertain them;
For a solid-metal coin!...
Once given, he winds the music box
As the monkey dances about
And gives a slip out;
Always of good fortune.
A music-box and a Monkey-
Down the road he goes
Goes home at 9:00 PM
With his monkey, and friend.

Dennis Siluk, Poet and Author, his website is: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of canine communication similar to human frustration or anger. Like human, aggressive behavior occurs in every dog. The different lie in the level of aggression shown in them, and this is where dog breeds come into the picture.

While some

Dog Obedience Training: STOP Your Dog's Behavior Problems!

breeds are born with a greater tendency to become aggressive, problems usually occur in homes that knowing or unknowingly encourage the development of a dog's aggressive behavior.

It's important to know what is going on when your dog show aggression, biting unwelcome strangers in your house is justifiable aggression. But if he bites the postman or you when you push him off the couch is certainly a crime!

There are basically 3 main types of aggression behavior shown in dogs namely, dominance aggression, possessive aggression and territorial aggression.

Dominance and possessive aggression are one of the most common reasons why dogs growl at or even worse bite their owners. This type of behavior does not develop in a vacuum and is always a result of the dogs' interaction with its environment and owners. The dog has been accessing his position for some time and decided to challenge you for the alpha leader position.

If your dog is showing aggressive behavior towards you or any family members, he has to be brought down to earth again. You must let him know that he is the lowest ranking member in the family:

1. Avoid physical punishment if possible, it is too provocative and may make matter worse.

2. Review your relationship with your dog to determine why your dog is challenging you. Do remedial steps to assume to role of the alpha leader role again:

- You must eat first before your dog does.

- You must go through doorways first.

- Do not let your dog win you in games of strength. (Tug-of-war, wrestling)

- Do not let your dog assume a superior position against you. For example, you lying on the floor while your dog's two paws pressing against your chest.

- Set & enforce your house rules consistently, let him know that he has rules to follow.

Territorial aggression is display by dogs that are fiercely overprotective.

Dog Training Zone - Proven Step-By-Step Dog Dog Training Secrets

Prevent this problem by introducing and socializing your dog when he's young to break down his suspicion of strangers. Try to expose your dog to more things and different people, which means bring him out more often! Let your dog know that these people are harmless and his territorial aggressiveness will died down naturally.

If you are unsure of your dog's behavior when you bring him out to the public, be sure to put him on a leash and muzzle if necessary. This is to not only to safe guard the general public but also your dog. More often than not, dogs are always put to death should they bite and injure someone. No "ifs" No "buts"!

Lastly, remember that aggression is no small problem and need to be seriously dealt with. If you are losing control over your dog or feel that he by and large outsmarts you, seek professional help and advice immediately.

About the Author:
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of DogsObedienceTraining.com - The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog.

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Weight Loss: The Strength in Setting Goals, Achieving Objectives, and The Power of Intention

Weight Loss: The Strength in Setting Goals, Achieving Objectives, and The Power of Intention

The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers. -Brian Tracy

Objectives and goal setting and a desire or an intention to meet said goals and objectives is, undoubtedly the most imperative piece of the puzzle when attempting to achieve anything worthwhile in life. And as Brian Tracy has outlined here, it is indeed the act of taking the first step and then following through that will separate the winners from the losers. Clearly defining what it is that you want is where it all starts and Weight Loss is no different! The potency of your objectives and the power of your intention will totally aid in the clarity and sharpness of outlining your goals. So if you truly want to achieve permanent Weight Loss, you must completely see yourself &lean' or &lighter' with absolute lucidity! It can happen to you. You've heard it before; life is a journey, not a destination...

Enjoy the trip, but know where you're going, it's easier to get there!

Brushing your teeth, washing your hair, &showing up' at work regularly and sleeping are all habitual rituals, they are daily practices that promote or provide either assurance, insurance, functionality or the opportunity to continue to have or use something that you probably want to keep... Stop doing these rituals and decay, breakdown or unemployment occurs, which just causes a downward spiral of unpleasant events. Although this sounds a bit funny, the reality is your body functions or DIS-functions in the same way, practice daily effective, proactive rituals and ta...da... you either attain, maintain or achieve the object or objective desired. Exercise and nutrition are often perplexing topics, usually shrouded in mystery, but need not be. Knowledge and application of knowledge are not the same thing; they are quite separate and distinct. Knowing how to do something and doing it is where the line is drawn and having an intention, coupled with an objective acts as the proverbial driver behind the wheel...and placing intention into the subconscious mind is like stepping on the gas pedal, which in turn produces action or OBJECTIVE.

Can you remember when you were young and wanted something so bad that nothing else mattered? That thing that drove you was desire and if you actually did get that &object' of desire, well that was intention that propelled you to go out and get or "receive" that object. Goals or objectives motivate and generate oomph, you know...that get-up-and-go, they are the steam that wakes you up, gets you to work, helps you focus and aids in the process of achievement. Emotion married to objective is fuel for accomplishment.

Develop a sense of purpose, a reason why and combine that purpose with your desire and your emotionally stimulated intention, put this desire, intention and purpose in writing and since we're talking about Weight Loss, this could be that desire. With laser-focused accuracy, picture a &clear-vision' of how you see yourself in &fighting' condition, we call this "visualizing" and remain focused using all of these components and guess what... It will happen... Yes, time patience, persistence, effort and action are required, but you will reap what you sow, it is an unfailing fact.

Positive reinforcement, now this is the next phase... Any suggestion that you plant into your subconscious mind is used, if it's negative.... Negative results, if it's positive... Positive results! If you know what to do, but you can't seem to get yourself to do it, you've probably been giving negative or conflicting messages to your subconscious mind. The behaviors that are produced by subconscious conditioning are more commonly referred to as habits. Fortunately, you can re-program your subconscious mind with positive instructions and become a creature of positive habit, just as easily as you can become a victim of negative habits. It all begins with a conscious decision and written objectives.

Attention to intention

The mind... It's a terrible thing...to waste that is! I am always stunned at the similarities that we all share and on the flip-side, stunned at how different we are. So simple, yet so complex...and when it comes to the exercising of our mental capacities, well this is where some have signs of mastery and others, as if a sleeping giant lies dormant! I have worked with thousands of people through the years and what is remarkable is in all the training and nutrition programs I've designed for such unique purposes, almost all of them fall into similar distinctive mind-sets, either they possess the desire and intent to accomplish something great; or they feel that they are losing something that they want badly enough to keep! The sine qua non or upshot is, if you want to get in amazing shape, all you really have to do is make up your mind and "intend" to accomplish your objective. You build that body of your desire by setting goals and focusing your attention on them.

Setting into motion this attentive intent is the positive action required to impel you on-ward and up-ward. Exercise and eating right are only two components in the matrix of this program and in all honesty, if you don't properly tune that focus &in', the best of programs or intentions will not eliminate the natural tendency to &bail-out' before success has arrived. Self defeat is the &killer-of-giants', where success is concerned. The whole concept of setting goals and having objectives to aspire to works because it activates the mechanism of the all-powerful subconscious mind, which in-turn activates the application of intention, which as you might of guessed... produces results.

Success

The theme here is to take control of your own mind; success will be found when you become proactive about your &destination' and take the proper steps required to &arrive'. It is truly about the tremendous power of self-control and self-reliance. These are inner resources, which you already possess, which you have always possessed. You may not have realized that you have these abilities, but they are there, as latent as they may be...they are there! You may not have used them or you may have underemployed them, it's not uncommon. Change can happen, but first you must decide that change is what you indeed want and move with reckless abandon toward that change. With all the necessary tools and the proper mindset in place and in proper form you can achieve anything and I mean anything! So, get ready to succeed and to live a life of true conviction and purpose. The Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle wrote, "Have a purpose in life, and throw yourself into your work with all the strength of mind and muscle as God has given." Beautiful! And until next time, Good luck and may God be with you...

-Kurt Lee Hurley

Kurt Lee Hurley, President and Founder Partner of Synergy Fitness Systems, Synergy Global Health Solutions and Creator of Integrated Variable Dynamics� is a Nationally Recognized Fitness Expert, Celebrity Trainer, Multi-Certified Fitness Professional, Nutrition Counselor and Personal Empowerment Coach. With over 30 years of experience in exercise application and 20 years of education, Kurt's passion for his work and his clients have made him one of the most in-demand trainers in Los Angeles. Kurt is a leader in the health and fitness industry, a beacon of truth and clarity with his innovative training philosophies and inspirational influence. He has been one of Hollywood's most sought after fitness experts and certified training professionals. As a vibrant, media savvy fitness personality, Kurt speaks of and demonstrates his non-traditional approach; a combination of health and fitness knowledge, personal empowerment, plethoric nutritional brain trust, motivational psychology, exceedingly broad physical talent and the mind/body/spirit connection, keep his clients coming in droves.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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2005-10-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

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I hear a lot of people commenting that they wish they hadn't indulged so much on their holiday or that they need a vacation after their vacation.

It's essential to your self-care and wellness that you DO take holidays, have a break from your regular routine and recharge your batteries. But this kind of unstructured time - whether it's one Sunday or a three-week holiday - presents unique challenges to your self-care.

Here are some clues that you might be taking a holiday from your self-care when you have time off.

1. Clutter and mess are starting to take over, but you tell yourself you're on holiday so you shouldn't have to clean up or worry about it. You don't know what day it is and things are piling up, undone.

2. You're worried about the work that's waiting for you when you return.

3. Getting where you're going on time - either around the corner or around the world - is stressing you out.

4. Your body is showing the effects of extra indulgence or lack of sleep - fatigue, weight gain, indigestion and back and neck pain.

5. You have no energy and/or you're feeling lazy.

6. You're arguing more with your loved ones and you're easily irritated by things they say and do.

Adding in some structure to otherwise unstructured time can keep you feeling good about yourself and your choices all through your holidays, and can keep you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated long after you return to your regular routine.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep your sleep on track. When we don't "have" to get up in the morning to rush off to work or our other responsibilities, it's tempting to oversleep or to fall into the pattern of staying up late and rising late. While it's certainly a great idea to "catch up" on sleep during your time off, experts agree that having a regular bedtime and waking time keeps us at our best. So if you've been exploring the night life during your time off, give yourself at least a few days at the end of your holiday to get back to your regular bedtime and waking routine. This way your body won't get a shock when it's time to go back to work.

2. Keep your meal times regular and your meals healthy.

Business Plan

It's tempting to let go of any planning or structure during time off, and this includes meals. Grabbing whatever's there, whenever you think of it, can lead to poor food choices that don't give you the nutrition you need to keep you going strong for all the fun you've planned.

3. Have at least one activity planned every day. The key word here is "planned" - plans can, and should, be changed - this is YOUR free time, after all! Having something planned helps to keep you moving around and active and keeps you from slipping into lethargy.

4. Take some time alone. After all, as much as you love your family, you're not used to spending 24 hours a day with them. Spending some time apart, nourishing your own self-care, will help you to appreciate each other more when you're together.

5. A change is as good as a rest. This well-worn expression has lots of truth to it. Having time off doesn't necessarily mean a complete absence of activity. Instead, it can be a rich schedule of activities that are things you don't usually get to do. This could include self-care rituals such as an aromatherapy treatment, time in the garden, experimenting with a new, colourful vegetable in the kitchen or visiting a friend.

And above all, adjust your expectations - of yourself, of your loved ones and of your holiday plans. As this article has discussed, sometimes a holiday is NOT the rejuvenating panacea you might have hoped for.

While I hope these tips will help you to improve your experience during your time off, try to let go of the pressure to pack in as much fun and/or relaxation as you can.

Instead, enjoy each moment as it comes and focus on the next healthy choice you can make.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook".

Intelligentedu.com: Computer Training, Education, and Tutorial Resources

For free and low-cost self-care resources, visit http://www.genuinecoaching.com/resources.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Remember back when the ability to create a slide show presentation using PowerPoint was cutting-edge technology? PowerPoint presentations changed the way that companies and seminars did business. It was easy to take along your presentation material; just grab your laptop and go. Sound and visual effects, fancy screen designs, bulleted features - presentations had it all.

Powerpoint presentations for managers.

Everybody had a PowerPoint presentation. Those who didn't use this type of presentation material really felt the pressure to conform. Plus it wasn't difficult to see how bored their audiences were becoming with nothing visual to hold their attention.

When the technology bubble burst a few years back, and the after-effects of 911 dealt a serious blow to the economy, business travel budgets became practically non-existent. At the same time, globalization was becoming the new buzzword. To stay in business and be better able to conduct business globally, more and more companies developed websites. Other advances in technology helped reign in and at the same time expand the global marketplace.

Today, slide show presentations still are valuable sales and marketing tools used by all types of large, small and even home-based businesses. They're also a favorite of anyone giving a seminar.

