Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is about what happens when we lose focus. This happens to everyone but what's important when one lose focus is to get back on track !!! Michael in his article is sharing some ideas on dealing with distractions and setbacks...
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Have You Lost Your Focus?
by Michael Angier , founder and CIO
www.SuccessNet.org
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We all know how important it is to focus on what we want.
But what happens when we LOSE focus?
It's easy to do, isn't it?
We get distracted. Something captures our interest and diverts our attention away from our chosen objective.
We suffer setbacks. Things don't work out as planned. Someone lets us down. Circumstances change and good plans go bad.
We get interrupted. An important matter takes precedence--sometimes for long periods of time.
We, or members of our team, get sick or hurt. We don't have the energy we had before and often find it slow to get back in the game.
These things happen to everyone. And we have to be careful we don't think we're being singled out. The "Why is this happening to me?" question gets us nowhere.
We must first recognize that we've lost focus. And at the earliest opportun?ty, we must recommit. We have to get back on the horse we fell off from and ride again.
And this is what separates the winners from the losers.
The loser says it's too hard. He says it's not worth the effort.
He thinks it's just "not in the cards" and he quits.
But the winner doesn't take the setback personally. She dusts herself off and recommits to the plan. She sees the setback as just that--a setback--not a sign that it's not to be.
What do YOU need to refocus upon? Is it a positive habit? A goal? A toleration you said you'd eliminate?
Revisit your reasons why. Focus on the results you will produce and not on what's not worked well. Because what you focus on expands.
Today's a new day. The past is just as historic as if it had happened a thousand years ago. You can't change what's happened or not happened. But you CAN recommit. You CAN refocus.
You can start anew.
So do it today. Remember the power of TNT--Today, Not Tomorrow.
Related Article
What Happens When We Don't Make it?
Successful people don't reach all their goals. In fact, they miss more than they make. I talk about what happens when things don't go as planned.
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Copyright Michael Angier & Success Networks International.
Used with Permission.
Michael Angier is the founder and president of SuccessNet. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best--personally and professionally.
Download their free eBooklet, 10 ESSENTIAL KEYS TO PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS from www.SuccessNet.org/keys.htm or by sending a blank email to keys@SuccessNet.org.
More free subscriptions, books and SuccessMark Cards are available at www.SuccessNet.org.
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Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
May 30, 2006
May 29, 2006
Let's Remember THEM
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in h*ll."
~Author Unknown~
It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Have a safe Memorial Day!
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in h*ll."
~Author Unknown~
It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Have a safe Memorial Day!
May 27, 2006
Lots Of Soldiers Coming Back
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
With "Memorial Day" here, it's the day to remember all the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for the American nation. Join me in celebrating the day with heartfelt gratitude and sincere reverence. We must thank all those war veterans and departed soldiers who gave up their lives for the country.
A lot of our Soldiers are coming back and there are highs of home coming. Home coming can turn to depression if a family fails to adjust. The dark side of home coming for some may be slow and painful. War changes everyone !!!
Here are some tips that can help families give support or help someone they know who is a soldier. This can help to readjust to a some what normal life!
*Give a vet some space-
Most won't want to talk about the violence they witnessed right away.
*Then lend an ear-
When the time comes, prepare to listen. The recollections may come out over the course of weeks or months, as your loved one reformulates the memories into meaningful stories.
*Recognize that things are different now-
The world has changed. A spouse may have taken on new responsibilities. There may be some jealousy over what has been missed. Bring your vet up to date slowly, one issue at a time.
*Understand the vet's need to spend time with war buddies-
Families need to know that the vet's lifeline to peers often makes the difference between coping and withdrawal into isolation.
*Expect a period of adjustment-
It can take six to eight weeks to get back to something that approaches normal, both physically and mentally.
*Get help-
If problems persist for more then 3 months then they need to seek professional help.
*Take a screening test-
A new online test offered by the department of defense called the mental health self assessment, it lets them identify if there is a problem before urgent problems begin.
MilitaryMentalHealth.org the site also covers information about mental health and substance abuse services covered by the DOD. Hope this helps others or pass it along to someone else who it might help.
Many Blessings to our Soldiers.
With "Memorial Day" here, it's the day to remember all the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for the American nation. Join me in celebrating the day with heartfelt gratitude and sincere reverence. We must thank all those war veterans and departed soldiers who gave up their lives for the country.
A lot of our Soldiers are coming back and there are highs of home coming. Home coming can turn to depression if a family fails to adjust. The dark side of home coming for some may be slow and painful. War changes everyone !!!
Here are some tips that can help families give support or help someone they know who is a soldier. This can help to readjust to a some what normal life!
*Give a vet some space-
Most won't want to talk about the violence they witnessed right away.
*Then lend an ear-
When the time comes, prepare to listen. The recollections may come out over the course of weeks or months, as your loved one reformulates the memories into meaningful stories.
*Recognize that things are different now-
The world has changed. A spouse may have taken on new responsibilities. There may be some jealousy over what has been missed. Bring your vet up to date slowly, one issue at a time.
*Understand the vet's need to spend time with war buddies-
Families need to know that the vet's lifeline to peers often makes the difference between coping and withdrawal into isolation.
*Expect a period of adjustment-
It can take six to eight weeks to get back to something that approaches normal, both physically and mentally.
*Get help-
If problems persist for more then 3 months then they need to seek professional help.
*Take a screening test-
A new online test offered by the department of defense called the mental health self assessment, it lets them identify if there is a problem before urgent problems begin.
MilitaryMentalHealth.org the site also covers information about mental health and substance abuse services covered by the DOD. Hope this helps others or pass it along to someone else who it might help.
Many Blessings to our Soldiers.
May 26, 2006
"Oh No, They're Leaving!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Are People LEAVING Your Web Site Without Buying? Of course they are! In fact, most of your web visitors will leave without buying -- up to 99% is the average. What's a marketer to do? Turn those lemons into lemonade.
In today's article Alexandria gives you 4 ways to generate revenue from all those people leaving your site! Enjoy...
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4 Ways to Make Money from People
Who Are LEAVING Your Site!
by Alexandria Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
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Oh no... are people leaving your site without buying?
Get used to it! In fact, an average of 99% of your first time visitors to your sales pages will leave without buying or even contacting you.
But don't get upset. Get richer!
Use what's called an exit pop. Now, I know pop-ups can be incredibly annoying. But they WORK. Almost all the people I know doing over $1 million each year online use exit pops in strategic ways to seriously boost their bottom lines.
Here are four ways to generate revenue from people leaving your website, using exit pops:
1. Get them on your list.
Because most people will not buy from you at first visit, it's extremely important to have a way to follow up with them. After all, they're already interested in what you have. That's why they're at your site! So these people are worth their weight in gold to you.
But how to follow up? Well, here's where your ezine comes in. Your ezine list is your key to ongoing revenues and generating income on demand.
One of the best places to get people on your list is actually as they're leaving. It's kind of like the "Columbo" strategy of your website. (What did he used to say on the way out the door? Something like, "By the way..." or "Oh, one more thing...")
These exit pops often work BETTER than a pop-up that appears as soon as someone lands on your site. Why? You give the visitor a chance to get to know you first, before you ask them for their email. Let them take a look around, grow to trust you and your website.
One of my exit pops says, "Congrats... You've Won a FREE Subscription!" It has an eye-catching graphic representing my ezine and gives a raving description of it as well. Also the opt-in form is right in the box, which you always want. Don't make folks have to click around to sign up. If you'd like to see what mine looks like, go to EzineQueen.com. You'll see it when you leave.
From what other marketers are sharing, the "congrats" exit pop is one of the all-time best performing exit pops for building your list.
2. Ask them WHY they're leaving.
Why not find out the reason they're leaving in the first place? For example, one of my exit pops says, "WAIT - Can I ask your advice? Please tell me the biggest reason you're leaving without giving my 'Boost Business With Your Own Ezine' system a try. I'd really appreciate it, and your answer is completely anonymous. Thanks."
I looked for the most popular answers and then made some adjustments to my sales page. For example, several people said, "I don't have a website yet." So I revised my sales copy to include the fact that you don't need a website to get started publishing an ezine.
Knowing this kind of information will help you make a LOT more sales down the line!
There's a great tool that makes doing these exit surveys super easy, and you can see a demo at their site: www.askmyezine.com
3. Offer a down-sell or alternative.
Yep, that's right. Offer me something for less money. After all, I'm leaving anyway, with my wallet! Example: My "Boost Business With Your Own Ezine" system is a physical product, but for several months I tested a down-sell of a lower-priced digital version with fewer bonuses. I also configured the exit pop to appear only if the person had been on my sales page for at least 30 seconds, so I knew they were serious about the product and not just on my page to take a peek.
The tactic did pretty well, making me about an extra thousand bucks a month that otherwise I would not have gotten! That won't make me rich, but it sure helps cover my take-out sushi habit. I'll be testing some other down-sells like this one too. (Remember, it's all about trying new things and seeing how they work for YOU. That's what's so fun about Internet marketing!)
4. Send them to someone else's site.
Really! But not just anyone's site. Send them to a site with products or services that are related to yours, AND that will give you commission on any referred sales! That's called an affiliate program, and there are millions of companies doing it on the web. If you don't know of any websites that are related to yours and have an affiliate program, search the two biggest directories: ClickBank and Commission Junction.
Just remember to check out any company before you start sending people there. You don't want to taint your reputation by sending folks to a site with shoddy products or lousy service.
I've made several thousand dollars per month simply by referring my readers and web visitors to other websites. It's just one of my tactics. But some internet marketers even make ALL their revenues with affiliate programs - they don't sell any of their own products! It really works.
Don't Get Blocked!
It's a fact that almost half of all Internet users now have some type of pop-up blocker.
The good news is, whenever a new technology comes out, there's one close behind it that will make it obsolete.
There are several scripts for making pop-up boxes that cannot be blocked. My favorite that I use right now is a service that requires no programming and has dozens of fun designs you can choose and just type in your message -- www.QueenPopups.com
Just remember to please use these tools ethically! Don't drive people crazy with 10 different boxes appearing as they leave.
Choose one, use it strategically, and test, test, test. I promise if you try just ONE of these tactics above, you'll see some extra sales!
© 2005-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & enjoy your coming weekend!
Are People LEAVING Your Web Site Without Buying? Of course they are! In fact, most of your web visitors will leave without buying -- up to 99% is the average. What's a marketer to do? Turn those lemons into lemonade.
In today's article Alexandria gives you 4 ways to generate revenue from all those people leaving your site! Enjoy...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
4 Ways to Make Money from People
Who Are LEAVING Your Site!
by Alexandria Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Oh no... are people leaving your site without buying?
Get used to it! In fact, an average of 99% of your first time visitors to your sales pages will leave without buying or even contacting you.
But don't get upset. Get richer!
Use what's called an exit pop. Now, I know pop-ups can be incredibly annoying. But they WORK. Almost all the people I know doing over $1 million each year online use exit pops in strategic ways to seriously boost their bottom lines.
Here are four ways to generate revenue from people leaving your website, using exit pops:
1. Get them on your list.
Because most people will not buy from you at first visit, it's extremely important to have a way to follow up with them. After all, they're already interested in what you have. That's why they're at your site! So these people are worth their weight in gold to you.
But how to follow up? Well, here's where your ezine comes in. Your ezine list is your key to ongoing revenues and generating income on demand.
One of the best places to get people on your list is actually as they're leaving. It's kind of like the "Columbo" strategy of your website. (What did he used to say on the way out the door? Something like, "By the way..." or "Oh, one more thing...")
These exit pops often work BETTER than a pop-up that appears as soon as someone lands on your site. Why? You give the visitor a chance to get to know you first, before you ask them for their email. Let them take a look around, grow to trust you and your website.
One of my exit pops says, "Congrats... You've Won a FREE Subscription!" It has an eye-catching graphic representing my ezine and gives a raving description of it as well. Also the opt-in form is right in the box, which you always want. Don't make folks have to click around to sign up. If you'd like to see what mine looks like, go to EzineQueen.com. You'll see it when you leave.
From what other marketers are sharing, the "congrats" exit pop is one of the all-time best performing exit pops for building your list.
2. Ask them WHY they're leaving.
Why not find out the reason they're leaving in the first place? For example, one of my exit pops says, "WAIT - Can I ask your advice? Please tell me the biggest reason you're leaving without giving my 'Boost Business With Your Own Ezine' system a try. I'd really appreciate it, and your answer is completely anonymous. Thanks."
I looked for the most popular answers and then made some adjustments to my sales page. For example, several people said, "I don't have a website yet." So I revised my sales copy to include the fact that you don't need a website to get started publishing an ezine.
Knowing this kind of information will help you make a LOT more sales down the line!
There's a great tool that makes doing these exit surveys super easy, and you can see a demo at their site: www.askmyezine.com
3. Offer a down-sell or alternative.
Yep, that's right. Offer me something for less money. After all, I'm leaving anyway, with my wallet! Example: My "Boost Business With Your Own Ezine" system is a physical product, but for several months I tested a down-sell of a lower-priced digital version with fewer bonuses. I also configured the exit pop to appear only if the person had been on my sales page for at least 30 seconds, so I knew they were serious about the product and not just on my page to take a peek.
The tactic did pretty well, making me about an extra thousand bucks a month that otherwise I would not have gotten! That won't make me rich, but it sure helps cover my take-out sushi habit. I'll be testing some other down-sells like this one too. (Remember, it's all about trying new things and seeing how they work for YOU. That's what's so fun about Internet marketing!)
4. Send them to someone else's site.
Really! But not just anyone's site. Send them to a site with products or services that are related to yours, AND that will give you commission on any referred sales! That's called an affiliate program, and there are millions of companies doing it on the web. If you don't know of any websites that are related to yours and have an affiliate program, search the two biggest directories: ClickBank and Commission Junction.
Just remember to check out any company before you start sending people there. You don't want to taint your reputation by sending folks to a site with shoddy products or lousy service.
I've made several thousand dollars per month simply by referring my readers and web visitors to other websites. It's just one of my tactics. But some internet marketers even make ALL their revenues with affiliate programs - they don't sell any of their own products! It really works.
Don't Get Blocked!
It's a fact that almost half of all Internet users now have some type of pop-up blocker.
The good news is, whenever a new technology comes out, there's one close behind it that will make it obsolete.
There are several scripts for making pop-up boxes that cannot be blocked. My favorite that I use right now is a service that requires no programming and has dozens of fun designs you can choose and just type in your message -- www.QueenPopups.com
Just remember to please use these tools ethically! Don't drive people crazy with 10 different boxes appearing as they leave.
Choose one, use it strategically, and test, test, test. I promise if you try just ONE of these tactics above, you'll see some extra sales!
© 2005-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & enjoy your coming weekend!
May 25, 2006
"ID Thieves New Tricks"
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article was past on at AdlandPro Community, this is to inform everyone of "thieves new tricks"! Be aware of the next targets that "The Department of Homeland Security" warns that are "becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers and viruses." and how.
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"ID Thieves New Tricks"
How To Defend Yourself
By - Ed Shanahan
www.rd.com/idtheft
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Cybercriminals Are Getting Smarter, YOU Can Too!
Not long after I began my reporting for this article, I was in Washington, D.C., taking a cab from the airport, when my wife called.
"There's a message from Visa on the machine," she said. "There's something going on with the card."
