Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

24 March 2010

Structural Drafting- Greater Invention For Structural Industry

To develop accurate building structure either it is a home, skyscraper or industry drafting is required. Structural drafting is a vital process used to demonstrate the details of various phases of building. In building development draftsmen play an important role and drafting works like a bride of communication between contactor and draftsman. In the past time whole the drafting process done on paper by hand drawings but invention of CAD changes the whole process. In modern time whole the process is being done on computer. Modern draftsman use various cad software like AutoCAD, Revit and StruCADD used to evaluate detailed drawings.


Structural drafting typically involved the study of drafts and information provided by engineers. Modern drafting technique also allows making estimation of cost and required material. So by selecting the amount of proper material you can save your cost and can save the waste of remaining resources. To study the basic fundamentals like symbols, dimensions, design and aspect drawings can be done by drafting technology. Basic structural drafting services include the following:

'¢ Foundation plan drawings with footing
'¢ Shallow, deep and machine foundation drawings
'¢ Bar bending schedule of all reinforced cement concrete
'¢ Curved and planar structures of site
'¢ Staircase detailing
'¢ Reinforced cement concrete joint
'¢ Slab details
'¢ Pre stressed structure drawings
'¢ Roof truss and joist details
'¢ Sheet pile foundation drawings

For industrial development drafting is widely used in many ways for drawings purposes. All the measurement and joints details can be evaluated by drafting with the accurate dimensions. Various symbols are showing the purpose of different activity. So it reduces the complexity of drawing and one can easily understand the whole drawing plan easily.

For building construction steel drafting is used to generate the details of steel joints to be used. Using the steel drafting fabricators or contractors can identify the requirement of material. Accurate drawing is must require so draftsmen must have comprehensive knowledge of drafting and must have to be aware with international standards and codes.

If you have any query regarding structural drafting you can contact us at info@structuralcaddservices.com

To know more about our drafting services please visit us at http://www.structuralcaddservices.com/structural-2d-drafting.php





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25 June 2009

E-Mail Marketing Tips to Increase Online Profits


By Mary Ricardoe

E-mail marketing is a proven way to increase sales and revenues for almost any business. Finding a way to collect e-mail addresses allows you to send marketing messages to potential customers for as long as they remain a subscriber. Most people will not buy your product or service the first time they land on your sales page. In fact it usually takes up to 5 to 7 encounters with a particular product pitch before most people decide to buy. Here are a few tips to help you create successful e-mail marketing campaigns:



Tip 1: Use personalization features



Most autoresponder services allow you to create messages that have a certain element of personalization including in it such as including the first name of the subscriber. Starting a title with the first name of a subscriber is a proven way to increase open rates for your messages.



Tip 2: Ensure a low spam factor in every message



It is critical that you do not trigger the spam filters in most e-mail services. A good autoresponder service will allow you to check each message to make sure that it has little to no spam content or words that will trigger the spam filters. Avoid the word ‘free’ as much as possible as it tends to trigger spam filters too much.



Tip 3: Offer something of value in each message



Depending on the products you are selling you should always offer something of value in every e-mail like an exclusive product discount offer or free information of some sort like an e-course or something similar.



Tip 4: Track the links in your e-mail messages



Most good autoresponders will enable you to easily track any links you place in your e-mail. This is valuable as it will allow you to see which messages are performing well so you can learn from them and do more of what is working.



Tip 5: Space the messages in your autoresponder appropriately



Do not send messages every day to your subscribers otherwise they might get annoyed and unsubscribe from your list. Have a gap of at least one to three days between messages for maximum response rates.



Tip 6: Focus on building a quality list of subscribers



It is important to get people that are interested in buying to sign up to your newsletter instead of just information seekers. Maybe you could offer an in depth product review of a particular product in your e-mail messages, this way only people that are potentially interested in buying the product will sign up. A smaller list of buyers will make you much more money that a huge list of untargeted subscribers.



Tip 7: Broadcast messages regularly



If you have new information or a new product you want your list to know about then be sure to use the broadcast feature to send your message to all your subscribers right away. Sometimes it is timing that matter most and the broadcast feature will let you get the marketing messages out instantly. Try some of these e-mail marketing tips and hints to help you make more money from your business.



About the Author: Mary is an online researcher, author and a regular contributor to a site that shows people how to make money from home on the internet. Be sure to visit and find out about the best health affiliate program as a way to earn more money from affiliate marketing.



