Christmas Day...

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun




It's Christmas day, please take a moment for a Soldier's Version "The night before Christmas". This poem was submitted by a Soldier stationed in Iraq.

Send it to your family and friends for a reminder of the man that's in war at this time of year, it's very touching!


Be safe !!!

4-Triggers Will Explode Sales

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun

In today's article, Jim Edwards talks about the 4 main motivators or triggers that cause people to throw their mental "switch" and buy from you right now!

So if you want to understand WHY people buy and how to use it to make more sales yourself, read the article...

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Why People Buy Anything Online
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
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There’s a mental "hump" over which everyone must jump before they buy anything online. It doesn’t matter what you sell, every single customer must throw a little switch in their minds before they pull out their credit card to buy. What makes them throw that mental switch? Anyone who buys anything online does so because of 2 basic emotions and one (or more) of four basic buying motivators.

People buy 99% of everything sold online for one of 4 basic reasons.

First, they buy because of money.

They buy based on how much money they can make or save as a result of purchasing. In fact, making money is the number one reason people buy just about any "info-product" online.

Now, you might say, "My product has nothing to do with making money! How does this help me?" Well, could you put a spin on your product that would help people save money or make money?

For example: if you sell anything to do with golf (equipment, videos, clothing, etc.) you could add a report that explains how to get more business by playing golf with clients. I bet Realtors, insurance agents, and investment advisors would buy whatever product you sold just to get the bonus report about making money while playing golf.

The second reason anybody buys online involves time and effort.

People simply don’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done. They buy products in the hope of saving a few minutes or alleviating some mundane task.

Saving time and effort is one of the reasons software sells so well online because people hope (sometimes in vain) to offload tasks to their computer.

Show people how your product saves them time and reduces effort and you’ve got a great angle to help increase sales.

The third reason people buy online is to escape either physical or mental pain.

Online pharmacies succeed, even though they represent a risky proposition, because people with physical problems need medicine and can’t afford to get it any other way (adding mental anguish to the mix).

One way to position your product or service to alleviate pain is by explaining how you take the worry out of the transaction. Explain how others put all the risk on the customer while you actually remove it through your guarantees, testimonials and proof that your product delivers as promised.

The fourth biggest reason people buy online revolves around the promise of increased popularity and social success.

Why do you think people buy stylish clothes, perfume, books on how to pick up women, or acne treatments? They buy these, and thousands of other things, because they want to feel better about themselves and operate more confidently in social situations!

You can help increase sales of just about any online item by explaining to your customers how smart they’ll look or how they can brag about the money they saved. No matter what you sell, take a little extra time to explain to your customers how they will look good and feel smart purchasing from you.

No matter which of these four buying motivators you invoke, two emotions will intensify their effectiveness: "fear" and "greed."

Normally fear in online selling revolves around fear of loss. Offline retailers try to invoke fear of loss by holding sales (deadlines with financial incentives), but they hold sales so often they lose much of their effectiveness (example: the weekly furniture ads on TV declaring once in a lifetime deals this weekend only).

Online, you can effectively use fear of loss by threatening to raise the price at any time, only offer a limited number of bonuses, or only make an offer good until a certain date.

Greed will also intensify the buying motivation by giving people a self-serving reason to buy now. Greed can be as simple as telling them how much money they can make / save as a result of making a purchase now as opposed to waiting.

But greed can also take a more emotional form where customers covet the feeling they’ll get by making purchase. Whether it’s a good feeling from buying a loved-one that perfect toy or gift, or the feeling of smug satisfaction from snagging one of the most popular gifts this holiday season, consumers are greedy for both material and emotional gain. Explain to them how they can satisfy their greed and you win!

Now, you might say, "Gee Jim, this sounds great, but I don’t see how all this comes together to sell online. Give me an example!"

Okay, let’s take one of the most mundane yet competitive items of the Christmas season: gift cards.

Everyone sells them, yet the marketing for gift cards both online and offline absolutely stinks. Retailers hawk gift cards by either hanging them on a rack or putting a button on their website that says "We have gift cards." Yet every single one of them misses an opportunity to cash-in with gift cards if they would just explain to people why they should buy in terms of the four motivators.

In fact, gift card retailers make the oldest and most fatal mistake in all of sales: selling on features rather than on benefits.

In other words, they try to sell based on what the gift cards do (let someone pick what they want) rather than on what gift cards do for the person who buys them. Gift cards actually help you save on gas (save money) because they don’t necessitate you driving all over town trying to chase down a gift (save time / avoid wasted effort) the person you’re buying for may not want anyway (mental pain of rejection). In fact, a gift card from a store your friend or loved one really likes will make your gift the most popular one under the tree (social success).

You can increase your online sales just by shifting the emphasis off what the product or service does and onto what it does for the person buying it, along with putting your message within the context of as many of the four main reasons people buy as you can.

Then, by intensifying your prospects’ desire through the effective use of fear and greed, you can truly explode your sales over the competition.

All it takes is a little bit of careful thought, some basic explanation to your customers, and the motivation to do a tiny bit more that others are willing to do in their marketing.

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"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" Click Here => www.MiniSiteCreator.com
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To your success

7-Steps To Launching...

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun

Today's article by Alexandria will walk you through the seven steps she used for her own product launches. Whenever you come up with a new product, program, or service, don't be meek about it. You need to do a LAUNCH that generates a buzz and a ton of "cha-ching"!

Enjoy the article!

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"7 Steps to Launching a New Product,
Program, or Service... for TONS of Sales"
by Alexandria K. Brown The E-zine Queen
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When I teach one of my Online Success Blueprint Workshops, the section that gets my attendees most excited is when I walk them through an actual product launch.

What's a launch?

It's when you release a new product, program, or service for the first time to your mailing list. A launch is a super opportunity to rack up a TON of sales in a short amount of time.

I basically have seven steps to a launch. In my workshops, I walk through them in great detail and include actual examples and results. But to get you started, here's a brief description of each step and how it works. You can do a launch for any service, product, or program, but for the sake of this article, let's assume we're talking about a product.

