Use These 3 Editing Tips to Ensure Your Writing Hits the Bull?s-Eye

The first step in the writing process is to put your ideas down on paper. Once you have text to work with, the second step is to revise what you have written to make it as clear, accurate and powerful as you can. The final step is to edit your work carefully.

Editing Tip #1: Take a Break

When you have concentrated on your writing for long periods of time, there is a tendency to read what you think is there-not what you have actually written! By taking a break for a few hours (or even a few days), you will return to your work with a fresh mind and fresh eyes. Suddenly you will realize that:

• The rhythm of your sentences and paragraphs is off; either they are too short and choppy or too convoluted and long.
• Some of your ideas are out of place and belong in a different paragraph.
• One of your paragraphs doesn't make any sense!
• You forgot to address a crucial aspect of your topic.
• Some of your data is wrong or missing.
• You have misspelled several words and accidentally omitted others.

Editing Tip #2: Edit at Two Levels: Conceptual and Line-by-Line

Editing is conducted at two levels. First concentrate on the conceptual, or substantive, level to ensure that your ideas are strong, logical and well-organized. Once this step is complete, go through your work line-by-line to check for small details such as spelling, grammar, word choice and punctuation.

Conceptual Editing

When you begin to edit at the conceptual level, try to approach your work as though you were the intended reader instead of the author. In your role as reader, look at the introduction. Is it compelling? Do you clearly understand what the topic, major points and slant of the communication will be?

Then look at the body. Do the ideas flow well, or are they confusing? Are they presented in some kind of logical order? Do concrete details help to paint a clear picture? Are any stray ideas lurking in unrelated paragraphs?

Does this communication seem to be written for you? In other words, do you feel like you are its intended audience, or does the writer fail to explain concepts, terms and acronyms you don't understand? Is the voice of this communication appropriate? Is it too formal? Too informal? Just right?

Did the writer insult your intelligence by repeating the same ideas over and over? Or did the writer present a strong, clear, coherent argument that you understood immediately? Finally, what is your overall impression of this communication (and its writer)? Positive or negative?

This technique of reading what you have written as though you were the intended audience will help you see your communications from a different perspective. Some of what you discover may surprise you. Make any changes that are necessary and then proceed to line editing.

Line Editing

The final step in the editing process is to go through your document line-by-line to check for errors in mechanics (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation), word usage and format.

If you included tables or figures, be sure to check that the captions are correct and that you entered the data correctly. Also be sure you have expressed your ideas as succinctly as possible. If you find your sentences are filled with empty, unnecessary words, delete them.

Try This!

If you are having problems "seeing" your errors at the line level, go to the end of your document and read the last sentence. Then read the second to last sentence. Continue working from the end to the beginning until you reach your opening line! This technique keeps your brain from automatically reading what you think you wrote and helps you see what is actually on the page.

A Special Word About Homonyms

The English language has many words, called homonyms, that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings. The four most common sets are: their/they're/there, too/to/two, your/you're, and its/it's.

These are FREQUENTLY used incorrectly! Even when you know the difference between them, it is easy to type the wrong word when you are concentrating on getting your ideas down on paper. Unfortunately, ordinary spell-check programs cannot distinguish between homonyms that are used correctly and those that are used incorrectly. Therefore, always pay special attention to these words when you are conducting a line edit.

Editing Tip #3: Always Spell-Check Your Work

It is amazing how often writers fail to perform this final edit--especially since it is so easy to do! I will agree that spell-check programs attached to word processing software cannot detect homonyms, that they highlight unfamiliar words that are actually spelled correctly, and that the grammar check is frequently just plain wrong.

On the other hand, they do pick up incorrect spacing between words, highlight a few grammar problems correctly, and catch most of your misspelled words. The process doesn't take very long and is easy to perform. In the end, you have nothing to lose by taking this final step and potentially much to gain!

Clarice Kyd Dankers, M.A., offers editing and coaching services to business and academic clients around the world. Her work incorporates eight years of experience in business communications with extensive experience in linguistics, publishing and university teaching. For more information about her services-or to sign up for her free monthly newsletter-go to http://www.PolishYourWriting.com

Ormond Beach, FL: A Small Piece of Paradise

Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach claims the highest standard of living. Since its founding, the town has always been a Mecca for those who were looking for the good things in life.

Founded in the late 1800's, the town was built on the foundation of the rich and famous of the times. Around the turn of the century, notables such as the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and the Asters made Ormond Beach their winter getaways.

The first real hotel, The Ormond, became popular not only with the rich but also with creative types; writers and artists have long flocked to the area because of its natural beauty. The town boomed in the 1920s, especially with the rich that the railroad relocated the tracks so that the hotel could have its own platform.

John D. Rockefeller became so enamored with the area; he built the Casements, his winter home. Today it serves as a cultural anchor for all of Ormond Beach.

The town, while upscale and with a typically older population, still boasts several elementary and middle schools, a full array of shopping and entertainment, a municipal airport, a nearby state park and of course the Atlantic Ocean beachfront.

The medical facilities offered in either town or the surrounding area covers nearly every specialization of medicine. The unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the state and the crime rate is well below the national average.