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=270931&ca=Business




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Panama Globalization


By Laurie Cooper

Globalization is commonly viewed as the integration of economies and societies of nations all over the world by exchange of goods and services of nation to nation. Contrary to the conservative practice of economy back in history where economic activities are limited domestically, globalization is geared towards open market that involves other nations. There are many issues to globalization and this includes specifically Globalization in Panama. In fact, debates from all over the world are heard about the pros and cons globalization brings to a certain nation. The subject of the debate on globalization includes American influence in nations against preservation of domestic resources; and economic growth and prosperity against environmental devastation and exploitation of natural resources.



Globalization in Panama is centered towards the activity of the Panama Canal. In fact, after Panama’s general control in the Canal in 1999, the economic activities of Panama resulted to positive growth. Gross Domestic Products of Panama have subsequently increased from 2000 to 2006 and is still growing in current years. The tourism, banking, transportation, telecommunication, commerce, trade and other services which comprise the economic activities of Panama enjoys high returns. It is due to the fact that Panama is in strategic location for these services being located in the isthmus, a border between South and North America. To add to the location, Panama Canal has been the passage way of international trade from the Atlantic and Pacific shipping, other matter for the international commerce is the benefits that brings for logistic and tax reduction using Colon ports and the Colon Free Zone. Globalization in Panama is seen to surge more in coming years.



The Panama Canal becomes the marketplace of international goods such as automobiles, technology and even agricultural goods. As the economy of Panama boomed, more traffic is seen in the Panama Canal. International shipping is crowding around the canal in several days as each shipping lines wait for their turn for trade. For this reason, there is a 5 billion dollar expansion project for the Canal awaiting its implementation. As expansion is possible, Globalization in Panama will continue to rise as it accommodates more global trade.



As there are many issues on globalization, so does Globalization in Panama is faced with list of pros and cons directed towards the Panama Canal expansion. The government faced with concerns on the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer issue. Currently, the income of Panama Canal may be producing positive economic growth but there are also issues on corruption with people handling the revenue. Other issues faced with Canal expansion is the possible increased rate of illegal trades, exploitation of nearby natural resources due to expansion, possible increase in diseases related to Canal operation, and the fact that many poor in Panama does not benefit from the revenue.



There is no doubt that there would be high return and economic growth for Globalization in Panama as there is indeed high revenues for global trade. Panama globalization is very strategic and it even has the capacity to expand with the expansion of Panama Canal.



About the Author: About the Author: Laurie Cooper, of Cpanama Real Estate Corp., is an expert on Panama real estate. For more information, please visit http://www.cpanama.com.



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=269743&ca=Business




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19 June 2009

Is A Video Business Card Franchise For You?


By Candice Clem

Successful small businesses and small business franchises are built upon a number of key principles and ideas, none of which is more important that making future clients or customers aware of you, your business and the product that you are selling or the service that you are providing. It’s why many companies spend millions upon millions of dollars on advertising every year creating some catchy jingle, shocking commercial, or trendy slogan that will promote name and product recognition. Why? Because people tend to trust and buy what they are familiar with, have heard about, and recognize.



So how does a small business owner or small business franchise compete with the advertising market of multi-million dollar corporations? They create circles of relationships and business contacts and familiarize people with who they are and what they provide. Most of this you probably already know if you have an interest in franchises and becoming a franchise owner. But what you may have overlooked is the importance of products and services that help other small businesses and franchises to promote and personalize their product or service. If this idea is intriguing to you, it may be time to consider looking into a Video Business Card Franchise.



Everyone has a business card. They are exchanged in airports, subways, coffee shops, lunch meetings, doctors’ offices, etc. But the problem with most cards is that they end up lost among the stacks of every contact from every lunch, train ride, or latte that you have shared with potential clients and service providers. What gives a small business the edge is being recognized as innovative, creative, and recognizable. The Video Business Card provides just that to your customers. The video business card is a biz-card size CD. It still fits in the wallet, pocketbook, purse, or pocket, and can fit into any regular CD drive of any computer and will auto-start making it simple and easy for recipients of the video business card to be able to conveniently view the content on the business card. What better way to create customer awareness and familiarization with the business owner, realtor, or service provider, than for the future client to be able to view a personalized video message of the business card owner explaining the specifics of the product or service he or she provides, and the benefits of using his or her particular business?



So how to you create and manufacture a Video Business Card? That is the exact question that you will be able to answer as an owner of one of the most unique franchise opportunities currently available. The Infinite Marketing Distributorship Franchise offers the opportunity for the entrepreneur to sell and distribute these Video Business Cards without the need to create video production or produce biz-card size CD’s. An Infinite Marketing Franchise owner is a sales and marketing minded professional that is able to recognize the advantage of being on the technological edge of a trend and capitalize on the growing need of other small business owners to create a way for their business and services to stand out among the stacks of other business options being offered to their future customers.



