Monday, December 10, 2012

Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?

"Skiing is all about how, when and where you stand... and who you're with" is a self-coined expression that I refer to when skiing with clients and friends. Certainly, there's more to the full experience of alpine skiing, including indelible memories etched by scenery, thrills and mountain air, but this phrase boils it down for me. Skiing technique, "how, when and where you stand", enhances the hill, and like-minded camaraderie, "who you're with", enhances the fun. Overall, skiing is truly out standing...

Alpine skiing is an Act of Dynamic Standing. Skating, side stepping and the Charleston (don't ask!) are intermittent acts at best, whereas standing is what we do 99+ percent of the time when skiing, ignoring the time we spend sitting on chair lifts. Dynamic standing means moving while standing, and comprises balance, posture and timing. To focus the discussion let's zero in on just one aspect, the 'where' of standing. Otherwise, it'll take a whole book (already written!).

Where is 'where'? Is it the middle of the hill, in the trees, in the village, at the bar? These are 'where' in terms of location, but the important 'where' is in terms of sensation, agony of da feet notwithstanding, as sore feet and ill-fitting boots will undo even the most compelled in their efforts to ski with grace and balance. How should my weight feel on the soles of my feet? What should I feel from my boots to know I am balanced? Where do I want to feel the 'center' of my weight, particularly in the fore and aft direction?

There are different schools of thought on this topic. After all, skiing is an individual sport with unique combinations of strength, flexibility and coordination at play. At times, I've been instructed to adjust my 'where' during each turn: to feel the center of my weight towards my forefoot early in the turn and towards my heel late in the turn. I have also had muted discussions with other experts who say they try to avoid any such fore to aft shift in where their weight is centered. While there's no one 'right way', seeking to understand the rewards and risks of a given approach is part of seeking to understand skiing better. How strong and steady should things feel turn to turn? Should skiing be that age-old tongue-in-cheek prescription 'a continuum of controlled falls and recoveries'? Should we teach for strong and steady, or teach a (potentially disruptive) fore to aft balance shift with each turn?

I go with simplicity on this one. I admit to striving throughout turn and transition for a steady and unchanging fore-aft weight distribution along the soles of my feet. Maybe I'm lazy, but I find it easier to both do and teach this approach, provided that my students can actually feel their feet, but that's another whole topic!

My goal is to feel my weight 50:50 on the balls and heels of my feet, and pressure from my boot cuffs steady at 50:50 on my shins and calves. Balancing with an even and steady weight distribution along the soles of my feet tells me that I am centered. Furthermore, having my weight engaged along the full surface area of my feet helps me balance while being rocked by underfoot turbulence as my skis slide over uneven snow. Notably, I try to balance solely on my feet (ahem) and to rely as little as possible on my boots for support.

As I ski turn to turn, the pressure on my feet changes dramatically side-to-side, and my total weight swings between zero and upwards of three times my stationary weight. However, any change in pressure in the fore and aft direction, other than me failing to stay balanced, is due only to bumps and ripples in the snow surface, rather than due to me purposefully pressing into my boot cuffs at some point in the turn cycle. A 'keep-it-centered-and-steady' goal means that any pressure change from my boot cuffs serves as early warning of an impending 'out-of-balance' development. Earlier warning means easier correction. Stiffer boots help in this regard too, plus a centered, athletic stance.

So now you know 'where' I stand.

Scott Ski Goggles - High Quality Goggles for Snow Sports   Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?   Alpine Skiing Technique: 'Where' Do You Stand?   

Travel Spain: Fiesta's, Festivals and Golf

The Fiesta's and Festivals in Spain

At the heart of the Spanish lifestyle lies its fiesta's and festivals. They are often colourful, exciting, soul moving and vibrant... and very noisy! All the hustling and bustling aside, visiting Spain must include a trip to at least one Fiesta. And with the amount that they have, finding one shouldn't be an issue.

Spanish fiestas are important because its origins connect too many religious feasts. In most cases they honour a patron saint. Maybe it's the beautiful weather and ocean breeze, or the completely 'laid back' attitude of Spaniards who just love to party it up. No other country on God's green earth knows how to turn a religious celebration into an all out hoe down like Spain! We are talking around the clock, literally from sunset to sunrise - its best to be well rested before hitting the streets.

How often do Fiesta's actually occur?

I'm so glad you asked! There is a fiesta everyday in Spain - no bull! Well, actually there is quite a famous Fiesta that just happens to feature a few bulls, but I will get to that in a moment.

I am not exaggerating in the least; everyday throughout the year there is a fiesta taking place across Spain. These celebrations will usually take place at the local, regional or national levels. The point is every town no matter how big or small holds a fiesta.

The most notable fiestas will revolve around special holidays like Easter, Christmas and All Saints Day (Halloween). The nature or culture of each fiesta will depend greatly on its origin. For example, some will involve serious or mournful religious processions; but will end with a party and a huge fireworks displays lighting up the night sky.

In bigger towns and cities, the towns folk will organize a series of bull fights and even a 'running of the bulls' - perhaps you heard of the most famous 'running of the bulls' festival called the San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain. Believe it or not this huge dangerous event is a religious festival honouring a patron saint.