A perfect bedroom community to Daytona Beach, the town offers everything a family or a retiree could possibly want. Between the beaches, the parks and the golf courses, Ormond Beach offers everything to meet your recreational wants or needs. In addition, of course, the nearby Daytona Speedway is always an attraction.

Near perfect weather year round guarantees the opportunity to take advantage of everything the community has to offer.

Move to Ormond Beach and enjoy life!

More Info: Ormond Beach

Written by Heather Durner, owner of Gift Baskets by Heather & Chestnut Creek Gift Baskets:Purchase Gourmet Gift Baskets.

7 Wake-Up Calls-Avoid Self Sabotage to Discover Wealth and Prosperity with the Angels of Abundance

It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting intangible value from having less money than you'd like? Is there something holding you back from attracting all the money you deserve but you can't figure out what it is? Is there some way your deepest beliefs and secret thoughts are sabotaging your best efforts to make money? Try these wake-up calls on for size and see if any of them fit.

1. Belief--I fit in with the crowd better when I remain in my present financial state.

Do you work in a career that traditionally provides a low paying salary even though you've attained all the skills, degrees and certifications necessary for employment? Do you love your job but decry the oppressive pay scale which provides only the average amount or lower than average amount of income typically paid for that career? Has your peer group at work lulled you into thinking that's just how it is and given up fighting for more? Would you stick out like a sore thumb from your coworkers if you managed to turn the limited salary into greater abundance?

We all experience some type of perk for remaining in low paying jobs. We are happy we get to be of service to the world but believe that service can only bring in a minimal amount as determined by the client's ability to pay, the rate of donations made to the non-profit organization we work for, the number of products sold, or any number of reasons. We tell ourselves we are good people for doing this type of work, tighten our belts, and carry on.

Wake-up call-Ask yourself how you can be of service in a similar manner to the way you already are yet increase your cash flow. Can you develop products or programs that support and broaden the scope of your work? Can you provide low cost add-ons that can be sold in volume such as special reports, booklets or how-to articles? Ask yourself how your expertise can be packaged and presented so that it reaches a wider audience.

Affirmation: I am well loved and fit in regardless of the amount of money I have.

2. Belief-I am a better person for remaining where I am financially than I would be if I were wealthy.

Are you a spiritual snob? Do you think highly of yourself because you constantly give and never ask for any of the energy you release to return to you? Do you equate poverty with Godliness? Do you criticize others for making money off that which you consider to be God's work?

Everything is an energy exchange. If you deplete yourself you'll be left with nothing to give. Remember to constantly fill yourself first so there's something there within you to share with the world.

Wake-up call-Look for the places where you feel depleted. How and where are you giving of yourself but not getting in return? Why are you doing that? What could or would you accept in return for your efforts and feel good about receiving it?

Affirmation: I love myself no matter what I do or how much money I make. I easily attract and accept as much energy as I give out.

3. Belief-I avoid rejection and failure by staying where I am financially.

Why should I risk what little I do have? Do you fear that if you used your gifts and talents to develop a service or product and nobody wanted to pay you for it, you'd be a failure? If you offered to sell it to someone and they refused it, would you suffer embarrassment and rejection? If you advanced in your chosen field would those left behind dislike you?

Realize that even though you advance financially you don't really leave anybody behind. If people become jealous of your good fortune it is only because they perceive lack within themselves. They need to stop their own patterns of self sabotage.

Wake-up call-The need to be loved and accepted creeps into our financial lives. The intense jealousy of others can keep us in our places. Can you meet your need for acceptance outside of work and choose to advance? Can you rise above the pettiness of the gang mentality and make your mark? Are you willing to love yourself enough to allow yourself to excel?

Affirmation: I am safe and well loved when I advance financially.

4. Belief-I have no control over how much money I make as that's just what they pay for this position.

Do you believe that your salary is limited? Do you believe that the pay scale for your position is the final word? Have you given up your personal power and say in the matter?

Just who created that salary scale and wrote it in stone anyway? Certainly, you know that disparity in compensation exists for people doing the exact same work. The facts are simply hidden.

Wake-up call-Create your way under, over, around and through the maze of perceived limitations. Can the job you do be reclassified so that it fits into a higher pay scale? Can you figure out the structure of the flow of money at work and place yourself in the main stream of it? Can you stand in your own power and determine your own financial wealth?

Affirmation: I stand within my own power and easily attract the salary I desire.

5. Belief-If my financial state tumbles to the ground, I won't have to be responsible for my actions as somebody else will pick the pieces up.

Do you look for ways to avoid dealing with your finances? Do you feel that bankruptcy would be an easy out? Do you avoid learning anything about your money?

Repeatedly dealing with what limited amounts of money we have can become a dreaded activity for it forces us to face up to the fact that our income doesn't allow us to live the lifestyle we'd like to live. Sometimes, we even go without necessities like health insurance in an effort to make ends meet. We avoid dealing with it all together or give it only the briefest attention. It's just too painful.

Wake-up call-When you love your money and take care of it, it will love you back.

Affirmation: I experience great joy in being responsible for my financial actions.

6. Belief-If I remain financially dependent, I won't have to do any work.

Do you choose to remain in a rotten, soulless marriage or job simply because it supports you financially? Would you rather avoid your troubles and have an affair than face your own dependency? Do you secretly enjoy playing the game of appearing as the perfect spouse in the perfect neighborhood with the perfect finances?

