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The Top Sellers On eBay & What We Can Learn From Them

2011-07-21T20:02:00.001-07:00

A fascinating eBay case study is the number one seller on eBay' a little outfit called Marie's CDs' but is better known under its old name "1 Cent CD." Jay and Marie' current ID "jayandmarie"' are an institution on eBay and are a big part of what makes eBay such an amazingly popular phenomenon.

This little company is literally an eBay dream come true. They started small out of their home in California in 1999 and began growing quickly. To date they have completed over 1 million auctions on eBay and have a feedback rating of 177'018 with 99% satisfaction from their customers!

When I say grow' I mean it in a Jack and the Beanstalk kind of way. Their business started out as a little fly-by-night outfit and has now sold over 1 million dollars (yep' that's $1'000'000) annually for the past three years? Let me repeat that: over a million dollars in sales each year for three years running! Now THAT is growth!

They employ several people' have three small buildings in southern California' and ship items all over the world (mainly CDs). They got their fame from their auctions for CDs that start at only a penny?

What can we learn from this fascinating case study? What do Jay and Marie actually do?

Well' for one thing' they have huge numbers of auctions. Today' they have 83 pages of auctions listed. eBay lists 50 auctions to a page' so that is over 4'000 auctions.

Secondly' they offer great value' because their CDs begin at one cent. Yes' all of them.

None of their auctions has a reserve. Does it pay off? You betchum! Today' looking through 4 pages of eBay auctions' only 3 of them had no bids - so far.

And' naturally' their great feedback and reputation work heavily in their favor. After all' how many eBay sellers have 177'000+ feedback points with over half a million transactions completed.

This case study shows all of us how smart marketing and a great business model can pay off on eBay - and ecommerce' in general.

Sydney Johnston' the AUCTION QUEEN' was one of the original sellers on eBay and has been selling on eBay since the winter of 1996. She is the originator and teacher of the famous Auction Genius Course' a powerful 16 hour multi media seminar on the Internet that teaches her students how to sell on ebay.

What Ebay Can Teach Us About Success

2011-03-03T18:52:00.001-08:00

I flew back to New York from Atlanta a few weeks ago and picked up 'Business 2.0' magazine for the flight.

It was an excellent issue' but something so grabbed my attention that I ripped out the page because I wanted to share it with you.

As many of you know' I used to be the 'King of Procrastination and being scattered'. That was me for about 7-8 years.

Those were tough times.

You see' because of those years where I was 'all over the place'' I'm so commited right now to being focused and helping others become more focused.

To me' 'Whoever has the strongest focus wins.'

Focus is everything.

So' I'm reading the magazine and there's an interview with Meg Whitman' the CEO of EBay' about growing a business.

Because I admire successful businesses and people' I digged in and started to read.

Here's what really caught my attention and I wanted you to read this also:

Question to Meg Whitman:

"eBay is an amazing growth machine. What were the key decisions you made that set up the company for this kind of hyperthyroidism?"

CEO of eBay' Meg Whitman:

"The key decisions can all be characterized by focus' focus' focus. Back in March 1998' we were faced with a decision on what categories we wanted to focus on.

We decided to really be a collectibles company The heaviest users were collectors' the heaviest sellers were collectors. It was a very explicit strategic decision' because part of the group wanted to go into consumer electronics and all of these categories we are in today."

And we answered' "We have only a limited number of resources. What is the best focus that we can have?"

End.

Wow.

Focus' focus' focus.

My whole financial life changed when I started to FOCUS.

Read the last sentence that Meg Whitman said above.

Ask yourself it this way:

"I only have a limited number of resources. What is the best focus I can have?"

Meg Whitman is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. What do Meg' Tiger' Oprah' and Stephen Spielberg all know?

You need to FIND YOUR FOCUS and TAKE ACTION.

eBay's now one of the most successful companies in the world.

Let's ignite your success today.

You in?

Talk to you soon.

Mike Litman www.mikelitman.com
www.greatnessheldhostage.com

Mike Litman is the co-author of the #1 Best-selling book Conversations with Millionaires. Over the last 3 years' Mike has unleashed the greatness of tens of thousands of people worldwide. Networking Times Magazine called Mike Litman 'a modern day Napoleon Hill' and at the age of 30 he's already shared the stage with well-known speakers such as Mark Victor Hansen and Bob Proctor.

Join the Home-Based Business Revolution

2010-11-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

Greetings' Friend.

So you've decided to go into business. Great. Now what?

If you're like most new internet' home-based entrepreneurs' you have no idea. Let not your heart be troubled!

There are many ways to run a home-based business on the internet' none of which are easy. Don't be fooled - there is a lot of hype out there' and those "overnight success" promises you'll find that are so prevalent on the internet these days are' in fact' to good to be true. I know' because I tried many of them. But did I give up? No' I didn't - because I knew that I was on the right track and that if I just kept working at it and kept learning and growing' I would eventually start to reap the benefits of my labor.

So' what are the right ways to do business on the internet? Follow these simple' straightforward principles and you'll be on road to success:

- Don't try to rip people off. People aren't stupid. You may see some short-term success' but if you're not offering a quality product at a good value' regardless of price' the word will get out' and your reputation will be ruined.

- Offer information. Think about it - what do you get on the internet for? When you go to Google or Yahoo' what are you looking for? Donuts? Well' maybe' but most likely it's information. (Maybe it's information about donuts). The point is that people are looking for information' and most people are willing to pay for it if they see a value in doing so.

- Use eBay. If Mohammed can't bring the mountain to him' he must go to the mountain. Did you know that eBay is the #16 site on the web in terms of traffic according to Alexa? That's huge! Sell on eBay to make money and use your auction traffic to drive traffic to your sites where you sell more.

- Start slowly and keep working at it. It's easy to get discouraged. When I started' I had a nonexistent marketing budget' and it's pretty hard to get started with nothing. In the beginning' I just read a lot of information and tried things that made sense. Most of my attempts failed' but eventually - surprise! - I got a sale. And then I got another sale. It was a start' and I kept working at it' and I still am.

These simple ideas for getting started will help you avoid the pitfalls and learn to do business on the internet properly. Don't be afraid to try things or to purchase information yourself' if it is good information. Sometimes the only way to make progress is to invest in it' and even though I had practically no money to start out with' I slowly bought things the things I needed along the way' and eventually things started happening.

Selling on eBay is a great way to jump-start your business' regardless of whether you intend to be an eBay seller long-term. The quickest way to get started is to affiliate with companies who will drop ship products for you. You make the sale' then use the proceeds to order the product from your supplier' and they ship the product to your customer' either under your name or in a plain box with a generic packing slip. You support your customer from the sale through fulfillment and handle any questions' problems or returns. The personal attention you provide is a value to your customer' which will help build your reputation.

Visit www.realdropshippers.com for more advice and articles on dropshipping and internet small business and resources to help you get started with selling on eBay.

Here's to your success!

Paul Brown
http://www.realdropshippers.com
paul@realdropshippers.com

Paul Brown is a self-made internet entrepreneur. Relatively new to the internet home-based business world' he has grown his business endeavors through hard work and dedication' attention to detail' and professionalism.

Ego or Higher Self: Whos Behind Your Decisions?

2010-10-31T20:00:00.001-07:00

When you make a decision' you hope it is ultimately one that supports your highest interests and that leads you toward greater joy' so it is important to consider what part of you is offering you your options' so you can make your choice based on sound advice and come to a conclusion that takes you in the direction you want to go! There are two primary sources of input in any such decision-making process: your "Higher Self" and your ego.

Your Higher Self operates from the place of all knowing' because it is perfectly interfaced with Source' the font of wisdom and repository of all knowledge. Your ego' however' operates from finite information' gathering its data from the world it can observe and measure-it doesn't have access to the repository of all knowledge because it is a maverick entity who has chosen to be separate' and operate without full interface with Source.

Your Higher Self always has your role as an integral part of the Whole of Creation in mind' and guides you to your highest possibilities based on that. Your ego sees you as a stand-alone entity and thus sees everything in those terms. Because you truly are fully woven into the fabric of Creation' anything that affects you affects everything else' and anything that affects everything else' affects you. Your Higher Self also has the advantage of not being time-bound-it can see the past' present and future all at once. Your ego can only remember the past and guess about the future. When you're making a decision that you want to serve you going forward' being advised by an entity that can see the future is a distinct advantage!

The decisions your Higher Self steers you toward are always going to lead you in the direction of more Love' greater harmony' authentic ease' and true joy. Though the ego promises these desirable things' it simply cannot deliver them. It is not equipped to. It is important to recognize that your ego is the puppet of the reptilian brain' the reactive don't-think-just-do-it part of you that is in charge of physical survival. It doesn't need a long view-its job is to protect your physical body at the moment of threat. The ego' as the psychological overlay for the reptilian brain' is equally short-sighted' territorial' greedy' fearful' and status-motivated' though it masquerades as being able to offer you all that your Higher Self does. If authentic ease' joy' harmony and Love are what you would like to move toward' gravitating to the beckoning of the fearful ego will not get you there!

So how do you differentiate between these two sources of input as you contemplate a decision? Pay attention to your thoughts. If they are fear-motivated' it's your ego. If they are greedy' it's your ego. If they are status-oriented' its your ego. If they are territorial' it's your ego. But if they are fearless' expansive' generous' compassionate' inclusive and harmonious' they are Higher Self-driven.

An example: Let's say you are making a career choice' and you have the chance to take a job where you can do what you truly love and make a moderate salary; and you have another opportunity to do something you are pretty good at (but don't particularly like)' and make a huge salary' which appeals to you because you'd like to buy a fancy house and you need the money to fund your retirement. Your short-sighted' survival-oriented ego mind will be lobbying for the big salary' not-very-enjoyable job. Your Higher Self will likely be prompting you toward the job you would love doing' but with a lower salary. Is this because your Higher Self is just a sentimental' impractical softy as your ego may want you to believe? No. Your Higher Self can see things that the ego cannot. All kinds of things could be wrong with the ego's choice' because the ego can't see past the immediate lure of status and security. But the Higher Self is not deceived by appearances' and can steer you in the direction of what is smartest for you over all' and what will lead you toward the greatest joy' ease' and harmony. Besides' doing what you love may just lead to an opportunity to make even more money than you could in the other job' and even if not' it will most definitely offer you the deep fulfillment that only being aligned with your purpose can. The Higher Self would know that-the ego would not.

Wouldn't you rather have an advisor that is all-wise' with your highest interests in mind' than one that is reactive' misguided' short-sighted' and without a clue what's right for you in the big picture? Your Higher Self is the one to turn to when there's a decision to be made.

(c);2005 Julia Rogers Hamrick

Julia Rogers Hamrick has been a spiritual-growth facilitator for over two decades' and is the author of Recreating Eden: The Exquisitely Simple' Divinely Ordained Plan for Transforming Your Life and Your Planet. Julia writes about and leads seminars on Spirit' ego' proactive joy' and the relationship between frequency and experience. For more information on Julia and on recreating Eden' visit http://www.recreating-eden.com To read about Julia's own dance with Spirit' ego' and frequency' read Julia's blog' accessible from her website.

4 Simple Steps To The Good Life

2010-10-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

If you want to create the good life -- a life filled with more achievement' prosperity and happiness than you could now imagine -- all you really need to do is faithfully follow four simple steps. Really.

By following these four incredibly powerful steps' you'll be able to create and attract whatever the "good life" means to you' be it optimum health' vast wealth or greater overall happiness.

Are you ready?

1. Define and Clarify Your Vision

Step one is simply to write down everything you would really love to have in your ideal "good life". Yes' write it all down and let your imagination flow. Ask yourself: "If I had all the time' money and resources and I could be or have anything at all in life' what would bring me the most happiness?

Think on paper. Develop a vivid and detailed description of what the good life would look like for you and put it down in writing.

Put a date at the very top of the page that's 2 or 3 years out in the future' but otherwise write out your good life description in the present tense' first person. Presume that it is guaranteed to happen but only if you could be crystal clear about exactly what you want and what the good life would look like for you.

Clarity is essential. You can't hit a fuzzy target or one you can't see.

2. Visualize and Feel It as Real

Here's step two. In your mind' project forward 2 or 3 years and create a clear mental image of what the good life looks like for you. Imagine the kind of life that would be ideal for you in every way. Visualize the end-result (and only the end-result) in your mind's eye. Get a clear mental picture of it.

Here's the key: As you visualize' enjoy the feelings you would have if you were already living and experiencing the good life right now. How would it feel? Feel your intention as if it's already been achieved.

As you visualize your ideal end-result you should literally be smiling as you relish the intense happiness generated by this 'virtual experience'. It should feel like you are radiating bliss from every cell of your being each time you close your eyes and visualize.

Spend five to ten minutes of quiet time every day visualizing your good life and feeling the happiness associated with it. First thing in the morning and last thing at night is ideal. Consistency and repetition gives this process amazing creative power.

3. Ask "HOW?"

Once you have a crystal clear vision of what the good life looks and feels like' continually ask yourself' in an open- minded state of wonder: "OK' now how can I achieve this?"

Think of this as an open-ended question to the universe.

Do not dwell on or worry about the fact that you don't know all the answers to this question. That's absolutely OK.

In fact' it's not your job to know all (or even any of) the "how's" at this point. It's much more important for you to clearly define your target. That is' to clearly define and describe the good life in your mind's eye in every detail and continually immerse yourself in the happiness it generates for you.

So just keep asking yourself "how" and be open to whatever insights and intuitive nudges you receive. Doing this will allow you to tap into your unlimited creative resources. The more you do this' the more insights' ideas and inspiration you will get to move you forward toward the good life you've envisioned.

4. Follow Through With Inspired Action

This is the action step. Trust and allow yourself to be guided by the insights' ideas and inspirations you receive. Resist the ego-driven urge to force things to happen. Instead' begin taking 'inspired action' to make your vision of the good life a reality.

What this means is you should do whatever you feel nudged internally to do -- and do it immediately.

So there you have it. You have learned in a few short paragraphs an awesome creative process that will literally magnetize you to whatever vision of the good life you've clearly defined. You'll be drawn to it and it will be drawn to you.

If you follow these four steps' you will literally begin to attract into your life the ideas' plans' contacts' resources and opportunities (many of them unforeseeable at the outset) you need to manifest your vision of the good life into reality.

And don't be fooled by the apparent simplicity of this process. The truth is always simple. It's our ego that loves to needlessly complicate things.

There's one caveat' however. Clearly defining your vision of the good life may take some time. That's perfectly natural. You need to figure out what the good life really means to you -- what it would entail' and what it would look' feel and taste like. So do take the time you need to get it perfect in every sensory detail.

Your vision of the good life has to be a 'perfect 10.' Once you've got that down' though' I challenge you to do steps 2 to 4 of the process daily for 30 consecutive days' without fail.

Then be sure to let me know the amazing things that happen next :-)

Dimitri Mastrocola is the founder of SuccessCounsel.com' a premier self improvement resource. For a free copy of his special report "16 Secrets to Creating a Super Successful Life'" visit his personal development website.

Looking to Where the Grass is Greener?

2010-10-23T20:00:00.001-07:00

I've written this article specifically for individuals contemplating change with the idea of making things better' brighter and different. This change could be anything from relationship/s' career' to relocating somewhere else (having a sea change is an example). It could also be in the form of personal development through attending courses' reading and networking.

Whatever it is for you' it may possibly be that what you're searching for is available to you right now' with no need to look very far. It's called inner peace and with it comes a change of perspective - looking at life in a different way. A state of being that will allow you to 'get on with it' regardless of what's happening in your external environment.

Basically' inner peace is a state of mind where you're not impacted by external circumstances' you simply just 'are'. Whenever I step into peace no issue agitates me' I have no attachment to anything; I just am. Quite simply' it's peaceful' serene.

Inner peace? It sounds pretty cliched I know' but it is just that' peace on the inside whilst around you chaos reigns. For me the inside bit is the place I'd rather be. I liken it to watching a game of football from a front row seat. I can see how I relate to others and them to me' in my social' work' spiritual' and family life. I can also see the never ending possibilities of what life has to offer. This is where I get the big picture stuff.

It's a place I love visiting to rebalance' regenerate' and centre myself. When I return and again become aware of my physical environment' the clarity to see how things really are is almost blinding. Clarity: when there is total clearness about everything and anything. It's when actions are totally understood as well as the consequences of those actions.

I've personally yearned for change and have observed others with same. This desire for change can become all encompassing and when change fails to happen the way we'd like it to' or thought it would be' the disappointment can lead to hopelessness and in some ways be emotionally crippling.

The adage 'The grass is greener on the other side of the fence' is not necessarily true. I've been there done that' although I failed to buy the t-shirt. All I needed mostly was a different way of looking at my situation.

If you're contemplating creating major change in your life think carefully about why you want it in the first place. Maybe a different perspective is all the change that's required.

Give yourself some time to truthfully answer and reflect on the following questions:

1. What would happen if I started to create change for myself?

2. What would happen if I left things unchanged?

3. Who will I become through having that change happen?

4. What needs to happen for me to truly get the most out of life?

5. Where will I be' and what will I be doing once I've changed what I wanted to?

6. How will this change affect your family and other areas of your life?

7. What would happen if you changed your attitude?

8. If you didn't change your attitude what would happen?

9. What is it that I need to do now in order to enjoy life the way it is?

10. Will it be worth it?

11. What will I lose?

12. What will I gain?

13. What are all the positive outcomes if I do not create change? (There's always a positive' even when we perceive something as negative).

I had a huge 10 year goal until recently. After I jotted down all the positive outcomes if I didn't pursue my dream' I sighed with relief. It was much better for me and the family' not to have this particular outcome.

Change can be challenging and scary. What was known before becomes outdated' friendships are outgrown' new ones are formed' and if things were comfortable previously' now it's time to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Adjustment takes time. Learning to access inner peace can take time too.

Some people fully immerse themselves in the change process' whereby others may take a little while longer and that's ok too. It's different for each of the six billion people on this planet.

May change in whatever form you choose bring you success and abundance in all things great and wonderful.

Michaela is a Transformational Coach' certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)' writer and Metaphysician who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives (see http://www.michaelascherr.com)

Michaela is the author of several e-books including Book of 10 Colour Meditation Scripts and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk.

Married to David' Michaela has two children and a grandchild and currently lives in Brisbane Australia.

Great Things Cannot Happen Without Change

2010-10-19T23:15:00.001-07:00

If you always do what you've always done' you'll always get what you've always got.

It's critical that we realize our lives can change at any moment. Realistically' there will come a time when our everyday life will suddenly be altered; the only question is when. It could happen when you least expect it. You might get a dreaded phone call' come up with a brilliant idea' loose your job' meet a new friend' discover a new career direction' or fall in love. You just never know' and this is one of the reasons why life is so exciting and mysterious.

I know it's not easy to shift out of what we do and how we do it' nor is it easy to shift our views in order to see new things in place of the old. It is often frightening and confusing to make a shift away from the familiar in order to embrace the unknown. Yet it is necessary energy we must apply in order to grow. No matter how challenging' difficult' or hard it may seem' shifts are necessary to free ourselves from the confinement of our unnecessary self-made mental' emotional' or physical limitations. All shifts create a vibration which in turn affects everything around it. If you shift a piece of chalk in a box' all the other pieces of chalks will move. Sometimes moving a single piece of chalk will cause a slight shift. Under other circumstances' moving a single piece may mean the others fall' crack' and crumble. This is why sometimes in fear of the effects our changes will create' we delay making a much-needed shift in our minds and behaviors. As a result' our lives and everything around us remain stuck. Being stuck can lead our spirits to develop negative emotions -- such as frustration' depression' confusion' doubt or even anger -- that we don't truly understand.

Nevertheless when the time comes to move (and you'll know when that time is' just as long as you choose to acknowledge it)' all I can say is' you must move! However' there are important factors that you must also take into account when making changes in your life -- that is' to consider all the different kinds of income you need to produce. Aside from monetary income there are also psychological' spiritual' and physical income. You have to consider the balance in all your accounts because a high figure in one and nothing in the others adds up to a very low average. Realize when you choose a certain kind of behavior' you also choose the consequences of the balance in each account. So let's say you choose to invest 90 percent of your energy in your job and 10 percent in your personal relationship -- it doesn't matter whether you can justify the demands at work -- essentially what matters is that you've chosen to allow your personal relationship to loose a vital connection.

Be truthful about what isn't working in your life. Honestly assess where you stand with your beliefs in self-management -- mentally' emotionally' physically' and spiritually. You cannot afford to be fearful' defensive or to be in denial; this can truly harm you. It diminishes what might have been a real chance to overcome a problem had the solution just been pursued in time. So you have to have the strength and courage to ask yourself the hard questions' and give yourself realistic answers. Remember -- you can't change what you don't acknowledge. If you refuse to acknowledge the changes that occur or need to occur in your life' your own self-destructive behaviors will not only continue' they will actually gain momentum' become more deeply entrenched in the habitual patterns of your life' and grow more and more resistance to change. And let me remind you' nothing glorious can come out of this!