Infinite Marketing Distributorship offers the opportunity to create Video Business Cards through their service providers to the franchise owner for a relatively low cost startup and capital investment. They provide training and support for the franchise owner and the liquid capital required matches the total investment of $17,500 to begin your franchise distributorship today. The price of video technology is rapidly becoming more and more realistic for many businesses and the biz-size CD can be produced for less cost than the typical 4-8 page brochure, and the beauty of the card is that along with a personalized video message the customer can include a 4-8 page brochure that each client can print directly from their own computer while viewing the Video Business Card.



About the Author: Find small businesses, home based franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Franchise Gator.



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=237036&ca=Business




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17 June 2009

Top 10 Franchises For The Cool Techie


By Candice Clem

In our fast-paced, technology-based economy, being up to speed on new technology is a must, but it’s not all bits, bytes and HTML. Video and movie franchises as well as computer repair/installation are in high demand and we’ve put together a list of businesses that have already done all the heavy lifting and are just waiting for some smart and savvy entrepreneurs. So whether you’re an L33t veteran or a N00B, these franchises make it easy to capitalize on the growing digital revolution. Here are the top ten franchises for the cool techie:



#1 DVDNow Kiosks, Inc.



DVDNow is a video franchise that provides an automated DVD rental service that can be deployed in grocery, convenience stores, gas stations, office building or any other high traffic area. By focusing on the highest demand titles (mainly new releases) DVDNow kiosks enable you to provide consumers with instant, automated movie rentals of the titles that people actually want to see. Imagine coming home to your condo or apartment complex after work and picking up the latest New Release in the lobby of your building. This concept has taken off all over Europe but in the US, now is the time to act as DVD Rental Kiosks are just starting to pop-up in a few US markets.



#2 Cartridge World



Cartridge World is the world leader in printer cartridge refilling and remanufacturing. The trend over the last several years is for printer manufacturers to lower the cost of printers and raise the cost of their own proprietary cartridges, but smart consumers know that refilling their ink cartridges will save them hundreds per year. Now is your chance to capitalize on this growing industry by starting your own Ink and Toner refill franchise with cartridge world.



#3 Air Advantage



71% of adults use the internet regularly, yet there are 15 million rural customers with 1 or no broadband provider in their area. With demand for high-speed internet growing at a break-neck pace (24% last year) Air Advantage provides people in rural areas with an opportunity to get high speed internet in areas where it was previously impossible. This business opportunity will allow you to join the high-speed revolution and bring it to those who live outside the city limits.



#4 Foodbox



Working behind a keyboard all day works up quite an appetite. Foodbox is unique business opportunity that works with local restaurants to allow the consumer to enter their zip code, see a list of restaurants in there area, order for delivery or pickup and pay online. Foodbox works with the restaurant and keeps a percentage of the revenue and gives the rest to the restaurant allowing the restaurant to increase their customer base with very little effort. This franchise makes a great home based business since all of the work can be done online. Foodbox will provide you with hands on support including a training program, marketing tools and round-the-clock support.



#5 Play N Trade



Video Games are an 18 Billion dollar per year industry. Want a piece of that pie? Then why not check out Play N Trade? They offer retail video game franchises and they’re the fastest growing retail video game franchise in the nation. From retail video game sales, to used games and systems, to game system repair, Play N Trade will make your next franchise venture the gamers’ ultimate destination.



#6 Flash Pro-Techsperts



When your computer needs fast repair, Flash Pro-Techsperts specialize in 24 hour turnaround on all computer repairs. This franchise opportunity is more than just repairs; they also offer upgrades, trades for new or pre-owned equipment and cash for old computers. With their quick response and affordable rates, your Flash Pro-Techsperts franchise is sure to give the local competition a run for their money.



#7 Concerto Networks



Concerto Networks provides high-quality IT support for small and medium sized businesses that prefer not to have their own full-time, on-site IT professionals. This franchise is a part of a growing trend to outsource IT allowing smaller companies to pay per hour for high quality IT support in situations where a full IT staff doesn’t make sense financially.



#8 Wireless Toyz



Capitalize on the escalating growth of wireless technology. Wireless Toyz is a franchise opportunity for anyone interested in cellular communication as well as satellite TV and radio from top providers like Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon, DirecTV, Dish Network, Sirius and more. There were nearly 250 million wireless subscribers at year-end of 2006 with overall revenue of $118.5 billion dollars. So join the wireless leader ranked #63 in the Entrepreneur “Fastest Growing Franchises” list in 2007.



