by: George Crystal
Your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains will include hiking the beautiful mountain trails and some find cuisine as well. You can plan to climb the mountains or bicycle through the beautiful trails. One thing is for sure, you are going to have fun filled week or two. The cities around the mountain base are charming and hospitable. You might decide to hike during the day and stay in the cities at night. You might stay in Oloron and Luz St. Saveur. The hotels you stay in are luxurious and quaint. They offer fine cuisine with some exceptional wine selections.
Whether you plan you trip with a tour guide or just want to explore the mountains yourself, you will find your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees will be exciting. You can walk the mountains and see the sheep glazing in the green grasses. The area is a true vision of pure and untouched beauty. Two trails that you want to hike are the Haute Route Pyreneenne and the Chemin de Grande Randonnee. This last trail is a little tougher to hike, you should be use to hiking in order to take this trail. Both trails should be used with caution and take along enough food and water.
You are going to find yourself exploring different areas of the Pyrenees Mountains and spending time in the hotels and restaurants at night. Depending on where you choose to stay, you will find some nightlife as well. The main attraction to this area is the mountains and the cities below offer luxury sleeping quarters for the weary hikers. You will also find golf courses and a castle to spend a night in if you wish. You can pick any city to stay in or you might pick a few different ones so you can explore other areas around the mountains.
You will also find your cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains includes beaches, museums, historical sites, galleries, nature exhibits and national parks. You can enjoy some family fun or a romantic getaway. The Caves Park is special for a picnic and a day in the water. You will explore the caves and see the wonders that make this area so special. You are going to enjoy this cheap holiday vacation, there is more adventure than you could find somewhere else. With the mountains, you can plan a day of hiking, a night of sitting on the beach watching the waves as the sun goes down.
Whether you stay in Andorra, Basque County or Navarra, you will find a great view of the Pyrenees Mountains and have some exciting walks and hiking. If you are looking for a ski holiday, the Aragon Pyrenees and Midi Pyrenees is a great place to ski the slopes. They are fun for the family and have small slopes as well as advanced slopes. You are going to have many different things to do when you plan a cheap holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains. Dress for the weather as well.
Rabu, 05 Desember 2007
How to Choose the Right Place to Retire – 3 Important Considerations
by: Mike Rynchek
Retirement is a time to enjoy life, which means finding a place to do so and a community that enables you to do the things that you love. There are many options for people who are retiring, but finding the right place isn’t always easy, here are 3 points to consider when looking at retirement options:
1) Consider your Lifestyle
• Think about your needs and your lifestyle. Is it important for you to be in a place where you have friends and family already or do you want to discover a new community that can expand your circle of relationships?
• What location is suitable to your lifestyle? There are so many different geographical places you can retire; selecting the right climate plays an important role in supporting the lifestyle that you want to live. Whether it’s in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Lakes of the Midwest or on the Ocean, deciding where you want to retire is critical in enjoying your retirement.
• What kind of activities do you enjoy? Do you like to go skiing, play golf, go hiking, or play on the water? Enjoying retirement is all about being able to participate in your favorite activities and finding the best spot to do those is important.
2) Compare locations and communities
• Once you have found the places that are most ideal for you lifestyle, compare the differences between the locations and communities that are on your list. Major items to consider when comparing places are :
• Cost of living and government taxes
• Proximity to local healthcare facilities
• Proximity to entertainment and dining
• Social activities in the area that allow you to meet new people
3) Confirm with a visit and decide
• Once you’ve considered your priorities and narrowed down your options the last step is to actually experience your new location.
• If you have never visited the area before, go take a visit and experience the local lifestyle in that place for the weekend. You will ensure that it is an area with the activities, amenities, and people in the community that will allow you to enjoy retired life to its fullest.
Retirement is a time to enjoy life, which means finding a place to do so and a community that enables you to do the things that you love. There are many options for people who are retiring, but finding the right place isn’t always easy, here are 3 points to consider when looking at retirement options:
1) Consider your Lifestyle
• Think about your needs and your lifestyle. Is it important for you to be in a place where you have friends and family already or do you want to discover a new community that can expand your circle of relationships?
• What location is suitable to your lifestyle? There are so many different geographical places you can retire; selecting the right climate plays an important role in supporting the lifestyle that you want to live. Whether it’s in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Lakes of the Midwest or on the Ocean, deciding where you want to retire is critical in enjoying your retirement.
• What kind of activities do you enjoy? Do you like to go skiing, play golf, go hiking, or play on the water? Enjoying retirement is all about being able to participate in your favorite activities and finding the best spot to do those is important.
2) Compare locations and communities
• Once you have found the places that are most ideal for you lifestyle, compare the differences between the locations and communities that are on your list. Major items to consider when comparing places are :
• Cost of living and government taxes
• Proximity to local healthcare facilities
• Proximity to entertainment and dining
• Social activities in the area that allow you to meet new people
3) Confirm with a visit and decide
• Once you’ve considered your priorities and narrowed down your options the last step is to actually experience your new location.
• If you have never visited the area before, go take a visit and experience the local lifestyle in that place for the weekend. You will ensure that it is an area with the activities, amenities, and people in the community that will allow you to enjoy retired life to its fullest.
A romantic vacation in Cuba – The perfect Valentine’s Day break
by: Emma Lelliott
Venice, Paris, Seville and Prague may have a reputation for making the best romantic breaks, but as love and romance are often supposed to be linked to the unexpected, how about choosing a more unconventional location for your Valentine’s Day break this year? I speak of course of Cuba – the Caribbean’s largest island. From the picturesque beaches, to the idyllic architecture and cosy restaurants, the island makes a memorable retreat sure to keep the flames of passion alive – at least until you return to rainy old England! A Valentines break, or even a honeymoon in Cuba, is something special which will stay with you for a long time.
So why Cuba? First of all, Valentine’s Day is a big deal on the island. While it’s easy to become jaded in a country where the celebration seems to be more about saccharine sweet greeting cards than about celebrating the love of your special one, Cubans make the day really special. To begin with, the buildings – public and private alike – are decked out with colourful lights, and some of the private homes have gifts attached to the walls too – inside and out! This combined with the usual local atmosphere of friendliness guarantees an atmosphere perfect for Valentines day holiday makers, and make the ideal setting for ‘popping the question’ should you feel so inclined. If you have just celebrated a February marriage, honeymoons in Cuba are especially romantic around Valentines Day, and you’ll be guaranteed a friendly welcome and an enjoyable stay which will ensure you never want to leave.
In terms of specific romantic places to visit on the island, there are just too many to mention, and part of the charm of a Cuba holiday is that there are thousands of undiscovered choice spots for couples to enjoy a picnic, watch the sunset or just recline under the stars. However, there are a few places which are undisputed romantic vacation highlights of the island – Old Havana itself is very much a focal point, and allows for all tastes amidst it’s 18th century colonial architecture from candlelit dinners to passionate salsa dance.
Another choice romantic vacation spot is El Salton – not a spot on the tourist trail, but wonderfully peaceful and charming. The waterfall is surrounded by vibrant cocoa plantations, cooling streams and mountain farms. If you prefer something a little more populated, then the city of Bayamo offers a cultural alternative. The city hosts the national monument, plenty of history and excellent food for that perfect candle lit dinner. Additionally, the troubadours stroll through the town, allowing the romance to overspill from the homes into the streets. Baracoa offers a romantic break somewhere between the peace of the countryside and the bustle of the city. Baracoa has historic links to Velasquez and Columbus, and is surrounded by the beauty of Cuban nature – 10 rivers, isolated beaches, small fishing settlements, UNESCO designated biospheres, mountains, and coconut plantations.
Everything is ready for the perfect romantic break in Cuba this Valentine’s Day. The hotels often have special Valentines Day break packages, and the restaurants usually offer special menus, to give you a memorable occasion. With some fine food and wine, how you spend the rest of the evening is up to you – fiery Latin dance or a night out on the isolated beaches under the stars – Cuba really has something for every couple with an imagination for the romantic. Whether you’re looking for a memorable Valentines Day break or to spend your honeymoon in Cuba, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the romance department.
Venice, Paris, Seville and Prague may have a reputation for making the best romantic breaks, but as love and romance are often supposed to be linked to the unexpected, how about choosing a more unconventional location for your Valentine’s Day break this year? I speak of course of Cuba – the Caribbean’s largest island. From the picturesque beaches, to the idyllic architecture and cosy restaurants, the island makes a memorable retreat sure to keep the flames of passion alive – at least until you return to rainy old England! A Valentines break, or even a honeymoon in Cuba, is something special which will stay with you for a long time.
So why Cuba? First of all, Valentine’s Day is a big deal on the island. While it’s easy to become jaded in a country where the celebration seems to be more about saccharine sweet greeting cards than about celebrating the love of your special one, Cubans make the day really special. To begin with, the buildings – public and private alike – are decked out with colourful lights, and some of the private homes have gifts attached to the walls too – inside and out! This combined with the usual local atmosphere of friendliness guarantees an atmosphere perfect for Valentines day holiday makers, and make the ideal setting for ‘popping the question’ should you feel so inclined. If you have just celebrated a February marriage, honeymoons in Cuba are especially romantic around Valentines Day, and you’ll be guaranteed a friendly welcome and an enjoyable stay which will ensure you never want to leave.
In terms of specific romantic places to visit on the island, there are just too many to mention, and part of the charm of a Cuba holiday is that there are thousands of undiscovered choice spots for couples to enjoy a picnic, watch the sunset or just recline under the stars. However, there are a few places which are undisputed romantic vacation highlights of the island – Old Havana itself is very much a focal point, and allows for all tastes amidst it’s 18th century colonial architecture from candlelit dinners to passionate salsa dance.
Another choice romantic vacation spot is El Salton – not a spot on the tourist trail, but wonderfully peaceful and charming. The waterfall is surrounded by vibrant cocoa plantations, cooling streams and mountain farms. If you prefer something a little more populated, then the city of Bayamo offers a cultural alternative. The city hosts the national monument, plenty of history and excellent food for that perfect candle lit dinner. Additionally, the troubadours stroll through the town, allowing the romance to overspill from the homes into the streets. Baracoa offers a romantic break somewhere between the peace of the countryside and the bustle of the city. Baracoa has historic links to Velasquez and Columbus, and is surrounded by the beauty of Cuban nature – 10 rivers, isolated beaches, small fishing settlements, UNESCO designated biospheres, mountains, and coconut plantations.
Everything is ready for the perfect romantic break in Cuba this Valentine’s Day. The hotels often have special Valentines Day break packages, and the restaurants usually offer special menus, to give you a memorable occasion. With some fine food and wine, how you spend the rest of the evening is up to you – fiery Latin dance or a night out on the isolated beaches under the stars – Cuba really has something for every couple with an imagination for the romantic. Whether you’re looking for a memorable Valentines Day break or to spend your honeymoon in Cuba, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the romance department.
Look For Discount Hotels, Even If It Is Not Off Season!
by: Ben Jackson
If I was visiting a city for the first time, I would definitely have to depend to a very large extent on the information available in magazines and on the net, for a choice in accommodation. It would be pointless to do this, without a clear idea of the amount of money I could spend on accommodation of any sort. Any person who is traveling to a city on business would do well to think of these things before he starts looking out for a hotel, be it a discount hotel or otherwise:
• The number of days you need to stay in the city
• The amount of traveling you will have to do within the place of stay; this is necessary because, you need to know the proximity of the hotel to travel take-off points
• The location of the hotel – this would be particularly important because, most brochures do not show the environs of a hotel. When a hotel is called a budget hotel or a discount hotel, the pictures that represent this are usually of the hotel room or lobby. Rarely do you get to see where exactly the hotel is situated. This could be quite misleading. You would think you have a good bargain; you would book yourself in from your home, and then have the time of your life, trying to find the hotel, because it is literally down some alleyway.
• Find out if there are going to be any hidden costs: if the hotel is going to ask you to pay a basic amount and then keep adding on for every small service that they provide, then the hotel is not a discount hotel, by any flight of imagination.
Though the list given above is not an exhaustive one, it would be good to think of these points when you are looking for a good hotel.
It is also a good idea to find out whether the hotel offers you package deals. For instance, if you know in advance that you might have to spend close to 15 days in a month in and around a particular city; it would be good to find a good hotel to stay in. It makes sense to go to a place, where you are recognized and treated more as a friend than as a guest. Apart from the feel-good factor, the hotel could possibly offer you a discount because you are a frequent visitor.
Some hotels offer you discounts on the tariff itself, while some others give you some add-ons that are quite attractive. They could, for instance, offer you the use of their sports and leisure facilities free; they could also offer you the chance to be rejuvenated in their spa or health centre for no extra charge.
Therefore, finding discount hotels could be both exciting as well as tiresome. You need to find the right balance that will make you feel that your money is well spent.
If I was visiting a city for the first time, I would definitely have to depend to a very large extent on the information available in magazines and on the net, for a choice in accommodation. It would be pointless to do this, without a clear idea of the amount of money I could spend on accommodation of any sort. Any person who is traveling to a city on business would do well to think of these things before he starts looking out for a hotel, be it a discount hotel or otherwise:
• The number of days you need to stay in the city
• The amount of traveling you will have to do within the place of stay; this is necessary because, you need to know the proximity of the hotel to travel take-off points
• The location of the hotel – this would be particularly important because, most brochures do not show the environs of a hotel. When a hotel is called a budget hotel or a discount hotel, the pictures that represent this are usually of the hotel room or lobby. Rarely do you get to see where exactly the hotel is situated. This could be quite misleading. You would think you have a good bargain; you would book yourself in from your home, and then have the time of your life, trying to find the hotel, because it is literally down some alleyway.
• Find out if there are going to be any hidden costs: if the hotel is going to ask you to pay a basic amount and then keep adding on for every small service that they provide, then the hotel is not a discount hotel, by any flight of imagination.
Though the list given above is not an exhaustive one, it would be good to think of these points when you are looking for a good hotel.
It is also a good idea to find out whether the hotel offers you package deals. For instance, if you know in advance that you might have to spend close to 15 days in a month in and around a particular city; it would be good to find a good hotel to stay in. It makes sense to go to a place, where you are recognized and treated more as a friend than as a guest. Apart from the feel-good factor, the hotel could possibly offer you a discount because you are a frequent visitor.
Some hotels offer you discounts on the tariff itself, while some others give you some add-ons that are quite attractive. They could, for instance, offer you the use of their sports and leisure facilities free; they could also offer you the chance to be rejuvenated in their spa or health centre for no extra charge.
Therefore, finding discount hotels could be both exciting as well as tiresome. You need to find the right balance that will make you feel that your money is well spent.
Shopping For Local Products In St. Thomas
by: Justin Burch
St. Thomas has long been known as one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. With numerous malls and markets catering to resort and cruise tourists, you can find almost anything you want at a great price in the island’s bustling capital – Charlotte Amalie. However, not all travelers are aware of the wealth of incredible locally-produced products available in St. Thomas. From folk arts and crafts to handmade food products and spices, there are plenty of ways to shop for the best products St. Thomas has to offer.
The best location to find Caribbean folk art and local products is the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Featuring the work of nearly 100 different locals throughout the year, the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative is the largest shopping center devoted to local artisans in the Virgin Islands. Conveniently located next to the tourist information office in central Charlotte Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to sell their artwork and handmade products directly to the public from the former United States colonial courthouse.