If you exist in an unfulfilled state you're living half a life. Wouldn't you rather develop into the person you are truly meant to be even if it involves getting a job than remain dependent?

Wake-up call-If you're focus is on the fa?ade, you'll awaken to find that there's no real substance behind it. You're missing the chance to see what you're made of. Ask yourself what you could contribute to the world and get paid to do. Find out what it is you're good at and go do it. Go back to school; gain the education you might need to get a good job or advance in your field so you can support yourself. Sprout wings with which to fly.

Affirmation: I am financially fulfilled through the expression of my gifts and talents.

7. Belief-I'll be wealthy when lady luck smiles on me.

How often have you said something like this: When I win the lottery, I'll___. When I find a rich husband, I'll ___. When the stock market rises, I'll ___. When I come into that inheritance, I'll ___.

It's true; people do win the lottery, marry up, make money in the stock market and gain wealth when people die. These things really do happen in life and it's OK to consider them. But, when you focus on the whims of lady luck and chance to the exclusion of all else you miss the benefits you could have made had you been taking care of your financial situation all along.

Wake-up call-You might have to wait a very long time for any of these things to occur and time is your greatest ally in financial matters. Take control of your finances now and when you do win the lottery, or marry up or experience any one of a host of lucky events, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Affirmation: I do all I can to take good care of my money now so it can take good care of me later.

If you felt even a twinge of recognition while reading any of these, know that you are not alone. Many people do, but they keep it a secret. Know that you are loved and acknowledged for what you do. You are a good person and no one is blaming you for the financial situation you find yourself in. Use these wake-up calls to look at things in a new way and be encouraged to make positive changes. We're cheering for you.

Copyright 2005, Catherine M. Kasper

See Catherine Kasper's dynamic new book, Angelic Abundance Treasure Maps: Discover the Wealth Within You, at her web site http://www.angelicabundance.com for powerful revelations on wealth and prosperity.
Receive 6 valuable, complimentary BONUSES when you have a delightful, hour long, expert Angel Reading with Catherine and the Angels of Abundance. The schedule for Angel readings fills quickly, so hurry. Click Here Now to schedule an Angel reading.

60 Ways to Increase Your Mail Order Catalog Sales

This article is meant to inform. Please don't construe this as legal advice.

Perfection in a mail order catalog is like infinity...you can
continually approach it but never quite reach it. In the case of
many catalogs it is not necessary to achieve perfection
or even approach it very closely in order to make the catalog
vastly more profitable than it is at present. Relatively small
improvements can result in a more-than-proportionate enlargement
of that all-important figure on the bottom line of the financial
statement.

Making as many improvements as possible as quickly as possible is
probably the most profitable procedure. But even making each new
catalog a little better than the one that preceded it can
produce substantial increases in sales per catalog and in total
sales over a period of time.

Following are 60 suggestions that should help your catalog do a
better selling job for you if you are not already using these
ideas. Whether you use all of them in connection with your next
catalog or adopt a few at a time in the course of producing
several future catalogs, the ultimate result should be very
noticeable and very profitable.

BEFORE YOU CREATE YOUR CATALOG....

1. Look at your present catalog with extremely cold, critical and
unsympathetic eye. Pick out all the faults-large or small-that
you could find if you were no longer the owner of the catalog but
a nitpicking customer who has been disappointed in his or her
last purchase from you and is still sore about it. Such a review
could be very enlightening-even if it should prove slightly
embarrassing-and could make your new catalog much more
profitable.

2. Put your "letterman" on your team. Review all incoming
correspondence from customers and prospects during the last two
years for comments, suggestions or criticisms that may be helpful
in preparing your new catalog. Screen all future correspondence
of this nature as it arrives and place copies of the useful
letters in a special file to be reviewed before starting your
next catalog.

3. Think of your catalog as a means of helping your prospects
accomplish something they want to accomplish or create an effect
they want to create-and prepare your layouts, copy and
illustrations accordingly.

4. For each major type of product you sell, determine as many
reasons as possible why different groups of prospects or
customers do buy or should buy this product. Arrange your groups
of prospects or customers in their orders of importance. For each
group arrange the reasons for buying in order of there
importance. Then arrange the reasons in their order of importance
to your total group of prospects or customers. Use the most
important reason as the basis for the copy and illustrations you
use in this catalog.

If there are significant differences in the primary reasons for
purchasing different types of products, make the presentation for
each specific type of product fit the product of using the same
type of presentation for different types of products...

5. If the preceding reasons indicate that different appeals are
needed for different groups of prospects or customers, change the
wrap-around, letter or introductory page of your catalog to
appeal to different groups, and separate your mailings
accordingly.

6. Plan your catalog completely before you start preparing
layouts and copy.. Use all 60 suggestions in this list as your
guide for your planning..

7. Plan to ring your cash register more often by using approaches
in tune with the times.

8. Plan to attract new customers-reactivate dormant customers-and
get bigger and better orders from present customers by adding new
and excitement and extras pleasure to owning or using the types
of products offered in your catalog.. For example, feature
dramatic new items, unusual items, items that are especially
timely, etc... Include unusual facts of interest about specific
items.