Whatever type of fiesta you fancy, Spain has to be your top destination.

Slow it down with Some Golf

If you're looking for something a bit more quite and relaxing, Golf on the Costa del Sol is the answer. Mijas Costa has some of the most beautiful courses in the world. And the best part - it never rains! Because the Costa del Sol is surrounded by mountains it produces a 'micro climate' - this keeps temperatures at above 14 degrees Celsius all year round. In the summer however, you can expect temperatures to soar to 35 and above.

Golf enthusiasts will be happy with the many shops dedicated to the sport, where they can rent clubs, buy balls or anything else they need for the game. You can even make an entire package out of it. Travel companies in the South of Spain offer great package deals, including your stay in a rental flat located beside the course.

There are plenty of Golf courses to choose from and many Golf Shuttles are available to take you around. Golf on the coast is known for being very affordable, unlike other tourist's attractions around the world. Most Golf clubs extend invitations to the general public, whether you feel like 18 holes or just want to drop by for a bite to eat.

The Costa del Sol has something for everyone, with plenty to do. If you choose to travel to the South of Spain, Malaga will be your destination. Accommodations are easy to book online, and you can easily find an airport transfer to take you to your desired location.

How to Book a Golf Course on Vacation   How To Squeeze A Round of Golf Into Your Travels   Golf Packages For Myrtle Beach   Myrtle Beach for Tourist Golf and Outdoor Activities   Myrtle Beach For Nice Golf Weather and Affordable Traveling   

What Is The Best Anti Spam Program? Part Two of Two

POPFile

POPFile is an email classification tool that can be used to identify and isolate spam automatically.

Using Bayesian filtering, POPFile will "learn" what you teach it about sorting and storing desirable versus spam.

POPFile can be used as an SMTP proxy before you mail server to filter all your mail. This means you can use it with almost any email client. If you use an NNTP news reader, POPFile can classify news items as well.

POPFile uses a web interface for configuration and correction of decisions about spam.

Pros

* Works via web interface

* Can be used as a POP proxy as NNTP

* Uses Bayesian filtering

Cons

* Can be a memory and CPU hog

* Not optimized for enterprise use

SpamExperts

First the good news: SpamExperts requires virtually no configuration out of the box.

Now the bad news: the occasional re-configuration sometimes requires a reboot.

Beyond that, SpamExperts is pretty easy to use. It uses a combination of checksum analysis and a Bayesian filter. Not sure why it runs so slowly sometimes. I do know that getting your mail is going to be a two-step process: first SpamExperts has to go get and then examine your mail. It can be configured to do this in the background. Then, you have to actually retrieve the good mail that is left.

SpamExperts will also quarantine any email it is unsure about. That way you can go in and have a look, training the Bayesian filter to recognize it the next time.

Pros

* Works without any configuration

* Supports POP and IMAP accounts

Cons

* Slow to process and filter incoming mail

* Re-classifying mail isn't the easiest thing to do

* Cannot sort by spam score

* Changing some settings requires a reboot

Spamihilator

Spamihilator works as a proxy for POP and IMAP mail systems. This means that it will work with just about any email software and isolate spam before you download it.

It uses two techniques for catching spam: A Bayesian filter and something called Distributed Checksum Clearinghouse (DCC):

The basic logic in DCC is that most spam mails have several copies floating around. Any server using DCC that finds a spam email creates a checksum (adding up the basic components of the message and then creating a shorthand value). The server then posts this value to a central database. The next server receiving this email would get the DCC results and can more easily identify the email as spam.

The one thing Spamihilator doesn't do is mark spam for further filtering via your email client. More than two categories of mail for automatic classification would be nice, too.

Pros

* Spamihilator can be used with any email client because it works as POP or IMAP proxy.

* Combines multiple techniques for filtering spam which makes it very effective.

Cons

* No remote web-based administration

* Will not classify and/or categorize your good email

SpamPal

SpamPal uses an "a la carte" approach for eliminating spam. This means that you can mix and match various different techniques:

* Blacklists

With SpamPal installed you can choose from a variety of published lists of known spammer domains and servers. If you receive mail from one of these sources, it will be identified as spam and isolated.

* Whitelists (manual and automatic)

This is a list of contacts that you decide are acceptable to receive email from and should not be sent to the trash folder. SpamPal will help you build such a list automatically (faster) or manually (more accurate).

* Bayesian filtering

* Content scoring

SpamPal works with any email program because it acts as a proxy.

Pros

* Uses Bayesian filtering as well as many blacklists

* Works as a POP and IMAP proxy so you can use it with almost any email client

* Includes SpamAssassin (a server-side anti spam program that uses content-matching rules, as well as DNS-based, checksum-based and statistical filtering)

Cons

* SpamPal isn't fully immune to blacklist problems

* DNS blacklists are slow-performing and suck up a lot of bandwidth

White Listing the Mail That You Need   Business Vs Spam   How to Reduce Spam   How to Deal With Email Spam   Why You Need To Worry About Spam   

Who's That Lady?