1. Drop hints in your ezine beforehand.

Before your product is even ready, start getting your readers curious and excited! Drop hints that something big is on the way and what the benefits are. For example, "I'm working on a brand new product that could help you easily double your sales this year. I can't say anything about it just yet, but you'll know the full story on October 1."

2. Create your sales letter and thank-you pages.

Again, you can do these steps even before your product is ready. In fact, many experts recommend you write your sales letter BEFORE you even create the product. After your sales page, you will need a page to send people to once they purchase -- the "thank you" page -- where they can also download your product if it is digital.

3. Set up the product in your shopping cart.

Log-in to your shopping cart program and set up your new product name, price, and the thank-you page URL. Don't forget to add on shipping or sales tax if applicable. I hope you use a shopping cart with all these capabilities! (I use, love, and recommend QueenCart.com.) Then stick the product link on your sales page.

4. Send out a solo mailing to your customer list.

When everything is ready, it's time to start your promotions! The first people I alert about any new product are those who have already bought from me. It's my most responsive list, and this will be your most responsive list, too. Keep this email short and sweet. Your only objective is to drive them to your sales page, where they can get the full story. To make your customers feel special, give them a special discount or bonus that's just for them. And give them a deadline to respond by.

5. Send out a solo mailing to your ezine list.

I do this a few days after I promote to my customer list. Same idea, different list. Got it? Good. : )

6. Let your affiliates know how to promote this new product.

After I launch my product to my own lists, I let my affiliates know that I have a new product they can promote! Send them an email with the details, their individual affiliate link that gives them credit on any referred sales, and even ad copy they can paste into their ezines or websites. Don't forget to mention how much commission they get per sale. (I do this all through QueenCart.com.)

7. Promote in your ezine on an ongoing basis.

Once your launch is over, don't let your product wither away and die! Keep the momentum going. Make sure you highlight it on a regular basis in your ezine via ads or articles, and that it's also easy for visitors to find on your website.

BONUS TIP: Give them a reason to buy today!

People are so busy these days that they will put off ANY decision possible. So, you will ALWAYS get more sales when you give people a reason to buy NOW and not later. For example: Put a time limit on your offer or have a limited quantity available.

© 2005-2007 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.

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Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," publishes the award-winning 'Straight Shooter Marketing' weekly ezine with 22,000+ 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
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Have a great weekend!

4-Ways To Create An EBook

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun

Today's article is about how can you really come up with an ebook in only a few days. Well Jim knows how and is sharing four really quick, efficient ways to do just that!

Enjoy the article...

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Four Lightning Fast Ways To Create An EBook
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
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Do you want to know an interesting fact about books on the Web?

People don’t buy them for their intrinsic worth, just to "own a book for their shelf".

They want to buy a solution to a problem or in plain terms, they want a solution to something… usually right now!

That means your ebook creation doesn’t need to run 300-400 pages.

I see ebooks doing very well with only fifty pages in length.

However, you probably don’t want to get down into the 10-20 page length unless it gives specific directions to buried treasure or gives so much of a "WOW" factor that length doesn’t matter.

So how can you really come up with an ebook in only a few days, even if you didn’t write it yourself?

Well I know four really quick, efficient ways to do just that, without sacrificing your entire life as a tortured author.

#1 - Your "Gold Mind"
First, if you know a subject really well, then just create an ebook using the knowledge in your head. (That’s what I did with my first 3 ebooks.)

If you don’t write that well, then put it together by recording it and getting it transcribed.

Then you edit the transcript or hire an editor to do it for you.

You can create an outline of the points to cover in the ebook and then use a dictation service or a software program to simply "talk out the ebook".

You simply talk out each point in detail using your mastery of the subject.

What you come up with may even surprise you greatly!

#2 - Hire An "Expert"

Second, if you don’t possess the specific expertise on a subject, you’ll want to find someone who does.

Then you will use the expert interview format to create content which can turn into a full-length ebook.

After you come up with a list of questions for the expert, you conduct the interview with a conference call and record it.

Then, as in the first method, a dictation service can turn it into a text version for you.

#3 - Buy Your Way In
A third way to create an ebook product involves buying resale rights to a book already written, or agreeing on a marketing deal with an author with an existing book /ebook.

Many people can write good books, but they simply don’t know how to market them.

This offers a "match made in heaven" for two talents to get together: your marketing ability + their writing ability.

You want to check carefully on three important points though, if you decide to buy resell rights for an ebook project.

1) First, how long ago did the ebook first appear online?

Does it appear "shopworn" from over-exposure or poor marketing?

2) How large a niche market does it target?

A long time ebook with a small niche might not make a good investment. But if it looks like a lot of new people could use its content, then you might want to buy the resale rights.

3) Last, you want to honestly evaluate the ebook, whatever the age.

Do you like it? Does it contain good, up-to-date information?

Will it deliver on promises and make you feel like you got value for the price?

If you can answer yes to all three, then you probably found a good investment.

#4 - Outsource "The Whole Enchilada"

Finally, the fourth way to create an ebook involves hiring someone to first do research for you on a specific subject, and then hiring someone to write it for you.

You can find services on the Internet which will do the job for you and offer competitive bids based on your requirements.

CAUTION: You want to make sure that you own all rights to whatever content someone produces for you in a "work for hire" agreement.

I recommend using services which can automatically provide this type of agreement as part of the bidding process along with instructions on how to complete such an arrangement with a writer.

You want to remember one thing, no matter which one of the four approaches you use in creating your own ebook.

Your ebook must be of obvious VALUE to your target niche audience. So many people come out with fluff, B.S. and nonsense that when you deliver real, demonstrable VALUE to people, they remember!

That’s how you build up a loyal following of people who eagerly buy up every product you release.

That’s also how you build up a business that lasts for years and doesn’t end up just a flash in the pan (like most online businesses).

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Jim Edwards is the co-author of an incredible new ebook that will teach you how to Write and Publish Your Own Highly Profitable Ebook… FAST!
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To Your Success

How to Simple Split Test

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

Today's article by Alexandria Brown is about sharing the fastest and easiest way how to do "simple split test" to improve your marketing. Using simple tests GUARANTEES that you are ALWAYS improving your results. The information you can learn from a simple split test can be INVALUABLE to growing your business!