One of the most popular booths within the Cooperative belongs to Gwendolyn Harley, the artist behind a very popular series of hand-sewn dolls. Throughout the years, Harley has maintained an adoption log and seen her historically-minded dolls travel throughout the world in the hands of tourists and collectors.
For those in search of unique food products, a stop by Cheryl Miller’s booth will yield a number of award-winning flavors. Besides the popular jams and jellies handmade by Miller, five of her sauces – known by the label “Cheryl’s Taste of Paradise” – have taken home trophies from the National Fiery Foods Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also find Miller’s products within the store she maintains in conjunction with her kitchen at the Compass Point Marina.
One of the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative’s strangest booths belongs to Justin Todman, known locally as The Broom Man. Utilizing traditional Caribbean methods, The Broom Man weaves date palm fronds in intricate patterns and attaches all lengths of handles to create brooms for every possible purpose. Todman’s brooms are also very popular with couples getting married in St. Thomas, supporting African and Caribbean tradition of newlyweds symbolically jumping over a broom to start their life together.
Art collectors will also want to visit the gallery and silkscreen studio located at Tillet Gardens. For nearly 50 years, Tillet Gardens has served as the home of St. Thomas’ vibrant art community. The gallery is full of paintings and prints by the island’s most talented residents with work available for all budgets and interests. Housed in an old Danish farm, Tillet Gardens is also a great place to spend an afternoon as the site features a great outdoor restaurant and occasional performances by local musicians.
As you walk through the streets of the capital city, you will also see several additional art galleries selling the work of local painters and sculptors. Outside of Tillet Gardens, the best selection of artwork created in the Virgin Islands can be found at Mango Tango. Like Tillet Gardens and the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, the work available at Mango Tango and other galleries throughout Charlotte Amalie is reasonably priced, with unique pieces for all tastes and budgets. Also, keep an eye out for artisans selling their work in the small, open-air markets of the city. Many talented individuals sell directly to the public each day and all love sharing their stories with visitors.
St. Thomas is also one of the best locations in the Caribbean to find exotic spices. Much like the fabled Caribbean spice markets of the colonial period, today’s spice markets offer visitors the chance to taste and purchase exotic flavors and gourmet products. The best assortment of Caribbean spices can be found at Caribbean Marketplace, a sprawling emporium that specializes in bulk spices and gourmet condiments. Spices, teas and condiments can also be found at Down Island Traders – a popular store in Charlotte Amalie that also carries locally-made jewelry and crafts.
Like many other islands in the Caribbean, St. Thomas has plenty of talented individuals creating distinctive products by hand. Wherever you travel in St. Thomas, you will be able to find a piece of the island to take home with you. Most importantly, in most cases, you won’t be able to find these special treasures anywhere else.
St. Thomas has long been known as one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. With numerous malls and markets catering to resort and cruise tourists, you can find almost anything you want at a great price in the island’s bustling capital – Charlotte Amalie. However, not all travelers are aware of the wealth of incredible locally-produced products available in St. Thomas. From folk arts and crafts to handmade food products and spices, there are plenty of ways to shop for the best products St. Thomas has to offer.
The best location to find Caribbean folk art and local products is the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Featuring the work of nearly 100 different locals throughout the year, the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative is the largest shopping center devoted to local artisans in the Virgin Islands. Conveniently located next to the tourist information office in central Charlotte Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to sell their artwork and handmade products directly to the public from the former United States colonial courthouse.
One of the most popular booths within the Cooperative belongs to Gwendolyn Harley, the artist behind a very popular series of hand-sewn dolls. Throughout the years, Harley has maintained an adoption log and seen her historically-minded dolls travel throughout the world in the hands of tourists and collectors.
For those in search of unique food products, a stop by Cheryl Miller’s booth will yield a number of award-winning flavors. Besides the popular jams and jellies handmade by Miller, five of her sauces – known by the label “Cheryl’s Taste of Paradise” – have taken home trophies from the National Fiery Foods Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also find Miller’s products within the store she maintains in conjunction with her kitchen at the Compass Point Marina.
One of the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative’s strangest booths belongs to Justin Todman, known locally as The Broom Man. Utilizing traditional Caribbean methods, The Broom Man weaves date palm fronds in intricate patterns and attaches all lengths of handles to create brooms for every possible purpose. Todman’s brooms are also very popular with couples getting married in St. Thomas, supporting African and Caribbean tradition of newlyweds symbolically jumping over a broom to start their life together.
Art collectors will also want to visit the gallery and silkscreen studio located at Tillet Gardens. For nearly 50 years, Tillet Gardens has served as the home of St. Thomas’ vibrant art community. The gallery is full of paintings and prints by the island’s most talented residents with work available for all budgets and interests. Housed in an old Danish farm, Tillet Gardens is also a great place to spend an afternoon as the site features a great outdoor restaurant and occasional performances by local musicians.
As you walk through the streets of the capital city, you will also see several additional art galleries selling the work of local painters and sculptors. Outside of Tillet Gardens, the best selection of artwork created in the Virgin Islands can be found at Mango Tango. Like Tillet Gardens and the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, the work available at Mango Tango and other galleries throughout Charlotte Amalie is reasonably priced, with unique pieces for all tastes and budgets. Also, keep an eye out for artisans selling their work in the small, open-air markets of the city. Many talented individuals sell directly to the public each day and all love sharing their stories with visitors.
St. Thomas is also one of the best locations in the Caribbean to find exotic spices. Much like the fabled Caribbean spice markets of the colonial period, today’s spice markets offer visitors the chance to taste and purchase exotic flavors and gourmet products. The best assortment of Caribbean spices can be found at Caribbean Marketplace, a sprawling emporium that specializes in bulk spices and gourmet condiments. Spices, teas and condiments can also be found at Down Island Traders – a popular store in Charlotte Amalie that also carries locally-made jewelry and crafts.
Like many other islands in the Caribbean, St. Thomas has plenty of talented individuals creating distinctive products by hand. Wherever you travel in St. Thomas, you will be able to find a piece of the island to take home with you. Most importantly, in most cases, you won’t be able to find these special treasures anywhere else.
Market Your Business With Seminars and Workshops
by Patricia Crane, Ph.D.
Are you a terrific practitioner who needs more clients? A few years ago Time Magazine published an article stating that billions of dollars every year in the US were being spent for holistic health modalities. It's great news to know that the public is accessing nontraditional methods more and more. And yet many therapists, alternative health practitioners, and life coaches want and need more clients. Offering seminars and workshops in the community is one way to "stand out from the crowd." Not only do they help you reach potential clients, they can substantially increase your income. By speaking to local groups plus offering seminars and workshops, you establish your credibility and expertise, and offer potential clients a low risk way to get to know you and your expertise. Patricia Crane, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and international workshop leader. She is an expert in personal growth and has led hundreds of workshops. Patricia trains people to develop, market, and lead their own seminars and workshops as a marketing tool for increased business.
Are you a terrific practitioner who needs more clients? A few years ago Time Magazine published an article stating that billions of dollars every year in the US were being spent for holistic health modalities. It's great news to know that the public is accessing nontraditional methods more and more. And yet many therapists, alternative health practitioners, and life coaches want and need more clients. Offering seminars and workshops in the community is one way to "stand out from the crowd." Not only do they help you reach potential clients, they can substantially increase your income. By speaking to local groups plus offering seminars and workshops, you establish your credibility and expertise, and offer potential clients a low risk way to get to know you and your expertise.
There are three ingredients to master for creating a successful seminar or workshop: great content, effective marketing, and engaging presentation skills. If you're missing any one of these, it's unlikely your program will be successful on an ongoing basis.
When you develop the content for your workshop, it's important to include unique and new information. In adition to your own knowledge nd expertise, take the time to research your topic on the internet and in books. The Dummies books are one of our favorites for compiling a lot of information. Find interesting quotes and stories that illustrate your message. Or, if you have personal stories that illustrate the skills you used to change YOUR life for the better, these will have a great impact on your audience. Once you've developed the main points for your topic, spend some time organizing the flow. To keep the interest of participants, you'll need a variety of activities. Few people want to sit and listen to a lecture for three or more hours. Include lecture, discussion, interactive exercises, meditation, and even a DVD if appropriate.
When creating your marketing, a catchy title and a compelling description are a must. When I changed my women's program from Stress Management for Women of the Go to Success Strategies for Women on the Go, attendance increased by 50%! A good title will encourage people to want more information, and then you can persuade them you know something they need to know! In your marketing, whether print advertising or on your website, be careful to "tease" the reader with what they will learn to enhance their lives by attending your workshop.
Finally, does standing in front of the group and presenting scare you? We've all heard the quote that more people are scared of speaking in public than they are of death! Like any skill, presenting effectively takes learning the basics and practice, practice, and more practice! The more you do it, the less scary it is. Try standing in front of a full length mirror to practice. Or, if you have a video camera, taping yourself is a great learning tool. You can do that with no one around, then watch, evaluate, and do it again until you are comfortable with the way you look and sound. Besides imparting important information, part of your goal in a workshop is to inspire people with the ability they have to change their lives for the better, so exhibit passion and enthusiasm in your speaking. Relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the experience!
Keywords: lead seminars,lead workshops,business growth,increase income,attract clients
About the Author
Patricia Crane, Ph.D.
Business Success
patricia@heartinspired.com
More Details about marketing strategy here.
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Looking For The Best Online Dating Service?
by: Dechen Lau
Online dating has been the trend nowadays. During the previous years, dating sites were very popular only to those who are said to be distressed and lonesome in life. But now, it is being accepted by more and more people from all over the world. And people have been engaging in finding the best online dating service they can get.
It has been more acceptable to resort to online dating especially those singles who are so busy with their work. They are sometimes bombarded with so much paperwork or fieldwork that they no longer have time for meeting other singles personally. And if you are looking for the best online dating service, you are not the only one who is looking for it. Everybody wants it!
More and more single individuals are into online dating because they have their own reasons. Some people say that it is more practical and convenient because you actually get to know first the person before you actually meet or date in person. Moreover, you will also get to meet or chat with many online daters from many parts of the world.
If you prefer Asian, British, American or whatever race you want, it is there. Most of the people you will meet in online dating sites are open-minded and straightforward so it would not be so hard to be your true self. You’ll never know it but you might just be a few clicks ahead for your future wife and companion.
Your attitude may greatly affect your personal profile so it is best that you approach online daters with a nice and good personality. Online dating has been a great option to many singles out there and you might just be interested in it. You can be introduced to thousands of singles out there in just a short period of time. Thanks to the internet for making this happen. It is a world full of nice and approachable people waiting to know you more.
It has magic according to some people who have finally found their partners in life through online dating and you might just be interested in trying its magic. However, you must not rely on it too much. Just be casual and have fun. And do not think that the computer will turn you into an ultimate social monster. It will be only a means of introduction to more people out in the online dating world. Your soul mate may be waiting for you somewhere in the cyber-dating world so act naturally.
If you are looking for the best online dating service provider, then search the internet. Just type in some key words and you will be displayed with dozens of search results. You will see some online dating sites as well as the services they provide. They may require some compensation or service fee but some sites are free. Although there are differences between the free sites and those which are not, it is up to you to choose which site will suit your needs.
Furthermore, you will be asked to sign up for their membership and you will be given the chance to make your own personal profile. You can add pictures, information and many others which describe you. It will also be a way for other online daters to know you. it is better to insert pictures because people are more inclined to seeing profiles with pictures.
With the so many online dating sites these days, online daters are confused in which site they would prefer. There are many major sites that give the best online dating service so you would not have to worry about which pop-up sites to respond to. if you are looking for a dating service, there are sites which are limited to responding to the needs of those who are looking for a serious online dating relationship. In other words, they match up people who might be compatible and they add more flick to it. It is no place for people who are only looking for online friends and acquaintances.
There are so many quality matchmaking service providers out there. What you have to do is to look for them through the internet. You will also encounter policies and regulations that are provided by the site owners and management as well. Just make sure that you adhere to these guidelines to enjoy the best online dating experience you are looking for.
Online dating has been the trend nowadays. During the previous years, dating sites were very popular only to those who are said to be distressed and lonesome in life. But now, it is being accepted by more and more people from all over the world. And people have been engaging in finding the best online dating service they can get.
It has been more acceptable to resort to online dating especially those singles who are so busy with their work. They are sometimes bombarded with so much paperwork or fieldwork that they no longer have time for meeting other singles personally. And if you are looking for the best online dating service, you are not the only one who is looking for it. Everybody wants it!
More and more single individuals are into online dating because they have their own reasons. Some people say that it is more practical and convenient because you actually get to know first the person before you actually meet or date in person. Moreover, you will also get to meet or chat with many online daters from many parts of the world.
If you prefer Asian, British, American or whatever race you want, it is there. Most of the people you will meet in online dating sites are open-minded and straightforward so it would not be so hard to be your true self. You’ll never know it but you might just be a few clicks ahead for your future wife and companion.
Your attitude may greatly affect your personal profile so it is best that you approach online daters with a nice and good personality. Online dating has been a great option to many singles out there and you might just be interested in it. You can be introduced to thousands of singles out there in just a short period of time. Thanks to the internet for making this happen. It is a world full of nice and approachable people waiting to know you more.
It has magic according to some people who have finally found their partners in life through online dating and you might just be interested in trying its magic. However, you must not rely on it too much. Just be casual and have fun. And do not think that the computer will turn you into an ultimate social monster. It will be only a means of introduction to more people out in the online dating world. Your soul mate may be waiting for you somewhere in the cyber-dating world so act naturally.
If you are looking for the best online dating service provider, then search the internet. Just type in some key words and you will be displayed with dozens of search results. You will see some online dating sites as well as the services they provide. They may require some compensation or service fee but some sites are free. Although there are differences between the free sites and those which are not, it is up to you to choose which site will suit your needs.
Furthermore, you will be asked to sign up for their membership and you will be given the chance to make your own personal profile. You can add pictures, information and many others which describe you. It will also be a way for other online daters to know you. it is better to insert pictures because people are more inclined to seeing profiles with pictures.
With the so many online dating sites these days, online daters are confused in which site they would prefer. There are many major sites that give the best online dating service so you would not have to worry about which pop-up sites to respond to. if you are looking for a dating service, there are sites which are limited to responding to the needs of those who are looking for a serious online dating relationship. In other words, they match up people who might be compatible and they add more flick to it. It is no place for people who are only looking for online friends and acquaintances.
There are so many quality matchmaking service providers out there. What you have to do is to look for them through the internet. You will also encounter policies and regulations that are provided by the site owners and management as well. Just make sure that you adhere to these guidelines to enjoy the best online dating experience you are looking for.
Relationships: Prescribing the Symptom
by: Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
"Sam whines and complains to me a lot, and then expects me to be turned on to him and make love with him. When I don’t want to, he gets angry," said Jackie in our first telephone counseling session. "I have become more and more shut down. I don't want our marriage to end, but if we keep going this way, that is what is going to happen."
"Jackie, what happens when you try to talk with Sam about this?"
"He just gets defensive and blames me for his unhappiness. I just don't know what to do."
"It sounds like Sam wants control over you, but is very resistant to anything you have to say, and then the two of you get into a power struggle. What I think might help is doing what I call 'prescribing the symptom.' Let's do some role-plays so you can see what I mean. You be Sam complaining and I will be you."