#9 Vehicle Tracking Solutions



GPS systems are popping up in all makes and models of new vehicles, and when you combine this new technology with a little ingenuity you get Vehicle Tracking Solutions. VTS provides fleet management solutions to its clients throughout the country. VTS helps companies keep tabs on their entire fleet of vehicles increasing productivity and efficiency while providing companies with the piece of mind that they know where all their vehicles are at all times. AVL (automatic vehicle location) is projected to be a $2.5 billion dollar business by 2010, so be at the cutting edge of this new and exciting technology while you can.



#10 The Photo Archival Company



Did you know that you could consolidate every picture, video and audio tape from your scrapbooks and home library while providing the security of a digital archive and backup? Your pictures and videos are your memories and keeping them in a shoebox under your bed puts those memories in serious jeopardy. The Photo Archival Company provides a franchise which allows conversion of all of your old pictures, videos, films and audio recording to standardized digital formats. This allows you to not only make secure backups but also allows you to post any of your media on a web page, sending it through e-mail or even viewing it on your iPod™.



Hopefully one of these tech franchises catch your eye, and the beauty of all of them is that each company has already done their homework and figured out what the high-tech consumer wants and how to get it to them. Now all they need is a few cool techie franchisees to hop onboard and join them at the forefront of the digital economy.



About the Author: Find small businesses, home based franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Franchise Gator.



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=237042&ca=Business




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16 June 2009

Find Out Why Low Cost Franchises Are Hot Right Now!


By Candice Clem

Some people have their dream job. The job that they always wanted, that they love to do each morning when they wake up, the job that pays them what they want or need, and the job that keeps them busy enough to satisfy their ambition. For many people though there is something missing from their career; a little extra income, more hours, a sense of accomplishment or ownership. For these people a low cost franchise might be the perfect addition to their current job situation.



There are several low cost options for franchises that are not meant to replace a person’s job but rather provide a new source of income and fulfillment that comes from owning and operate their own small business franchise. Below are five excellent options that require very little startup cost and also can be operated with relatively small time commitments.



Mad Dog Energy Products Buzz Bites



This small business opportunity provides a great alternative to the energy product consumer that is not looking for another cup of coffee or herbal tasting energy drink. The Mad Dog Buzz Bite is a small chocolate chew that contains the same caffeine content as a cup of coffee, or three cans of coke. The Buzz Bite franchise is operated by placing the Buzz Bite dispensers in conspicuous places such as the counter of a local gas station or mini-mart. The profit margin is an attractive 234% as each Bite sold for 50 cents costs the franchise owner a mere 15 cents. Best of all, the Mad Dog energy Products Buzz Bites franchise can be operated with minimal time invested and a total cost of only $10,000.



DVDNow



DVDNow kiosks are automated DVD rental kiosks that provide movie viewers with the extremely convenient method of renting their movies without having to make additional trips to the video store. In traditional video stores 90% of ALL movies rented are new releases. The DVDNow kiosk allows its owners to provide the most profitable, most desirable, products without having to carry a large stock of less desirable older titles. A DVDNow kiosk franchise can be started for only $20,000, and DVDNow kiosks provide al the training, information, and support needed to create a successful business today.



Goin’ Postal



This shipping and packaging franchise opportunity provides their customers with all of their shipping needs including all the best carriers, printing and copying services, ink and toner supplies, office supplies, and mailbox rentals. While the traditional Goin’ Postal Shipping center is a full business franchise location the also offer a very attractive low cost Kiosk option for the part-time franchise investor. This kiosk option allows the same benefits of the full turnkey style store without any staff or store property. The kiosk can be added to a convenient store or grocery mart, and the cost of a Goin’ Postal Kiosk is only $3,995!



Real Property Management



With the continuous rise in the cost of housing all over the country property rental is at an all-time high. With more and more people decided to rent their homes instead of selling them when moving to a new location the market for managing rental homes is also rising. Real property management seeks to provide its franchisees with a competitive edge in property management by providing knowledge, powerful tools, proven systems, technology, and ongoing training. To get into the property management business requires $20,000 liquid capital and the total investment is $20,000-$30,000. Real Property management also offers financing assistance via third party.



Paint Bull



This automotive franchise specializes in the servicing of auto dealers with on site services in the areas of repairing dents, scratches, scuffed bumpers, leather damage, windshields, aluminum wheels and polishing cars. With the Paint Bull name and franchise comes training and certification in all areas of repair, provision with all equipment and supplies, and physical assistance from a Paint Bull representative with selling in your area. For the car lover this is a great low cost franchise opportunity that runs at a total investment cost of $5,000 - $30,000 and Paint Bull provides direct financial assistance as well.