Enjoy the article...

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"How to Do a Simple SPLIT TEST and
Improve Your Marketing, Guaranteed"
by Alexandria K. Brown, The E-zine Queen
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One great thing about marketing on the Internet is it's all very trackable, if you do it right. That means you can easily and quickly figure out what works BEST for your business.

How would you like to know which headlines better get people's attention? Or what price point is more appealing to your target market?

The good news is it's very EASY to find out, with something called a SPLIT TEST.

In the past, setting up a split test practically required an advanced programming degree. But now, all you need to do a split test is a website, something to sell, and a good shopping cart system that will do the test for you. (I use, swear by, and recommend QueenCart.com.)

Here's what to do:

1. Create the web sales page for your product. Make sure it's FINAL and everything is in place.

2. Create a duplicate sales page, but give it a different URL. For example, your first sales page could be www.mywebsite.com/salespageA.htm and your second sales page could be www.mywebsite.com/salespageB.htm. This is more for YOU to easily keep track and tell the difference between the two pages.

3. Change ONE variable on sales page B. The important thing here is to only change ONE thing.

A few things you can test:
* a different headline
* a different price
* a different photo
* a different bonus.

4. Set up your split test. The fastest and easiest way to do this is using the "Ad Tracker" feature in QueenCart.com. It takes less than 5 minutes to set up!

All you need to do is enter both URLs. The system will then give you a tracking link. You'll use THIS link in your emails you send to your list. When your readers click on the link, the system will automatically alternate each visitor, sending visitor 1 to page A, visitor 2 to page B, visitor 3 to page A, visitor 4 to page B, and so on. And if a person returns to the link, she will be directed to the same page she saw. (Neat, yes?)

5. Interpret your results.

When you log into QueenCart.com to view your test results, it will not only tell you how many sales came from each page, but the percentage difference in sales.

The information you can learn from a simple split test can be INVALUABLE to growing your business! For example, I instructed one of my clients to test her new program at two price points: $87 and $97. She made 20 sales at $87 but NONE at $97. That means that $87 is a price ceiling for that group on this particular topic. (If she had made equal sales at both price points, I would have instructed her to make it $97 from now on, and to keep raising the price via testing until it hits a ceiling.)

Another example: One test I did during a product launch revealed that a simple change in the *design* of the sales page resulted in 25% more sales! So you can be sure I used that design going forward.

You don't have to use split testing only for sales. Wouldn't it be great to know which pages on your website get more opt-ins? QueenCart.com can also tell you how many people opt-in for your ezine while they're there.

See how fun and interesting this can be? : ) Using simple tests like this GUARANTEES that you are ALWAYS improving your results.

Now, every time I release ANY new product or program, I always use it as an opportunity to continually improve my marketing. And you should too! (QueenCart.com even has a 30-day trial for you to test this out.)

© 2005-2007 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

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 22,000+ 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

To your success

Adopt a Soldier

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

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 their country.

Let's Remember THEM On Memorial Day
Here is a site you can Adopt a Soldier
They really do appreciate having people
write to them and encourage them.

Here is something really nice a friend shared with me so I will share it back with all of my friends and visitors here. This is a nice little internet movie, the timing is good because of our current situation in America.

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!

Permission To Be Successful

Flo's Home Biz Resources & Fun...

I hope the weekend had a good start for you! Tonight, there's a couple of Holloween dances going on. I planned to go out and enjoy myself but I decided to watch a movie. Tomorrow is my day off so I'll just relax all day.

Linda Miller's article I truly enjoyed reading, she's an AdlandPro Community friend. Reading her article gave me such an inner boost, I had to pass it along. It's a positive way and I surely hope you will find it as helpful and inspiring as I have!

Enjoy the read...

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Permission To Be Successful
© by Linda Miller
LawOfAttractionSecrets.com
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Have you given yourself permission to be successful?

One of spiritual mentoring clients was feeling "stuck" in her life, unable to create the success she very much wants to experience.

We talked about how most of us are more afraid of success than failure.

Do you know that?

Most people are more afraid of success than failure because there are implications and consequences for creating success and wealth that intimidates us so much that we sabotage our own success.

Isn't that interesting?

I suggested some affirmations for her to write and repeat and talked about a few things she can do create what she wants in her life.

Then the biggest inspiration of all came to me and I said to her...

"You need to give yourself Permission to be successful."

And then I told her also that "I give you permission to be successful."

That made us both laugh, but it helped. If there are those in your life who have not given you permission to be successful, then you can give yourself permission.

How many of us feel we do not have permission to be successful?

How many of us sabotage our own success because we feel we do not deserve it?

Who told us that?

Where did we learn it?

Could it be the thousands of times we were told "no" as children and into our adult lives.

Could it be all the employers who paid us what THEY thought we were worth and convinced us that we cannot do better?

I realized as I was telling my client to give herself permission to be successful that I too can give myself complete permission to be successful.

Daily Affirmation: "I give myself permission to be successful now."

My client's question was also a gift to ME. So, I am now adding this affirmation to My daily list of Affirmations.

Repeat this Affirmation 400 times a day and see what happens. Yes, 400 times is what Mark Victor Hansen of Chicken Soup For The Soul suggests. So I say follow and repeat what works. If you want to be successful, do what the successful do. Mark Victor Hansen is successful.

I give myself permission to be successful.
I give myself permission to be successful.
I give myself permission to be successful.

Only 397 left to go...

Many Blessings

© Linda Miller - 2007
SpiritualEntrepreneurToday.com
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Have a SUPER Sunday!

How to Use Teleseminars...

Welcome To Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

What? You Aren't Doing Teleseminars Yet?

Most often Alexandria find that people try to make things more complicated than they have to be. There are marketers out there teaching 2,000 secrets to putting on a teleseminar, when really it's a very simple process.

Here's an article Alexandria wrote a while ago, but is still a great reminder of how simple -- and lucrative -- teleseminars can be!