The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle

An ultimate numismatic delight, the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is a precious collectible. Now, why would you suddenly consider investing in Gold or even go for collecting Gold coins from a forgotten era (Gold coin currency is rarely used in regular use any more, and only a few have actually heard about the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle) must be the query in the uppermost vault of your mind, while you have started reading this article. Well, to clear the golden confusion by a certain degree, and to get a background check on why Gold is suddenly becoming more important than before, you ought to spend some time pondering about the current economic and social condition of the country, to get a fair idea about securing your future through gold purchase.

The significance of Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold coin is in the collectible value of the coin, a symbolic ownership that you are taking on Gold investment with style. On why gold investment is considered the next important thing after the oil based economy collapses, you are recommended to read further. Gold Bullions are sensibly precious place to start on with your Gold investment. If you are wondering about what a Gold Bullion, precisely a bullion is (everyone knows what is Gold), then for your kind information Bullions merely refer to stamped weight of a precious metal, here Gold. In this sense, and contrary to popular belief, not only the cuboidal golden bars that we see in old James Bond movies, but also Gold coins are Gold Bullions. Here, therefore, we are discussing about a specific type of Gold Bullion, The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, whose present collectible value is more than the actual weight of Gold in it.

Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was an exquisite piece of coin art designed by the most renowned sculptors in the American History -Augustus Saint Gaudens. The creation of this coin was commissioned by the then President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. The Gold Piece was worth $20 (as the coin of 0.9675 troy oz was worth $20 according to the then Gold Value ) and was the most bizarre among that many art pieces. There was another Double Eagle, called the Liberty Double Eagle which was minted before the Saint Gaudens version. So much so was the intricacy of the design; that this exquisite piece of gold coin was hammered up to eleven times to fetch out the exact details. Some of the earlier versions carried "In God We Trust" adage, which was erased later, because President Roosevelt felt it was reprehensible to relate God with money. In 1908, nonetheless, the adage was re-added. Another distinguishing feature of this remarkable gold coin was that the former Double Eagles (1907) was the sole occurrence of Roman Ciphers being displayed on the American currency. The coin production continued till 1933 when President Roosevelt made it illegal.

On 2009, the US mint issued "Ultra High Relief Double Eagles" using the original design envisioned by the sculptor. In 2002, a 1933 double eagle was auctioned off for $7,590,020, thus creating a new record in antique coin auction.

CoinManHerb

Discover The Top 5 Advantages Of Trading Gold With CFD's   How to: Gold Pan   Silver Bullion Online - Things You Ought To Know   Learn To Buy Gold Bullion Coins   

Importance of Setting Stop Losses: The Key to Being a Successful Trader

Stop losses are the key to becoming a successful trader who makes money. They're also the key to being a successful trader when you don't make money. Confused? Let me explain.

Every trader knows that successful trading requires more than a "fly by the seat of your pants" strategy. It requires patience and even more important, limits. Like in any good card game, you've got to know when to hold em and know when to fold em. So successful trading means that you have to know when to say when... even if it means you're going to lose some money. It's about limiting your risks, rather than increasing them.

A stop loss is a bottom line establishing the price you're willing to let a stock fall to before you take your loss and get out. It's a strategy that limits losses, while also establishing parameters for successful trading.

Successful trading requires more than winging it. Those who make money in the long run know that it requires a disciplined approach, one that establishes your exit plan at the time of entry. When you purchase your stock, you need to know how much you are willing and able to lose, should the stock fall. In other words, knowing when to say when can actually help you to minimize your losses-a component of successful trading.

On the other hand, successful trading also means that you must know when to exit even when you're making money. Are you satisfied with a 10 percent profit, or do you need to aim higher? Finding the magic numbers on both ends of the spectrum will ensure that you get out while a stock is still profitable, and before it falls, and it will minimize your risk (losses) in the event it does fall.

Why sell when your stock is on the upswing? Ask that question to the thousands of traders who watched their stock climb, only to wake up one day and find that it took a huge hit. Smacking themselves upside the head, they could kick themselves, as well, for not selling the day before! The same holds true for traders who hang onto a falling stock too long-hoping that it would eventually rise again, they wait it out and instead of losing 10 or 15%, they suffer losses in the range of 50 percent or more. If these traders had had an exit strategy, they'd be making more money.

In essence, you're following the same investment principles that successful traders already know. There will be times when you make a profit. There will be times when you don't. Successful trading isn't how much money you make, as much as it's about staying true to the guidelines you've set to buy and sell when it's time. If you stick to your exit strategy, whether you profit or don't, you're more likely to make money in the long run. Enjoying many smaller profits, and limiting your losses, is a winning strategy. In other words, a disciplined exit strategy stops your losses from wiping your profits out.

For more tips on trading penny stocks, visit thestocktool.com and sign up for our free penny stock picks!

Why Does Warren Buffett Like to Buy Stable Companies That He Understands?   How I Go About Picking Stocks   What A Stock Market Course Should Contain   Investor Relations 101   Investing In Penny Stocks - Is It a Good Idea?   