(Jackie being Sam, using a whiny voice) "Honey, I just couldn't sleep last night, and I'm feeling so anxious about work. Maybe tonight we can be together."
(Me, being Jackie) "Sam maybe if you whine just a little bit more and try to make me feel really guilty, I will feel turned on to you!"
"Wow," laughed Jackie, "that might work!"
"Let's try some other role-plays."
"Okay. (Being Sam, yelling) You know what Jackie? I've had it with you. I don't feel loved at all. Why should I stay in the marriage?"
(Me, being Jackie) "Sam, you are not being angry and threatening enough. Maybe if you yell even louder and threaten more you can have control over getting me to love you."
"Oh, I love this! I think that Sam is the kind of person who will really get this!"
In our next session Jackie had much to report.
"This was a terrific week! I prescribed the symptom at least three times! Each time Sam looked at me like I was crazy and then started to laugh. He is really getting how ridiculous it is for him to think that whining and complaining and yelling will get me turned on to him. Near the end of the week he was much lighter and happier and I actually felt turned on to him! We made love for the first time in months."
Prescribing the symptom is an excellent way for some people to gain awareness of what they are doing that is not working well for them. When you are prescribing the symptom, it is important to:
1. Speak in a light, joking way, with no judgment.
2. Describe the behavior, encouraging the person to do it even more.
3. Describe the intent behind the behavior. For example, the intent of Sam's whining and complaining was to make Jackie feel guilty enough to give in. The intent behind anger or complaining is to have control over getting what the person wants. It is very helpful to articulate this intent to control, as I did in the role-play by saying, "Maybe if you yell even louder and threaten more you can have control over getting me to love you."
Many people are resistant and hate it when someone tells them what to do. When you tell a resistant person to do exactly what they are doing, and in fact to do it even more, they are likely to resist you and stop doing what they are doing - whether they are children or adults. After all, when someone is whining and complaining or getting angry, he or she is being a controlling child who wants to be in control, but does not want to be controlled.
Sometimes, prescribing the symptom can work wonders!
"Sam whines and complains to me a lot, and then expects me to be turned on to him and make love with him. When I don’t want to, he gets angry," said Jackie in our first telephone counseling session. "I have become more and more shut down. I don't want our marriage to end, but if we keep going this way, that is what is going to happen."
"Jackie, what happens when you try to talk with Sam about this?"
"He just gets defensive and blames me for his unhappiness. I just don't know what to do."
"It sounds like Sam wants control over you, but is very resistant to anything you have to say, and then the two of you get into a power struggle. What I think might help is doing what I call 'prescribing the symptom.' Let's do some role-plays so you can see what I mean. You be Sam complaining and I will be you."
(Jackie being Sam, using a whiny voice) "Honey, I just couldn't sleep last night, and I'm feeling so anxious about work. Maybe tonight we can be together."
(Me, being Jackie) "Sam maybe if you whine just a little bit more and try to make me feel really guilty, I will feel turned on to you!"
"Wow," laughed Jackie, "that might work!"
"Let's try some other role-plays."
"Okay. (Being Sam, yelling) You know what Jackie? I've had it with you. I don't feel loved at all. Why should I stay in the marriage?"
(Me, being Jackie) "Sam, you are not being angry and threatening enough. Maybe if you yell even louder and threaten more you can have control over getting me to love you."
"Oh, I love this! I think that Sam is the kind of person who will really get this!"
In our next session Jackie had much to report.
"This was a terrific week! I prescribed the symptom at least three times! Each time Sam looked at me like I was crazy and then started to laugh. He is really getting how ridiculous it is for him to think that whining and complaining and yelling will get me turned on to him. Near the end of the week he was much lighter and happier and I actually felt turned on to him! We made love for the first time in months."
Prescribing the symptom is an excellent way for some people to gain awareness of what they are doing that is not working well for them. When you are prescribing the symptom, it is important to:
1. Speak in a light, joking way, with no judgment.
2. Describe the behavior, encouraging the person to do it even more.
3. Describe the intent behind the behavior. For example, the intent of Sam's whining and complaining was to make Jackie feel guilty enough to give in. The intent behind anger or complaining is to have control over getting what the person wants. It is very helpful to articulate this intent to control, as I did in the role-play by saying, "Maybe if you yell even louder and threaten more you can have control over getting me to love you."
Many people are resistant and hate it when someone tells them what to do. When you tell a resistant person to do exactly what they are doing, and in fact to do it even more, they are likely to resist you and stop doing what they are doing - whether they are children or adults. After all, when someone is whining and complaining or getting angry, he or she is being a controlling child who wants to be in control, but does not want to be controlled.
Sometimes, prescribing the symptom can work wonders!
The How And Why Of Buying Traffic For Your Website
by: Cliff Posey Jr
Need more traffic on your website? You may want to consider buying it. When you buy traffic, you are almost guaranteed to get traffic. Many of the services that dedicate their businesses to building traffic for other websites offer a guaranteed number of visitors on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, making this one of these easiest and fastest ways to get traffic on your website.
If you have never heard of buying traffic before, or if you want to learn more about how it works, here are some frequently asked questions in regards to traffic buying that can help.
What Kind of Businesses Buy Traffic?
Buying web traffic is not necessarily a new Internet marketing concept. In fact, there are many online businesses that have been doing it for years. Though many of these companies are established already, they are not the only types of businesses who use such services. Sometimes the only way that a new, unknown site can get traffic to their website is by buying it. Competing with large sites is tough, and sometimes, search engine optimization techniques aren't enough to boost a new site's rankings in the search engines.
Where Can You Get Traffic?
There are many online services that sell website traffic. To find a sampling, simply type buy traffic or get traffic into any Internet search engine. You will be faced with so many different options that you will have a hard time choosing which service to go with.
If you are looking for referrals, consider visiting forums that have members who are online business owners or web developers. Many of the people who post in these forums may have already used one or two traffic building companies. In most cases, they will be able to offer you information on their experiences.
If you are unable to get a referral, don't base your decision on cost alone. There may or may not be a difference between a traffic building service that offers 10,000 visitors per month for $20.00 and one that offers 10,000 for $30.00. Always inquire about services, as well as costs. Good questions to ask include:
How do you bring traffic to my website?
Do you ever use spamming techniques?
What type of traffic will be targeted: specific countries, specific languages, etc?
Can you guarantee that I will get traffic?
Will you provide me with stats?
Do you offer customer support?
How much will you charge me if I want to buy traffic?
Why is your service better than others?
Where Do Visitors Come From?
When you buy traffic, most of the visitors you get will be from banner ads, pop-ups, pop-unders, and layers ads. The ads are placed all around the net. When a web visitor clicks on the ad, they will be taken directly to your website.
Is Traffic Guaranteed?
This is a tough question to answer because it depends on the service that you use to buy traffic. Some services guarantee that you will get traffic and others do not. Even if they do guarantee traffic, they cannot guarantee sales. They cannot even guarantee that when you get traffic, it will stay on your site for more than one second.
This is very important to remember when deciding whether or not to buy traffic. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to track your traffic, your sales, and your overall results. Once you have analyzed everything, you will be able to easily determine if buying traffic to get traffic is in your best interests.
Need more traffic on your website? You may want to consider buying it. When you buy traffic, you are almost guaranteed to get traffic. Many of the services that dedicate their businesses to building traffic for other websites offer a guaranteed number of visitors on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, making this one of these easiest and fastest ways to get traffic on your website.
If you have never heard of buying traffic before, or if you want to learn more about how it works, here are some frequently asked questions in regards to traffic buying that can help.
What Kind of Businesses Buy Traffic?
Buying web traffic is not necessarily a new Internet marketing concept. In fact, there are many online businesses that have been doing it for years. Though many of these companies are established already, they are not the only types of businesses who use such services. Sometimes the only way that a new, unknown site can get traffic to their website is by buying it. Competing with large sites is tough, and sometimes, search engine optimization techniques aren't enough to boost a new site's rankings in the search engines.
Where Can You Get Traffic?
There are many online services that sell website traffic. To find a sampling, simply type buy traffic or get traffic into any Internet search engine. You will be faced with so many different options that you will have a hard time choosing which service to go with.
If you are looking for referrals, consider visiting forums that have members who are online business owners or web developers. Many of the people who post in these forums may have already used one or two traffic building companies. In most cases, they will be able to offer you information on their experiences.
If you are unable to get a referral, don't base your decision on cost alone. There may or may not be a difference between a traffic building service that offers 10,000 visitors per month for $20.00 and one that offers 10,000 for $30.00. Always inquire about services, as well as costs. Good questions to ask include:
How do you bring traffic to my website?
Do you ever use spamming techniques?
What type of traffic will be targeted: specific countries, specific languages, etc?
Can you guarantee that I will get traffic?
Will you provide me with stats?
Do you offer customer support?
How much will you charge me if I want to buy traffic?
Why is your service better than others?
Where Do Visitors Come From?
When you buy traffic, most of the visitors you get will be from banner ads, pop-ups, pop-unders, and layers ads. The ads are placed all around the net. When a web visitor clicks on the ad, they will be taken directly to your website.
Is Traffic Guaranteed?
This is a tough question to answer because it depends on the service that you use to buy traffic. Some services guarantee that you will get traffic and others do not. Even if they do guarantee traffic, they cannot guarantee sales. They cannot even guarantee that when you get traffic, it will stay on your site for more than one second.
This is very important to remember when deciding whether or not to buy traffic. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to track your traffic, your sales, and your overall results. Once you have analyzed everything, you will be able to easily determine if buying traffic to get traffic is in your best interests.
Search Engine Optimization for Small Business Success
by: Robert Moment
Whether you have an established large-scale business or whether you are a one-person start-up, it is important for your website to rank high in search engine queries for your important keywords and search phrases. If you are not ranked properly you will not get much traffic, and if you depend on Internet traffic, then this can mean failure for your business. One of the best ways to improve your ranking in the search engines is by applying the methods of search engine optimization to your website. Here is a guide to search engine optimization that can help you to get started in this important task:
1. Start with a clear and simple website design
A good website design should be easy for your human visitors to enjoy and understand, and it should also be intelligible for the search engine robots that also visit your site. What looks good to the human eye may not look good to search engines. If your site is 100% flash then it may impress your visitors, but the search engines will not find text and will not be able to properly classify your site. Similarly a site designed with frames is also search engine unfriendly. Check with your web designer and make sure that the design you are getting is user-friendly and search engine friendly as well.
2. Focus each of your web pages around one or two distinct concepts
A well-organized site will help you to get better search engine rankings. Suppose you have ten different products. It may be difficult to get number one rankings for all of these products from one single page of your site. However if you make sub-pages for each different product and optimize those pages to highlight the particular product or service on that page, then those sub-pages stand a good chance of coming up in search engine queries. Remember, people do not enter your website only via the main page; rather they often enter via the "back" and "side-doors." Prepare all the pages of your website properly and you will get more traffic.
3. Put your main keywords in the meta-tags of your web pages
Once you have decided what will go on your web pages, then you have to optimize each page separately. Never use the same meta-tags for all the pages of your site. If your page is about "Riding Lawn Mowers," then put these words in the Title, Description and Keywords meta-tags of your website. The title tag is the most important of the three tags, and your keywords should be right at the front. Resist the temptation to put your company name first! If you are new, then no one knows about you and they are searching for Riding Lawn Mowers and not you. Do your branding elsewhere, not in the meta-tags
4. Put your keywords in the headlines and sub-headlines of your web page
A search engine is trying to find out what your page is all about. If you want to know what a magazine article is all about, without even reading it, the first thing that you would do is scan the headlines. Search engines do the same thing. Put your most important keywords in a headline right at the top of the page. Mark the headline with an H1 tag (ask your web designer to help if you do not know what this is). Make sub-headlines using an H2 or H3 tag. Putting your keywords in headlines is a vital part of search engine optimization.
5. Place your keywords strategically in the text of your web page
Write naturally and logically and you will succeed with your web page optimization. In the first paragraph mention your main concept, and then develop your ideas summarizing in the last paragraph what you have said on that page. Your keywords should appear in the beginning of the document, and they should be repeated at the end. As mentioned in point 4, they should also appear in headlines and sub-headlines. The keyword density should be between 2-5%. If you write 400 words then your keyword can be repeated 12 times without any problem.
6. Include your keywords in link text on your web pages
When you link to other sections of your website you should pay attention to the clickable portion of the links. Instead of making a link that says "Click Here." Make a phrase that says click here for more information about "Riding Lawn Mowers." The clickable portion of the link should be your keywords and not click here!
These are the main points that you need to take care of when optimizing your website. If your small business is Internet-based or in any way dependent on search engine traffic, then it is imperative to apply the best methods of search engine optimization to each and every web page of your site.
Whether you have an established large-scale business or whether you are a one-person start-up, it is important for your website to rank high in search engine queries for your important keywords and search phrases. If you are not ranked properly you will not get much traffic, and if you depend on Internet traffic, then this can mean failure for your business. One of the best ways to improve your ranking in the search engines is by applying the methods of search engine optimization to your website. Here is a guide to search engine optimization that can help you to get started in this important task:
1. Start with a clear and simple website design
A good website design should be easy for your human visitors to enjoy and understand, and it should also be intelligible for the search engine robots that also visit your site. What looks good to the human eye may not look good to search engines. If your site is 100% flash then it may impress your visitors, but the search engines will not find text and will not be able to properly classify your site. Similarly a site designed with frames is also search engine unfriendly. Check with your web designer and make sure that the design you are getting is user-friendly and search engine friendly as well.
2. Focus each of your web pages around one or two distinct concepts
A well-organized site will help you to get better search engine rankings. Suppose you have ten different products. It may be difficult to get number one rankings for all of these products from one single page of your site. However if you make sub-pages for each different product and optimize those pages to highlight the particular product or service on that page, then those sub-pages stand a good chance of coming up in search engine queries. Remember, people do not enter your website only via the main page; rather they often enter via the "back" and "side-doors." Prepare all the pages of your website properly and you will get more traffic.
3. Put your main keywords in the meta-tags of your web pages
Once you have decided what will go on your web pages, then you have to optimize each page separately. Never use the same meta-tags for all the pages of your site. If your page is about "Riding Lawn Mowers," then put these words in the Title, Description and Keywords meta-tags of your website. The title tag is the most important of the three tags, and your keywords should be right at the front. Resist the temptation to put your company name first! If you are new, then no one knows about you and they are searching for Riding Lawn Mowers and not you. Do your branding elsewhere, not in the meta-tags
4. Put your keywords in the headlines and sub-headlines of your web page
A search engine is trying to find out what your page is all about. If you want to know what a magazine article is all about, without even reading it, the first thing that you would do is scan the headlines. Search engines do the same thing. Put your most important keywords in a headline right at the top of the page. Mark the headline with an H1 tag (ask your web designer to help if you do not know what this is). Make sub-headlines using an H2 or H3 tag. Putting your keywords in headlines is a vital part of search engine optimization.
5. Place your keywords strategically in the text of your web page
Write naturally and logically and you will succeed with your web page optimization. In the first paragraph mention your main concept, and then develop your ideas summarizing in the last paragraph what you have said on that page. Your keywords should appear in the beginning of the document, and they should be repeated at the end. As mentioned in point 4, they should also appear in headlines and sub-headlines. The keyword density should be between 2-5%. If you write 400 words then your keyword can be repeated 12 times without any problem.