In an effort to keep up with today's fast pace of business and its global nature, many marketing departments are realizing the benefits of emailing their slide show presentations. That's right. Presentations that used to be viewed primarily in a room full of marginally-interested decision makers can now be directly posted on a website or delivered via email instantaneously to the right person. Viewing PowerPoint presentations sent via email is as easy as reading your email. But it's even better because you get sound and animation, too.

Using a powerful conversion program called PowerConverter, you can quickly convert your PowerPoint 2000, XP or 2003 slides to browser-friendly Flash. Simply install this software, push a button and save the presentation as a .SWF or a .EXE file.

Select .SWF file formats for fast streaming viewing on a web site. Save as a .EXE and the conversion will include the Flash viewer as well as the presentation. That way, those receiving the file won't need any additional software to view it. This format is great for distributing smaller, self-running CD-ROMs.

No longer do you have to wait forever to get your marketing materials into the hands of the right person. No longer do you have to worry that your marketing materials will be out of date before those you are sending it to even have a chance to look at it. Files can be instantly updated, saving businesses time and money - the two most important things that a business needs to stay competitive.

Plus, there's no need to worry that the picture clarity will diminish after the conversion process, even as the slide show presentation is compressed by as much as 97%! You do have an option to improve the picture quality should you need it. Just note that this will increase the size of your file.

PowerConverter is available in three different versions, each optimized for a different version of PowerPoint. There's the lite version optimized for PowerPoint 97.

Sermon World.com - Sermons, Subscriptions, Series, PowerPoint

PowerConverter 2000 is optimized for PowerPoint 2000 and the XP version of PowerConverter is optimized for PowerPoint 2002, XP and 2003.

Remember, for your business to survive, you've got to always stay one step ahead of your competition. The folks over at PresentationPro understand this. They had the foresight to develop a product that could take PowerPoint 2000 presentation materials to the next level. If you're not already taking advantage of this impressive slide show conversion technology, don't wait any longer.

Copyright © 2004 Cavyl Stewart. Get the most out of the software you use everyday. Check out the add-in software directory for more information on PowerConverter and other great time saving PowerPoint add-in tools. Visit: http://www.find-small-business-software.com/powerpoint-addins.html - Also, be sure to check out my Exclusive, 100% free, 100% original content ecourses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Leadership Development for Success. A Coach's Handbook For Sales Managers.

2005-10-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

In today's highly competitive world, there is a lot of pressure on leaders to create highly productive organizations. To be successful with this task, leaders will need all of the talent, skills, techniques, and experience they can muster through leadership development. The pressure to succeed can create a real dilemma: whether to "manage" people or to "lead" people. At CMOE, we maintain that in order to achieve high levels of employee engagement and morale, people in authority must learn how to show others the way, be a "lighthouse," rather than to "railroad" people into compliance by telling, commanding, or controlling them. Respected leaders easily gain loyalty and mutual agreement with their followers (loyalty demanded is loyalty denied).

Leaders who earn the respect and commitment of their followers demonstrate qualities and characteristics that run deeper than leadership skills, techniques, and knowledge alone. Effective leaders lead by example and exhibit their true character consistently. This in turn causes people to voluntarily support an organization's mission and purpose. They know that leadership is a privilege.

Building Your Wealth Consistently in Minutes a Day

It means you have to consistently do the right thing for the right reasons. Good leadership is an inner choice. It is character based. Good leaders will give your organization a competitive edge; bogus leadership, on the other hand, will cost you in critical times when you need the support of followers the most.

There are basically three kinds of leaders in organizations today: unsuccessful ones, those who are occasionally successful, and those who consistently maintain the commitment of followers on a long term basis. The third type requires an understanding of the finer qualities of leadership, character, and values. Character based leadership cannot be achieved by arrogant or power-hungry managers who choose to intimidate others. Sometimes those in authority feel driven to be overly aggressive, take short cuts, and do what is expedient versus doing what is right. Others will make a "Wall Street driven" decision that is not focused on the long term well being of stockholders, customers, or employees.

In CMOE's leadership training, we acquaint participants with (or reaffirm) the fundamental qualities and characteristics leaders need to possess.

Management leadership training course online for managers, supervisors and team leaders - Supervisor...

For example, in our leadership development training, we examine the quality of courage. Leaders will always be required to make the right decisions and manage dilemmas. They must also take risks and at times withstand the ridicule from others. Courage is the strength to choose and stand for the right course of action. Leaders will experience failure (the great teacher), and leaders must respond courageously to failure and take responsibility. Owning up to a failed action, learning from it, and adjusting your course is a courageous act. Giving someone bad news, confronting a sensitive conflict, and giving feedback to others takes skill, tact, and most definitely courage. Courage can only come from deep within one's being. In CMOE's leadership development, we help leaders improve or strengthen this characteristic.

It is this courage that distinguishes great leaders from those who have skills but don't convert their knowledge to proper actions and decisions. Courage, rather than power, position, or techniques, defines great leadership.

Leadership without character will eventually create "motivation fall out." Without genuine leadership, people will not set up and contribute their talents and energy. If they feel manipulated with "slick" techniques they will withdraw their support and loyalty. In our leadership development curriculum, we connect leaders with qualities like:

Inclusiveness / Collaboration
Integrity
Accountability
Accessibility & Humility
Credibility

This is a time when we need leaders and members alike who can move forward, think positively, and act creatively. Character based leadership provides the foundation for building skills and confidence.

For more information about CMOE's 30 years of experience in leadership development, call toll free at 1-888-262-2499.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

If you want guaranteed SALES GROWTH, don't miss this FREE program

This article may be reprinted in its entirety with express written permission from Nicki Weiss. The reprint must include the section "About the Author".

Quote of the month: "A leader is the relentless architect of the possibility that others can be." Benjamin Zander, Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic

Sales organizations have access to more or less the same resources. They can draw from the same pool of salespeople in their niche or geographic area, and they can all learn the same sales or management tools and techniques.

Yet some organizations perform at a high level and other stay at the bottom of the heap. What accounts for these gaps? I believe two words answer the question: effective leadership.

Too many sales managers are bosses, technicians or even bullies. They kill team spirit, arouse mediocrity and suck the energy out of companies. The results are poor morale, loss of talented people and low performance.

Effective leaders, by contrast, define themselves as coaches and teachers. Rather than constantly dealing with problems and telling people what to do, strong leaders empower and enable others to solve problems on their own, take risks, make decisions, tackle new challenges, and learn from their experiences. They don't just see their salespeople as who they are today, but who they could be in the future.

Here are the best practices of sales managers who lead through coaching and teaching:

CLARIFY GOALS Research shows that only about 20% of managers write down their goals. If you don't have any written goals, how do you know if you have accomplished what you set out to do? Telling team members, 'Okay everyone, go make the numbers' doesn't provide guidance and support.

A more effective goal for the sales manager/coach would be along the lines of: "By the end of March, I will have completed a developmental plan for each salesperson in our division. It will focus on how to help each salesperson meet their sales targets and increase their leadership skills. Each person will have three reasonable goals, and one superhuman goal. After collaboratively setting these goals, I'll ask each of them to complete a plan outlining how to reach these goals. I'll follow up with each person by having a monthly one-hour coaching conversation to help overcome any problems and track their progress. I will not cancel these coaching conversations - they are business meetings."

Strong leaders invest in coaching for themselves so that they stay on track and explore what else is possible.

MATCH INDIVIDUAL GOALS TO ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS Effective managers ensure that the plan each individual draws up reflects the needs of the organization, customers, and sales team with their own desires.

They work with each salesperson to clarify their goals, asking questions such as:

�½ Does your performance reflect the organization or team mission?

�½ What stretch goal would foster your performance and development? What is important about that to you? What do you love about it?

�½ What would be a meaningful role for you in the future? How would you need to develop to reach it?

�½ What's missing that would make a difference to you?

The Million Dollar Closer - How to Close Deals - Sales Coaching

Strong sales coaches give people a chance to develop what they are passionate about.

CONFRONT POOR PERFORMANCE Given the rapid pace typical in today's organizations, sales managers can get so bogged down with their own work that they miss the opportunity to correct a performance problem before it is too late.

It's also tempting for sales managers to ignore "borderline" cases, hoping they will quit or move to another department. However, procrastination rarely helps. Team members need to know what managers expect of them. They can't read minds.

Confronting performance problems is generally more humane than letting the individual and their co-workers suffer. An underperforming team member is often unhappy and likely mismatched to the job.

Many problems can be headed off through regularly scheduled coaching conversations. Adopting this strategy will encourage team members to bring up problems early, when they are easier to solve.

STAND BACK AND SEE CLEARLY Sales managers whose identity and income is too tightly wrapped up in the successes and struggles of their team may not be able to disassociate themselves enough to clearly see what each member needs to thrive. Those who act as coaches and teachers start by building agreement with their team members on roles and goals, then guide them to reach their full potential. Conversely, strong sales managers acknowledge when they are can not detach themselves enough from a salespeoples' performance, and help that salesperson find a more appropriate coach.

This process of serving the well-being of team members is called "stewardship". Leaders who use a stewardship approach regard their teams as separate from themselves and their identity. The opposite method of staying involved in every detail of your team's functioning might be termed "smothering." Managers who smother make it difficult for people to get their work done.

ASK AND LISTEN Many managers feel that the members of their team have misguided views, and they need to straighten out their thinking. This strong need to be right can sabotage any attempt at meaningful conversations.

There is an 180 degree difference between coercing people to accept your ideas, and collaboratively talking through issues to come up with the best solution. A strong leader deeply believes that other people are naturally creative, resourceful and wise, and their job is to help uncover the answers, not dictate them.

Mediocre sales managers do all the talking; those interested in acting as coaches and teachers ask probing questions and listen attentively to the answers.

CHEERLEAD It has been said that there are only two types of people who thrive on being recognized for their achievements: men and women. We have all experienced the incredible energy of getting recognition or appreciation from people whose opinions we respect.

A common complaint of people in low-performing organizations is that they don't get recognition and appreciation from their boss. They feel like a piece of furniture. It's a huge contributor to declining levels of morale and self-motivation.

Strong sales coaches understand the power of sincere recognition, genuine appreciation and celebration. These are what provide the atmosphere of encouragement that develops confidence and builds on strengths. Have fun with it!

About the Author

Nicki Weiss is an internationally recognized Certified Professional Sales Management Coach, Master Trainer, and workshop leader. Since 1992, Nicki has trained, certified, and/or coached more than 6,000 business executives, sales managers and salespeople.

Nicki guarantees increased sales performance when sales managers become better sales coaches. Sign up for her FREE monthly e-zine, Something for NothingTM, which has powerful tips and techniques for sales managers who are ready to make this transformation at http://www.saleswise.ca . You can email her at nicki@saleswise.ca or call 416-778-4145.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Finally...Affordable Prescription Medication without Insurance.. How to Experience Life as a Thrilling Adventure.

2005-10-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

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If you are like many Americans, you are without health insurance. And the ranks of the uninsured are growing. According to the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), the number of uninsured was a record breaking 45 million in 2003. The growing number of uninsured is in large part being driven by individuals abandoning the corporate life to pursue their dreams as entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Unfortunately, this trend comes at a time when more and more medications are available to help treat the serious (and the not so serious) illnesses that many of us face today. But as you probably already know, without health insurance coverage, the prescription medications that you need are oftentimes too far out of reach; they are simply too expensive!

To make matters worse, most prescription medications cost far more in the United States than they do in other industrialized nations. These cost differences in conjunction with the fact that so many Americans do not have prescription medication coverage have spurred a national dialogue and heated debate. Despite these discussions, the needed regulatory changes have not materialized.

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Thus, the uninsured are left feeling that no affordable prescription coverage options exist.

Don't Give Up Hope: There Are Options!

Fortunately, however, you are not without options. In fact, it is likely that you can afford the medications that you need. How, you ask, is this possible? Well, read on!

There are two primary ways you can afford or save money on your prescription medication. They include participating in one of the many (National, State, and Pharmaceutical) assistance programs and/or purchasing your medication from pharmacies located outside of the U.S.

Assistance Programs: Save From 25% to 100%!

Most persons are

United States bank account for non US citizens

not aware that there are hundreds of programs available that provide either discounted or even free prescription medications to eligible US citizens. In fact, there are over thirty different national programs, virtually every state in the U.S. offers some sort of prescription medication assistance, and there are more than 250 different assistance programs offered by the many domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies.

As you can probably guess, navigating the many programs to find the one that best fits your needs can be difficult. Each program has different eligibility requirements, application requirements, etc. However, the work required to take advantage of the program that best fits your needs will likely pay off. If you are eligible for assistance through one these programs, you can expect to save from 25% to 100% on the cost of your prescription medication. Savings like that are hard to ignore. And luckily, there are powerful tools available to help you find the program that is best for you.