About the Author: Find small businesses, home based franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Franchise Gator.



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=237044&ca=Business




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15 June 2009

New American Dream - How to Choose a Work at Home Program...


By Mars Smith

In the world of online businesses there are numerous companies promoting various opportunities to work at home. Working at home is the new American Dream, especially with the continually rising costs of gasoline, and other related expenses inherent with working for an employer at a central location. The problem we all face with a work at home program is in determining which are legitimate opportunities and which are out right scams.



So, rule number one is to do your research. Find out all you can about the companies you are interested in pursuing. Don't assume that just because you have a computer with an internet connection that you have all you need to succeed. Even with this, coupled with your desire to succeed will not be enough to create a successful work at home program for yourself. The sad fact remains that most people will fail in trying to start a work at home program.



The biggest reason for this failure is two-fold. One, they fall for one or more scams online and find their money gone swiftly, and two, they fall for the belief that making money online is quick and easy and will happen overnight. When they find out this is pure fiction, they usually give up on impatient failure if they don't have their bank accounts overflowing within the first week.



Therefore, before you do anything else in your pursuit of the ideal work at home program, you should set aside your tears, understanding that working at home takes learning, just like anything else, and to not expect overnight riches. While it's true that people are getting wealthy online, none of them got to be that way overnight.



Setting aside the fear of being scammed, by doing your homework, and adopting a more realistic expectation of earnings potential, your next step is to set goals for yourself and your next step is to set goals for yourself and your new business. You want to know what you want out of your work at home program, so that you can guage your progress. This should include both short term as well as long term goals. Write them down! Studies have shown that we are more likely to accomplish our goals if they are written than if we store them in our heads only. Lastly, work everyday towards achieving your goals. One step at a time.



Self discipline and self motivation are also two highly important character traits you need to develop if you are to succeed with your work at home program. Self-discipline is needed to keep you moving forward and to not go off on tangents, especially when researching what work at home programs you want to explore more closely. Working online, you can easily get distracted. Self motivation is the key to keep you moving forward toward your goals. By not working for an employer, you have no one to tell you what to do and when to get things done. If you have a lazy streak in you, lose it now or put away your dreams of a work at home program.



Starting your own Internet business from home is easy. Having success with it is not so easy, but can be accomplished by adapting the character traits discussed above, as well as the following: having a positive attitude, being highly organized, having an acute attention to detail, and developing a business plan to house your goals and strategies. You will need a total commitment, to learning as well as running and succeeding at your work at home program. It will take both time and effort, but doing these things will ensure that having your own successful internet business is possible and can make your dreams come true.



About the Author: If you like this article, you can get FREE 7 Day courses by clicking the following link... Get FREE courses Now!



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10 June 2009

Open Your Eyes – Business Investment Opportunities


By Wendy Pearson

All you really need to do is open your eyes and you're bound to find a business investment opportunity that is suited to your interests or desires. The fact of the matter is that anybody can open a business but that takes money; investing in a business that is with partners and such is much easier task for most of us. Therefore business investment is something that a lot more people are able to get involved with. Whether you're talking about investing in a business by way of the stock market or investing in a business actually directly, there is a wealth of business investment opportunities available for investors both big and small. All most anyone can take part in some type of business investment opportunity.



Business offerings: There are very often times when you will be walking down the street and you will see a sign up for people looking for money. These are not the places you probably should start your search for business investment opportunities but it is interesting to see that they are out there. They may or may not be legitimate if they're advertising on the street but be that as it may they are there. You probably don't want to get involved with an investment you find along the street and nowhere else because the chances of failure are significantly increased. These people are at their last limb if the only way they could afford to advertise is on copy paper along side of the street; you can bet that they are in some financial troubles. These are good things to know and take into consideration before making a business investment decision.



A much better way to get involved with the business is to do so through an attorney or an accountant or some professional who handles this type of business. You also want to be careful who you're dealing with in these instances also and make sure their board-certified by the Better Business Bureau and any other agencies which would be appropriate. It's a good idea to do a double fact check what they tell you just so you are sure that you can corroborate whatever information you are given. By using these suggestions you have a much better chance of choosing a sound business investment.



Another more passive way to invest in businesses is through the stock market. The stock market is the original business investment opportunity which was presented to people hundreds of years ago in Europe. People have always felt a need to feel a connection to their local economy and getting involved in the stock market trading currencies is one of the easiest ways to do so. You can also make a little bit of change along the side which helps keep people interested and keeps people involved in the whole stock market process. But in terms of a business investment opportunity the stock market is probably the original model.