9. Plan to add interest to your catalog-and give it a much longer
life--by including helpful information on how to use, operate and
maintain your products...unusual uses, etc.. This is information
that customers can use to advantage and will want to keep for
future reference, such information also increases customer
confidence in your company which correspondingly increases the
customer's inclination to buy from you.

10.. Determine whether items that were unprofitable or barely
profitable in the present catalog should be promoted more
vigorously in the new catalog or should be dropped and replaced
by new products, Never keep an unprofitable product in your
catalog just because it is one of your favorites. If it doesn't
sell, get rid of it!

11. Give your company a distinctive personality. Promote this
personality in all future catalogs as a means of making your
company not "jut another mail order marketer" but a very special
marketer in the minds of your prospects and customers.

WHEN YOU CREATE YOUR NEW CATALOG...

Use Procedure 12 to 19 to make your prospects want your products:

12. Write your copy to tie in with and stimulate the specific
reasons for buying discussed in the preceding section.

13. Wherever possible show your prospects how your merchandise
can accomplish the results desired by the prospects to a greater
degrees than competitive products-and prove it by citing results
of lab tests, field tests, wards received, other special
recognition- and especially testimonials and case history
stories, preferably with photographs. Give the prospect every
possible incentive to buy from you rather than somebody else.

14. Put special emphasis on your products and/or services which
are exclusive or markedly superior to those of your
competitors-and tell your readers WHY your products and/or
services are superior!

15. Take the prospect "behind the scenes" if practical and show
what you do (especially exclusive or improved procedures) to make
your products better than competitive products.

16. Make the most of new items the first time you offer them;
they are only new once.. Give them every opportunity to succeed
sales wise by giving them preferred position and allowing adequate
space for you to do a proper educational and selling job on them
at the time they are introduced.

17. Assure prospects that is easy to use these products...that
instructions are included with each order (if true) and/or are
available in specific books or magazines (preferably obtainable
from you)...and cite case histories to prove how successful other
customers have been in using them.

18. Tell prospect how to start using your merchandise properly
and what other action should be taken-and when-or state that this
information will be included with the shipment.

19. If your products are bought primarily for pleasure or are
considered a luxury or "non-necessity", help the prospect
rationalize the value of the purchase.

Use Procedures 20 to 26 to make it easy as possible for the
prospect to make an accurate selection of the types of
merchandise and the specific items of each type best suited for
his or her purposes:

20. Group all items of the same type in the same section of your
catalog.

21. Arrange the groups of items in their present or potential
order of importance to you profit wise. Put the most important
group at the front of your catalog and the least important near
the end of your catalog (but not on the last three pages).

22. Within each group , arrange the individual items in
descending order of quality, price, popularity or promotional
possibilities.

Give the most important items the most valuable positions and
extra space for copy and illustrations. Allocate positions and
space to the other items in the order of their importance.

23. If practicable, use the Sears system of offering the same
type of item in three different qualities-- GOOD, BETTER and
BEST- with different price ranges to match the differences in
quality. Usually it is more effective to talk about the BEST
quality first and the GOOD quality last.

24. Use COMMON copy to present features or qualities that are the
same for all or most items of the same type.

25. Use INDIVIDUAL copy to talk about the features or qualities
that make each specific item different from all or most of the
other specific items in the group.

26. In preparing the INDIVIDUAL copy above, use "parallel
construction" to help the prospect make a point-by-point
comparison of the specific items as quickly, easily and
accurately as possible.

Once the prospects have selected the merchandise they wish to
buy, make it as easy as possible for them to order Procedures
27-31

27. Be sure your ordering information is easy to understand.

28.. Make your order form easy to use, with adequate space to
write the necessary information.

29. Put in one or more extra order forms to make it easier for
customers to order again..

30. Encourage prospects to order by phone on credit, charge or
c.o.d. sales and encourages them to telephone for further
information they may desire.

31. Offer a 24-hour phone-in service through an arrangement with
a local telephone answering service that can answer your phone
during the hours that your business is not normally open.. This
is especially convenient for the customer who shops in your
catalog during evening or weekend hours.

Make it as easy as possible for customers to pay for their orders
Procedures 32 and 33
Offer credit card service on orders for a specified amount or
more.. By putting a minimum on credit card orders you will often
increase the original order to at least that minimum amount.
Credit card orders tend to be nearly double the size of cash
orders.

33. Make it easy to determine shipping charges so they can be
included in cash-with-order payments.
Use order starters and sales stimulators such as 34 to 42

34. Use a wrap-around letter on the front of your catalog to
stimulate ,ore orders and to do a selling job on the merchandise
in the catalog; also to make special appeals to special groups or
call attention to merchandise in the catalog of special interest
to special groups.

35. Use the wrap-around to offer order starters (loss leaders or
hot items to get prospects in to the catalog).

36. Offer specials at intervals throughout the catalog to entice
readers to start an order. Once they buy even one lonely item
they'll tend to order other items to go with it.

37. Offer logical assortments of mixed or matched seasonal items
to provide extra variety and pleasure at any given period of
time. Make suggestions for these assortments and provide
inducements for prospects to order them.

38. Offer assortments of mixed or matched items designed for use
during different seasons in order to provide variety and pleasure
throughout the year (or most of it) instead of during just one
season.