Purchasing Your Medication from Pharmacies outside the US

Assuming that you don't qualify for an assistance program, there is always the option of purchasing your medication from pharmacies located outside the US. While there are many pharmacies in many different countries that are willing to sell to US consumers, the best option is Canada. Why? The answer is twofold. First, buying from Canada is safer. The Canadian equivalent of the FDA, Health Canada, is stricter than the FDA (and other countries' regulatory agencies) in its approval of new drugs. Second, Canadian pharmacies, on average, can sell medications for far less than pharmacies in the U.S. and other countries. They can do so for the following reasons:

The Federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) regulates medications that are under patent. The PMRB dictates the maximum prices that can be charged in Canada for patented drugs.
Health insurers, such as the provincial drug benefit plans, negotiate with the major pharmaceuticals to secure more favorable pricing on the medications that they cover.
On average your $1 will buy you approximately $1.40 to $1.60 in medication from Canada.
Health Canada is much quicker to approve generic versions of patented medication. The result is generic medications, which always cost less than patented medications, are available sooner in Canada.

Although there are many Canadian pharmacies, there are only a select few that you will want to buy from. Just like in the US, there are plenty of people willing to rip you off. And where your health is concerned, you do not want to take a chance. As a result, navigating the Canadian pharmacy option can be confusing and difficult. Luckily, as with the assistance programs, there are powerful tools available to help you find the pharmacy that is best for you.

It's Simple to Start Saving

Just because you don't have health insurance doesn't mean that you can't afford the medication that you need. The many assistance programs available to US citizens combined with the viable option of buying your prescription medication from Canada present the uninsured with the ability to purchase the medication that they need. Visit Rx Savings Guide to learn more about the tools available to help you afford your prescription medication.

The author, Garin Clark, is a co-founder of O2M Marketing. O2M is committed to delivering solutions to the marketplace that improve the lives of entrepreneurs while attempting to address some of the major social issues affecting us all.

Website: http://www.rxdiscountguide.info Email: info@rxdiscountguide.info Phone (Toll Free): 866-284-3801

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

"

Amazing Magic Tricks you can do - Card tricks, coin tricks, rope tricks nad magic tricks of all kind...
Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life - facing new challenges, seizing new options, testing our resources against the unknown, and in the process, discovering our own unique potential." - John Amatt

There is an old story about a mountain climber who had trained many years to reach the highest peak in the western hemisphere, the Aconcagua located in the Andes Mountains of western Argentina.

He wanted all the glory for himself, so he climbed alone. Eager to reach the top, he did not prepare to camp for the night. Even though it was growing very late, he decided to keep climbing.

Soon the night grew cold, and heavy darkness fell around him at a very high altitude. There was no moon, and clouds covered the stars. The blackness around him was thick, and he lost all visibility.

As he was climbing a ridge only 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell! Falling rapidly, he only saw blotches of darkness passing by him. He fell further and further into the darkness below.

Memories of his life raced through his mind in those moments of anguish. He thought that he would certainly die. Suddenly, he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half!

He had taken the precaution to stake himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those still moments suspended in the air, he shouted out, "Help me God! Help me!"

All of a sudden, he heard a deep voice from heaven. It asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Save Me!"

"Do you really think that I can save you?"

"Of course you can save me. You are God!"

"Then I want you to cut the rope that is holding you up."

There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just held tighter to the rope. The next day, the rescue team said that they found a frozen mountain climber clinging tightly to a rope and hanging... two feet off the ground.

Seek Out New Experiences

The word adventure can evoke thoughts of excitement, discovery, and challenge. Those who value adventure love to seek new experiences. They celebrate life by welcoming its terrain, both rugged and smooth. They take responsibility for their journey with all of its highs and lows.

They thrive on unexpected slips and slides, valleys and mountains. They fall sometimes, and their faith allows them to learn from the experience. They climb back up, and create new trails.

Recognize Your Tremendous Potential

As John Amatt suggested, adventure is a way we can choose to view life. It can also transform the way we experience life. It is one way to learn the lessons we came here to learn.

Adventure is not simply traveling and sightseeing. It is "seeing" from a transformed perspective. There we can discover our purpose, and accept ourselves as worthwhile people who have both needs and tremendous potential.

Allow Experiences to be Transformative

A person peers through the misty rainbow decorating a thundering waterfall hundreds of feet above an endless glacier valley. Her heart begins to race. Her experience has touched her beyond the physical senses. All of life's peaks and valleys can be transformative if we allow them to touch us deeply.

Sometimes we will feel as though we are "hanging on a rope," unable to see our way - unable to move. Then we must remember to act with faith. Life will always be a series of peaks and valleys. We can discover strength in climbing, and resiliency if we must "cut the rope" and begin again. Life on earth is an adventure with one chance to live it. That chance exists in this very moment. Seize it completely!

© Copyright 2004 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Save Money When Going Out. Bonjoie! 7 Lessons I Learned in Paris.

2005-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Money Saving Tips and Ideas to Help You Save Money Everyday - MoneySavingWays.com

It seems as though whenever we go out for the night, it costs much more than we originally intended to spend. Having a 'night on the town' shouldn't cost you a whole weeks salary.

Keep in mind that the amount you spend is directly related to the place you go and what you purchase. If you are attending an opera with private balcony seats, followed by an elegant candle-lit dinner . . . . plan on spending more than forty dollars.

However, many activities can be a lot of fun and not cost much money at the same time. Sure, it's nice to go out in style once and awhile, but realistically, how often can our pocketbooks afford it?

Use the following tips to help cut some of the costs when going out. These tips can also be helpful if you have children, and are looking for some lower priced outings.

How And Where To Save Money
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can often find local organizations and establishments offering a variety of "weekly" specials that will save you money. By lowering prices and offering special discounts, these businesses attract customers during their "down" time, or slow days.

For instance, many Los Angeles area bars and restaurants offer free midweek buffets, $1 drink specials, and even half price appetizers. And many times, these specials last all night long! Those that don't, have "Happy Hours" usually from 4-8pm offering food and drink specials ranging anywhere from $1-$5.

Granted these places won't have the typical Friday night crowds, nevertheless they WILL provide you and your date more quality time together and save you money at the same time.

There is no need to feel cheap, or tight, just because you are interested in saving some of YOUR money. Is there a law commanding that you spend $200 every time you go out?

Check For Local Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another idea is to check with your City Hall or local Parks and Recreation center to see what's coming up. Often cities/counties sponsor a number of dance, theater, musical and visual arts events that are either FREE, or cost a few dollars for admission.

Local colleges also offer quite a number of events that cost very little to attend. Sporting events, musicals, drama and performing arts, are just a few that you will find. Contact your local colleges and see if you can be placed on a mailing list to be notified of upcoming events.

Don't forget to check the papers and the ever popular website Ebay.com!

Many times you will find ticket deals on all types of events just from browsing the classifieds/Internet. You can often find ads placed by season ticket holders, selling because they are unable to attend. This is a great opportunity to score on a deal. You may also find lower priced tickets on games that are during the week or on games that are a bit "unpopular".

Save When Dining Out
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are looking to save money when dining out, consider eating something at home before you go out, to lessen your hunger. You can then order a smaller meal or an appetizer when out. Also, avoid desserts and alcoholic beverages at restaurants since their markups are very high. This will really reduce the overall cost for dinner.

Here's an idea for a somewhat of a romantic evening. Prepare a nice candle-lit dinner at home (pasta is very inexpensive) along with soothing music and afterwards, go out somewhere nice for dessert or a nice walk around a lake or by the beach.

It Does Not Stop Here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are just a few ideas and tips that can help you save money when going out, but don't stop here! There are literally hundreds of activities, places, and events to see and do that cost very little. All it takes is a little research, creativity, and a willingness to try something new.

How about camping at the beach, desert, or mountains? Not only is camping inexpensive, but tons of fun. The whole family will enjoy this weekend getaway. You can also try visiting parks and lakes in your neighboring cities and towns. Doesn't a relaxing picnic and a nice walk through scenic trails and vistas sound wonderful?

Just remember, it shouldn't matter where you go with your 'special' someone. If you really enjoy each others company, then you will have fun literally anywhere you go. You can even make it a contest between the two of you to see who can come up with the best lowest priced date. Take turns and compare the price and results afterwards. Contests are always fun especially when the two of you get to decide on what the winner gets ;-)

Gregory Thomas has been writing effective money-saving tips for SavingSecrets.com for over six years. Hop on over

Sell ebooks online with full resale rights-ebook package downloads

and you'll find FREE money-saving articles, a monthly newsletter, and even a FREE Ebook download just for stopping by! http://www.SavingSecrets.com

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Sign Language for Babies and Beyond

"April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables under the trees." -E. Y. Harburg

After reveling in a mountaintop experience, it often takes one a couple of days to not only regain altitude and perspective; it takes a little while to fully grasp what-exactly-just happened.

Such was our trip to France.

Escorting thirty-six young musicians to Paris for a three-concert tour proved to be an amazing experience which I cannot fully communicate in this Newsletter. My words will fall short; our pictures will miss most of it; and stories re-told with enthusiasm to eagerly awaiting family members will only reveal a glimpse of the experience. What happens when vision meets strategy, passion meets energy, and divine inspiration meets faith cannot be comprehended by those missing the mountaintop. But because it is now part of who I am, I feel moved to attempt to share it with you.

Paris was, for me anyway, the fruit of nearly fourteen years of musical training in my kids. And it found my heart bursting with joy as I celebrated it. After listening to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" played mostly with less-than-perfect intonation upwards of ten thousand times; of the foot-stomping, the eyeball-rolling, and the &I hate the violin' when my children were too irritable

Orchestra Auditions: How to Prepare

to practice; of the 90-minute roundtrip weekly drives to Westport for lessons: watching not only my own Ben and Cristina, but the orchestra kids aged twelve to eighteen, perform Beethoven's "Fifth" and Barber's "Adagio for Strings" in a medieval cathedral in the center of Paris left me ebullient. Tears stained my cheeks as the music moved and carried my soul to a height previously unimagined. Friendships forged with the most unsuspecting partners, as commonalities were uncovered and shared. Barriers erected by political divisions, theological differences, and ideological disparities collapsed under the international love language of music.

It was an extraordinary experience, and I learned a few lessons along the way:

1) We stand on tall shoulders of the spiritual giants who lived before us. When one visits a city with cathedrals still standing after the frenzy of the Crusades and the numerous battles fought there, one realizes the magnitude of the spiritual convictions of those who came before us. Studying the Chartres Cathedral-and walking the halls of La Trinite and the Magdalena Cathedrals where our children performed-allowed me not only the luxury of admiring stained glass windows depicting prominent Biblical themes; it allowed me to ruminate on the vision, inspiration and dedication with which they were crafted. In earlier times in Paris, religion was not a part of life. It was life.

2) Art, music and literature are necessary components for creating a life worth living. As are good shoes, good mattresses, and good books necessary elements of every childhood; good art, good music, and good literature provide needed nourishment for the soul. Wandering through the rooms of the Louvre-and my favorite museum in Paris, the Musee D'Orsay-gave me even greater appreciation for the importance of fabulous art. They don't call these guys masters for nothing. I am convinced that the world would be both safer and happier if everyone learned to paint, played a musical instrument or sang in a choir, and read classical literature on a daily basis. Music remains the universal language of the heart; anyone who does not understand this had better start listening to Mozart.

3) Celebrate serendipity. Already a lesson explored in both my book as well as in earlier Newsletters, it is worth repeating here, as I witnessed, embraced and practiced what I preach. Most of you may know by now that I have an inordinate amount of passion for the color lime-green (or illness, depending on your perspective). It was pure serendipity that, while walking down a Parisian street in search of French ceramics and candles, we stumbled upon a lime-green sofa setting against a bricked store wall. I started laughing hysterically. Where but in Paris would I find a lime-green sofa in the middle of the street? I promptly sat down in it, reveled in the experience, and allowed it to be captured in film. It was serendipity that, while walking around a tony shopping district, I was grabbed from behind, only to find a Parisian lady who spoke no English attempt to communicate to me that her surname was "La Coq" and could I please tell her where she could buy the Vera Bradley backpack I wore which sported roosters and eggs? I happily told her-in English-that it was no longer available but sign-languaged her to get out a paper and pen so I could write down the internet site where she might have some luck. The serendipity of that encounter still makes me smile. Perhaps it was serendipity that our tour guide was darn near perfect; that our flights were uneventful; that our hotel was perfectly situated; and that the Parisian orchestra, which played in a joint concert with us, was well-prepared and delightful. Serendipity or angels watching over us: we celebrated each and every tiny victory.

4) Food plays a huge role in the celebration of life. To be French means to have a passion for all things related to food. They unapologetically indulge in the culinary arts and enjoy all of its inherent stress-relieving side benefits on a thrice-daily basis. They endorse a &live to eat' rather than an &eat to live' M.O. And it shows. "Take-out coffee" is an oxymoron. It simply does not exist in France. Coffee is meant to be drunk sitting down, preferably with a friend or two, along with a baguette or a sugar-or-chocolate-filled crepe as well. While French women may not get fat, American women visiting France just might. I embraced the French dining philosophy for eight days and came back with more "wiggle in my waddle," if you know what I mean. Que sara sara (or is that Spanish?)