Know Who You Are Dealing With Before You Contract A Bail Bondsman

If you find yourself in need of a bail bondsman, time might not be on your side as you may want to get out of jail really quick. However it is very important that you try to find a way in which you can quickly assess the genuineness of a bail bondsman before you can entrust them with your jail release needs. This is very important because, if you are to hire a phony bail bondman there are high chances you could lose your money and you could even be in trouble with the law and still fail to get yourself out of jail.

If you are not sure where you can get a company that provides bail bonds, you could ask your lawyer or people at the courts. This way there are high chances you will be directed to bail bondsmen that are respected in your community and are known to deliver great results.

Another simple thing you can do is to check if the bail bondsman you are dealing with is registered with the local authorities. You can ask for the bail bondsman's license number just to assure yourself that you are dealing with a company that is legally registered. Dealing with a company that is legally registered has lots of advantages. One advantage is that such a company is known and it would have built a reputation with the courts such that they always manage to get their clients out of jail all the time. Another advantage is that they will charge you according to stipulated rates by the government, so you won't be overcharged at all for their services.

When contracting a bail bondsman, you can also check where they are located. A local bail bondsman can be helpful because they would have built a relationship with the local authority which means they have a higher chance of bailing you out of jail. However there are also some national bail bondsmen who can still help you out even if they are not located in your area.

One final thing you need to consider is how much you are going to pay the bail bondsman and how you are going to do so. Normally a bail bondsman charges you a percentage of the bail that is required by the courts. You can pay back in cash and if you don't have cash some bail bondsmen accept payment in assets. It is therefore important to check how much you bail bondman is going to charge you and see if you are going to manage to meet their requirements.

North Carolina Expungement Law Improves Opportunities for Non-Violent Felons   What to Include in a Notice of Withdrawal Filed in a Criminal Case   A Fundamental Review of Personal Injury Lawsuits: What Does It Involve?   What Are The Common Conditions Of Parole And When Are They Considered Violated?   Working With Professional Lawyers Towards Efficient and Expedient DUI Case Resolution   

A Special Baby Shower Theme

A Noah's Ark baby shower theme has become increasingly popular and is especially significant for the parents-to-be of twins. The adorable little pairs of animals are great for welcoming either a new baby boy or a new baby girl or a pair of new babies into the world. Many new parents are even choosing this theme for their new baby's nursery because it is symbolic of a happy story full of hope and promise that is represented by an adorable baby animal motif. This theme is very appropriate for everyone from the more religious to the more modern parents who just want a cute theme suitable for a boy or girl, that will make everyone who attends the shower ooh and ah over the adorable decor and cute party ware and bright and fun games and the themed meal that are all coordinated for the special celebration.

There are all types of party items available to fit with the Noah's Ark baby shower theme. Tableware such as luncheon plates, beverage and luncheon napkins, desert plates, cups, and even table covers are all available in matching motifs that are bright and colorful and depict pairs of adorable animals. Decorations include streamers, centerpieces, mobiles and even party confetti. There are also available a variety of small soaps, a goodie tote, bookmarks, place card frames that double as picture frames for baby's photo later on, and many others. Add a welcome baby Noah's Ark themed balloon and use some of the picks that are available for cupcakes or appetizers for some more personalized and festive touches. Booklets full of party games that are matched to the Noah's Ark baby shower theme are also available.

Should one already know the sex of the little one, adding pink or blue balloons or banners can work well with this colorful theme. There are even items available to welcome twins into the world such as t-shirts and little notebooks. Because of the nature of the Noah's Ark story with its special attention to having two of everything, this theme is especially well suited to a celebration for the expectant parents of twins. Noah took two of each animal onto his Ark and now family and friends will be welcoming two new little ones into the world. This is a wonderful theme for such a joyous occasion and it will be most appreciated by the new parents. Twins are a special event doubled and everyone will have double the fun and happiness at a Noah's Ark themed baby shower!

Baby Shower Dessert Recipe: Mud Pie   Spring Baby Showers - Adding A Little Spring To A Special Day   Choosing the Right Party Favors for a Baby Shower   Planning Ideas for a Fabulous Baby Shower Party   Baby Shower Party Favor Ideas   

Planning for an Eco-Friendly Baby Shower

Since the planet suffers from various manmade activities, it is just necessary to do our own part to help it somehow recover. The good news is that promotion of eco-friendly deeds can now be done with the parties and events such as baby showers. For pro-green environment future parents, there are many ways to include earth conservation messages in baby shower planning and it they are simple enough and do not cost a lot of money.

To start with the baby shower plan, the invitation to be used must not be made of paper but rather it must be through online messaging. It is a good idea to include in the content of the message a green background or wonderful natural scenery that will amaze the recipient. Through this, people who received it can somehow be aware that the earth is still a good place to live with and it deserves our care. In the invitation, it can be a great help to the environment to include a message that requests the guest to bring organic gifts and its packaging instead of those that are made of synthetic materials. If possible, the guests who live near the venue can be requested to walk or have a bicycle ride instead of using cars.

Then, another part of the baby shower planning is the party favors that will be given upon the arrival of the guests in the venue. One good example of organic party favors is fresh fruits and vegetables with a label attached on it that contains an eco-friendly message. Also, art crafts that are made of natural materials can be a good welcome gift to the guests of the baby shower.