Penny Phang is one of Canada's nominated Top 40 Under 40 business leaders' recognized for her commitment to provide strategic business communication and marketing services with inspiring enthusiasm' creativity' and elegance. She is also well known as the Producer for Playboy Special Editions for Western Canada. In addition' she remains involved in full-service business communications with her founded Simplex Communications Group' and continues to write for her monthly inspirational lifestyle column' Moments of Inspiration with Penny on http://www.pennyphang.com/

For more information please visit: http://www.phangenterprises.com/

If You Want To Get More Customers, Heres 10 Powerful Stories To Improve Your Ads

2009-08-08T20:01:00.001-07:00

Remember, as a child lying in bed and listening to stories. Remember how engaged you were. Remember how you never got bored of them and always wanted to learn more.

Well, there's a good reason why... and here's how what you learnt as a young child could help you attract, and keep more customers...

Metaphors and stories have proven to be a powerful way of influencing other people. They are also extremely interesting to your potential customer, and connect with a deeper part of the human psyche.

Here's 10 of the most powerful types of sales stories you can incorporate into your ads and sales letters?

1. Introductory Stories: These are stories about who you are, why you're writing to them, and how you have assisted other people and/or businesses.

This is a perfect way to connect with your target audience and generate rapport. Reveal something personal about yourself within the story? and establish credibility and trust.

2. Stories Which Overcome Fears: Everyone has fears of some type. Identify the greatest fears and concerns your customer has. And then show how other people? just like them? who had the same concerns? overcame them, and discovered there was nothing to worry about.

If you're selling a health product, the client may be concerned it will not work for them. Tell the story of somebody else who felt the same and where they are now. Perhaps incorporate this structure within one of your testimonials.

This is a classic "Feel? Felt? Found" approach. I understand how you feel. My previous customer used to feel the same way. His experience now is?

3. Ego-Enhancing Stories: This type of story shows how people respect and look up to people who use your services, or own your product.

For example, if you were selling a Mercedes Benz? you could talk about a guy who bought one recently and how his colleagues, family and friends were so impressed.

4. Attention Grabbing Stories: These are used to get people to focus on you, your products and how you can benefit them. They explain why your customer should sit up and listen to you? right now.

Here's an example from a sales letter from a company called "The Supper Club?"

"How can I get in on this deal?"

The question was posed by a Daily Reckoning reader who was referring to a deal I mentioned. Unfortunately, it wasn't a stock. It was a private deal. And it was too late to get in anyway.

But it's why I'm writing you today.

5. Product Information Stories: Don't just list the features & benefits of your product or service. Tell a story which integrates this information.

6. Improved Productivity Stories: Outline exactly how your services and/or products have assisted companies to increase their profits, become more efficient, increase output and reduce down time.

Tell a before and after story of one of your customers. You'll never guess how much (other customers) business has changed since they started working with us?

7. Family Togetherness Stories: This type of story demonstrates how your product or services has caused families to come together.

8. Money Stories: The idea here is to show people how your product or service will save or make money for your customers.

For example, if you're a mortgage broker, give a case study of a past customer? and how much money they have saved through swapping over to you.

If you're a PR company, give an example of how you helped one company get out of a rut

If you're an accountant, reflect on how you helped a specific customer save thousands of dollars on tax last year? because you're up to date on all the tax changes.

9. Security Stories: This is a prime example of how you would go about selling an insurance policy. Tell a story about how your products have allowed your customers to sleep safely, and with peace of mind.

This could be used in the insurance industry, alarms, people selling trusts, pest and termite controllers, safe cars like Volvos? or any industry where people buy to feel more secure.

At the same time, it could be used for anybody who helps people to make more money? or ensures reliability. For instance, a marketing company could explain how safe one of their clients feels about their business with all the extra income being generated.

10. Closing Stories: Stories can be used here to close the sale and sum up all the benefits you have to offer.

What stories could you use to promote your business?

All the best,

Scott Bywater
Copywriting That SELLS
Level 12 / 418a Elizabeth Street
Surry Hills, NSW, Australia
1300 88 21 91 / + 61 2 9282 6445

Visit my web site for your complimentary copy of my ebook (valued at $29.95) and free subscription to my ezine "Copywriting Selling Secrets" where you'll discover how to write ads and sales letters that sell. And one's which put money in your pocket over and over and over again.

Here's the address: http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au

Don't muck around. Go there now. You'll be glad you did!

P.S. These stories can also be used extremely effectively through any type of communication: sales, customer service, etc, and not just sales letters.

Radio and Television Ads: Clever Vs. Annoying

2009-08-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ever heard or seen a radio or television commercial that you really liked and actually looked forward to hearing or seeing again only to be assaulted by another one so annoying it made you want to heave your radio or television out the window?

What makes one commercial so enjoyable while others seem to be so abysmal? It's all in the ability to make the listener or viewer remember the ad in a creative, clever way and I'm about to give you some advice on how to do just that so read on!

One of the most successful ways of creating clever ads is to add humor. Unfortunately that's not an easy thing to do as you have probably heard or seen many commercials try and fail. There is a fine line between writing a spot people will laugh and identify with and writing one that falls flat on its face and unfortunately most spots fall into the latter category. The best advice on using humor in ads that I can give you is this: hire a professional who specializes in writing humorous ads. I say this because the majority of advertisers that attempt to write their own funny ads fail miserably. The main reason is because it takes a trained writer to know how to create an ad that includes not only genuinely funny copy, but also perfect timing and the right amount of copy needed to pull it off. Having said this, if you still insist you've written a funny spot for your business the best way to find out is to read it to some unbiased ears which means someone other than your wife, husband, or best friend. Humor in itself is subjective but for the most part if it's funny they'll laugh, and if they don't get it, even if you think it's a real knee slapper, it's time to try another approach. I've written thousands of ads most containing humor but even I don't know for sure how well they will be received once they hit the airwaves. Another tricky part about putting humor in ads is that it takes more time to establish the bit, which means you have less time for the rest of the copy.

The same rule goes for putting voice impersonations in your radio ads. I tend to use voice impressions that I or others do in radio spots from time to time and it can be a real attention getter. However, this can also backfire as I've heard spots where voice impersonations were used just for the sake of putting them in the spot with no real message or tie-in to the product or service. Once again, this is wasted ad dollars.

You may have heard or seen ads you thought were extremely annoying and wondered why the advertiser even bothered. What they've learned is that even bad spots will eventually stick in the mind with enough repetition. The problem here lies with whether what ends up sticking is a negative reinforcement. There's a national jeweler who comes to mind that likes to do his own radio commercials. His nasally voice and dry as sand delivery while quite annoying, have become his trademark. So in essence his annoyance is part of his brand. Successful? Perhaps, but you'd be hard pressed to get me to shop there.

Remember that besides being clever, your ad has to deliver the goods. In other words, ads that are clever just for the sake of being clever won't accomplish much. Have you ever had someone tell you about a funny spot but when you asked who the ad was for, they can't remember? That's a case of the copywriter indulging his or her own cleverness and missing the main point. Your copy must also give the listener or viewer a reason to call or come by and most important, remember your name!

Sometimes a "call to action" works well. This could be in the form of a price point, a special time sensitive sale or a "radio/TV coupon" in which the listener or viewer is told to mention they heard or saw the spot for a special price. It could also involve having the listener or viewer respond immediately as in, "the first 25 people to call now receive..." however, make sure your phone lines can handle the response.

In today's world it takes a clever message to be heard, seen, and remembered above all the mindless advertising banter. And if done right, all the other ads can become "advertising wallpaper" for your clever, stand out, ad campaign!

Hal Eisenberg is an award winning copywriter, voice over talent and producer, as well as owner of The Eisenberg Agency, a full service advertising agency specializing in creative ads that get results.

Visit his web site at http://www.eisenbergagency.com
Mailto: halacious@eisenbergagency.com

Business Plan Appeal ? Five Rules For Writing Attention Grabbing Headlines

2009-07-31T20:01:00.001-07:00

The success of a business plan stands or falls on its ability to get potential investors to take a moment to read it. Nothing works better for doing this than well-written headlines designed to interrupt and engage investors. Here are five fundamental rules for writing and incorporating headlines into your business plan.

More important than anything else, try to get investors' self-interests into every headline you write. Make your headlines suggest to investors that there is something about your business plan or venture they want. This rule seems so obvious. Yet, absent omitting headlines entirely, it is the rule most often violated. Replace overused one word headings like "Company", "Products", "Market", Financials" with headlines that appeal to investors' self-interests like making money, protecting their investment, or building trust.

Be sure to get news worthy information like new products, new uses for old products, or technological breakthroughs into your headlines whenever possible.

Avoid "curiosity" headlines. Marketing and advertising professionals have proven through testing and experience that the effectiveness of the average curiosity headline is, at best, doubtful. For every curiosity headline that succeeds in getting an investor to read further, a dozen will fail. Instead, combine curiosity with news or self-interest to create a single, more compelling headline capable of drawing investors into your plan.

Take a positive angle with your headlines. Avoid headlines that paint gloomy or negative pictures of your business venture or markets. For example, if you are targeting a market with millions of suffers, emphasize in your headlines how the business venture can benefit them.

Demonstrate through your headlines that here is a business plan that will generate results and is backed by evidence. Let your headlines educate investors about the opportunity, risks, and the available options.

Of course it goes without saying that in using any of these rules be sure to make your headline believable. In most cases, "too good to be true" headlines will not draw experienced investors into your plan.

Mike Elia is a chief financial officer and an advisor to venture capitalists and leverage buyout specialists. His business plan ebook "Business Plan Secrets Revealed" shows how to make your business the most appealing investment choice to venture capitalist, bankers, and other business investors. For his free business plan guide visit http://www.business-plan-secrets-revealed.com/free-business-plan-guide.html

Tips for Using Paid Advertising

2009-07-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

Quite a few business out there can't survive without some type of advertising and/or brand recognition, so advertising your business is one of the most important aspects in running certain types of business. It's also one of the most frequently asked questions for "how to". This article is especially important for direct sales reps and those with company websites that need to make themselves "stand out" among hundreds of others that are selling similar products.

So why should you advertise your business? For one or more of the following reasons:

To Gain Exposure/Brand Recognition

This would apply to those who may have a unique product or service which consumers and clients may not know exists. For example, a special tool that solves a problem for a certain group of people - they won't know the product exists unless you advertise.

Gain Immediate Sales

Many forms of advertising may gain you immediate sales. This is ideal for most, but it's also important to realize sometimes your ads may be working even though you don't see sales at the time the ad runs.

Announce new product/service

If you are an established business and expanded within your market, paid ads can announce your new product or service which those who know of your current business may not know about yet.

Now that you know WHY you should advertise, let's look at the TYPES of paid advertising there is:

Banner and Button Ads

These are graphics, normally either 468x60 in size for banners, and 125x125 or 150x150 for button ads. Some advertisers offer a variety of other sizes. Graphic ads generally have a lower conversion rate than text ads, although do well for brand recognition and gaining exposure.

Ezine Ads

Most ezine owners allow only 4-5 line ad with a link in "sponsor" spaces, and vary for solo ads. Be sure to choose only highly targeted ezines to run your ads in. For example, you wouldn't want to run a business opportunity ad in an ezine for recipes. If you sold some type of food, an ezine about recipes would be perfect to run an ad with.

Text Ads/Featured Ads

Many of those who offer advertising also offer some type of home page ad or a featured space on specific pages. Again make sure the website is pulling in the traffic you are looking for.

Now that you know what type of ads there are, here are a few tips to make sure you are making the most of your advertising dollars:

1. TRACK YOUR ADS!

If you don't know where your visitors are coming from, how can you be sure where you are advertising is working? If you don't have accurate stats for your website I recommend grabbing a free tracker from AddFreeStats ( http://www.addfreestats.com )

2. Repeat ads

Run your ads in the same place at least twice, if not three or four, before you make a decision as to if this is a good place to advertise or not. Not only will you pick up more brand exposure, but you will be able to make sure the first time was not an "off" time to advertise (or just an abnormally "good" time). Also try different advertising options within the website to see what works best.

3. Read guidelines

Many advertisers have a list of guidelines. Be sure to read through them, and follow each guideline. Paying for an ad where your website isn't allowed is not only a waist of time for the advertiser, but for you as well. Here is an example of an advertiser's guidelines: http://www.momsmarketonline.com/guidelines.html

About the author: Kara Kelso is a work at home mom of two, and the co-owner of Direct Sales Helpers, which is dedicated to helping mothers succeed in direct sales. For more information, visit: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

How to Breathe New Life into Your Advertising Campaign

2009-07-23T20:00:00.001-07:00

If you haven't made many sales or perhaps none at all, don't be discouraged. Use this 10-point checklist to breathe new life into your advertising campaigns and improve your response rate.

Remind people they are ordering through a secure server. Tell them you won't sell or share their e-mail address and that all their information will be kept confidential.

Your advertisement should outline benefits and not just features. In addition, your ad's headline should attract your target audience. You should also list testimonials or guarantees.

Here are two free resources you can use to learn how to write effective ads and headlines.

5,000 Hypnotic Words and Phrases

http://www.incomewaterway.com/free-book

Copywriting E-Course

http://www.red-hot-copy.com/downloads.htm

People usually don't purchase the first time they visit. The more times they visit your site, the greater the chance they will buy. The most effective way to get people to return to your site is to give them a free subscription to your e-zine. You can accomplish this by posting a sign up form or guestbook on your website. You could also list free and low cost resources on your website and update them regularly. Ask visitors to bookmark your site and visit again and again to discover newly added items.

People will feel more comfortable if they know who they are buying from. Publish a section called "About Us" (or "About Me" if you're a sole proprietor) on your web site. Include your business history, profile of employees, contact information etc. Here's an example of my own "About Me" page.

http://www.incomewaterway.com/aboutme

Accept credit cards, checks, money orders, and other forms of electronic payments such as PayPal, ClickBank, etc. Take orders by phone, e-mail, website, fax, mail, etc.

You need your own domain. To find if a name is already taken and to register your own domain name go here:

http://www.godaddy.com

Make sure your website is easy to navigate through. If you site has dozens of pages, consider including a site map.

Websites are most effective when the material all relates to one theme including the graphics.

Here's where you can find out how to download a free ebook that will help you design effective web pages:

webpages@frogleads.info

When you use free stuff to lure people to your website include it below your ad copy or on another web page. If you list the freebie above your ad they may never look to see what you're selling.

You won't sell steaks to a vegetarian. You want visitors that are interested specifically in what you offer. Consider surveying your existing customers to see what made them decide to buy from you. This information will help you improve your target marketing and advertising.

If you don't yet have a customer base, use ezine advertising to begin building one. Find ezines that cater to an audience interested in your marketing area. For instance, if your product relates to humor find publishers that distribute humor ezines. Here's one of the fastest ways to find the right ezines.

http://www.incomewaterway.com/ezines

Every experienced marketer knows you must work at constantly improving various aspects of your business...especially your ad copy since it's the lifeblood of your business. This is how you get the word out. So, you must be willing to try different headlines and revise ad copy if necessary.

Use an ad tracker for your advertising campaigns to measure how many clickthroughs you receive for a particular ad.

Many people are interested in your product but they put off buying it till later and eventually forget about it. Entice them to buy now with a freebie or discount and include a deadline date when the offer ends.

If your business is at a standstill, it doesn't have to be. Use these 10 techniques to breathe new life into your marketing efforts.

About The Author

Karin Peavy has marketed online for three years. Her goal is to help others zero in on exactly what's needed for web success. In response to this goal she created http://www.incomewaterway.com, home to some of the web's best marketing resources including free articles and ecourses. Karin also publishes a free weekly e-newsletter that provides product reviews, income opportunities and marketing tips. Free gift with every subscription: http://www.incomewaterway.com/FreeTips.

You may use this article in your electronic publication or on your website as long as you do not alter the article in any way. You must also include my bio in its entirety.

karinpeavy@incomewaterway.com

Turn Your Ad Copy into a Goldmine!

2009-07-19T20:00:00.001-07:00

Today, more than ever, it is crucial that your ad copy explodes the reader's curiosity. Are you interested in simple yet powerful ways to improve your ad copy so your readers will rush to action? Invoking a reader's call to action can be communicated in various effective ways. Great ad copy is more than simply plain conversation; it takes special style. The words must be ordered in such a way that they unlock the reader's mind and walk right in.

Think about your ad copy for a moment. Does it inspire and thrust you into a blind rush to action? If not, take a giant step into increased profits today by enhancing your ad copy with the following tips.

CALL TO ACTION

To some, this might seem like an obvious step in crafting great ad copy. However, it is left out time and time again. Readers need to be told what you want them to do. Consider the following two examples:

Ad One: We guarantee you will lose up to 50 pounds safely with our new diet pill!

Ad Two: Take our new diet pill today and lose up to 50 pounds safely-guaranteed!

You probably noticed that Ad Two has a stronger pull to action. Ad One represents a common advertising line seen today. There is no call to action in this line. It hopes you will come to the conclusion that you need to take their pill. Ad Two is not only telling you the same information but also commanding that you take the pill and do so now.

WEAK PURSUASION

Weak persuasion attempts in your ad copy will completely destroy any chance for action you had. Many times ad copy can make calls to action that are too subtle. When this happens, the whole attempt is out the window. Let's take a peak at a couple examples:

Ad Copy One:

Our new patented technology will assist you in promoting your website to its fullest potential. Order your copy of XYZ today!

Ad Copy Two:

Our new patented technology will assist you in promoting your website to its fullest potential. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Order your copy of XYZ right now!

Ad Copy One, while having a call to action, has a somewhat weak closing. It left the door wide open for the reader to ponder the action, which normally means no closure. Ad Copy Two adds a power line before the closing attempt that gives the reader the feeling of doing too much work and the thought that this tool is a requirement. Additionally, I changed "today" with "right now" to strengthen the added line. Let us look at some other persuading calls to the reader.

You'll receive all these benefits:
You'll be glad you did.
Supply is limited.
Your gift/donation/etc is tax-deductible.
We know you'll agree that ?
You simply can't lose.
Don't wait another minute.
Reserve your copy today.

There are many more but this should give you an idea on how to make stronger persuading suggestions to your readers.

SINGLE WORDS

Perhaps the best way to improve your ad copy is by replacing simple common words with more descriptive ones. It is important that your ad copy reads well so don't just rapid fire in alternative words. Following are some common examples of words you might use and some excellent replacements.

Word: Good

Example: Our product is good.

Replacements Include:

Highest quality
The greatest
Outstanding
Top-of-the-line
Top-notch
Sets the standard
The best in the business
Superior

Our product is top-of-the-line.

Phrase: Saves Money, Value Priced, etc.

Example: Our product is cheap.

Replacements Include:

Tremendous savings
Pays for itself
Inexpensive
Thrifty
Low cost
Your money's worth
Economical
Affordable
Cost-efficient

Our product pays for itself.

Word: Money Making

Example: Our product will make you money.

Replacements Include:

Make money the easy way.
Double your earnings.
Keeps on selling.
Money in the bank.
The opportunity of a lifetime.
High Yields
Make a bundle.
Generates overnight profits.

With our product you will make money the easy way.

With a little crafting you can turn ordinary ad copy into a goldmine. Read through your ad copy many times to find the holes. Every word written down or spoken to a potential customer must make a statement. Competition on the business gridiron is brutal and you simply can not afford to drop the ball when it comes to ad copy. For more helpful tips, please visit Internet Business Entrepreneur.

(c);2005 Jason Andrew Martin LLC

Jason A. Martin has been conducting business on the Internet for 11 years. He is a free-lance writer on many topics and is currently working on obtaining a degree in Journalism and Law.

His official blog can be viewed at: Jason A. Martin

Advertising Basics for Beginners

2009-07-15T20:01:00.001-07:00

So many of us who have decided to do business online have no background in marketing or advertising. It can be so frustrating without any kind of guide.

Here is a list of some textbook rules regarding marketing and advertising in general. These are important points that we should all keep in mind when promoting our offers:

1. People don't like ads until they see something they want or need.

2. Headlines should always illustrate the best, specific benefits of one's offer. Cryptic headlines might be fun, but they simply can't compare (in terms of results) to an honest headline that spells out your offer.

3. Tell your prospects exactly what you want them to do. Don't assume that they know what the next step is. Whether you want them to click through to your web site or send you an email for more information, be sure to let them know and don't forget to provide the link or address.

4. Every ad you place is an opportunity to rate your copy. A mediocre ad won't get many responses, but a great ad can clicks almost anywhere. Don't waste your time placing ineffective ads, always check your results.

5. Networking with others is a good way to make sales, but nothing beats good ad copy.

6. Networking is not about making lots of instant sales. It's about getting to know people and letting them know what you have to offer. When they have a need for your product, they will look you up.

Writing effective ad copy takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts don't yield a lot of results. Continue to work with it and test it until you find that words that speak to your perfect customers and make them click.

Cathy Wagner, online business expert and owner of http://www.onestopinternetbusiness.com, will help you reach your online business goals faster with hands-on marketing guidance and support, personalized for you own unique business. You can save hundreds of dollars and countless hours of frustration by avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls.

Go Ahead Im Listening

2009-07-11T20:00:00.001-07:00

In today's fast paced environment, interaction with family and friends is often relegated to a few left over minutes here and there, leaving many people feeling isolated.

Radio fills the gap. Radio provides a one on one emotional experience. It creates a connection that is a personal and unique experience for each listener. It's just you and the voice on the radio, speaking to you.

TV and print media are mass media. Eliciting an emotional response from print is almost an impossibility. TV is emotional but not personal. You know it's you and the thousands of others who are watching, besides which it's beyond the budget of many businesses.

