Sun, 26 Aug 2007 23:28:16 GMT

Online Marketing Ideas For Your Business

Your product or service belongs to the cream-of-the-crop in the industry. You have a website to tout it. Navigation is quite right but why don't you get the vital web traffic?

That dilemma is nothing new to every one. As a fact, that's just a common phenomenon at the start of your business' online existence. No web site has an instant hit factor. No web site becomes big overnight. But if the problem lingers for a long time, it's another story....

So how do you get traffic? Check out these tips:

1. Know your clientele. There's a great advantage if you know what they like and what they don't.

2. Everyone likes freebies, so give things out to customers. It could be a promotional pen, mug, t-shirt, magnet, etc. Attach or print your company information to the freebie like your web site and email address.

3. Evolve. Everything changes. Remember, you're not using the website for yourself, you're essentially selling the website to others. So evolve with the changes. Evolve with people.

4. Do some advertising services online. Many of these companies charge as low as one penny per click, which can be well worth it for you!

5. Write, write and write. Submit them to the online directories to gain valuable direct traffic and backlinks. What's more, it will also improve your search engine rankings. Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:14:25 GMT

Bolt.com ceases to exist

Bolt.com, a social network around video content, has ceased to exist. Apparently they have turned belly up after the acquisition by GoFish went wrong recently.Bolt founders have moved on and are now occupied with WikiYou, the Mayfield and First Round Capital-funded startup they launched last month.(Paidcontent)The acquisition has gone bad because of the outstanding coyright issue between Bolt and UMG Recordings Inc. Bolt.com has been operational for almost 11 years.

Two things I'd like to comment :

• 1. Bolt.com will probably be for sale on eBay anytime soon
• 2. Video and audio sharing sites can and will only exist by the grace of the recording industry - you better plan deals before opening shop !

Posted by: S.M. Schrama      Read more     Source

August 7, 2007, 10:47 PM CT

Wealth gap is increasing

The rich really are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, a new University of Michigan study shows.

The study---the most recent available analysis of long-term wealth trends among U.S. households---is based on data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, conducted by the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR) since 1968.

Over the last 20 years, the net worth of the top two percentile of American families nearly doubled, from $1,071,000 in 1984 to $2,100,500 in 2005. But the poorest quarter of American families lost ground over the same period, with their 2005 net worth below their 1984 net worth, measured in constant 2005 dollars.

The poorest ten percent of families actually had a negative net worth---more liabilities than assets. The poorest 5 percent of American households had a negative net worth of a little more than $1,000 in 1984, in comparison to nearly $9,000 in 2005.

"These findings show that the wealth gap is increasing steadily," said Stafford, a senior research scientist at ISR and director of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which is funded primarily by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Aging.

The analysis of a nationally representative sample of approximately 8,000 families was conducted by Stafford and ISR economist Elena Gouskova......... Posted by: Tom      Read more         Source

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:05:47 GMT

WinsomeForge Gourmet Chocolate Business

For those who'd like to know about yet another food home business, WinsomeForge Inc. rules the gourmet chocolate home business field. Their products include unique gourment chocolate such as Granite Gourmet and Sweetcoast Sweetshells (see image on the left) which are great for retailing or as corporate gifts and marketing promotions.

Richard and Bette Jo Menzel, the owners, are not only having the time of their lives running a profitable home based business, they also contribute to their community.

The award-winning, candy-coated milk chocolate snacks are a salute to the state's granite composition and the region's miles of picturesque coastline. They are the hallmark items offered by Winsome Forge LLC, a 9-month-old business based out of the couple's Washington Street home, where they've lived for 20 years.

The "Granite Gourmet" product was recently awarded New Hampshire Magazine's "Best of 2007" editor's pick award for an edible souvenir. Of the tiny granite-looking pieces, the magazine notes its staff likes "to scoop them in with a shovel."

"It's an ambassador-type gift," Richard said. "Other than maple syrup, there's no food product that represents New Hampshire like this does."

How often do we get to find home businesses that become sources of unique state products that may eventually support the economy of their home states?

Source Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:27:45 GMT

Retirement Planning: Are You Ready?

I'll be 50 in just 22 more days.

In my mind, it's the other way around: I'll be 22 for another 50 years but the aches and pains and grey hair tell a different story.

Am I ready? Am I ready for the last half of my life?

MSN Money just published an article on the 8 things you must due when you turn 50 and seeing as that appears to be about half of the American population this year, the points are worth taking a look at:

Reconsider your career
Put retirement on the front burner
Accelerate debt repayment
Get your kids off the dole
Review your life insurance needs
Review your other insurance
Schedule all those checkups
Join the AARP

If you are in a service organization that can provide any of these services, it's time to jump on the bandwagon. Are you reaching those of us who are moving into the adult years of our life? AARP does a great job of reaching out to us pre-senior citizens with a message that is fresh and vibrant. Anything but old.