An eco-friendly baby shower planning should also include activities that encourages the guest to do their part to save the earth. If possible a brief slide show can be included and a good example of the video clip to be presented is one that shows babies and toddlers having fun in a green field under the bright rays of the sun. It is also a good idea to choose a video presentation that features a toddler hosting it and giving some messages regarding conservation of the environment. Also, having games in the baby shower can add fun in the party and the prizes for the winners may be seedlings or potted plants that can be easily transferred to a real soil.

When it comes to foods, those that must be avoided to be in the menu list are processed foods, fast foods, and junk foods. For an eco-friendly baby shower planning, it is important to have a research of all the possible menus that include fresh fruits and vegetables as well as healthy grains, beans and root crops. With regards to the decoration, organic materials are still advisable to be used and it just requires creativity in making them. Also, it is necessary to provide trash cans in many areas around the venue and encourage the guests to have a zero-waste baby shower as much as possible.

Baby Shower Dessert Recipe: Mud Pie   Spring Baby Showers - Adding A Little Spring To A Special Day   Choosing the Right Party Favors for a Baby Shower   Planning Ideas for a Fabulous Baby Shower Party   Give Your Baby Shower Party Favors a Personal Touch   Baby Shower Party Favor Ideas   

How to Use A Follow-Up Autoresponder To Boost Sales

Have you ever visited a sales page, liked the product then decided to come back later but forgot about it because you became too busy with other activities? This happens to online and off-line businesses every day. Most people who view a product online will not purchase it the first time they see it. It takes several reminders before the person decides to purchase something. This is why a follow-up autoresponder is a "must-have" tool to boost your sales.

How a follow-up autoresponder will boost sales

1. Get a sequential autoresponder

This refers to software that is web-based, installed on your own server or on your desktop. They allow you to send a series of follow-up e-mails at pre-scheduled times to your customers. Web-based autoresponders are the most popular because you can set-up e-mail campaigns from anywhere at anytime as long as you have a computer and Internet access. Professional autoresponder companies such as Aweber, GetResponse, iContact, Constant Contact have a team of dedicated professionals to make sure your e-mails are delivered and you don't receive any spam complaints. They all charge a monthly fee which increases as your subscriber list expands.

If you don't want to pay the monthly fee for a web-based autoresponder install a script on your own server or purchase desktop software. Be aware..you may encounter a few problems. For instance your web host may have a limit on the amount of e-mails you can send in one day. If you receive any spam complaints you'll have to contact the Internet service provider (ISP) yourself. This costs you time and money.

I recommend sticking to a professional web-based autoresponder service.

2. Write a series of at least 7 follow-up messages

Most marketers agree it takes at least 7 follow-up e-mails to make a sale so you need to prepare your content ahead of time before loading it into your autoresponder. Write your own unique content or use the content you have already written such as articles or blog posts. If you don't want to write the content yourself go to one of the top article directories and search on your subject. You'll be able to get lots of articles. Before using them obtain permission from the authors. Most authors will be happy for you to use their content as long as you include the resource box at the end of their article.

Make sure each follow-up message contains great content to keep the interest of your readers. At the end of each e-mail tell the prospect what to expect in the next e-mail. This helps them look forward to receiving more of your content and provides a smooth transition between e-mails.

3. Sell products on autopilot

Don't be afraid to mention your product in your follow-up messages. Most people don't buy something the first time because they don't know enough about the product. If you provide content that answers your prospects' questions they'll be more open to buying from you. Include a link to your product sales page at the bottom of each e-mail message because you never know when a person is ready to purchase. It could be during your third message or your seventh.

Once you have your e-mail autoresponder system set-up you'll be able to sell products on autopilot. If you want to make more money set-up multiple autoresponders for different products.

Follow-Up Autoresponders - Top 3 Reasons Why Most Businesses Don't Follow-Up On Their Customers   How to Monetize Your Autoresponder Content   Affiliates Have Success Using One of These Top Ten Autoresponder Companies   How to Build Your Autoresponder List Writing Articles   

The Importance of Social Networking for Businesses: An Overview

Just a few years ago, Social Media was a nascent medium on the Internet. But it has since become one of the most prolific ways people communicate, and not just for connecting with friends or finding long-lost classmates.

People use the Internet to spread the word about services and products that they find and like. Are you going to your favorite restaurant and want to let friends know about it? Pull out your smartphone and "check-in" through Facebook. It's word-of-mouth promotion magnified by the dozens, hundreds or even thousands. Social Media Networking has become a vital tool for businesses that want to establish an online presence. Independent businesses to corporations are now using this medium. The term "social media marketing plan" is now a common part of day-to-day business transactions.

