Monday, June 16, 2008

Who Cares What You Think

By Alice Seba “I hate pop-ups!” “Audio that starts on a website without warning is annoying.” “What’s with these 15-20 page sales letters that just go on and on? I would never buy anything from a site like that.” “I hate those websites that make me give their email address before giving me any information. When I see those, I click away immediately.” And the list of complaints goes on. If we hate these things, plus our website visitors and marketing peers tell us they hate these things, we should stop using them, right? Hold it right there. Basing your marketing decision completely on opinions and preferences is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. It doesn’t matter if it’s your opinion or if 10 people emailed you to tell you that your website annoys them. NEVER make a judgment based on an opinion. What we think and prefer has nothing to do with the RESULTS of our marketing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to ignore your gut feelings or disregard your potential customers. I’m saying - test it out. We know everyone hates pop-ups, but the fact is they work when used effectively. Audio that starts when you visit a website can be highly irritating, but many website owners report increased conversions when they do just that. Long sales letters can be very effective when selling an individual product…just ask world-class copywriter Michel Fortin who has helped people sell millions online. I also know someone who runs a 7-figure yearly business and has switched all his websites to the name-squeeze (you know, those idiotic pages that ask for your name and email before giving you any info?)…and he makes more money now. Does this mean you must blindly use these “irritating techniques”? Nah…your business is unique and you need to base your decisions on cold hard facts (i.e. your testing data) so you can make more cold hard cash. Alice Seba is a full-time online business owner that thrives on helping others say good-bye to their J-O-Bs forever. Sign up for her “Internet Marketing Prescriptions” to cure what ails your online business: http://www.AliceSeba.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Seba http://EzineArticles.com/?Who-Cares-What-You-Think&id=84979 florida hard money lenders prequalification form cash advances approved in georgia payday cash advance loans tennesee laws payday loans
Posted by charmain at 15:12:42 | Permalink | Comments Off

Thursday, June 12, 2008

How to Double Your Romance with One-Way Dates

By David Steele Over time, couples can easily develop routines that become ruts and it seems like romance goes out the window. Does this sound familiar? Partner #1: What do you want to do? Partner #2: I dont know, what do YOU want to do? Then they end up doing pretty much the same thing they have done before. Couples can also fall into compromise ruts, where each gives up what they really want to do in order to find something they can both agree upon. For example, in choosing movies, he might love action-adventure, she might love drama, and they might routinely compromise on comedies. After awhile, this might get old! (True story- happened to me!) Whats the alternative? How can couples keep their romance fresh and exciting? Try rotating the following four ONE-WAY DATES: TYPE 1: Partner #1 creates a romantic experience for partner #2 The purpose of this date is to give a gift and please partner #2 one hundred percent. This doesnt have to cost anything, and doesnt even require going anywhere, as long as the time and activities are creatively focused on what would please partner #2. TYPE 2: Switch; partner #2 creates a romantic experience for partner #1 TYPE 3: Partner #1 creates a self-centered romantic experience The purpose of this date is for partner #1 to please themselves 100%, to have romance exactly the way they want, sharing the experience with partner #2 in the way they wish, but not worrying about partner #2s experience at all. TYPE 4: Switch; partner #2 creates a self-centered romantic experience To work, this requires planning and coordination. I suggest couples plan their dates and one-way types on a calendar a year in advance. This may sacrifice the spontaneity that some prefer but often cant sustain, for intentionality that can continue to create romantic closeness and excitement for decades to come. I have found that trying to reach agreement on everything can hinder creativity and dilute the possibilities. Using these One-Way Dates allows for each partner to freely and creatively choose activities that would truly please themselves or their partner, without eliminating exciting choices trying to please both. ONE-WAY DECISION MAKING As much as we value mutuality and agreement, wouldnt it be nice to get your way sometimes, even when your partner disagrees? Similar to the One Way Date is the GIMME. A Gimme is a request one partner makes of another, when there is something they would really like to have or do that the partner disagrees with. Lets say that partner #1 really wants to go to the opera, but partner #2 hates the opera. Partner #1 really wants to go, but doesnt want to go alone or with someone else, they want to go with their partner! Partner #1 could ask for a gimme which means please do this as a gift for me, not because you agree or want to, but give this to me because you love me and want me to be happy. Ground rules: - A gimme is not asked for lightly or often - When asked for a gimme, try your best to say Yes - When delivering a gimme, do so with a positive attitude - The gimme is a gift, delivered with unconditional love, without expectation of a quid pro quo Sometimes in a relationship, ONE way is the BEST way! Copyright 2006 David Steele David Steele, MA, LMFT is founder of Relationship Coaching Institute, author of Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of Your Life in Today’s World. http://www.consciousdating.com/ Visit http://www.consciousrelationships.com resources for free audio programs, e-programs, downloads, and more for finding and having a successful conscious relationship. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Steele http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Double-Your-Romance-with-One-Way-Dates&id=205687 payday loans for military disabled bad credit need lower apr loan to transfer large debt payday loan virginia paycheck to paycheck
Posted by charmain at 13:38:44 | Permalink | Comments Off

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Using Testimonials - It’s About Branding!