5) Charm and charisma still work. They are not overrated. From the hotel staff to Parisian waiters to the clerk at the Ralph Lauren store: all met our needs with grace and charm. When an unsuspecting yet magnificent floral arrangement brought a constant tickle to my throat, the "Polo clerk" ordered up a glass of water for me. It was delivered on a cloth napkin atop a silver tray. (When was the last time that happened to you stateside?) When our orchestra met up with the community orchestra for a joint concert, we were-every one of us-enthralled by its Parisian conductor, Sylvan. Young and vibrant, he exuded charm with his humility and gracious behavior toward us; the hot pink tie against his otherwise all-black "uniform" proved once again, the magic of charisma.

6) "Bonjour" means something. The French refuse to start a conversation without it. Once, when I barged into my explanation of needing several Eiffel Tower charms for bracelets without the mandatory "Bonjour" opening, the store clerk stopped me mid-sentence, interrupting my banter with "Bonjour, Madame, how can I help you?" How wonderful to be reminded at every turn that today is, indeed, a good day!

7) "Bonjoie" means even more. Late on the second night of our trip, bubbling with energy and excitement after traveling to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I accidentally said "Bonjoie" (jwahr) rather than "Bonsoir" (swahr). Sarah, the perfectly-fluent chaperone to which I directed this mis-step, proclaimed: "Happy joy of life to you, too!" Giggling my way up the escalator to my hotel room, I didn't quite realize the extent of my error. But the next morning on the bus, everyone greeted me with "Bonjoie." And so it stuck. It became our password for life in April in Paris. I can think of none better.

Our children shone like sugar-coated gumdrops sprinkled around the streets of Paris, dotting major landmarks and sweetening each and every meal. I was thrilled and honored to have been part of an event of such historic significance for our young and tiny youth orchestra. They were goodwill ambassadors for our symphony, our town, and our country. Never have I been more proud as a music lover, a parent, and as an American. Perhaps my experience sheds some insight on how you, too, can celebrate life.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; homeschooling for ten years provided fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is available on Amazon.com, in bookstores everywhere, or by calling 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via parenting classes and radio and TV interviews. Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com to subscribe to her free ezine and get a weekly shot of inspiration.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Investing and Understanding What You Buy. Bonsai Marketing.

2005-10-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

Understanding your psychic ability and esp, I will show you how to use your your sixth sense.

"There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action!" Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

I don't really know how cars actually work. Not really! I know how to drive them, but if you asked me how they work, I would not really know how to definitely explain it.

That small technical limitation on my part doesn't stop me from knowing whether XYZ Autos is a quality company or not. I don't understand the cars they make, but I do understand XYZ Autos. Moreover, that understanding is critical to making a decision about the value of their stock.

There are many good and objective ways to value stocks and improve your finances. These involve looking at various financial ratios. However, one of my simplest rules for investing is that you always must understand what you are buying!

This is by no means original with me. It is a basic part of fundamental analysis!

How deeply you must research in order to understand a company before you invest in it is a rather personal decision!

Some investors feel fine with just a general understanding, while others want to know everything there is to know about the company. I think that somewhere in between is perfect.

But you must know what makes a company different from others and whether that difference adds any real value or not.

Sometimes being different is not good ...

Buy what you understand for a reasonable price and you will be well on your way towards successful investing!

haramis@greekshares.com

http://www.greekshares.com

Ioannis - Evangelos (Akis) C. Haramis was born in Athens, Greece in 1951. Studied Business Administration, Marketing and Economics in Athens, Greece, in Chicago, ILL and in Boulder, CO (USA), as well as in Leuven, Belgium. He has been active in the stock markets since 1972 as an investor, stockbroker and consultant to individual investors and various funds. He is New Business Development Managing Director at a leading Investment Bank and publisher of http://www.greekshares.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Site location analysis of regional service areas and planning for mobile businesses is just as important as choosing a fixed site for any business. The region must be scouted out whether you are simply adding another service unit or deciding to open an entire new marketing area.

Your Ideal Career in Scouting

Now, assuming that you have decided to go for it and open a new territory, you must send in a scout. You must take the high tech data and then move your marketing ability in the right direction. Much like any well thought out military advancement, you need to find out what we will be dealing with, so you gather even more intelligence. Here are some of the information you must need to know. Lets assume you are in a automotive mobile maintenance business for this discussion, each type of business might have different parameters, but this will help you in your development of your own plan. First you must know where your customers are, you need to scout and locate;

Retail Areas

Office Parks

Large Industrial Areas

Major Employers

Upper Middle Class Areas

Retail centers provide a good source of income. Typically, such centers contain:

Insurance Offices

Bakeries

How To Start A Hair Salon -

Hair Salons

Travel Agencies

Deli's

These are among some of the good clients for a mobile automotive business. Another major benefit of working in retail centers is that you will get lots of walk-up customers and hand out lots of business cards. You couldn't ask for better exposure, nor could a small business buy any better advertising.

Multi tenant office parks and complexes are also great because of the high density of business consumers. Most people who work are too busy to do things themselves. Since they are gainfully employed, you know they have the money. Once you do the service on their cars, others will see you out of their office windows. Next thing you know, you are flush with new customers and potentially every car in the parking lot. It is also very easy to take orders when walking door to door, since each door is only a few yards apart. (High density = High profit when it comes to office complexes.)

Major employers are also great because one company will have 100-2500 employees. One company might represent one day's work per week. These companies also have company pool cars. Large companies usually have company vehicles as well. The competition, the fixed auto businesses, also do their home work when doing site analysis and map out their greatest clientele. They too are interested in return on investment and they have a lot to lose if they are wrong. They usually hire professional car wash consultants who look at the following criteria:

Demographics

Correct Zoning

Lot Size

Visibility

Traffic Count

Traffic Speed

Ingress And Egress

Adjacent Surroundings

Existing Site Plans

Space For Repair or service work

Competition (Three Mile Radius)

Car Values In The Area

In their demographic studies they look for:

Population Of Area

Home Owners Versus Renters

Age Of Population

Number Of Vehicles

Average Driving Time

They constantly worry about what competition was there first and how strong the competition's customer base is. They look at the competition's image. Is it a well kept facility, clean plant, well running equipment, good management and a modern building?

They try to make their business convenient. But the fixed auto businesses can never be as convenient as mobile because they can't move it around. Therefore, they rely on location, location, location. Obviously, they can't compete with a mobile business; After all, we have every location any time we want it. Needless to say, areas around car washes are usually great areas in which to wash cars and it is so much fun to take their market share. It's easy too. No Prisoners.

Industrial areas are very important as well. There you will find distribution companies, small trucking companies and the bulk of your fleet accounts. The easiest way to find an industrial area is to follow a freeway or railroad track. Industrial areas are where you will find cement trucks, tractors and various loading equipment.

Many cities will have other bonuses such as:

Airports

Bus Terminals

Harbors

Train Depots

Military Bases

College Campuses

Large Government Buildings

These areas will require special sales letters and are also high profit centers. You would be well advised to consider these areas target markets as well. When scouting an area, it is important to gather lots of information and receive help from as many places as possible. Just because you run a mobile business instead of a fixed site business is no reason not to do your homework and scout out the areas.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Real Estate Investing with Bad Credit!. Forget All About That Calorie Counting Crap And Learn How To Lose Some Weight!.

2005-10-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

By being creative, you can play the game of real estate investing by using what is called Option's investing.

This is just

Real Estate Options- Make BIG Money in Real Estate without Cash, Credit or Partners.

one technique of the Option's strategy of investing but can be a power tool in your investors toolbox to help you control more real estate and build wealth.

An option is an agreement to you from the seller that gives you the exclusive right to buy a property during a specified time and at a predetermined price but does not obligate you to make the purchase - This is why it's called the Option agreement.

You option to buy - You option not to buy.

Option investing works when you want to control more real estate with limited out of pocket cash or credit and works if you:

Have no credit!
Can't pay cash!
Can't get a loan!

I call this the "SWEAT OPTION".

The sweat option works well if you have the ability to do the repairs yourself.

Your key's in making a deal like this are:

You need to know the basics of real estate investing
You need the forms to make this happen
You need to know the market area
You need to know the laws in your state
You need to know how to determine the value of the subject property
You need to know how to do a title search

Most importantly

Philippines Dreams - Everything You Need to Know about the Philippines

you need to know how to find sellers that are motivated enough to work with you on this strategy of investing.

I recommend that you farm out your market area looking for properties that are what we call in the industry FSBO's (For Sale by Owner).

Go to your local library and start your research by looking at old newspapers starting with newspapers that are 90 days old and work your way through the FSBO's section making a list of possible deals. Working on a list of 30 or so.

Call and see if the property is still on the market, if so make an appointment to see the property! You will find that none owner occupied properties work the best and you are looking for properties that can not compete well with other homes do to repairs that need to be done.

Let's say the seller has a property that is worth $100,000 after the repairs.

I like using a 5% rule for repairs - If the value of the property is $100,000 after repairs, I do not want to spend more than $5,000 or 5% in repairs.

I would negotiate say an option purchase price of $80,000 for a period of 6 months or more and in the option agreement to perform the repairs at my cost to be my consideration for the option of purchase or should I say the $5,000 in repairs, materials cost and labor to be considered as credit towards the purchase of the property (My down payment) and what ever monthly payment we agree to and credit amount of that monthly payment. So let's say we agree to pay $600 a month with $100 a month credit towards the purchase.

You start you're repairs and complete them in 30 days or less and let's say you purchased $1,500 in materials.

Now you place the property on the market because you have the option to purchase "You have taken control of the property with your option".

Let's say this deal has taken you 90 days from the beginning to the end.

You find your buyer let's say at a great deal of $95,000 - $5,000 below market value at this point you would simply exercise your right to the purchase option and do a simultaneous close.

Now let's run the numbers

Your option purchase was $80,000
Your option credit of $5,300 (Repairs, materials cost, labor & monthly credit)
Your purchase price after credits $74,700
Your buyer purchase price of $95,000

Leaving you a gross profit of $20,300

You had out of pocket material cost of $1,500
You had 3 payments of $600 each with $100 for the credit purchase with an out of pocket of $1,500

Carrying cost of $600, (Real estate taxes $300 &$300 Utilities)
Advertising cost $300
Closing cost $1,300

Your net profit $15,100

You simply took control of a $100,000 property for $3,900 (payments, materials, utilities, and advertising) and turned a profit of $15,100 in 90 days!

Look at it this way you can make it a cash purchase at $80,000 and take control of one property or be a little creative and take control of the same property for less than $4,000. Both conservative and creative deals work in the world of real estate investing.

Good luck and I hope this will help some of you!

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to John@jmichaelrei.com

"Join me in the Bahamas or Marietta Georgia" John Michael - Investor/REI Teacher

Join me on a Bahamas Cruise: http://www.realesmartplanner.com

Join me in Marietta Georgia: http://jmichaelrei.com/html/rei_seminars.html

My site: http://www.jmichaelrei.com/

Email: John@jmichaelrei.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Forget All About

Facts to achieve natural weight loss, attain fitness, and live a healthier life through proper nutri...

That Calorie Counting Crap And Learn How To Lose Some Weight!

That's a pretty "in your face" statement, but really it's frustrating for me to see and hear all the different admonitions coming at me from sources I am not absolutely convinced have this whole thing nailed down tight.

For example, when I'm in the dressing room at the pool, I'll hear discussed all kinds of complicated systems involving a myriad of vitamins and health foods. Well, I guess some do have merit but, from what I hear, you'd need to be walking around with

Calm Your Fussy Baby, A how to book for mothers and fathers to INSTANTLY calm their fussy baby.

a calculator and a calorie counter; it's just so time consuming and so fussy, who can sustain that kind of diligence in checking everything they eat? And then I get to the checkout at the supermarket and just about every magazine front page shouts out the answer to all your diet problems. Somebody very good is taking those Oprah cover shots and picking the clothes "oh so carefully"!!

Anyway, that's my rant over; so what do I have to offer that's so much better? Well you can "chuck" the calorie counter and forget the calculator and get back to just applying some common sense. Now let's be honest here, do you really think you are going to benefit from eating French fries, potato chips, nachos, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, cheese burgers, etc.? (and what does "etc." mean, well just about any of the processed foods that are fried in their production).

In fact if we avoided pretty much ALL the processed foods, you wouldn't be far off a very good start to an effective diet plan that would yield lasting results.

But, and here's the bad news, you have to put in some exercise. It can be any activity that gets your body moving and your system turning over, but you have to do something more than just watch what you eat. So find something you will probably like doing because you want to feel inclined to do it more and more, not dread, or have to drag yourself to whatever it is. For example, if you like the golf idea go for that, and bear in mind that it seems to be true that when we get better at something we like to do it more, so if you fancy golf but are not yet very good, be patient and keep at it because as soon as you get better, it gets awfully easy to show up and play.