The Significance of Social Media Networking

The Internet has become the No. 1 source where people search for services and products, and Social Media and Content Publishing are some of the top tools local businesses are using to connect with potential customers. Consider these facts from Nielsen:

Social networks and blogs are the No. 1 Internet destination, where American's spend 23% of their time online 53% of active online adult users follow a brand Social media users are more active and influential offline (meaning they spread the word about what they find online)

According to a survey by Zoomerang, the 3 most important reasons small businesses leverage social media are:

Connecting with customers Visibility Self-promotion

More than Just a Web site

You can now use varying platforms to give your business a brand. This will help people distinguish your business from the rest of the businesses online. There are various formats wherein a business can share valuable content. The most common formats used nowadays are articles, blog posts, even videos. (comScore shows that there has been a 43 % growth in video consumption in the past year) These are powerful tools that can reach out to thousands of customers at a given time. Numbers have shown dollars spent in e-commerce continues to grow. In 2011, $256 billion was spent in e-commerce, an increase of 12 % from the year 2010. This is the amount that has been spent for online purchases in the U.S. alone! And the trend is seen to be going up annually. Just take a look at the leading industries today and you will realize that these are the ones that have invested their time, energy and money on social media networking: manufacturers of consumer electronics; computer hardware; books and magazines; flowers and other gifts; watches and jewelry. A huge part of social media networking plan is to maintain loyal clientele and gain new ones. comScore has presented that the number of unique visitors per Web site each year continues to climb. This just proves that putting your energies into social media networking will surely payoff.

In essence, fan sites and business pages are not just cute pages to look into. These are powerful tools that can reach millions of homes and can help build your business. The social media content that you decide to share to the online world will greatly determine the success or failure of your business. You would want more people to like and trust you so don't bombard potential customers with a sales pitch at every turn. Make sure you publish well-written, unique content that readers will want to share through their networks. Let the buying public realize that you're there to provide their needs. Be patient when you're setting up your pages. Let your potential clients learn about your company first and help them appreciate that you're willing to walk the second mile for them. Social media has made the world a much smaller place where you can do business with someone from across the globe. So learn to use this tool efficiently.

The Social Network   Create Your Facebook Business Page With 5 Easy Suggestions   The Role of Social Networking in Marketing   Avoiding Twitter Marketing Mistakes   

Grow Your Business With Social Media Marketing

At one point in time, many businesses viewed the world of social media as a playing ground for kids. Those days are long gone. In today's society, social media sites provide a valuable tool for marketing and branding any business. With such a level of importance placed on these sites, it is equally important to make your social media marketing plan an effective one. In this article we will give you a few tips for starting out right.

Have some Facebook contests. Your audience will appreciate getting the opportunity to win a free product. When you run a contest, you can promote your brand and attract users to your page. You can also let people know what your latest products are when you have a contest.

Experimenting with social network marketing doesn't mean abandoning traditional marketing methods. Great business plans begin with properly-written press releases that contain core concepts that help them choose an audience. Combining both new and old techniques is what helps social media marketing to become influential.

You can benefit greatly from your exposure to the inner workings of social media networks. Don't just see community members as money-makers, but a wealth of information. Investigate their habits, motivations, likes, and dislikes for a richer understanding of how to make connections with them.

Twitter is a very useful tool for business promotion. When used correctly, Twitter is a great way to engage hundreds, or even thousands, of potential customers into reading your news updates and press releases. Take time to educate yourself on using hashtags, keywords, as well as anything else that will be useful to you when you learn about Twitter.

It is a good business practice to follow those who have chosen to follow you on Twitter. Don't ever give your clientele the impression that you are above them. People will enjoy the fact that you are willing to pay attention to them. Following using Twitter merely takes seconds, and it assists in giving back to your customers.

Social media is easily the hottest thing online these days, and failure to make the most of it could cost your business customers and profits. This approach grants your business an audience of millions; it also offers an opportunity to strengthen your brand image. In this article, you will be introduced to some simple tips that can help any business owner to get started in the world of social media marketing.

The Social Network   Create Your Facebook Business Page With 5 Easy Suggestions   The Role of Social Networking in Marketing   Avoiding Twitter Marketing Mistakes   Modified Humans with High Tech Components Will Soon Thought Swap in Social Networks   

Have Some PASTA with Your Interview

When cyclists prepare for a big race, they always make sure they load up on the carbs. It is not uncommon to have a pasta feed the night before an important event so that the athletes can store up some of the carbohydrates they will be burning up the next day. The same goes for preparing for an interview. A candidate for a job, preparing for that all-important interview, needs to take in some PASTA. However, it isn't the same kind of pasta, but it is something that will energize, fortify and maximize a person's chances in having a successful interview.

Here is the PASTA that is being suggested: P, prepare thoroughly; A, attitude adjustment; S, start the interview off smartly; T, tips to be followed; and A, after-the-interview follow-up. These five steps can provide a level of preparation, comfort, and professionalism that should impress the decision makers with your performance under pressure and to demonstrate your abilities and attributes in the best light.

How does one prepare (P) for an interview? You would be surprised how many people do absolutely nothing or very little in this realm. However, this is the one thing that you have completely in your control. Consider the following tasks that can be done in order to be more prepared than your competition: anticipate a question as an opener about qualifications and background ; anticipate a closing that will allow for you to wrap up and review your qualifications; write out the answers to the anticipated questions; practice or rehearse how you will deliver those answers; re-read your application; and visualize how you will present yourself verbally and non-verbally. Spending time on this first step will give you confidence and practice that will help you relax, or at least curb some of the nervousness during the actual interview.