Enjoy the article...

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"How to Use Teleseminars To Promote
Your Business And Generate Quick Cash"
by Alexandria K. Brown, The-Ezine Queen
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Can I share a secret with you?

Teleseminars are some of the easiest money I've ever made.

Chances are you've attended a teleseminar lately. Why not produce them yourself? These seminars by phone are fun and easy to do.

Giving FREE teleseminars is a fabulous way to promote your business, help your prospects get to know you better, increase your e-zine subscribers, and jack-up sales. For the first few years of my Ezine Queen business, I offered a free monthly teleseminar that gave people an introduction to what I teach (how to get business via an e-zine). These calls generated me tons of new e-zine subscribers and sales for my home study courses.

Giving PAID teleseminars promotes your business and generates revenues as well. I do one paid teleseminar at least every two months on a different marketing topic, and sometimes I invite a special guest. Even when I just started out, each of these events would gross me between $5,000 and $10,000.

You should also consider offering an "intensive" or "bootcamp" series of multi-week teleseminars. You can break up aspects of one topic or do a series on multiple, related topics. My former "4-Week E-zine Launch Telebootcamps" went for $497 and sold out every time.

To get started, you'll need:

1. a bridge line. For less than 50 people, FreeConference.com has worked fine for me. (Yes, it's FREE.) For more people or for paid events, I use a paid line such as from Black & White Communications, because they come with personal service and an operator if anything goes wrong.

2. an automated way for people to sign up. I use, LOVE, and wholeheartedly recommend 1ShoppingCart. It's an online shopping cart program that comes complete with e-mail autoresponders and link tracking. It also lets you do coupon offers for special groups, and you can automatically track commissions for affiliates.

3. a way to record your teleseminars. You'll want to provide the audio for people to listen to later online or you can make CDs. Record yourself with inexpensive software like Sony's "Sound Forge Studio", or hire someone to do it for you. I use www.AudioStrategies.com.

But there's a LOT more to it...

How do you get signups, especially if you have a small list?
Where can you advertise your teleseminars?
What days and times will get you more people?
How much should you charge?
How can you get expert guests on your calls for free?
How should you prepare handouts and visuals?
Do people really want CDs, or are they happy with online audio?
WHERE do you start?

To learn MY step-by-step formula for producing teleseminars that REALLY make you money, come to my next FREE Preview Teleseminar Series Online Success Blueprint Workshop. Along with teaching my entire internet marketing strategy, I go through my personal teleseminar processes in detail!

© 2004-2007 Alexandria K. Brown

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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 21,000+ 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
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Enjoy the weekend!
♥.·:*¨♥¨*¨♥¨*:·.♥

3 Hot Website Trends

Welcome To Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

This weekend is a long weekend for Canadians, we're celebrating "Thanks Giving".

Being away all summer trying to catch up is not an easy tasks. On my return I must update Windows, the Virus Scanner and the Firewall. On dial-up it is so slow to download, it takes three to six hours. That's all lot of waited time and to mention the money I have to put out for the monthly bills for Hydro One, Bell Canada and for Dial-Up. I'm not impressed at all !!!

I believe their's always going to have people on dial-up! Last year, I sent an email to Microsoft and ask them to consider having two teams. One team to work with dial-up service and the other team high-speed. This way everyone would fully benefit with the WWW, not just the people with high-speed. I haven't heard anything or seen any changes! :(

Today's article is about 3 website trends, I see that you need to keep in mind as you build your business between now and the end of the year. Enjoy the article...

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Three Hot Business Website Trends
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
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The things I did ten years ago on the Internet now belong in the Dark Ages.

Things I did five years ago seem quaint and so 2002, like my dad’s scanner (though he considers himself cutting edge with his old 20th century photos). Even things I did last year seem out of date now.

I always stay on the edge wondering what will come out next to shake up things that work so well right now. Even basic websites can’t remain immune from the ever-changing world of the Internet.

The first trend I see for websites involves "video-only" landing pages. I don’t mean web "infomercials" either. I mean a landing page where the whole emphasis of the page focuses on the video as the star of the show.

It uses the same classic direct response advertising methods as a conventional "mini-site" to grab people. A video landing page uses a headline to grab attention combined with bullets to build further interest. It then uses a call to action in the video and on the web page to entice people to take further action.

Now don’t fall into the trap of thinking that with video you don’t need to worry about length. A twenty minute video would probably kill your sales. You want a 3-5 minute video to fit in with what you offer on your website.

When properly scripted, the amount of content and sales information you can cram into even 3 minutes would amaze you.

The next trend started happening because of the Google "Slap!" Google divides their search page into two sections, a free side on the left and a paid advertising side on the right. A conflict develops when people go online to find content meet up with smart marketers want to develop leads from their paid ads on Google.

Google started getting complaints about forced opt-in pages and "sales pitch" websites and decided to "slap" those advertisers which don’t look like "real" (corporate) websites.

If you want to buy ads on Google and avoid the "slap", you must set up your site with what I call "stealth" content or, for lack of a better word, non-obvious content. You can use content from places like Wikipedia.com, the public domain, and even your existing content. The key to success is to make sure that your website navigation remains somewhat inaccessible and not distracting (usually at the bottom of the page).

Bottom Line: You want Google’s content robot to come look at your site and see that you do offer content, but when your prospects visit the page they only see your sales message and must hunt for anything extra.

The third hot trend uses mini-site sales letters and blogs together for a double whammy effect in your marketing. Let’s say you launch a new product.

First, you use a blog to build interest towards the launch day with videos, articles and relevant information. You use the blog to create a dialogue, which builds over a fairly short period of time.

Next, you launch a mini-site that works as your 24/7 sales person to whom your blog refers people who want to find out more specifics on your product. Together your blog and mini-site keep prospects engaged and then sell them when they get into the buying mood.

As with any trend, these will change and adapt over time. But from my direct, day-to-day business experience online, smart online marketers - regardless of your business - will take heed of these trends and apply them to your online business right now.