6. Include your keywords in link text on your web pages
When you link to other sections of your website you should pay attention to the clickable portion of the links. Instead of making a link that says "Click Here." Make a phrase that says click here for more information about "Riding Lawn Mowers." The clickable portion of the link should be your keywords and not click here!
These are the main points that you need to take care of when optimizing your website. If your small business is Internet-based or in any way dependent on search engine traffic, then it is imperative to apply the best methods of search engine optimization to each and every web page of your site.
Search Engine Optimization And The Magic Fairy Dust
by: Bill Platt
There is only one thing that all webmasters agree upon... They all want to be at the top of the search engine results for search terms that will drive traffic and consumers to their website.
The truth is that the search engines are like our childhood game of King Of The Hill. Only one person can be at the top of the hill and the top of the search results. Only ten websites can be on page one of the search results. When a new website moves into the top ten, another must be removed.
For any given search term at any given time, there are only ten web pages on page one of the search results, and there are millions of web pages that did not make page one, who may or may not catch a few stragglers from the search engines.
How Can A Website Break Into The Top Ten?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an industry that has sprung up around the concept of helping their clients improve their rankings in the search engine results.
When you talk to SEO professionals, they generally point to a two-pronged approach to search ranking optimization. A website owner needs to optimize their on-site real estate for the search engines, and they need to build inbound links to their website.
On-Site Search Optimization Challenges
The trick with on-site search optimization is that you must cater to multiple audiences on your website.
* You must provide simple navigation and an attractive interface to the human visitor;
* You must provide good sales copy to your human visitors, for the purpose of converting them from shoppers to buyers;
* You must provide text copy for the search engines to read; and
* You must optimize your content to help the search engines know what topics and keywords they should pay attention, so that they can give their users the right web page for the right search terms.
A web page that draws good search rankings is useless if the web page cannot convert the human visitor to a buyer. Many website owners get caught up in the process of optimizing a web page to get it to the top of the search results, and they forget that the human visitor knows where the Back Button is in his or her browser. Once your visitor has hit the Back Button, they will go to someone else's website and buy from them, instead of you.
Most website owners have the alternate problem. They consistently convert a significant number of visitors to buyers, but they have to rely on various forms of paid advertising to get visitors to their websites, since they do not rank in the search engines.
I recently spoke with an individual who spends ,000 per month on pay-per-click advertising to get targeted traffic to his website. He said he consistently earns back his money, but he was still looking for a better way to get ranked in the search engines, so he joined my client list.
On-Site Search Engine Optimization Basics
According to the search engine companies, there are more than one thousand calculations that determine how well a website will rank in their search engine result pages (SERPs).
The Google engineers are fond of saying that if you build your website for human beings instead of search engines, then your website should rank well in their algorithms. To a certain degree, this is a good strategy.
Think about how magazines are constructed:
The Table Of Contents shows story titles, brief descriptions, and page numbers telling you where you can find a story.
On the story page, the title will be in big, bold font. Sometimes, the magazine will include a brief blurb about the story, in italics or font that is a bit bigger than the story font.
Pictures support the story with captions that further develop the story, by describing the picture.
Major subsections of the story have their own subheadings. And, the primary body of the story is in regular plain text, with only an occasional bolded or italicized word or phrase.
By analyzing the title and other large text on the page, a person who is flipping through the pages of a magazine can quickly assess the story content and make the decision as to whether they want to read the full story.
In the most simplistic way, this is how the search engines analyze a websites' content to decide which web page will best serve their users' needs.
Off-Site Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Basics
Since the inception of Google, and with Yahoo and MSN recently, the number and quality of links pointing to a website play a significant role in determining how well a web page will rank in the search results.
I have heard people suggest that as much as 75% of the value given to a web page in the search results is based solely on the number and quality of links pointing to a web page. I tend to believe a more conservative number (50.1%) will apply.
Inbound Links Are More Important Than Page Content
To prove this point, type "click here" without the quotes into Google, Yahoo and MSN and check the Adobe pages that come up in the search results: #1 in Google, #2 in Yahoo, and #1 in MSN. When you pull up those pages, search the page to find the individual words "click" or "here" in the text of those pages. They are not there. This has happened because millions of people have linked to these Adobe pages with the embedded anchor text, "click here".
Next, let's analyze those specific web pages from the perspective of each of the search engines:
* Google's #1 result - Google PageRank 8. (www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) Links to this web page: according to Google (31); according to Yahoo (nearly 12 million); according to MSN (6,400).
* Yahoo's #2 result - Google PageRank 10. (www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer) Links to this web page: Google (15,200); Yahoo (700 thousand); MSN (32).
* MSN's #1 result - Google PageRank 8. (www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash) Links to this web page: Google (0); Yahoo (2.9 million); MSN (778).
On Google's top result, they show 31 inbound links total for that web page. But, Yahoo claims that there are more than 12 million links to this page. That is a huge difference.
On Yahoo's #2 result, MSN gives 32 links, Google gives 15,000 links, and Yahoo claims it has 700 thousand links! That is another huge difference between the link counts from the search engines.
On MSN's #1 result, MSN shows a strong link count, but still nowhere near Yahoo's 2.9 million links. But, how does a web page with zero links in Google get a PageRank 8?
What Do These Numbers Mean?
Google has always said that they will never show us all of the links that we have pointing to our websites, because anything we can see in the public search results, our competitors can see also. So, for me it really is no surprise that we cannot see all of the links that point to Adobe pages, or to the links we have created that point to our clients and ourselves, by querying the search engines.
Also, the sheer numbers of inbound links do not rule the roost. Google's #1 result (PR8) is actually shown in Google, before Yahoo's #2 (PR10) result.
The Proof For Link Building Is In The Search Engine Rankings
Recently, a fellow who works as a SEO "professional" told me that be believed my link building system was a sham.
I showed him that on the top 51 keyword phrases we use to market our original commercial website, we had 11 number one results, 31 top five results, 34 top ten results, 47 top thirty results, and 51 top 100 results within the Google search results. Additionally, it was shown that only three of those results competed with fewer than one million search results according to Google, with the remaining 48 pages competing with one million to 533 million pages.
Ole boy tore up Google trying to track how it was possible for me to have accomplished what I claimed. He finally concluded that since Google would not show HIM how I was able to rank so well in their search engine results, then I must have been lying.
According to Yahoo, we have over 12,000 links from third-party websites. According to our site statistics, we received traffic from more than 16,000 unique web pages during 2006. And Google still swears that we only have 42 inbound links to our website!
Magic Fairy Dust
My nemesis concluded that since HE could not prove through Google how I was successful in getting good search rankings, then I could not have accomplished such results by the methods I claimed.
Okay, I admit it.
I used the exact same method that Adobe used to get to the top of Google's search engine rankings. I have a pocket full of magic fairy dust. Whenever, I do not like how my websites rank in the search engines, I sprinkle my magic fairy dust on my modem.
If you don't like where you are ranked in the search engines, then I suggest you forego the search engine optimization companies altogether and instead run over to the corner store to get your own magic fairy dust. You might have to shop around a bit, but it is out there.
There is only one thing that all webmasters agree upon... They all want to be at the top of the search engine results for search terms that will drive traffic and consumers to their website.
The truth is that the search engines are like our childhood game of King Of The Hill. Only one person can be at the top of the hill and the top of the search results. Only ten websites can be on page one of the search results. When a new website moves into the top ten, another must be removed.
For any given search term at any given time, there are only ten web pages on page one of the search results, and there are millions of web pages that did not make page one, who may or may not catch a few stragglers from the search engines.
How Can A Website Break Into The Top Ten?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an industry that has sprung up around the concept of helping their clients improve their rankings in the search engine results.
When you talk to SEO professionals, they generally point to a two-pronged approach to search ranking optimization. A website owner needs to optimize their on-site real estate for the search engines, and they need to build inbound links to their website.
On-Site Search Optimization Challenges
The trick with on-site search optimization is that you must cater to multiple audiences on your website.
* You must provide simple navigation and an attractive interface to the human visitor;
* You must provide good sales copy to your human visitors, for the purpose of converting them from shoppers to buyers;
* You must provide text copy for the search engines to read; and
* You must optimize your content to help the search engines know what topics and keywords they should pay attention, so that they can give their users the right web page for the right search terms.
A web page that draws good search rankings is useless if the web page cannot convert the human visitor to a buyer. Many website owners get caught up in the process of optimizing a web page to get it to the top of the search results, and they forget that the human visitor knows where the Back Button is in his or her browser. Once your visitor has hit the Back Button, they will go to someone else's website and buy from them, instead of you.
Most website owners have the alternate problem. They consistently convert a significant number of visitors to buyers, but they have to rely on various forms of paid advertising to get visitors to their websites, since they do not rank in the search engines.
I recently spoke with an individual who spends ,000 per month on pay-per-click advertising to get targeted traffic to his website. He said he consistently earns back his money, but he was still looking for a better way to get ranked in the search engines, so he joined my client list.
On-Site Search Engine Optimization Basics
According to the search engine companies, there are more than one thousand calculations that determine how well a website will rank in their search engine result pages (SERPs).
The Google engineers are fond of saying that if you build your website for human beings instead of search engines, then your website should rank well in their algorithms. To a certain degree, this is a good strategy.
Think about how magazines are constructed:
The Table Of Contents shows story titles, brief descriptions, and page numbers telling you where you can find a story.
On the story page, the title will be in big, bold font. Sometimes, the magazine will include a brief blurb about the story, in italics or font that is a bit bigger than the story font.
Pictures support the story with captions that further develop the story, by describing the picture.
Major subsections of the story have their own subheadings. And, the primary body of the story is in regular plain text, with only an occasional bolded or italicized word or phrase.
By analyzing the title and other large text on the page, a person who is flipping through the pages of a magazine can quickly assess the story content and make the decision as to whether they want to read the full story.
In the most simplistic way, this is how the search engines analyze a websites' content to decide which web page will best serve their users' needs.
Off-Site Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Basics
Since the inception of Google, and with Yahoo and MSN recently, the number and quality of links pointing to a website play a significant role in determining how well a web page will rank in the search results.
I have heard people suggest that as much as 75% of the value given to a web page in the search results is based solely on the number and quality of links pointing to a web page. I tend to believe a more conservative number (50.1%) will apply.
Inbound Links Are More Important Than Page Content
To prove this point, type "click here" without the quotes into Google, Yahoo and MSN and check the Adobe pages that come up in the search results: #1 in Google, #2 in Yahoo, and #1 in MSN. When you pull up those pages, search the page to find the individual words "click" or "here" in the text of those pages. They are not there. This has happened because millions of people have linked to these Adobe pages with the embedded anchor text, "click here".
Next, let's analyze those specific web pages from the perspective of each of the search engines:
* Google's #1 result - Google PageRank 8. (www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) Links to this web page: according to Google (31); according to Yahoo (nearly 12 million); according to MSN (6,400).
* Yahoo's #2 result - Google PageRank 10. (www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer) Links to this web page: Google (15,200); Yahoo (700 thousand); MSN (32).
* MSN's #1 result - Google PageRank 8. (www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash) Links to this web page: Google (0); Yahoo (2.9 million); MSN (778).
On Google's top result, they show 31 inbound links total for that web page. But, Yahoo claims that there are more than 12 million links to this page. That is a huge difference.
On Yahoo's #2 result, MSN gives 32 links, Google gives 15,000 links, and Yahoo claims it has 700 thousand links! That is another huge difference between the link counts from the search engines.
On MSN's #1 result, MSN shows a strong link count, but still nowhere near Yahoo's 2.9 million links. But, how does a web page with zero links in Google get a PageRank 8?
What Do These Numbers Mean?
Google has always said that they will never show us all of the links that we have pointing to our websites, because anything we can see in the public search results, our competitors can see also. So, for me it really is no surprise that we cannot see all of the links that point to Adobe pages, or to the links we have created that point to our clients and ourselves, by querying the search engines.
Also, the sheer numbers of inbound links do not rule the roost. Google's #1 result (PR8) is actually shown in Google, before Yahoo's #2 (PR10) result.
The Proof For Link Building Is In The Search Engine Rankings
Recently, a fellow who works as a SEO "professional" told me that be believed my link building system was a sham.
I showed him that on the top 51 keyword phrases we use to market our original commercial website, we had 11 number one results, 31 top five results, 34 top ten results, 47 top thirty results, and 51 top 100 results within the Google search results. Additionally, it was shown that only three of those results competed with fewer than one million search results according to Google, with the remaining 48 pages competing with one million to 533 million pages.
Ole boy tore up Google trying to track how it was possible for me to have accomplished what I claimed. He finally concluded that since Google would not show HIM how I was able to rank so well in their search engine results, then I must have been lying.
According to Yahoo, we have over 12,000 links from third-party websites. According to our site statistics, we received traffic from more than 16,000 unique web pages during 2006. And Google still swears that we only have 42 inbound links to our website!
Magic Fairy Dust
My nemesis concluded that since HE could not prove through Google how I was successful in getting good search rankings, then I could not have accomplished such results by the methods I claimed.
Okay, I admit it.
I used the exact same method that Adobe used to get to the top of Google's search engine rankings. I have a pocket full of magic fairy dust. Whenever, I do not like how my websites rank in the search engines, I sprinkle my magic fairy dust on my modem.
If you don't like where you are ranked in the search engines, then I suggest you forego the search engine optimization companies altogether and instead run over to the corner store to get your own magic fairy dust. You might have to shop around a bit, but it is out there.
Is Good Customer Service Going to the Dogs?
by: Trish Lambert
I had an experience the other day that has made me think about how too many customer service experiences unfold in the business world today, and about the difference that really good service can make.
I have two dogs. Earlier this week, it was time for them to get their summer haircuts so that they will be able to comfortably cope with the Houston heat.
The newest addition to the house is Jason, a miniature schnauzer who had been the prized pet of an old lady who had to give him up for adoption when she moved to a nursing home. She had chosen to keep him fully furred, not trimmed in the traditional schnauzer cut, so that he had a really nice wire haired coat to go with his bushy eyebrows and stubby tail. The other dog is Lucky, a schnauzer-poodle mix-poodle ears and body, schnauzer muzzle and curly tail-he gets the traditional cut.
So, I took the two little guys to the groomers the other morning. I was the first client of the day, and the salon was nice and quiet. I explained what I wanted to the person who would be doing the job-traditional schnauzer cut on Lucky, but not on Jason. Just a trim for him. This is important, I told her, because I don’t want his coat shaved off-once that wire hair is gone it never grows back. Did she understand, I asked?
Yes, she answered. But did I want Jason’s skirt trimmed?
Skirt? I stared blankly and finally figured out that she was talking about the feathery bits on his chest and belly. Yes, fine, I said. Trim that area but just don’t shave him. She nodded.
I went back a few hours later to pick up the boys. At that point the salon was buzzing with dogs, clients, and groomers. The fur was literally flying. First came Lucky, looking very dapper and neat. A few seconds later, out came Jason, and my mouth dropped open.
He had been completely shaved!!! The groomer had given him a standard schnauzer cut-and that lovely wire coat was gone forever.
I couldn’t believe it. I was angry and sad at the same time. What had happened? How could the conversation we had had in the morning have been so completely lost?