As an advertiser, you have an opportunity to speak directly to your customer, using words and phrases that have meaning for them. Radio can relate messages that have synergy with campaigns in other media, but shouldn't be written in the same style. Effective radio is a conversation with the customer. It's your chance to tell a story.

How interesting would you find a story that started with the company name or, " We have friendly, knowledgeable staff. Stop in and see us. We have 20 colours of sofas in a variety of sizes and styles." Boring isn't it? So why do so many advertisers do it?

It's easy to talk about your business and what you want to sell. It takes more time and effort to find out what your customer wants and talk in terms of their buying motivation, but it's worth it. It's easier to get quick results by announcing a sale, than it is to build a relationship with the consumer. Where do you think those sale shoppers will be when your competition is having a sale, not at your business I bet?

Another of radio's great strengths is its ability to reach a defined market segment. When you buy newspaper advertising, you buy the whole and very general readership, all the demographics and special interest groups. Now it's not a bad thing to reach more people, but if you have a limited budget you can spend it very quickly in your daily paper, on one ad,?. one day, ?.one time. That's not great frequency and just hit and miss reach. What if your best prospects don't read the paper on the day your ad runs?

Radio gives you an opportunity to target the age and interests of your segment of the market. With a budget large enough to cover the cost of a reasonable sized ad in your daily newspaper, you can buy a whole week of radio commercials.

Don't get put off by commercial prices at the top stations. It is not about reaching a huge number of prospects a few times. It's about reaching a smaller number of listeners enough times for them to think they know and like you, and want to do business with you. Spend time and money creating a message that conveys a message your customers can relate to.

Have you ever bought something you just had to have, and then gone home and explained logically to a family member why it was an essential? You bought on emotion and justified with logic, the same thing your customer does. Forget generic when it comes to radio. This is one time it pays to get personal.

In the US the norm is 60 seconds for a radio commercial in Canada 30 seconds. If you've got a great story to tell and you're a good storyteller, then use 60 seconds otherwise the shorter commercial is better. The only thing worse than boring the listener for 30 seconds, is boring them for 60. Frequency to raise awareness for your business name and purpose in speaking to them can be achieved economically by adding a schedule of sponsorships and/or 10-15 second messages.

This is an example of a 30 second radio script that connected with the customer. How do we know it was good? Sales increased.

Unbeknownst to your co-workers, you are a connoisseur. Sure, you have tattoos and a problem finding your inner-self, but you crave adventure and You! Know! Food! So, in this world of new awareness, reward yourself with a world of flavours. Wrapzone. An ambrosia of foods, and devilish sauces harmoniously heaped on a tortilla. The silver gift wrap is free every day! Experience-Full-Fillment. Wrapzone.

On radio, as in all your advertising, you need to keep it simple. A soliloquy well read is much more effective than something with too many words, multiple focus, lots of sound effects or a conversation between a two or more people.

Points to remember:

Radio is an opportunity, use it to your advantage, some of your competitors never will.

Negotiate; the price isn't always the price.

Don't get too hung up on the price per commercial. Ask for pre-emptable no charge commercials to augment your campaign.

Find out when your commercials will run. If you choose a station based on the number of commercials included in a package make sure they are not bumping up the numbers by running them all 6pm ? 5am.

If you have a small budget focus on one daypart to increase the number of times a listener hears your message.

Writing and production are included in the price but that doesn't mean the message they create for you will be effective. You need to be involved in the creative process.

You can be too creative. Don't make listeners strain to try to figure out what you are saying.

If you haven't got the budget to do a heavy enough campaign to make an impact, save your money until you do.

Ask how the station schedules their commercials. If they have long commercial blocks you have to work especially hard to stand out from the 5 or 6 (or more) other messages.

Keep your message simple.

Nancy Fraser worked in radio for over 20 years. She owned and operated her own specialty retail store, and held Management and Sales Executive positions in media and communications. Free information and tools on effective advertising and marketing are available in Notable News at http://www.notable-marketing.com

What Colors Make Your Services Most Attractive?

2009-07-07T20:01:00.001-07:00

This information is based on the principles of Laws of Attraction, Law of Allowing and Law of Deliberate Creation. And the Universal Laws of Energy (like attract likes) proven by Quantum Physics.

What colors attract people to you?

Visual presentation and appeal, whether in your marketing materials or what you wear, can turn on or turn off what people you attract. It does not matter if it's on paper matter, the Internet, like a web site, or in a presentation.

If you do any time of speaking, writing, or design type of work, this article is for you.

I'm not just talking about visual color, I'm also talking to you about audio and writing or language color. Each affect our relationships -- friends, family, prospects, clients or customers.

It is a fact that companies with large budgets spend billions on color market research -- usually in product or packaging development.

Solopreneurs pockets aren't as deep, thus, they need to use the results of the research of the deep pocket-ers.

Colors tell someone if you are approachable. In the same way they will affect whether someone will continue clicking through your web site.

Colors will determine if someone will start reading your article in a magazine or posted on your web site. Color also helps to keep people involved on your web site (it's not just about the content) and how long they stay.

Colors also influences how people will respond and behave. A black background on your web site now represents s*x-type of web sites. It is important that if that isn't your focus that you don't use a black background.

Let's take a few minutes and play with this concept. The next time you go into a fast-food restaurant, look closely at the colors. Do they decorate with vivid reds and oranges because they encourage diners to eat and leave quickly like many of the fast food establishments. That is exactly the response they want.

Different cultures have different attitudes and preferences thus; they will have another color reaction. In China, "white" symbolizes death and in Brazil, it is the color purple. People from warm countries respond favorably to warm colors; people from colder climates prefer the cooler colors.

In America, green is associated with jealousy or money. Here are some color references for America.

Red......excitement, strength, sex, passion, speed, danger.

Blue.....(most popular) trust, reliability, belonging, coolness.

Yellow...warmth, sunshine, cheer, happiness.

Orange...playfulness, warmth, vibrant.

Green....nature, fresh, cool, growth, abundance.

Purple...royal, spirituality, dignity.

Pink.....soft, sweet, nurture, security.

White....pure, virginal, clean, youthful, mild.

Black....sophistication, elegant, seductive, mystery, sexual.

Gold.....prestige, expensive, elite.

Silver...prestige, cold, scientific.

This also means that color affect shopping habits. Red- orange, black and royal blue attracts impulse buyers. Pink, teal, light blue and navy attract smart budget Shopper. Pink, rose and sky blue attract conformists.

A great exercise to experience this -- visit large company web sites that have spent the funds on this type of research.

Try McDonalds (http://www.mcdonalds.com -- bright red) or Wendy's (http://www.wendys.com -- brownish red). Jaguar (http://www.jaguar.com -- black for sophistication, green cool, and silver for prestige). It matches perfectly with their market -- high income-ers with a view on sophisticated.

If you are a service professional, how might you put colors to use for you?

First, make sure you have the right target market. Young children materials contain large amounts of bright primary colors. These colors will attract the child yet the parents or grandparents open the wallet. This means that for the children you would use the primary colors and for the marketing material being read by the grand/parents you would use reds, blues, pinks and yellows for trust, reliability, security, and playful.

If you a web site and you choose the colors because they are your favorite, then you choose it could have chosen it for the wrong target market -- unless, of course, you are the only one or people just like you are the only ones you want buying. Pick your colors for your market. This is anything you want to attract in America.

Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

Dermatologist: The Most Qualified Physician for Skin Problems.

2009-07-03T20:01:00.001-07:00

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. It reflects the health of the body and acts as a barrier against injury and bacteria. Sadly, at one time or another, nearly everyone has some type of skin disease that only a skin doctor can absolutely give the scientific explanation for those skin problems. Dermatologist is a medical doctor specializing on the study of the skin, diseases of the skin and the relationship of cutaneous lesions to systemic disease. Dermatologist is a medical doctor trained to usually combine several activities like seeing patients in public hospitals and/or in private practices, acting as consultants to other specialists, teaching and delving into clinical or basic research.

The dermatologist must have expertise in basic sciences including pathology, biochemistry, physics, physiology, microbiology and endocrinology. Because skin diseases are often associated with internal conditions, dermatologist must also be familiar with all the other medical specialties because of their consultant work. Dermatologist likewise perform skin surgery in several situations like preventing or providing early control of disease such as skin cancer; improve skin's appearance by removing growths, discolorations or damage caused by ageing; and to establish a definite diagnosis.

There are several responsibilities that dermatologist has including examining patients, performing biopsies and other diagnostic techniques of dermatology, interpreting test results and evaluating examination findings before prescribing treatments, including x-ray therapy, physical therapy and medication. Dermatological services are as well managed by dermatologist like formulating plans and procedures for dermatological services, scheduling operation of diagnostic and treatment facilities, and assigning nurses, physical therapists, x-ray therapists and other medical technicians. The dermatologist advises on the types and quantity of dermatological supplies and equipment, coordinate dermatological services with other medical activities.

There are however several types of health care providers who can take care of your skin conditions aside from dermatologist. The first thing that you need to know about picking a skin specialist is the probability that you are really badly in need to see a specialist as sometimes your condition may not need the specialist. Therefore, it is important that you know when you really need to see a dermatologist. Some conditions are exclusively treated by a dermatologist especially with severe forms of common diseases such as acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Most skin cancers are treated by dermatologist, sometimes in conjunction with a surgeon. There is also the dermatologist who utilizes various specialized laboratory procedures to diagnose disorders characterized by defective responses of the body's immune system.

Getting a referral from your physician is a great help and of high importance in finding the right dermatologist who will be working with you. It is important that you are assured that the dermatologist has the right credentials for the medical procedure(s) that your skin demands. You may have to do some preliminary check that will enable you to be prepared and educated prior to your consultation. Such steps are critical as it will help you achieve a successful outcome. You have to have a give-and-take dialogue assuring that you and your dermatologist have the same vision of what you want the end result to be as well as your expectations are realistic. The communication between you and the skin doctor is of most importance as you are considering things about your skin or associated problems.

For more information on acne skin care please visit the acne and dermatology and acne resource center.

Stop, That Little White Bump May Not Be A Zit After All

2009-06-29T20:01:00.001-07:00

White bumps bugging you? Just because you have little white bumps on your face does not necessarily mean that you have acne. Milia, are little balls of protein beneath the skin that do not have a pore, or hole in the skin through which to escape.

Comedones or whiteheads are excess fats and wastes that are trapped in a hair follicle and so they clog up the pore.

In short, milia are proteins trapped within the skin, while comedones are fats and skin debris trapped within the pore.

Exfoliating the skin, or removing the dead skin cells from your skin with an abrasive product or chemical, is beneficial. But brutally scrubbing your face with soaps and chemicals too frequently may actually create milia.

To avoid this, remember that gentle exfoliation helps prevent excess dead skin cell build-up that could clog your pores and cause whiteheads, not milia.

This gentle exfoliation helps make eventual removal of the milia easier because the skin layer around the milia becomes thinner, with frequent, yet gentle exfoliation. In short, Exfoliate your skin to prevent milia, not to cure them.

The key to getting rid of milia is realizing that they have no escape route, those little bumps are trapped under the skin. So, to get them out, you'll need to have a professional like a dermatologist or aesthetician extract them. You can extract the milia yourself, but this involves risks.

Watch Out You need to ensure that you milia are not symptoms of some underlying disease or illness. Also, if you extract the milia yourself, you may have trouble completely pulling out the cysts, as the removable process may prove too painful.

Otherwise, if you are confident with your health and courage, you can cleanse your hands and face.

Then wet a cloth with warm water and apply it to your face for a few minutes. Gently apply a sterile needle to the center of the little white bump to create a tiny opening in the skin.

Wrap your thumbs in a clean tissue and, using your thumbs, proceed to gently squeeze the contents of the little white bump out. Finally, cleanse the area of the extracted little white bump with an astringent.

Next time, don't let little white bumps scare you into rushing in all directions for an acne fix. Calmly access your skin and make the best decision from there. That way, those little bumps will always give way to smoother, clearer skin instead of panic and rash beauty decisions.

Naweko San-Joyz is creator of the Acne Messages program, the only acne program to combine the latest scientific research and ancient wisdom to deliver an acne cure as unique as the acne sufferer. As there are millions of people with acne, there are a millions cures, find your unique cure with Acne Messages. ISBN: 0974912204 available at Amazon and Noixia.com, Home of Six Billion Natural Cures for Acne

Oily Skin Care Can Treat Acne-prone, Shiny, Oily Skin

2009-06-25T20:00:00.001-07:00

Oily skin is not only shiny, dull-colored, and coarse, it is also acne-prone, which means that a host of more serious problems can develop: blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, redness, and potential scarring. If your skin is oily or you have combination skin, take control with oily skin care before the trouble escalates. We all want to have beautiful, clear skin.

Causes of Oily Skin

The cause of oily skin is not fully understood, but it is very likely that hereditary and lifestyle choices play a part. As well, those pesky hormone imbalances that occur most often in the teen years and also at menopause are a big part of the problem. Since the skin is the largest organ on the body, it also reflects the state of our general physical and emotional health, and problems on either front will have a negative impact on the skin. Pregnancy and birth control pills, which alter hormonal activity, also affect the oiliness of the skin, as will diet, humidity, and the use of cosmetics.

Skin oil is produced by the sebaceous glands, which are more active in the nose area than anywhere else on the face, and the nose area is also the site of larger pores. If you have combination skin, it means the skin on your face is generally dry or normal, but excessively oily around the nose, often extending down to the chin and up into the forehead. Sebaceous glands are also more active on the chest, back, and upper arms than on other parts of the body. The amount of oil generated by these glands is out of your control and oily skin care simply means coping with the amount of oil produced and the problems it can cause.

Oil is important for moisturizing the skin, and you can take comfort from knowing that oily skin delays wrinkling, age spots, and fine lines, and sebaceous glands become less active as we age. In the meantime, the problem remains that oil clogs the pores of the skin, and the effects are, naturally, the production of blackheads and pimples, as well as enlarged pores and redness. Oily skin care treatments involve taking steps to keep pores from getting clogged and blemishes from appearing.

The Best Diet for Oily Skin

The treatment for oily skin should start internally. This means, take care of your physical and mental health and your skin will benefit. Eat balanced meals, and make sure that you receive the necessary nutrition for good health each day. Forget the starvation diets and the food fads. Normal weight and good health are served best by diets that include daily servings of all the food groups. The B vitamins are especially important for skin health and are found in wheat germ, egg yolk, Brewer's yeast, organ meats, nuts and beans. A lack of vitamin B2 will actually cause oily skin. Reduce the amount of fat, oil, and sugar in your diet, and you will be repaid with fewer skin problems, but that is because your general health will improve. Sebaceous glands operate independent of diet.

Because food grown in nutrient-depleted soil can be depleted of essential vitamins and minerals, it is important to add a supplement or two to your diet. Start with a multivitamin suitable for your age and sex, and then add some extra vitamin A (so that you are consuming about 10,000 IU daily) and the vitamin B complex. Primrose oil (500 milligrams) and flaxseed oil (1,000 milligrams) are both very beneficial for the skin.

Drink lots of water to help flush toxins out of your body with the help of your kidneys and liver rather than leaving it to your skin to bring toxins to the surface and eliminate them through perspiration. "Lots of water" is generally defined as eight glasses a day, and this amount also serves to hydrate your skin properly.

Since stress aggravates skin problems, it is wise to reduce your stress level through meditation or relaxation techniques.

Rosacea, a chronic skin disorder that looks a great deal like acne, will improve if you follow these same health recommendations, and an anti aging diet includes all these elements as well.

Tips for Caring for Oily Skin

Keep oily skin very clean so that pores do not become clogged and cause breakouts. On the other hand, you can have too much of a good thing here, and skin must not be treated too harshly nor washed too often. Chose a mild cleanser that promises to clean without drying, and wash with lukewarm, not hot, water. You can try a mild medicated soap or an antibacterial cleansing lotion. If your skin become dry and taut, it means the outer layer has shrunk and the oil will not be able to flow freely and more pores will clog. Aim for washing your face two or three times a day, and, between cleansings, wipe away excess oil with either an antibacterial astringent or one containing acetone, which dissolves oil. Using a clay or mud mask once a week is another good way to cleanse your skin and combat the oil production. Be gentle. A facial sauna with lemongrass, licorice root, and rosebuds is good for oily skin, but use caution if you have acne. Saunas, like high humidity, can intensify breakouts.

Moisturizers for oily skin might contain antiseptic or simply be oil-free.

Noncomedogenic moisturizers do not clog pores, and nonacnegenic moisturizers do not irritate pores. Look for the chemical benzyl peroxide, which helps reduce the amount of oil your glands produce and is a useful ingredient in lotions and creams designed for oily skin. Make sure all makeup as well as all moisturizers, cleansing lotions, astringents, and sunscreens are chosen with oily skin in mind, and are water-based rather than oil-based products.

Effective treatment for oily skin involves cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin with products created to provide oily skin solutions. Although there are no natural cures for oily skin, you can certainly manage the problem and keep it from worsening. The Internet is the perfect place to search and find information about products and diet supplements needed to provide the best oily skin care possible. The Internet offers the opportunity to shop, compare costs, and order whatever you need online from the privacy of your home. Most online merchants offer discount pricing to attract customers which helps save you money. You don't have to put up with oily skin problems; relief is just a few clicks away.

About the Author
Scott Gray is currently a freelance writer and enjoys providing information and advice to online shoppers who are in the market for anti aging options, acne treatments, and general skin care.

Little Addictions Can Create Big ZITS

2009-06-21T20:00:00.001-07:00

An acne trigger is any thought, location, feeling, food, emotion, response, drink, drug, memory and/or experience that sets off a series of hormonal reactions in your body that ultimately result in an acne formation.

If a food or drink is the culprit behind your acne breakouts you may actually be addicted to your preferred culinary delight. The allergy addition could stem from the body's response to frequently consumed allergens. During an allergic response, the body releases endorphins. These endorphins in turn create the feeling of a natural high. Any substance that promotes this fleeting state of euphoria may be additive. So, you may be eating a food that you are allergic to just to get high, and as an after blow, you get acne. Ouch.

Surprisingly, eating a lot of any particular food, even a "healthy food", can incite an allergic response. Though still unexplainable, the food creates an immune response and/or stresses specific digestive enzymes. Poor digestion can irritate the body in multiple ways, generating an allergic response. One way to decide whether or not you are allergic to a certain food is to examine the foods your most often crave. Are you eating the food to experience a gastronomic high? Foods containing chocolate, dairy, wheat, corn, tomatoes, and soy are common sources of food allergens.

Sources and additional reading:

The Inflammation Syndrome: The complete nutritional program to prevent and reverse heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, asthma. Jack Challem. John Wiley & Sons. 2003.

Stop Inflammation Now! A step-by-step plan to prevent, treat, and reverse inflammation- the leading cause of heart disease and related conditions. Richard M. Flemming, M.D. with Tom Monte. G.P. Putman's Sons. 2004.

Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include "Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne" (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work "Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we're still not getting this dieting thing" (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com

Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

2009-06-17T20:00:00.001-07:00

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

? Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

? Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

? Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.

? Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.

? Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.

? Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.

A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.

Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.

In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

How To Use Fish Oil To Help You Stop Acne

2009-06-13T20:00:00.001-07:00

If you want to control acne breakouts, you need to supplement your diet with fish oils which contain omega-3 and omega-6 oils. These fish oil also contains EPA and DHA fatty acids which are necessary for creating prostaglandins.

Normally, enzymes in your body break down omega-6 into DGLA, AA, EPA and DHA fatty acids.

Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)

Arachidonic Acid (AA)

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

These four fatty acids eventually change into prostaglandins.

What are prostaglandins?

Prostaglandins are chemical hormones that come from omega-3 and omega-6 oils and that help,

regulate every function in your cells and organs.

Postaglandins also keep androgen hormones in control so that excess sebum is not produce in the hair follicle, which results in acne.

This is the reason why Essential Fatty Acids ? Omega-3 and Omega-6 ? are critical foods to eat.

However, eating plenty essential fatty acids may not insure that you produce enough EPA and DHA, which produce the essential prostaglandins.

It is critical for acne and more importantly for your health that you get enough EPA and DHA in your cells and organs so they can produce the required prostaglandins.

To increase the prostaglandins in your cell walls, it is necessary for you to take a fish supplement, which contains both the EPA and DHA.

Of course eating salmon, halibut, and mackerel twice a week will be a plus in providing your body with more EPA and DHA.

Here's what I use daily. Spectrum Essentials puts out an excellent product called

Omega-3 Norwegian Fish Oil

Two capsules contains

EPA ? 360mg

DHA ? 240mg

Omega-3 ? 892mg

Stearic, Lauric, Palmitic Acids - 508mg

Using the Omega-3 Norwegian Fish Oil is critical in getting relief from acne, so take two capsules per meal.

When your body creates prostaglandins, it creates a good prostaglandin and a bad prostaglandin. Here's how to encourage the production of good prostaglandins.

-Maintain a ratio of two times more omega-6 than omega-3 in your diet.

-Eating too much omega-6 can lead to producing excess bad prostaglandins.