-=-
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to finally create your own money-making mini-sites…

"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!" Visit => www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-

Enjoy the weekend...
Happy Thanks Giving Canadians
♥.·:*¨♥¨*:·.♥.·:*¨♥¨*:·.♥

3 Cool Browser Tools

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

These last two days the moon is so bright, it's beautiful to see. The week went by fast it's already Friday tomorrow, I hope you had a great week. It sure feels nice to be back, I'm catching up with tons of emails. I took a peak at my activities online and I've got work for a couple of weeks if not more.

Going through my emails I ran into Jim Edwards article, I had to share it! It's about 3 really cool free-tools you can use to make your life a lot easier online.

One lets you create your own "TV" station... another lets you share files with anyone anywhere... and the other lets you grab "clips" from the web and share them, archive them, or even email them. Read more below...

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3 Cool Browser Tools
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
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The great thing about the Internet is that new things come along all the time.

Every great discovery or tool seems to spawn at least two new things to go along with it.

In fact, the world of "cool tools" grows daily and keeping up can represent a real challenge.

The following 3 tools rate a closer look if you want to save time and avoid effort in a big way.

** Clipmarks.com **

Ever seen something extremely cool online that you wanted to pass along to a friend, but you didn't see an easy way to do it?

Maybe you wanted to pass along a web page or share specific text from a site, but copying and pasting into an email just wouldn't do it justice.

Or perhaps you saw a video that needed a friend's attention, but you couldn't download it.

Or maybe you just saw something cool and wanted to save it for yourself, but didn't have an easy way to archive the material.

Well log on to Clipmarks.com, download the browser toolbar (available for FireFox and Internet Explorer) and start clipping!

Clipmarks makes it easy to select snippets of text (up to 1000 characters), pictures, and more and then email them to a friend, print them, or even post them to your blog.

What makes this little tool so cool is that it's so versatile and easy to use.

I call it a "head slapper" because you want to slap your head and say, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Clipmarks also helps when you surf around the Web and want to collect up ideas on a certain topic or research subject and then store them in an organized fashion to review and sort through later.

** UStream.tv **

Turn your computer, Internet connection and webcam into a live TV station that can broadcast in real time to hundreds of people all at the same time.

Currently available for free, this service allows you to log in and start broadcasting to the world.

UStream.tv can make a great tool for everything from holding a family meeting to doing question and answer sessions with customers and prospects.

Now, before you start threatening Walter Cronkite's iconic status in TV history, understand that, though the technology rates high on the "cool" scale, the audio and video does not rival TV quality.

The audio jumps and the video can cut in and out, but, if you have any experience with online video, the quality may actually surprise you by how well it can stream to large numbers of people.

** TubesNow.com **

Ever tried to send huge files as attachments through email only to have your email time out, your attachment get blocked by a firewall, or your message just plain disappear from the face of the earth.

Well now you can use a free program called "Tubes" to establish a secure connection between your computer and a friend or business associate.

Once you open up a tube (peer-to-peer connection) between your two computers, you can transfer files simply by dragging and dropping.

-=-
Jim Edwards is the co-author of an incredible new ebook that will teach you how to write and publish your own highly profitable ebook in a week or less... even if you failed high school English class!

Why are some people getting rich selling their ebooks?
Jim Edwards and Joe Vitale have created the *ultimate* guide "How to Write and Publish your own Outrageously Profitable eBook... in as little as 7 Days!" FREE Details: ==> www.7DayEbook.com
-=-

Enjoy the weekend
♥ ♥.·:*¨♥¨*:·.♥ ♥

HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

Louise Hay is really good at teaching... how to LOVE YOURSELF. It is so important that we learn to love ourselves, for only when we love ourselves do we have love to give to others. I hope you enjoy her 12 commandments as much as I do!

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LOUISE HAY'S 12 COMMANDMENTS
OR... HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF
www.LouiseHay.com
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STOP ALL CRITICISM
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

FORGIVE YOURSELF
Let the past go. You did the best your could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life differently.

BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.

BE KIND TO YOUR MIND
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

PRAISE YOURSELF
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

SUPPORT YOURSELF
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative patterns.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

MIRROR WORK
Look into your eyes often. Express the growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day say, "I love you, I really love you!"

LOVE YOURSELF . . . DO IT NOW
Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin now--and do the best you can.

HAVE FUN
Remember the things that gave you joy as a child. Incorporate them into your life now. Find a way to have fun with everything you do. Let yourself express the joy of living. Laugh, Rejoice and the Universe rejoices with you!

*A free sample copy of Louise Hay's Newsletter is available at her website: http://www.LouiseHay.com
-=-

Have yourself a Super day!

E-Mail Signature File

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

I hope you had a great St. Patrick's day!
I love dancing so I went out and dance the night away. It's been a long time since I went out. I will do it more often as I felt sooooooo refreshed!

In today's article it offers information on a perfect opportunity to promote your business with your e-mail signature (or "sig") files !!! I've been online for a very long time and still up to this day .. I see many online businesses don't add a signature file to their newsletter or have their important information on their website. I believe it's so important to everyone doing business online !!!

Alexandria shares with You various ways how your sig file consistently delivers a clear impression of what You have to offer your prospects and how You will be rewarded in the future...

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Make Your E-Mail Signature File
WORK for You!
by Alexandria K. Brown
“The E-zine Queen”
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You're probably familiar with e-mail signature (or "sig") files — they're the few lines of contact information that many of us put at the bottom of every e-mail we send. Most e-mail software programs allow you to create and use sig files — even the newer versions of AOL.

I've heard some people who don't use sig files defend their position by saying, "All my clients know my info — I don't need to remind them with every e-mail." Stop! You're missing a perfect opportunity to promote your business, as well as do your clients and prospects a favor.

When you think about how many e-mails you actually send a day, it's probably more than you realized! Some people send over 100 a day. That's a lot of mail — and a lot of chances to slip in your own subtle marketing messages.