After discussing the situation with the salon owner, she reluctantly refunded my money, which was very small consolation for the snafu. It should be no surprise that I will not be going back to that salon when the boys’ fur has grown out.
This whole thing left me thinking about how this kind of customer service happens in other businesses. There were several points about the experience that translate:
1. Are we really listening to our customers? Do we ask the questions we need to ask to make sure that we understand what they want from us? Do we make accurate notes so that we retain instructions and deliver what was asked for? I got plenty of nods from the groomer during our talk, but my instructions obviously got lost somewhere between her ears and her shears.
2. Are we communicating clearly back to them, or do we use industry jargon that they may or may not understand? When the groomer asked me about trimming Jason’s skirt, I had to stop and think. It was MY responsibility to figure out what she was talking about. Not a great way to do business.
3. Finally, and very very important, when mistakes do get made on our side of the transaction, how do we make amends? Even the worst error doesn’t have to mean the loss of the customer. Respond to the mistake with restitution that matches its seriousness. In my case, given the extent of the mistake with Jason, and the permanence of the result, the salon owner fell far short in restitution and in terms of keeping my business. I had to struggle to simply get a refund, which was insufficient compared to the permanent impact this error has. I won’t be back to that salon.
These three points--listening to the customer, communicating back in ways that they will easily understand, and making appropriate amends when mistakes get made on our end-are the core of excellent service and the key to keeping loyal and happy customers.
(As a post script, I should note that Jason still looks darn cute, even without his fur. And I’m sure he doesn’t care one way or the other about all that wire hair!)
I had an experience the other day that has made me think about how too many customer service experiences unfold in the business world today, and about the difference that really good service can make.
I have two dogs. Earlier this week, it was time for them to get their summer haircuts so that they will be able to comfortably cope with the Houston heat.
The newest addition to the house is Jason, a miniature schnauzer who had been the prized pet of an old lady who had to give him up for adoption when she moved to a nursing home. She had chosen to keep him fully furred, not trimmed in the traditional schnauzer cut, so that he had a really nice wire haired coat to go with his bushy eyebrows and stubby tail. The other dog is Lucky, a schnauzer-poodle mix-poodle ears and body, schnauzer muzzle and curly tail-he gets the traditional cut.
So, I took the two little guys to the groomers the other morning. I was the first client of the day, and the salon was nice and quiet. I explained what I wanted to the person who would be doing the job-traditional schnauzer cut on Lucky, but not on Jason. Just a trim for him. This is important, I told her, because I don’t want his coat shaved off-once that wire hair is gone it never grows back. Did she understand, I asked?
Yes, she answered. But did I want Jason’s skirt trimmed?
Skirt? I stared blankly and finally figured out that she was talking about the feathery bits on his chest and belly. Yes, fine, I said. Trim that area but just don’t shave him. She nodded.
I went back a few hours later to pick up the boys. At that point the salon was buzzing with dogs, clients, and groomers. The fur was literally flying. First came Lucky, looking very dapper and neat. A few seconds later, out came Jason, and my mouth dropped open.
He had been completely shaved!!! The groomer had given him a standard schnauzer cut-and that lovely wire coat was gone forever.
I couldn’t believe it. I was angry and sad at the same time. What had happened? How could the conversation we had had in the morning have been so completely lost?
After discussing the situation with the salon owner, she reluctantly refunded my money, which was very small consolation for the snafu. It should be no surprise that I will not be going back to that salon when the boys’ fur has grown out.
This whole thing left me thinking about how this kind of customer service happens in other businesses. There were several points about the experience that translate:
1. Are we really listening to our customers? Do we ask the questions we need to ask to make sure that we understand what they want from us? Do we make accurate notes so that we retain instructions and deliver what was asked for? I got plenty of nods from the groomer during our talk, but my instructions obviously got lost somewhere between her ears and her shears.
2. Are we communicating clearly back to them, or do we use industry jargon that they may or may not understand? When the groomer asked me about trimming Jason’s skirt, I had to stop and think. It was MY responsibility to figure out what she was talking about. Not a great way to do business.
3. Finally, and very very important, when mistakes do get made on our side of the transaction, how do we make amends? Even the worst error doesn’t have to mean the loss of the customer. Respond to the mistake with restitution that matches its seriousness. In my case, given the extent of the mistake with Jason, and the permanence of the result, the salon owner fell far short in restitution and in terms of keeping my business. I had to struggle to simply get a refund, which was insufficient compared to the permanent impact this error has. I won’t be back to that salon.
These three points--listening to the customer, communicating back in ways that they will easily understand, and making appropriate amends when mistakes get made on our end-are the core of excellent service and the key to keeping loyal and happy customers.
(As a post script, I should note that Jason still looks darn cute, even without his fur. And I’m sure he doesn’t care one way or the other about all that wire hair!)
Marketing By Any Other Name...
by: Trish Lambert
What does the word "marketing" mean to you? When you say "we need to do some marketing" or "we need a marketing plan," what is the end result you are picturing?
Of all the functions that contribute to business growth, marketing has got to be the least standardized. Not only do the activities associated with marketing vary from company to company, but the purpose and goals of marketing differ widely. In many cases, marketing is a synonym for sales, which in my opinion is one of the biggest strategic mistakes a company can make.
Marketing is not sales. But marketing better be contributing to revenue generation or you're wasting time and money. And probably lots of both.
Here is a simple way to think of marketing: your marketing activities need to make your sales process easier. How they do that will vary depending on your company and market. Product marketing is very different from service marketing. Business to business marketing is very different from business to consumer marketing. Marketing high cost goods and services requires a different approach from marketing commodities.
Even in the same industry and marketplace, how one company markets will differ from the way its competitors market. Just watch a couple of beer or car commercials on TV and you'll see what I mean. This is because company culture, personality, and brand will impact marketing activities and messages.
So, I ask you: Is your marketing program making your sales process easier? Be careful when answering. There are nuances to marketing that are important to consider. Some activities are more direct than others and so are much easier to gauge. An example is direct response marketing. Another is e-commerce web sites with incorporated shopping carts. In both cases there is a clear link to the sales side. This type of marketing can be very easily quantified and its impact on sales can be accurately measured.
Some activities, though, are more subtle. Things that get your company better known in the marketplace will help the sales process, but not as clearly as direct response or "click here to buy" activities. They are qualitative in impact but no less important.
Effective public relations, for example, will certainly influence your target market by keeping your name top of mind in the people you want to buy from you. This type of activity, of course, is nowhere near as measurable as more direct things. Does this mean you shouldn't do it? Absolutely not!! It does mean, however, that you need to stay awake and find ways to gauge how successful these more subtle activities are in making the sales process easier.
Here's the bottom line. Take time to clearly and accurately define what marketing means specifically for your company, and define how it can make the sales process easier. Don't just accept any published definitions, no matter how exalted their sources.
What does the word "marketing" mean to you? When you say "we need to do some marketing" or "we need a marketing plan," what is the end result you are picturing?
Of all the functions that contribute to business growth, marketing has got to be the least standardized. Not only do the activities associated with marketing vary from company to company, but the purpose and goals of marketing differ widely. In many cases, marketing is a synonym for sales, which in my opinion is one of the biggest strategic mistakes a company can make.
Marketing is not sales. But marketing better be contributing to revenue generation or you're wasting time and money. And probably lots of both.
Here is a simple way to think of marketing: your marketing activities need to make your sales process easier. How they do that will vary depending on your company and market. Product marketing is very different from service marketing. Business to business marketing is very different from business to consumer marketing. Marketing high cost goods and services requires a different approach from marketing commodities.
Even in the same industry and marketplace, how one company markets will differ from the way its competitors market. Just watch a couple of beer or car commercials on TV and you'll see what I mean. This is because company culture, personality, and brand will impact marketing activities and messages.
So, I ask you: Is your marketing program making your sales process easier? Be careful when answering. There are nuances to marketing that are important to consider. Some activities are more direct than others and so are much easier to gauge. An example is direct response marketing. Another is e-commerce web sites with incorporated shopping carts. In both cases there is a clear link to the sales side. This type of marketing can be very easily quantified and its impact on sales can be accurately measured.
Some activities, though, are more subtle. Things that get your company better known in the marketplace will help the sales process, but not as clearly as direct response or "click here to buy" activities. They are qualitative in impact but no less important.
Effective public relations, for example, will certainly influence your target market by keeping your name top of mind in the people you want to buy from you. This type of activity, of course, is nowhere near as measurable as more direct things. Does this mean you shouldn't do it? Absolutely not!! It does mean, however, that you need to stay awake and find ways to gauge how successful these more subtle activities are in making the sales process easier.
Here's the bottom line. Take time to clearly and accurately define what marketing means specifically for your company, and define how it can make the sales process easier. Don't just accept any published definitions, no matter how exalted their sources.
Are You Ready To Show Your Crafts at Trade Shows?
by: Jonni Good
If you make your living by selling hand-made crafts, you've undoubtedly spent many hours at local and regional craft shows. As you already know, finding the right shows, getting accepted, and creating the display takes a great deal of creativity and time, but a good show makes the trouble well worth the effort.
Another possible way to sell your crafts, through gift shows, is often overlooked by people who sell hand-crafted products, even though these shows can be quite profitable. Trade shows are attended by shop owners on the lookout for new and innovative gift items to add to their inventory, and a good show in a large market can bring in enough orders to keep you busy for weeks. Of course, items ordered at the show will be sold at wholesale prices, and the shop owners will expect delivery of the items in a reasonable amount of time.
When I sold my collectors' dolls through gift shows, the high volume of orders actually became a problem for me, because it was difficult to keep up with the production on my own. If I were still selling the dolls, I would 'fix' this problem simply by increasing the price enough to slow down the number of orders, without (hopefully), bringing the orders to a stop.
Since many craftspersons are most comfortable selling directly to their customers, taking the step to wholesale orders through trade shows can require a few adjustments in your business model. There will also be some fairly important decisions to be made before committing to a show. The first important decision will be whether or not you want to set up your own trade show display, or if you will sell through an independent sales representative.
Setting up a booth at a trade show is a bit different from the craft shows you may be used to. Application and space fees are likely to be much higher, and regulations about what materials you can use for your display, and what type of advertising is allowed, may vary from one show to the next. There may even be union-required regulations that require you to hire someone to move your display and products from your truck to the sales floor. Working through these regulations will take time, and you should definitely read through the fine print before agreeing to rent a space.
Most companies who sell at these shows will either rent or purchase the booth itself from a local trade show display company, and have the signage created on a custom basis by the same company that provides the booth. Since the cost of these displays can be quite high, most companies just starting out will choose to rent instead of buy the booth. Hand-made display booths may or may not be allowed, depending on the rules of the show and any fire and safety regulations that they need to adhere to.
Probably the easiest way to get started at gift shows is to find a well-qualified independent sales representative who will add your line to the other items he or she already sells. Your sales rep will probably attend many gift shows each year, and a good one can change your small local business to a national business almost overnight. Your sales costs will usually consist of a commission for each order. Although the sales rep probably handles the costs of buying and setting up the booth, she will be acting as an independent contractor and can make her own rules. It is vital that you know in advance what both you and she expect from the experience long before your first show.
When choosing a sales representative, you'll need to keep a number of things in mind so you can find someone who will best serve the needs of your product. For instance, it will be important to know what other products will be displayed alongside yours, since the other products may be the first thing a potential buyer will see. Do the other products complement your own style of crafts? Is the quality as high? Will your products be given a prominent place in the booth?
You should know exactly how much commission will be paid for each order, and when the commission is due - when the order is taken, or when the item is delivered. If you will be charged for any other trade show costs, such as booth fees, you must know this in advance. Since many gift shows take place all over the country (and the world), you should know which shows your products will be sold in.
You'll also need to know if seasonal designs will be expected - even if you don't normally create Christmas-oriented crafts in July, the visitors to the gift show may be ready to write orders for their Christmas stock. Your sales representative should help you put together a display that meets the needs of the particular gift show.
Both you and your sales rep will need to know how long each order will take you to complete - there can be nothing worse for a professional sales rep than having a good show and taking orders for 200 items, when the producer can deliver only half of the orders on time. Many companies have gone out of business by becoming too popular - be sure you set a limit on the number of orders your sales rep can take at any show, so you don't destroy your reputation by selling more crafts than you can produce on time.
If you're ready to start selling nationally through gift shows, you'll be taking your small business to the next obvious step. Independent sales reps can be found in the local phone book. If you decide to sell your crafts yourself, you can find schedules of upcoming trade shows online.
If you make your living by selling hand-made crafts, you've undoubtedly spent many hours at local and regional craft shows. As you already know, finding the right shows, getting accepted, and creating the display takes a great deal of creativity and time, but a good show makes the trouble well worth the effort.
Another possible way to sell your crafts, through gift shows, is often overlooked by people who sell hand-crafted products, even though these shows can be quite profitable. Trade shows are attended by shop owners on the lookout for new and innovative gift items to add to their inventory, and a good show in a large market can bring in enough orders to keep you busy for weeks. Of course, items ordered at the show will be sold at wholesale prices, and the shop owners will expect delivery of the items in a reasonable amount of time.
When I sold my collectors' dolls through gift shows, the high volume of orders actually became a problem for me, because it was difficult to keep up with the production on my own. If I were still selling the dolls, I would 'fix' this problem simply by increasing the price enough to slow down the number of orders, without (hopefully), bringing the orders to a stop.
Since many craftspersons are most comfortable selling directly to their customers, taking the step to wholesale orders through trade shows can require a few adjustments in your business model. There will also be some fairly important decisions to be made before committing to a show. The first important decision will be whether or not you want to set up your own trade show display, or if you will sell through an independent sales representative.
Setting up a booth at a trade show is a bit different from the craft shows you may be used to. Application and space fees are likely to be much higher, and regulations about what materials you can use for your display, and what type of advertising is allowed, may vary from one show to the next. There may even be union-required regulations that require you to hire someone to move your display and products from your truck to the sales floor. Working through these regulations will take time, and you should definitely read through the fine print before agreeing to rent a space.
Most companies who sell at these shows will either rent or purchase the booth itself from a local trade show display company, and have the signage created on a custom basis by the same company that provides the booth. Since the cost of these displays can be quite high, most companies just starting out will choose to rent instead of buy the booth. Hand-made display booths may or may not be allowed, depending on the rules of the show and any fire and safety regulations that they need to adhere to.
Probably the easiest way to get started at gift shows is to find a well-qualified independent sales representative who will add your line to the other items he or she already sells. Your sales rep will probably attend many gift shows each year, and a good one can change your small local business to a national business almost overnight. Your sales costs will usually consist of a commission for each order. Although the sales rep probably handles the costs of buying and setting up the booth, she will be acting as an independent contractor and can make her own rules. It is vital that you know in advance what both you and she expect from the experience long before your first show.
When choosing a sales representative, you'll need to keep a number of things in mind so you can find someone who will best serve the needs of your product. For instance, it will be important to know what other products will be displayed alongside yours, since the other products may be the first thing a potential buyer will see. Do the other products complement your own style of crafts? Is the quality as high? Will your products be given a prominent place in the booth?
You should know exactly how much commission will be paid for each order, and when the commission is due - when the order is taken, or when the item is delivered. If you will be charged for any other trade show costs, such as booth fees, you must know this in advance. Since many gift shows take place all over the country (and the world), you should know which shows your products will be sold in.