39. Offer a free guide or plan for using each assortment above
correctly and offer information on how to make the most effective
overall use of the assortments.

40. Offer a gift or discount for orders of certain sizes and use
a stair step graduated approach to increase the value of these
discounts or gifts as the size of the order increases.

41. Offer a gift shipping with gift cards.

42. Provide extra services such as "Seeker Service" for items not
listed in the catalog. Through extra service techniques you will
make your customers more dependent on the information you provide
and they will become more dedicated customers.

Stimulate promptness in ordering Procedures 43 and 44

43. Use action incentives to spark early orders, such as premiums
for ordering by a specified date; special offers for a limited
time only; etc. When a time limit is involved, send a reminder
(letter, promotional mailing, second catalog, etc) timed to
arrive two weeks ahead of expiration date (as nearly as you can
time it with current third class mail service).

44. Mention frequently and prominently in your catalog that
anyone who orders merchandise from this catalog will
automatically receive the next catalog free. If you wish, this
offer can be modified to require the purchase of a specified
amount during the life of the catalog or by a specified date.

Other suggestions Procedures 45 to 53

45. Use the back cover of your catalog for special offers; also
the inside front and back covers and the pages facing the inside
covers.

46. Use teaser copy and cross-references throughout the catalog
to entice readers (into other sections. This can be especially
effective when related accessory items are sold.

47. Concentrate service information on a Service Page; locate it
on a page conveniently adjacent to the order form; and use
frequent cross-references to this page throughout the catalog to
stimulate extra page traffic.

48. Humanize yourself and your catalog by making it seem like the
catalog came from helpful, friendly people. If your business is
truly a "family business", don't hide that fact.

49. Watch your language! Avoid using technical "industry or
business jargon" in your selling and service copy; keep legal
phraseology to the absolute minimum in your guarantee.

50. Make your entire catalog harmonious in layout and copy style
but not monotonous. Include enough variety to keep the reader
interested instead of becoming bored.

51. Give your catalog a longer life by emphasizing the length of
time that you will be able to ship from it and suggesting that
readers keep the catalog for future reference.

52. Ask for referrals from your satisfied customers; also names
of friends who might like to receive a copy of the catalog.
Consider testing the "cluster concept" that neighbors are very
similar and mail to your customer's next-door neighbors.

53. Sell subscriptions to your catalog by providing a location on

the catalog for readers to remit 50 cents for a "full years
subscription to your catalog." You can also suggest that they
give a "gift subscription" to a friend very inexpensively (and
thus pay for the catalog you mail to the referral).

AFTER YOU CREATE YOUR NEW CATALOG...

54. Use the basic or major catalog to establish the value and
regular price of the merchandise. Use other, smaller catalogs or
solo mailings to promote sales from the major catalog or to
provide special reasons for buying (reduced prices on individual
items or special assortments, closeout, etc).

55. Ask the recipient to pass the catalog along to an interested
friend if the recipient already has a copy or is no longer
interested in this type of merchandise.

56. Re-mail the same catalog to your better customers 3 to 5
weeks after you mail it the first time.

57. Prepare an alternate cover for the catalog and mail the same
catalog to your entire list several weeks later. You'll find it
will do just about as well as the first mailing did.

58. Mail to your BETTER CUSTOMERS monthly, featuring items
carried in the catalog- don't rely solely on the
once-or-twice-a-year catalog.

59. Use your catalog as a package stuffer-enclose one with every
order you ship. Your best prospect is the person who just placed
an order with you and received prompt and safe delivery of the
items ordered.

60. Be prompt in acknowledging orders (with thanks), answering
inquiries, shipping merchandise and making refunds or exchanges
if necessary. Remember the old adage of that great retailer
Marshall Field, "the customer is always right." Less than 2% of
the population will intentionally try to take advantage of you
and the other 98% are well worth cultivating.

...And just as every good mail order catalog has something extra
thrown in for good measure make the customer happier...here's an
extra tip for good measure!

61. If you receive a change-of-address notice from one of your
customers, immediately mail a copy of your catalog addressed to
"The New Residents at (the former address of the customer)"
because the new residents probably has tastes and interests very
similar to those of your customer-after all, he bought the same
house! To give this mailing added power, you might tip a note
onto the front cover of the book stating that "the Smiths used
our catalog regularly, maybe you'll find it equally useful."

Copyright 2004 DeAnna Spencer
This article may be distributed freely on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact.

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Subscribers get one free ad per week.
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To thank the publishers/webmasters that use my article, I offer
one free solo ad. Simply fill out the contact form on my contact
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ezine it was used in. Once I confirm the location of the article,
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Publicizing Your Company

Got a huge need for publicity and a tiny publicity budget? You don't need to have a Madison Avenue-sized advertising budget to make your name known.

Here are five ideas to help you promote your company:

1. Write a column. Go to a local paper, no matter how small, and offer to write a column on your area of expertise or on business in general. Don't ask to be paid for it, and promise not to promote your company. You won't need to-your byline, words (and maybe even photograph) will do that.

2. Speak up. Make yourself available to talk to every civic, business and educational group that will have you. Stress your expertise, and, as with the column, never try to sell anything-except your reputation as a knowledgeable, trustworthy professional.