Weird, I thought, pulling out my wallet. The card was right there. I called the number she gave me, and hit the voice-mail prompts ("Please enter the nine-digit telephone number at which you were contacted") and finally reached a live customer service representative. "Someone in the U.K. is trying to buy a money order for $3,400 using your card number," the woman said.
"Definitely not me," I said.
"We'll block that, cancel the card, and issue a new one," she said.
"Okay. Thanks for calling."
As we went through the back-and-forth about a replacement card, I explained how almost the only time I used the one I'd just canceled was to buy gas-and only at a couple of stations. If it never left my possession, how could someone be trying to use it 3,000 miles away? "I couldn't say for sure," she said. "It could happen a lot of ways."
WE'RE ALL VULNERABLE
It's not news that identity theft-described by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act as "the use or attempted use of an account or identifying information without the owner's permission"-is rampant in the United States. Federal and state authorities alike have labeled it the country's fastest-growing white-collar crime since the late 1990s.
And why not? We live in an age where everything from tax records to Social Security numbers to credit card data resides in databases that can be hacked, phished or pharmed by anyone with sinister motives and enough know-how.
The number of people victimized annually was last estimated at about 10 million by the Federal Trade Commission. In April, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that at least one member of 3 percent of all U.S. households were identity-theft victims in the last half of 2004. Chances are you or someone you know has been hit.
Yes, consumers have gotten savier-cyber streetwise, if you will. We shred financial documents and unsolicited, pre-approved credit card offers; check credit reports regularly; keep Social Security numbers as private as possible; delete e-mail from unknown senders as soon as it arrives; and frequently update antivirus, firewall and spam-blocking software. But for every scam we foil, the crooks are hard at work thinking up novel ways to rip us off.
ATTACKERS DON'T STOP
When it comes to high-tech fraud, one of the most common scams is "phishing." The bad guys who do it send out bogus e-mails in hopes of scaring, enticing or just tricking the naive into giving up personal information at fake websites that resemble those of legitimate financial institutions and other commercial outfits.
The volume of phishing e-mail has reached astounding levels. The software company Symantec (of Norton fame) pegged traffic last year at 1.5 billion messages a day; less than half were blocked before reaching their destinations. Gartner, a market-research firm, reports that in the 12 months ending in May 2005, phishers duped 2.4 million Americans into revealing personal info, costing victims, banks and credit card companies $929 million.
The good news:
Computer users are getting better at telling the difference between real and fake e-mail.
The bad news: Phishermen are adapting.
"Attackers are not going to stop," says Dave Cole, a Symantec director. "They're going to go after other applications."
Maybe you've heard of "pharming," in which legitimate websites are hit with malicious computer code that steers those visiting them to look-a-like sites. Data can then be harvested without a key being struck. In a twist, there's crimeware that instead attacks browsers (Internet Explorer, for one) and does its pharming from there.
Among the most insidious new cons: "keystroke-logging," in which software planted on a computer (perhaps via a virus) records everything a user types and passes it back to an identity thief. And don't forget "screen scrapers," which can snatch and send images of what's on-screen.
Spyware is another big problem. At its most innocuous, it's just an annoyance, spawning unwanted advertising, like pop-ups. In its more nefarious form, it can arrive as a "Trojan downloader," a program that lies dormant on a computer, only to perk up later to retrieve and install destructive code under a hacker's direction. "Once that gets into your system," says Cole, "you're in for a world of hurt."
In a University of Washington study released in February of 2006, researchers found that more than 1 in 20 "executable" (.exe) files they encountered during a massive Web crawl contained "piggybacked" spyware. And, on average, 1 in 62 websites launched what are called "drive-by download attacks," trying to force spyware on users who merely visited the sites.
Adding a disturbing wrinkle to all this shady activity is the fact that your own computer can be infected by hackers so that-unknown to you-it becomes one "zombie" among thousands in a robot network ("botnet") created to attack other computers. A recent federal case against one "botmaster," 20-year-old Jeanson James Ancheta, provides a glimpse into the scope of the threat.
Ancheta, of Downey, California, pleaded guilty in January to four felony counts. In doing so, he admitted taking control of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers, using the zombie machines to send adware, and also selling spammers access to his botnet. In a just over a year, Ancheta earned $58,000 for providing these services. "He's a little genius," says James Aquilina, the assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles who prosecuted Ancheta. "He just decided to do bad things instead of good."
While Ancheta wasn't an identity thief, Aquilina says his ability to create and command a corrupt computer network and his willingness to make it available on the black market underscore how much harm botnets could do if employed to steal identities. "They are by far one of the most significant threats we face," he says.
CRIME IN THE CARDS
As my experience shows, PCs aren't always involved in digital identity theft. The Bureau of Justice Statistics' April report found that three-quarters of the 2004 incidents involved existing credit cards or other accounts. How does it happen? Thieves target account information embedded in ATM, debit and credit cards by breaking into or otherwise compromising the equipment and systems used for processing payments.
In March, for example, Citibank announced it was reissuing an unspecified number of ATM cards in Canada and overseas. The cards had stopped working for withdrawals.
Avivah Litan, a Gartner analyst, says the culprit was most likely "PIN block" card fraud, which she expects to see a lot of in the near future. In a PIN block theft, hackers break into computer servers used by retailers to store and process debit-card PIN codes collected when purchases are made.
At the same time, and off the same servers, thieves swipe the key codes necessary to unlock the encrypted PIN data. With that information, they can easily create counterfeit debit cards, which they use to clean out bank accounts. The reason Litan sees debit-and ATM-card theft rising? It's simple: Compared to credit cards, "they're better for getting cash."
That doesn't mean credit card data isn't at risk. It is-often via similarly porous processing systems. FBI cybercrime unit chief Dan Larkin says that's one possible explanation for my Visa problem. Or it could be that my account information was skimmed with a handheld device that can pull data straight from a gas pump. However it happened, it's likely multiple crooks formed the chain that broke with that call from Visa.
The person who stole the data could have sold it to someone on one of the online forums where thieves meet. Yet another person might have created a counterfeit card using my info, and sold it to the person who tried to buy the money order. But that's just one scenario: Larkin notes that with ID theft, "the trail is becoming more and more complex."
UNWANTED GUESTS
Another ripe target for identity thieves: the wireless network that more and more computer users are setting up at home. A failure to block access to these networks can allow prying eyes into your hard drive, where you may store financial information in programs like Quicken. Even people who are diligent about regularly updating their firewall and spyware software don't always enable encryption of their Wi-Fi devices.
Last November, Symantec personnel conducted an exercise in New York City. With a laptop running free software and a simple antenna affixed to their car, they drove through six different residential neighborhoods. Of the 5,700 wireless access points they found, 52 percent had no encryption whatsoever, making them available to anyone who wanted to hop on.
An unsecure wireless access point can open the door to more than just data theft. Last April, a St. Petersburg, Florida, man grew wary after spotting someone parked near his house using a laptop. Worried this person might be tapping into his wireless network for unsavory reasons, he called the cops. On arriving, they found that the man in the parked car, Benjamin Smith III, was using the homeowner's Wi-Fi service. A search of his laptop, police say, indicated he'd downloaded child pornography. (Smith has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.)
THE NEXT TARGETS
Where will the bad guys turn next?
The Department of Homeland Security warns that cell phones and other handhelds (like BlackBerrys) are "becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers and viruses."
Symantec's Cole sees instant messaging (IM) becoming a popular target. With its built-in "buddy lists," it has a cozy feel that cybercrooks find attractive. "The big thing about IM that has not been exploited yet," he says, "is that people trust it."
Cole also expects to see more attacks on browswers, and new efforts to embed crimeware on PCs. And he's already seeing phishers moving away from mimicking large institutions to posting instead as local credit unions and regional banks. Thieves, he says, are also eyeing popular blogs and networking sites like MySpace.com, again in an attempt to exploit users' trust.
It's possible, some experts say, that all this malicious activity is a good sign. Burt Kaliski, vice president for RSA Security, believes it shows that criminals are getting desperate.
"I think it may be the last attempt by the fraudsters to get people to fall for their tricks," he says. That doesn't mean it's time to become less vigilant, he adds. In fact, Kaliski encourages consumers to demand more protection-increased encryption and identification methods-from those they do business with online. Even more encouraging: Authorities are getting better at catching high-tech thieves. How much better? Says prosecutor Aquilina: "Better than our targets might think."
To learn more about protecting yourself... visit www.rd.com/idtheft.
-=-
Shared at AdlandPro Community by Shirley Ruth Caron.
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Today's article was past on at AdlandPro Community, this is to inform everyone of "thieves new tricks"! Be aware of the next targets that "The Department of Homeland Security" warns that are "becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers and viruses." and how.
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"ID Thieves New Tricks"
How To Defend Yourself
By - Ed Shanahan
www.rd.com/idtheft
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Cybercriminals Are Getting Smarter, YOU Can Too!
Not long after I began my reporting for this article, I was in Washington, D.C., taking a cab from the airport, when my wife called.
"There's a message from Visa on the machine," she said. "There's something going on with the card."
Weird, I thought, pulling out my wallet. The card was right there. I called the number she gave me, and hit the voice-mail prompts ("Please enter the nine-digit telephone number at which you were contacted") and finally reached a live customer service representative. "Someone in the U.K. is trying to buy a money order for $3,400 using your card number," the woman said.
"Definitely not me," I said.
"We'll block that, cancel the card, and issue a new one," she said.
"Okay. Thanks for calling."
As we went through the back-and-forth about a replacement card, I explained how almost the only time I used the one I'd just canceled was to buy gas-and only at a couple of stations. If it never left my possession, how could someone be trying to use it 3,000 miles away? "I couldn't say for sure," she said. "It could happen a lot of ways."
WE'RE ALL VULNERABLE
It's not news that identity theft-described by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act as "the use or attempted use of an account or identifying information without the owner's permission"-is rampant in the United States. Federal and state authorities alike have labeled it the country's fastest-growing white-collar crime since the late 1990s.
And why not? We live in an age where everything from tax records to Social Security numbers to credit card data resides in databases that can be hacked, phished or pharmed by anyone with sinister motives and enough know-how.
The number of people victimized annually was last estimated at about 10 million by the Federal Trade Commission. In April, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that at least one member of 3 percent of all U.S. households were identity-theft victims in the last half of 2004. Chances are you or someone you know has been hit.
Yes, consumers have gotten savier-cyber streetwise, if you will. We shred financial documents and unsolicited, pre-approved credit card offers; check credit reports regularly; keep Social Security numbers as private as possible; delete e-mail from unknown senders as soon as it arrives; and frequently update antivirus, firewall and spam-blocking software. But for every scam we foil, the crooks are hard at work thinking up novel ways to rip us off.
ATTACKERS DON'T STOP
When it comes to high-tech fraud, one of the most common scams is "phishing." The bad guys who do it send out bogus e-mails in hopes of scaring, enticing or just tricking the naive into giving up personal information at fake websites that resemble those of legitimate financial institutions and other commercial outfits.
The volume of phishing e-mail has reached astounding levels. The software company Symantec (of Norton fame) pegged traffic last year at 1.5 billion messages a day; less than half were blocked before reaching their destinations. Gartner, a market-research firm, reports that in the 12 months ending in May 2005, phishers duped 2.4 million Americans into revealing personal info, costing victims, banks and credit card companies $929 million.
The good news:
Computer users are getting better at telling the difference between real and fake e-mail.
The bad news: Phishermen are adapting.
"Attackers are not going to stop," says Dave Cole, a Symantec director. "They're going to go after other applications."
Maybe you've heard of "pharming," in which legitimate websites are hit with malicious computer code that steers those visiting them to look-a-like sites. Data can then be harvested without a key being struck. In a twist, there's crimeware that instead attacks browsers (Internet Explorer, for one) and does its pharming from there.
Among the most insidious new cons: "keystroke-logging," in which software planted on a computer (perhaps via a virus) records everything a user types and passes it back to an identity thief. And don't forget "screen scrapers," which can snatch and send images of what's on-screen.
Spyware is another big problem. At its most innocuous, it's just an annoyance, spawning unwanted advertising, like pop-ups. In its more nefarious form, it can arrive as a "Trojan downloader," a program that lies dormant on a computer, only to perk up later to retrieve and install destructive code under a hacker's direction. "Once that gets into your system," says Cole, "you're in for a world of hurt."
In a University of Washington study released in February of 2006, researchers found that more than 1 in 20 "executable" (.exe) files they encountered during a massive Web crawl contained "piggybacked" spyware. And, on average, 1 in 62 websites launched what are called "drive-by download attacks," trying to force spyware on users who merely visited the sites.
Adding a disturbing wrinkle to all this shady activity is the fact that your own computer can be infected by hackers so that-unknown to you-it becomes one "zombie" among thousands in a robot network ("botnet") created to attack other computers. A recent federal case against one "botmaster," 20-year-old Jeanson James Ancheta, provides a glimpse into the scope of the threat.
Ancheta, of Downey, California, pleaded guilty in January to four felony counts. In doing so, he admitted taking control of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers, using the zombie machines to send adware, and also selling spammers access to his botnet. In a just over a year, Ancheta earned $58,000 for providing these services. "He's a little genius," says James Aquilina, the assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles who prosecuted Ancheta. "He just decided to do bad things instead of good."
While Ancheta wasn't an identity thief, Aquilina says his ability to create and command a corrupt computer network and his willingness to make it available on the black market underscore how much harm botnets could do if employed to steal identities. "They are by far one of the most significant threats we face," he says.
CRIME IN THE CARDS
As my experience shows, PCs aren't always involved in digital identity theft. The Bureau of Justice Statistics' April report found that three-quarters of the 2004 incidents involved existing credit cards or other accounts. How does it happen? Thieves target account information embedded in ATM, debit and credit cards by breaking into or otherwise compromising the equipment and systems used for processing payments.
In March, for example, Citibank announced it was reissuing an unspecified number of ATM cards in Canada and overseas. The cards had stopped working for withdrawals.
Avivah Litan, a Gartner analyst, says the culprit was most likely "PIN block" card fraud, which she expects to see a lot of in the near future. In a PIN block theft, hackers break into computer servers used by retailers to store and process debit-card PIN codes collected when purchases are made.
At the same time, and off the same servers, thieves swipe the key codes necessary to unlock the encrypted PIN data. With that information, they can easily create counterfeit debit cards, which they use to clean out bank accounts. The reason Litan sees debit-and ATM-card theft rising? It's simple: Compared to credit cards, "they're better for getting cash."
That doesn't mean credit card data isn't at risk. It is-often via similarly porous processing systems. FBI cybercrime unit chief Dan Larkin says that's one possible explanation for my Visa problem. Or it could be that my account information was skimmed with a handheld device that can pull data straight from a gas pump. However it happened, it's likely multiple crooks formed the chain that broke with that call from Visa.
The person who stole the data could have sold it to someone on one of the online forums where thieves meet. Yet another person might have created a counterfeit card using my info, and sold it to the person who tried to buy the money order. But that's just one scenario: Larkin notes that with ID theft, "the trail is becoming more and more complex."
UNWANTED GUESTS
Another ripe target for identity thieves: the wireless network that more and more computer users are setting up at home. A failure to block access to these networks can allow prying eyes into your hard drive, where you may store financial information in programs like Quicken. Even people who are diligent about regularly updating their firewall and spyware software don't always enable encryption of their Wi-Fi devices.