About the Author: Wendy Pearson Director http://www.imperial7.com http://www.imperial7.com/successuniversity/ http://www.earnmegabucks.ws/



Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=258202&ca=Business




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Work From Home And Be Your Own Boss!


By Candice Clem

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why the majority of business conducted worldwide is conducted by small businesses? There is a practical answer as to why there are so many small businesses and small business franchises popping up all over the world every year: each small business owner and small business franchise owner gets to be their own boss. Driven people with business sense, an instinct for sales, marketing, management, administration, and finance eventually find themselves against a ceiling in a large corporate setting. Eventually the entrepreneur screams to be set free, and the desire to start their own business—be their own boss, run their own company—kicks in and takes over. So what is the next step? For many people the solution is to open a small business or a home based business; a practical and effective way to begin is with the small business franchise.



Working from home has a certain appeal; there is a draw to being able to make your own hours, to avoid the commute, to work with a schedule that fits your lifestyle, your family, and your timetable. It’s important to note though, that there is a certain amount of discipline, structure, and commitment necessary to run a really successful small business franchise out of your home. There are four big questions that every eager entrepreneur should ask himself or herself before jumping into the home based business.



#1 Do I really want to be my own boss, or do I simply not want to have a boss?



Being your own boss is not the same thing as not having a boss. Not having a boss is no deadlines, no expectations, and no accountability for your work effort. Being your own boss is very different. Being your own boss means that you have the passion and personal discipline to impose upon yourself the goals and expectations that are necessary to propel your home based business into a successful franchise. Being your own boss means that you are able to set for yourself work goals either in terms of jobs accomplished or hours worked in a given period of time. It doesn’t mean you have to call yourself into your own office and write yourself up, but a successful small business franchise owner is someone who is able to create goals and a work schedule and is disciplined enough to make themselves stick to that commitment. Helpful Hint: make a work schedule; track your projects, goals, hours, and expectations for yourself as both boss and employee.



#2 Can my home be a productive home office?



Contrary to the taglines you will often encounter in an internet advertisement for a work at home offer, a true home based business is not something that you should try to effectively run in your bathrobe from the desktop computer on the kitchen table. Successful small business franchises are ones that are run by motivated owners who can create for themselves a structured work environment to get maximum productivity out of themselves and their franchise. It is highly recommended that if you are going to begin to work from home that you create an area of your home that is your office. A dedicated environment that is specifically set aside for running your own franchise. Just like you don’t want to live at the office, you don’t want your office to dominate every aspect of your home. Helpful Hint: Shower and dress for work as if you were “going” to work. Use a separate desk for franchise business and home business such as bills etc. Use a separate phone or phone line to make business calls and to contact clients, employees, and service providers.



#3 Is this a dream, or is this a whim?



Deciding to take up tennis is not such a bad whim. Purchasing the shoes, the racket, a container of tennis balls, and a membership to a health club could get pricy, but in the end if you decide it’s not for you it’s not that big of a loss. Deciding to take up running your own small business franchise from your home should not be put in the same category of “things I would like to try.” While there are low cost franchise businesses that in some cases may seem like an affordable loss if indeed they do not fit your particular business style, running your own franchise from your home is something that takes a lot of work, determination, passion, and commitment. It is also much more rewarding in the long run than a decent forehand shot. Make sure that you really are committed to being a successful small business franchise owner before beginning your franchise. Look into several franchises and gather information from many different providers to decide the franchise that is really right for you. Don’t get frustrated when things get hard because running a business is difficult, demanding, and there is a certain amount of stress that is necessary to be successful. Helpful Hint: Set a goal for a time period of at least 6 months and then re-evaluate how your home business franchise is going. Measure your passion for the end result with your passion for the day-to-day operation of your small business. Make sure that you can commit the time and energy to seeing your home based business through it’s infancy and into success.



#4 Who will hold me to my commitment, help me with my frustrations and celebrate my success?



Small business, especially home based small business, thrives on the relationships that are developed between providers, clients, co-workers, and other small businesses in the community. Just because you want to be your own boss and work in an environment that is under your control does not mean that you have to operate your small business franchise in isolation. The beauty of a franchise is that you are not a sole provider of your service or product. Many franchise opportunities include training and support. Make sure that you have people around you and your business that you trust to give you helpful advice, constructive criticism, and accountability to making your small business franchise a success. Helpful Hint: Attend small business training and conferences provided by both your franchise provider and other local businesses. Create a network of other franchise and small business owners that you can share your successes and frustrations with that will help you become more successful. Share with others your goals and expectations for your home business so that they can help you measure your success and devise ways to grow your home based business successfully.