Attitude (A) or your overall demeanor is a dominant factor that will influence how the interviewer or panel perceives you and your personality. It is important to be positive in all ways that you express yourself and to always be courteous to everyone with which you come into contact. It is a good thing to be mildly assertive, but not aggressive or arrogant. Show that you believe in yourself and know that you are being judged on your attitude, work ethic, intelligence and honesty. In establishing your positive attitude think about what the employer wants in their employees, which will most likely include all or some of the following: self starter, dependable, easy to work with, works well under pressure, manages time effectively, could handle a crisis situation successfully, could handle constructive criticism, and concentrates on the needs of the company over personal needs.

Starting the interview (S) is the precise point where a first impression will be made. Many times a candidate thinks that the first question of the interview is the actual beginning of the interview. In reality it begins when the candidate enters the room and is introduced. It is important to be on time, even early, to mentally prepare to be called into the interview room. Remember that there will be small talk that the interviewer(s) will remember. The handshake, which should be firm, and the smile, which should be sincere, go a long way in establishing a rapport with the decision makers. In addition, grooming and appearance will be two areas in which to take extra care and time. It will pay off big dividends. Make your first impression a positive and pleasant experience.

The tips (T) that can put professionalism into actual responses to questions are cloaked in many details. They are small, but extremely significant, elements in the overall interview process. Realize that your articulation and vocabulary is being scrutinized thoroughly. Using "kinda, yeah, and gonna" are some words to avoid. Make sure your responses are concise, specific, and not rambling. Your responses, as a rule, should be no longer than 2 minutes. You need to make sure that you are honest and focused. It is important that abilities and accomplishments not be exaggerated. Your demeanor should be one of openness, confidence and enthusiasm. Eye contact is a must, along with natural gestures that help you establish a connection or rapport with the interviewer(s). If you are asked to tell about what a former employer would say about you, put it in quote form to specifically provide details of their assessment of you. Above all, do not ever use the phrases, "To be honest or in all honesty." It could give the impression that you aren't honest in other areas. Picture yourself confident, leaning forward, chin up, not fidgeting. Visualize success.

After the interview (A), a follow up routine can be most impressive to the interviewer(s). Besides thanking them at the interview when you stand up to leave, following up with a personalized letter is a very appropriate thing to do. If you do not get the position, it is also appropriate to ask for feedback on how your interview could have been improved. Many human resources administrators will willingly schedule an appointment to review the strengths and weaknesses of the interview.

If you didn't get the position, don't burn any bridges with the company or organization. Just because you did not get the first one for which you applied, does not mean that you won't get another position that opens up. A lot has to do with whether you are perceived as "a fit for the particular position." Always try to understand whether your particular qualifications and experiences are a good match with the expectations of a specific position. Staying with the five steps (PASTA) will help you prepare and help you get an edge on those who are just relying on luck. Get prepared and remember the fundamentals.

Copyright usage: No permission is needed to reproduce this story. The About the Author statement with hot links must remain in tact. Request for reciprocal links will be considered. mailto:barb@sbmag.org.

Ten Steps to Perfect Pasta   Ten Steps to Perfect Pasta   Ten Steps to Perfect Pasta   

Popup Advertising and Its Role in Online Advertising

Popup advertising can be very useful depending on how they are used. Most of the internet marketing experts and companies use this advertising strategy for obtaining the best results. The primary purpose of this method is to pull up the web traffic to a particular promotional website. Apart from this, popup ads will also help the business to draw more email addresses, which will be important for generating good contact lists and customer data base. This will in return help the company for email advertisement campaign. Usually, this is considered as a form of online advertisement. These are some of the major reason why it used in the internet marketing. When popup advertising is used in online marketing, it will help the website to maximize the distribution of the product information to many people. The usage of this online marketing strategy can become useful, useless or even harmful to your website. Therefore, if you are planning to use this technique for your website, it is very important to understand the process thoroughly and then use it for obtaining effective results.

The main aim of the popup advertising is to attract more web traffic to a promotional website. This could be done when certain website will be viewed by the visitors. When a visitor will visit a website, a pop up window will be allowed to appear. These ads will convince the visitor for visiting certain website for getting some freebies. Moreover, they will also provide useful information for the visitors. When the visitor is bound to visit the website, he has to click on the ad. However, when you are using such popup ads, for your website, it is very important to make sure that you are using the right graphics and words. In some cases, the visitor will neglect the pop up ads if it is very bright or in striking color. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that the ad is created in the right way, which suits your business. In order to enhance the ad, you can also give it a blinking effect. The pop up ads should be simple in appearance yet attractive for the visitors. The first glace only should convenience

Another great advantage of using popup advertising for web advertising is that, it will help the company to generate email addresses, which are very useful for list building. When you are using.

How to Improve Your Business With a Successful Website   4 Reasons Why You Should Customize Your Greeting Cards   Learning Web Design - What Makes An Effective Website?   What Are QR Codes and How Do You Use Them?   