-Take a multi-vitamin and minerals with your meals to provide these nutrients for breaking down the

essential fatty acids into prostaglandins

-Reduce the amount of meat, saturated fat, dairy, and eggs you eat to reduce the production of AA, which blocks the activities of the good prostaglandins

-Eat cold water fish at least twice a week to provide EPA and DHA to your diet

Include at least 20% of your diet calories as good fats ? omega oils and fish oil. This is essential for controlling the excess activity of your hormones and reducing the inflammation of your acne.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. His information can be seen at http://www.remedies-for-acne.com/clearface

Online Shopping for Motorcycle Accessories

2009-06-09T20:00:00.001-07:00

When shopping for a certain item and material, the way to do it is to shop like a woman. Who else knows how to shop till they drop but women, right? Isn't it that husbands, partners, spouses and lovers often complain about the amount of time and the energy given to shopping by their women even for just one item they need?

But who else gets the most of their budget, and takes home the item of high grade quality at the least price possible? Women. Women are known to have the intuition for great sales and wonderful bargains just because they give time and effort in looking for the item at the best price.

Same thing with motorcycles. When you need to buy performance motorcycle parts accessories, we know that our local motorcycle parts store is a great place to begin with. Aside from being near our home, our familiarity with our local store will help reduce the time it takes to choose the accessory most suitable to our requirement.

However, as any woman would tell you, your local store may not have the item you need, or it may only have a limited number of stock items on hand. And worse of all, you might just be getting more than you bargained for just because you want the easy way out of shopping.

So the next step would be to go out and hop to stores that offer performance motorcycle parts accessories. Or you could try doing it online.

Shopping for performance motorcycle parts accessories online is the most ideal means of making sure you get the best selection and the best possible prices, all in the comforts of your home or office. You don't need to use fuel and get stuck in traffic just because you need to have the item for your precious motorcycle. With so many vendors in the wide world of the internet, from here to Timbuktu, chances are, you'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for in no time. Plus, internet retailers often ship to any location in the world. You just have to pay extra charges for the shipment costs. No worries. It's better than endure the traffic and pollution, and the migraine you're sure to have when you do it on foot and in every store you could find.

And just like a woman, you'll be able to shop till you drop; the only difference is you're doing it all over the state, country, and even the world- all in the comforts of your home or office.

And just like a woman, you'll definitely end up finding performance motorcycle parts accessories online that you never even knew was available in the market. There are a lot of items in the internet if you just know where to look. With the vast access of the internet, you'll be able to get a wide range of selection from which to choose from with just a click of your fingers.

Granny's Mettle is a 30-something, professional web content writer. She has created various web content on a diverse range of topics, which includes digital printing topics, medical news, as well as legal issues. Her articles are composed of reviews, suggestions, tips and more for the printing and designing industry.

Her thoughts on writing: "Writing gives me pleasure? pleasure and excitement that you have created something to share with others. And with the wide world of the Internet, it gives me great satisfaction that my articles reach more people in the quickest time you could imagine."

On her spare time, she loves to stay at home, reading books on just about any topic she fancies, cooking a great meal, and taking care of her husband and kids.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.motorcyclepartsbin.com

Music Mini Course: Learn The Basics Of Reading Music On A Keyboard Instrument

2009-06-05T20:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the wonderful world of music. As you begin reading this Music Mini Course it is fun to realize that you are also participating in a very important cultural aspect from around the world which has been going on for centuries. Did you know that pianos in some form have been around for over 500 years? Some of the first instruments of this kind were created in the late Medieval Period and were called clavichords. They had a very light, metallic sound because the small hand-pounded 'hammers' were made of very light weight metal-like material. These hammers struck strings of varying lengths to create different tones or pitches. The next cousin to the clavichord was the harpsichord invented by Cristofori in Italy around 1450 A.D. This keyboard instrument had a mechanism in it called the plecktrum which 'plucked' the strings and produced a slightly stronger sound than its predecessor. Whether you are playing an acoustic instrument, which is the closest relative to the history just mentioned, or an electronic keyboard, you are now participating in a centuries old musical art form.

SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS: PIANO OR KEYBOARD?

Does it matter if you apply the information in this course to a keyboard or a piano? Certainly not. The only real difference is that a full size piano has 88 keys (counting both the white and black keys). Keyboards come in several different sizes. Some have 60 keys, some even less. There are also 88 key electronic keyboards and digital pianos that produce very realistic acoustic sounds. Whatever size your instrument may be, remember that the ARRANGEMENT of the keys and the ORDER of the KEY NAMES is the same on both instruments. Rest assured that your basic knowledge of the fundamentals of music can be done very effectively either on a keyboard or a piano.

Musical Terms

Begin your musical study by becoming familiar with these very important musical terms:

BAR LINE - A vertical line which separates notes into groups

DOUBLE BAR LINE - A set of two (2) vertical lines which stand for the end of a piece of music

REPEAT SIGN - Double bar with two dots at the end of a section or piece of music which indicates that section will be played twice.

MEASURE - The distance between two bar lines.

TREBLE CLEF - The S-shaped symbol which stands for notes played with the right hand. This is also referred to as the G cleff since this inner curve of the symbol rests on the G line.

BASS CLEF - The reversed C-shaped symbol which stand for notes played with the left hand. This clef is also referred to as the F cleff since the two dots beside the clef surround the F line.

STAFF - The five lines and four spaces of both the bass and treble clefs.

QUARTER NOTE - Musical symbol with solid note head and stem which gets one count of sound.

QUARTER REST - Musical symbol resembling a sideways W which gets one count of silence.

HALF NOTE - Musical symbol with hollow note head and stem which gets two counts of sound.

HALF REST - Solid half block sitting on third line of the staff which gets two counts of silence.

DOTTED HALF NOTE - Musical symbol with hollow note head, dot and stem which gets three counts of sound.

WHOLE NOTE - Musical symbol resembling a circle on the staff which gets four counts of sound.

WHOLE REST - Solid half block hanging from the second line on the staff which gets four counts of silence.

CHORD - Two or more notes played at the same time.

BLOCKED CHORD - Two or more notes from the same chord played at the same time.

BROKEN CHORD - Two or more notes from the same chord played in sequence.

INTERVAL - The distance between two notes on the musical staff.

FINGERING - Refers to which finger number is used to play a particular note (See Chapter Two: Fingering)

CURVED FINGER - Refers to playing with a rounded finger and on the tip of each finger. This is the best position of the fingers for playing piano or keyboard because it develops finger strength and independence.

INTRODUCTION TO THE WHITE KEYS

There are only seven (7) letter names used on the piano: A B C D E F G. It is interesting to note here that no matter what instrument you play, whether it is piano, tuba or violin, ONLY the seven letter names above are used in the entire realm of music! There are two very easy ways to visualize and remember the names of the white keys on your piano and keyboard. Remember, the note names on an electronic keyboard are the same as on the acoustic piano.

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B

Understand that the 'CDE' note groups are always located directly underneath the two black note group. The letter name 'D' in the white key always located directly in between the two black key note groups. ANY TWO BLACK NOTE GROUP on the piano has the letter name 'D' as the white key located in between them.

KEYBOARD EXERCISE:

Go to your keyboard NOW and start to play all of the C-D-E groups from the lowest (bottom left) to the highest (top right) on your keyboard. Say C - D - E as you play each key. The F - G - A - B note groups above are located directely beneath each three black note group on any piano or keyboard. Simply locate any three black note group on your piano or keyboard and realize that the F-G-A-B white keys are located directly beneath them. Directly outside of the three black note groups are 'F' on the left hand side of the three black note group and 'B' on the right hand side of the three black note group. Just fill in the outer 'F' and 'B' with G and A and you are done!

KEYBOARD EXERCISE:

Go to your piano or keyboard NOW and find all of the F-G-A-G white keys underneath each three black note group. As above, play slowly and evenly saying the letter names as you play the F-G-A-B groups from the bottom of the piano or keyboard (low left hand end) to the top of your piano or keyboard (top right hand end). Congratulations! You now know ALL of the white key names on the piano!

TREBLE AND BASS CLEF NOTE NAMES

Both the Treble and Bass clefs each have five lines and four spaces. Learning the actual note names of each line and space (the spaces between each line) is very simple. Please memorize the sentences below for the Treble Clef Line and Space Notes: Treble Clef Line Notes (starting from the bottom line and moving up) E G B D F Every Good Boy Does Fine (the first letter of each word helps you remember the order of the notes)

Treble Clef Space Notes (starting from the first space and going up): F A C E Just remember that the treble clef spaces spell the word 'FACE'.

Bass Clef Line and Space Notes are as follows: Bass Clef Line Notes: G B D F A Great Big Dogs Fight Animals Bass Clef Space Notes: A C E G All Cars Eat Gas

Now you know all the names of the white keys on your piano or keyboard. You have also learned the actual letter names of each line and space on both the treble and bass clefs. You are now on your way to the next level of piano education. Be sure to memorize the information above and you will be ready to begin to learn to read music notation on the piano or keyboard.

Jan Durrant, Publisher and Music Teacher
http://www.MakingMusicNow.com
muz@MakingMusicNow.com

Guide to Finding Music Online

2009-06-01T20:00:00.001-07:00

Are you frustrated because finding your favorite songs on the net has become more of a chore than an enjoyable activity? Read this simple guide to finding music online and your troubles will be out of mind before you download your next Green Day hit!

MP3s are compressed music files that are one-tenth the size of regular audio files. As a normal audio file requires about 40 megabytes to download, and MP3 requires four. Although this is still a substantial number, it is much more manageable for the average computer. Thus began the MP3 downloading, sharing and trading craze. There are a variety of options when it comes to playing your MP3s. Media Player comes with Windows, QuickTime 4 comes with Macintosh, and Win amp is the industry standard product.

Music can be downloaded from websites or FTP sites. Websites are easier to use. Songs download automatically when you click on the titles. Finding good websites to download from is difficult. The sites that used to work well now dabble in other venues. AlltheWeb.com and MP3.com usually only contain independent, unknown bands that may be great, but if you're looking for the stuff you've heard of, you'll be wasting your time. Audiofind now carries radio stations instead of music files, and Audiogalaxy.com Music

Search requires a subscription.

Good websites to use are LycoMP3 Search, MP3 Search on Altavista, MP3 Search at Astraweb, and MP3Bot Search Engine. FTP sites usually require special software. Some free software options include WS FTP and FTP Explorer. Oth Net (Kermit search) is a clean fast way to download from FTP sites directly from the browser that works even better than the software options.

In the wake of the Napster downfall, it has become mostly illegal to download and share free music files on the web. Musicians are opposed to the practice, and rightly so, because the free music sharing significantly affects the commercial success of their CD sales in stores. Downloaders tend to think musicians are being unfair by revoking the free music files from the net, but one must remember that selling music is their career. It is nearly impossible to find full albums on the web.

These days, musicians will release a couple of new hits onto the net to try to entice the web surfing crowd to wander into the music store and buy the full album. Remember, if all else fails and you MUST have the MP3 of a song, there are thousands of sites to which you can subscribe and pay for the downloads.

New bands are always willing to put their music out on the Internet in hopes of getting heard, so free downloads are limitless if you are willing to lend your ear to some new tunes.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher who offers advice on hoew to find free internet radio stations and source cheap mp3's such as the latest Eminen mp3

How to Make $30,000 with Your Music Before Years End

2009-05-28T20:00:00.001-07:00

As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did *NOT* earn $30,000 (or more) with your music alone last year, let's jump right in and get you started with doing so this year.

Again, bear in mind that the main necessary ingredient is "consistency" of every aspect, and on a weekly basis.

Remember! This is a worst case scenario, in regard to what you should be able to easily earn within each aspect, and you are very likely to earn much more.

The "lead generator(s)" in each aspect reflects the various resources that you will use to obtain results in these areas.

So, here is the financial mathematical layout.

[---GIG EARNINGS---]

Practically any band should be able to market and promote itself well enough to obtain, at least, one gig per week, whether the band is based in a metropolitan or rural setting, and whether it performs on a fulltime or part-time basis.

So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at getting one gig per week:

1 Gig X 1 Week @ $300 X 4 weeks = $1,200 per month

Lead Generators:

* Contacting venue managers and bookers directly
* Signing on with an area booking agent
* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers
* Contacting area performance theaters
* Host your own gig at an area hall or theater
* Contacting high schools for performances
* Contacting college student activities offices for performances
* Low-cost college newspaper ads for possible gigs
* Low-cost college radio ads for possible gigs
* Your website calendar gig notices/tours

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to prospective clients.

[---GIG CD SALES---]

As you are already aware, most gig employers will allow you to sell your music during performances.

So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at getting sales during gigs, with a minimum of 100 people at each gig, and with 10% (10 sales) of the crowd who, after witnessing your mind-blowing spectacular performance, suddenly realize that life is not worth living, and they simply cannot go on unless they own a copy of your CD:

10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 4 weeks = $400 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $1,600

Lead Generator:

* Your incredible stage performance that left them mesmerized.
* Your website for additional sales

[---TEACHING---]

Right now, in your own area, there are innumerable people who would like to learn to play your instrument, or be able to sing as half as well as you. So, why not teach them how to do so while earning a bit of income doing it as well?

So, in our worst case scenario, let's say you teach only one day each week, with only two students, at one hour each, while charging $10 per student, per lesson:

1 day X 2 students X $10.00 (per student) X 4 weeks = $80 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $1,680

Note: If you decide to devote an entire day of the week to teaching, say 8 students/8 hours, your income increases to $80 per day/$320 per month.

You can also consider contacting area community colleges that will likely be receptive to your classes within their "Continuing Education" program, which can even pay a bit more money. And, if time allows, why not get the best of both worlds, so to speak, by teaching both independently, as well as within the college system?

Lead Generators:

* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers
* Contacting high schools to post notices/fliers
* Low-cost college newspaper ads
* Low-cost college radio ads
* News releases to area radio and print papers
* Feature interviews on area radio and in newspapers
* Your website with your class notices

Note: Provide your credentials to student prospects in the forms of a resume and/or portfolio.

[---ONLINE SALES---]

Just a few noted sites include:

CD Baby ( http://www.cdbaby.com )
The Orchard ( http://www.theorchard.com )
Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com )
New Artist Direct ( http://www.newartistdirect.com )

With fairly decent online promotion, at the least, you ought to be able to realize an average of 3 sales per week from each of these sites. While all may not produce those 3 sales individually each week, some of them are likely to produce more than 3 sales, dependent upon your promotional efforts, of which should still average out to 3 sales each.

However and again, let's review a worst case scenario:

4 sites X 3 sales each X $7.00 = $84 X 4 weeks = $336

Our monthly sub-total is now $2,016

Lead Generators:

* Peripheral online sales from gig audiences
* Low-cost ads in area weekly newspapers
* Low-cost college newspaper ads
* Low-cost college radio ads
* Internet marketing and promotion on music message boards, music forums, and within discussion list signature files
* News releases to area radio and print papers
* Feature interviews on area radio and newspapers
* Your website sales

[---WEDDINGS---]

Though weddings occur within every month of the year, the biggest and most traditional month for weddings is June. And, right now, in your own area, there are quite a few being planned for this summer. Weddings are one of the most lucrative income generators for musicians, because families generally are very liberal in spending on them, and go all out, so to speak, for this special day for their daughters.

So, in our worst case scenario, let's say you can get, at least, one wedding gig per month, at $1,000 per gig (more wedding gig opportunities are likely during summer months especially):

$1,000 X 9 months = $9,000

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,016

Lead Generators:

* Caterers & Catering Services
* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers
* Your website notices of your availability for weddings
* Providing your business card to area upscale restaurants
that cater wedding receptions and banquets
* Your business card left with flower shops
* Your business card left with jewelry stores
* Your business card left with bridal shops
* Your business card left with tuxedo shops
* Your business card left with bridal services

Note: You should also provide your business card to wedding attendants who inquire about your services for upcoming functions that they may be hosting in the future.

[---WEDDING CD SALES---]

You may also be able to sell your CD at weddings, however, ASK FIRST when coordinating your performance arrangements. Attendants usually interact with the band, as it is a happy occasion.

If you are allowed to sell your recordings at weddings, you should do so passively by having your CDs placed near the performance area in a conspicuous position.

However, I would not "hard sell" (repeatedly mention) the CD from the stage, unless of course, a wedding coordinator decides to do so, or states that you may do so.

So, in our worst case scenario, let's say, at least, 100 people attend each wedding (more are likely to attend many weddings), with 10% of them purchasing your CD:

10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 1 month = $100

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,116

Lead Generator:

* Your performance
* Your website notice

[---RETAIL STORE CONSIGNMENT SALES---]

Since stores won't be laying out cash in advance for your music, you should have very little problem consigning your music to retailers.

A word of advice is for you to not consign more than five copies per per store, per 30-day period, at any time. Limiting copies to stores will allow for sufficient time in your product moving off retailer shelves.

Consider getting your product consigned with, at least, five area retailers. However, if there are not enough music stores in your area, consider consigning it with other retailers such as; bookstores, flower shops, jewelry stores, and any other such retailer that gets quite a bit of traffic and might be interested in carrying your music.

You will, generally, be required to present retailers with your own consignment form, and I have created one that you can freely download and customize for your own use at: http://www.MuBiz.com/CnsnmtFrm.html

Just be sure to duplicate it so that both you and the retailer have copies.

So, in our worst case scenario, let's look at your area retail possibilities:

5 Stores X 5 copies X $8 (your take) = $200 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,316

Lead Generators:

* Low-cost classified or display ads in area newspapers
* Low-cost radio ads
* Low-cost cable television ads
* News releases to all forms of media
* Feature interviews at local television, radio stations and print media
* Music reviews in your area print media
* Your website listing area stores carrying your music

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to retailers in order to further influence their decision in consigning your product.

[---PRODUCTION---]

Did you produce your own CD? If you did, and if people are raving about how great it is, why not consider producing other area bands as well for some extra cash?

Between now and the end of this year, you should be able to produce, at least, two acts for, at least, a $1,000 fee each.

Lead Generators:

* Word of mouth and fellow musicians you know
* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers
* Low-cost college newspaper ads
* Low-cost college radio ads
* Your website notice of your production skills
* Fliers in music instrument stores

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to contacts.

As our monthly sub-total is $3,316, providing a grand sub-total of $29,844, when you add on your $2,000 production fees for both bands that you produce, your minimum grand year-end total comes to $31,844.

As I stated at the beginning of this article, each of these aspects contain 'bare bones' minimum figures in respect to what your earning potential is within them.

* Special Note: In each of these areas, it is very likely that you will experience repeat business, as well as word of mouth promotion, which will further add to your annual income this year, thus, creating the potential for doubling or even tripling your income.

Kenny Love is president of http://www.MuBiz.com, a radio promotion and media publicity firm that also provides business and career services to musicians.

Piano Chords and New Age Music

2009-05-24T20:01:00.001-07:00

There are basically two ways you can compose a piece of music. The first and most traditional way is to write out the melody and then harmonize it. Some call this working from the top (as opposed to the chords on the bottom.) The second approach is where you create some kind of rhythmic harmonic pattern and improvise (or compose) the melody on top. Now, which one is best for New Age music?

The answer is neither approach. Each has its own merits and own special benefits. For example, if you start with a pattern in your left hand and improvise a melody with your right, you are doing what most new age composers/improvisers do. This is what George Winston does most of the time. He has chords he sets to a certain rhythm and does his thing with that amazing right hand of his.

This is the style that I have been playing, but I've recently lost interest in it. Not because it isn't good but because I don't feel like playing that way anymore. Currently I'm leaning towards a softer sound that comes from leading with the melody first. What I do is get the first 2-bars down and then improvise the rest till I fill up 8 measures. This way I can vary the chords and patterns without it sounding very repetitive (minimalism). It's actually another style. You can call it melodic while the other one (Harmony approach) is more textural. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR MOOD!

Don't let one style freeze you into something where you can't maneuver artistically! Remember that your feeling must come first. Everything else is secondary. Let your feeling lead you and your creation will be truly inspired, however, if you try to mold what you have to say into a specific style, the result may be less than satisfactory.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Reaching For The Soul Zone

2009-05-20T20:01:00.001-07:00

Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical place where something takes over, you know, when something bigger than you whispers in your ear and says "Relax - I'll take it from here!"

I like to call it the 'soul zone', others simply call it the 'zone', I'm sure there are many other names for it.

For those of you who don't know what the heck I'm talking about, it is the ultimate state to be in as an improviser. You might have played a gig and gone through the motions and nothing particularly interesting sprung from you. You might have played a solo at a different time and place and thought you said some pretty interesting things. But then you'll probably remember those times when you played a solo and something absolutely magical happened. Maybe you closed your eyes and you went off into this magical mysterious place where nothing else mattered. While you were playing you felt like you were in the middle of a 'happening'. Your tone was just right, your phrasing was great and it seemed like you were truly improvising for the first time in a long while. And strangely enough, at the end of your solo, you look up and you can't remember a thing you just played. Then the band members look at you with a big smile of approval. You were in a completely altered state, or so it seemed.

Does this situation sound familiar to you? If so, you have experienced the soul zone. One of those trance like states that every searching musician is trying to get back to. It's the spiritual realm. And we would like it to happen more often than it does.

There's no question about it, this experience may well be one of the factors determining why so many musicians have turned to drugs and alcohol in the past. That Zen like state seems to be one of the reasons musicians play music at all. Of course the good news is that you can get there without the substance abuse!

The question I have always asked is this: "Why does this zone only come about from time to time?" I think there are a number of reasons.