By Brian McElroy Building up a presence online in many ways reflects doing business offline. Thought branding was just for McDonalds and Starbucks? No way! Online companies have to go through the same process of branding their image in order to have a long-standing place in the market. The methods are different, but the results are just the same- long-term customers and a healthier bottom line! Branding is basically the collection of images and ideas that customers have about you and your business. That incorporates concrete symbols such as your brand name, logo, slogan, and all aspects of your design. But it also extends to symbolic attitudes like what people associate with your business, and what kind of expectations they have of you and your work. How past, present, and future customers feel about your company is directly relevant to your ability to sustain whatever edge you have against your competition, so this is not to be neglected. Since there is no Main Street in cyberspace, your brand and how people regard you is really all youve got. Building up a brand and developing a sense of trust is hard work and takes time… but dont worry, there are many time-tested proven techniques that will set you on the right path immediately! You can start by giving your visitors a pleasing experience right from the moment they enter your site. Quality graphics, easy to understand navigation, and highly relevant content all go a long way towards drawing your visitor in and keeping them at your site for an extended period of time. Simple things like having a sitemap, clearly displaying a link to your privacy policy, and having your contact information available at all times can all have a positive effect on your website. When you go the extra mile to make your website user friendly, it helps shape your visitors’ opinion of your brand. Of course, it doesn’t end there! The testimonials you display are a tangible indication of what kind of shop you are running. Are they well-written, emotional, and written from the heart? Do they include the person’s full name, home town, website, and photo? What about a few audio and video testimonials? Or do they seem fake, unoriginal, and not believable? These basic elements can mean the difference between a sale and a lost visitor. Choose your testimonials and presentation wisely, your brand depends on it! Brian D. McElroy is the author of Testimonials Unleashed!, the web’s premier resource for how to build your business by harnessing the awesome power of social proof. Sign up for a free 5 day e-course by visiting http://www.TestimonialsUnleashed.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_McElroy http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Testimonials—Its-About-Branding!&id=480583 no hassle no fax no employment verification payday advances oklahoma hard money loans independent money lenders yes personal loans reviews
Posted by charmain at 05:17:53 | Permalink | Comments Off

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Stop Wasting Money on Dryer Sheets

By William Shreddington Never buy dryer sheets or fabric softener again. These laundry products are not only costly, but they are incredibly harmful to your health as well. You would be surprised at some of the chemicals that are in these products as well as the warnings to go with them. Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, dryer sheets are one of the most toxic products in your home. They are filled with so many chemicals that they have to be scented with an incredible amount of fragrance. If the sweet smelling fragrance was removed, there would only be a noxious chemical smell remaining. Some of the chemicals that are contained in dryer sheets are Benzyl acetate(linked to pancreatic cancer), Benzyl Alcohol(respiratory irritant), Ethanol(linked to central nervous system disorders), Limonene(carcinogen), A-Terpineol(respiratory irritant and damaging to central nervous system), Ethyl Acetate(narcotic), Camphor(central nervous system damage), Chloroform(neurotoxin, anesthetic), Linalool(central nervous system damage), and Pentane(respiratory irritant). Some of the symptoms experienced from prolonged exposure to the chemicals in dryer sheets include: headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system disorders, blood pressure reduction, tiredness that is not cured by resting, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, difficulty concentrating and remembering, and cancer. People with allergies are especially susceptible to the dangers of dryer sheets and fabric softeners. These people can break out in rashes and experience itching if they are exposed to the chemicals in dryer sheets in any capacity. Im no expert, but if it causes trauma to a sensitive person , on contact, then it cant be all that good for the rest of us. Babies are also easily harmed by dryer sheets. It is recommended that baby clothes do not get washed with fabric softeners or dryer sheets as it can be harmful or even fatal for developing babies. There a number of cases of SIDS associated with the use of fabric softeners and dryer sheets. You are also contributing to pollution and ozone depletion whenever you pop a dryer sheet in your dryer. Various toxic chemicals are being emitted into the air through you dryer vent. Dryer sheets leave an oil coating on your clothes, which dont really leave them softer or fluffy. This oil builds up on the fibers and takes the absorbency out (oil repels water). They are designed to slowly release their chemicals, in the attempt to keep them fresh all day. In reality, they are causing you to experience prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals. In the dryer, fabric softener leaves a sticky residue on all the components like the moisture sensors and drum of the dryer. This residue is very flammable, which is why on the back of some fabric softeners it tells you not to use on towels, terrycloth or fleece. The number one cause of house fires is the dryer. Fabric softeners even take the fire retardant out of babys clothes. SoStop Buying Dryer Sheets and try Dryer Magic Dryer Balls. These dryer balls are completely non-toxic and chemical free. Dryer Balls soften fabrics naturally without the need for fabric softener or dryer sheets. These two little Dryer Balls will take the place other fabric softeners without the use of chemicals, making them perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies. Dryer Balls are reusable and hypoallergenic and come with a Lifetime Guarantee. These innovative balls tumble in the dryer to lift and separate laundry, so your clothes dry faster as hot air flows more efficiently. Soft tips massage fabrics to naturally fluff and soften without the use of chemical-laden dryer sheets or liquid softeners. Save money with dryer balls. For just a little more than one fabric softener or dryer sheet purchase, you will have a fabric softening product that will last for years. Imagine the savings of never buying fabric softener or dryer sheets again. Plus with 15%-25% shorter drying times, you will save on energy costs and shorten the amount of time it takes to do laundry. For more information on dryer balls, visit simplygoodstuff.com, the experts in non-toxic cleaning. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Shreddington http://EzineArticles.com/?Stop-Wasting-Money-on-Dryer-Sheets&id=264430 payday loans olympia olympia low rate personal loans australia cash advance places around belleveiwfl cash installment loan in pennsylvania
Posted by charmain at 01:44:13 | Permalink | Comments Off