Sig Files Put You at Their Fingertips

People love it when you make information easy to find. Sure, your clients have your phone number somewhere, but they'll really appreciate it when they can grab your number right from an e-mail they're looking at. In fact, e-mail is such a part of our lives now, that if someone needs your phone number quickly, she may be more likely to grab it off your latest e-mail than to dig up your business card. (Don't underestimate this occurrence — there are many disorganized people in the world!)

Also, if people want to put your info into their contact management software (Outlook, ACT, Palm, etc.), they can simply copy and paste it right from your sig file.

Good Sig Files Tell Strangers What You Do

As a former co-chair of New York's Women in Communications Inc. (WICI), I booked speakers for our monthly cocktail events, conducting most of this work via e-mail. The speakers I corresponded with only knew me as a representative of WICI; they had no idea what I did for a living. But one woman, after spotting my sig file, promptly wanted to learn more about my copywriting services. She then hired me for a $5,000 project. Thank you, sig file!

Sig Files Are Ready to Travel

E-mails are forwarded all the time. You never know where yours may end up, and one of the recipients may be very interested in your service or product. I learned this when I got a call from a prospect in Israel. A colleague of hers here in the U.S. had forwarded her an interesting issue of my newsletter. She learned about my services and got my phone number from the sig file at the bottom.

Sig Files Are a Great Promotional Tool

Now, let's move beyond the obvious stuff. Think of your sig file as a little messenger who speaks to everyone you send an e-mail to. What do you want him to say? Do you have great news? A new product or service? A free newsletter or report? Let us know via your sig file!

Your Sig File Checklist

Here are several items to consider putting into your sig file. CAUTION: Do not attempt to insert them all! Choose what's most important for you and your business.

* your name and title
* your company name
* your company tagline, or a short phrase that describes what your company does
* your address
* your phone, cell phone, and/or pager numbers
* your fax number
* your e-mail address (sometimes people can't get it directly or quickly from your actual e-mail)
* your Web URL (be sure to include the "'http://" prefix to ensure it will translate as a hyperlink on most e-mail programs)

Now, also consider putting promotional info in your sig file, such as:

* an offer for a free report or product you offer
* an offer for a free consultation or trial offer
* a company announcement (new client, new product, award won, etc.)
* a hyperlink to your latest press release, article, or Web site feature
* an invitation to subscribe to your free e-newsletter

In the interest of space and your reader's time, keep your offer or announcement to one or two sentences only. (Tip: Always throw in the word "free" when possible. It's everyone's favorite word!)

Bonus: Most e-mail software programs allow you to create and keep several signatures on file, so you can change them easily and often. This makes it a cinch to switch your messages weekly or even daily, and maintain ones for different businesses.

Choose What's Important to You

Of course, it's possible to get carried away and include too much information. We don't need random quotes that have no relation to your business, cute illustrations made up of keyboard characters, or your weekend phone number in the Hamptons.

Try to keep your sig file to a maximum of eight lines. More than that will overwhelm the reader, and it will look silly if your sig files are always longer than your e-mail messages!

Here's a good example:

Jane Smith, President
Smith I.T. Consulting
'Take a Byte Out of Network Headaches'
ph: 800-321-0000 fax: 212-321-0001
jane@smithitconsulting.com
*Visit http://www.smithitconsulting.com and get your FREE report on the top 10 most common computer network problems and how to solve them!*

Notice that "Jane" opted not to give her mailing address here, in order to use the space for her tagline and an invitation to receive her free report. It's all up to you. If your customers frequently need your mailing address, then you should include it. (I don't include it in mine, since 99% of my work is done via e-mail.) Decide what bits of info are most valuable to keep, and use the rest of the space for a unique message or promotion!

One Last Thing: Make Sure We "Get" What You Do

I've seen some seemingly complete sig files that still leave me wondering, "Thanks for all the info, but what do you DO?" We all know what IBM and Kodak do, but the whole world doesn't know what your business does (yet). For now, it's your job to help us all learn. Include a tagline that describes what your company does or a short phrase that helps us understand. If your sig file consistently delivers a clear impression of what you have to offer your prospects, it will reward you numerous times in the future!

(c) 2000-2003 Alexandria K. Brown. All rights reserved.

-=-=-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandria K. Brown, “The E-zine Queen,” is author of the award-winning manual, “Boost Business With Your Own E-zine.” To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at www.EzineQueen.com.
-=-=-

Have a Super Monday!

WHY Today?

Today's article was sent to me in an email and I wanted to share it. It's a great article about your "Why today" for building your business. I like the way the author expresses he's thoughts... very well written!

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Have you thought about your WHY today?
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Do you keep your reason for doing this business in front of you?

If it was just to make a few extra hundred dollars a month, are you doing that? If it was to be able to pay for the kid's hot lunch at school, new clothes, the camps, lessons, programs or a new vehicle for the family?

Are you getting close?
If it was to be able to afford those vacations you always dream of, can you now? If it was to move into or build your dream home, retire your spouse, buy a luxury vehicle or yacht, or perhaps your own tropical island, do you remember WHY you wanted it?

Your reason, your motivation, your desire, your need, your want, your "Gotta Have", your "Must Do", your compelling force, the thing that made you reach out for more . . . Have you thought about it lately? Do you remember what it is you wanted and what you were willing to do to get it?

It's still there, you know!
Waiting for YOU or whoever will dare to claim it.
Whoever will dare to dream!
Whoever will dare to work and strive!
Whoever will dare to learn and grow!
Whoever will dare to realize the power that lies within themselves!

There are LOTS of "how-to" techniques. There are ideas and suggestions for building your business, making crafts, finding fund-raisers, getting leads, sponsoring partners, etc.

But these "Ways" of building your business cannot replace your "Why" for building your business. None of them will give you that fire, that spark, that internal force and drive that can't be explained and won't be denied.

It is the difference !!! It is the separator. It divides the Doers from the Dreamers! If your "WHY" is big enough you will find your own "WAYS" of getting it done.

NOTHING can stop you !!!
Don't waste time looking for "shortcuts" or searching for "secrets". No one out there has it easier than you. There are no "Golden Tickets" or "Silver Spoons."