Last November, Symantec personnel conducted an exercise in New York City. With a laptop running free software and a simple antenna affixed to their car, they drove through six different residential neighborhoods. Of the 5,700 wireless access points they found, 52 percent had no encryption whatsoever, making them available to anyone who wanted to hop on.
An unsecure wireless access point can open the door to more than just data theft. Last April, a St. Petersburg, Florida, man grew wary after spotting someone parked near his house using a laptop. Worried this person might be tapping into his wireless network for unsavory reasons, he called the cops. On arriving, they found that the man in the parked car, Benjamin Smith III, was using the homeowner's Wi-Fi service. A search of his laptop, police say, indicated he'd downloaded child pornography. (Smith has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.)
THE NEXT TARGETS
Where will the bad guys turn next?
The Department of Homeland Security warns that cell phones and other handhelds (like BlackBerrys) are "becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers and viruses."
Symantec's Cole sees instant messaging (IM) becoming a popular target. With its built-in "buddy lists," it has a cozy feel that cybercrooks find attractive. "The big thing about IM that has not been exploited yet," he says, "is that people trust it."
Cole also expects to see more attacks on browswers, and new efforts to embed crimeware on PCs. And he's already seeing phishers moving away from mimicking large institutions to posting instead as local credit unions and regional banks. Thieves, he says, are also eyeing popular blogs and networking sites like MySpace.com, again in an attempt to exploit users' trust.
It's possible, some experts say, that all this malicious activity is a good sign. Burt Kaliski, vice president for RSA Security, believes it shows that criminals are getting desperate.
"I think it may be the last attempt by the fraudsters to get people to fall for their tricks," he says. That doesn't mean it's time to become less vigilant, he adds. In fact, Kaliski encourages consumers to demand more protection-increased encryption and identification methods-from those they do business with online. Even more encouraging: Authorities are getting better at catching high-tech thieves. How much better? Says prosecutor Aquilina: "Better than our targets might think."
To learn more about protecting yourself... visit www.rd.com/idtheft.
-=-
Shared at AdlandPro Community by Shirley Ruth Caron.
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
May 24, 2006
Detect A "2-Way Mirror"!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today I'm sharing with You "How To Detect A 2-Way Mirror". This information was past on at AdlandPro Community. Be aware of how to identify a 2-way mirror by conducting a simple "fingernail test" to make sure of your privacy and also for your safety!
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2 - WAY MIRROR!
By Mohamed Gani
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Have you seen a recent advertisement of a well-reputed Glass Manufacturing Company in our Television?
Then you must have known about the so-called " 2-Way Mirror ".
How to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not (Not a joke). Not to scare you, but to make sure that you are aware of it.
Many of the Hotels and Textile Show Rooms cheat their customers this way and watch your privacy. HOW TO DETECT A 2-WAY MIRROR?
When we visit Wash Rooms, Bath Rooms, Hotel Rooms, Changing Rooms, etc. how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging or fixed on the wall is a real mirror or actually a 2-way mirror. That is they can see you, but you can't see them. There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors (especially) female changing rooms, bath rooms, wash rooms, etc. etc. It is very difficulty to perfectly identify the surface by just looking at it.
So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty... what type of mirror, we are looking at?
CONDUCT THIS SIMPLE TEST:
Place the tip of your finger-nail against the reflective surface of the mirror and if there is a GAP between your finger-nail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror. However, if your finger-nail DIRECTLY TOUCHES THE IMAGE OF YOUR NAIL, then beware, it is a 2-WAY MIRROR. (There is someone seeing you from the other side). So, remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test". It does not cost you anything.
It is so simple to do. This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap on a real mirror, is because, the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass... whereas, with a 2-way mirror, the silver is on the Surface. Keep it in mind...! Make sure and check every time you enter in Hotel Rooms, Public Wash Rooms, Public Changing Rooms, etc. etc. etc. (May be someone is making a film on you) !
Please share this with all your family members and friends... Thanking you!
Your Friend: Mohamed Gani
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
Today I'm sharing with You "How To Detect A 2-Way Mirror". This information was past on at AdlandPro Community. Be aware of how to identify a 2-way mirror by conducting a simple "fingernail test" to make sure of your privacy and also for your safety!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
2 - WAY MIRROR!
By Mohamed Gani
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Have you seen a recent advertisement of a well-reputed Glass Manufacturing Company in our Television?
Then you must have known about the so-called " 2-Way Mirror ".
How to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not (Not a joke). Not to scare you, but to make sure that you are aware of it.
Many of the Hotels and Textile Show Rooms cheat their customers this way and watch your privacy. HOW TO DETECT A 2-WAY MIRROR?
When we visit Wash Rooms, Bath Rooms, Hotel Rooms, Changing Rooms, etc. how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging or fixed on the wall is a real mirror or actually a 2-way mirror. That is they can see you, but you can't see them. There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors (especially) female changing rooms, bath rooms, wash rooms, etc. etc. It is very difficulty to perfectly identify the surface by just looking at it.
So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty... what type of mirror, we are looking at?
CONDUCT THIS SIMPLE TEST:
Place the tip of your finger-nail against the reflective surface of the mirror and if there is a GAP between your finger-nail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror. However, if your finger-nail DIRECTLY TOUCHES THE IMAGE OF YOUR NAIL, then beware, it is a 2-WAY MIRROR. (There is someone seeing you from the other side). So, remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test". It does not cost you anything.
It is so simple to do. This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap on a real mirror, is because, the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass... whereas, with a 2-way mirror, the silver is on the Surface. Keep it in mind...! Make sure and check every time you enter in Hotel Rooms, Public Wash Rooms, Public Changing Rooms, etc. etc. etc. (May be someone is making a film on you) !
Please share this with all your family members and friends... Thanking you!
Your Friend: Mohamed Gani
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
May 23, 2006
10 Tips For NM Presentation
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article has important tips for your business. Have You ever wanted to give a great presentation? Maria is sharing a few steps everyone can take to make sure your message has the best possible chance of being well received...
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Top 10 Tips For A Successful
Network Marketing Presentation
By - Maria Davies
www.LaddersOfSuccess.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
As network marketers, we often have important information to impart and our role in doing so is a major one. Many, many times I have had the pleasure of having people approach me to say how hearing me speak literally changed their lives due to the powerful message and the persuasiveness of the delivery. Most people in MLM are not trained presenters or salespersons but there are a few steps everyone can take to make sure their message has the best possible chance of being well received.
Here are my top tips:
1. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Not every pitch will work for everyone so before you go to present the products or the business, whether it’s to just one person or to many, do a little research to ensure you’re presenting at the appropriate level. If your presentation is too lightweight, you’ll bore them; too in depth, you’ll confuse them. Either way, they will switch off and your vital words will fall on deaf ears.
2. WIIFM
Yes, that old chestnut, but it’s worth repeating as it’s so often forgotten. Bearing in mind tip no. 1, what are the challenges faced by this person or this group of people? How does your business opportunity or your product solve their problems? Focus on answering these questions rather than trotting out the mechanics of your offering. Your audience must feel you’ve prepared your presentation specially for them, even if it’s essentially the same one you’re giving all the time.
3. CONTINUALLY LEARN AND PRACTICE PRESENTING
One of the most important skills any network marketer can hone is that of becoming an accomplished speaker. It impacts so many other areas of your life as it massively increases your self-confidence. The more professionally you can deliver your message, the more readily it will be received, the more lives you will touch and the more money you will make in your business. Learning to present well is an investment in yourself and can give you the greatest return on the capital you’ve invested.
4. HANDLE DISSENTERS WELL
One of the major fears I hear from network marketers is that of being faced with doubting prospects or those who dispute what they’re being told. Unfortunately, the tendency is to dig in and fight your corner but this can turn the discussion into an argument and work against you, especially if you’re giving a presentation in front of a group. When you’re faced with negativity, always start your answer with “That’s a very good question…” and continue with your viewpoint. Wherever possible, turn things around to make your audience right. Download a free “one-sheet crib sheet” on this important subject at www.LaddersOfSuccess.com.
5. SHOW, DON’T TELL
Show the products you’re talking about. Let people feel, smell and see for themselves instead of just hearing what they are like. If you’re making a presentation about the business opportunity, remember that your company has probably done a lot to make things easier for you. Make sure you get the prospecting materials they offer, show the pictures of the top distributors, talk about them as if they are real people.
6. LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
People buy from those they know, like and trust. How can they do any of this if you won’t let them get to know the real you. You don’t have to be perfect, you can talk about your own challenges, beliefs, family, hopes and dreams. Doing so gives your prospects more opportunity to identify with you so you can use the similarities to build rapport.
7. STORIES INSTEAD OF FACTS
When we get excited about our products, we often delve into the features of the products, what works and why. This is all very exciting once you’ve had your first wonderful product experience, but it doesn’t make for a very exciting lead-in to your presentation. People want to know about results. They want the bottom line. There’s plenty of time to get to the detail later but to start this way could send most of your prospects to sleep (apart from the professors in the audience, of course). The best way to illustrate what your products or business opportunity can do is through telling stories. Use your own story or a case study of someone you know. Use emotive words. Remember, not just the facts, the feelings too.
8. MAKE ‘EM LAUGH
When people laugh they feel more relaxed and amenable. Every situation has a humorous side and if you’re telling a tragic story your prospects will welcome the respite that comes with a moment of levity. The golden rule is to move people: make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, then they buy. This is something I aim to do in every presentation because it means I’ve moved my audience emotionally. I appreciate this is an advanced technique, but if you learn how to do it, you’ll increase your success rate exponentially.
9. DON’T TELL – ASK
Instead of telling your prospects everything, get them answering questions. Rather than saying “Did you know that only 1% of people retire financially free?”, ask them “What percentage of people do you think retire financially free?”. This gets your prospects involved and if you word your questions correctly, you’re coaching them to the purchase decision rather than having to push them into buying. This is a technique I teach that I’ve perfected over the years. It works great for network marketers and women and I call it “pull selling”.
10. GIVE A REASON TO ACT NOW
Again, not being salespersons, many network marketers give a great presentation and then wimp out without asking for the order. Your prospect’s motivation will never be higher than it is at that moment so make sure you use this to your advantage. Think of reasons why they should place their order today. Some possible reasons might be because you are offering a special bonus OR prices are about to increase OR there’s an order deadline coming up so they’ll get their goods sooner OR you’re placing an order too so they’ll save on the postage OR you’re offering a discount on orders placed today OR you’re seeing someone else who could become a distributor and will go beneath them. Whatever it is, tell them, and secure the sale.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Today's article has important tips for your business. Have You ever wanted to give a great presentation? Maria is sharing a few steps everyone can take to make sure your message has the best possible chance of being well received...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Top 10 Tips For A Successful
Network Marketing Presentation
By - Maria Davies
www.LaddersOfSuccess.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
As network marketers, we often have important information to impart and our role in doing so is a major one. Many, many times I have had the pleasure of having people approach me to say how hearing me speak literally changed their lives due to the powerful message and the persuasiveness of the delivery. Most people in MLM are not trained presenters or salespersons but there are a few steps everyone can take to make sure their message has the best possible chance of being well received.
Here are my top tips:
1. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
Not every pitch will work for everyone so before you go to present the products or the business, whether it’s to just one person or to many, do a little research to ensure you’re presenting at the appropriate level. If your presentation is too lightweight, you’ll bore them; too in depth, you’ll confuse them. Either way, they will switch off and your vital words will fall on deaf ears.
2. WIIFM
Yes, that old chestnut, but it’s worth repeating as it’s so often forgotten. Bearing in mind tip no. 1, what are the challenges faced by this person or this group of people? How does your business opportunity or your product solve their problems? Focus on answering these questions rather than trotting out the mechanics of your offering. Your audience must feel you’ve prepared your presentation specially for them, even if it’s essentially the same one you’re giving all the time.
3. CONTINUALLY LEARN AND PRACTICE PRESENTING
One of the most important skills any network marketer can hone is that of becoming an accomplished speaker. It impacts so many other areas of your life as it massively increases your self-confidence. The more professionally you can deliver your message, the more readily it will be received, the more lives you will touch and the more money you will make in your business. Learning to present well is an investment in yourself and can give you the greatest return on the capital you’ve invested.
4. HANDLE DISSENTERS WELL
One of the major fears I hear from network marketers is that of being faced with doubting prospects or those who dispute what they’re being told. Unfortunately, the tendency is to dig in and fight your corner but this can turn the discussion into an argument and work against you, especially if you’re giving a presentation in front of a group. When you’re faced with negativity, always start your answer with “That’s a very good question…” and continue with your viewpoint. Wherever possible, turn things around to make your audience right. Download a free “one-sheet crib sheet” on this important subject at www.LaddersOfSuccess.com.
5. SHOW, DON’T TELL
Show the products you’re talking about. Let people feel, smell and see for themselves instead of just hearing what they are like. If you’re making a presentation about the business opportunity, remember that your company has probably done a lot to make things easier for you. Make sure you get the prospecting materials they offer, show the pictures of the top distributors, talk about them as if they are real people.
6. LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
People buy from those they know, like and trust. How can they do any of this if you won’t let them get to know the real you. You don’t have to be perfect, you can talk about your own challenges, beliefs, family, hopes and dreams. Doing so gives your prospects more opportunity to identify with you so you can use the similarities to build rapport.
7. STORIES INSTEAD OF FACTS
When we get excited about our products, we often delve into the features of the products, what works and why. This is all very exciting once you’ve had your first wonderful product experience, but it doesn’t make for a very exciting lead-in to your presentation. People want to know about results. They want the bottom line. There’s plenty of time to get to the detail later but to start this way could send most of your prospects to sleep (apart from the professors in the audience, of course). The best way to illustrate what your products or business opportunity can do is through telling stories. Use your own story or a case study of someone you know. Use emotive words. Remember, not just the facts, the feelings too.
8. MAKE ‘EM LAUGH
When people laugh they feel more relaxed and amenable. Every situation has a humorous side and if you’re telling a tragic story your prospects will welcome the respite that comes with a moment of levity. The golden rule is to move people: make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, then they buy. This is something I aim to do in every presentation because it means I’ve moved my audience emotionally. I appreciate this is an advanced technique, but if you learn how to do it, you’ll increase your success rate exponentially.
9. DON’T TELL – ASK
Instead of telling your prospects everything, get them answering questions. Rather than saying “Did you know that only 1% of people retire financially free?”, ask them “What percentage of people do you think retire financially free?”. This gets your prospects involved and if you word your questions correctly, you’re coaching them to the purchase decision rather than having to push them into buying. This is a technique I teach that I’ve perfected over the years. It works great for network marketers and women and I call it “pull selling”.
10. GIVE A REASON TO ACT NOW
Again, not being salespersons, many network marketers give a great presentation and then wimp out without asking for the order. Your prospect’s motivation will never be higher than it is at that moment so make sure you use this to your advantage. Think of reasons why they should place their order today. Some possible reasons might be because you are offering a special bonus OR prices are about to increase OR there’s an order deadline coming up so they’ll get their goods sooner OR you’re placing an order too so they’ll save on the postage OR you’re offering a discount on orders placed today OR you’re seeing someone else who could become a distributor and will go beneath them. Whatever it is, tell them, and secure the sale.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
May 22, 2006
It's small but very powerful!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article was shared at AdlandPro, I enjoyed reading it and I hope you will too! It's about how a business card might be small but it's very powerful. It's a fantastic way to promote your business online and offline. Read more to learn different ways You could use and design this powerful card...