Naturally, for me, swimming is a great choice and just getting in there and swimming laps sets the slimming and slenderizing process in motion. I don't know anyone who has "thickened-up" by swimming. Ladies, want slimmer ankles? Get on down to the pool and do a little legs-only with the kickboard. It works!

So, as I said, try to find an activity that is going to lead to an increase in your participation. Heaven forbid, you might actually enjoy it!

About The Author

Gordon Black is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late &60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site http://www.gordonblack.com where his competitive comeback is chronicled. He is currently working on a book based on his own weight management and fitness system.

gordon@gordonblack.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Human Resource Employee Risk Profile - Management Risks Explained. Selecting an Ink Jet printer-With Low Operating Cost.

2005-10-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

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Human Resource Employee Risk Profile

Is your business at risk? Do you want peace of mind?

Please answer the following question honestly by drawing a circle around or shading in the column. If you can only answer part of the question in the affirmative, then you should select &No' eg in Q1 if you have employment contracts for your employees and not for your management team then select &No'.

1. I have up to date employment contracts for all employees and management Yes No

2. I induct all employees into the workplace using a documented process Yes No

3. I have fully documented human resources procedures and policies in place Yes No

4. These policies and procedures are available to all employees and are regularly referred to, used and maintained Yes No

5. I conduct a semi-annual performance management process with all employees Yes No

6. I have documented grievance, discrimination, workplace bullying & sexual harassment policies in place Yes No

7. I have a written termination procedure and policy in place Yes No

8. My employees have been trained and understand that we do not accept discrimination, workplace bullying & sexual harassment Yes No

9. Minor workplace issues are not taking to much of my time Yes No

10. We have low employee turnover compared to our industry average Yes No

11. I provide my employees with regular constructive feedback and reward them where appropriate Yes No

RATINGS

11 from 11 well done

10 from 11 well done, almost there

9 from 11 very good and tie up loose ends

8 from 11 good and you must tighten up these loose ends

7 from 10 you have a high risk profile, take action

6 or less from 11 remedial action urgently required to &protect' your business

Your peace of mind is up to you - your choice my choice.

Visit www.biz-momentum.com

Philip Lye is Director of Biz Momentum Pty Ltd providing professional services in strategic human resource management, employee relations (HR / IR Matters), training your people to work with you and not against you', &coaching you' to be a better executive and review of commercial documentation, leases and agreements.

Phil holds qualifications in Accounting, Leadership, Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations and is a qualified accountant.

Phil started his working career as the &postage clerk' in banking and finance rising through various business opportunities to CEO and CFO of two companies before leaving to start his own business in 2002.

You can find more information at http://www.biz-momentum.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Printer Cartridges from $1.10 each

Printer technology has made tremendous advances in the past five years. Speeds are up and print quality is great. Meanwhile, printer costs have declined.

What has not improved is the cost of ink. Printer manufacturers expected to make their profit on replacement cartridges, and they do. But in charging high prices they created another industry that they have to compete with.

Now there are generic or compatible replacements; you can buy refilled cartridges and refill kits so you can refill them yourself. Worst of all there are counterfeits. And there's a big market for all of them due to the sky-high price of OEM cartridges.

The manufacturers are full of tricks. Some of them use tiny cartridges that don't hold much ink. Most of the standard cartridges are half full of ink. They sell high capacity cartridges at premium prices that are full of ink. They run promotions on printers that have sample cartridges that barely have enough ink to try out the new printer.

These are all factors you have to consider when you buy a printer. There are makers who have addressed the problem in another way. All printers have a separate black cartridge for obvious reasons, but a few use a separate cartridge for each color. If one of the colors runs out you can replace it individually. This way you aren't throwing away good ink. One maker gives you the choice of a double size black unit that is more economical than two singles.

Most printers use a cartridge with a built- in print head, but at least one has the print head built into the machine. The cartridges are only ink containers, consequently very inexpensive and easy to refill. The downside of this arrangement is that the print head is a wear item and it's quite expensive to replace.

The point is that these two style printers are more economical to operate than the conventional type. There are some printers that will operate with only the black cartridge installed, and this is a good choice for students and others that only print text. If you don't need a fancy printing job, often you can set your printer on "draft" which saves a lot of ink.

Be careful when you are buying a printer especially, but not exclusively at auctions; they're selling them without ink. A diligent shopper can sometimes find printers with and without rebates that are below the cost of the ink. This is a good way to go. For more information about shopping visit my web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com/

I've tried refilling and using refurbished units with mixed success. Refilling is risky business. Maker's claim that it voids your warranty, this is debatable, but there is some validity to their concerns. There are different kinds of ink and using the wrong or an inferior ink can do damage. Many refurbs are poor quality so you end up returning them for replacement.

At the moment my choice is a printer with print heads in the cartridges and I buy good quality generics. Keep in mind this creates warranty problems. If you have a problem printing, you can't get technical service unless you buy a set of OEMs.

Written by: George W. Cannata the publisher of the web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com, July 8, 2005.

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Identifying the Right Venture Capital Firm Partner. How to Save Money on the Adwords Network.

2005-10-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ultimate Joint Ventures

Venture capital firms are comprised of individual partners. These partners make investment decisions and typically take a seat on each portfolio company's Board. Partners tend to invest in what they know, so finding a partner that has past work experience in your industry is very helpful. This relevant experience allows them to more fully understand your venture's value proposition and gives them confidence that they can add value, thus encouraging them to invest.

Fortunately, most venture capital firm websites list their partners with great pride. Each partner typically has a bio that includes their educational credentials, business accomplishments and investments that they have made. In identifying the right venture capital partner to contact for your company, try to find the partner that, from their background, will truly grasp the opportunity and can really add value.

Once you have identified the most appropriate venture capital partner, it is important to figure out how to contact them. As partners are often inundated with business plans, having a personal connection and/or introduction is often the difference between getting heard and not getting heard. For instance, if you attended the same university or worked at a company that they did, call or email them and use this as the introduction. If not, it is important to network. Call people that may have been associated with the partner and ask for an introduction.

Getting the partner's attention is the first key hurdle in raising venture capital. The second hurdle is getting them to believe in the opportunity, and finally, giving them the enthusiasm and information needed to convince other partners in their firm that investing in your venture represents a sound investment.

Since its inception, Business Plans by Growthink has developed over 200 business plans. Growthink clients have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. Growthink has become the firm of choice for venture capital firms, angel investors, corporations and entrepreneurs in the know.

Internet Marketing Breakthrough - These Drop Capitals Increased My Sales!

For more information please visit http://www.growthink.com or visit our venture capital placement site at http://www.gtsecurities.net/">Venture Capital Placement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Google AdSense Secrets - Making More Money with Google AdSense

Over the years I have had many accounts with Adwords, spending a small fortune with the Adwords service. So naturally I have picked up many cost saving tricks. I am aware that most people feel Adwords costs too much and delivers little results, this is completely untrue. Adwords is a service that is here to help us, so I have written this article to help web developers make the most out of the service.

1) Set your currency,
First and foremost, select the currency of which you locally trade in. You may think its wise to start your Adwords account in USD, but if you do not live in the USA you may get a shock when you find how much you have been charged.

2) Use negative keywords,
You are using the Adwords service to generate website traffic, so obviously you want the right traffic to generate revenue. Start by using negative keywords for people whom you do not want to click on your advert, the best place to start is the keyword "free". As I doubt you want to waste money on traffic that will not generate revenue.

3) Make a strict daily budget
Make sure you have set out a daily budget, Adwords generally advise a way out of proportion budget. After all most new Adwords customers have no idea how effective the advertising will be. Do not start off with a bang, your pocket will feel it.

Just as important as the budget, be careful with the CPC rate. I advise you to start with a low number, each click soon adds up very quickly. I actually found that by lowering my CPC rate by 50% I doubled my visitor count...

4) Check those clicks!
One of the most talked about problem with Adwords is, click fraud. There are two main types of click fraud: the first is when any one starts clicking away at your advertisements trying to waste your money.

Google ranking report, web ranking, google rankings, search engine positioning

It is very hard to stop this kind of fraud, if you are a victim stop your ads and file a report to Google ASAP.

The second main issue is now that google allows Web Developers to earn money off their websites by placing ads (Adsense) .some Web Developers try to cheat the system by clicking on their ads as much as possible. The best way to stop this kind of fraud is check your page log, Adwords allow you to block out websites that you do not want your advert to be placed on.

Adwords does not have many protections against Click fraud, although they do disable Adsense accounts who cheat. Google are very hesitant to refund the victims, if at all.

Google Untapped Profits - How To Make Money EVEN When Your Ads Are Losing Money!

Reports tell many organisations are actually suing Google to get their money back, so be careful.

In this article I have illustrated some of the most beneficial ways to save money when advertising with Adwords. My main advice to you is, do not go crazy with your spending. You may not see the results you are after, it does take a while to get to know Adwords. I have had many successful ad campaigns using the Adwords network. However I do advise to look around, with the ever growing popularity of MSN search you may actually find it much more affordable.

Steve is the owner and operator for Private Mail Services. http://www.private-services.com We endeavour to keep your personal life totally safe and private. http://www.private-services.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Christmas Gifts Can Be a Cheating Husband's Undoing. Can Your Visitors Contact You From Your Website.

2005-10-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Have you been plagued by the nagging feeling that your husband might be having an affair? Well. Christmas is probably the ideal time to confirm your suspicions and perhaps find additional proof of your husband's infidelity, as well.

It's only natural for lovers to want to buy gifts for each other like everyone else during the holiday season. But this exchange of gifts could prove to be a cheating husband's undoing.

An observant wife can find some important clues if she knows what to look for.

Gifts cost money.

Infidelity - How To Catch Your Cheating Lover

No man who's cheating on his wife is going to give his lover a cheap token of his affection. If he doesn't want to incur her wrath, he has to buy her a decent gift. Unless he's been squirreling away small sums over a period of weeks of months, the money has to come from somewhere. Have there been any suspicious withdrawals from your checking or savings accounts? Check the time period shortly before, during, or after the holiday season. Have there been any sizeable, unexplained ATM withdrawals during this time?

What about credit card statements for the same period of time? Has he made any unusual charges at jewelry stores, boutiques or women's specialty stores? What about actual store receipts? If you find records of purchases made for gift items that you didn't personally receive, that should raise a red flag in your mind. Who did he give these gifts to, if not to you?

Look around your home for hidden gifts - underneath the bed, in the back of a drawer, on the floor at the back of the closet, the back of a little used shelf. Don't forget to check the car, as well. - under the seat, in the glove compartment, the trunk, the tire well. If you find a hidden gift, don't automatically jump to conclusions unless it's obvious that the gift was not intended for you (too large, too small, a color or style that he knows you wouldn't wear, or has another woman's name attached) But if New Year's Day rolls around and you still haven't received the gift, then obviously it was given to someone else. Make it your business to find out who.

Beverley was ecstatic when she found s box containing a hand crafted, one of a kind gold bracelet she'd been admiring for some time. However, Christmas came and went, the box disappeared, but Beverley never received the bracelet. A few weeks later, at her health club, Beverley noticed a woman wearing a bracelet identical to the one in the box. After some

Infidelity! Cheating husbands? Cheating spouse? Extensive support for victims of extramarital affair...

discreet

Catch a cheating spouse, husband or wife having an affair. Catch cheating husbands or boyfriends you...

checking around, and finding several other clues to corroborate her suspicions, Beverly found out her husband and this woman were having an affair.

Laura found a box containing a sexy satin negligee in the trunk of her husband Paul's car. He tried to pass it off as a gift he's bought for her, but upon closer examination she saw that it was 5 sizes too small. Paul tried in vain to convince Laura that the salesclerk had mistakenly put the wrong size in the box. But since she'd previously found other telltale signs of an affair, his excuses fell on deaf ears.

Warning bells should go off if your husband gives or receives a gift of an extremely personal nature. No woman other than yourself should be giving your husband �½ dozen pairs of silk boxer shorts for Christmas -- unless it's his mother or his sister (and even then you should check to make sure.)

Also be wary if your husband gives or receives a disproportionately extravagant gift to or from any woman who is supposedly a casual friend or business acquaintance. Any unusually expensive gifts that suddenly appear in his possession during the holidays should be regarded at with suspicion. Especially if he tries to pass them off as things he purchased for himself, but can't produce any receipts.

If you've found other warning signs of infidelity during the previous weeks or months, the Christmas gifts could be the missing pieces of the infidelity puzzle. Sit down and have a serious talk with your husband. Your marriage may be in jeopardy. Find out what's going on before it's too late.

About The Author

Ruth Houston is the author of "Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs." For more information about the book or to sign up for her f*r*e*e Infidelity Newsletter visit http://www.IsHeCheatingOnYou.com or e-mail to CheatingSigns@aol.com

RuthHouston@att.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

[SiteGadgets.com] Free CGI Hosting, Free Scripts, CGI, Perl, and more!