A home-based business opportunity has the freedom that many people have longed for their entire career and can be a very rewarding and profitable experience. But like anything in the business world hard work and careful planning are extremely necessary tools in order to have a successful and profitable experience. Make sure that you have put the thought, planning, and work into creating the right strategy and environment to successfully run your home based franchise so that when you do make that step you find yourself experiencing everything you hoped a small business success could be.



About the Author: Find work at home franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Home Based Business Opportunities.



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09 June 2009

The Pros And Cons Of Starting A Home Based Business Franchise


By Candice Clem

Owning your own business can be a great way to earn extra cash or to leave your corporate job altogether and be your own boss. But before you pack up that cardboard box with the contents of your office desk there are a few things to consider about running your own small business. Will you work in an office or will you run your business from home? Will you pioneer a new product and market or will you use a name people are familiar with and a product they trust? If you are weighing this decision then you should definitely not make a final choice until you have thought long and hard about purchasing your own home based franchise business.A home based franchise allows you the freedom to work at your pace in your environment, but also to follow proven business plans and provide your customers with a product that is familiar to them. A home based franchise isn’t for everyone though and below are a list of some pros and cons to consider before purchasing your franchise.



PRO – Home Based Franchises are generally cost effective



Many home based franchises are also found under the low cost franchise category as well. This is because with most home based businesses the startup and overhead are remarkably low. Since many entrepreneurs that will run a home based franchise already have phone service, internet, and workspace in their home. The cost of building rentals, office space, and additional utilities for your business could be as simple as having a second phone line added. Also the home based franchise market can usually be purchased at reasonably low prices and many franchisers offer third party financing to help you get your business off the ground.



CON – Home Based Franchises need structure and time



The pitfalls of a home based business will rapidly entangle the busy franchise owner who doesn’t clearly develop strong divisions in their home life that allow for the hard work and focus that it takes to run a successful business. If you have trouble maintaining your home on a daily basis with children, chores, errands, etc., adding a home based business may not be the key to balance in your life. You may need to explore franchises run from outside the home. Make sure that if you are going to start a franchise out of your home that everyone in the home is aware that at times the home will become a work environment. Also make sure for your sanity that you set aside time to relax and “come home” from work so that you don’t feel like your franchise has taken over each minute of your entire life.



PRO – Home Based Franchises can be part time and then gradually grow



Many home based business opportunities allow the new franchiser the option to start as small as they desire. Whether it’s running a phone answering service for a set number of hours or servicing a select few vending machines, the small business franchiser has the opportunity to work from home while balancing a primary job or household duties without feeling the pressure to put in 60 hours a week to make their home business a thriving success. The beauty of a small business franchise you run out of your home is that the burden to create a reputable image is not on you; the franchise takes care of that. This frees the owner to approach a small business franchise with some amount of peace and comfort knowing that it can be a gradual process that still has potential to eventually provide a full time income.



CON – Home Based Franchises can require a “hands on” approach



Many home based businesses, especially those franchises that provide a service or product that is physically delivered by the franchiser will often require the franchise owner to not just be the boss but also the employee. Many home business are run single handedly especially in the beginning. If your model and goal as a franchise owner is to keep the books and manage a business, then a home based business may not be the right path for you. Most home based businesses will require from the beginning their franchise owners to “do” the work and model for any future employees or partners the work ethic and manual labor that is required to make your franchise a success.



PRO – Home Based Franchises are very personal and social



One great aspect of owning a franchise business that operates from your own home is the ability to get to know your clients and customers on a very personal level. When you work out of your home the people that are involved in your life and enter your home also enter into the world of your small business franchise. Just as you become financially invested in your business, so your relationships become invested into your business. Home based franchise owners find themselves with deeper, more personal relationships with other business owners and customers that they encounter because their business is not something they can leave at the office it is very much a part of their life.



So before you run out the door to start your own business you should definitely look into the home based franchise market. For the business man or woman that is interested in being their own boss but still desires the security of hanging onto their current job until success in the franchise world has been realized, the home business franchise can be very appealing. If you can make sure that you develop a schedule and plan for how your business and your home life can both exist in the same location, and you don’t mind “doing” the work that will make your business a success, then a home based franchise can be a great way to make a step toward the success in the business world that you have been striving for.



About the Author: Find work at home franchise opportunities and information for entrepreneurs at Home Based Business Opportunities.