No "magic formula" exists.
There is simply YOU and your personal reasons for applying yourself to the realization of the dreams you know you have in your life. You know you have them. Just admit it! You Dream !!! You Have Dreams!!! You dream of more, dream of better, dream of different, dream of "what-if !!!"

Will you realize them? Will you do what it takes to make them happen! You can have them if you try! If you move from Wanting and Wishing to Working! ACTION is the only thing that will produce results !!!

So get started today ~ take action!
Start by reminding yourself of your "WHY"! Keep it in front of you and let it remind you that there is and can be MORE !!! More for YOU! More for your Family! More for your friends! More for your LIFE!

Author Unknown
-=-

A REMINDER
Always add your "Signature" and "Website Address" (if you have one) at the bottom of your articles. You deserve the recognition, it's a great way to receive... "Exposure"!

Have yourself a fantastic day!

10 Tricks To Setting Goals

Welcome To Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

Setting effective goals does not have to be challenging. Remember that all goals should support what is best for your company, while at the same time being realistic, obtainable, and measurable. Following these goal setting guidelines will ensure that both you and your associate achieve success.

So here are some ideas to apply to your businesses and or downlines.

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10 Tricks for Setting Effective Goals
by - www.CareerBuilders.com
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SUMMARY: Setting effective associate goals can be a challenging process. However, goal setting should be easy, interactive, encouraging, and motivational. Use the 10 techniques in this article as you leverage goals to drive your associates to success.

Setting associates goals can be a challenging process. tell them you want goals that are easy to reach, but over-achievers typically want a challenge. Regardless of a associates personal desire, goals should always be challenging, obtainable, and measurable. Work with each associate to determine what is reasonably challenging, but obtainable in a set time span. By doing this, the set goals will be more effective and beneficial to both the company and associate.

As you work with your associate to set goals, use the following 10 items to help create personal goals that will achieve the larger corporate objectives.

#1 - Allow Your associate to Own Their Goals
For your associate to succeed, he or she needs to feel some sense of ownership in the goal. Each goal should generate excitement in the associate. You can save time and increase associate buy-in by having your associate request goals. Make sure that your associate understand the corporate objectives before asking for their requests. Review the requested goals with each associate and tweak as necessary. Some associate will be great at setting their own goals, others will need guidance. Asking for his or her input will help you learn more about what motivates each individual, and will make it easier to capitalize on intrinsic motivation.

#2 - Set Deadlines
Open-ended goals encourage procrastination and complacency. In most organizations, it works well to have quarterly goals. Larger annual targets are also helpful, but those should be supported by short-term smaller goals.

#3 - Make Sure the Goals are Measurable
Every goal should produce some sort of quantifiable data. If you are unsure how to make a goal quantifiable, ask your employee to propose a solution. By eliminating subjective measurements, both you and your associate know he or she met the goal, and it is difficult to dispute the measurement once the due date arrives.

#4 - Have Your Associate Write Their Goals Down
Regardless of the goal's origin, it is important to have them personally re-write the goal and measurement. This practice helps your employee visualize exactly what it is they are trying to achieve. It also encourages a personal commitment to focus on accomplishing the goal.

#5 - The Goal Post
Seeing the goals daily keeps them fresh in your associate mind. Encourage your associate to post his or her goals in sight of where they are easily visible. Allowing associate to see other team members' goals can also provide a better understanding of the role each plays in the company. Posting associate goals also helps to establish a sense of unity amongst the staff. Knowing he or she is not the only one with a difficult goal can be a powerful motivator.

#6 - Schedule Regular Progress Meetings
Once the goals are set, make sure to schedule periodic progress meetings to keep your associate on pace. This is not micro-management, but support to help him or her stay focused. associate will often spend too much time on one goal while neglecting the others on the list. Progress meetings help to give goals the appropriate emphasis and help to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

#7 - Limit the Number of Goals
One of the most important tricks for setting effective goals is quality over quantity. Do not assign a goal just to add more to an associate list. It is far more effective to make sure that all goals are meaningful. If it is not going to provide measurable value to the company, eliminate it and try again.

#8 - Base Goals on Company Values
Defined corporate values should serve as the base for setting effective goals. For example, if diversity in the workplace is a value of your company, then a goal that furthers diversity would be appropriate. Supporting an associate goal derived from your company's core values makes accomplishing the goal more likely.

#9 - Provide Positive Feedback
Separate from scheduled progress meetings, try to find opportunities to give encouragement. Words of affirmation keep v motivated and working hard. Periodic positive feedback can make the difference between a goal accomplished and a goal exceeded far beyond expectations.

#10 - Make the Reward Worth It
What does the employee receive once all of his or her goals are met? Is it an emassociate bonus, a raise, additional vacation days, a new title? Make sure it is something valued by the employee. Personal satisfaction is good, but sustained hard work and effort should come with rewards for exceptional performance.

Enjoy the weekend!

Putting You in Your E-zine

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

Want More Sales From Your Ezine? Put in More YOU!

In today's article, Alexandria reveals when her clients ask her what is the simplest, easiest way to increase sales in their ezines (and websites, for that matter), she actually tell them to put in more of "them".

That may sound crazy, but it works!
The "KLT" factor is one of her major secrets to success with online selling. To understand what Alexandria mean, see today's article below...

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"Putting the YOU in Your E-zine"
by Alexandria K. Brown
"The E-zine Queen"
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I get many e-zines in my inbox every week, and they all offer useful information. But there are some I enjoy more than others.

What do the ones I love have in common?

They feel like they come from a REAL person. These publishers put some heart-and-soul into their e-zines. They share information about themselves. And because I FEEL like I know them personally, I'm more likely to buy from them at some point.

In the traditional sales world, they call this the "know, like, and trust" factor -- I abbreviate it to "KLT".

I was amazed to find that once I began sharing a bit about ME (the real Ali) in my e-zine, my response rates increased dramatically. More readers wrote me back, more clicked on my links, and more bought my products and services.

So, how can YOU put more you in your e-zine? Very easily. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

What's Going on With YOU?