First and most important I think is the fact that there are so many distractions when we play. I have found that as my career got busier as an artist, I was sometimes taking on the role of artist, manager and agent. By the time I got on stage I was finally having to think about entertaining, whilst asking myself all sorts of things like "Am I losing the audience? Do they like this song and if not should I cut it from the set? - have I brought enough people to this show? Is the promoter seething with anger - will she book me ever again? How many CDs am I selling over there? Should I be promoting my CD more during the show? Am I funny witty and charming on stage - dammit do they like me at all??" Yiiiikkes heeeeeellllllppp!!

As you can imagine, this scenario doesn't exactly make for a Zen like transcendental state now does it? Of course I am exaggerating somewhat but my point is that all too often, there are too many distractions in order to get there.

The other big big reason is that sonically things might not be right. How many times have you done a show where the monitors sound terrible or you're playing through a rented amp that isn't sounding any good to you? What if the drummer sucks?

I have always thought that if the band is 'on' you simply don't notice any of them. The music just feels great and everyone is in sync - just like they should be. When this is the case everyone is in that zone and the music is magical. So it's definitely a matter of external factors being right as much as it is internal relaxation and the ability to let it flow.

One thing that I have always found particularly difficult and is a continual learning curve for me, is the art of recording. And here I don't simply mean recording guitar parts, that is a craft that can be learned. I'm talking about recording an improvised solo that is truly inspired. The question is "How do you get to that zone in a cold sterile environment?"

What amazes me is that there have been many many truly inspired solos recorded on albums, so those artists figured out a way to get to the zone. I have always found it easier to reach my optimum playing peak in a live setting. When I'm recording I want it to be just great, it's going to be immortal after all, you know, on a CD forever. And this is where the problem lies. Too much thought. To get to the zone one needs to totally let go.

So what can we do to help us get to that magical place? First, understand that it might not happen and that it's perfectly fine if it doesn't. It might be out of our control. Before you step out to play, take a deep breath and center yourself. Nervous energy can take over and it's important to get as much external crap out of our heads as we can and give the music our full and undivided attention. Take your time as you play, think about playing behind the beat instead of playing on top to drive energy. Relaxation is the key and the right energy will come as a result. Have your internal antenna up for musical ideas. They might come from the band and you should be ready to grab some inspiration from them. Close your eyes. This can help, even just to get you on the right foot. Let it flow. Try to ignore any reasons for you to not be present.

And that last part I think is the most important of all. Be Present. Not always an easy place to get to but if we can strive for it, I believe will make us better musicians, and we'll enjoy the music that much more.

Chris Standring is a contemporary jazz recording artist who performs throughout the USA and Europe regularly. He has enjoyed much radio airplay with several albums, opening up a busy touring schedule. His music appears on many compilation CDs also. For more info on Chris' popular home study jazz guitar course go to http://www.PlayJazzGuitar.com Visit him on the web at http://www.chrisstandring.com

Rickenbacker 4003 Electric Bass Guitar

2009-05-16T20:01:00.001-07:00

The Rickenbacker 4003 electric bass guitar is one of the few electric basses to have earned the accolade "classic" as a title for itself. The Rickenbacker 4000 Series guitar is attributed for creating new dimensions of bass playing capabilities. Basses by Rickenbacker are made by hand in America, using traditional methods refined and honed.

The Rickenbacker 4003 electric bass guitars can be traced back to the original 1928 patent. This bass guitars pickup is renowned for its unbelievable clarity and wide range response. The 4003 electric model is a single, hum protected design with high power output. Adjustment screws lower and raise units according to the guitarists preference.

The Rickenbacker has a toggle pickup selector that guitarists may switch from one output channel to the other, or both. Each 4003 electrical bass has separate pickup controls and separate treble and bass tone controls. The hallmark of this guitar has always been the neck which runs the full length of the bass.

Rickenbacker electrical bass guitars have a fluidly sculpted body and head that serves to establish proper instrument balance. You can play easily without fatigue due to its thin fast neck and ergonomically accurate body contour.

Make sure to always protect your instrument, especially if your on the road alot. All Rickenbacker bass guitars are protected with a deluxe molded hardshell case, which also includes an accessory pocket, heavy-duty hardware, and extra padding.

PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with the included copyright and author's resource box with live website links.

Jeremy Hier is the Business Manager and Webmaster of Best Guitar Deals Jeremy Hier is a freelance writer and regular contributer He likes to offer his advice and tips to consumers looking to purchase acoustic guitars and electric guitars

Music & Emotions: Can Music Really Make You a Happier Person?

2009-05-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

How many times have you turned to music to uplift you even further in happy times, or sought the comfort of music when melancholy strikes?

Music affects us all. But only in recent times have scientists sought to explain and quantify the way music impacts us at an emotional level. Researching the links between melody and the mind indicates that listening to and playing music actually can alter how our brains, and therefore our bodies, function.

It seems that the healing power of music, over body and spirit, is only just starting to be understood, even though music therapy is not new. For many years therapists have been advocating the use of music - both listening and study - for the reduction of anxiety and stress, the relief of pain. And music has also been recommended as an aid for positive change in mood and emotional states.

Michael DeBakey, who in 1966 became the first surgeon to successfully implant an artificial heart, is on record saying: "Creating and performing music promotes self-expression and provides self-gratification while giving pleasure to others. In medicine, increasing published reports demonstrate that music has a healing effect on patients."

Doctors now believe using music therapy in hospitals and nursing homes not only makes people feel better, but also makes them heal faster. And across the nation, medical experts are beginning to apply the new revelations about music's impact on the brain to treating patients.

In one study, researcher Michael Thaut and his team detailed how victims of stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease who worked to music took bigger, more balanced strides than those whose therapy had no accompaniment.

Other researchers have found the sound of drums may influence how bodies work. Quoted in a 2001 article in USA Today, Suzanne Hasner, chairwoman of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, says even those with dementia or head injuries retain musical ability.

The article reported results of an experiment in which researchers from the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., tracked 111 cancer patients who played drums for 30 minutes a day. They found strengthened immune systems and increased levels of cancer-fighting cells in many of the patients.

"Deep in our long-term memory is this rehearsed music," Hasner says. "It is processed in the emotional part of the brain, the amygdala. Here's where you remember the music played at your wedding, the music of your first love, that first dance. Such things can still be remembered even in people with progressive diseases. It can be a window, a way to reach them?"

The American Music Therapy Organization claims music therapy may allow for "emotional intimacy with families and caregivers, relaxation for the entire family, and meaningful time spent together in a positive, creative way".

Scientists have been making progress in its exploration into why music should have this effect. In 2001 Dr. Anne Blood and Robert Zatorre of McGill University in Montreal, used positron emission tomography, or PET scans, to find out if particular brain structures were stimulated by music.

In their study, Blood and Zatorre asked 10 musicians, five men and five women, to choose stirring music. The subjects were then given PET scans as they listened to four types of audio stimuli - the selected music, other music, general noise or silence. Each sequence was repeated three times in random order.

Blood said when the subjects heard the music that gave them "chills," the PET scans detected activity in the portions of the brain that are also stimulated by food and sex.

Just why humans developed such a biologically based appreciation of music is still not clear. The appreciation of food and the drive for sex evolved to help the survival of the species, but "music did not develop strictly for survival purposes," Blood told Associated Press at the time.

She also believes that because music activates the parts of the brain that make us happy, this suggests it can benefit our physical and mental well being.

This is good news for patients undergoing surgical operations who experience anxiety in anticipation of those procedures.

Polish researcher, Zbigniew Kucharski, at the Medical Academy of Warsaw, studied the effect of acoustic therapy for fear management in dental patients. During the period from October 2001 to May 2002, 38 dental patients aged between 16 and 60 years were observed. The patients received variations of acoustic therapy, a practice where music is received via headphones and also vibrators.

Dr Kucharski discovered the negative feelings decreased five-fold for patients who received 30 minutes of acoustic therapy both before and after their dental procedure. For the group that heard and felt music only prior to the operation, the fearful feelings reduced by a factor of 1.6 only.

For the last group (the control), which received acoustic therapy only during the operation, there was no change in the degree of fear felt.

A 1992 study identified music listening and relaxation instruction as an effective way to reduce pain and anxiety in women undergoing painful gynecological procedures. And other studies have proved music can reduce other 'negative' human emotions like fear, distress and depression.

Sheri Robb and a team of researchers published a report in the Journal of Music Therapy in 1992, outlining their findings that music assisted relaxation procedures (music listening, deep breathing and other exercises) effectively reduced anxiety in pediatric surgical patients on a burn unit.

"Music," says Esther Mok in the AORN Journal in February 2003, "is an easily administered, non-threatening, non-invasive, and inexpensive tool to calm preoperative anxiety."

So far, according to the same report, researchers cannot be certain why music has a calming affect on many medical patients. One school of thought believes music may reduce stress because it can help patients to relax and also lower blood pressure. Another researcher claims music allows the body's vibrations to synchronize with the rhythms of those around it. For instance, if an anxious patient with a racing heartbeat listens to slow music, his heart rate will slow down and synchronize with the music's rhythm.

Such results are still something of a mystery. The incredible ability that music has to affect and manipulate emotions and the brain is undeniable, and yet still largely inexplicable.

Aside from brain activity, the affect of music on hormone levels in the human body can also be quantified, and there is definite evidence that music can lower levels of cortisol in the body (associated with arousal and stress), and raise levels of melatonin (which can induce sleep). It can also precipitate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkiller.

But how does music succeed in prompting emotions within us? And why are these emotions often so powerful? The simple answer is that no one knows? yet. So far we can quantify some of the emotional responses caused by music, but we cannot yet explain them. But that's OK. I don't have to understand electricity to benefit from light when I switch on a lamp when I come into a room, and I don't have to understand why music can make me feel better emotionally. It just does - our Creator made us that way.

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music books and products such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson instructional courses for adults. He holds an advanced degree from Southern Oregon University and was the founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. Previous to that he worked as an assistant music therapist at DeWitt State Hospital in Auburn, California. He can be reached at http://www.pianolessonsbyvideo.com He is the author of the popular free 101-week e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions" with over 55,000 current subscribers. Those interested may obtain a free subscription by going to http://www.playpiano.com/

Independent Music Promotion on the Web: 3 Steps to Success

2009-05-08T20:00:00.001-07:00

Let's face it, the wildfire spread of web-based portals designed to introduce independent music to the world has created a bewildering array of opportunities and costs. So where do they all balance out? When does the cost of signing up to yet another music promotion service yield results? What results are we looking for anyway?

The key is to make your web promotion targeted, systematic and rich.

What is the main drive for independent artists promote their music on the web? The fundamental incentive for web promotion is the opportunity to get your music heard by people who might otherwise never know that you exist! If people know you exist they can become fans and repeat-listeners. Which of those fans buy CD's and downloads? Targeted listeners.

The most important goal of web promotion is to attract targeted listeners.

Any independent artist who says they use the web to sell their music has missed the primary target - attracting targeted listeners. Attracting targeted listeners should be every independent artist's first priority. Remember, you don't sell your music - listeners BUY your music. It's a buyers market. The more targeted listeners you have, the more sales you make - provided you are systematic in getting your targeted listeners.

The best way to get targeted listeners is to be systematic.

Many artists tend to approach their web promotion thinking that since they have a website and have signed up to a couple of artist showcase sites, that the listeners will just come pouring in. Yes you have managed to target some potential listeners, but you still have to shout, "Hey, over here...you'll like the sound of this!" A systematic approach to getting listeners to hear your music will attract and maintain their interest. But remember to make sure you have the content ready for the listener to enjoy.

Sites rich in content will retain your targeted listener.

In the independent artist's case, the rich content is the music. This may seem like old news, but look at the amount of independent artist websites that give the visitor loads of info about the band but very little (or hidden) ear candy. Music should be the first thing a visitor gets. At the very least they need an obvious link to where they can listen to your music. And not just one or two tracks but a variety of your music. Independent artists have to remember they have not had the radio exposure to model the presentation of their music after more well established acts. Listeners need to be convinced they like your independent music before they will buy it.

So the question is how to make your web promotion targeted, systematic and rich?

Tips for Targeting.

The best targeted listeners on the web will be those that make it to your website. Find a way to know who they are. Setup a newsletter and make it easy to sign up to it. People interested enough to want to receive news about you are your hardcore web fans, keep them happy.

The next best group of targeted listeners are those that hear your music on other sites. Try to pick sites that allow listeners to link to your site. If they like your music they might click on that link to visit your site. You can then find out where these visitors are coming from. Find a good web statistics package that lets you know which sites your visitors are being referred from. Take note of those sites and focus your efforts with them accordingly.

When choosing sites on which to promote your music, check to see if they offer any individual stats relating to your music. Like how many track plays or page views you and your music receive on their site. This way you can check in periodically and monitor your performance with these sites.

Systematic Steps.

The key to being systematic is organization. Keep a note of all the sites you use to promote your music, a brief description of what they do and how much it costs. Try to get into the practice of monitoring all of them regularly. Take note of which sites are getting better results than others and focus your efforts accordingly. You might pay for minimal promotion on one website, while another gets you loads of listeners for free. Naturally you'll want to put more effort into updating the sites that are getting better results.

Provide a link on your website and newsletters to all of the sites you use to promote your music. Remember your website visitors are your hardcore web fans and are the most likely to check out and spread the word about your spot on other websites. So encourage them to visit your profile on other websites. At the very least it raises your stats on those websites - making your music look more popular!

Try to create a ring of sites that link to each other though the content you supply. For example, you might have your music on your own website and two other showcase sites - Site A and Site B. Your site should without a doubt link with Site A and Site B. Site A should link with your site and Site B, Site B should link with your site and Site A and so on. What if these sites don't allow you to setup links to other sites? Put a web address in the areas where they do allow you to supply content. Like biogs or descriptions.

The ultimate aim of linking all your sites is to provide your listeners with a variety of access points to your music, as well as access to the different ways various sites may deliver your music. Remember to link to your specific page on the site and not just the site itself. Your site linked with a site that play your tracks on Internet radio, linked with a site that sells your downloads, linked with a site that sells your CD's provides for a powerful combination of exposure.

Be Rich

Without money! That is the challenge that most independent artists face. The conventional approach to selling music is that it should not be too readily available to listen to, should the incentive for listeners to actually buy albums be undermined. This has persuaded independent artists that they should limit web listeners to low-quality snippets of streaming audio.

Independent artists have to remember they don't have the resources and finances to support the "shotgun approach" of spraying their music across radio and music television. Big artists have big companies behind them that need to recoup the costs of mass media exposure, and therefore try to limit the extent to which listeners can sample their music on the web. Listeners have already heard the music and are trying to find a copy of their own.

Conversely, listeners haven't had a chance to listen to independent artist through conventional media. Therefore independent artists can't assume that people will buy their music off of a website if they don't get a chance to really listen to it. If people have already heard an artist's music, and like it, the value they pay for is in owning a copy they can play whenever they like. If people have not already heard an artist's music, the value is in being able to sample as much of the music as possible.

So being rich is providing your listeners with as much of your music as they want to listen to before they buy it. Now you don't have to make all your tracks available for free download, but you can provide good quality, full-length streams that impress the listener and enhance your sound. Not tight-fisted snippets that lose the listener because they are lo-fi and over before they attract the listener's interest.

Being rich is also making your music available in a variety of formats for different audiences. Telling fans that your music can be heard via Internet radio, on-demand streams, mp3 downloads and mail order CD means you can appeal to listeners who prefer more than one type of media. You can also use your web promotion to go beyond simply plays and sales - consider licensing.

Licensing your music for use with television, film, advertising, websites, video games and other multimedia will open up your listening audience, provide revenue and introduce a degree of professionalism to your career that attracts the notice of industry reps and A&R. Adding this depth to your web promotion helps to enrich the presentation of your music and retain targeted listeners.

So remember: a) maximise your targeted listeners, b) be systematic in obtaining them, and c) retain them by making sure your own site and other sites are rich in content.

Nick Hooper has helped to create Tunetrader, an online platform for the promotion of independent music at http://www.tunetrader.com

Try Some New Music!

2009-05-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

Stuck in a music rut?

It happens. After listening to your favorite song 1,379,614 times, you will, eventually, get sick of it.

So you find a new favorite song, all too aware that you'll soon grow as tired of it as your previous pick.

This is even more likely to happen when you only listen to one type of music, a habit I've never subscribed to and have a very hard time wrapping my mind around (my mind's not big enough to stretch that far). With all of the wonderful types of music available, why limit yourself to one or two genres?

Do yourself a favor and start branching out. Sure, you love country music, but is it really going to kill you to listen to some R&B? Or maybe you're all about hip-hop - who's to say you won't find a rock song you like just as well? I'm always so impressed when I hear someone list their favorite songs - and the songs actually cover several genres. Or decades! (Yes, oldies are goodies.)

Next time you hear your fave song come on the radio (you know, the one you've heard over a million times), consider actually turning away from it. Head over to the station you listen to the LEAST - your new favorite song might be waiting for you. :)

Visit my music blog, Striking a Chord, at http://www.thepianopages.com/blog. Feel free to leave any comments, news, rants, or raves. Hope to see you there!

How to Stop Thinking and Start Playing

2009-04-30T20:00:00.001-07:00

Learning how to improvise is confusing for most. The sheer number of choices becomes a burden. Should I play this note? What chord next? Where do I go from here? All valid questions newbies (and oldbies) at improvisation sometimes ask themselves.

The number one reason people have problems creating in the moment is that they won't let up on themselves and just play. They knew how to do it once as children but now that memory is gone and with it, a void has taken its place.

Fortunately, there is a solution. It's really a two-pronged solution because once we do learn how to ease up and just play, we are left with another problem and that is, what game are we playing.

The game of improvisation is a game like any other. We have a few rules, some guidelines, and then the game is played. You see, we must have some kind of structure to play the game of improvisation. Why? Because without it there would be way too many choices and this would prevent most people from even beginning.

Here's a perfect example. In Lesson 5, "Winter Scene," we have 2 chords, a scale, and a way to play these chords. With these choices out of the way, we can now focus on and enjoy the act of improvisation. We can play around with the music and feel good about our play.

Some think working within a set of limitations is uncreative. I thought so too once until I realized that until I learned how to do this by following the examples of others, I couldn't be free to create my own set of limitations.

The Ostinato - What It is and How to Use It

2009-04-26T20:00:00.001-07:00

Ostinato means "repeating pattern" and is used frequently in all types of music. For New Age piano players, it provides a great way to lay down the background of the piece while the right-hand improvises a melody!

For example, in the lesson "Winter Scene," we have a repeating pattern going on in the left-hand using 2 chords. And 2 chords are all that is needed to create a few minutes of music!

Interest is maintained by the right-hand melody. How long you could actually play this ostinato and maintain interest is a whole new topic but the secret to really keeping the improvisation going is to stay in the present and trust your intuition.

The music will naturally wind down when you start becoming bored or indifferent and/or no new material wants to come. Then the improvisation is over and the music has played itself out.

The good thing about using an ostinato to create with is that it's quite easy to develop a harmonic background over which you can improvise your melodies. The bad thing is that it tends to stagnate over time. That's when you either stop playing, or introduce new material - something that adds contrast.

If you wanted, you could introduce another ostinato pattern, or go for something completely different, but you'd probably want to let your intuition guide you in this. You shouldn't try to come up with material but instead, just improvise and see what comes up. A completely different, and much more effective approach!

Musical Improvisation Basics - Four Strategies For Playing Wrong Notes

2009-04-22T20:00:00.001-07:00

While it probably doesn't seem like this would help - let's face it - if you are unwilling to play a lot of wrong notes, you're never going to learn how to do anything hard. And improvising is hard! It isn't something that you can do safely, with the assurance that you will look good while trying to get good at it. You won't look good. You won't sound good -- and the sooner you realize this, the sooner you will be able to do something of real value.

Strangely, we are from a culture that reinforces the idea that we should always look good. I mean there are actually people who think you should look good when you're sick. When you get up in the middle of the night. Or when you haven't slept for 36 hours.

Get the picture?

So, now that that's said - what is the best strategy for playing wrong notes and actually making progress at the same time?

De-emphasizing Note Values

I have found that the best way to start is by de-emphasizing note values - focussing instead upon rhythm, texture, density and shape. Music is way more than just the notes you play, and note selection tends to be the very thing that stops people in their tracks. Thus, my "Wrong Note Strategy."

The following are possible points of departure for playing wrong notes - properly:

Melodic Shape - Conceptualize a melody - don't get too specific with notes, but think only in terms of the overall shape of the line. Does it go up? Does it climb? Does it jump? If you have a hard time, try creating a melody on your instrument that is shaped like something else. I think it was John Cage (a rather famous composer) that used the New York skyline as the basis for a piece of music. My vote is, if John Cage can do it, we can too.

Density - Think about density. Are there a lot of notes all close together? Or are they spaced wide apart? Density shape is determined by where there is little space between notes, and where there is a lot of space. It is applicable melodically, harmonically and rythmically. I think there are even methods of encoding data that use this approach (can't remember the name of it). I figure, if it's OK for Intel to use this concept for data, I think it's OK for us to use it too.

Rhythm - What about a rhythmic approach? What if note values were totally unimportant, and we thought only percussively about the music? Like using blocks of notes - dissonances as though playing drums with the keyboard (or whatever)? It seems to have worked for legions of 20th Century composers, so why not for us?

Texture - How about making sounds - funny sounds - on our instrument? I remember working with a violinist from the LA Philharmonic, who told me she couldn't improvise. I asked if she could make noises. She said, "Oh sure! I like making really funny noises like this; and this; and this." We proceeded to "play funny sounds" for the next hour and a half, experimenting with all sorts of melody, harmony, rhythm and texture - coming up with some really beautiful stuff, after which she asked, "was that improvising?" I said, it sure was, and she was totally changed by the experience.