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What’s On Your Business Card?
by - Dr. Christopher Cordima
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
It May Be Small, But It’s So Powerful... Your Business Card!
If you’re like most professionals, you have a business card. But, what does your business card *do* for you?
“Do”?
Yes, that’s right; what does your business card *do* for you? Does it help to actively create more business for you or does it sit—like most business cards—in a big stack of other business cards that nobody ever looks at?
If you want to maximize your marketing strategy into all areas of your business collateral, it’s time to make your business card work for you. The time when your business card was just a simple way to give your name and number has long since passed. Far from having to be just a way to communicate your name and contact number, a business card provides an excellent opportunity for you to make yourself memorable.
The key to any successful marketing campaign is being memorable. Advertisers spend millions of dollars figuring out exactly what needs to be done to create advertisements that stick in the heads and hearts of their consumers. When it comes to creating a unique and distinctive business card, you have the exact same goal. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, you need to stand out from the rest to define yourself as the best.
Here are just a few ways you can make your business card step up and be more than just a cardboard rectangle:
* Turn it into a mini-billboard advertising your services.
* Highlight your USPs on the back of your card.
* Offer a special, discount, special promotion.
* Create a unique shape or design that relates to your field so your card becomes a topic of conversation by those who have it. But, be careful not to make the shape or size so “unique” that it won’t fit in the typical places people store their business cards. If you go too big or too unusual, you might find that your card is thrown out.
* Hand your business card to everyone you meet; store clerks, gas station attendants, waiter and waitresses, secretaries… everybody!
* Place your business card in every piece of mail to your patients and local vendors.
* Spend a little more and turn your business card into a magnet. In this way, it can be carried in your wallet, but also stuck on that refrigerator for years of free advertising.
* Whether you’re starting a new office or are looking to revamp your image, a new logo will help you portray the true identity of your business through a professionally-designed logo.
* Make your card serve double-duty—use it as an appointment card, too.
* Be sure to include all the ‘usual suspects’ on your card, including name, profession, and phone and fax numbers. Additionally, be sure to include your e-mail and web address for that extra added impact.
As you can quickly see, your business card doesn’t have to sit idly inside somebody’s wallet never to be looked at again. It can work for you in powerful ways—promoting you, your business, and your services. Spend a few minutes designing your next business card and it can have big payoffs as your smallest, but most effective advertising billboard!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
Today's article was shared at AdlandPro, I enjoyed reading it and I hope you will too! It's about how a business card might be small but it's very powerful. It's a fantastic way to promote your business online and offline. Read more to learn different ways You could use and design this powerful card...
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What’s On Your Business Card?
by - Dr. Christopher Cordima
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It May Be Small, But It’s So Powerful... Your Business Card!
If you’re like most professionals, you have a business card. But, what does your business card *do* for you?
“Do”?
Yes, that’s right; what does your business card *do* for you? Does it help to actively create more business for you or does it sit—like most business cards—in a big stack of other business cards that nobody ever looks at?
If you want to maximize your marketing strategy into all areas of your business collateral, it’s time to make your business card work for you. The time when your business card was just a simple way to give your name and number has long since passed. Far from having to be just a way to communicate your name and contact number, a business card provides an excellent opportunity for you to make yourself memorable.
The key to any successful marketing campaign is being memorable. Advertisers spend millions of dollars figuring out exactly what needs to be done to create advertisements that stick in the heads and hearts of their consumers. When it comes to creating a unique and distinctive business card, you have the exact same goal. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, you need to stand out from the rest to define yourself as the best.
Here are just a few ways you can make your business card step up and be more than just a cardboard rectangle:
* Turn it into a mini-billboard advertising your services.
* Highlight your USPs on the back of your card.
* Offer a special, discount, special promotion.
* Create a unique shape or design that relates to your field so your card becomes a topic of conversation by those who have it. But, be careful not to make the shape or size so “unique” that it won’t fit in the typical places people store their business cards. If you go too big or too unusual, you might find that your card is thrown out.
* Hand your business card to everyone you meet; store clerks, gas station attendants, waiter and waitresses, secretaries… everybody!
* Place your business card in every piece of mail to your patients and local vendors.
* Spend a little more and turn your business card into a magnet. In this way, it can be carried in your wallet, but also stuck on that refrigerator for years of free advertising.
* Whether you’re starting a new office or are looking to revamp your image, a new logo will help you portray the true identity of your business through a professionally-designed logo.
* Make your card serve double-duty—use it as an appointment card, too.
* Be sure to include all the ‘usual suspects’ on your card, including name, profession, and phone and fax numbers. Additionally, be sure to include your e-mail and web address for that extra added impact.
As you can quickly see, your business card doesn’t have to sit idly inside somebody’s wallet never to be looked at again. It can work for you in powerful ways—promoting you, your business, and your services. Spend a few minutes designing your next business card and it can have big payoffs as your smallest, but most effective advertising billboard!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
May 20, 2006
Armed Forces Day
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
**May 20th is "Armed Forces" Day**
Please take a moment out of your busy day to salute those who put their lives at risk and keep us safe and free.
I have a nephew "Pat Whalen" that is in the Armed Forces and I'm very proud of him. Please send warm and heartfelt messages to friends, family and loved ones, who are in the "Armed Forces" to make them feel special. Also please say a prayer for the men out there for their safety and return!
God Bless You
Say A Kind Word To Someone YOU Love
"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now.
How?
By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps You will forget tomorrow the kind words You say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime."
-- Dale Carnegie --
Have yourself a Super weekend!
**May 20th is "Armed Forces" Day**
Please take a moment out of your busy day to salute those who put their lives at risk and keep us safe and free.
I have a nephew "Pat Whalen" that is in the Armed Forces and I'm very proud of him. Please send warm and heartfelt messages to friends, family and loved ones, who are in the "Armed Forces" to make them feel special. Also please say a prayer for the men out there for their safety and return!
God Bless You
Say A Kind Word To Someone YOU Love
"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now.
How?
By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps You will forget tomorrow the kind words You say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime."
-- Dale Carnegie --
Have yourself a Super weekend!
May 19, 2006
NM - Why Is It So Great?
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article was shared at AdlandPro Community and it's a great article! I enjoyed reading the article but I find it sad that the writer did not add a full signature file with his website address to his article. It's a great way to get full recognition and traffic to your site... it's very important!
So, if You write a great article...
Don't FORGET to add a complete "Signature File" !!!
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Network Marketing - Why Is It So Great?
By - Trent Brownrigg
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If you've ever heard of Network Marketing, you've probably heard it said that it is essentially a people's business. Some have also labeled it a people's franchise because of the similarities between the business models of network marketing and franchising. Advocates of the industry name it as the ultimate people's business and say there is nothing quite like it. People that are in network marketing will immediately respond positively to this.
One of the unique characteristics of the network marketing type of business is that every individual distributor is in business for themselves but never by themselves. They will always be part of a larger organization and the compensation models are designed in such a way that every person can count on some form of support from their upline.
It is no secret that fortunes can be made in this type of business and many have done just that. Of course this is not the majority of network marketers, but every individual distributor does have the same chances. Success or failure in network marketing is not dictated by politics, race, age, background or gender, but always by results. In that respect it is probably also the fairest business model in the world.
For many people however the true value of their home based business is not directly in the financial return. The lessons a person can learn while building his or her own network marketing business are truly priceless. Many people are totally transformed through the personal growth they experience as a direct result of their challenges in their MLM businesses. It forced them to get out of their comfort zones, grow, and in many cases become a better person.
So what is so unique about network marketing in this respect? Doesn't every entrepreneur have to deal with challenges? The answer of course is: Yes, they do. And they also experience personal growth as a result from this. However there is a significant difference. Most entrepreneurs are self made and many of them learned their trade largely outside of formal education. Either they were taught by a family member, a mentor or perhaps they learned everything the hard way: by trial and error. Very rarely will you find an entrepreneur that has an extensive library of books and tapes on personal development. Most business people don't attend seminars and motivational training's. They think it's all a bunch of hype. While in some cases this can be true, there are many training's and seminars that teach the principles of success better than any textbook found in business schools.
One of the great things about network marketing is that this type of education is built into the training systems of all good companies. There is no business on the face of the earth that places such a strong and direct emphasis on the importance of personal development as the network marketing industry. Many companies might argue that they spend a great deal of their budget on education; training employees and as such assisting them in personal development but in most cases what they are actually talking about is personnel development. Although the words are almost identical, their meanings are vastly different.
Network marketing is all about building people. It is probably the best school on the planet if you want to learn about what it takes to be successful in life and you don't need rich parents or some kind of scholarship to enroll.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & Enjoy your coming weekend!
Today's article was shared at AdlandPro Community and it's a great article! I enjoyed reading the article but I find it sad that the writer did not add a full signature file with his website address to his article. It's a great way to get full recognition and traffic to your site... it's very important!
So, if You write a great article...
Don't FORGET to add a complete "Signature File" !!!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Network Marketing - Why Is It So Great?
By - Trent Brownrigg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
If you've ever heard of Network Marketing, you've probably heard it said that it is essentially a people's business. Some have also labeled it a people's franchise because of the similarities between the business models of network marketing and franchising. Advocates of the industry name it as the ultimate people's business and say there is nothing quite like it. People that are in network marketing will immediately respond positively to this.
One of the unique characteristics of the network marketing type of business is that every individual distributor is in business for themselves but never by themselves. They will always be part of a larger organization and the compensation models are designed in such a way that every person can count on some form of support from their upline.
It is no secret that fortunes can be made in this type of business and many have done just that. Of course this is not the majority of network marketers, but every individual distributor does have the same chances. Success or failure in network marketing is not dictated by politics, race, age, background or gender, but always by results. In that respect it is probably also the fairest business model in the world.
For many people however the true value of their home based business is not directly in the financial return. The lessons a person can learn while building his or her own network marketing business are truly priceless. Many people are totally transformed through the personal growth they experience as a direct result of their challenges in their MLM businesses. It forced them to get out of their comfort zones, grow, and in many cases become a better person.
So what is so unique about network marketing in this respect? Doesn't every entrepreneur have to deal with challenges? The answer of course is: Yes, they do. And they also experience personal growth as a result from this. However there is a significant difference. Most entrepreneurs are self made and many of them learned their trade largely outside of formal education. Either they were taught by a family member, a mentor or perhaps they learned everything the hard way: by trial and error. Very rarely will you find an entrepreneur that has an extensive library of books and tapes on personal development. Most business people don't attend seminars and motivational training's. They think it's all a bunch of hype. While in some cases this can be true, there are many training's and seminars that teach the principles of success better than any textbook found in business schools.
One of the great things about network marketing is that this type of education is built into the training systems of all good companies. There is no business on the face of the earth that places such a strong and direct emphasis on the importance of personal development as the network marketing industry. Many companies might argue that they spend a great deal of their budget on education; training employees and as such assisting them in personal development but in most cases what they are actually talking about is personnel development. Although the words are almost identical, their meanings are vastly different.
Network marketing is all about building people. It is probably the best school on the planet if you want to learn about what it takes to be successful in life and you don't need rich parents or some kind of scholarship to enroll.
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & Enjoy your coming weekend!
May 18, 2006
Going The Extra Mile
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is about "going the extra mile" that was shared at AdlandPro Community and it's not about becoming a slave or a saint, it's about offering your help in some small way. If everyone knew the great effects this gesture has, everyone would take the time to go the extra mile...
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Going The Extra Mile!
By Bo Bennett
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Why do so many people do just what they need to do to "get by" in life rather than go the extra mile? Some say it is because people are generally lazy and some say it is because people are generally unwilling to give something for nothing. However, I believe it is because people are just unaware of the chain reaction of positive events that come from going the extra mile. If everyone knew the great effects this gesture has, everyone would take the time to go the extra mile.
Going the extra mile is simply doing more than you are asked or expected to do. You may have tried this approach before and became discouraged or found it a waste of your time. In order to realize the benefits that come with going the extra mile in business or your personal life, you must not expect anything in return. You must be satisfied enough in knowing that you have helped another in need. If not, this value will be in conflict with your other values and it will not last.
Why go the extra mile?
Why go out of your way for others?
Besides the great feeling you get in knowing you have helped another in need, there are many reasons that will ultimately benefit you. I use the word "ultimately" because these benefits are not obvious and not immediately recognizable, however, they do have a very positive effect on your success in life.
* Going the extra mile will help you stand out from the crowd and be recognized
* Going the extra mile will bring out positive emotions in others allowing them to both remember you and feel good about you
* Going the extra mile will help you to move ahead of your competition and succeed where others fail
How and when do you go the extra mile?
Do you give your customers free products or service? Do you do your employees' jobs for them? Do you give away money to your friends? Going the extra mile is not about becoming a slave or a saint, it is about offering your help in some small way. Giving away products, service, money, or doing too much for others will hurt both your business and the independence of others you are attempting to help. Ask yourself this question, "Is this something I would charge a friend for?" If not, then do it for free and do it with enthusiasm.
Here are some ways you can go the extra mile for others.
* run errands for a parent
* take a friend out to dinner
* call existing customers just to make sure they are happy with their purchase
* help a co-worker with their heavy workload
* do a personal favor for an employee
Waiters who go the extra mile get bigger tips. Employees who go the extra mile get more promotions. Businesses that go the extra mile get more customers. Go the extra mile for others in your life and expect nothing in return. Then just sit back and enjoy the by-product of success that will eventually come your way.
-=-
"Visit AdlandPro Unique Business Community"
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
Today's article is about "going the extra mile" that was shared at AdlandPro Community and it's not about becoming a slave or a saint, it's about offering your help in some small way. If everyone knew the great effects this gesture has, everyone would take the time to go the extra mile...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Going The Extra Mile!
By Bo Bennett
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Why do so many people do just what they need to do to "get by" in life rather than go the extra mile? Some say it is because people are generally lazy and some say it is because people are generally unwilling to give something for nothing. However, I believe it is because people are just unaware of the chain reaction of positive events that come from going the extra mile. If everyone knew the great effects this gesture has, everyone would take the time to go the extra mile.
Going the extra mile is simply doing more than you are asked or expected to do. You may have tried this approach before and became discouraged or found it a waste of your time. In order to realize the benefits that come with going the extra mile in business or your personal life, you must not expect anything in return. You must be satisfied enough in knowing that you have helped another in need. If not, this value will be in conflict with your other values and it will not last.
Why go the extra mile?
Why go out of your way for others?
Besides the great feeling you get in knowing you have helped another in need, there are many reasons that will ultimately benefit you. I use the word "ultimately" because these benefits are not obvious and not immediately recognizable, however, they do have a very positive effect on your success in life.
* Going the extra mile will help you stand out from the crowd and be recognized
* Going the extra mile will bring out positive emotions in others allowing them to both remember you and feel good about you
* Going the extra mile will help you to move ahead of your competition and succeed where others fail
How and when do you go the extra mile?
Do you give your customers free products or service? Do you do your employees' jobs for them? Do you give away money to your friends? Going the extra mile is not about becoming a slave or a saint, it is about offering your help in some small way. Giving away products, service, money, or doing too much for others will hurt both your business and the independence of others you are attempting to help. Ask yourself this question, "Is this something I would charge a friend for?" If not, then do it for free and do it with enthusiasm.
Here are some ways you can go the extra mile for others.