Quick: Think of three things going on in your life right now that you could share with your readers. Have you won an award? Were you mentioned in a national newspaper? Did you pull a hamstring doing Tae Bo? Are you teary-eyed because your daughter's wedding is right around the corner? These are all events your readers can relate to and will appreciate you sharing.

One e-zine I used to get a real chuckle out of was Dave Balch's "Big Bucks in a Bathrobe." (His business has changed, so unfortunately he no longer publishes it.) In each issue, Dave not only shared useful information on running a profitable business, but also hysterical stories about "life on the ranch." Dave and his wife own many animals, including horses, dogs, and "the parrot that just won't die." Whenever I saw Dave's e-zine in my mailbox, I read it right away because I knew it would brighten my mood.

Reach Out for Help

Have a question you'd like answered? Why not ask your readers for help? Example: In 2005 I bought a new VW Beetle Convertible, and in my e-zine I asked my readers who had owned convertibles to share their tips on how to care for them.

You wouldn't believe how many people wrote me back, telling me about their own cars, how much they love them, even sending me photos, and giving me some great tips on "topless" driving! I was delighted with the response.

Readers also love quick polls that allow them to give you their opinion. For multiple choice answers, I have used http://www.SurveyMonkey.com. It's free for up to 100 responses, and reasonably priced for more. For a single question and open-ended answers, use www.AskMyEzine.com.

Give Us the Picture

Photos help your visitors and your e-zine readers feel closer to you instantly -- it's as if they know you better than before.

Unless you're ugly as a toad, a decent photo will only help your sales. (Remember you're building the KLT factor.) If you publish an HTML e-zine, put your photo in your top banner if you have room.

Also don't be afraid of sharing photos of your family, pets, business associates, etc. (I post mine at a personal blog which is FREE to create at www.blogger.com.) You'll be surprised how often your readers will click-through to see them. Example: "Click here to see me in action at my first swing dancing competition!"

After taking my course, one client of mine decided to share a photo of his pet pug, and he said his readers went NUTS! They wrote him back with photos of their dogs and it opened up a new level of communication for him with his subscribers.

Don't Be Afraid to Have Opinions

Real people have real opinions. So voice yours, and people will perk up. I've found that my readers often respond best when they're provoked and encouraged to see things in a new light.

If some don't agree with you (and some won't), their response can lead to a brand new discussion or article topic. Remember, if someone takes the time to write you back to disagree with anything you've said, be happy. It means they're actually reading your e-zine!

Where, and How Much?

A great place to put this personal information is at the beginning of your e-zine in an "editor's note" or "welcome message." This welcomes the reader with a warm greeting from you and is the perfect spot to share these positive, personal tidbits.

Once you get the hang of giving more YOU to your readers, you'll come to enjoy the art of sharing and the increased reader-interaction it brings. Just make sure that it doesn't take over your e-zine. The bulk of your content should still be your main article, list of tips, etc.

Think of your personal information as the introduction that leads up to the main event!

© 2003-2007 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 21,000+ 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 weekend!

Windows 5 Cool Shortcuts

Welcome to Flo's Home Biz & Fun...

Jim Edwards published an article I think you'll really like. It has EVERYTHING to do with saving you time and frustration using your computer.

Enjoy the article...

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5 Cool Time-Saving Shortcuts for Windows
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
www.TheNetReporter.com
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I think most of us feel that expensive operating systems like Windows can do more things than just keep the computer running, the problem is we don't know what they are!

Well, over the years I've discovered a few shortcuts that rate extremely handy for saving time, recovering from mistakes, or avoiding effort.

Now, a few geeks among us may immediately say I could have read the manual to discover these instead of tripping on them over the years, but that would take out all the fun!

And now dear reader, I pass these magical secrets on to you.

The Ultimate "Do Over" -

Does this sound familiar?

You spend 30 minutes typing up and email message, get ready to hit send, your hand slips, and the message disappears.

You feel a rush of anger, fear and sadness in your gut, take a deep breath, and start typing again.

Next time something like that happens, just hit the "Ctrl+Z" keys and it should undo the last action you took in a web browser, form, word processor, spreadsheet or virtually anyother Windows application.

I can't tell you how many times "Ctrl+Z" has pulled my bacon out of the fire when I accidentally hit the wrong button or key.

File Finders -

The more you use your computer, the more files you seem to create and collect.

Often, finding files you already created rates harder than just creating a new one, especially after any significant length of time passes.

Two shortcuts can help you quickly find the files you need with just a few keystrokes.

< Windows >+F -
This combination of the Windows logo key and the F key at the same time launches the Windows Search
utility.

This enables you to search for files based on partial filename (because if you could remember the entire filename, you would have found it already), file type (all your MP3 files), contents of the file (I know the spreadsheet contains these words), creation date (I created this filelast month), and more.

< Windows >+E -
This allows you to open up the Windows explorer feature in Windows to explore your hard drives, memory sticks, CD and DVD drives.

Windows Explorer makes it very easy to get your hands on a file if you know where it is (or, at least where it should be the last time you used it).

Zoom IN / Zoom OUT -

Okay, I'll admit it.

My eyes seem to suffer from a combination of too much computer time and the slow creeping wheels of Father Time (I'm getting older).

Bottom line: sometimes the words on the screen are just too darn small!

You can solve this problem with < Ctrl >+Mouse Wheel.

Just hold the < Ctrl > key down and roll your mouse wheel up and down to adjust the zoom.

This little shortcut works in many applications, including Word, Internet Explorer, FireFox, and Excel.

Shields Down Captain! -

Ever look down at your task bar and see 20 open windows and realize you need to make your way to the desktop in a hurry?

< Windows >+D will minimize all open windows on your computer to expose your desktop.

Hit the keys again and your open windows spring back to life and allow you to continue working.

I've Got a Case! -

Ever need to convert text to all CAPS, or change to Title Case, or convert to all lower case?

Simply highlight the text in your word processor and hit < Shift >+< F3 > to cycle between all caps, lowercase and title case.

This shortcut rates very handy when you don't want to retype blocks of text.

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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…

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Have yourself a great day!