Argh, where's the contact button?! Believe it or not, some websites just DON'T WANT any visitors (even customers) to CONTACT them. There's no email address, no contact form, no NOTHING!

What if a potential customer wants to BUY something from your website but have a few questions or doubts that he/she needs to ask you first? If you have a FAQ page, that's the first place he/she will definitely seek answers...but what if your FAQ page still can't provide the answers he/she seeks?

Don't care?! Not your problem?! Would rather prevent spam than going through all the trouble?!

If your website can't even provide even HANDLE the SIMPLEST form of communication, you will definitely lose lots of potential customers (even loyal customers) because simply can't contact you!

That's why the Contact Us button or link should be placed in a highly visible or accessible position. This is common sense. Who would feel SAFE to buy from a someone let alone a website that don't even provide the most BASIC form of customer support. What if the product they bought is defective or they're having some trouble accessing it?

OMSoftwares - business solutions software address book software phone card and phone book date m...

If you're HIDING your website's email address purely because of spammers, especially from those email harvester software, you do NOT really need to REMOVE your email address from your web site. You can create and place a simple GIF image with your email address on it using the same background color as your web page.

Example 1:

To contact us, send us an email to:

If you don't want to use an image, you can separate your email address so that it doesn't look like an email address to email harvester softwares...

Example 2:

Seduction And Dating Dot Com - The Encyclopedia Of Seduction

To contact us, send us an email to: sales at ebookok dot com

This approach is NOT recommended, because some visitors will actually send an email to sales at ebookok dot com without first changing it to sales@ebookok.com. Of course you can tell them to remove the at and replace it with @ and dot with "." before sending it.

Alternatively, you can create a web form that allows visitors to submit their questions to your email DIRECTLY from your website.

Script Jockeys :: We will install any PHP or Perl script for just $39.95 including OSCommerce, PostN...

You will need a little PERL programming knowledge for this, or you can simply hire someone else to write it for you!

If you do use web form as the ONLY way to contact you, make sure (1000 percent) that the script is WORKING properly! Make sure you've set the permission for the script, no errors, etc.

Note: When scripting in Perl, usually a simple MISSING ";" or "{", or "}" or "Permission Not Set" errors are the main reasons why your script is not functioning the way it should be! Always make sure your script is as BUG-FREE (not containing any errors) as possible!

When your visitors submitted their questions to your through your website, it's a good idea to display a friendly message like: Thanks for submitting a question, I will be in touch with you shortly!

This is a good practise and it is highly recommended because your visitors will know that your script works and their questions was indeed successfully submitted. Some websites don't even bother to add a simple message like: Your question was submitted.

They will just display a silly BLANK page or REDIRECT you back to their contact page or homepage...leaving you to wonder if your message was indeed submitted properly.

Always try to answer all emails ASAP and personally - within 24 hours. Customer service is IMPORTANT! Let them know that you care about them and they will be happy to do business with you! :-)

That's all for this article, have fun placing those contact link!

About The Author

"Men's online dating guide to meet woman. Internet dating guide for advice and tips."

Get fresh, weekly, up-to-date Internet Marketing Power Tips and Exclusive eBooks that will give you an unfair edge over your competitors here: http://www.ebookok.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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A Closer Look at Using a Template Site - Is It Professional Choice?. Online Forex.

2005-10-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

Free internet advertising online web site advertising

So you need your site online and looking good, though your budget isn't the biggest? Well, this is what alot of new sites and companies face each and every day. You are looking for an alternate route to get your site online but don't want to break your bank account. Oh, there you go. You didn't think I would see you looking at one of those templates sites online. Go ahead browse around, I'll wait.... Ok, back with me now. Great. Now you may be thinking to yourself "these sites looking pretty good" and "the cost of them is great", but(yes there is a but). Is buying a template from one of these sites professional? Well lets take a look.

College Admission Essay writing toolkit offering advice, tips, pointers, tools and downloadable temp...

Now it is not to say that these many template sites don't have great templates. The only problem is that if you pick a popular template then your visitors may see your website design on someone else domain name. Now if you don't mind this then great, but it is definitely going hurt the image of your company in the minds of your customers if they see the design somewhere else. Especially if they are not aware that you have purchased a template(something you are not going to advertise to them). Now this is not to say that you shouldn't purchase a template but you might want to give it more thought. A website just like a logo, brands a company. It creates an image in the mind of the visitor(potential customer). If they see this image somewhere else(especially if the other site is in the same business as you) it could lead them to do business with that site because of a mistaken identity. Which means a lost client for you.

Ok, say you don't have a high budget and have to purchase a template(just make sure you include in your future budget savings for a custom website). Remember just because the preview of the template looks good doesn't mean it will work good. Each designer and coder will develop their template differently, so you may get into a bit of a mess when you start adding your content. Some things you may want to check on before purchasing a template is:

1. Refund Policy.

Flash Animations - Website Designs - Flash Website Banners - Flash Games - WebSite Templates - Free ...

2. Does the website offer support for their templates and is it free?

3. Try to do a search on google and see if there are any reviews about using templates from this site. If there are good or bad reviews out there, then you will be able to find them.

After doing this also make sure that you are going to be able to edit the template without anyone's help. When I say this I mean to make sure the template doesn't have something like flash on it. If it does then you will either have to know how to edit flash(including having the program) or pay someone to make the changes for you. This can add onto as an additional price and raise the cost of your website.

So before purchasing a template here is a little advice run down:

1. Check around to see how much a custom template(make sure you get all rights to it) would cost.

2. If your budget isn't big enough and you are going to purchase a template make sure the site has a refund policy, offer support and try to get reviews on them.

3. If your template

Letter writing "how-to" style guide AND downloadable templates that show you how to write ...

has flash make sure to check around to see if you can get some quotes on some simple changes to the flash or purchase a template without flash.

4. Make sure your deadline is not too tight, just incase.

Good luck and hopefully everything will go well. Just take your time and you will have your site up soon enough.

Anthony Jewell has over 6 Years experience in the Web & Graphics World. You can visit my business at http://www.logo2d.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Q1: When you consider that the foreign exchange market has become the world's largest financial market, with over $1.5 trillion USD traded daily, where does it go from here?

A1:The FX market is unique, in the UK there is no central exchange, we trade via the inter bank market.

Scalping The E-mini futures and FOREX @ www.wattstrading.com

With more and more private individuals taking up margin trading and new forex brokers setting up, I can only see the market grow in the near future.

Q2: Other than great liquidity, what are the principal benefits attached to the forex market?

A2: There is less to consider when trading the forex markets, there are only a number of variables that affect the pricing.

Main advantages include

Forex Market allows 24 hour trading

Greater leverage - with most brokers offering 100 - 1,

Less starting capital required,

More Liquidity - day trading has to have enough volume to make it worth our while. The currency market is more liquid than all the world stock markets put together. Currencies are always in action,

Free trading systems

Better for shorting - There are artificial controls built into the market to prevent it from going down too fast. The reason is that we live in a biased world that likes to see things go up instead of down. One of these artificial

Analysis of short-term stock trading

contraptions is the "uptick rule," which comes into play when shorting stocks, making it more difficult to sell a stock short than to buy it. This is unheard of in the currency market. Selling currencies short while day trading is just as easy as buying them.

Ideal for Short Term Traders -

Q3: Limited market access, liquidity issues-after market hours, commission fees, capital requirements and short selling/stop restrictions are just some of the issues investors face when considering other markets. Given that the forex market removes many of these traditional barriers and therefore does not restrict the forex traders' ability to make a trade at the right time, are we likely to see an increase in trading volumes this year?

A3: With all these advantages, traders are finding it hard not to trade currencies, online trading volumes across all products is increasing at a substantial rate, however FX trading, predominantly amongst retail investors is becoming very popular.

Q4: There is stiff competition

The Trader Online - helping people earn online since 1998

amongst online forex service providers for retail forex traders with some claiming to offer the same degree of technical analysis enjoyed by the world's largest banks and institutional traders. Is this possible?

A4: Technical Analysis has come a long way, more and more forex provides now have partnerships with firms who provide analysis. However the banks still have an advantage, the markets are still not under perfectly competitive economic model. The banks will always have access to information that is not readily available, ISX FX currently sources its information from a number of banks to fill this gap.

Q5: Do you subscribe to the theory that forex is less volatile than stocks because the market is much deeper?

A5: As a bet on the direction of a national economy, no currency has ever dropped 25 percent in a day, or imploded as rapidly and completely as an Enron or a Parmalat. In the wake of those scandals, many companies are meting

Secrets of News Trading

out information more cautiously, making it harder to get the real "scoop" on stocks one problem of trading with too-high leverage is that one piece of surprise news can wipe out one's capital. If you treat forex trading like a business, including proper money management, you have a better chance of success."

Q6: U.S. interest rates-decade lows; global trade wars and terrorism fears have dominated the headlines recently. What impact has this had on retail volumes?

A6: The above factors have all led to a decline in the dollar. This coupled with tighter regulation of brokers has given investors more confidence in brokers. Also the stock market crash has driven individuals to look at the profit opportunities offered by forex.

Q7:

INVESTORFLASH.COM LLC - STOCKS AND FUTURES, FUTURES TRADING, COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

Stateside the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has brought 58 actions against firms, since its new powers were awarded in 2000. Given that certain brokers continue to abuse the system, with investor money sometimes not being traded in the markets promised. What can investors do protect themselves?

A7: The retail forex market is in essence betting, as with any bookmaker there is always a risk that you will not get your winnings, or the odds will be highly stacked against you. With tighter regulation and increased competition, this risk of default has largely disappeared. The risk of price manipulation still exists and this will never really go away. Investors need to ensure that they have an independent price source and trade with a broker who offers true one click dealing.

Most brokers work on the basis of the law of large numbers, acting like the bucket shops of 50 years ago, they do not hedge any positions and are directly competing against there clients. This will always lead to price manipulation and further actions by authorities will inevitably be taken.

Q8: What is this best way for "currency rookies" to get involved in the market?

A8: Like with any new form of trading you need to know what you are doing, especially as there is margin involved. Take all the time you need to learn this new trading skill well -- practice everything you learn with a demo account before you consider going 'live' with your own money. Investors should read books, attend seminars and paper trade until they are comfortable with there strategy.

About The Author

Rafik Patel C.E.O. ISX FX LIMITED.

www.isxfx.com

rafik@isxfx.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Performance Computer Chips For Cars And Trucks. Too Many Choices - Don't Confuse Your Customers.

2005-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hey, look under the hood!

It's a bird!

It's a plane!

It's SUPERCHIP!

With apologies to Superman, performance computer chips or superchips are quickly becoming a popular way for auto enthusiasts to squeeze out more power from their cars. Basically what a superchip mod does is to store a new engine management program in your car's computer. Noticeable increases in horsepower and torque as well as improvements in driveability are the chief benefits of this type of chip. Installation is easy and the price is right...we'll examine just how easy and cost effective a superchip is below.

Affordable Automobile - Seized Vehicles All makes and models

Depending on the make/model of your car or truck, a superchip can help your vehicle crank out from 9 to 60 more horsepower. Not too shabby when you consider some compact cars barely make it to 115 horses. Yeah, you could have elected for the more powerful engine with some cars but the $1000 or better mark up in price dwarfs the price of a superchip. Better to go with the superchip and pocket the savings.

So, how hard is it to install a superchip? Actually, it is really a simple procedure:

1. Locate your car's computer chip [usually found in your dashboard].

2. Remove the factory installed chip and replace it with the superchip...one chip slides out and the other slides in.

3. Place a cover over the chip to keep it in place and to keep dirt and dust out.

That's it! The hardest part will be to remove the dash, but even that job isn't all that difficult.

As I said previously, the price of installing a superchip can be done for a lot less than an engine upgrade. Prices start below $300, so it ends up being one the cheaper performance enhancing mods out there.

You can also find other types of performance computer chips that will work well including Jet Chips and the Hypertech performance chip. With either chip you stand to wring out additional performance from your car for a reasonably priced mod. Hey, if it is increased performance you want then one of these chips is for you!

Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Car Parts Stuff, an online supplier of high quality and well priced automobile parts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Free and Low-Cost Advertising:Marketing Tips:Free Ebooks:Email Courses:Marketing Tools

Conventional wisdom is that the more choices customers have, the more likely they will buy. That may be true when customers have very specific wants or needs, and they know what those wants or needs are. However, often having lots of choices just confuses customers and they don't buy anything.

One company tested this idea this way: They put 26 flavors of jams and preserves on a table. Customers could taste any or all of them, and if they made a purchase they got $1 off. People circled and chatted, but they didn't buy. There were more choices than they could effectively process, so they withdrew.

Later, the company repeated the exercise with just six flavors. This time, people sampled and they bought. After all, isn't it easier to make a choice between raspberry and grape than it is to choose from among red raspberry, golden raspberry, black raspberry, golden red raspberry . . .well, you get the idea.