3. Write notes. Include a one- or two-line personal message with every piece of literature you send out. You can even write it on the material. This tactic helps customers see the person behind the company.

4. Be a joiner. Get involved in trade associations. You may spend a lot of time with competitors, but it's a way to let people know you're out there, and it will offer you opportunities to sell. In addition, be sure to join networking groups, and local community groups.

5. Be a sponsor. A few hundred dollars gets your company name on Little League caps; a little more, perhaps an ad at a roller rink. Donate money or materials to the local parade or a float. This buys goodwill and is great self-promotion.

So start revving up your publicity campaign today!

Copyright 2004 DeFiore Enterprises

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

The Muffed Dance

Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up to her older sister, the dancer, in a big way. Sara was 4 years older and was excelling in ballet, tap and jazz.

So we enrolled Teri in the same dance school and she really seemed to enjoy the lessons and her new friends. She was now, of course, a dancer, like her sister. And Teri very much looked forward to the climax of her first dance season, the year-end dance recital this school put on.

If you've ever been a dance parent, you of course realize that the obligation is quite large. Aside from the weekly lessons, scheduled on different days in our case, there is the extra investment of time and money preparing for the 'big event' - extra lessons and rehearsals, fittings for the completely different head-to-toe costume required for each dance number and a parents meeting for each dancer to make sure everyone was on the same stage come recital night. Baseball parents have it easy!

As fate would have it, Teri had surgery to lengthen her heel cord a few weeks prior to her dancing debut. But that didn't stop her from lugging around the heavy cast trying keep up with the other performers. That's my girl!

The big night arrives and in a flurry of hurried activity, we deliver our girls backstage complete with special hair do's and a full coat of stage war paint and we take our seats in the auditorium.

The place darkens, the curtain rises and the show begins with the performances of some of the advanced students. They beam with pride showing off the stuff they had worked so hard on all year long. Two of Sara's dances were slated and as always, she didn't miss a step.

Then, to the "ahhhh, aren't they cute"'s of the packed house, the curtain lifts to reveal Teri's class of little tykes all in a line looking nervously around under the bright lights. At one end of the line was Teri, with her bulky cast in plain view and her hands tucked in the white muff in the starting position for "the Muff Dance."

The moment arrived and music started. Teri didn't. She just stood there, still as a statue, while her friends slipped into their well- rehearsed routine.

Was she nervous? Did she forget her steps? Did her foot hurt?

Then, as if on cue, she gracefully took her left hand out of the muff and raised it to her face, inserted her index finger into her nostril and with the precision of a Texas oil driller, began a full-scale exploration of the orifice that seemingly wouldn't conclude until she hit paydirt! That's my girl!

Needless to say, the place erupted into hysterical laughter that overrode the loud music. I began to slither down in my seat trying not to be among the majority who were splitting a gut at the spectacle and add to the embarrassment that Teri must have been beginning to feel.

Suddenly, as if it finally registered that the non-relenting roar of laughter was directed at her, she ran off the stage. I was already hustling out of the theatre to the backstage area in anticipation of having to do some creative parenting and intense consolation.

With a lot of tear drying and a little coaxing I managed to convince my little dancer to "get on with the show", where she performed the rest of her numbers, without using her fingers.

The next year, she played tee ball.

? Rick Beneteau

Rick is co-creator of the breakthrough Make Every Day A Great Day Program. Read the powerful, life-changing testimonials and discover how this revolutionary product can dramatically change Your Life too!: http://www.MakeEveryDayAGreatDay.com/yes

Medical Tourism Opportunities in India

More and more people have started travelling to India for Medical Treatment and during the past year alone, over 150000 people travelled to India for their medical requirements. Medical Tourism is finally coming of age.

India boasts of several good private owned hospitals with facilities second to none. They have some of the best doctors, with most top end being educated in USA and UK. When it comes to becoming a doctor, India also has some of the stringest criteria. Language is another plus factor - English, which is widely spoken throughout the country and in all good hospitals. Furthermore, the costs are much lower than most countries and most importantly, there are no waiting lists. With all the media hype about medical tourism, most hospitals have geared themselves up for medical tourists from abroad.

Medical Tourism companies in India such as Health Line - http://www.indiamedicaltourism.net have introduced several packages for patients travelling to India which include holidays and hotel stays during their travel apart from other basic requirements such as airport pickup, meetings with doctors post and pre-surgery etc. Such packages make it convenient for the patient to have peace of mind during travel without the tension of what to do next.

For all those still hesitant to travel abroad for treatment, try getting a package deal with a company such as Health Line and you will get an idea of how much you can save. No coss are incurred for getting a quote or medical advise over email. Doctors are very willing to help patients abroad feel comfortable and will be more than happy to respond to your queries through such medical tourism companies.

With the introduction of the medical visa, it will now be easier than ever to travel to India. If your treatment requires an extension, the medical visa can be extended without any problem. Ending on one final note, do not forget to include your medical reports before travelling to India.

Nakul Jain is a Medical Tourism Advisor for patients travelling to India. Contact him at his site - Medical Tourism in India from USA

No Faxing Hassle-Free Payday Loans Can Be Yours

No faxing payday loans are the wave of the future. There are so many no faxing payday loans available to the average consumer, even if they have poor or no credit. No faxing payday loans take some of the hassle out of getting fast cash. No faxing payday loans obviously do not require faxing of any type. No faxing payday loans simply require an in person meeting, or a computer and modem.