* run errands for a parent
* take a friend out to dinner
* call existing customers just to make sure they are happy with their purchase
* help a co-worker with their heavy workload
* do a personal favor for an employee
Waiters who go the extra mile get bigger tips. Employees who go the extra mile get more promotions. Businesses that go the extra mile get more customers. Go the extra mile for others in your life and expect nothing in return. Then just sit back and enjoy the by-product of success that will eventually come your way.
-=-
"Visit AdlandPro Unique Business Community"
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
May 17, 2006
Buying Online: How Safe Is It?
Are you fearful about buying online? Learn ways to reduce your risk and increase your comfort level when paying for things on The Net...
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Buying Online: How Safe Is It?
by Michael Angier, founder and CIO
SuccessNet.org
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I got a check in the mail from one of our Gold Members yesterday. No big deal really, except that it's only the second check I've received this year for dues. Our members typically don't pay by check. They pay and renew online with credit or debit card—either directly or via PayPal.
We personally buy lots of things online and think little of it. But there are still a large number of people who are uncomfortable buying online. Entering their credit card into a web form—even on a secure server—causes them too much angst, and they don't do it.
I'm not quite sure why people have no hesitancy in giving their credit card to some waiter in a restaurant or a service station attendant they've never met, but they won't buy online.
Most credit cards limit your liability for unauthorized charges to $50 and some will absorb 100% of any charges made on a stolen credit card.
We're big fans of PayPal—both from a vendor and a customer standpoint. It's easy and it's safe. Instead of having to enter credit card information for each purchase with each different vendor, we just enter it once with PayPal and then use our PayPal account to pay for anything we want.
Not everyone takes PayPal, but if they don't, they're losing business.
With more than 100 million accounts in 55 countries and regions, PayPal offers a fast, affordable and convenient online payment service for both merchants and customers. Every second, PayPal processes an average of $823 in total payment volume.
If you would like to open a PayPal account, it's easy and quick to do. Just go to http://PayPal.com and follow the simple instructions.
If you're a vendor and would like to have a merchant's account with them, go to http://successnet.org/go/paypal.htm
Be sure to review your credit statements carefully and question anything unfamiliar.
Buy through reputable companies.
Be VERY careful to avoid Phishing ploys. This is where you receive an email from what appears to be a bank or a financial institution asking you to update your credit card or password. They are very cleverly disguised. When you go to a web site, it's best to TYPE their official URL into your browser rather than use a link in an email.
Used with a modicum of caution, paying for things online should be no riskier than anywhere else.
-=-
© Michael Angier & Success Networks International.
Used with Permission.
Michael Angier is the founder and president of SuccessNet. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best--personally and professionally.
Download their free eBooklet, 10 ESSENTIAL KEYS TO PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS from www.SuccessNet.org/keys.htm or by sending a blank email to keys@SuccessNet.org.
More free subscriptions, books and SuccessMark Cards are available at SuccessNet.org.
-=-
Love and Success
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Buying Online: How Safe Is It?
by Michael Angier, founder and CIO
SuccessNet.org
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I got a check in the mail from one of our Gold Members yesterday. No big deal really, except that it's only the second check I've received this year for dues. Our members typically don't pay by check. They pay and renew online with credit or debit card—either directly or via PayPal.
We personally buy lots of things online and think little of it. But there are still a large number of people who are uncomfortable buying online. Entering their credit card into a web form—even on a secure server—causes them too much angst, and they don't do it.
I'm not quite sure why people have no hesitancy in giving their credit card to some waiter in a restaurant or a service station attendant they've never met, but they won't buy online.
Most credit cards limit your liability for unauthorized charges to $50 and some will absorb 100% of any charges made on a stolen credit card.
We're big fans of PayPal—both from a vendor and a customer standpoint. It's easy and it's safe. Instead of having to enter credit card information for each purchase with each different vendor, we just enter it once with PayPal and then use our PayPal account to pay for anything we want.
Not everyone takes PayPal, but if they don't, they're losing business.
With more than 100 million accounts in 55 countries and regions, PayPal offers a fast, affordable and convenient online payment service for both merchants and customers. Every second, PayPal processes an average of $823 in total payment volume.
If you would like to open a PayPal account, it's easy and quick to do. Just go to http://PayPal.com and follow the simple instructions.
If you're a vendor and would like to have a merchant's account with them, go to http://successnet.org/go/paypal.htm
Be sure to review your credit statements carefully and question anything unfamiliar.
Buy through reputable companies.
Be VERY careful to avoid Phishing ploys. This is where you receive an email from what appears to be a bank or a financial institution asking you to update your credit card or password. They are very cleverly disguised. When you go to a web site, it's best to TYPE their official URL into your browser rather than use a link in an email.
Used with a modicum of caution, paying for things online should be no riskier than anywhere else.
-=-
© Michael Angier & Success Networks International.
Used with Permission.
Michael Angier is the founder and president of SuccessNet. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best--personally and professionally.
Download their free eBooklet, 10 ESSENTIAL KEYS TO PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS from www.SuccessNet.org/keys.htm or by sending a blank email to keys@SuccessNet.org.
More free subscriptions, books and SuccessMark Cards are available at SuccessNet.org.
-=-
Love and Success
May 16, 2006
Belief & Trust Necessary?
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is about what's necessary to achieve your goals and how belief and trust are magical thoughts! It's simply not to think against yourself, and as long as You don't think against yourself, all your desires will naturally manifest. In reality it's all about "attitude"...
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Are Belief and Trust Necessary For Achieving Your Goals?
by David Cameron Gikandi
© All Rights Reserved
CreateYourWealthToday.com
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They say you can achieve it if you believe it. They also say that trust is necessary. But you know what; they also say that whether you believe it or not, whether you trust it or not, certain laws of the universe will always work as they are designed to. Your belief and trust is, in regard to these laws, unnecessary.
You could say that there is a certain Current of Life that will run a certain way whether you believe it or not. When you swim against this current, it is a struggle, and then you definitely do need belief and trust to achieve your goals. When you swim with the current, when you are in the flow, you become prosperous effortlessly, and belief and trust is not necessary. At that point, only desire is required, and that desire calls forth the achievement of your goals, effortlessly.
One definition of trust, in regards to what we are talking about here, is the believing that you will be given what you ask for. Ask and you shall receive. It is a very simple statement; no need to complicate it. The universe always brings forth what you hold in your mind. Call it the Law of Attraction or Cause and Effect. You become what you think about. And what you become, what you are, is a state of being that attracts the conditions that define that state of being. This becomes your life.
Not believing that you will receive whatever you ask for is lack of trust. Therefore, lack of trust is a belief that works against you because your thoughts will tend to say to you "you will not get what you desire". And so shall it be. So lack of trust is definitely something that will bring thoughts that create realities that are against your desires.
But imagine now that you are moving into trust, becoming more trusting of yourself and the universe as a whole. Finally, you become fully trusting - and then you discover something magical. That the system works very simply. You are so you have. You think so you create. It is a simple system. It works whether you trust it or not. When you don't trust, you come from a state of being attacked and defeated and you think thoughts of lacking. And because you are so and you think so, the system creates so, exactly (and so you end up with "evidence" that "proves" that you cannot trust the universe).
But when you are in a state of knowing abundance and thinking that way, the system creates from those same thoughts. And you end up with your desires being achieved easily. It is a simple input output system. What you put in is what you get out. So when you fully trust, you start to see the magic - that trust is unnecessary. The system will always process your input and produce corresponding output exactly. Do you see this? Trust is not necessary, but if you are distrustful, then trust is necessary - not for the sake of the system, but for your sake.
Lack of trust is a crippler, trust is the crutches to help you learn to walk and heal your cripple, and when you can walk fully healed, you drop the crutches, you realize that trust is unnecessary, because you see finally that the system works always. At that point you move from the idea and conviction that the person with the request, the request itself, and the fulfiller of the request are three separate things, and you finally see and experience that they are all the same One thing. The observer, the observed and the observation are One.
Let's talk about belief now. This is even simpler. Illusions depend on belief for them to exist, for they are "made up" by the thoughts held by the believer. But Reality exists whether you believe it or not. It just Is. So you don't have to believe, as long as you don't believe against. You don't have to believe, as long as you don't believe against. You don't have to believe that you will get the car of your dreams, as long as you don't believe you won't. As long as you desire and dream of the car, it will come, but only as long as you don't believe it won't. Again, belief is unnecessary, unless you hold a contrary thought. If you hold contrary thoughts, belief is necessary (it is another crutch). Don't forget that a belief is merely a thought that you have over and over. A belief is simply a thought you have repeatedly.
So what is necessary on all occasions, whether you are talking about belief or trust? Imagination, desire, is the only necessary ingredient. That is all. Imagination, vision, desire - that is all that must be there. And if it is clear and unobstructed, even without belief or trust it will work perfectly. Whatever you imagine and desire is magnetized to you naturally, scientifically, and you don't have to do anything to make these laws work for you.
It is very true that you can have anything if you believe it. But remember, if you are having trouble finding your faith, simply look instead at the system, and you will see that faith is not even necessary, once you know that the system has been created by the Creator to work perfectly all the time, regardless. What you put in is what you get out. Your job, then, is simply not to think against yourself, and as long as you don't think against yourself, all your desires will naturally manifest. I wish you the highest possible achievements.
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Article written by David Cameron Gikandi. For even greater insights into your quest for wealth and financial liberty and ability, go here: www.CreateYourWealthToday.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Today's article is about what's necessary to achieve your goals and how belief and trust are magical thoughts! It's simply not to think against yourself, and as long as You don't think against yourself, all your desires will naturally manifest. In reality it's all about "attitude"...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Are Belief and Trust Necessary For Achieving Your Goals?
by David Cameron Gikandi
© All Rights Reserved
CreateYourWealthToday.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
They say you can achieve it if you believe it. They also say that trust is necessary. But you know what; they also say that whether you believe it or not, whether you trust it or not, certain laws of the universe will always work as they are designed to. Your belief and trust is, in regard to these laws, unnecessary.
You could say that there is a certain Current of Life that will run a certain way whether you believe it or not. When you swim against this current, it is a struggle, and then you definitely do need belief and trust to achieve your goals. When you swim with the current, when you are in the flow, you become prosperous effortlessly, and belief and trust is not necessary. At that point, only desire is required, and that desire calls forth the achievement of your goals, effortlessly.
One definition of trust, in regards to what we are talking about here, is the believing that you will be given what you ask for. Ask and you shall receive. It is a very simple statement; no need to complicate it. The universe always brings forth what you hold in your mind. Call it the Law of Attraction or Cause and Effect. You become what you think about. And what you become, what you are, is a state of being that attracts the conditions that define that state of being. This becomes your life.
Not believing that you will receive whatever you ask for is lack of trust. Therefore, lack of trust is a belief that works against you because your thoughts will tend to say to you "you will not get what you desire". And so shall it be. So lack of trust is definitely something that will bring thoughts that create realities that are against your desires.
But imagine now that you are moving into trust, becoming more trusting of yourself and the universe as a whole. Finally, you become fully trusting - and then you discover something magical. That the system works very simply. You are so you have. You think so you create. It is a simple system. It works whether you trust it or not. When you don't trust, you come from a state of being attacked and defeated and you think thoughts of lacking. And because you are so and you think so, the system creates so, exactly (and so you end up with "evidence" that "proves" that you cannot trust the universe).
But when you are in a state of knowing abundance and thinking that way, the system creates from those same thoughts. And you end up with your desires being achieved easily. It is a simple input output system. What you put in is what you get out. So when you fully trust, you start to see the magic - that trust is unnecessary. The system will always process your input and produce corresponding output exactly. Do you see this? Trust is not necessary, but if you are distrustful, then trust is necessary - not for the sake of the system, but for your sake.
Lack of trust is a crippler, trust is the crutches to help you learn to walk and heal your cripple, and when you can walk fully healed, you drop the crutches, you realize that trust is unnecessary, because you see finally that the system works always. At that point you move from the idea and conviction that the person with the request, the request itself, and the fulfiller of the request are three separate things, and you finally see and experience that they are all the same One thing. The observer, the observed and the observation are One.
Let's talk about belief now. This is even simpler. Illusions depend on belief for them to exist, for they are "made up" by the thoughts held by the believer. But Reality exists whether you believe it or not. It just Is. So you don't have to believe, as long as you don't believe against. You don't have to believe, as long as you don't believe against. You don't have to believe that you will get the car of your dreams, as long as you don't believe you won't. As long as you desire and dream of the car, it will come, but only as long as you don't believe it won't. Again, belief is unnecessary, unless you hold a contrary thought. If you hold contrary thoughts, belief is necessary (it is another crutch). Don't forget that a belief is merely a thought that you have over and over. A belief is simply a thought you have repeatedly.
So what is necessary on all occasions, whether you are talking about belief or trust? Imagination, desire, is the only necessary ingredient. That is all. Imagination, vision, desire - that is all that must be there. And if it is clear and unobstructed, even without belief or trust it will work perfectly. Whatever you imagine and desire is magnetized to you naturally, scientifically, and you don't have to do anything to make these laws work for you.
It is very true that you can have anything if you believe it. But remember, if you are having trouble finding your faith, simply look instead at the system, and you will see that faith is not even necessary, once you know that the system has been created by the Creator to work perfectly all the time, regardless. What you put in is what you get out. Your job, then, is simply not to think against yourself, and as long as you don't think against yourself, all your desires will naturally manifest. I wish you the highest possible achievements.
-=-
Article written by David Cameron Gikandi. For even greater insights into your quest for wealth and financial liberty and ability, go here: www.CreateYourWealthToday.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
May 15, 2006
Peace Officers Memorial Day
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today is the day to start the week to remember the Fallen, please join in on this Memorial! Also, please take a moment out of your busy day and pray for these fallen Police Officers and their Families...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Every day across the country, from our largest cities to our quietest crossroads, peace officers stand watch over our citizens, selflessly risking their lives to protect individuals, families, neighbor-hoods, and property against crime. This week, we salute these men and women for their courage, commitment, and service, and we honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting law enforcement by bringing our communities together to fight crime.
Peace officers fulfill a great calling in upholding the rule of law in our society. Law enforcement officers choose their profession and take their oaths knowing that theirs is a dangerous job. They accept these risks, answering the call of duty and demonstrating a willingness to serve that reflects the best of America.
As they work to protect our communities, peace officers often place themselves in harm's way. Some make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of others. During Police Week, and particularly on Peace Officers Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the 148 law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty last year. Those who have fallen are remembered in our hearts and in the memory of our country. Through their service and sacrifice, they have earned our Nation's respect and gratitude.
As we honor these fallen heroes, we should also resolve to support all law enforcement officers by becoming active in the fight against crime. Strong communities and neighborhoods help deter crime. By coming together as neighbors, and by looking out for each other, Americans can assist law enforcement in preventing crime in our communities and also help secure our homeland from the threat of terrorism. In the new world we face since September 11, one of our best defenses is a vigilant public working with law enforcement to help protect our land.
I created the USA Freedom Corps to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America, and to provide opportunities for Americans to get involved in helping their communities. A key component of Freedom Corps is the Citizen Corps, which helps coordinate volunteer activities that make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies. Since the Citizens Corps was launched last year, more than 500 Citizen Corps Councils have been established, bringing together first responders, local government officials, and volunteer service organizations.