I love that story, because it really shows that all we really need is permission to play "wrong" notes. Once we are willing to do that, then we can experiment - often on a very high level - with the vital textural, rhythmic, shape and density aspects of music.

It still communicates, it's genuinely creative, and it really is music.

So play some wrong notes today!

(c);2000-2005 Ben Dowling, the author of "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" - is a pianist, composer and an authority on music improvisation and publishes Music- Improv.com, a web site that provides useful paradigms and practices for musicians interested in expanding their ability to improvise. Learn more about "The Metaphysics of Improvisation" and "The Music Continuum" by visiting http://www.music-improv.com

Negotiating Tactics: How To Strike A Negotiable Opening Shot

2009-04-18T20:00:00.001-07:00

There is no right or wrong to fire up your opening negotiation...

There may be a lot of people who are uncertain about the right way to start off a fruitful negotiation with their counterparts. They tend to think or behave as though there is really a "right" way to start it off, which eventually will make them expect the magic word "yes" from their opponent. I speak from my experience. There isn't any blueprint on how or what you should follow throughout your negotiation tactics, but perhaps there are several ways which you may want to consider.

Here are the 2 main important issues you need to consider when opening your negotiation talks.

a) Hear, understand and tackle the main issues first and foremost

b) Building a cooperative environment and getting the trust and respect from each other.

Say no to guerilla negotiating...

The first strategy is what I shall say, the most risky kind of tactic you shouldn't employ. If you demand too much in the first place, you may provoke and outrage the other opponent, which in the end may set your negotiations into a wrong direction. If things are so hard and difficult to come by for your opponent in the first place, do you think if by any chance that they will listen to you in the long run? They may not be aware of the significance of the main topics that you are bringing in, but tackling it later on will certainly save you a lot of time in the long run. Build rapport first.

Fostering a closer relationship...

If things are too difficult to handle in the first place, the safest bet you can take on is to look for points at the outset that might bring you closer to your opponent. For example, try to get to know them well, have a small talk on their thoughts and principles and what are their likes and dislikes. This is something like an information gathering sessions, for what you've gathered may actually help you handle issues that are raised subsequently.

But you are advised to be cautious when using this tactic as the opponent may actually trying to outsmart you before they become more aggressive in the future. With this closer tie, try not to be too encouraged to give away information which you should not.

The final part...

Whatever tactics you may use for your opening negotiation, always try to give yourself an added advantage by kicking off the negotiation. You may be able to handle the proceedings well and to sum up matters which are more favorable to you.

Sunny Tan
CEO
E Learning Avenue Inc
http://www.elearning-avenue.com
Personal Development Elearning Courses provider

Sunny Tan is an experienced ERP Project consultant who specializes in Human Resources, Payroll and Training industry. He currently runs his own company E Learning Avenue Inc, http://www.elearning-avenue.com, which provides many top-selling Personal Development el

The Power of Viral Marketing

2009-04-14T20:00:00.001-07:00

Viral marketing is one of the most powerful forms of marketing on the Internet. Viral Marketing is giving something away for free and allowing people to pass it on to others. The concept of free has fueled the imagination and the success of the Internet itself. And, although the free business model has been greatly scaled back in the post-bust Internet days, it is difficult to argue with the viral marketing success achieved by the early pioneers of free email, free web sites, free autoresponders, etc.

For those of us that cannot afford to give away such expensive resources, we can give away other free items. The following are just a few examples of how you can cash in on the power of viral marketing. The possibilities are endless. Let you imagination run wild and be creative. Besides, you'll soon find that being creative makes you unique and being unique can be your best marketing tool available.

Ebooks
Write your own Ebook and include your logo, message and website inside. Give your ebook away for free and offer others to do the same. As a matter of fact you can make your very first page about how others can give your ebook to friends and family or better yet visitors and newsletter subscribers. Offer your ebook as a free gift for signing up to a mailing list.

Affiliate marketers can write ebooks on whatever they are passionate about and include references inside with affiliate links. Example: You can write an ebook on how to take perfect pictures with digital cameras. Inside the ebook you can include affiliate links to cameras, memory cards etc.

Direct Sales representatives can use free ebooks to help their sales. Example: Let's say you're a sales rep for a company that sells spices, condiments and other goodies. You could write an ebook full of recipes using the ingredients you sell.

Reports and Mini Courses
So you don't have enough content for an entire book. An easy solution would be to do something on a smaller scale such as offering free reports and mini courses. Let's say you are either an affiliate or a sales rep that sells candles. You can offer a free report on candle safety. Be sure to include your website in your report. Using the example above for those who sell spices, condiments and other goodies again. Set up an autoresponder to send out a recipe every day or every other day. You can find free autoresponders online. Just do a quick search.

Tell A Friend
Make it easy for your visitors to share your website with their friends. Incorporate a "Tell A Friend" link your website and within a couple of clicks your visitors can share the good find of your site with others. You can also find free scripts online for this via a quick search.

Articles
Write articles that pertain to your product or service. Allow people to reprint your articles on their website, in their ezine, newsletter, magazine or ebooks. Include your resource box and the option for article reprints at the bottom of each article. If you have an affiliate program, let them include an affiliate ID in the resource box!

As I mentioned above, be creative! I've once heard about a woman who designed coloring pages and included her website address at the bottom of each page. She offered the coloring pages for free re-print and presto, juniors best artwork and her website address on mom and grandma's refrigerator! The possibilities are endless!

About the Author
Anita DeFrank a WAHM of two and co-owner of DirectSalesHelpers.com which was created specifically for those in Direct Sales. Do you find yourself asking how to make more sales? The above is only a small taste of the wealth of information available at http://www.directsaleshelpers.com. Stop on in if you're serious about your direct sales company and want to know how you can make more sales.

Setting Up Your Work-From-Home Internet Business: When Are You Ready to Start?

2009-04-10T20:00:00.001-07:00

It would be nice to be one of those Internet gurus. To know everything about doing business online. To be able to slap down page after page of HTML without breaking a sweat. Create a new web site in fifteen minutes any time you want. Get three ezine articles, four pay-per-click campaigns and six joint ventures set up before lunch. Ah, yes.

But there are two major problems with waiting until you've acquired that level of skill before actually going into business.

First, you'll never get there. Nobody knows everything. If you wait until you do, you'll be waiting for hell to freeze over as that flock of pigs goes flying by. Which is to say, you'll never do it.

Second, trying to learn everything first is a 'Catch 22.' You have to get in there and do it to learn it, so if you wait until you learn it, you'll never do it. Real sandcastles can never be built in the mind. But they can really be built.

Okay, then. Am I saying you can just roll up your sleeves and open a business online when all you know about computers is how to turn one on? Well, not exactly. Then again -- almost.

Sure, you should get as comfortable as possible with the computer in general, and with the Internet in particular. But it is possible to get started with not a whole lot more than the surf-and-send-an-email basics.

So let's take a look at what might be holding you back. Could it be that you don't have enough money to hire someone to create a website for you, and the idea of doing it all by yourself is just too intimidating?

Well, did you know that there is something called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) software that will actually allow you to build a site with nothing more than the ability to type up some text in Word (or whatever wordprocessor you're familiar with), then copy and paste it onto a pre-decorated web page called a template? That's it. Really.

And getting it up on the web may sound intimidating when you're told you need to know FTP. But that's nothing more than the old 'drag and drop' that you've been using on your computer desktop to put your files (letters, pictures of your kids -- or your grandkids) into folders.

And if even that doesn't convince you, you can get your feet wet in the online business wading pool without any website at all. There are drawbacks (for example, you can't begin to build a mailing list if you have no website where potential customers can sign in). Even so, it will at least get you going. And, obviously, you can't get where you want to go if you don't start, right?

But, you say, I hear that to do business on the Internet, I have to know about marketing. Well, indeed you do. But that's true of any business, online or off. And it's a lot easier -- and a whole lot cheaper -- to reach potential customers online than off.

And even if, right now, you have no idea about how to do it, the Web has a virtual overload of information on the subject. In fact, with all the free tutorials that are offered online, you can learn the basics -- and more -- without paying a penny.

So what's stopping you? Do you think the Internet is for someone else - - like techies and gurus and people under thirty? Well, think again.

We may have separate churches for Protestants and Catholics, Muslims and Jews . . . even separate countries for Americans and Iranians, and Indians and Mexicans and . . . well, you know what I mean. There's a lot of separation on this old planet. But not on the Internet: that, my friend, is for everyone.

Max Ehrman once wrote, in his Desiderata, "You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here." This can also be said of the Internet. So come on in, Child of the Universe: it's your Internet, too.

Bob Brooker has made it his mission, as a devout non-techie who is nonetheless a child of the universe, to help his fellow non-techies start their own work-from home Internet businesses. Bob continually searches for those products (eBooks, CDs, etc.) that are the simplest to understand and use. So if you'd like to see a website that was created entirely with WYSIWYG, visit Bob at http://www.makingmoneysimplified.com

If you want to find out how to do it yourself, read Bob's report on some simple WYSIWYG software at http://www.makingmoneysimplified.com/review1.html

And if the very thought of creating your own web site has you taking to your bed with the vapors, check out his report on how to do it even without a web site at http://www.makingmoneysimplified.com/review2.html

Hey, it's your Internet: come and get it!

MLM Recruiting- MLM Online Recruiting 101 for Network Marketing

2009-04-06T20:00:00.001-07:00

Recruiting on the Internet in MLM is very popular! Yet, there are still many folks who are hesitant to jump into the arena of the Internet. I assure you the best way of learning HOW to use the Internet is to just do it!

And if you have already chosen to be a part of the Internet culture, then we congratulate you on a decision that we believe is where you need to be. The recruiting process on the Internet is NOT unlike the process offline, you still must prospect, contact, present, follow up, get the decision, and train and duplicate. But you need to understand that there MUST be a methodical process of creating the environment for attracting people to your website and then to ATTRACT them to your Network Marketing business.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ONLINE MARKETING SECRET: There is a LIVE HUMAN BEING behind the computer monitor that you are trying to recruit. Treat them as such, and with respect and professionalism. This is one of the Foundation Secrets that you must understand.

Everybody you prospect to on the Internet is breathing, has goals and dreams and understands that there is more to life than just surviving. And giving your prospect PERSONAL attention is even MORE important on the Internet than it is offline!

You MUST understand that your emails and ALL your communication is being read by a LIVE, BREATHING, HUMAN BEING on 'the other side' of the computer screen. I repeat this because even though it is obvious to most people, most people on the Internet fail to ACT like it in their MLM recruiting efforts.

RELATIONSHIPS are just as important over the Internet as it is offline. Sometimes even more important, since today's marketing methods on the Internet are not all done professionally.

Remember, the same principles hold true for building relationships on the Internet. It usually takes a series of consistent exposures. It takes time to build trust. And personalization is VERY important, especially on the Internet and MLM recruiting.

Everyone wants to be treated well, and with respect. And they also want to feel that they are special. So with your understanding that there is a LIVE human being on the other side of the computer screen. You need to create the scenario that you may go beyond the computer.

You MUST CONNECT with your person OFFLINE after gaining their interest, to create the start of the relationship, usually via telephone.

The other side of that computer monitor is a very special place that you must always keep in mind when recruiting, as that will determine a lot of where your recruiting grows, or doesn't grow.

PEOPLE WANT 3 THINGS:

1) To FEEL they are respected for who they are and their values honored.

2) To FEEL that someone cares about them instead of just want to recruit them.

3) To establish a connection with someone they FEEL they can trust and can help LEAD them to success!

If you can TOUCH, then TELL, you will much more likely to have a viable prospect than not.

Ask them about:

Family. Interests. Success. Hobbies. Career.

We call that the 'FISH-C Formula' for Connecting.

EMAIL 101:

ALWAYS Use a Signature (sig) File! This is free advertising for your company and for you. I cannot believe how many emails I still get from folks who don't use this great feature. It will be in the 'options' section on the navigation bar in your email program. In your Signature File, you should ALWAYS include your name, email address, phone number and website address. Yes, include your phone number! You want to be personal right? They MIGHT want to call you directly!

PROMOTING YOUR WEBSITE:

Having a website is a MUST. Here's a few basics about getting your own website if you don't already have one, and how to increase traffic to generate more leads and a larger warm market on the Internet. Your advertising focus MUST be on getting people to visit your website.

Have you noticed that EVERY type of media now advertises their website? Newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, every advertisement you see or listen to now advertises their website encouraging you to visit. Why? Convenience and Culture. Everyone who has Internet access can check out your information at THEIR convenience, and it works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, is part of our Culture now. AND it's cost effective!

A Network Marketing distributor website with PULLING POWER is a strong indication of the seriousness you and your company project, and most companies today have a website that can be pointed to and accessed for information and links. Even though most are limited to what they allow you to do as a distributor, you still need a 'visual commercial' on the Internet, and company websites will work fine. And there are some HOT company sites out there.

Always CROSS-MARKET. Always advertise your website AND your phone number. This way anyone can contact you to get the information they need.

Not everyone has DSL. Some are still on dial up. And some people will still prefer to call you to answer questions or build the personal contact that is required to form a relationship. If you have your own recruiting website, that is best. You will be able to have it designed and programmed to do exactly what YOU want.

However, it can be very expensive. There are several 'self-replicating' websites with pre-programmed web pages designed for recruiting out there. A self-replicating website offers EASY DUPLICATION. You go to the website, enter some information and sign up, then you can have your own personalized version of a main website.

Many of these websites are free, and the best looking sites may not be your company's own website. But, if your company offers a self-replicating site that is personalized, utilize it! Get ALL your downline using this training system! And it's great for prospecting too.

Everyone wants something FREE! Even other networkers can't say no to at least checking out your website, and maybe your opportunity later. You probably won't actually be selling anything from this website, but it's a great way to increase your leads and start building new relationships. Use them as a learning tool!

One thing you must learn in recruiting on the Internet. YOU MUST DO SOMETHING!

Just do something EVERY day. Persistency and consistency are two the best skills in Internet marketing. Continue trying new advertising methods and new websites to increase traffic. Make sure you follow up with every email you receive, offer something of VALUE to them. Tell them about a great new e-zine of yours that they can subscribe to for free or some other item that keeps your message in front of them on an ongoing basis!

Having your own website will work best for bringing people off-line to online. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, strangers, everyone to visit your website. Call them and personally invite them to check it out.

Just say, 'Hi Betty, this is David, do you have a second? Great! I need your help on something. I have a new website and I really wanted to get your input on it. I think it is something you will be interested in when you're finished will you give me a call back so we can chat? Thanks Betty.'

How difficult was that? You MUST learn to think 'outside the box'. Get people curious. Be personal. Then you will be more effective. Your success depends proportionately on your activities and attitude! Most people always seem to find what they're looking for. Are you looking for Success or failure?

Remember, learning is a continuous process and if stop learning, you stop living. Learning HOW to effectively use the Internet for recruiting does take time and effort, but YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

SECRETS TO FOLLOW UP:

In network marketing, whether online and offline, the Fortune is in the Follow Up! If you are going to be successful recruiting on the Internet, you MUST follow up with your interested prospects. Would you discover a gold mine and not finish the digging?

It is the same concept. So many people are afraid to complete the process because they are afraid someone will tell them 'NO'. Here's My Secret: It's not the YES's in this business that create wealth. It's the NO's. You will get a NO the majority of the time. But those with the biggest pile of No's create wealth in the long run.

How you handle the No's will determine if it will be wealth, or only a wish to be successful in your network marketing business and in life.

You are in the business of COLLECTING DECISIONS. It doesn't matter if it is a YES or a NO. Either way, you must collect them! You MUST FOLLOW UP to collect the decision, and that is where you make your money -- getting the decision. Especially on the internet.

For every 12 No's you get, you most likely will get a Yes. Fear plays a lot in recruiting on the Internet because many folks have fear that the results they want will not happen. You generally get in this business what you expect to get. And you generally don't get what you don't ALLOW to be in your life. If you collect a LOT of decisions, you will make a LOT of money. If you collect a few decisions, you will make a few dollars.

The more you follow up, the more your check will go up! Believe it or not, over 80% of network marketers NEVER follow up!

And I bet if you did the opposite, and followed up on 80% of your interested prospects you would create an MLM money machine that would create WEALTH from the Internet.

WE DID A SURVEY RECENTLY OF OVER 1,000 DISTRIBUTORS AT RANDOM, AND DISCOVERED AN AMAZING STATISTIC, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

Less than 30% of the distributors we surveyed had a system of following up, and contacted the people on a methodical basis they had sent information to.

Less than 10% did that daily! Can you believe that?

And the answer we got when we asked them, 'Why didn't you follow up?' was consistently 'If they are interested, they would have called me.' Most folks will not call you back because they see that as your responsibility, and many want to see how serious you are about your business.

The fortune you are seeking is not in the prospecting, not in the contacting, not in the presentation, nor the website, nor advertising (online or offline.)They all help to determine the ultimate result. But If you don't follow up, you will NEVER sign them up! If you just follow up on the prospects you have, you can triple your income fairly quickly. Consistent follow up when recruiting, screams LEADERSHIP!

How many folks will get excited about something that you aren't excited enough over to call them back to seek their opinion? The CONSISTENCY in your follow up will mostly determine the consistency in your paycheck. There is a gold mine in front of you, but you must dig. You must labor to find the gold vein that is within the mine. It is there, yet most people walk away from it laying down their shovels and fortunes, in return for an easier way to get through life and living off of the fool's gold that other miners cast aside. Don't lay down your shovel and accept fool's gold that only fools will try and cash in. Your gold mine is in your list of follow ups.

There is a breathing human being on the other side of the computer monitor. NEVER forget it and you won't be forgotten. Keep the focus on them and only on them. They will FEEL that you are sincere, personal and have THEIR best interest at heart, which probably will mean they will take you more seriously as a Network Marketing recruiter on the internet!

blessings... Doug

PassionFire Intl

http://www.passionfire.com

Doug Firebaugh is one of the top MLM Network Marketing Trainers in the world. Over a million people a month read his training ezine. He spent the last 7 years traveling the world speaking and training on Success. He lives in Birmingham Michigan, and you can receive a FREE subscription to his training ezine- The MLM Success HEAT- at: http://www.passionfire.com/pf_heat_4.html and http://www.passionfire.com

Network Marketing Training: The MLM Millionaires Big 3 MLM Recruiting Secrets

2009-04-02T20:00:00.001-07:00

I have never had such a response to anything in these articles like we have had with this PassionFire study on Millionaire Recruiters.

WOW! And we have been swamped with emails for copies of the study. We may release it at a later date, but we appreciate the kind interest and comments.

This article we are going to cover:

"The MLM Millionaire's Big 3 Recruiting Secrets."

All the Millionaires which I chatted with and interviewed had their own flair and processes, which is what makes Network Marketing great. The different nature of the education one can get is immense.

But after interviewing them and seeing what they all had to say, there were 3 commonalities between them all as far as what they focused on and how they saw things.

Millionaires in this business are different. VERY Different.

In their work ethic, focus, activity level, belief and determination to make things happen, and they make things happen all the time.

But 3 things really stuck out about them all, and it really made an impression on us to find out that they perceive things differently than the average network marketing distributor.

That is the reason they became Millionaires. And they should be modeled in most every aspect.

The "Big 3" MLM Secrets that we discovered. 1) "Millionaires don't wait for something to happen, they are too busy MAKING something happen."

One top earner from JAFRA told me that she took her new folks by the hand, and led them down a path that was all about activity and results. She didn't wait on them to go do something. She took them and DID something WITH THEM. (DID YOU GET THAT?)

Another number one earner told me that he gets his distributors to "hit the ground running, because they have to keep up with me!" This number one earner said that he NEVER waits for his phone to ring. He goes out and MAKES it ring from all that he does with his folks and his personal recruiting.

Another number one earner said, "This is NOT a waiting game. It is a WINNING game, and the average MLM distributor plays the waiting game. But not my people. We are focused on winning at recruiting, and let the others who wait get the crumbs we leave."

WOW! What an attitude and focus! This Intensity at making something happen permeated every Millionaire we chatted with, no exceptions. And many folks who we chatted with were constantly interrupted with 3 way calls on their cell phones and pages.

Their whole demeanor said: MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN!

2) "Millionaires don't count the calls, they only count the applications."

I was amazed at the numbers that these folks ran even when they were part time.(We covered this in another article). And we discovered that MLM Millionaires don't count the calls, rarely if ever.

As one millionaire so aptly put it, "Count the calls? You gotta be kidding. I just call till I score." Asked if he had any notion of how long he sits and makes calls-- "All night if neccessary, doesn't everybody?"(DID YOU GET THAT????)

MLM Millionaires see what they do as the Norm and not anything special. They just call and keep calling, never minding or caring about the numbers, only waiting till they "score" and recruit someone.

The Power of ENOUGH in Network Marketing and Direct Sales.

As another top earner said, "I'm too busy making phone calls to count how many I have made. I am only interested in one number -- ENOUGH. And I know I have hit that when I have recruited someone, and I do nearly everyday."

ENOUGH? You gotta LOVE IT! What Focus! What determination. Is it any wonder she earns 100,000 a month? I hope you guys are GETTING THIS!