You'll also need to know if seasonal designs will be expected - even if you don't normally create Christmas-oriented crafts in July, the visitors to the gift show may be ready to write orders for their Christmas stock. Your sales representative should help you put together a display that meets the needs of the particular gift show.
Both you and your sales rep will need to know how long each order will take you to complete - there can be nothing worse for a professional sales rep than having a good show and taking orders for 200 items, when the producer can deliver only half of the orders on time. Many companies have gone out of business by becoming too popular - be sure you set a limit on the number of orders your sales rep can take at any show, so you don't destroy your reputation by selling more crafts than you can produce on time.
If you're ready to start selling nationally through gift shows, you'll be taking your small business to the next obvious step. Independent sales reps can be found in the local phone book. If you decide to sell your crafts yourself, you can find schedules of upcoming trade shows online.
4 Ways To Increase Your Company's Sales
by: Marc Entz
When faced with diminishing sales or a shift in profitability, sometimes a company will seek opportunities to expand sales by using different marketing methods. These time-tested marketing principles are used by businesses to seek out new opportunities to satisfy the needs of the consumer.
There are 4 ways to increase sales and expand revenue for your company. It is not necessary to use more than one of these methods. The best choice of the 4 methods is the one that will meet the needs of the company and the consumer best. This will provide a win-win situation for all concerned.
To increase sales consider one of the following methods for seeking opportunities in your target market:
1. Market Penetration:
Increase the market share of your current products in your present market. By up scaling your marketing mix you can increase your sales. To do this you advertise your present products more frequently and promote your company's image to the public through institutional advertising and publicity.
2. Market Development
You can also try to sell your present products in new markets. You have to do some market research on the needs of the consumers in these markets first. Your product may have other demographic groups that need it as well. This is a recommended area to investigate for more profit. Often your present products are in demand in other locations, with other age groups, or professional groups. This is an opportunity for more sales many companies look for.
3. Product development
You can increase your sales by offering new and improved products to your present market. This will give you an edge over your competition. Your customers will view your company as being progressive and up to date. This is not only a great way to increase sales, but your customers will remember your company because of the unique product you sell.
4. Diversification
If you are well established in one line of business, you may wish to diversify into a totally new one. This means moving into a new market with a new product. This can keep your profits on the rise. Here again, market research and marketing plans have to be made first.
As you can see there are opportunities for gaining sales in all four areas. The best choice for your business depends on your goals and the resources you have. The best way to capitalize on these strategies is to start with your present strengths and look for market opportunities that complement them. Then do your market research and planning. The sky is the limit when you plan ahead using these proven marketing tactics.
This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.
When faced with diminishing sales or a shift in profitability, sometimes a company will seek opportunities to expand sales by using different marketing methods. These time-tested marketing principles are used by businesses to seek out new opportunities to satisfy the needs of the consumer.
There are 4 ways to increase sales and expand revenue for your company. It is not necessary to use more than one of these methods. The best choice of the 4 methods is the one that will meet the needs of the company and the consumer best. This will provide a win-win situation for all concerned.
To increase sales consider one of the following methods for seeking opportunities in your target market:
1. Market Penetration:
Increase the market share of your current products in your present market. By up scaling your marketing mix you can increase your sales. To do this you advertise your present products more frequently and promote your company's image to the public through institutional advertising and publicity.
2. Market Development
You can also try to sell your present products in new markets. You have to do some market research on the needs of the consumers in these markets first. Your product may have other demographic groups that need it as well. This is a recommended area to investigate for more profit. Often your present products are in demand in other locations, with other age groups, or professional groups. This is an opportunity for more sales many companies look for.
3. Product development
You can increase your sales by offering new and improved products to your present market. This will give you an edge over your competition. Your customers will view your company as being progressive and up to date. This is not only a great way to increase sales, but your customers will remember your company because of the unique product you sell.
4. Diversification
If you are well established in one line of business, you may wish to diversify into a totally new one. This means moving into a new market with a new product. This can keep your profits on the rise. Here again, market research and marketing plans have to be made first.
As you can see there are opportunities for gaining sales in all four areas. The best choice for your business depends on your goals and the resources you have. The best way to capitalize on these strategies is to start with your present strengths and look for market opportunities that complement them. Then do your market research and planning. The sky is the limit when you plan ahead using these proven marketing tactics.
This article may be reprinted in full. The resource box and hyperlink must remain intact.
Learning To Compete In A Very Competitive Industry: Travel
by: Bill Platt
Over the years, many of us have heard about the opportunities available in wholesale travel. As a consumer, we can recognize that if these wholesale travel packages are legitimate, then we will have access to vacation packages that would make the average traveler drool over their possibilities in travel destinations. When we slide the shoe to the other foot and consider wholesale travel as a business opportunity, we question whether we have the knowledge or fortitude to succeed in this type of business.
Read on as we examine wholesale travel from the perspective of the consumer and the online businessperson seeking new opportunities in profit.
Beware of The Discount Travel Scams
While the wholesale travel industry is a legitimate industry offering legitimate travel packages, there are a few people out there offering deals that are less than favorable to consumers.
The most common travel scam is the kind used to sell timeshare packages in real estate. The real estate agent will give you a free three-day package to an attractive destination, IF your yearly salary meets certain minimums AND you agree to sit down and listen to a sales pitch for timeshare properties.
Now, there is nothing wrong with timeshares per se, but the methods that some unscrupulous agents employ to sell timeshares are shameful to say the least. Timeshare supported vacations are well known for their hard-sell approach to the sales process.
As a result, when most people speak of discount travel or wholesale travel, the first thought that comes to the mind of most consumers is the timeshare sales pitch. As a result, consumers generally have a poor opinion of discount travel or wholesale travel, based only on their fears of timeshare selling scams.
Be Aware Of Travel Restrictions With Some Packages
There are three types of restrictions that may accompany some discount travel packages:
* Expiration Dates: Many packages come with defined expiration dates that make them difficult-to-use by the stated due-date. Not all of us can gear up to take our vacation within the next 90 days. So, be certain to read the fine print of any offer that is made available to you.
* Blackout Dates: Blackout dates were made famous by David Spade's representation of Capital One Credit Cards. Some travel rewards carry blackout dates to limit the expense of those rewards. They don't want you using your travel rewards over the Thanksgiving weekend, since that is the busiest travel weekend of the year, and prices are generally higher for that peak period. Travel rewards aside, some travel packages employ blackout dates as well. Check the fine print to make sure that any blackout dates offered with a package do not interfere with how you want to use the travel package.
* Non-Transferable Vouchers: In theory, if you buy a hotel room and an airline ticket to Jamaica for the weekend and if something were to happen in your life that prevented you from using your purchased services, you could give the tickets and reservations to your best friend, so your money would not be wasted. Some travel vouchers may prevent you from transferring your vacation to another party. As always, read the fine print to know what restrictions might limit your vacation plans.
In a lot of cases, even if these restrictions exist, they will not interfere with your vacation plans. But, it is far better to be aware of a limitation before you buy your vacation, than it is to find out about those restrictions when you are ready to plan your trip.
How Do Service Providers Profit From Vacation Packages?
Where the value of discount travel or wholesale travel packages distracts many people, is this underlying question of how companies can offer these types of packages. The consumer is confused by the whole concept of free vacations, so we will look into the profit motive here.
When people are looking at an offer of a free vacation that consists of three days in a hotel room, many people are dumbfounded that such a thing could exist. If we use Las Vegas hotels and Orlando Florida hotels as examples, it is a much easier concept to understand.
When a Las Vegas hotel offers a free three-day stay, they do so with the expectation that you may spend several hundred or thousand dollars in their casino. If you did not take the free stay in their hotel room, you may have taken your vacation in Las Vegas anyhow, but stayed in one of their competitor's hotel rooms. If that were to happen, then their competitor would have won your money in their casino instead.
Hotels in vacation spots such as Orlando Florida may be receiving rewards from Walt Disney World to ensure that you spend your vacation at Walt Disney World, instead of Six Flags Over Texas. The hotel will receive money from Walt Disney World for your stay, and you will eat several meals and use several services at the hotel that gave you the hotel room for free.
Free services frequently provide the lubrication that helps a local economy soar, so many businesses will offer rewards to the hotel chains to offer free hotel rooms to visitors.
Do keep in mind that if you do get a free hotel room, there will still be a small cost to you in terms of the taxes excised on that hotel room stay. State laws mandate that all visitors pay taxes on their hotel rooms, and even though your stay might be free, you will still be required to pay the taxes on the room.
How The Airline Industry Profits From Discount Air Travel
When an airplane flies from New York City to Los Angeles, they always have a specific number of seats on that flight. Even if only twenty people paid for that flight, they airline would be required to make the journey, with all of its empty seats in tow.
So, airlines have constructed a very unique business model to make sure their empty seats are filled. When you buy a seat directly from the airline company, you will most always pay full price for the seat. If you buy your airline seat from a travel company, you can often find discounts on those seats.
Very literally, airline companies calculate how many seats they will sell on their own for each flight, and then they wholesale the remaining seats to travel agencies and other travel companies, to ensure that they will fill most or all of their seats.
The travel industry will buy seats on the airplane for as much as 90% off the retail cost of a flight. Then they will turn around and sell those flights to their customers at a markup. The actual discount rate will vary by the company making the offer, since only the biggest wholesale travel companies will get the deepest discounts, and the travel agencies usually buy seats from these airline seat wholesalers.
Can The Little Guy Compete In A Market Saturated by Big Players?
Simply put, yes. A friend of mine at Dreams By Vasrue has built his own little travel empire selling wholesale travel packages. In a recent month, he was able to generate $18,000 in profits – these were profits, not total sales.
With a saturated market filled by big names such as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz and many others, you would think it impossible to compete in such a crowded marketplace. But, you must remember that these big travel websites are operating as the travel agency, buying travel services at wholesale and marking up their prices to make a significant profit.
This leaves the little guys lots of opportunity to reach the buying public in ways that the big websites cannot do themselves. The big websites are not in the business of offering true wholesale travel, because they are like travel agencies selling retail travel to consumers.
The Lesson In This Story
The lesson in this story is that the Internet is offering lots of entrepreneurs a way to stand up and compete with the largest corporations on the planet in a multitude of industries.
As an online businessperson, you should always be looking for that new opportunity that could make you very wealthy. When you take the time to learn the internal workings of any industry, you will uncover opportunities to compete successfully and prosperously with the biggest names in your own industries.
Over the years, many of us have heard about the opportunities available in wholesale travel. As a consumer, we can recognize that if these wholesale travel packages are legitimate, then we will have access to vacation packages that would make the average traveler drool over their possibilities in travel destinations. When we slide the shoe to the other foot and consider wholesale travel as a business opportunity, we question whether we have the knowledge or fortitude to succeed in this type of business.
Read on as we examine wholesale travel from the perspective of the consumer and the online businessperson seeking new opportunities in profit.
Beware of The Discount Travel Scams
While the wholesale travel industry is a legitimate industry offering legitimate travel packages, there are a few people out there offering deals that are less than favorable to consumers.
The most common travel scam is the kind used to sell timeshare packages in real estate. The real estate agent will give you a free three-day package to an attractive destination, IF your yearly salary meets certain minimums AND you agree to sit down and listen to a sales pitch for timeshare properties.
Now, there is nothing wrong with timeshares per se, but the methods that some unscrupulous agents employ to sell timeshares are shameful to say the least. Timeshare supported vacations are well known for their hard-sell approach to the sales process.
As a result, when most people speak of discount travel or wholesale travel, the first thought that comes to the mind of most consumers is the timeshare sales pitch. As a result, consumers generally have a poor opinion of discount travel or wholesale travel, based only on their fears of timeshare selling scams.
Be Aware Of Travel Restrictions With Some Packages
There are three types of restrictions that may accompany some discount travel packages:
* Expiration Dates: Many packages come with defined expiration dates that make them difficult-to-use by the stated due-date. Not all of us can gear up to take our vacation within the next 90 days. So, be certain to read the fine print of any offer that is made available to you.
* Blackout Dates: Blackout dates were made famous by David Spade's representation of Capital One Credit Cards. Some travel rewards carry blackout dates to limit the expense of those rewards. They don't want you using your travel rewards over the Thanksgiving weekend, since that is the busiest travel weekend of the year, and prices are generally higher for that peak period. Travel rewards aside, some travel packages employ blackout dates as well. Check the fine print to make sure that any blackout dates offered with a package do not interfere with how you want to use the travel package.
* Non-Transferable Vouchers: In theory, if you buy a hotel room and an airline ticket to Jamaica for the weekend and if something were to happen in your life that prevented you from using your purchased services, you could give the tickets and reservations to your best friend, so your money would not be wasted. Some travel vouchers may prevent you from transferring your vacation to another party. As always, read the fine print to know what restrictions might limit your vacation plans.
In a lot of cases, even if these restrictions exist, they will not interfere with your vacation plans. But, it is far better to be aware of a limitation before you buy your vacation, than it is to find out about those restrictions when you are ready to plan your trip.
How Do Service Providers Profit From Vacation Packages?
Where the value of discount travel or wholesale travel packages distracts many people, is this underlying question of how companies can offer these types of packages. The consumer is confused by the whole concept of free vacations, so we will look into the profit motive here.
When people are looking at an offer of a free vacation that consists of three days in a hotel room, many people are dumbfounded that such a thing could exist. If we use Las Vegas hotels and Orlando Florida hotels as examples, it is a much easier concept to understand.
When a Las Vegas hotel offers a free three-day stay, they do so with the expectation that you may spend several hundred or thousand dollars in their casino. If you did not take the free stay in their hotel room, you may have taken your vacation in Las Vegas anyhow, but stayed in one of their competitor's hotel rooms. If that were to happen, then their competitor would have won your money in their casino instead.
Hotels in vacation spots such as Orlando Florida may be receiving rewards from Walt Disney World to ensure that you spend your vacation at Walt Disney World, instead of Six Flags Over Texas. The hotel will receive money from Walt Disney World for your stay, and you will eat several meals and use several services at the hotel that gave you the hotel room for free.
Free services frequently provide the lubrication that helps a local economy soar, so many businesses will offer rewards to the hotel chains to offer free hotel rooms to visitors.
Do keep in mind that if you do get a free hotel room, there will still be a small cost to you in terms of the taxes excised on that hotel room stay. State laws mandate that all visitors pay taxes on their hotel rooms, and even though your stay might be free, you will still be required to pay the taxes on the room.
How The Airline Industry Profits From Discount Air Travel
When an airplane flies from New York City to Los Angeles, they always have a specific number of seats on that flight. Even if only twenty people paid for that flight, they airline would be required to make the journey, with all of its empty seats in tow.
So, airlines have constructed a very unique business model to make sure their empty seats are filled. When you buy a seat directly from the airline company, you will most always pay full price for the seat. If you buy your airline seat from a travel company, you can often find discounts on those seats.
Very literally, airline companies calculate how many seats they will sell on their own for each flight, and then they wholesale the remaining seats to travel agencies and other travel companies, to ensure that they will fill most or all of their seats.
The travel industry will buy seats on the airplane for as much as 90% off the retail cost of a flight. Then they will turn around and sell those flights to their customers at a markup. The actual discount rate will vary by the company making the offer, since only the biggest wholesale travel companies will get the deepest discounts, and the travel agencies usually buy seats from these airline seat wholesalers.