So how are you doing on the "planning for retirement" front?

By the way, according to the Michigan Library blog, the Cat in the Hat is also turning 50 this year.

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer, Getting Older by the Minute
AllWrite Ink Posted by: Deborah Brown      Read more     Source

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:10:29 GMT

Unemployment Drops in UK

It seems that more and more people are getting on to work in UK. The reason is that in last three months to April, the number of unemployed people has gone down by 15,000 to 1.68 million.

Not only this but the number claiming jobseeker’s allowance has also gone down by 9,300 to 880,400 in May. The increase in the number of employed people has also increased the average earnings by 4% on an annual basis - below forecasts - in the three months to April, down from 4.4% in the January to March period.

Earnings growth for the period was the slowest since December because Christmas bonuses were not included in the period.

The basic elementary earnings growth, excluding bonuses has remained constant at 3.6%.

Global Insight analyst Howard Archer said:

These are very encouraging figures for the Bank of England, indicating that wage growth is still one inflationary dog that isn’t biting.

Analysts had earlier expected earnings growth to be about 4.5%.

Source:BBC Posted by: Fineblog      Read more     Source

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:03:10 GMT

US Economy Growing at Moderate Pace

The Federal Reserve in its latest Beige Book report on the economy gave a more encouraging assessment of US regional economies, as manufacturing and job growth picked up. The economy continued to expand at a moderate pace in most regions of the country, the report said. Consumer spending and manufacturing were on the rise in April and May, the Federal Reserve banks further reported. However, housing continued to remain weak, but the sluggishness was partially counterbalanced by somewhat improved conditions for commercial real estate. At the same time, inflationary pressures were present but it was not growing stronger. The report was unveiled soon after the government announced that the retail sales jumped by the most in more than a year.

Moreover, the latest Beige Book report offers credibility to the prediction by Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and his colleagues that US economic growth will bounce back from last quarter’s growth of 0.6 percent, marking the slowest in more than four years, although inflation gradually glides down. According to the report, ‘most districts reported that overall wage pressures do not seem to have increased’. In addition, despite higher energy costs in most districts and at least two mentioning rising food prices, ‘reports generally did not point toward an increase in overall price pressures’.

The federal Resrve further said in its report that most districts reported that manufacturing movement was up in the most recent times. However, growth rates varied by industry group and some districts experienced modest or no overall growth. The survey also revealed continuing weakness in residential real estate and construction sector. Most parts described their housing markets as soft or weak, the survey reported. Still the Beige Book report observance of generally moderate US economic growth has helped lift bond prices. Analysts are of the view that investors still see US economic growth picking up in the second quarter and the Fed is expected to hold interest rates stable for the anticipated future.

Overall, it is safe to conclude that the report has suggested that inflation is holding in check, with the higher growth pace having little impact on price pressures. Some experts are of the opinion that the second-quarter expansion pace accelerating to 3 percent and some have gone on to anticipate that even 3.5 percent is possible. In the meanwhile a separate report released by the Commerce department showed a 1.4 percent increase in May retail sales added to that optimism, since consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of economic activity. Image

Read
Posted by: Balendu      Read more     Source

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:00:25 GMT

How I Lost My Heart (and a Job) to an Italian Speedboat

Yes, those are boats, not cars, but there's a tale here, folks. Back in an earlier era my employer, the J. Walter Thompson ad agency, decided I'd be a suitable candidate for the post of creative director in its Milan office. First I had to spend a week there so the local manager could check me out. When I stepped off the TWA 707 after an overnight flight from New York, David (sorry, can't recall his last name) informed me that we were to spend the weekend at a Lake Como vacation home he and his wife were renting from a very wealthy American couple. The couple's property, actually an estate dominated by a castle-like mansion, was spread over a vast mountain area above the lake.

During my visit David walked me down to the shore to view an ancient church located by the water's edge. As we stood outside the building I heard a loud rumbling and looked across the water to see a handsome wood-hulled boat passing at speed. I recognan Italian Riva and immediately expressed my delight over the boat's beauty and performance. David was not amused. Apparently Riva's test drivers were in the habit of "buzzing" the church during service on Sunday mornings, to the everlasting annoyance of the worshipers.

I'm not certain whether it was that particular faux pas, or my enthusiasm for creating great ads when all he wanted was someone to manage the department that upset David most, but I didn't get the job. Regardless, I still admirethe 160-year-old company continues to make those elegant wooden speedboats, which is why the annual "Riva Meeting," as rClassical Driver, got my attention. The 4-day meet, held in Italy's beautiful Ligurian lake area, brought together for the first time both traditional wooden speedboats and modern fiberglass luxury yachts, and included a cruise to see the new Riva Shipyard in La Spezia. I'd willingly fly to Italy again just for a ride in a Riva.