Volunteers are also working with police departments through more than 430 Volunteers in Police Service programs in our Nation. Additionally, the number of registered Neighborhood Watch groups continues to grow. To build on these successes, we should continue to strengthen partnerships between citizens and local law enforcement and work to engage more volunteers in public safety and emergency preparedness. By joining together to fight crime, we honor the memory and uphold the legacy of all those who gave their lives to preserve our safety and security.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended, (76 Stat. 676), the Congress has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as "Police Week," and, by Public Law 103-322, as amended, (36 U.S.C. 136), has directed that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2003, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11 through May 17, 2003, as Police Week. I call on all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
Today is the day to start the week to remember the Fallen, please join in on this Memorial! Also, please take a moment out of your busy day and pray for these fallen Police Officers and their Families...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Every day across the country, from our largest cities to our quietest crossroads, peace officers stand watch over our citizens, selflessly risking their lives to protect individuals, families, neighbor-hoods, and property against crime. This week, we salute these men and women for their courage, commitment, and service, and we honor those who have fallen in the line of duty. We also reaffirm our commitment to supporting law enforcement by bringing our communities together to fight crime.
Peace officers fulfill a great calling in upholding the rule of law in our society. Law enforcement officers choose their profession and take their oaths knowing that theirs is a dangerous job. They accept these risks, answering the call of duty and demonstrating a willingness to serve that reflects the best of America.
As they work to protect our communities, peace officers often place themselves in harm's way. Some make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of others. During Police Week, and particularly on Peace Officers Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the 148 law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty last year. Those who have fallen are remembered in our hearts and in the memory of our country. Through their service and sacrifice, they have earned our Nation's respect and gratitude.
As we honor these fallen heroes, we should also resolve to support all law enforcement officers by becoming active in the fight against crime. Strong communities and neighborhoods help deter crime. By coming together as neighbors, and by looking out for each other, Americans can assist law enforcement in preventing crime in our communities and also help secure our homeland from the threat of terrorism. In the new world we face since September 11, one of our best defenses is a vigilant public working with law enforcement to help protect our land.
I created the USA Freedom Corps to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America, and to provide opportunities for Americans to get involved in helping their communities. A key component of Freedom Corps is the Citizen Corps, which helps coordinate volunteer activities that make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies. Since the Citizens Corps was launched last year, more than 500 Citizen Corps Councils have been established, bringing together first responders, local government officials, and volunteer service organizations.
Volunteers are also working with police departments through more than 430 Volunteers in Police Service programs in our Nation. Additionally, the number of registered Neighborhood Watch groups continues to grow. To build on these successes, we should continue to strengthen partnerships between citizens and local law enforcement and work to engage more volunteers in public safety and emergency preparedness. By joining together to fight crime, we honor the memory and uphold the legacy of all those who gave their lives to preserve our safety and security.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended, (76 Stat. 676), the Congress has authorized and requested the President to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as "Police Week," and, by Public Law 103-322, as amended, (36 U.S.C. 136), has directed that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2003, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11 through May 17, 2003, as Police Week. I call on all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
May 13, 2006
What is a Mother?
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Happy Mother’s Day!
To all wonderful Mothers around the World, may You have a most wonderful day! This is your special Day, May God Bless You for all You do for your families!
What is a Mother?
A Mother has so many things to do,
From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.
She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,
She bathes the children and washes their clothes.
When they forget to wash their faces clean,
And their clothes are the muddiest you've ever seen,
Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?
Of course, that is what a Mother will do.
Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,
Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?
Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?
She must never her duty shirk.
Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?
For missing things she must look and look?
Who becomes a listener to every heartache,
To every accomplishment that a child makes?
Who scolds their children when they are naughty,
Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?
Who tends her family with love and patience, too?
Of course that is what a Mother will do.
- Unknown Author -
History to Honor all Mother's everywhere...
Origins of Mother's Day
The custom of honoring mothers goes back at least as far as 17th-century England, which celebrated (and still celebrates) Mothering Sunday.
Mother's Day in the United States originated in 1872 with Julia Ward Howe, a writer, abolitionist, and suffragist who wrote the words to "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
In 1911, President Woodrow Wilson made it a National Holiday.
If I had a flower for each time I thought of My Mother, I could walk in my garden forever... she deserves the very best !!!
Have a Happy Mother's Day Celebration!
Happy Mother’s Day!
To all wonderful Mothers around the World, may You have a most wonderful day! This is your special Day, May God Bless You for all You do for your families!
What is a Mother?
A Mother has so many things to do,
From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.
She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,
She bathes the children and washes their clothes.
When they forget to wash their faces clean,
And their clothes are the muddiest you've ever seen,
Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?
Of course, that is what a Mother will do.
Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,
Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?
Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?
She must never her duty shirk.
Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?
For missing things she must look and look?
Who becomes a listener to every heartache,
To every accomplishment that a child makes?
Who scolds their children when they are naughty,
Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?
Who tends her family with love and patience, too?
Of course that is what a Mother will do.
- Unknown Author -
History to Honor all Mother's everywhere...
Origins of Mother's Day
The custom of honoring mothers goes back at least as far as 17th-century England, which celebrated (and still celebrates) Mothering Sunday.
Mother's Day in the United States originated in 1872 with Julia Ward Howe, a writer, abolitionist, and suffragist who wrote the words to "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
In 1911, President Woodrow Wilson made it a National Holiday.
If I had a flower for each time I thought of My Mother, I could walk in my garden forever... she deserves the very best !!!
Have a Happy Mother's Day Celebration!
May 12, 2006
That BIG Boulder!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is very interesting as we all need encouragement with our business! Think about this image or analogy deep inside your head when You read the article...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
That BIG BOULDER!
- by Tom Wichterman
© All Rights reserved
ScoreAtWill.here.ws
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Now we all know that any business is going to be a struggle to get started. No one is perfect and can have everything fall in place and work "Just Right."
The thing I want you to think about is this!
Think of yourself at the bottom of a Mountain. And from the bottom to the top of the mountain is a thousand ft distance! *( 1000 ft )*
Then on top of that your sitting on a Big Boulder. That BIG BOULDER is your business!
Now your goal is to get that boulder to the top of the mountain and push it over the other side!
The only thing is that the closer you get to the top of the mountain the smaller the boulder gets.
1. Some of you might be right at the bottom starting your business and you know that it is going to be a long journey ahead. You know what . . . that's ok . . . I want to encourage you to "HANG IN THERE".
2. Some of you might be in the middle of the mountain on your upward journey. Your business is doing ok. But its still a struggle.
3. Some of you might be near the top and you can feel the financial rewards and Success right at the PEAK or Summit!
4. and Lastly . . . Some of you might have already pushed your little rock over the top of the Mountain.
*** You want to know the best part about once you have pushed that little rock over the EDGE?
Once you have crossed that line . . . your "little rock" starts rolling down the Mountain at an incredible rate!!!
The best part is that there is SNOW on the other side and your "little rock" starts collecting snow and becoming a bigger and BIGGER SNOW BALL.
Once you have started that snowball affect . . . you better watch out because your going to have to catch up to that snowball so you can go along for the ride!
And guess what . . .
I think that if you "LET IT" . . . your business can only get better and BETTER from there on out!
I hope this has encourage you!
To Great Success and God Bless!
-Tom Wichterman
P.S. - See you at the BOTTOM on the other side of the MOUNTAIN
-=-
Free MLM Newsletter www.scoreatwill.here.ws . . . where you will succeed in MLM 100% Guaranteed!
-=-
Have a Super Friday & Enjoy your coming weekend!
Today's article is very interesting as we all need encouragement with our business! Think about this image or analogy deep inside your head when You read the article...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
That BIG BOULDER!
- by Tom Wichterman
© All Rights reserved
ScoreAtWill.here.ws
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Now we all know that any business is going to be a struggle to get started. No one is perfect and can have everything fall in place and work "Just Right."
The thing I want you to think about is this!
Think of yourself at the bottom of a Mountain. And from the bottom to the top of the mountain is a thousand ft distance! *( 1000 ft )*
Then on top of that your sitting on a Big Boulder. That BIG BOULDER is your business!
Now your goal is to get that boulder to the top of the mountain and push it over the other side!
The only thing is that the closer you get to the top of the mountain the smaller the boulder gets.
1. Some of you might be right at the bottom starting your business and you know that it is going to be a long journey ahead. You know what . . . that's ok . . . I want to encourage you to "HANG IN THERE".
2. Some of you might be in the middle of the mountain on your upward journey. Your business is doing ok. But its still a struggle.
3. Some of you might be near the top and you can feel the financial rewards and Success right at the PEAK or Summit!
4. and Lastly . . . Some of you might have already pushed your little rock over the top of the Mountain.
*** You want to know the best part about once you have pushed that little rock over the EDGE?
Once you have crossed that line . . . your "little rock" starts rolling down the Mountain at an incredible rate!!!
The best part is that there is SNOW on the other side and your "little rock" starts collecting snow and becoming a bigger and BIGGER SNOW BALL.
Once you have started that snowball affect . . . you better watch out because your going to have to catch up to that snowball so you can go along for the ride!
And guess what . . .
I think that if you "LET IT" . . . your business can only get better and BETTER from there on out!
I hope this has encourage you!
To Great Success and God Bless!
-Tom Wichterman
P.S. - See you at the BOTTOM on the other side of the MOUNTAIN
-=-
Free MLM Newsletter www.scoreatwill.here.ws . . . where you will succeed in MLM 100% Guaranteed!
-=-
Have a Super Friday & Enjoy your coming weekend!
May 11, 2006
Why Do Everything Yourself?
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
In today's article is about trying to do too much by yourself with your business! Suddenly one morning You woke up/or may wake up feeling burnt out and without that positive, creative energy You used to have. Learn about virtual assistants (VAs).
VAs are freelancers who take care of all that "busy work" for entrepreneurs like You. They are independent and work on an as-needed basis, don't wait till it's too late...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Why Are You Doing Everything Yourself?
By Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
One problem I often see with solo professionals is that their businesses aren't growing because they're simply not making enough time to do it!
It's not that they don't understand the value of those efforts, or they don't WANT to make the time. It's that they're simply trying to do too much by themselves. They're so busy running their business that they're not working ON their business.
Are You Spending All Your Time on the Little Stuff?
Owning your own business requires wearing a lot of hats. But it seems that when many people leave their jobs to "go solo," they think they must work completely solo as well. They insist on doing everything themselves -- even tasks they know darn well they're not good at.
They try in vain to design their own Web sites and brochures, write their own sales copy, process their own orders, manage their own mailing list, personally respond to every customer call and e-mail, ship their own products, and more. Pretty soon they're running around like that proverbial headless chicken.
What eventually happens is their love for their work -- the reason they started their own business in the first place -- drowns in a flood of administrative trivia. Suddenly one morning they wake up feeling burnt out and without that positive, creative energy they used to have.
When this happened to me a few years ago, I was lucky to learn about virtual assistants (VAs). VAs are freelancers who take care of all that "busy work" for entrepreneurs like us. Because VAs are independent themselves, they work on an as-needed basis from their own homes or offices, saving you the cost and hassle of hiring a regular office assistant.
I now have two VAs -- Liz, who lives in Boston, and Julie, who lives in Iowa. And I can't live without them! (I also just hired two more.)
What Could YOU Delegate to a VA?
During next week, keep a log of all your activities. Then sit down and review it. Decide which activities are truly ones that only you can do and which you can delegate.
For example, here are some of the tasks I delegate to my VAs:
* Responding to customer e-mails and phone calls
* Scheduling business and personal appointments and interviews
* Bookkeeping: invoicing clients, receiving and paying bills, reconciling bank statements, tracking expenses and tax records, working with my accountant (This was my favorite to delegate!)
* Internet research and fact checking
* Planning my travel for speaking engagements and seminars
* Maintaining my e-zine and customer mailing lists
* Managing my e-zine ad sales
* Handling registrations for my teleclasses/workshops
* Maintaining my Web site (copy edits, additions)
* Creating sales reports
* Shipping customer orders and shipping products to anywhere I'm speaking.
* Submitting my articles to other publishers and article sites
* Placing ads in publications and at Web sites.
* Formatting e-books, creating PDF files, and sending out for printing.
* Designing PowerPoint presentations
And I don't stop there. Liz and Julie have also been happy to help me with personal stuff like researching vacations, shopping around for car insurance, and reminding me of birthdays and other important dates. Thanks to these two amazing gals, I save my time and energy only for my "genius work."
Worried You Don't Have the Budget?
The good news is you're not hiring your VA full time. A VA only charges you for the hours she actually works. Although VA rates may be more than you'd pay an administrative employee (usually $30-50 per hour), you don't have the added expenses of employee benefits, office space, and equipment. You're also getting someone who has years of experience, who loves what she does, who already has her own desk, chair, computer, software, fax, phone, stapler, and pens, and who's ready to leap in and start work as soon as you are.
Keep in mind that having a VA will IMMENSELY free up your time to focus on the stuff that matters: marketing and growing your business, developing bold new product ideas and income streams, and servicing your larger clients. You'll think much bigger and will have much more creative energy. I guarantee it!
Look for a VA That Matches Your Needs
If you're looking for a long-term partner who is committed to helping you succeed (and I was), look for someone who's graduated from a VA training program such as AssistU (www.AssistU.com). That's where I found both Liz and Julie, and I highly recommend it. Another resource is the International Virtual Assistants Association. (www.ivaa.org)
Don't wait until it's too late! Most people put off hiring a VA until they "hit the wall." Things like overdue bills, a messy office, late projects, and unreturned phone calls add up until their business almost collapses.
Take action NOW and at least learn more about getting some help. It will be a big relief, I promise!
DO IT NOW: For my personal, step-by-step advice on selecting the BEST VA for you and your business, see my program "How to Find, Hire, and Work With Your First Assistant" at www.ezinequeen.com/assistanttele.htm
© 2003-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
In today's article is about trying to do too much by yourself with your business! Suddenly one morning You woke up/or may wake up feeling burnt out and without that positive, creative energy You used to have. Learn about virtual assistants (VAs).
VAs are freelancers who take care of all that "busy work" for entrepreneurs like You. They are independent and work on an as-needed basis, don't wait till it's too late...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Why Are You Doing Everything Yourself?
By Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
One problem I often see with solo professionals is that their businesses aren't growing because they're simply not making enough time to do it!
It's not that they don't understand the value of those efforts, or they don't WANT to make the time. It's that they're simply trying to do too much by themselves. They're so busy running their business that they're not working ON their business.
Are You Spending All Your Time on the Little Stuff?
Owning your own business requires wearing a lot of hats. But it seems that when many people leave their jobs to "go solo," they think they must work completely solo as well. They insist on doing everything themselves -- even tasks they know darn well they're not good at.
They try in vain to design their own Web sites and brochures, write their own sales copy, process their own orders, manage their own mailing list, personally respond to every customer call and e-mail, ship their own products, and more. Pretty soon they're running around like that proverbial headless chicken.
What eventually happens is their love for their work -- the reason they started their own business in the first place -- drowns in a flood of administrative trivia. Suddenly one morning they wake up feeling burnt out and without that positive, creative energy they used to have.
When this happened to me a few years ago, I was lucky to learn about virtual assistants (VAs). VAs are freelancers who take care of all that "busy work" for entrepreneurs like us. Because VAs are independent themselves, they work on an as-needed basis from their own homes or offices, saving you the cost and hassle of hiring a regular office assistant.
I now have two VAs -- Liz, who lives in Boston, and Julie, who lives in Iowa. And I can't live without them! (I also just hired two more.)
What Could YOU Delegate to a VA?
During next week, keep a log of all your activities. Then sit down and review it. Decide which activities are truly ones that only you can do and which you can delegate.