3) "Millionaires see Negatives as the Ultimate Positive"

As one number one earner said, "Negatives? WHAT negatives? I never get any. I only get an answer and that answer from my prospect is either "I GET IT" or "I DON'T GET IT". And if they don't, who cares? I got it, and that is all that matters! And I will find those who DO get it!"

Again, DID YOU GET THAT?? What a focus and perception! A top earner for Mary Kay said, "There is nothing but positive with recruiting. Either people are POSITIVE about this business, or I am POSITIVE I don't want to work with them."

WOW! What a great mindset and it is no wonder she earns a TON of money every year. To her, there are NO negatives.

There are people Who are NOT for MLM.

One female top earner for a company said, "The real winners in MLM understand that there are more people who are NOT for this business, then are. And Millionaires get rich by NOT caring who is or who isn't for the business. It doesn't matter. All that matters is they MUST find one who is, today."

As you can see, the "Big 3" that all MLM Millionaires had in common in many instances border profound.

I would suggest you start embracing these 3 principles that ran through all the interviews, and start modeling their Focus, Mindset, and Vision they have for their business.

It is called "The MLM Millionaire Perspective, " and it's worth a Million Dollars in MLM and Network Marketing.

PassionFire Intl
http://www.passionfire.com

What is the Secret About a Multilevel Marketing Business?

2009-03-29T20:00:00.001-07:00

Maybe it is the stigma attached to it, that all MLM businesses are scam, fake and plainly out there to get your money. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, there are some nasty people out there who operate MLM businesses, but there are a whole lot of ethical, honest and fantastic business opportunities out there who will give you a once in a lifetime chance of becoming financially independent.

As Jim Rohn quotes "We all have two choices, we can make a living or design a life."

An MLM business will give you choices in life, you wouldn't normally have as an employee. It is a well known and proven fact, that the worlds most self made millionaires come from a Network Marketing business!

So what is Network Marketing, and why is it so special? Well, have you ever asked yourself, why products in the shops are so expensive? For example: The farmer in the field grows apples, once they are ripe he takes the produce to the market, where it is bid upon for a good price. The farmer then gets his cut! Now the buyer sets the price for the wholesale purchaser- who buys them, and then sells the apples to a shop/supermarket. So by the time you go shopping, a fare share of middlemen has taken their cut on your apple, therefore it is often unnecessarily expensive.

As opposed to above scenario, a Network Marketing business is run by an Independent Distributor who buys and sells the products directly to the customer! This effectively cuts out on unnecessary middlemen; therefore you as the customer will get proper value for your dollar. But it doesn't stop there! The Independent Distributor delivers often outstanding personal after sale service you get free of charge and wouldn't normally get while buying in a shop. Also, the overheads of a MLM business are very low compared to a traditional business, there is no staff to employ, no shop to lease, no goodwill to pay and generally very low start up costs. All in all a MLM business gives the Distributor a low risk chance of becoming financially independent!

You probably say to yourself now, yes, I can see that, but why is it then, that over 90% of MLM businesses fails within their first 2 years? It is simple, even if it sounds harsh. When people get into their own MLM business they often overestimate, what they can earn in the short term ( 1-3 years) and underestimate, what they can earn in the long term ( 3 + years)

It takes a hardworking, reliable, ethical, commited, disciplined and caring person, to run a successful Network Marketing business and it is coupled with a lot of tears, hard work, failure and joy. Also the individual has to commit to ongoing Personal Development.

Once you grow as a person, your business will grow!

So if you think you have what it takes, I suggest you seriously research these fantastic opportunities.

Monika Mundell runs her own successful Network Marketing business from the comfort of her home after many frustrating years in the workforce she has taken her financial future into her own hands. She is a Business Mentor with the 60 Minute Money Organization.

If you are serious about starting your own home based business, or if you would like some more information, Monika can be contacted via email: monikamundell@hotmail.com

Full details of the 60 Minute Money Home Business Opportunity can be found on Monika's website http://www.my60mmteam.biz

Network Marketing! Whats It All About?

2009-03-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

Every day millions of employees go to their place of employment for their employers to use their time and effort to build a business --- a financial future, without any "REAL" consideration for their employees future!

In Network Marketing, however, we do things much different. While all of us continue to gather customers, we also assist each other in building a business and a GREAT future. This is the true meaning of the words "Network Marketing." We network with people, assist each other, and get paid for work that is done one time! It's AWESOME!

In the JOB (Just Over Broke) world, your employer leverages YOUR time. But, in Network Marketing, YOU leverage your own time and the time of others! Your employer has tons of overhead to deal with. In Network Marketing, you really don't have that.

Employees are the biggest liability an employer has. In Network Marketing we have business partners all working with our T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More). We don't have all the issues a commercial type company has. We have our initial start-up fee, which typically runs anywhere from a little under 100 dollars to a little under 500 dollars. There are others that have a higher start-up fee, but they are few and far between.

One of the biggest reasons people fall short in this Industry is because, for some reason, they feel that a marketing budget is unnecessary. They don't advertise, prospect, or seek out the knowledge and support they need in order to be successful. They don't treat their Network Marketing business as a REAL business. This is a BAD mistake!

You must remember that you own a REAL business! You don't have a boss to answer to because YOU are the boss. Your success or failure is completely OWNED by YOU! No one else!

So, you need to get down to it and go to work gathering customers! Some of those customers will want to be business builders. So, you will need to assist them in getting started, and then continually coach them to success. Two to five years of continuous effort should bring you GREAT success.

You will need to put in 5 ? 20 hours per week in building your business and assisting others to do the same. You will also need to have a Marketing Budget. It can be a small budget, starting out. But, you will need one.

REMEMBER: You own a REAL business! It's YOUR business! So treat it as such! It's not a "get rich quick" scheme, or anything like that! It is a REAL business!

Our Industry is primarily built on "word of mouth" advertising. This has always been the most effective way to advertise. You go to a movie. You tell others about it. They go. They tell others. And, it continues. It is the same when you find a store that you like. You tell others about it. They, in turn, tell others. And, it continues on. The word spreads. This is the most powerful form of advertising there is.

Isn't that what we do as Network Marketers? We are part of a company with great products with a business attached to it, and we share what we have with others. The difference between us and the commercial market is that we get paid for our "word of mouth" advertising. It's AWESOME!

Most people we talk to will tell us, "But, I don't want to sell anything." I felt the same way, when I first got started over 40 years ago, and I still do. Who of us likes an over zealous salesperson putting pressure on us to buy something? None of us do! I'm sure that our prospects feel the same way.

This is where Network Marketing is different. We don't "sell" anything. Isn't that true!?! We only recommend our products and services. Ones that we love and use ourselves. The rest is up to the prospective customer.

So, "Network Marketing! What's It All About!?!" ---- It's about "networking" with people, and sharing your products, services, and business opportunity with them. Plus ? It's a blast!

You gotta LOVE it!

"Assisting People To Success ? One Heart At A Time!"

Lou Everett, Sr.

Lou Everett, Sr. is a down in the trenches coach with 42 years of Network Marketing experience and 60 plus years of Life experience. Lou has built large Networking Organzations, so he knows how to market, and he knows how to live. Lou's life experiences have made him a well rounded individual that people listen to. Lou has coached many to success. Please take advantage of his articles here, and of those in his Blog at:

http://networkmarketingcoach.blogspot.com

If you would like a FREE Coaching Session, just drop Lou an E-Mail Message at: LouEverettSr@yahoo.com

Volunteering for a Networking Group

2009-03-21T19:00:00.001-07:00

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position in the group?

Have you heard the saying that "the fastest way to get anything done is to ask a busy person"? It is very true. What it actually boils down to is the fact that busy people are often very well organized and have the ability to delegate some of their tasks. A busy person can usually fit more into their schedule than most people. For example, I am working a full time job which takes at least 55 hours a week, plus I am completing studies for a doctoral degree. That seems like a busy person but that is not all I have on my plate: I also own a company that provides sales process consulting, I volunteer as the Historian for my Rotary District, I make time to exercise twice daily, I tend to my family and write books. On top of all this I still have time to volunteer for committee work at the Chamber of Commerce and spend time with my family. How do I accomplish so much? I organize my day and my week ahead of time and slot everything into its place.

I feel that when you volunteer for an organization, it is your opportunity to put something back instead of always taking; it has its own rewards and it brings in more business. It is an opportunity to lead, support and nurture a group.

Busy people will often have more than most can handle and they still take on more; one might surmise that they belong to an overachievers club. Although this may be true, we can all learn from their organizational skills. It is through their work ethic that they are able to form great business relationships. Busy people can still say no if they have too much on their plate.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

Unforgettable First Impressions Part 2: Its All About Them!

2009-03-17T19:00:00.001-07:00

Jean de la Bruyere said, "The great gift of conversation lies less in displaying it ourselves than in drawing it out of others. He who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own cleverness is perfectly well pleased with you."

Every conversation, interaction and encounter has some kind of emotional effect on both parties:

How you feel about yourself
How you feel about others
How others feel about you
How others feel about themselves

In order to make an UNFORGETTABLE! first impression (not just a good first impression), you must focus on the last of these four effects: how others feel about themselves.

The 6 Essential Elements for Flawless First Impressions are part of Scott Ginsberg's the UNFORGETTABLE! Audio System.

To solidify this element, ask yourself the following seven questions. If you can answer them while connecting with new people, you will be certain to become UNFORGETTABLE!

How comfortable is the other person?
The most socially gracious people are those who make others feel comfortable. Comfort can be broken into two parts: level and touch. First let's talk about level. When interacting with someone, always synchronize your posture both vertically and horizontally. For example, if one person is sitting, the other should do the same.

One group of people who understand the value of synchronizing their posture is food servers. I remember eating at my local Steak 'N Shake in St. Louis last year during a very busy time of night. My server ? and also everyone else's server ? was running around the understaffed restaurant like a mad man. He finally came to my table and, once he caught his breath, introduced himself and sat down.

"I can't stand up anymore ? it's too crazy! Anyway, you must be Scott, right?" he joked as he pat my shoulder, "Well I'm Brian. What can I get for you?"

As Brian sat eye to eye with me I felt connected to him. I even felt his pain ? he was the only server in the place, but he still managed to adjust to my level.

Psychologically, level adjustments like this are one of many factors that contribute to an average increase in tips. I worked in food service for many years and never encountered a manager who didn't remind us of this tactic. But my managers also encouraged another practice that was effective for first impression ? and tip ? management: touch.

This is the second component to making the other person feel comfortable. Especially when it comes to handshakes, high-fives, shoulder brushes and pats on the back, incorporating the slightest bit of touch in an appropriate and non-violating manner will make people feel more connected to you.

How can you make the other person feel superior to you?
One of my favorite Emerson quotations is, "Every man is my superior in some way, and in that, I learn of him."

When you first meet someone, a great tip is to tell them how much you've learned from them in the short time you've talked. Thank them for enlightening you. Even write down suggestions, tips, names or things they told you right in front of them. Remember, people hate those who make them feel their own inferiority.

Do they feel like they already know you?
If you ever hear someone say, "God I feel like we've known each other for years!" or "We really seemed to hit it off!" you're on the right track to making an UNFORGETTABLE! first impression.

But you can't get to this point in the conversation without self-disclosure. Self-disclosure is the process of making yourself manifest to another. It starts with little pieces of information like your name, but as you locate the CPI, or Common Point of Interest and share your opinions and attitudes, you will find that the other person will reciprocate the same back to you. This norm of reciprocity is another way of saying, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Now, be careful here. Say the wrong thing and you might hear one of the most annoying, overused cliches of the past 10 years come out of your conversation partner's mouth: "Too Much Information!" As frustrating as this phrase may be, if someone says it, you've obvious crossed the line. Sometimes you may be several miles past the line. So be liberal with the amount of information you reveal. And be sure your level of intimacy matches that of the other person. You'll have no problem connecting with someone as if you "already know each other."

How engaged is the other person?
Remember this: two monologues do not make a dialogue. (Some people just yap back and forth without engaging the other person like they're talking to a wall!) So incorporate both people! An important phrase you can use to assure the dialogue is: "What About You?" This sentence is the epitome of having an Other Orientation.

It also allows you to turn the tables. Stop talking for once and find out what they're thinking. If you reciprocate back and forth and keep both parties engaged, you will be well on your way to creating an UNFORGETTABLE! First Impression.

Are they uncertain?
A common reason people feel uncertain during the limited first impression window is the forgetting of names. A person's name is the sweetest sound they'll ever hear, but even more shocking is that a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten.

So ASSUME that they have forgotten your name, and provide them with some help accordingly. First of all, wear your nametag. There's nothing more frustrating than unexpectedly being unable to use a nametag as crutch for a brain fart.

Secondly, practice the "Third Person Trick." This involves telling a story or an anecdote about yourself that helps others with your name without them suffering a loss of face. For example:

"?so when the airport security said, 'Scott Ginsberg, please come with us for a body cavity search,' I knew I was in trouble."

"Oh thank you for saying your name!" they silently say to themselves.

Works every time!

Has the other person discovered how similar they are to you yet?
As soon as you can, find out how you're similar to your conversation partner. You will see it in their eyes. Make sure THEY know there's something similar. This allows you to focus on how they feel about themselves. So remember these two things: 1) People like others whom they ARE like; and 2) As Napoleon Hill said, "You are a human magnet and you are constantly attracting people whose characteristics harmonize with your own."

Are you satisfying their need to feel appreciated?
The number one hierarchical need of humans is the need to feel appreciated and included ? and it's your job in every conversation, interaction and first impression to satisfy this need.

During a late night shift at the front drive of the Ritz Carlton in St. Louis, several gentlemen asked me to call them a cab downtown. As we waited for the taxi to arrive, one of them asked, "So, Scott ? got anyone special staying here at the Ritz tonight?"

"Sir," I smiled, "All of our guests at the Ritz Carlton are special."

The group roared in laughter! The man patted me on the shoulder and nodded his head in gratitude.

"Thanks for that Scott ? that's why we love this hotel!"

It's All About Them
An Other Orientation is essential for UNFORGETTABLE! First Impressions. If you ask and answer these seven questions, you and your conversation partner will feel like you've known each other for years. What's more, you'll make them feel appreciated, superior and comfortable while interacting with you ? all because you remembered that it ain't about you!

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

Are You Sitting With The Right Company?

2009-03-13T19:00:00.001-07:00

When I walked into Dallas's famous Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse, all I wanted to do was to enjoy my New York Strip steak, relax and quietly review my notes for the following day's speech. Little did I know that a valuable business lesson awaited me at the table.

The only other customer in the bar was a guy sitting in the corner pounding away on his laptop. He didn't look up when I walked in. The bartender on the other hand noticed my nametag when I arrived and yelled, "Hey Scott! Grab a stool and have a drink!"

I walked over as he flung a coaster down and said, "What'll you have?"

"Actually," I said, looking at that man in corner, "I have some work to do. Is it cool if I grab one of those corner tables over there?"

"Sure, sit wherever you want," he said.

I sat down at the table caddy-corner from Mr. Laptop. He had one of the new Apple G5's. Nice computer, I thought. Briefly peering over at his screen, I saw that he was working online.

"Excuse me, but do you get high speed access in this bar?" I asked.

"Yeah! I'm set up with a wireless system. And it's nice because I'd rather work here than in my hotel room."

"Oh yeah, I know the feeling," I replied. "That's why I came here too."

Pointing down at my nametag, he asked what convention I was attending. I smiled and told him, "Actually I always wear a nametag. It makes people friendlier and more approachable." He chuckled, as most people often do when I give them my standard answer to this frequently asked question.

"Well Scott, it certainly worked on me! My name is Joachin. It's nice to meet you."

Joachin was a tech consultant from Orange County. He also flew in for the day to give a speech to one of his clients. Not surprisingly, we clicked instantly! And for the next hour, Joachin and I had one of those rare stranger conversations that covered just about every topic you could imagine. It was like we were old friends! And both of us seemed to have forgotten all about the work we'd each brought to the restaurant.

God I love it when that happens, I thought.

The more we got to know each other, the more it felt like our conversation could have lasted for hours. But it was getting late, and we both had big days ahead of us. So, after exchanging business cards and agreeing to drop each other a line sometime, Joachin left and returned to his hotel.

Wow! I'm so glad I talked to that guy! I said as I grabbed the notes for my speech. And as I took another bite of my steak, I also thought to myself, now wait a sec ? something just happened here...

One of the principles of communication I often discuss in my workshops and books is called "Sitting With The Right Company." This idea reminds us that every new encounter represents a choice. For instance, we can walk into a meeting, a party or even a restaurant and immediately seek out the easy seat. That seat could mean sitting all by ourselves or perhaps with a group of people we already know.

You'll notice this will happen a lot at networking functions. Employees from the same company ? who work together 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year ? will always sit together.

Because it's comfortable.

But sometimes, a temporary sacrifice in comfort is worth the value of the conversation that otherwise would not have existed. Sometimes you've just got to throw yourself out there. Sometimes you've got to break the silence and step onto the front porch of someone new.

Because you just never know. You never know whom you will meet, what you will learn or how it will reciprocate. Unfortunately, too many people are held captive by this comfort. And it is those people who are missing out on opportunities to enhance the net worth of their social capital. Sure, it's easier to talk to people we already know. But there's also something to be said for digging your well before you're thirsty.

After I paid my check and hopped back into the cab, you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The cab driver probably thought I was drunk! But for some reason, the conversation I had with Joachin gave me more energy than the seven dinner rolls I'd just eaten!

And MAN that was beautiful.

Now, will we become life long friends? I doubt it. Business associates? Certainly, that's a possibility. But...will we either of us regret spending our meal talking and connecting with an exciting new person instead of sitting alone in a corner burying our noses in work?

No way. And in the end...

I was SO glad I didn't sit at the bar. I was SO glad I didn't work on my speech. And I was SO glad I DID sit with the right company.

What about Potassium?

2009-02-09T18:01:00.001-08:00

Information on potassium

When you read about potassium and senate document report 264 you'll life should be changed forever. You're going to discover that the biggest fallacy most people aren't aware of is that if we eat a balanced diet, (the four food groups), we get all the nutrients we need to stay healthy and live a long life. The truth is, this has been a matter of public record for the past 60 years. Fact is that our farming soils are severely depleted of these so important minerals such as potassium.

Without adequate mineral intake whether through supplements or certain foods the vitamins our bodies take in are worthless. We need this important mineral as it assists in muscle contraction and in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in body cells. Various surveys would have us believe that we get adequate amounts of daily intake but in truth how's that possible according to the senate document.

We're taught that potassium rich food does the trick but in reality that really can't be so. Fruits and vegetables are mostly depleted of nutrients ? yes they still look good in the stores for sure. A little fancy treatment makes good marketing sense for the venders but not for us. As we contemplate the issues it makes us really wonder who's needs are being met with so many conflicting reports.

The giant supermarkets aren't concerned about our nutrition; it's the cash register that dictates the bottom line. Plant foods are harvested before they've even ripened; many are gas retarded from ripening, trucked across the United States, and then gas ripened. By the time the food gets to our dinner tables there's little or no nutrition left. But they sure look good.

No longer can we rely on a "balanced" diet with merely so many calories or certain vitamins or fixed proportions of starches, proteins and carbohydrates. We know for certain that our diets must have a score of minerals. And potassium along with many others just isn't there.

Senate doc 264 and liquid vitamin supplements

Being Proactive With Your Health Decisions

2009-02-05T18:01:00.001-08:00

In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive in protecting our health. But that assumes there's something you CAN do to protect it.

See, most people figure they're pretty powerless. That's a good thing for the healthcare establishment. They like that. You're the one with disease and they're the one with the solution.

Only one small problem, though. In 2001, now get this, in 783,000 people died from healthcare-related screw-ups. That's a fact. Imagine that. That's 2,100 people a day. That's 8 jumbo jets going up in flames every day.

Don't get me wrong. Doctors and medical facilities are great when it comes to trauma care, bone setting and that kind of thing. But give me a break: 783,000 dead from medical mistakes? No wonder that's the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

Anyway, most people don't even know that. If they get sick, well, the only thing they know to do is to submit themselves to conventional medical treatment ? which of course is all about treating sickness.

But that's not health care. That's sickness care. Real health care is about building health from the ground up. Sickness care is about cutting, radiating, poisoning and taking prescription drugs, which by the way can be very toxic.

So, as I see it anyway, we've only got two options. Be good little medical consumers and go along with the healthcare program that we've all been taught to buy in to - or start thinking things through for ourselves - and no one can make that happen but you. It's your decision ? your choice ? and your life.

Personally, my advise is: be pro-active. Don't wait in line to get on a train wreck. Consider taking your health into your hands. I know that might be a little scary, but you can do it. You couldn't before because there wasn't an alternative ? but now, there's something on the horizon that everyone should know about and it's called 'glyconutrition'.

For the past two years, I've been researching this particular field of nutrition - glyconutrition ? and what I've come away with is the sense that glyconutrition is a tool for health unlike anything we've ever seen before.

To give a few examples, people who are on glyconutrition supplements are having very impressive experiences like far fewer colds and flues, recovering from things like asthma, fibromyalgia, cancer, autism, and depression.

A lot of people hearing this for the first time are very skeptical when they hear claims like that. If you happen to be in that group, but are still open minded enough to take in some new information, that's great. It's the first step you can take to reclaiming your power to make decisions about you and your family's health that isn't completely dictated by the medical establishment - you know, that same group of folks that racks up over 700,000 unnecessary deaths a year.