If you find that your customers are knowledgeable and opinionated, and they want lots of options available, you can offer choices while still making it easy for the undecideds. Offer a "standard" or basic product that meets most customers' needs. Make options available, but package some of the most popular options together. Car manufacturers do this, for example. Bundle products together so that customers don't have a lot of decisions to make, and they will appreciate how easy it is to buy from you.

Somewhere between Henry Ford's, "You can get it in any color, as long as it's black," and today's trend of too many choices, will be the level of choice your customers find comfortable. Find that level and you've found your customers.

Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free marketing tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.

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Defeating Back Pain Forever. Achieve Your Desires By Scoring Goals.

2005-10-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

Back pain, one of the most common physical, and debilitating ailments today, affects 70% - 80% of us at one time or another in our lives. However, as a result of the obesity epidemic, that number continues to climb. So if you are suffering or have suffered from back pain, you are not alone!

Back Pain - Relief in only 30 seconds!

Back pain suffers, resulting from wear and tear and the aging process, generally are over 40 years of age; but it is not uncommon for individuals in the 30's to experience back challenges. The complex spine changes during aging at varying rates from individual to individual as determined by genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and prior injuries.

Just remember, the odds are in your favor that you will experience some sort of back pain in the future. So what do you do when that happens, and how do you prevent it from happening again? There lies two, seventy two million dollar questions.

First off, don't panic! Over 95% of back pain does not require surgery, and will subside on its own anywhere from a couple of days to months. With the back, it is rather tricky to predict how quickly it will heal. Be patient, and keep positive!

Please be aware that some chronic back conditions such as spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and osteoarthritis may never completely heal without a physicians care. Symptoms generally come and go, and then come and go again, where the recipient learns to manage the condition with medication, exercise, physical therapy, spinal blocks, and/or surgical intervention. Treatment all depends on the severity of the condition as determined by the physician's interpretation of the X-Ray, and/or MRI.

Recovery Tips-

1. Avoid motions that irritate it, but don't stay in bed for days on end which will weaken you

2. Ice for the first 48 hours, then apply a heating pad thereafter. 15-20 minutes at a time

3. See your doctor if pain persists longer than 1 week.

4. Follow pain medication recommendations (such as NSAIDS)

5. Light massage, and pain free range of motion stretching

6. Light walking (no hills) can help

Massage Therapy Career,

7. Physical Therapy- massage, electric muscle stimulation, ice, heat, exercise, stretching

8. Pool therapy

9. Don't panic! Be patient! Most cases will get better over time.

10. KEEP MOVING (pain free movement) is the KEY!

Now that you are managing your back pain, let's focus on preventing it from occurring again. Depending upon the severity of your specific back condition, you can decrease the chance of returning pain, manage ongoing pain, or possibly prevent a reoccurrance. But HOW?

Bodybuilding Book: Learn the secrets to muscle gain

The Secret Answer" - EXERCISE CORE MUSCLES in synergy with your particular condition.

Your goal should be to safely strengthen your core muscles to the max. The core muscles keep you upright, balanced, and able to maintain your spine in a stable position. The muscles that need to be worked are the back, legs, abdominals, and hips. By keeping these muscles strong, and flexible, it will provide a more secure base adding protection for a vulnerable spine. Warning: if you don't strengthen your core, the older you get, the weaker your muscles become, and the more vulnerable you will be to pain.

When I mention exercise the core, I am referring to doing the proper exercises for specific conditions. It is impossible for me to tailor this prevention protocol for everyone, since each person needs their own specific program with medical team input. However, I will give you a few basic back strengthening tips. In correlation with your specific condition, you must clear specific exercises with your health care team.

Prevention Tips-

1. Stay active - use back smart exercises on a regular basis

**I will be listing specific back smart exercises in future editions of the multimedia Wellness WORD Newsletter.

To reserve your complimentary multimedia subscription, simply go, right now, to http://www.WellnessWord.com

2. While walking and exercising, maintain proper spinal alignment (good posture)

3. Keep your weight under control

4. Don't smoke

5. Strengthen your core muscles

6. Keep the muscles limber and stretched

7. Do cardiovascular exercise ( ex. walk) on a regular basis.

8. Lift with proper form (use legs); proper spinal alignment

9. Contract abdominals throughout the day to protect spine as well as strengthen supporting muscles

10. Avoid the following:

Straight leg sit-ups

Bent leg sit-ups during acute pain

Leg lifts (lifting both legs while lying on your back)

Walking at a high incline

Lifting heavy weights above your waist (shoulder press, standing bicep curl)

Any stretches done while sitting with your legs in a V position

Toe touches while standing

Running or repetitive stair climbing

Excessive spine twisting, and bending

My intention for writing this article is to inform you there is hope. You can get over back pain, and do certain things to prevent it from returning, or returning with more intense symptoms.

Note: Please consult a physician for clearance prior to starting an exercise program. __________________________________________________

To receive your Multimedia Wellness WORD Newsletter for NO CHARGE, simply visit http://www.WellnessWord.com to get the final WORD on health, fitness, and nutrition in America today.

David Blaine Street Magic - Learn Street Magic tricks Video by MagicExtreme

Discover all the tips, tricks, and truth in multimedia (video, audio, and text). ___________________________________________________

***** Attention: Ezine Editors / Website Owners ***** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your eZine, Blog, Autoresponder, or on your website as long as the links, text, and resource box are not altered in any way.

Jim O'Connor- Exercise Physiologist / The Fitness Promoter

Jim O'Connor, Beverly Hills celebrity fitness consultant, has conducted thousands of personal fitness consultations with celebrites, business executives, and highly motivated individuals throughout Los Angeles. He is the Chief Exercise Physiologist for WellnessWORD, LLC, a health, fitness, and nutrition promotion company. Jim is the author of a wellknown, world wide multimedia newsletter called Wellness WORD, published online every other week promoting the health and fitness truth.

Home Gym Shopping Secrets

He also is the author of a popular ebook called Home Gym Shopping Secrets.

http://www.WellnessWord.com
http://www.HomeGymShoppingSecrets.com
http://www.HomeGymResources.com

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Do you have a desire? Silly question I know because everybody has desires, just not the same ones.

Your Quantum Leap into the Understanding, Having and Enjoying of Immense Wealth and Happiness

Of course there are many that most of us share like those old clich�½s of health, wealth, and happiness. But there are some that are exclusive to a certain group of people. For example; a musician may desire to play at the Albert Hall but have no interest in constructing his own website. But enough rambling, it's time I got to the point.

Ask any successful person how they achieved their success and the answer will invariably be along the lines of first identifying the desire, and then achieving that desire by breaking it down into a sequence of smaller steps to be accomplished along the way. Only when these smaller steps have been identified and mapped out can the journey of achievement truly begin.

Sometimes the desire can seem monumental, perhaps even appearing unattainable. But just as conquering the highest peaks, or running a marathon begins with the first step and is followed by the second step, so too does the achievement of desire. If you can visualize the outcome, you can plan a strategy to achieve it. The strategy may have to be adapted along the way, but without it you achieve little.

The secret of achieving your desires then is to identify the steps you need to take - these are your goals and you should write them down. Sort them into long term goals and short term goals, like tasks you can achieve today, within the next week, this month, this year, and so on. Then work on what you can do now to accomplish one of these goals. When it is done you can tick it off the list and move on towards achieving your desire. Take a little time to congratulate yourself too because you just scored a goal!

Tony Williams is a musician, writer, and self-confessed eBay fanatic. Follow his quest for ways of making and saving money online at http://myrichpickings.blogspot.com

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Tax Trap #1 -- Waiting to Incorporate: What A Difference A Date Can Make. Barbecue Sauce Recipes.

2005-09-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Incorporation Tax Secrets Revealed

NOTE: This is the first in a series of 5 articles: "Small Business Tax Traps and How To Avoid Them"

If you're a sole proprietor, perhaps you've considered incorporating your small business or self-employment activity.

And so maybe you've been wondering, "When is the best time to incorporate?"

From a legal standpoint, any time is the best time. The sooner you incorporate, the sooner you make the move from the world of unlimited liability to the world of limited liability.

From a tax savings standpoint, any time is the best time. The sooner you incorporate, the sooner you will start putting more money in your own pocket and less in Uncle Sam's.

(For more about the potential tax savings of a corporation, see the second article in this series -- "Tax Trap #2: Double Taxation -- Isn't Once Enough?" http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com/tax-trap-2.html)

But from a **tax reporting** standpoint, there is one time of year that stands out as best: January 1st.

Why is that?

Assuming you have a sole proprietorship (or other entity, such as a partnership) that is up and running as of January 1, and assuming you then incorporate that existing entity on any date other than January 1, you face the possibility of filing not one but two business income tax returns for that year.

Here's an example to clarify this important point . . .

Let's say you've been operating your sole proprietorship for a few years, and in early 2005 you decide to incorporate. In January you get around to starting the paperwork, but life gets in the way and you finally get it done in late February. By the time your state processes the Articles of Incorporation, the start date of your new corporation is March 1.

For 2005, you must file a Schedule C for the period of January 1 through February 28, when your business was still a Sole Proprietorship. And you must also file a corporate income tax return for March 1 through December 31.

Maybe that's no big deal. Maybe you enjoy filing one business income tax return so much, filing a second one doesn't bother you. And it may be that the inconvenience of filing two tax returns in 2005 is far outweighed by the legal and tax advantages of incorporating.

Keep in mind, too, that 2005 will be the only year you have to do this "double duty". In 2006 you will only have to file the corporate income tax return.

But if you are thinking about incorporating, the best time to do it, from a tax paperwork standpoint, is as of January 1. Only then do you have a "clean break" from the old sole proprietorship to the new corporation.

This timing issue can also be relevant if you decide to make the switch late in the year. If the effective date of the incorporation is November 15, you will have to file a Schedule C for January 1 through November 14, and a corporate return for November 15 through December 31. In that scenario, you should ask yourself, "Do the benefits of incorporating outweigh the convenience of waiting until January 1?"

So before you decide when to incorporate, take a moment to reflect on the tax reporting consequences of incorporating on January 1 vs. any other date.

Sometimes it may make sense to wait a few weeks (as in the second example), and sometimes it makes sense to "do it now", especially when January 1 is nearby.

Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 tax-slashing eBooks for the self-

Ultimate Small Business Tax Reduction Guide

employed, available separately or as a 3-volume set, "The Ultimate Small Business Tax Reduction Guide". http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com/ultimate-guide

To get your free copy of Wayne's 25-page report, "How To Instantly Double Your Deductions" visit: http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com

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The barbecue began in the American context during the late 1800's cattle drives in the West.

The Ultimate Book of Beef!

The cowhands usually had low quality cuts of beef that had to be preserved over long periods of time of cattle driving.

The main choice for this was brisket that is tough meat. The cowboys soon learned that if they cooked the meat over a long period of time at a low temperature the meat could be made tender and tasty. During this time, the cooks also experimented with various barbecue sauces to make the beef even tastier.

Personally barbecue is my favorite style of cooking meat. I love the taste of barbecue and find that it's suitable for nearly all occasions.

I agree with history that the barbecue sauce is as important as the barbecue itself. A good barbecue sauce can make or break a sumptuous meal.

I can still remember clearly the T-bone barbecue steak I tasted at Larry's Drive. The sauce that was served with the barbecue steak was simply awesome. Every time I recall the experience my mouth just waters.

I have often asked myself how-to recreate that awesome sauce. Until I came across Debbie Beaston's barbecue sauce recipe on the Internet that could be the answer to my wish. It's called the "Top Secret BBQ Sauce Recipe".

Secret Author Recipes

I haven't bought the "Top Secret BBQ Sauce Recipe" yet, but thinking of convincing my wife to buy it because she loves cooking.

The BBQ sauce recipe ebook also includes BBQ recipes, rubs, mops and marinades. There is also great advice and ideas about what to cook with your barbecue.

Sanjib Ahmad - Freelance Writer and Product Consultant for Health/Fitness Best Sellers. You are free to use this article in its entirety as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content, and include the resource box listed above.

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Setting Prices - Pricing Your Consulting Services. Exploring Self-publishing - The Exciting Option.

2005-09-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

Pricing Psychology Strategies

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICING

In case you hadn't noticed, people can react very differently when faced with the same price for a product or service. In fact in most cases, we'll never actually know what is in their minds when they consider a price and then decide to respond to it in certain way. So what does that mean for those of us pricing and selling our services out there in the market?

Typically, people who sell services go for an hourly rate. They use a process called "reverse competition" to determine what their rate should be. This is where you take a look at what your geographical competitors are charging, and you decide where in the range you want to fit on the spectrum of hourly rates. Inevitably, we choose a rate somewhere in the middle, so we can say that we're not the most expensive, but neither are we the cheapest!

What kind of message are we sending out to our clients with this approach?