Can The Little Guy Compete In A Market Saturated by Big Players?
Simply put, yes. A friend of mine at Dreams By Vasrue has built his own little travel empire selling wholesale travel packages. In a recent month, he was able to generate $18,000 in profits – these were profits, not total sales.
With a saturated market filled by big names such as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz and many others, you would think it impossible to compete in such a crowded marketplace. But, you must remember that these big travel websites are operating as the travel agency, buying travel services at wholesale and marking up their prices to make a significant profit.
This leaves the little guys lots of opportunity to reach the buying public in ways that the big websites cannot do themselves. The big websites are not in the business of offering true wholesale travel, because they are like travel agencies selling retail travel to consumers.
The Lesson In This Story
The lesson in this story is that the Internet is offering lots of entrepreneurs a way to stand up and compete with the largest corporations on the planet in a multitude of industries.
As an online businessperson, you should always be looking for that new opportunity that could make you very wealthy. When you take the time to learn the internal workings of any industry, you will uncover opportunities to compete successfully and prosperously with the biggest names in your own industries.
The Greatest Lie Ever Told: Everyone is Your Prospect!
by: Corrisa Malone
Outdated network marketing ideologies (some people call them lies), have made failure a common destination for most network marketers in our industry.
The "everyone is your prospect" (and other tired theories), end up making you feel frustrated and incompetent, not to mention it sets you up for failure.
Why? Because you go out and try to "sell" your product or your business opportunity to everybody you come in contact contact with and then feel like a loser when people repeatedly tell you they're not interested!
Here's the reality: not everyone is a prospect for your business opportunity or product despite what you've been taught. Shocker huh?
Although your upline and in some cases, your company has drilled it into your head that everyone is a prospect for what you're marketing, you must keep in mind you're in business and not everyone wants what you're selling.
You must know that it's to your company's benefit for you to think that you have a huge market with wide-open arms just ready for your product. That's probably how they sold you on the opportunity - right?
Take for example the three foot rule. The three foot rule is an offshoot of the "everyone is your prospect" theory. This is where you find a catchy phrase to start a conversation with anyone and everyone who's unlucky enough to venture within three feet of you. The goal is to "work" your opportunity into the conversation. Don't you feel phony when you do this?
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with making small talk with strangers when you're out and about, but if your only reason for doing so is to get an "opening" to pitch your business, then its contrived. Besides, most people can sense when you're insincere and fake. Who do you think you're fooling?
Now, think about it. What kind of role-modeling are you showing for your potential prospect anyway? After you pitch them your opportunity, the first thing that comes into their mind is: will I have to go up to strange people in public places to recruit for my business too? I don't want to do that... this is not for me.
You are making your potential prospects even more resistant to your proposition with your actions and you don't even know it. But maybe you do, because the three foot rule and the other "lies" you've been practicing and believing in have not been working.
It's a reality that you feel awkward prospecting this way, but your upline says it's one of the "techniques" we use.
Your family hates taking you out in public places, like restaurants and stores, because they know you're going to launch into your network marketing spiel at any given moment. They're embarrassed and ashamed you work your business this way. You're like a lion on the prowl in the Serengeti!
The more you conduct yourself this way, the more you feel a lost of your dignity. You feel like a schmuck, like the creepy guy that sits alone in the back of a movie theatre watching a children's flick and talking to himself.
Despite what you've been told, not everyone is your prospect. That can never be! Some people are happy working a job. Some people are so fearful and distrustful of business people that they could never muster up the courage to become one of them. Some people don't like risk. Some people just aren't qualified to be their own boss.
By now, if you've done the three foot rule for any length of time, you know that it is not a good use of your time. In fact you are getting frustrated and angry that you have to resort to such tactics, but you feel you are obligated to use any wacky prospecting technique your upline comes up with.
If your upline told you to dress up as a clown complete with the big red nose and rainbow curly wig and go door to door prospecting, you'd do it because your upline told you it worked. You want to be teachable and trainable, so you do anything they tell you to do, much to your displeasure.
Around about now you are ready to quit. You've had enough of the "everyone is your prospect" lie and other lies. The reason you are not having much success is because...
You are not going after your target market! Your job is not to convince, bribe or convert anyone into having a business. Your job is to talk to people who are on the same page as you. In other words you want people who are actively seeking out a solution to their problem and you want them coming to you first.
When people seek you out, you are seen as an expert. When it's the other way around you are seen as a pest and a desperate one at that. Why would you want to waste valuable time trying to convince uninterested people of your opportunity or to try your product?
The reality is that if you keep believing the "lies" or the ineffective marketing techniques your upline is telling you to do, you will not have much success if any success at all.
If you want to have massive success you must go after your target market. I promise you that you will drastically reduce your chances of failure in this industry by doing so.
Outdated network marketing ideologies (some people call them lies), have made failure a common destination for most network marketers in our industry.
The "everyone is your prospect" (and other tired theories), end up making you feel frustrated and incompetent, not to mention it sets you up for failure.
Why? Because you go out and try to "sell" your product or your business opportunity to everybody you come in contact contact with and then feel like a loser when people repeatedly tell you they're not interested!
Here's the reality: not everyone is a prospect for your business opportunity or product despite what you've been taught. Shocker huh?
Although your upline and in some cases, your company has drilled it into your head that everyone is a prospect for what you're marketing, you must keep in mind you're in business and not everyone wants what you're selling.
You must know that it's to your company's benefit for you to think that you have a huge market with wide-open arms just ready for your product. That's probably how they sold you on the opportunity - right?
Take for example the three foot rule. The three foot rule is an offshoot of the "everyone is your prospect" theory. This is where you find a catchy phrase to start a conversation with anyone and everyone who's unlucky enough to venture within three feet of you. The goal is to "work" your opportunity into the conversation. Don't you feel phony when you do this?
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with making small talk with strangers when you're out and about, but if your only reason for doing so is to get an "opening" to pitch your business, then its contrived. Besides, most people can sense when you're insincere and fake. Who do you think you're fooling?
Now, think about it. What kind of role-modeling are you showing for your potential prospect anyway? After you pitch them your opportunity, the first thing that comes into their mind is: will I have to go up to strange people in public places to recruit for my business too? I don't want to do that... this is not for me.
You are making your potential prospects even more resistant to your proposition with your actions and you don't even know it. But maybe you do, because the three foot rule and the other "lies" you've been practicing and believing in have not been working.
It's a reality that you feel awkward prospecting this way, but your upline says it's one of the "techniques" we use.
Your family hates taking you out in public places, like restaurants and stores, because they know you're going to launch into your network marketing spiel at any given moment. They're embarrassed and ashamed you work your business this way. You're like a lion on the prowl in the Serengeti!
The more you conduct yourself this way, the more you feel a lost of your dignity. You feel like a schmuck, like the creepy guy that sits alone in the back of a movie theatre watching a children's flick and talking to himself.
Despite what you've been told, not everyone is your prospect. That can never be! Some people are happy working a job. Some people are so fearful and distrustful of business people that they could never muster up the courage to become one of them. Some people don't like risk. Some people just aren't qualified to be their own boss.
By now, if you've done the three foot rule for any length of time, you know that it is not a good use of your time. In fact you are getting frustrated and angry that you have to resort to such tactics, but you feel you are obligated to use any wacky prospecting technique your upline comes up with.
If your upline told you to dress up as a clown complete with the big red nose and rainbow curly wig and go door to door prospecting, you'd do it because your upline told you it worked. You want to be teachable and trainable, so you do anything they tell you to do, much to your displeasure.
Around about now you are ready to quit. You've had enough of the "everyone is your prospect" lie and other lies. The reason you are not having much success is because...
You are not going after your target market! Your job is not to convince, bribe or convert anyone into having a business. Your job is to talk to people who are on the same page as you. In other words you want people who are actively seeking out a solution to their problem and you want them coming to you first.
When people seek you out, you are seen as an expert. When it's the other way around you are seen as a pest and a desperate one at that. Why would you want to waste valuable time trying to convince uninterested people of your opportunity or to try your product?
The reality is that if you keep believing the "lies" or the ineffective marketing techniques your upline is telling you to do, you will not have much success if any success at all.
If you want to have massive success you must go after your target market. I promise you that you will drastically reduce your chances of failure in this industry by doing so.
Your Greatest Asset
by: Joe Heller
Your greatest asset is your own customer list. These people have already purchased something from you in the past. If you've delivered as satisfactory product, they are very likely to buy from you again.
The easiest sale you'll ever make is to an already established customer of yours. They already trust you. They feel comfortable in dealing with you. You've delivered what you said you would so a certain degree of trust has already been established. Your customers are probably quite confident that you wouldn't sell them something that wasn't in their best interest.
The high road to increased profits always takes the route of established customers. There's always an expense associated with finding a new customer. Regardless of the marketing method used there's always an investment required in establishing a customer whether in terms of real dollars or human capital. Once you have a customer, any subsequent sale is made without the cost of locating that customer. The cost or finding a new customer is proportionally much higher than the cost of retaining an existing customer.
Keys To Success
The secret of capitalizing on your customer base is to continually feed them with new products and services you know they'll want. This is no time to diversify into completely new areas. Everything that you make available to your customer list must be compatible with what made those people customers to begin with.
Whatever subsequent products and services you offer must be related in some way. Think of your customers as belonging to a specific group. They're gardeners or small business owners or health enthusiasts. Whatever you offer must fit that product niche.
Always be on the lookout for new things you think your customers would gladly pay for. And give customers first crack at any of these new products and services. If you can offer a discount, that's even better. By letting them in on new products and services, you're giving them priority customer status, an added value of doing business with your firm.
Be careful not to overdo it. You don't want to annoy anyone, least of all your customers. Allow enough time and space between customer contacts. How much time you allow between mailings or calls depends on the nature of your business.
Examples
When a clothing store receives a shipment of new designs, they should first notify all previous customers who've purchased in the same price range. All the store has to do is contact these customers by phone or by mailing invitations to a special event where this new line is unveiled. Suggest to customers how additional new outfits can be created by mixing and matching and you've provided an extra service that will help retain customers.
This approach would seem natural for a wholesaler who relies on distributors or retailers to act as re-sellers. By showing your new merchandise and suggesting ways to move more of it, you're providing a valuable service while keeping in touch with your customers.
A self-published author of book on camping tips, should come up with natural additions to his product line to sell to buyers of his book. Things like maps of parks, local facilities, lists of "must-see sites" or specialty camping equipment, could all be add-ons made available to the author's buyers.
One final note; in order to start making more sales and build your business empire – you must become an avid student of lead generation and marketing strategy – the high-payoff items necessary for you to magnetically attact new clients to skyrocket your profits.
Your greatest asset is your own customer list. These people have already purchased something from you in the past. If you've delivered as satisfactory product, they are very likely to buy from you again.
The easiest sale you'll ever make is to an already established customer of yours. They already trust you. They feel comfortable in dealing with you. You've delivered what you said you would so a certain degree of trust has already been established. Your customers are probably quite confident that you wouldn't sell them something that wasn't in their best interest.
The high road to increased profits always takes the route of established customers. There's always an expense associated with finding a new customer. Regardless of the marketing method used there's always an investment required in establishing a customer whether in terms of real dollars or human capital. Once you have a customer, any subsequent sale is made without the cost of locating that customer. The cost or finding a new customer is proportionally much higher than the cost of retaining an existing customer.
Keys To Success
The secret of capitalizing on your customer base is to continually feed them with new products and services you know they'll want. This is no time to diversify into completely new areas. Everything that you make available to your customer list must be compatible with what made those people customers to begin with.
Whatever subsequent products and services you offer must be related in some way. Think of your customers as belonging to a specific group. They're gardeners or small business owners or health enthusiasts. Whatever you offer must fit that product niche.
Always be on the lookout for new things you think your customers would gladly pay for. And give customers first crack at any of these new products and services. If you can offer a discount, that's even better. By letting them in on new products and services, you're giving them priority customer status, an added value of doing business with your firm.
Be careful not to overdo it. You don't want to annoy anyone, least of all your customers. Allow enough time and space between customer contacts. How much time you allow between mailings or calls depends on the nature of your business.
Examples
When a clothing store receives a shipment of new designs, they should first notify all previous customers who've purchased in the same price range. All the store has to do is contact these customers by phone or by mailing invitations to a special event where this new line is unveiled. Suggest to customers how additional new outfits can be created by mixing and matching and you've provided an extra service that will help retain customers.
This approach would seem natural for a wholesaler who relies on distributors or retailers to act as re-sellers. By showing your new merchandise and suggesting ways to move more of it, you're providing a valuable service while keeping in touch with your customers.
A self-published author of book on camping tips, should come up with natural additions to his product line to sell to buyers of his book. Things like maps of parks, local facilities, lists of "must-see sites" or specialty camping equipment, could all be add-ons made available to the author's buyers.
One final note; in order to start making more sales and build your business empire – you must become an avid student of lead generation and marketing strategy – the high-payoff items necessary for you to magnetically attact new clients to skyrocket your profits.
The Secret to Becoming Rich
by: Elise Fisher
Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, believes that a person does not have to be a genius to become rich. Any person can become wealthy if he thinks positively and has a deep desire to achieve his goal.
Positive Thinking: You must see your financial dreams and know that you will be able to attain them. You must already own them.
If you begin making up every rationalization under the sun why you can't succeed, pinch yourself. You have to discipline your body and mind to think positive thoughts. Teach yourself that those kind of thought patterns are unacceptable. You can obtain greatness, even if you are not the smartest, most talented, or best looking person in the world. Success is your if you'll just allow it to come into your life. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts.
Burning Desire: Hill tells a true tale of a man named Edwin Barnes who desired to become Thomas Edison's partner. Most of us would have scoffed at him had we lived back then. Edwin Barnes was a nobody. Nevertheless, he had a deep desire, a life dream, and he was determined. He went to Thomas Edison and convinced him to hire him. He did not instantly achieve his dream, but he worked hard and ultimately became Thomas Edison's partner. This was a feat everyone thought was impossible.
Edwin Barnes followed these 7 steps to gain this great success:
1. Choose a definite dream.
2. Put all your energy into that dream.
3. Be willing to do menial work at first.
4. Visualize your dream.
5. Form a strategy.
6. Endure through the hard times.
7. Eliminate any way to retreat.
As you focus on obtaining your goals, answer these questions: What is the exact amount of money I want? What am I willing to sacrifice for it? What exact date do I want this money by? What is my strategy?
Don't forget, to successful people, there is no such thing as "defeat." What looks like defeat is no more than a great opportunity. Start creating opportunities out of failures and being successful today!
Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, believes that a person does not have to be a genius to become rich. Any person can become wealthy if he thinks positively and has a deep desire to achieve his goal.
Positive Thinking: You must see your financial dreams and know that you will be able to attain them. You must already own them.
If you begin making up every rationalization under the sun why you can't succeed, pinch yourself. You have to discipline your body and mind to think positive thoughts. Teach yourself that those kind of thought patterns are unacceptable. You can obtain greatness, even if you are not the smartest, most talented, or best looking person in the world. Success is your if you'll just allow it to come into your life. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts.