Silver Bullion Online - Things You Ought To Know

More and more people are getting interested in precious metals like gold, platinum and silver because they are stable form of investments. Of all the precious metals, silver is the most affordable. Moreover, they are easy to buy and to sell. Though their value may not be as high as platinum or gold, they still have a good appraisal value. All the more, there is a high demand of silver because this metal has several uses to man. It can be used in medicine, dentistry, fashion and the arts and engineering. Furthermore, it is important to know that silver comes in different forms. One can invest in coins, bars, jewelries and bullion. The point of this article is to discuss how silver bullion is traded over the net.

Why Transact Over The Internet Unlike before, silver dealers have to search far and wide just to sell their silver bullion. During the ancient time, people needs to travel by foot or by horse in order to travel to one place to another. Having that said, it is very difficult to make transactions and to earn money during the olden times. Thanks to the advancement of technology, one can simply log in online and start buying precious metals. It is so simple and very efficient.

Different Types Of Silver Bullion It is important to understand that a bullion coin is different from the coins used in a regular trade or commerce. Bullion coins are made of precious metal struck and kept as an investment. Often these coins are minted after the year 1800. Generally, they have a purity of not less than 900 thousandths. Another way to tell if the coin is bullion is to check if coin has been a legal tender in their respective country of origin.

Two of the most popular silver bullion are the American Silver Eagle and the Canadian Maple Leaf. The American Eagle are available in gold, silver and platinum. On the other hand, the Canadian Maple Leaf series are made of gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Australia, Austria and China have their own versions of silver bullion coins.

Learning The Specs Of The Coins Bullion coins are available in various weights and measurements. It is important that when buying online, you know the different designs of the coins. Several resources are available online that can help you in your quest for finding the right type of silver bullion.

Value Of Silver Bullion Silver bullion refers to coins minted by the government. They are minted in a variety of weights and the silver coins value is determined by the weight of a certain coin and the spot price of the silver. When buying precious coins online, make it a point to check the present premium value of the metal. Also, compare prices offered by different companies. Check if there are other charges like transportation fees and insurance cost. Also take note that when you buy the bullion coins in bulk you are entitled for discounts. Classically, if you will purchase in bulk, expect to pay a premium around ten percent over the spot price. One of the disadvantages, of investing in silver bullion is the high premium associated with them.

Silver bullion are very in demand these days. They are good additions to one's collection and investment portfolio as well. If you are interested to invest in this type of metal, be sure that you may your research first and check the different types of bullion available. The main advantage of this coin is that it is cheaper and they are available even online.

Learn To Buy Gold Bullion Coins   Gold - The Safest Investment   Tips To Properly Sell Silver   Ways to Trade Silver   How To Safely Trade Gold Online   

New Theory On Increased Military Suicides Considered

In previous wars, we've had our military war fighters come back and often they had psychological challenges readjusting to society. This is normal, it has been talked about since Roman times in Western culture. It is also been discussed in ancient Chinese and Japanese writing as well. It's no secret, warfare, that is to say real war up close and personal changes a man. The young gung ho soldier running into battle is all about bravado, but their steely eyes once it's done don't lie, their innocence is lost.

We already know this, we don't need more psychologists studying this topic telling us what we already have discovered, and humankind has not changed from that historical record for as far as we can tell in the last 6000+ years; so why would it change now, because our technology has; doubtful?

The RAND Corp recently put out an interesting report in the 4th quarter of 2012 titled; "The War Within - Preventing Military Suicide" by Rajeev Ramchand, Joie Acosta, Rachel Burns, Lisa H Jaycox, and Christopher G. Pernin. The report's introduction discusses combat stress in the theater, prolonged deployments, multiple deployments, etc. and then on the issue of stress it stated;

"This stress can manifest itself in different ways - increased divorce rates, spouse and child abuse, mental distress, substance abuse - but one of the most troubling manifestations is suicide, which is increasing across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The increase in suicides among members of the military has raised concern among policymakers, military leaders, and the population at large."

The report also noted all the military is doing with "state-of-the-art suicide prevention programs" and "prevention science" including robust monitoring. That's all well and good, and it makes sense to get to the bottom of the problem and find a way to prevent it.

However, I have a different theory on all of this, it is a new theory, one you haven't heard before, and I would like to discuss it with you. First of all we know that sand often has in it lots of bacteria. This shouldn't surprise anyone because if you look at sand particles under a microscope you see it is all filled with old organic material. As that old material decays, and since it is high in nutrients and minerals, there is an abundance of bacteria around even with all of the sunlight and UV radiation constantly on it.

These last two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq occurred in regions filled with sand. That bacteria in the sand does have an effect on the human bio system, gene expression, and disease. We already know that people in the Middle East often feel it is their duty to commit suicide through suicide bombings and terrorist attacks. Maybe they've been subjected to this bacteria in the sand all their lives.

Now that we have brought hundreds of thousands of Americans into that theater to fight a war, they are experiencing the same thing now, to a greater degree in previous wars. I'd say this bacteria effect is an enhancement or force-multiplier to the suicide problem and psychological issues of human warfare. There's your new theory, do with it what you will, but don't deny what I've said unless you can empirically prove me wrong. Please consider all this and think on it.

Malthusian Mythology   Learn Why Hypocrisy and Terror Are Closely Connected   New Theory On Increased Military Suicides Considered   

Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。