For example, here are some of the tasks I delegate to my VAs:
* Responding to customer e-mails and phone calls
* Scheduling business and personal appointments and interviews
* Bookkeeping: invoicing clients, receiving and paying bills, reconciling bank statements, tracking expenses and tax records, working with my accountant (This was my favorite to delegate!)
* Internet research and fact checking
* Planning my travel for speaking engagements and seminars
* Maintaining my e-zine and customer mailing lists
* Managing my e-zine ad sales
* Handling registrations for my teleclasses/workshops
* Maintaining my Web site (copy edits, additions)
* Creating sales reports
* Shipping customer orders and shipping products to anywhere I'm speaking.
* Submitting my articles to other publishers and article sites
* Placing ads in publications and at Web sites.
* Formatting e-books, creating PDF files, and sending out for printing.
* Designing PowerPoint presentations
And I don't stop there. Liz and Julie have also been happy to help me with personal stuff like researching vacations, shopping around for car insurance, and reminding me of birthdays and other important dates. Thanks to these two amazing gals, I save my time and energy only for my "genius work."
Worried You Don't Have the Budget?
The good news is you're not hiring your VA full time. A VA only charges you for the hours she actually works. Although VA rates may be more than you'd pay an administrative employee (usually $30-50 per hour), you don't have the added expenses of employee benefits, office space, and equipment. You're also getting someone who has years of experience, who loves what she does, who already has her own desk, chair, computer, software, fax, phone, stapler, and pens, and who's ready to leap in and start work as soon as you are.
Keep in mind that having a VA will IMMENSELY free up your time to focus on the stuff that matters: marketing and growing your business, developing bold new product ideas and income streams, and servicing your larger clients. You'll think much bigger and will have much more creative energy. I guarantee it!
Look for a VA That Matches Your Needs
If you're looking for a long-term partner who is committed to helping you succeed (and I was), look for someone who's graduated from a VA training program such as AssistU (www.AssistU.com). That's where I found both Liz and Julie, and I highly recommend it. Another resource is the International Virtual Assistants Association. (www.ivaa.org)
Don't wait until it's too late! Most people put off hiring a VA until they "hit the wall." Things like overdue bills, a messy office, late projects, and unreturned phone calls add up until their business almost collapses.
Take action NOW and at least learn more about getting some help. It will be a big relief, I promise!
DO IT NOW: For my personal, step-by-step advice on selecting the BEST VA for you and your business, see my program "How to Find, Hire, and Work With Your First Assistant" at www.ezinequeen.com/assistanttele.htm
© 2003-2006 Alexandria K. Brown
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
-=-
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 19,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.EzineQueen.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Thursday!
May 10, 2006
Fraud-Proof Your Biz!
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
To my faithful subscribers and regular visitors. Please accept my apologies for not posting the last 4 days, I had a funeral to attend also a full house! It was very hard to get on my computer and post so now I'm catching up with mail etc... I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend !!!
Today's article is about "Online FRAUD" and how it's a serious problem that can affect ANYone who operates any level of business online. Jim in his article gives You practical steps You can take right *now* to protect yourself from becoming the next victim.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Fraud-Proof Your Online Business
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I know a business that had their website hacked, their entire customer database hijacked, and thousands of customer credit card numbers stolen at the same time.
In the following months, the hackers did their best to steal as much as they could from this business through a number of "phishing" scams and direct email campaigns to their customers posing as the business.
After many months of heartache, expense, and lost sleep, this company was able to clean up the mess and the hackers moved on to greener pastures.
What's the lesson for all of us?
Whether you operate a multi-million dollar e-commerce empire, or generate part-time income with a small eBay or ebook enterprise, the following tips will help you fraud-proof your online business before it's too late!
~ Protect Your Passwords ~
Never share passwords for sensitive applications such as web hosting, email, PayPal, bank accounts or anything else with anyone.
If you must share hosting passwords with web designers or programmers, change the password immediately after they complete work.
Change all your sensitive passwords on a monthly basis.
~ Use Proven Service Providers ~
Custom programming is great until someone figures out how to hack an unproven system.
Using credit card and shopping cart providers like ClickBank, 1ShoppingCart, Authorize.net, and PayPal greatly reduce the chances that your sensitive data will get hacked and stolen online.
~ Shred Everything ~
A good, cross-cut shredder rates just about the best investment you can make in online security.
Before throwing anything away, shred it!
The shredding list includes bank statements, check stubs, lists of names and emails, printed emails, and anything else that can lead someone back to you, a customer, an account, or where you go or what you do online.
~ Fight The "Clone Wars" ~
Keep an eye out for illegal copies of your website posing as you or your business.
If you find someone posing as you online, the easiest way to shut them down is a direct frontal assault.
Contact their hosting company, their credit card processor, and their domain name registrar about the illegal activity.
Threaten to sue them (the provider) if the illegal activity does not cease immediately.
~ Troll eBay ~
Regularly check eBay for people selling bootleg copies of your products.
Set up automated searches to email you any time a listing gets placed with your name, product name or any reference similar to your product.
Sign up with eBay's Vero program to get the offenders shut down immediately with a simple email from you.
~ What Mom Always Told You... ~
"Never talk to strangers!"
That means NEVER give ANY information to anyone via phone or email, especially if they call you! Oh, guess what?
Your bank, hosting provider, email service, ISP, and PayPal already know your username and PIN#... they don't need to call or email you to ask you to confirm it.
~ Additional Tips ~
Never leave your physical mail (incoming or outgoing) in your mailbox overnight.
Don't share any sensitive information with anyone who doesn't need to know it.
Be careful of any shareware you download and use because it can contain spyware and even viruses intended to steal critical information.
Use common sense and never think you're invulnerable to an attack that could derail your business with one little misstep.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs...
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> www.TurnWordsIntoTraffic.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
To my faithful subscribers and regular visitors. Please accept my apologies for not posting the last 4 days, I had a funeral to attend also a full house! It was very hard to get on my computer and post so now I'm catching up with mail etc... I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend !!!
Today's article is about "Online FRAUD" and how it's a serious problem that can affect ANYone who operates any level of business online. Jim in his article gives You practical steps You can take right *now* to protect yourself from becoming the next victim.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Fraud-Proof Your Online Business
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I know a business that had their website hacked, their entire customer database hijacked, and thousands of customer credit card numbers stolen at the same time.
In the following months, the hackers did their best to steal as much as they could from this business through a number of "phishing" scams and direct email campaigns to their customers posing as the business.
After many months of heartache, expense, and lost sleep, this company was able to clean up the mess and the hackers moved on to greener pastures.
What's the lesson for all of us?
Whether you operate a multi-million dollar e-commerce empire, or generate part-time income with a small eBay or ebook enterprise, the following tips will help you fraud-proof your online business before it's too late!
~ Protect Your Passwords ~
Never share passwords for sensitive applications such as web hosting, email, PayPal, bank accounts or anything else with anyone.
If you must share hosting passwords with web designers or programmers, change the password immediately after they complete work.
Change all your sensitive passwords on a monthly basis.
~ Use Proven Service Providers ~
Custom programming is great until someone figures out how to hack an unproven system.
Using credit card and shopping cart providers like ClickBank, 1ShoppingCart, Authorize.net, and PayPal greatly reduce the chances that your sensitive data will get hacked and stolen online.
~ Shred Everything ~
A good, cross-cut shredder rates just about the best investment you can make in online security.
Before throwing anything away, shred it!
The shredding list includes bank statements, check stubs, lists of names and emails, printed emails, and anything else that can lead someone back to you, a customer, an account, or where you go or what you do online.
~ Fight The "Clone Wars" ~
Keep an eye out for illegal copies of your website posing as you or your business.
If you find someone posing as you online, the easiest way to shut them down is a direct frontal assault.
Contact their hosting company, their credit card processor, and their domain name registrar about the illegal activity.
Threaten to sue them (the provider) if the illegal activity does not cease immediately.
~ Troll eBay ~
Regularly check eBay for people selling bootleg copies of your products.
Set up automated searches to email you any time a listing gets placed with your name, product name or any reference similar to your product.
Sign up with eBay's Vero program to get the offenders shut down immediately with a simple email from you.
~ What Mom Always Told You... ~
"Never talk to strangers!"
That means NEVER give ANY information to anyone via phone or email, especially if they call you! Oh, guess what?
Your bank, hosting provider, email service, ISP, and PayPal already know your username and PIN#... they don't need to call or email you to ask you to confirm it.
~ Additional Tips ~
Never leave your physical mail (incoming or outgoing) in your mailbox overnight.
Don't share any sensitive information with anyone who doesn't need to know it.
Be careful of any shareware you download and use because it can contain spyware and even viruses intended to steal critical information.
Use common sense and never think you're invulnerable to an attack that could derail your business with one little misstep.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs...
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> www.TurnWordsIntoTraffic.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
May 5, 2006
Subliminal Advertising
Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun Blog...
Today's article is inspired by some new research reviewed in the April 2006 issue of the New Scientist, on how subliminal advertising messages work.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Scary Subliminal Advertising
And Why It Works
Copyright © Priya Shah
www.priyashah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
According to an April 2006 issue of the New Scientist, research has proven that subliminal advertising messages work… and that if conditions are right, subliminal advertising to promote a brand can be made to work.
Previous experiments claiming this were debunked. But in a recent experiment, scientists found that eighty per cent of volunteers who had been exposed to the subliminal advertising message chose that product, compared to only 20 per cent of the controls. Those are scary stats indeed.
The term “subliminal message” was popularized in 1917 (World War I), when the US army would sneak messages into songs and put subliminal messages in posters trying to get people to join the army.
A subliminal message is defined as a signal or message designed to pass below the normal limits of perception. Subliminal messages target the subconscious mind and may be generated in the form of an image transmitted briefly and not perceived consciously and yet perceived unconsciously.
While the conscious, rational mind acts as a filter and screens out messages not consistent with our beliefs, the subconscious mind accepts messages without filtering them - rather like the mind of a child.
The effects of subliminal television advertising could be even more powerful on children. It’s been found that for each additional hour per day that a child watched television an average of one additional request was made for an advertised product.
But then it doesn’t take a scientist to tell us what most parents know anyway. Most of us have experienced pester-power first-hand.
The researchers also found that priming only works when the prime is goal-relevant. In plain English, this means you’re likely to buy a product that quenches your thirst only if you were already thirsty anyway.
So, subliminal messages could be more useful in priming a target audience to choose one brand over another, rather than in creating an actual need for the product.
What if politicians started using it to influence our choices? Well, it’s very likely they do already.
Do subliminal messages violate the code of advertising? Will this change the way advertising is regulated? How could we detect subliminal messages inserted into creatives?
And, in our opinion, what is “wrong” - the fact that they actually work, or that advertisers would be sneaky enough to use them?
But far better uses have been found for subliminal messages than advertising. In personal transformation, for instance.
As we learn more about the way our mind works, it will become clearer how subliminal messages really affect our decisions and whether they should or should not be allowed in advertising.
-=-
Priya Shah blogs on internet marketing www.marketingslave.com and personal growth www.soulkadee.com. Click here for free self-help ebooks www.growmymind.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & a great weekend!
Today's article is inspired by some new research reviewed in the April 2006 issue of the New Scientist, on how subliminal advertising messages work.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Scary Subliminal Advertising
And Why It Works
Copyright © Priya Shah
www.priyashah.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
According to an April 2006 issue of the New Scientist, research has proven that subliminal advertising messages work… and that if conditions are right, subliminal advertising to promote a brand can be made to work.
Previous experiments claiming this were debunked. But in a recent experiment, scientists found that eighty per cent of volunteers who had been exposed to the subliminal advertising message chose that product, compared to only 20 per cent of the controls. Those are scary stats indeed.
The term “subliminal message” was popularized in 1917 (World War I), when the US army would sneak messages into songs and put subliminal messages in posters trying to get people to join the army.
A subliminal message is defined as a signal or message designed to pass below the normal limits of perception. Subliminal messages target the subconscious mind and may be generated in the form of an image transmitted briefly and not perceived consciously and yet perceived unconsciously.
While the conscious, rational mind acts as a filter and screens out messages not consistent with our beliefs, the subconscious mind accepts messages without filtering them - rather like the mind of a child.
The effects of subliminal television advertising could be even more powerful on children. It’s been found that for each additional hour per day that a child watched television an average of one additional request was made for an advertised product.
But then it doesn’t take a scientist to tell us what most parents know anyway. Most of us have experienced pester-power first-hand.
The researchers also found that priming only works when the prime is goal-relevant. In plain English, this means you’re likely to buy a product that quenches your thirst only if you were already thirsty anyway.
So, subliminal messages could be more useful in priming a target audience to choose one brand over another, rather than in creating an actual need for the product.
What if politicians started using it to influence our choices? Well, it’s very likely they do already.
Do subliminal messages violate the code of advertising? Will this change the way advertising is regulated? How could we detect subliminal messages inserted into creatives?
And, in our opinion, what is “wrong” - the fact that they actually work, or that advertisers would be sneaky enough to use them?
But far better uses have been found for subliminal messages than advertising. In personal transformation, for instance.
As we learn more about the way our mind works, it will become clearer how subliminal messages really affect our decisions and whether they should or should not be allowed in advertising.
-=-
Priya Shah blogs on internet marketing www.marketingslave.com and personal growth www.soulkadee.com. Click here for free self-help ebooks www.growmymind.com
-=-
Have yourself a Super Friday & a great weekend!
May 3, 2006
Video Advertising
Welcome to Flo's Business & Fun Blog...
In today's article Jim discusses what amounts to the next online "gold rush!" This is the next BIG area where a lot of money will be made and lost as people try to discover the "magic" formula for making it work. I think you'll enjoy the article and hopefully you'll find it extremely thought provoking :-)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Future Of Online Video Advertising
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Without a doubt, online video increasingly influences the way we expect to digest content on the Internet.
As high-speed access becomes the norm in households that actually spend money online, video will pervade even more of every user's experience.
Besides the enriched content online video provides for viewers, it has also sparked yet another online "gold rush" for online businesses.
The dash for cash this time centers on who can figure out how to put effective advertising into the video mix.
But, unearthing these online riches entails balancing the advertising content so businesses can make money while at the same time not alienating viewers who, up until now, have not been forced to endure institutional advertising in their online video clips.
With some sites getting over a million visitors a day, the prize of figuring out how to get those visitors to buy something has proven too tempting for online advertisers to ignore.
In fact, some even speculate that video advertising technology in the not too distant future will allow contextual ads to appear in video based on actual dialogue in the videos.
Though this sounds exciting, my experience with creating online video tells me that, for most big companies, online advertising won't work with any measurable effectiveness.
For example, one of the most popular videos online right now shows kids with a Pepsi or Coke bottle dropping Mentos candies into a two-liter container.
The ensuing chemical reaction makes for an explosive show. On the surface, you might think one of the soda manufacturers or the candy maker would want their ads to appear within the video, but would they?
I don't think Coke wants to encourage people to make bombs out of their product.
However, an ad for a book about pranks or mischievous projects with common household items might sell like bottled water in the desert.
Another obstacle faced by advertisers who want to ride along in other people's videos involves the fact that TV advertising doesn't work online for a very basic reason: the Internet is NOT TV!
When someone watches TV, they are typically in a very physically passive mode.
They sit back in their chair, feet up, drink in one hand, remote control in the other and a bag of chips in their ever-expanding lap.