Typical no faxing payday loans simply request that you email, call or speak in person about your financial needs. Sometimes no faxing payday loans request your social security number and a personal check that the no faxing payday loans company will hold onto in exchange for giving you cash. Make sure that your no faxing payday loans company does not charge too much interest for you to handle.

No faxing payday loans can really save you time and energy. The no faxing payday loans transaction can take less than an afternoon. You will usually get your no faxing payday loans the next day, if it even takes that long. When you're really in dire straits, no faxing payday loans can set you back on track. It's better if you use no faxing payday loans infrequently, though. If you find yourself relying on no faxing payday loans on a regular basis, you might consider reading a book on budgeting your time and money better.

There are many alternatives that can help you. For example, to avoid using too many no faxing payday loans, consider setting up a 401(k) savings account at your place of employment. Many employers will match your funds. Also you could avoid loans altogether by asking your boss to withhold a certain small percentage of each paycheck for you. That way you'll never have to think of doing it for yourself, and you may not even miss the money when you can't notice it is being withheld. Best of luck.

Tim Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com an online website that offers money saving rates on auto, home, bad credit, no faxing pay day loans and other free loan information that you can view in the privacy of your own home.

Making the Most of Your Peak and Off-peak Times

What is the most essential part of your business? You are!

As small business owners, we think we should be working on our business 24 hours a day. Breaks and quiet time are an increasingly rare event. When that happens, you might want to ask yourself:

• Where does sleep rank in my priorities?
• Am I irritable?
• Is it difficult for me to concentrate on one task?
• How could this affect my success for the next day's activities?

I've recently met business owners that could really benefit from a good night's sleep. It's very easy to notice the signs: tired-looking, nervous, unsure, unable to concentrate, and lacking motivation. All can be very critical to the success of your business.

There are many challenges to maintaining a consistent sleeping schedule. When I first started my business, sleeping was something that got in the way of what I wanted to do. Focusing on my business often meant late nights brainstorming, researching, and working. I'm sure you can relate.

Today, things are very different. I've found a happy medium that allows me to focus on work and stagger my business-related activities as the day progresses. The first half of the day is 100% devoted to work-related activities; the second half of the day fades into downtime activities. This schedule allows me to relax and prepare for a good night's sleep as well as the next day's tasks. I can get to sleep and stay asleep the entire night.

We all sleep more than a third of our lives away. Sleep can solve many health problems. So, why not empower your business by figuring out your work and sleep patterns? With a little time and effort, you will not only outshine the competition, but also add more years to your life.

Resources on getting a good night's sleep:

• http://www.journalsleep.org/
• http://www.aasmnet.org/
• http://www.shuteye.com/sleeploss.asp

Brett Johnson co-owns Data-Scribe(tm) along with his wife, Leila Johnson. The New Mexico-based firm empowers Micro-Businesses through technology, the written word & training. To get more tips like this, visit their Micro-Business E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz.

Sunglasses Options are Plentiful

Protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays is very important if you are spending any time outdoors. Even days that are hazy or dull require protection for our eyes. Here are a few considerations.

Sunglasses come in a bewildering array of choices; never have there been so many options to select from. With all the variety you'll want to know ahead of time what the differences are between tinted, reflective, photochromic and polarizing lenses. Of course the style of frame and size of lenses will be obvious differences when shopping for sunglasses. It will also be important to know exactly what purpose you'll be using your sunglasses.

Sunglasses allow for us to see easier in the bright light. Some glasses protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays while reducing glare and giving protection from physical damage that may be caused to the eyes. Everyone is at risk for sun related eye problems. People who spend long hours in the sun during work or outdoor activity are at higher risk, than someone who is working indoors all day long. Other people may be at higher risk of eye damage if they are on certain medications such as; tetracycline, birth control pills, diuretics and sulfa drugs.

Ultraviolet light can damage both the cornea and retina, so with a good pair of sunglasses the UV can be eliminated from entering the eye completely. Whatever sunglasses you select they should provide the most possible UV protection possible. It's good to find a pair of glasses that block the sun from all angles, best achieved with a large framed pair that wrap around the face. Purchase sunglasses that block both the UVA and UVB rays, your lenses should indicate this when buying them, if they don't specify what protection is offered it is best not to buy them. On top of wearing sunglasses it is a good idea to wear a wide brimmed hat.

Manufacturers use different colors of tints to produce specific results for a variety of sunglasses needs. The color of the tint will determine the parts of the light spectrum that will be completely absorbed by the sunglasses. Yellow or gold tints reduce there opposite color, which is blue while allowing other lights to pass through. Blue lights tend to create a glare otherwise known as blue haze. Gray tints are generally used as an all- purpose tints reducing the overall brightness with the least amount of color distortion. The gray lenses are a good lens for general use and driving. Brownish and amber tints are another example of good all-purpose glasses. They reduce glare, absorbing blue and UV rays. Blue and violet have been shown to contribute to cataract formation. Purple and rose tints are great choices for water sports or golfing as they offer contrast of objects against a blue or green background. Green tints are another popular option as they absorb some blue light while reducing glare.