We're showing absolutely no differentiation from any other company - just sticking ourselves straight down the line. In other words, we compete with everyone! Not a very prudent marketing decision.

So pricing simply using an hourly rate that sits in the middle of the spectrum is, in my view, a wasted opportunity to create a point of difference with your offering. Let's think more broadly for a minute about what we are actually offering to your clients: Regardless of what our specific offering is, we all offer some combination of:

Quality, Price and Service

QUALITY

Quality has become an expectation - the minimum you need to be in the game. It is similar to a high school degree - no one cares if you have one, but watch out if you do not. Quality is no longer an effective differentiator. So if you are going on about the exceptional quality of your service in your promotional material and sales pitch, just realize that in your customers eyes, you are not differentiating yourself in any way.

After all, no sane company is going to advertise the fact that the work they do is of average or low quality. It's all high, isn't it?

PRICE

There is absolutely nothing positive about competing on price, unless you specifically position yourself as a low-cost provider. Certainly, there is a market for the discount provider, but I believe this only works if you have a very high volume of transactions. As a service provider, the only sensible route is to obtain premium prices for your services.

No matter what you charge, there is always someone, somewhere, willing to perform the work you do for less money. Customers are value conscious, not price conscious. They look to do business with people they feel give them more than they are paying for. So the goal for the service provider is to make sure the customer perceives the full value of the service, not simply the price component.

Its accepted fact that many customers will equate high price with high value - especially when there is very little else to judge your value on.

Wise consultants know that if they price their services at the low end of the market, customers do not take their advice seriously. On the other hand, if you charge rates on the upper end of the spectrum, the customer will hang on every word you say and has a higher probability of implementing your suggestions. This of course has a proviso that you are offering a great service, rather than a mediocre one.

Sometimes the biggest hurdle to get over when considering charging premium pricing is our own attitude. Do any of these sound familiar?

&I can't charge those prices - my customers will all walk away!' &My service isn't worth that much'

As long as you stay in that mindset, you'll never make the transition to high end pricing. You must truly believe the value of what you offer - after all if you don't, why should your customers? More on this below in a discussion about articulating the value of what you do.

If you are selling good advice, and your customers listen carefully and implement it - they will be more successful and thus will value you that much more. It is a cycle that spirals upward: The more you charge, the more people follow your suggestions, the more profitable they become, the more valuable you are to them. This is a vicious circle that you definitely want to be part of.

SERVICE

The third component of your offering is service. In today's world, service is the ultimate differentiator and separates successful companies from mediocre companies. People will pay a premium for excellent service, and want to do business with companies who provide it. They want to build up personal relationships, know that their needs are understood, and do business with people who demonstrate integrity and value long term associations.

Successful businesses are in the relationship building game, and everything they do is aimed at strengthening connections and affiliations with potential and existing clients. This is where each of us can be different. No one can imitate our personal style and success at building and maintaining relationships.

In the long run, excellent service providers will prevail over mediocre "competitors."

Getting Away from the Hourly Rate Mentality

Before you do business with a new customer, you hold all the leverage in the relationship. After the services have been performed, the customer possesses the leverage. The lesson is that you want to set all of your prices when you possess the leverage - that is, before the engagement begins. This requires quoting fixed prices and removing yourself from the Almighty Hour mentality.

The minute you quote an hourly rate, you put a fixed limit on your earning potential. It's hard to increase an hourly rate once it has been set. The most successful service providers charge for the job as a whole, and don't reveal how many hours it will take to complete the job.

One of my clients - a management consultant - bemoaned the fact that he always underestimated the hours required to complete a job, even when he added in extra time. When all the extra hours were added in, his hourly rate worked out to less than $50 per hour. At my suggestion, he began quoting prices by the job. After three months he conceded that on average, he was able to charge more for the whole job than when he quoted by the hour. His customers - it seems - perceived greater value when he outlined what the job consisted of, than when he simply quoted an hourly rate for his time.

Price Resistance

If you are in business, at some stage you will encounter resistance to the price you are charging. Your best option here is to help the customer understand the full value of your service, and the value or benefit they will get by implementing it. If you cannot conquer price resistance through educating the customer, then I would seriously suggest you not take the engagement.

Never decrease your price to get business from a customer suffering from price resistance. That cheats your best customers - those who value what you provide - and subsidizes your worst customers - those drawn to you by price considerations alone. Those will be the first customers to defect once they find - and they will - a service provider willing to do the work for less. You do not want to work for people who do not understand, or refuse to pay for, the value you provide.

Stay true and stick to your guns.

In today's world it is no longer relevant to talk in terms of hourly rates when positioning the price of your services. It's all about value you provide, and the perception of value in your customers'

Megan Tough - published writer, coach, facilitator and speaker - works with leaders and business people to create outstandingly satisfying and truly successful professional lives. Better leadership, improved personal effectiveness, and business plans that hum! To learn more and to sign up for more FREE tips and articles like these, visit http://www.megantough.com

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Cover art for electronic books and software

As merger mania engulfs the publishing industry, markets for book manuscripts continue to shrink. There are simply fewer trade publishers today. Because the majority are now owned by huge conglomerates interested only in bottom line profits, they are less likely to take a chance on a mid�€�list author.

To further compound the challenge, most books that are trade published experience a dismal fate. Joni Evans, past executive vice president and publisher of Random House, said in an interview in Lear magazine, "Only 10% of the books published by any house earn out their advances." What a frightening statistic. That says 90% fail! Must this necessarily paint a gloomy picture? Not really. Actually, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Why Choose This Alternative?

Today many authors are opting to take control of their destiny and publish their own work. While 10 years ago self-publishing was a case of last resort, today it is often the first-and wisest-choice for non-fiction authors.

Ebook publishing resources: ebook softare, promotion and marketing secrets

Many savvy writers use self-publishing as a springboard to more lucrative trade publishing contracts. How so? Here's the formula: produce your own book, promote and sell the heck out of it, then allow a major publisher to take over your proven product. Because you've removed the risk and shown the book is profitable, trade publishers are suddenly a lot more interested in climbing on the bandwagon.

This can also work in reverse. Let's say you previously sold a book to a New York publisher.

Quick Turn Publishing

They published it, then let it die a quick death. Now "your baby" has gone out of print. That's what happened to us. So we got the rights back, did some revision to update the book, then published it ourselves-and marketed it aggressively. That book, Big Ideas for Small Service Businesses, has gone back for a third printing. We are making much more money on our self-published version than we ever did on the one put out by Publishers Row.

Some enormously popular books were birthed by their own authors. The classic career counseling handbook, What Color Is Your Parachute? originated its climb to best-sellerdom as a self-published title. Author and clergyman Richard Nelson Bolles eventually released the rights to Ten Speed Press, where the book continues to move at a rate of about 400,000 copies a year. The total number of copies sold is over four million! In the early 1900s William Strunk, Jr. breathed life into a little book most writers still swear by today. He printed Elements of Style as a text for his English classes at Cornell.

Celestine Prophecy and Mutant Message From Down Under were self-publishing phenomena. Celestine Prophecy got an advance from Warner for $800,000. Marlo Morgan received a whopping $1.7 million advance from Harper for her Mutant Message. These dramatic success stories have left their imprint on the entire self-publishing movement.

Privately published titles typically command respect-and profits far above the typical 7 to 10% royalties. Additionally, you maintain control. You call the shots: title selection, cover appearance, editing judgments, marketing considerations, etc.

Another appealing aspect is faster turnaround. With trade publishers, first you or your agent must shop the manuscript. Once it's accepted, industry averages are 18 months to publication. A self-published book, on the other hand, typically takes four to six months to produce. Period.

Part of the upswing in this movement is directly attributed to the support available to aspiring authors. While desktop publishing definitely made the whole production process less costly and more efficient, it should not be viewed as a panacea. If you're only doing one or two books, it probably isn't cost-effective to purchase typesetting software. And it isn't practical to embark on the learning curve required to master good design and typesetting.

There is also lots of help around now. We were pioneers in the book consulting field. Today hundreds of individuals and companies offer assistance with everything from editing and production to marketing and promotion. Some of them are excellent. Others are marginally qualified at best. Always check out their reputation and credentials.

The Insider Secrets To eBook Self Publishing

While we're champions of this publishing alternative, we also say self-publishing isn't for every book or every person. It's extremely tough for most fiction and poetry. Even a good non-fiction book may be difficult to independently publish unless it is slanted toward a specific niche. Therein lies part of the secret.

The Secret of Successful Self-Publishing

You want a narrowly focused topic so you can reach your market. A book on dog training, for example, is better than one on animals. Why? Because you can find and penetrate your target audience. Dog trainers, breeders, breed associations, animal shelters, pet shops, dog shows-all are rich hunting grounds.

Insiders Guide To Selling Books On Amazon: Discover How To Sell Books Online At Amazon

Perhaps you can even sell thousands of books to a dog food manufacturer as a giveaway to entice new customers.

To prosper in self-publishing you need certain personal characteristics as well. Writing is only the beginning. Marketing is critical. You must be willing to acquire this knowledge, or hire someone who possesses it. I know, mother always taught you not to "toot your own horn." If you expect to sell books, you'd better forget that advice. Marketing, however, need not be frightening. Think of it as helping people and building relationships, which is exactly what it is. (Frankly, if you want your book to stay in print and pay big dividends, you need to be personally involved in publicizing it anyway, whether you're self or trade-published.) The ability to follow up is as important to an author as a computer is to an accountant. The squeaky wheel does get the oil.

Self-discipline is also a valuable personal characteristic. You'll be wearing many hats. A self-publisher is writer, editor, book designer, typesetter, printer, business manager, bookkeeper, order fulfiller, and publicist. Although you'll subcontract some of these functions, you will act as the construction superintendent. Ultimately, it's your project.

Be sure your motivation is clear. Self-publishing takes time, energy, and money. Most ventures are undertaken because the author wants to make a profit. That's fine. Done properly, this can be very lucrative. (Done improperly, you can lose your shirt.) We know self-publishers who earn a whopping 80% on their books. But they work hard for it.

Perhaps your goal is to influence people about a subject you feel strongly about-a "cause" book.

HoldemPoker Guide - Free Poker Strategy Software, Books and Cards

Additionally, many of our clients publish a book as a business-building strategy. These are professionals, corporate executives, or entrepreneurs who seek to position themselves as "the expert." A book gives them new visibility and credibility.

Do It Right

Whatever your reason, do it right! A carefully crafted self-published book can compare favorably with a traditionally-published book. Quality control is vital. Get professional editing help. Develop a dynamic cover. Use someone who understands book design.

Book Writing how-to manual offering step-by-step system for writing books and/or ebooks and then pub...

Most graphic artists who create impressive logos or wonderful brochures don't have a clue about what works for book covers. And be sure you have an ISBN, LCCN, and a Bookland EAN scanning symbol on the back cover. Unfamiliar terms? Educate yourself by reading; find out what they mean. When you elect to self-publish, you're going into business. If you expect to compete in the marketplace, do your homework.

Also learn about printing. It's your biggest expense. Having a few hundred copies done at your local print shop or via Print on Demand may make sense for a family history or a chapbook of poems. To be cost-effective you need to print a minimum of 3,000 copies of most books, however, and you should work with a book manufacturer or a print broker who knows book printing and will look out for your best interests.

Complete Guide to the World of Alternative Cancer Therapy

We offer ideas in our newly revised Complete Guide to Self-Publishing to slash costs and still have a quality product.

Work in even signatures, preferably 32- or 64-page increments. Choose from the printer's standard papers, rather than specifying something unusual. Want an inexpensive and dynamic brochure? Print an overrun of the covers while you're on the press. They're cheap and impressive then.

Consider publishing in hardcover. It will only cost you about $1.25 per book more, yet it commands a greater retail price (a $12.95 paperback versus the same book in hardcover at $19.95, for instance). Total costs to publish your own book vary as much as the price of automobiles. There are Cadillac projects and there are Geo projects. They depend on length, size, complexity of text, presence of illustrations or photographs, number of colors in the cover, editing needed, marketing involved, etc. You'll typically invest anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 to do it right.

Self-publishing can be fun, exciting, and profitable. If you're the type of person who likes to be behind the wheel, rather than just along for the ride, it may be the perfect alternative for getting your book into print.

Keep in mind, it is not a cure�€�all. It is a powerful tool for shaping your writing destiny. The bottom line is directly proportional to the effort expended. As with anything worthwhile, it requires self-discipline, investment, time, and creativity. Yes, there are risks involved-but done properly, the financial and emotional rewards can be substantial.

Marilyn and

Tom Ross are the coauthors of 13 books including the best-selling Complete Guide to Self-Publishing and the award-winning Jump Start Your Book Sales. Through phone consultations and ongoing coaching/mentoring, Marilyn empowers authors and self-publishers to realize their dreams. She can be reached at 719-395-8659 or Marilyn@MarilynRoss.com.

Visit http://www.SelfPublishingResources.com for free meaty information on writing, self-publishing, and book marketing strategies.

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