Conversely, when someone watches video online, they usually sit upright, leaning forward, mouse firmly in hand, and ready to click away on to the next thing at the first sign of boredom.
In short, people physically and mentally won't stand for a traditional TV advertising approach when it comes to online video.
So what will work in online video advertising?
Simply this: advertisers must create their own videos to go with the ads they want to run.
They can't just plop 15-30 seconds of advertising material into someone else's video and expect to turn a profit very often.
Video advertisers must understand that the line between video ads and video content is a blurred one that can't be separated by "And now, a word from our sponsor."
The videos themselves, not the ads, must build a desire within the viewer to find out more about a product or service.
This especially holds true for smaller companies and individuals who, unlike Coke and Pepsi, don't have millions of dollars to throw at online video to "build a brand."
The real winners in online video will understand that the marketing message and the delivery method are one in the same.
Taking the "easy road" of inserting TV ads into videos won't generate a profit for the vast majority who try to make it work.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to get your own money-making videos posted online...
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU To Painlessly Create, Post and PROFIT From Your Own Money-Making Online Videos... Without Being a Computer Geek or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" => My Site Sales
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
In today's article Jim discusses what amounts to the next online "gold rush!" This is the next BIG area where a lot of money will be made and lost as people try to discover the "magic" formula for making it work. I think you'll enjoy the article and hopefully you'll find it extremely thought provoking :-)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Future Of Online Video Advertising
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Without a doubt, online video increasingly influences the way we expect to digest content on the Internet.
As high-speed access becomes the norm in households that actually spend money online, video will pervade even more of every user's experience.
Besides the enriched content online video provides for viewers, it has also sparked yet another online "gold rush" for online businesses.
The dash for cash this time centers on who can figure out how to put effective advertising into the video mix.
But, unearthing these online riches entails balancing the advertising content so businesses can make money while at the same time not alienating viewers who, up until now, have not been forced to endure institutional advertising in their online video clips.
With some sites getting over a million visitors a day, the prize of figuring out how to get those visitors to buy something has proven too tempting for online advertisers to ignore.
In fact, some even speculate that video advertising technology in the not too distant future will allow contextual ads to appear in video based on actual dialogue in the videos.
Though this sounds exciting, my experience with creating online video tells me that, for most big companies, online advertising won't work with any measurable effectiveness.
For example, one of the most popular videos online right now shows kids with a Pepsi or Coke bottle dropping Mentos candies into a two-liter container.
The ensuing chemical reaction makes for an explosive show. On the surface, you might think one of the soda manufacturers or the candy maker would want their ads to appear within the video, but would they?
I don't think Coke wants to encourage people to make bombs out of their product.
However, an ad for a book about pranks or mischievous projects with common household items might sell like bottled water in the desert.
Another obstacle faced by advertisers who want to ride along in other people's videos involves the fact that TV advertising doesn't work online for a very basic reason: the Internet is NOT TV!
When someone watches TV, they are typically in a very physically passive mode.
They sit back in their chair, feet up, drink in one hand, remote control in the other and a bag of chips in their ever-expanding lap.
Conversely, when someone watches video online, they usually sit upright, leaning forward, mouse firmly in hand, and ready to click away on to the next thing at the first sign of boredom.
In short, people physically and mentally won't stand for a traditional TV advertising approach when it comes to online video.
So what will work in online video advertising?
Simply this: advertisers must create their own videos to go with the ads they want to run.
They can't just plop 15-30 seconds of advertising material into someone else's video and expect to turn a profit very often.
Video advertisers must understand that the line between video ads and video content is a blurred one that can't be separated by "And now, a word from our sponsor."
The videos themselves, not the ads, must build a desire within the viewer to find out more about a product or service.
This especially holds true for smaller companies and individuals who, unlike Coke and Pepsi, don't have millions of dollars to throw at online video to "build a brand."
The real winners in online video will understand that the marketing message and the delivery method are one in the same.
Taking the "easy road" of inserting TV ads into videos won't generate a profit for the vast majority who try to make it work.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to get your own money-making videos posted online...
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU To Painlessly Create, Post and PROFIT From Your Own Money-Making Online Videos... Without Being a Computer Geek or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" => My Site Sales
-=-
Have yourself a Super Wednesday!
May 2, 2006
Solve 2PC Annoyances
Welcome to Flo's Business & Fun Blog...
Today's article will show You how to solve 2 PC annoyances! Jim is sharing a couple of things that annoyed him and the solutions he found to help You avoid these same problems. This is a helpful article specially for the novice...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-
2 PC Annoyances and How To Solve Them!
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-
I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.
In fact, often I love to hate my computer!
It will do things I know even the great Mr. Gates didn't intend, and it usually does them at the least convenient time (like when I'm on a deadline or in a hurry).
Rather than the usual whining and doing nothing about it, I've decided to share a couple of things that previously annoyed the heck out of me and the solutions I found to help you avoid these same problems.
*Disappearing Internet Explorer Status Bar*
The status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer web browser serves many purposes.
It allows you to hold your mouse over a link to see where the link will take you.
It enables you to see a page's loading progress as you wait for it to download.
Most importantly, the status bar allows you to see the little gold "lock" symbol that lets you know you've made a connection to a secure server (very important to know before you input credit card data).
For some inexplicable reason, from time to time, this status bar disappears from my browser.
Also, the toolbars at the top tend to move periodically and mess up my "system" for surfing the Internet.
Now, it's not the end of the world, but it really ticks me off when things change and I didn't change them! If this ever happens to you, here's how to literally "lock" the toolbars and status bar in place so they don't disappear or move again.
First, close all your Internet Explorer web browser windows except for one. If the status bar doesn't already appear in the window, go to "View" and then click "status bar."
Also, make sure you have all the toolbars arranged the way you want them.
Next, place your mouse over a blank spot on one of the tool bars at the top of the Internet Explorer browser window.
Right-mouse-click and a menu will appear where you should check the option "Lock the Toolbars."
Then, while holding down the key, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the window to close it. This will set your selection.
If you ever need to change your toolbars in the future, simply right-mouse-click on the toolbar and uncheck the "Lock the Toolbars" option, make the changes, and then re-lock the toolbars to keep them from moving or disappearing.
*Missing File Extensions*
One of the biggest pains in the neck involves opening Windows Explorer, viewing a list of files, and not being able to see the file extension (.doc, .txt, .html, etc.) for each file.
For some reason, Windows considers this classified information!
To make the file extensions show up, click "Start" then "Control Panel." Double-click "Folder Options" then click the "View" tab. Scroll down the list and uncheck the box that says "Hide extensions for known file types."
You will now see the file extensions any time you open up Windows Explorer.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr-e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links... Click Here for more information on "Turn Words Into Traffic"
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> Write Money Making Ezine Articles FAST!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
Today's article will show You how to solve 2 PC annoyances! Jim is sharing a couple of things that annoyed him and the solutions he found to help You avoid these same problems. This is a helpful article specially for the novice...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-
2 PC Annoyances and How To Solve Them!
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-
I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.
In fact, often I love to hate my computer!
It will do things I know even the great Mr. Gates didn't intend, and it usually does them at the least convenient time (like when I'm on a deadline or in a hurry).
Rather than the usual whining and doing nothing about it, I've decided to share a couple of things that previously annoyed the heck out of me and the solutions I found to help you avoid these same problems.
*Disappearing Internet Explorer Status Bar*
The status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer web browser serves many purposes.
It allows you to hold your mouse over a link to see where the link will take you.
It enables you to see a page's loading progress as you wait for it to download.
Most importantly, the status bar allows you to see the little gold "lock" symbol that lets you know you've made a connection to a secure server (very important to know before you input credit card data).
For some inexplicable reason, from time to time, this status bar disappears from my browser.
Also, the toolbars at the top tend to move periodically and mess up my "system" for surfing the Internet.
Now, it's not the end of the world, but it really ticks me off when things change and I didn't change them! If this ever happens to you, here's how to literally "lock" the toolbars and status bar in place so they don't disappear or move again.
First, close all your Internet Explorer web browser windows except for one. If the status bar doesn't already appear in the window, go to "View" and then click "status bar."
Also, make sure you have all the toolbars arranged the way you want them.
Next, place your mouse over a blank spot on one of the tool bars at the top of the Internet Explorer browser window.
Right-mouse-click and a menu will appear where you should check the option "Lock the Toolbars."
Then, while holding down the
If you ever need to change your toolbars in the future, simply right-mouse-click on the toolbar and uncheck the "Lock the Toolbars" option, make the changes, and then re-lock the toolbars to keep them from moving or disappearing.
*Missing File Extensions*
One of the biggest pains in the neck involves opening Windows Explorer, viewing a list of files, and not being able to see the file extension (.doc, .txt, .html, etc.) for each file.
For some reason, Windows considers this classified information!
To make the file extensions show up, click "Start" then "Control Panel." Double-click "Folder Options" then click the "View" tab. Scroll down the list and uncheck the box that says "Hide extensions for known file types."
You will now see the file extensions any time you open up Windows Explorer.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr-e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links... Click Here for more information on "Turn Words Into Traffic"
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> Write Money Making Ezine Articles FAST!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Tuesday!
May 1, 2006
Spyware Watching You?
Welcome to Flo's Business & Fun Blog...
Today's article explains "spyware" attack! "Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer and literally "spies" on your activities. Jim explains the three primary types of spyware that exist to complicate your online life...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Is "Spyware" Watching You?
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from a friend who told me he'd been the victim of a "spyware" attack that left him shaking at his loss of privacy.
I listened to his horror story with a sympathetic ear, but I felt secure since I carry anti-virus software and a firewall (both by Norton).
At his suggestion - and to my surprise - I ran a program called "Spy Sweeper" and found a veritable minefield of dangerous and harmful programs lurking on my computer.
"Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer and literally "spies" on your activities.
The spying can range from relatively harmless use of cookies tracking you across multiple websites... to extremely dangerous "keystroke loggers" which record passwords, credit cards, and other personal data. That data then gets relayed to the person who put the software on your computer.
Three primary types of spyware exist to complicate your online life, including:
1. "cookies" 2. "adware" 3. malicious programs like "keystroke loggers"
Cookies represent mostly a danger of lost privacy.
In theory, someone could use a "cookie" to track you across multiple sites, combine that data with several databases, and figure out a lot more information about you than would make you comfortable.
"Adware" tracks more than just your movement across sites, it spies on your installed software and computer habits to then serve up advertising, modify websites before you see them, and generally do things without your knowledge with the intention of trying to get you to buy things.
"Keystroke loggers" and other malicious programs exist for one purpose: to cause personal mayhem and financial damage.
Spyware gets on your computer in one of several different ways.
First, it rides along with software you download from the 'Net and install on your system.
Second, they come as email attachments (much like viruses) and automatically install themselves on your computer when you open the email message.
Third, hackers find an open port on your computer and use the "back door" to install basically anything they want.
And fourth, the more malicious types, like keystroke loggers, can even get installed by someone with direct physical access to your computer such as an employer, suspicious spouse, business competitor, or someone who wants to know exactly what you're doing.
Now, suppose you carry an up-to-date anti-virus program and a firewall - shouldn't that represent potent protection?
In a word: NO!
I can personally attest that even the most up-to-date anti-virus programs and firewalls will not (repeat, WILL NOT) catch all the spyware that can infest your computer.
You need a program that specifically scans your system for the tens-of-thousands of existing spyware programs along with the new ones appearing daily.
Check out "Spy Sweeper" from webroot.com - this is the program I used to discover the spyware on my computer.
One thing I noticed, however, is that this program is a memory hog, so once I scanned, I turned it off and then use it 2-3 times a week... not the best strategy, but I want to give you the "whole" picture.
I also got the following recommendations from numerous subscribers about 2 programs to specifically help identify and remove spyware from your system (PC):
1. "Ad Aware" from lavasoft.de 2. "Spybot Search & Destroy" from safer-networking.org
The overwhelmingly recommended firewall suggested by readers was Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs => http://www.ebookfire.com/zonealarm.html
The bottom line seems pretty simple (but lengthy) if you want to protect yourself against this growing threat.
~ Keep your anti-virus program current ~ Install a firewall ~ Carefully screen software before installing it ~ Scan for specifically for spyware weekly ~ Stay current on this growing threat.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist ( www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of several best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs.
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> Write Money Making Ezine Articles FAST!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
Today's article explains "spyware" attack! "Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer and literally "spies" on your activities. Jim explains the three primary types of spyware that exist to complicate your online life...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Is "Spyware" Watching You?
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from a friend who told me he'd been the victim of a "spyware" attack that left him shaking at his loss of privacy.
I listened to his horror story with a sympathetic ear, but I felt secure since I carry anti-virus software and a firewall (both by Norton).
At his suggestion - and to my surprise - I ran a program called "Spy Sweeper" and found a veritable minefield of dangerous and harmful programs lurking on my computer.
"Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer and literally "spies" on your activities.
The spying can range from relatively harmless use of cookies tracking you across multiple websites... to extremely dangerous "keystroke loggers" which record passwords, credit cards, and other personal data. That data then gets relayed to the person who put the software on your computer.
Three primary types of spyware exist to complicate your online life, including:
1. "cookies" 2. "adware" 3. malicious programs like "keystroke loggers"
Cookies represent mostly a danger of lost privacy.
In theory, someone could use a "cookie" to track you across multiple sites, combine that data with several databases, and figure out a lot more information about you than would make you comfortable.
"Adware" tracks more than just your movement across sites, it spies on your installed software and computer habits to then serve up advertising, modify websites before you see them, and generally do things without your knowledge with the intention of trying to get you to buy things.
"Keystroke loggers" and other malicious programs exist for one purpose: to cause personal mayhem and financial damage.
Spyware gets on your computer in one of several different ways.
First, it rides along with software you download from the 'Net and install on your system.
Second, they come as email attachments (much like viruses) and automatically install themselves on your computer when you open the email message.
Third, hackers find an open port on your computer and use the "back door" to install basically anything they want.
And fourth, the more malicious types, like keystroke loggers, can even get installed by someone with direct physical access to your computer such as an employer, suspicious spouse, business competitor, or someone who wants to know exactly what you're doing.
Now, suppose you carry an up-to-date anti-virus program and a firewall - shouldn't that represent potent protection?
In a word: NO!
I can personally attest that even the most up-to-date anti-virus programs and firewalls will not (repeat, WILL NOT) catch all the spyware that can infest your computer.
You need a program that specifically scans your system for the tens-of-thousands of existing spyware programs along with the new ones appearing daily.
Check out "Spy Sweeper" from webroot.com - this is the program I used to discover the spyware on my computer.
One thing I noticed, however, is that this program is a memory hog, so once I scanned, I turned it off and then use it 2-3 times a week... not the best strategy, but I want to give you the "whole" picture.
I also got the following recommendations from numerous subscribers about 2 programs to specifically help identify and remove spyware from your system (PC):
1. "Ad Aware" from lavasoft.de 2. "Spybot Search & Destroy" from safer-networking.org
The overwhelmingly recommended firewall suggested by readers was Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs => http://www.ebookfire.com/zonealarm.html
The bottom line seems pretty simple (but lengthy) if you want to protect yourself against this growing threat.
~ Keep your anti-virus program current ~ Install a firewall ~ Carefully screen software before installing it ~ Scan for specifically for spyware weekly ~ Stay current on this growing threat.
-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist ( www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of several best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs.
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> Write Money Making Ezine Articles FAST!
-=-
Have yourself a Super Monday!
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