To recognize a pair of reflective sunglasses they will be the pair with the mirrored look. Reflective sunglasses use a reflective coating called a half-silvered surface as it is applied in a very sparse, thin layer. The reason the process is called half-silvered is because the reflective molecules applied over the glass is distributed evenly but only half the glass is covered because of the speckled process. Thus the surface will reflect only about half the light striking the surface, letting the other half go through the glasses. Many styles of mirrored glasses come in gradient forms that have additional protection on the top part of the glasses with less protection at the bottom of the lenses. Mirrored sunglasses are unfortunately easily scratched so extra caution must be used to keep them protected.

Both sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses that darken when exposed to the sun are known as photochromic (or photochromatic) sunglasses. The special lenses work by using a chemical reaction with the UV radiation. The lenses have millions of molecules of substances such as silver halide or silver chloride. When the lenses are exposed to UV rays from the sunlight, the molecules embedded in the lenses undergo a chemical reaction causing them to absorb light thus darkening.

Without the UV light, the lenses go back to their original state, it should be noted that the lenses would not darken in the car as the windshield block out most of the ultraviolet light. Most of the photochromic lenses do however have a bit of tint included in them, so they will still work while driving.

It helps to know a bit about polarization to understand why polarized sunglasses work. Polarization happens when radiation, especially light through being transmitted, scattered, refracted or reflected is restricted to vibrate in only one particular direction, it can occur both naturally and artificially. An example of natural polarization is when you look at the ocean or a lake, the glare off the surface is a result of the light that did not make it through the filter of water, therefore you cannot see below the surface. What polarized lenses does is allows the vertically polarized light to enter from most horizontal surfaces such as highways and water. A good test to see whether sunglasses are polarized or not is to find a reflective surface and with the glasses in front of the surface you want to view, slowly rotate the glasses checking to see if the glare diminishes, if it does the glasses are polarized. Photographers often use special polarized lenses atop their ordinary lenses to avoid unnecessary glare from surfaces.

There are a few extra features of sunglasses that will add to the quality of your lenses. Scratch-resistant coating is achieved by applying a thin durable film on the surface of the lenses; this extends the life and safety of your glasses, as it's almost impossible to wear a pair of glasses with a scratch on them while trying to see properly. Anti-reflective coating reduces what is known as back-glare, a result of light hitting the back of the sunglasses and bouncing into the eyes. Lastly the most popular coating is the ultraviolet or UV coating. Some of the most serious of eye problems can be linked to UV light, both UVA and UVB. A good UV coating on your sunglasses will eliminate UV radiation, it is important to check that your glasses filter out one hundred percent of both UVA and UVB, there should be a label on your sunglasses stating this information.

Sunglasses come in a myriad of design, color choices and styles. Popular designers offer glasses in prescription, men's, women's, sports and junior varieties. A suggestion when purchasing sunglasses is to try and select a pair that blocks the light from all angles, preferably one that wraps all the way around the face, this is if you want the ultimate eye protection. Of course with all the choices available you'll most importantly select sunglasses that block both the UVA and UVB radiation in a style that provides comfort and the right fit.

Whatever sunglasses you decide on wearing you will feel safer knowing you are eliminating harmful rays from entering you're eyes. By properly taking care of your eyes you can hopefully avoid problems such as cataracts, cancer of the eye or photokeratitis (sunburn of the retina) and macular degeneration, (which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65). Paying a little extra for a pair of sunglasses with one hundred percent protection is a smart investment.

Valerie Giles owns and operates Best Sunglasses Online, a sunglasses site showcasing an extensive selection of discount sunglasses, designer sunglasses, aviator sunglasses and prescription sunglasses. Find all the top name brands. http://www.best-sunglasses-online.com

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10 Tips To Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Imagine opening your credit card statement one morning and discovering to your horror that you suddenly owe thousands of dollars - on purchases that you never made.

Impossible?

Credit card fraud on the rise, so you need to treat your card and its information with extreme care.

Here are 10 tips to help insure you're not the victim of thieves and fraudsters:

1. Sign new and replacement cards immediately.

2. Destroy the old cards by cutting them into pieces and shred all old receipts and bills.

3. Don't fax your credit-card number, if possible. Remember, the faxed document could remain in sight at the other end for long periods of time.

4. Don't give your card number over the phone unless you have initiated the call.

5. Destroy any carbon paper if it's used as part of the credit card transaction. Somebody can grab it and forge your signature.

6. Don't respond to any "scam" e-mails requesting your credit card number.

7. Never send your credit card number in an e-mail to anyone!

8. A good option for discouraging theft is to choose a credit card that includes your photo and signature on the card.

9. If you have questions about mistakes or unauthorized items on your statement, you have the right to challenge them.

10. If your card is lost, stolen, or you suspect fraudulent use, call your company's 24-hour hotline immediately to prevent your card from being used as little as possible. The company will block its use, and you won't be responsible for any charges made by thieves.

You'll never deter fraudsters completely. But you can certainly make life as difficult as possible for them.

About The Author

Paul Davis is financial writer and contributor to 'Debt Elimination 4U'. Visit the site now and learn how to get out of debt forever: http://Debt-Elimination-4U.com