Burning Desire: Hill tells a true tale of a man named Edwin Barnes who desired to become Thomas Edison's partner. Most of us would have scoffed at him had we lived back then. Edwin Barnes was a nobody. Nevertheless, he had a deep desire, a life dream, and he was determined. He went to Thomas Edison and convinced him to hire him. He did not instantly achieve his dream, but he worked hard and ultimately became Thomas Edison's partner. This was a feat everyone thought was impossible.
Edwin Barnes followed these 7 steps to gain this great success:
1. Choose a definite dream.
2. Put all your energy into that dream.
3. Be willing to do menial work at first.
4. Visualize your dream.
5. Form a strategy.
6. Endure through the hard times.
7. Eliminate any way to retreat.
As you focus on obtaining your goals, answer these questions: What is the exact amount of money I want? What am I willing to sacrifice for it? What exact date do I want this money by? What is my strategy?
Don't forget, to successful people, there is no such thing as "defeat." What looks like defeat is no more than a great opportunity. Start creating opportunities out of failures and being successful today!
Rabu, 05 September 2007
The Secret to Becoming Rich
by: Elise Fisher
Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, believes that a person does not have to be a genius to become rich. Any person can become wealthy if he thinks positively and has a deep desire to achieve his goal.
Positive Thinking: You must see your financial dreams and know that you will be able to attain them. You must already own them.
If you begin making up every rationalization under the sun why you can't succeed, pinch yourself. You have to discipline your body and mind to think positive thoughts. Teach yourself that those kind of thought patterns are unacceptable. You can obtain greatness, even if you are not the smartest, most talented, or best looking person in the world. Success is your if you'll just allow it to come into your life. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts.
Burning Desire: Hill tells a true tale of a man named Edwin Barnes who desired to become Thomas Edison's partner. Most of us would have scoffed at him had we lived back then. Edwin Barnes was a nobody. Nevertheless, he had a deep desire, a life dream, and he was determined. He went to Thomas Edison and convinced him to hire him. He did not instantly achieve his dream, but he worked hard and ultimately became Thomas Edison's partner. This was a feat everyone thought was impossible.
Edwin Barnes followed these 7 steps to gain this great success:
1. Choose a definite dream.
2. Put all your energy into that dream.
3. Be willing to do menial work at first.
4. Visualize your dream.
5. Form a strategy.
6. Endure through the hard times.
7. Eliminate any way to retreat.
As you focus on obtaining your goals, answer these questions: What is the exact amount of money I want? What am I willing to sacrifice for it? What exact date do I want this money by? What is my strategy?
Don't forget, to successful people, there is no such thing as "defeat." What looks like defeat is no more than a great opportunity. Start creating opportunities out of failures and being successful today!
NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact.
Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, believes that a person does not have to be a genius to become rich. Any person can become wealthy if he thinks positively and has a deep desire to achieve his goal.
Positive Thinking: You must see your financial dreams and know that you will be able to attain them. You must already own them.
If you begin making up every rationalization under the sun why you can't succeed, pinch yourself. You have to discipline your body and mind to think positive thoughts. Teach yourself that those kind of thought patterns are unacceptable. You can obtain greatness, even if you are not the smartest, most talented, or best looking person in the world. Success is your if you'll just allow it to come into your life. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts.
Burning Desire: Hill tells a true tale of a man named Edwin Barnes who desired to become Thomas Edison's partner. Most of us would have scoffed at him had we lived back then. Edwin Barnes was a nobody. Nevertheless, he had a deep desire, a life dream, and he was determined. He went to Thomas Edison and convinced him to hire him. He did not instantly achieve his dream, but he worked hard and ultimately became Thomas Edison's partner. This was a feat everyone thought was impossible.
Edwin Barnes followed these 7 steps to gain this great success:
1. Choose a definite dream.
2. Put all your energy into that dream.
3. Be willing to do menial work at first.
4. Visualize your dream.
5. Form a strategy.
6. Endure through the hard times.
7. Eliminate any way to retreat.
As you focus on obtaining your goals, answer these questions: What is the exact amount of money I want? What am I willing to sacrifice for it? What exact date do I want this money by? What is my strategy?
Don't forget, to successful people, there is no such thing as "defeat." What looks like defeat is no more than a great opportunity. Start creating opportunities out of failures and being successful today!
NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact.
The Magic Move to Being in Business
by: Heather Dominick
Lots of entrepreneurs that I speak to spend a lot of time "being busy." They're attending meetings, answering emails and a ton of activity that fills up their schedule. They have great ideas in the middle of it all, but are so overwhelmed they fall into "productivity paralysis" and are just plain perplexed about how to really get to that next level. There's a magic move to being productive and profitable in business that no one is talking about.
Before we get to the "Magic Move," we have to first acknowledge that as an Entrepreneur you should always be striving to work on your business rather than just in your business. You open up the energy around this by setting up systems. This approach allows you to be set up for growth and actually implement all those fabulous ideas you have. For example, if you're an acupuncturist instead of only treating patients all day you can explore ways to treat and reach more people at once-leveraging your time and your income. Strong systems in your business operations will create that space. I have entrepreneurs I coach who either set up or strengthen their systems as a must. For the sake of this article, we accept that as a given. Now, step into the magic move-the one that has you in joy with everything you're doing, rather than just trying to catch your breath and stay one step ahead (or filing you your time with "stuff" because you secretly feel lost about what to do next).
Often, I've found that even when you have the tightest of systems, you can find yourself feeling like something is missing. Your energy is a bit blah and you don't feel jazzed to create. Even though the systems are crankin', you feel stuck. Just about every time I hear this from an entrepreneur, I know the magic move is missing; there isn't anywhere in the systems that allows for time to just be. Incorporating this move makes all the difference in the world and it's the one that is most resisted (including myself at times). Interesting, right?
Let's get clear about exactly what I mean by "time to just be." I'm not talking about time to watch TV or be with family and friends-although this is important and should be part of your systems, too. I'm talking about time to really connect to that part of yourself which is a direct connection to divine, inspired action. These are the ideas, solutions, and "how tos" that cannot be conceived of, created, or tapped into when you are busy "doing" and "going 24-7." And it's the powerful, magic move that no one in business is talking about. Frankly, I believe it's because they're scared to.
Traditional business doesn't operate from a place of stillness. The battle cry is, "if you're not in motion, you're losing money!" Meanwhile, money is being left on the table everywhere because folks are rushing by and too busy to see it. Even all the latest buzz about the Law of Attraction is filled with insistence to, "use this tool, this exercise, this strategy." Be sure to understand, these are very helpful, but the point of them is often lost; to bring us to that deep place of knowing that comes from being able to be.
Every time I've coached a client around this magic move more money has appeared. I have one client who just created $4,500 in a half day. The inspiration to pursue this means would never have appeared had she just still been going, going, going. It works.
Call To Action:
Start by scheduling some "be" time. Just take it and see what happens.
Write down anything that comes to you.
Let it go and then return to it a week later. Mark what that experience is like (you might be surprised what happened in the week between!).
Lots of entrepreneurs that I speak to spend a lot of time "being busy." They're attending meetings, answering emails and a ton of activity that fills up their schedule. They have great ideas in the middle of it all, but are so overwhelmed they fall into "productivity paralysis" and are just plain perplexed about how to really get to that next level. There's a magic move to being productive and profitable in business that no one is talking about.
Before we get to the "Magic Move," we have to first acknowledge that as an Entrepreneur you should always be striving to work on your business rather than just in your business. You open up the energy around this by setting up systems. This approach allows you to be set up for growth and actually implement all those fabulous ideas you have. For example, if you're an acupuncturist instead of only treating patients all day you can explore ways to treat and reach more people at once-leveraging your time and your income. Strong systems in your business operations will create that space. I have entrepreneurs I coach who either set up or strengthen their systems as a must. For the sake of this article, we accept that as a given. Now, step into the magic move-the one that has you in joy with everything you're doing, rather than just trying to catch your breath and stay one step ahead (or filing you your time with "stuff" because you secretly feel lost about what to do next).
Often, I've found that even when you have the tightest of systems, you can find yourself feeling like something is missing. Your energy is a bit blah and you don't feel jazzed to create. Even though the systems are crankin', you feel stuck. Just about every time I hear this from an entrepreneur, I know the magic move is missing; there isn't anywhere in the systems that allows for time to just be. Incorporating this move makes all the difference in the world and it's the one that is most resisted (including myself at times). Interesting, right?
Let's get clear about exactly what I mean by "time to just be." I'm not talking about time to watch TV or be with family and friends-although this is important and should be part of your systems, too. I'm talking about time to really connect to that part of yourself which is a direct connection to divine, inspired action. These are the ideas, solutions, and "how tos" that cannot be conceived of, created, or tapped into when you are busy "doing" and "going 24-7." And it's the powerful, magic move that no one in business is talking about. Frankly, I believe it's because they're scared to.
Traditional business doesn't operate from a place of stillness. The battle cry is, "if you're not in motion, you're losing money!" Meanwhile, money is being left on the table everywhere because folks are rushing by and too busy to see it. Even all the latest buzz about the Law of Attraction is filled with insistence to, "use this tool, this exercise, this strategy." Be sure to understand, these are very helpful, but the point of them is often lost; to bring us to that deep place of knowing that comes from being able to be.
Every time I've coached a client around this magic move more money has appeared. I have one client who just created $4,500 in a half day. The inspiration to pursue this means would never have appeared had she just still been going, going, going. It works.
Call To Action:
Start by scheduling some "be" time. Just take it and see what happens.
Write down anything that comes to you.
Let it go and then return to it a week later. Mark what that experience is like (you might be surprised what happened in the week between!).
Freelancing as A Career Option
Home bound workers can either consider telecommuting or freelancing. While telecommuting may keep you out of your home for some hours a week, online freelancing is a good way to make money if you are forced to stay at home. For example, homemakers, part-time students, retired folk, or others who wish to supplement their income from jobs or businesses can all consider freelancing.
Freelance Skill Sets
You can start earning as a freelancer as long as you have skills that someone is willing to pay for. For example, writers, web designers, photographers, and programmers can earn a substantial income by creating articles, websites, portfolios and software from home. The Internet is a hot and viable source of income for freelancers from around the world. Your target customers can be webmasters, online business owners, blog owners etc. For example, blogs and wikis are hot sources of income for freelance writers nowadays, and there's no reason why you can't tap into this market if you possess good writing skills.
Freelance Income
On the flip, your income may fluctuate from one month to another. As with all businesses, freelancing does not guarantee a stable paycheck at the end of the month. So keep a small kitty reserve for dry days or have another source of income for which you can work part-time. Be prepared to accept boring, low-level work initially just to keep the cash flow strong. Once you get a good reputation for providing original, high-quality work at reasonable price, then clients will flock to you.
Freelance Advantages
Probably the best thing about freelancing is that you get to work at your pace, in your own hours, from home, and be your own boss. That means, your shop is open 24x7. And as long as you provide good quality work and meet deadlines, your clients will remain happy with you.
In order to be visible, you also need to be seen and heard in the right places, like forums, blogs, online groups, etc. Spend time everyday to visit such sites because they are invaluable repository of freelance gigs and email addresses of prospects. Alternatively you can sign up with freelance sites like Elance.com, GetAFreelancer.com and Scriptlance.com where you can start bidding on projects and snag a few as early as today!
To conclude, a freelance business is one of the best ways to earn money from home and to work for your own self. If you've got a fair amount of time on your hands, maybe you too should consider freelancing as your full-time career alternative or supplementary income source.
(Hint: While you can find plenty of lucrative freelance assignments on Elance, the other sites mentioned above generally tend to feature lesser-paid projects. However, if you're just starting out as a freelancer, the competition on Elance can prove to be really tough. So you might want to first try GAF and Scriptlance to build up your portfolio, and then go for Elance.)
Freelance Skill Sets
You can start earning as a freelancer as long as you have skills that someone is willing to pay for. For example, writers, web designers, photographers, and programmers can earn a substantial income by creating articles, websites, portfolios and software from home. The Internet is a hot and viable source of income for freelancers from around the world. Your target customers can be webmasters, online business owners, blog owners etc. For example, blogs and wikis are hot sources of income for freelance writers nowadays, and there's no reason why you can't tap into this market if you possess good writing skills.
Freelance Income
On the flip, your income may fluctuate from one month to another. As with all businesses, freelancing does not guarantee a stable paycheck at the end of the month. So keep a small kitty reserve for dry days or have another source of income for which you can work part-time. Be prepared to accept boring, low-level work initially just to keep the cash flow strong. Once you get a good reputation for providing original, high-quality work at reasonable price, then clients will flock to you.
Freelance Advantages
Probably the best thing about freelancing is that you get to work at your pace, in your own hours, from home, and be your own boss. That means, your shop is open 24x7. And as long as you provide good quality work and meet deadlines, your clients will remain happy with you.
In order to be visible, you also need to be seen and heard in the right places, like forums, blogs, online groups, etc. Spend time everyday to visit such sites because they are invaluable repository of freelance gigs and email addresses of prospects. Alternatively you can sign up with freelance sites like Elance.com, GetAFreelancer.com and Scriptlance.com where you can start bidding on projects and snag a few as early as today!
To conclude, a freelance business is one of the best ways to earn money from home and to work for your own self. If you've got a fair amount of time on your hands, maybe you too should consider freelancing as your full-time career alternative or supplementary income source.
(Hint: While you can find plenty of lucrative freelance assignments on Elance, the other sites mentioned above generally tend to feature lesser-paid projects. However, if you're just starting out as a freelancer, the competition on Elance can prove to be really tough. So you might want to first try GAF and Scriptlance to build up your portfolio, and then go for Elance.)
Starting A Business Partnership
Obinna Heche
| You and your best friend are looking into starting a business together. You have done all your research on the type of business you want to start. You have talked to some financial backers and are ready to go. Or are you? There are at least three things you should know before starting a business with a friend. Get it all in writing: You may have been friends since kindergarten but money does strange things to people. Its in the best interest to you both to sit down and get all of your business details in writing. Who is the owner and who is the co owner. How much profit from the business does each person receive? Make sure that all of these business related details are fully documented, dated and signed by each person. This is just one of the precautions you should take prior to the beginning of your business partnership. Prepare for the worst: If in the event you and your friend have a fall out, be prepared. When partnering with anyone in business affairs you risk having to battle it out over company events and money. People can become very power hungry, selfish and greedy. Money after all is the source of all evil. If this is to happen its best that you have all of your business details documented as stated above. Also make sure you have mentally prepared yourself for such an event. It can be a heart wrenching and stressful occurrence. It is healthier for you to have at least considered that this is a possibility. Protect yourself: Be wise in what you do with the business. Take care of your finances. Save money when possible and keep detailed track of both incoming and outgoing cash flow. If there was a falling out of sorts between you and your business partner you want to make sure you are financially secure. You protect yourself this way as well as keeping good book keeping records. Once again people do become a type of Jekyl and Hyde with money. Its not selfish to be sure that you are safe. Business affairs can become scandalous and overwhelming. You just want to make sure when its all over you come out on top. Keep these three things in mind, documentation, preparation and protection. This information is not to make you feel paranoid. Its not meant to make you suspicious of your friend either. These are just pieces of information that are important in keeping you safe. Its a simple fact in the world of money. Business is serious and should be taken so. Think before you leap and you and your friend will both start on a safe path to a beautiful business relationship. |
| Article Source : http://www.bestmanagementarticles.com http://entrepreneurship.bestmanagementarticles.com |
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