[photo: Riva/Ferretti Group] Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Thu, 24 May 2007 01:35:54 GMT

How to Prepare Yourself to Work from Home

Here's a story of someone who's currently working from home and tips on how to adjust easily if you are planning to run a home business or do a home based job.

You have to be mentally prepared to work from home," Wateland said. "It's hard to make the transition from the office to working from home."

About 20.7 million people did some work at home as part of their primary job, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, released in September 2005.

Whether its telecommuting or running a home-based business, keeping a strong work ethic in the nontraditional office setting is difficult. By keeping a schedule, taking periodic breaks and maintaining a work-life balance, it's possible to stay on task and be productive in a home work environment.

Keep distractions minimal. June Michalski, owner of June's Interior Design in St. Cloud, has worked out of her home office for about 40 years.

Michalski said noisy items, such as a television or radio, should be turned off during the workday.

"The key word is dedication when you are in your home," she said. "You have to be dedicated just like you would if you would get up and go to an office."

Wateland has a television on the opposite end of his office but never turns it on when he is working, no matter how tempting it is. The caller ID on his home phone helps him ignore unwanted phone calls when he's working.

Stick to a schedule

John Taylor of St. Cloud said keeping a regular schedule is key. Taylor has been telecommuting from home for his job at a Twin Cities technology firm for about two years.

He sets his alarm for 6 a.m. to get into his home office by 7 a.m.

He takes an hour break for lunch about 11 a.m. and then continues to work, setting up conference calls for the afternoon.

"I'd much rather be able to finish my work by 3 p.m. and have the evening to spend with the family than have to do work when my kids are home," Taylor said.

He said having a routine reminds him that he is still a working professional and needs to get tasks done, even if a nap sounds tempting.

Make a task list

Between shuttling the kids to day care and school, Wateland makes to-do lists for work so he can complete his tasks. The list gives him goals to work toward each day.

And if he doesn't complete everything, he doesn't beat himself up.

"What you don't get done one day will get the next day," Wateland said.

Dress for work

There are no pajamas, no sweats or rolling out of bed with messed up hair for Michalski during the work week.

She said she dresses professionally each day because she meets with clients daily, and it helps get her into the mind-set that she is in a working environment.

"Your mind is functioning in a professional way when you are surrounding yourself in a professional setting," she said.

Take breaks

Wateland leaves his home office often each week, meeting with his partners at a local coffee shop, attending networking luncheons or meeting with clients.

It allows him to clear his mind and get encouragement from his partners when meeting them face-to-face.

Taylor will bring his laptop to local coffee shops to work occasionally because he likes to have the human interaction with people, even if it's not direct.

"I like being surrounded by people, even though I may not be talking to them," he said. "For some reason, it just makes me feel more motivated to work."

Keep them separate

Michalski said she closes her home office door at the end of the day and does not enter until the next work day, treating it just as she would if she had an outside office.

Even though Wateland has a flexible schedule, he found that he was still on call for work at all hours, cutting into family evening time.

He has decided to turn off his work phone after 6 p.m.

"The traditional time structure goes away," Wateland said. "I like the flexible work schedule, but I can't be married to my phone."

via St. Cloud Times Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

Sun, 13 May 2007 21:10:05 GMT

Sources of Virtual Assistant Jobs

Looking for virtual assistant jobs? Want to work, live and breathe as a virtual assistant? There are resources online that you can turn to for help.

VANetworking.com
That's Virtual Assistant Networking, a site dedicated to promoting and nurturing the skills and employability of virtual assistants anywhere in the world. The site offers an excellent source of materials for virtual assistants including virtual assistant jobs, job profile and description. The site also features hundreds of articles, enough to get you started and keep you going.

AllFreelanceWork.com
You must register your profile on this site if you want full access. Search virtual assistant jobs by category or skills required. Once you've been working for some time, you might also want to try managing your projects through their website to keep yourself organized.

FreelanceMom.com
FreelanceMom offers an excellent virtual forum for virtual assistants looking for jobs. Simply register as a member and you can post your messages on their site. This site is loaded with information and tips, along with job opportunities. Join the forum or check out the advice and recommendations of experts in the field. Many of the people you encounter here are real-life Vas so you can be assured they know exactly what they're talking about.

MediaBistro.com
All the freelance jobs you need including virtual assistant job listings. Jobs are categorized by industry, although you can click the job listings or simply type in your keyword and search manually.

Indeed.com
Indeed specializes in jobs and nothing else. Simply type the job you need and Indeed will come up with the job listings along with the websites they appeared in, which you can go to through the link on the site. Posted by: noel      Read more     Source