Anyway, the important thing is that now you at least know about an alternative that's working for thousands of people ? people who've made the decision to start thinking outside the medical box by adding glyconutrition supplements to the food they eat.

David Lear is a freelance writer whose primary interest is glyconutrition. Testimonials, scientific validation, and other information about glyconutrition can be found at http://www.glycoresults.com

Not all Fats are Bad

2009-02-01T18:00:00.001-08:00

Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad for too long. Fat doesn't necessarily cause disease, and can actually cause a role in its prevention. The truth is that some fats are very bad for us and some fats are actually very good for us.

Time has shown us that diets that restrict all fats fail in terms of weight loss. Since the end of World War II, Americans have been told that they need to restrict saturated fat in their diets. So we switched to margarine from butter, and did what we could to restrict fat. We have been constantly told that the reason for our health problems is that we still eat too much fat, especially saturated fats.

Since Americans have been told to eat a low fat diet to lose weight, the results are that nearly two thirds of adult Americans are now classified as overweight and more children are overweight now than ever before. Obviously something is wrong. That is because we need special kinds of fats in our diets that we are not getting.

If you are like me, you grew up being told that vegetable oils were the good oils and saturated fats were the bad ones. Now we are finding out that it is just the opposite. Diets that are moderate to high in "good" saturated fats and oils such as coconut oil and olive oil are actually very good for us. They raise good cholesterol levels and lower bad cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. As a matter of fact, people who started adding at least 4 tablespoons of coconut oil to their diets every day, have found that they can now lose weight when they could not before on a fat restricted diet. Sometimes the addition of these oils even helps with their health problems.

It turns out that the bad guys are polyunsaturated oils, which carry toxic fatty acids (long chain fatty acids or LCT's). These LCT's tend to produce fat in the body. Polyunsaturated oils are the vegetable oils we commonly see in the grocery store, such as soy, corn, cottonseed, rapeseed and safflower.

We have been told that they lower cholesterol, but they way that they do is not healthy, as it ends up collecting in the liver. These oils are easily oxidized and damaged by free radicals. When cooked they become rancid in a few hours, even in the refrigerator. This causes damage to our body at a cellular level, the end results showing up as problems like diabetes, cancer, hypothyroidism and heart disease. And if that is not enough, these oils help us to get fat, lower the metabolic rate in our bodies, help suppress the thyroid function and cause our skin to age quicker.

Trans-fat is one of the worst bad guys. Trans-fatty acids often appear on ingredient labels as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. It is what they do to vegetable oils to make them into hard fats such as margarine and vegetable shortening. It is used in the prepared food industry in baked goods like cookies, crackers, and most supermarket peanut butter to prolong the shelf life. These bad fats are used almost exclusively in fast foods that are fried. When heated and eaten, they turn into something like poison in your system, because your body can not process this kind of chemically made fat. Trans-fats not only increase levels of bad cholesterol, but they will decrease levels of good cholesterol in the blood stream and trans-fatty acids have been linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Fats such as margarine and shortening should be totally avoided, as well as foods items that contain them.

The United States FDA is finally catching up to this truth, and by January 2006 they will be requiring food products to label the amount of trans-fat they have in them.) What is frightening is that trans-fats are found in over 40% of the products on our supermarket shelves.

The fatty acid chains in coconut and olive oil are medium-chain fatty acids (MCT's) and they promote weight loss by increasing the body's metabolism to create energy. Coconut oil has become popular lately, because it has been discovered that coconut oil is nature's richest source of MTC's. If you decide to add coconut oil to your diet, it is recommended that you purchase virgin coconut oil (VCO), usually found in health food stores, because it from the best part of the coconut and has not been chemically bleached and heat processed. It is better for cooking than olive oil, because olive oil can be damaged by the heat of cooking, making it similar to the other vegetable oils in the body when cooked.

Even saturated fat from animals is not as bad as it once was thought to be, especially if it is from organically raised animals (free range and grass fed). Organic butter has a very high conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content, which helps us lose weight and gain muscle. But non-organic meats may still be dangerous because of the way the animals were raised or fed. Most grocery store meats are filled with hormones, pesticides, medicines and unhealthy fat that gets transferred to us when we eat it.

Organic grass fed and free range meat and eggs avoid these problems, and give us a much healthier source of protein and saturated fat. Organic saturated fats and oils are actually good for you and should be eaten daily. The body needs these fats for healthy functioning.

So, forget the guilt and fry up that range-fed chicken in some coconut oil and enjoy!

Dianne Ronnow's best selling book, "Coconut Oil Diet Secrets" reveals how thousands of people are losing weight and getting healthier with coconut oil diets. To find out what the secrets of coconut oil dieting are, Check out her site at: Coconut-Oil-Diet.com. Get the book now and start losing weight today!

Oregano: Nature?s Antibiotic and Antiseptic

2009-01-28T18:00:00.001-08:00

Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews without realizing its impressive healing powers. But oregano is much more than a flavorful herb. It contains three to 20 times more antioxidant activity than other herbs or fruit, and oregano's mineral rich content supersedes that of milk, cheese or green vegetables in calcium, magnesium and potassium. Yet its most remarkable use is to safely wipe out upper respiratory infections including bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throats and other bacterial and viral ailments.

Why not just use an antibiotic? No one will argue that they have saved a multitude of lives over the years. But unfortunately, antibiotics have become overused and abused for colds, the flu and mild bacterial infections which could have been remedied otherwise. They are even prescribed for viral conditions, mostly because patients feel their doctor should prescribe a medicine and specifically ask for antibiotics. This has resulted in a large population of antibiotic-resistant people with chronic upper respiratory ailments whose symptoms continue to resurface. Rather than strengthen the immune system and heal the underlying problem, antibiotics further weaken the body.

Oregano is a nontoxic antibacterial and antiviral herb that does not kill human cells like antibiotics do. It also strengthens the immune system. Dr. Cass Ingram's book The Cure Is in the Cupboard unveils oregano's multiple practical uses, including its ability to safely kill every germ against which it has been tested and nine pathogens, including salmonella, E. coli, listeria, strep, pseudomonas and molds.

Best of all, there is no indication that using oregano oil or herb long-term causes any resistance since it attacks bacteria and viruses via a different mechanism and does not cause those bothersome and long-lasting negative side effects.

But don't head for the cupboards yet. The form of oregano that contains the most health benefits and published research is the wild, mountain grown Oregano P73, which can be found in health food stores and on the Internet. Impressive scientific research exists on Oregacyn P73 and Oregamax, which contain the crushed wild oregano blend or Oil of Oregano. They have been shown to wipe out the human Coronavirus, which is responsible for 50 percent of colds, and to have powerful antifungal effects on Candida Albicans.

I personally grew resistant to the most powerful antibiotics due to years of returning bronchitis and sinus infections. Each year through high school and college, I was sure to go on at least three courses of antibiotics and suffered through miserable side effects. Fortunately, my current nutritional regimen, which includes Oregacyn at first sign of immune weakness or infection, has allowed me to avoid antibiotics for more than four years. Parents can use Oil of Oregano for their kids' sore throats. Mix six drops in water and gargle, or apply directly for immediate pain relief and on-contact anti-microbial and anti-viral effects.

In addition, Oil of Oregano can be inhaled several times daily and placed under the tongue for immediate relief of sneeze attacks, sinus congestion and runny nose. For pneumonia, the oregano oil helps thin mucous, opens clogged lungs, reduces wheezing and has an anti-cough effect. The oil can be applied topically to the chest and taken internally for optimal healing.

For more information on Oregano products visit www.RockwellNutrition.com

Since June 2000, Annika has owned and operated Rockwell Nutrition, Inc., offering top of the line, professional brand nutritional supplements, as well as private consultations to individuals requiring customized eating and supplement plans for their health concerns and goals. She has become skilled at using diagnostic tests including diet analysis, food allergy testing, blood tests, and hair analysis to help asses the best treatment options for women's health and conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, low energy, and gastrointestinal ailments. Annika's specialty is her customized health programs which are unique for each client

Nutrition Is More Than The Nutrition Facts Box

2009-01-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Nutrition usually only comes up when people are finally deciding to diet. By that point, the only purpose of mentioning nutrition is just to find a reason why one particular diet might be better than another. However, most fad diets do not work nearly as well as the originators claim they will, due to the nature of most strict diets.

The majority of weight-loss diets work by banning you from eating certain foods that you would normally eat. Sometimes this means eating less of a food or ingredient, but often it means totally abandoning certain food groups.

Obviously if the food you are cutting out altogether is junk food you will be better off nutritionally. The problem is that when you totally stop eating a food that you are used to eating regularly, you will get cravings for this food.

Right from the start you will have a major temptation to cheat on the diet. Eventually you will probably cheat and render the diet useless. You should therefore opt for diets that don't restrict you as severely as this.

Most diets tend to focus on one attribute of food as being a problem (such as carbohydrates, or fat). A better approach is to look at the overall nutritional value of the food.

For example, many popular fad diets focus on eliminating fat, or sugar, or carbohydrates from the diet. This gives people blinkered vision by looking at only part of the nutritional picture and leads to bad nutritional decisions.

Say you are on a diet which aims to avoid carbohydrates. You have to decide between a diet soda (which is bad for you in almost all respects but contains very few carbs) and a fruit juice drink (which is very good for you but is high in carbs). The diet would have you disregard your general health and go for the diet soda. The best choice is, of course, the fruit juice which is rich in minerals and vitamins and is much better for you.

The best way to take care of yourself is to make sure that your chosen meals are nutritious, as often as you can. Try to make sure that you eat a balanced diet, consisting of several different types of food.

When choosing food for its nutritional value it is best to avoid packaged meals and food. This food is packed full of chemicals and retains few of the minerals and vitamins present in fresh food. Pre-packaged food will also tend to have an unhealthy amount of salt in it.

If you get into the habit of eating fresh food that you cook yourself you will become much more aware of what you are eating and what is in it. You will be able to ensure you don't eat too much sodium for example and it will be obvious to you if you are eating too much of one thing or indeed too much of everything.

The most important thing to remember about nutrition is that in order to be healthy, you have to look closer at the ingredients in the food you eat. While different statistics like calories, grams of fat, and grams of sugar are good indicators, the ingredients list is key to figuring out whether or not you should eat that particular food.

Connie Roemer is the Staff Writer of FF Nutrition This is where you will discover excellent information, resources and articles you want on nutrition. Connie also invites you to sign up for her free newsletter.

To find out more go to: http://www.ffnutrition.com

Feeling Tired? No Pep & Zing? Tap Into Breakfast Smoothies!

2009-01-20T18:01:00.001-08:00

I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has been a pain. Some of my earliest memories are getting ready for school with my mother insisting I eat a bowl of cereal. It just never interested me. Once high school started I was skipping breakfast and grabbing two apples on the run for lunch. All my life breakfast simply wasn't something I got interested in or thought about until I made this discovery...

Someone introduced me to the most amazing concept for breakfast. By now I was well entrenched in not taking time over the first meal of the day (and sometimes the second meal), so anything that captured my attention was going to have to be fast, no fuss and delicious to warrant any of my attention.

Instead of cardboard cereal and bland milk, it's possible to start the day with power packed, nutritious, energizing and best of all, yummy smoothies. Smoothies have been around for ages, but I had never twigged they make a great start to the day. Imagine the delight of selecting from a range such as Chocolate Strawberry, Hazelnut Coffee, Peach Almond, Banana Bread & Apple Pie Surprise. Kid you not! You can make an endless variety to suit your own taste. Now this was interesting to me.

Not only did I start regularly eating breakfast, my energy shot through the roof! This changed my whole perspective on being 40-something. A period where I thought as a mother, wife, and corporate executive I was supposed to be tired all the time. Not true.

Here is one of my favorite recipes.

Strawberry Parfait

3 tablespoons vanilla flavored soy/whey protein powder
250g (6oz) strawberry flavoured fat free yoghurt
1 cup strawberries
4 ice cubes

Blend in hand-held or benchtop blender. Pour into your favorite glassware and enjoy.

Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you'll love and all the support you need! Estimate your healthy body weight, tons of recipes, articles, ezine and more fabulous smoothie recipes at http://weight-loss-health.com.au

Autism and Nutritional Supplements

2009-01-16T18:00:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large percentage of the United States population suffers from nutritional deficiency. Studies show, 30% of the general population has a marginal level of Vitamin C and 15% are Vitamin C deficient. Low level of vitamins and minerals like, calcium, iron, folic acid, magnesium, and chromium continue to be a significant but common problem in the United States. It is also being noticed that children suffering from Autism are the most common patients for vitamin and mineral deficiency. Generally children suffering from Autism have much lower level of vitamins A, C, D, and E, and all B vitamins (except choline) and some minerals (zinc, magnesium, selenium).

The most common problems that are detected in children suffering from nutritional deficiency can be listed as follows:

* High Copper: Zinc ratio

* B12 deficiency

* Calcium deficiency

* Sulfate deficiency

* Vitamin A

Why children with Autism suffer the most?

Chronic diarrhea/constipation: Malabsorption is a common problem related to Autism. A recent study by the Southwest Autism Research Center of over 400 people with autism has found that 48% reported chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation

Gastrointestinal inflammation: Many patients suffering from Autism experience chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and structural compromise in the digestive tract. This intestinal inflammation likely reduces nutrient absorption.

Dietary restrictions: One of the classic symptoms of autism is restricted interests and behaviors and this often extends to choices of food. Restricted, self-limited diets are highly likely to be deficient in one or more essential nutrients.

The Brighter Side

When we are all concerned with the increasing rate of autistic children and problems due to lack of necessary vitamins and minerals it has also been proved that multivitamin/mineral nutrient supplement goes a long way in helping these children. These nutritional supplements significantly contribute towards their improvement of IQ, scholastic test scores, and early neurological development. Children with learning disabilities experience substantial behavioral, cognitive, and academic gains by use of these multivitamin nutritional supplements.

Studies and feedback from parents of children with Autism has shown that calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B6 with magnesium, zinc, niacin, niacinamide, and dimethylglycine resulted in improvement in 41?58% of cases.

The Liquid Vitamin Formula and the Liquid Mineral Formula (available at http://www.awakennutrition.com ) developed with the advice of James Adams. Ph.D. Arizona State University is an ideal solution to meet the nutritional needs of Autism and ADHD. James B. Adams is a father of a young girl with autism, diagnosed in 1994, and that is what led him to eventually shift much of his research emphasis to autism, focusing on biological causes and treatments.

It was found in research that a combination of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium is highly effective in reducing many of the deficits and symptoms of autism. Vitamin C has also been shown in a clinical trial to facilitate a reduction in symptom severity in children with autism. Vitamin B6 is significantly elevated in children with autism, probably due to defective pyridoxal kinase, implying a functional need for more. This may explain why very high doses of vitamin B6 have been shown in numerous studies to benefit children with autism. However, further study is required to measure pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, PMP, and PLP simultaneously to validate this interpretation. Alpha lipoic acid levels should also be higher and preferably at par with those found in typical adults.

These are some of the basic requirements that must be kept in mind while developing any nutritional supplements to be effective and contribute towards proper treatment and growth of children with autism and people suffering from lack of minerals and vitamins. James Adams research ahs gifted us with two such multivitamin nutritional supplements however we should put in continuous effort to develop even better solutions and products that would be effective to cure autism.

This article is written by Ray Smith, a marketing expert with years of experience in different industries and specialized knowledge on branding and internet marketing.

Chelation

Simple Food and Diet Nutrition Remedies for Your Common Health Ailments

2009-01-12T23:41:00.001-08:00

You are what you eat is a simple, time tested adage that still holds true today. There are non-medical remedies that can help with many of today's most common illnesses and conditions. In fact, making simple changes to your food diet to cure your common cold, acne or constipation problems is a much better choice than resorting to drugs. For one, natural food and diet remedies most often do not give you harmful side-effects that western allopathic medicine can bring.

Here are some health ailments that can be easily treated with a simple food and diet remedy:

Allergies. More Americans suffer from allergies than ever before. Perhaps the best remedy for allergies is drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Garlic and cayenne pepper have been used for years, and a good intestinal cleansing has been shown to provide relief. Almonds and walnuts, as well as sunflower seeds, reduce symptoms, and make sure that you are taking a multi-vitamin with the recommended doses of vitamins C, A, E and zinc.

Acne. Acne in both teens and adults is also becoming more and more common. There are many natural dietary changes that you can make to help clear up your skin. First, drink water. It flushes out the impurities. Soy protein helps, as does increasing your consumption of whole grains, fresh fruits and root vegetables. Have three servings of oily fish weekly and add some cold pressed seed oil daily.

Constipation. To help constipation, increase your intake of folic acid. Apple pectin can help relieve constipation and add fiber to your diet. Try drinking some ginger tea or yerba mate in tea form. Cod liver oil is a tried and true, but hard to swallow, remedy. Warm dandelion tea also helps.

Stress. Holy basil, also known as Tulsi, has been used to relieve stress and normalize cortical levels. Limiting caffeine can help the body to reduce the level of adrenaline. When you're particularly stressed out, eat carbohydrates and fresh vegetables. They help the body release serotonin which produce a feeling of well-being.

Cancer. Consuming the trace elements that are plentiful in seafood has been shown to help cancer patients. Broccoli, mustard greens, cabbage and turnips have been recently touted as not only preventative maintenance but perhaps even cures for different types of cancers. Limit your fats.

Help your body cure itself by trying some of these simple food and diet changes. By also including them in your regular diet, you also help in the prevention of these health problems and to build a strong immune system.

Sandra Kim Leong publishes information on food diet and nutrition remedies for common health ailments. For free articles and resources, please visit http://www.food-diet-remedy.com

My Dad and I

2008-12-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

By Rajiv Karran

My memories are a blur. A lot of feelings go through me as I try to recall the past, yours and mine. I feel like I've lived a thousand years, too many memories, some fleeting and some lasting. I wish I had software that will help my brain recollect the good memories and isolate the bad ones from our past. They say every father is his son's first hero. Father, I am thirty eight years old now and I know you were one to me and still are, not in the same way your ten year old grandson thinks of me but differently, in my own way.

I had a lot of questions to ask you but all the questions I wanted answers to and the ones I prepared seems to have disappeared somewhere, lost in the ocean of thoughts. I wanted to ask you father, when I was born and when they first put me in your arms to hold, did you look at me the same way I looked at my son, your grandson, when he was born? Did you feel the same way I felt, when I looked at my son for the first time and my breath left me for a moment? Did you see your flesh and blood in me and thank the creator that he has given me to you? Did you worry with trepidation that something might happen to me and wonder what life will teach me and give me? Will the world be fair to me and if not, will I be man enough to survive and fight against all odds? I think you might have father, for I know I did when I first saw my son.

You gave me everything father, my looks, my strength, my intelligence and I am sure there must have been something of you in me in every stage of my life. I think the same way too, when I look at my son and see the similarities in almost everything he does. Did you secretly gloat over this fact, as I do now looking at my son? I remember when I was growing up and in my teens, I wanted to ask questions to you but I was scared to ask. A lot of questions I wanted answers to but you were never there. Did it scare you father that I was at an age when, my questions would embarrass you and make you feel incomplete or was it that you felt, there was a time and place when I could rightfully ask those questions? You were there for me the entire time father but I never knew. In my youth, when I sought solace in company of people who I thought gave me answers and the means I employed to find the answers, through drugs, through drinking and the opposite sex, you were there father, you never gave up. When all your friends, peers and relatives talked behind you or in front of you about the kind of wastrel your son was, you took it all in father, you never gave up on me. Did you think father, that your son was a lot better than what others think and decided to see only my good points and turned blind for my sake or did you want to cry out to me and tell me to stop, as it was hurting you? Did you feel the same pain in your heart I feel now, just wondering if my son will follow the same path I did? I remember you wishing me well and sending me off to marry the girl I loved, even though it was my choice and you had no part in it. Did it scare you father, that your son had someone else to ask his questions to or did it secretly make you happy that your son had become a man?

I have never seen you cry father. Even when your other son, my brother, left us rather abruptly, you cried but not like someone who has lost his hope or will. Your cry was desolate but it never showed your weakness. Did you keep your sorrow inside and bear the burden of his departure for us? Even when they cut open your heart once and your brain another time on the operating table, you came out strong and you never cried once. Didn't you feel the physical pain father, or did you hide this too, not wanting us to feel your pain?

I see you now father, helpless like an infant. You depend on us for your daily duties and have forgotten to perform even your personal chores. Your memory seems to have left you but you seem happy father. I can spot that tinkle in your eyes, that little smile in the corner of your mouth. Are you at peace with the world father, like an enlightened soul or like a little child? Have you got your answers father, or do you want to ask them to me now? Doctors say you have Alzheimer's disease, a disease that takes your memory away from you, your past, your happiness, your sorrows and your life itself? Are you finally happy that you found the answers and willed yourself to be in this state of bliss or do you want to cry out for help? The doctors say that this disease is not curable and is irreversible. But I won't give up father; I will never give up on you because you never gave up on me. I am waiting for the day when you will come back and answer my questions. And then, shall we rewind and go back into the past and correct all mistakes we've made? Will you answer all of my questions this time father? Or do you want this state to prolong where I can answer all your questions and be your father instead and protect you from this world? Can I ask you a last question, will you be my 'DADDY' again, father?

aka writerbaba

http://wishfulthinking.today.com/