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Direct Sales Incentives


By Mario Churchill

Direct sales incentives come in many forms, from cash bonuses for selling a given amount of a specific product, to selling to reach a specified sales quota. Some of these direct sales incentives do not always have an immediate cash value, but the idea of company wide recognition for that month, quarter or year, with perhaps an end of year bonus.



The major questions might well be: What is the best direct sales incentive? What direct sales incentive will help companies keep their best and most productive representatives? The answer to these questions is not universal, every company has to evaluate their staff and create a direct sales incentive that is geared to their needs and their triggers. A good direct sales incentive is not necessarily the one with the largest cash value, unless of course that is the driving force that gets your reps going.



There are companies that have survived on direct sales incentives that only provide certificates or letters of recognition and maybe also recognition at big company meetings or parties at the end of the year. This may not sound like much, but if recognition for a job well done is what your people need, then that will be the direct sales incentive that will work in your establishment. We often go into business and see plaques on the wall with employee of the week or month. These are the direct sales incentives that have no monetary value per say, but the employees are quite satisfied when they see customers looking at their plaques, they know that they are being acknowledged by the company and by customers.



In order to really create an effective direct sales incentive plan you really do have to know your staff. What will cause staff be motivated to improve performance? What will the direct sales incentive tools cost the organization? What is the value that these direct sales incentives bring to the performance-increase forecasted for the organization? What types of direct sales incentives will motivate individuals to meet the set performance goals? The answers to these types of questions will help evaluate your sales teams and get you to develop a strategy that will be most beneficial to your company. It is also important to allow the employees an opportunity to contribute their ideas to what they value as a direct sales incentive. This will give them a greater sense of responsibility, and sense of value.



There is such a variety of possibilities in reference to what you can offer as direct sales incentive. You could offer a team a vacation to some far off exotic place, for the whole family if their team reaches a specific goal. There are also gift cards or gift certificates to purchase some high ticket items. There are also some of the traditional direct sales incentives like a percentage of the value of their total sales, or a portion of the increase in sales that were set for the direct sales incentive. The most important thing to remember is that the most valuable direct sales incentive is genuine recognition for a job well done.



About the Author: Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written many articles on various subjects. For more information on sales incentives or employee incentives checkout his websites.



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01 June 2009

How to Become an Independent Sales Rep


By Jeff Simon

1. Two key questions. If you are interested in becoming an Independent Sales Representative, there are two key questions that you need to ask yourself:



a. Do I have the financial stability to go 2 - 3 months without receiving a commission check? When a principal is looking to outsource their sales functions, they are either looking to enter into other territories or need assistance to service and improve existing client relationships. Question 1 is of particular importance for a new and untapped market. The reality is that there is a sales cycle associated with all products which, most often, span weeks or even months. Principals will rarely pay commissions based on unfulfilled orders. Payment schedules can also typically range from COD up to Net 45 days. Including the time to make the first sale, delivery, payment to principal, and commission check mailed, it can be several months before you receive your first commission check.



b. What Industries Do I Have Experience In? Principals expect prior experience with a certain product range or industry type. This holds true in virtually all industries. To start out successfully, it is important for you to have contacts to make initial presentations. Principals may be willing to give you a line but without experience, it can take a significant amount of time to develop sales.



2. Start Your Business. As an independent rep, you should start your own business (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc.). There are many advantages ranging from tax benefits to liability protection. It is suggested that you speak with an accountant to determine what the best option is for you. Most accountants or lawyers can help set up the business for you. There are also many online sites that can perform this function (depending on services provided, typical pricing ranges from $100 - $500). Example: www.bizfilings.com



3. Business Plan. Rather than sending out a Resume, principals will be impressed if you have put together a business plan which will detail your goals and objectives. The best thing about being an Independent Sales Rep is that there are only two primary functions: Sales and Customer Service. The principal takes care of all other aspects which include manufacturing, research and development, quotations, invoicing, shipping, and quality control. The business plan doesn't need to be long but should detail simple points such as:



a. Industries Covered



b. Territories Willing to Cover



c. Revenue Sources



d. Preferred market segment



e. Sales focus (OEM's, end users, distributors, resellers, etc)



f. Product/Service focus



g. Organization structure - Will you be alone or do you plan on having employees?



h. Facilities

* Will you be a home-based business or will you have an office?

* Will the office have storage for consignment or warehousing?



i. Policies and Procedures



4. Finding Lines Available. With steps 1 - 3 behind you, your objective now is to find product lines. A few sources include:



a. Trade publications and trade web sites.



b. Trade Shows



c. RepHunter.net at http://www.rephunter.net



5. Landing that Line. After you have identified several lines available, it is important to research the company and get a good understanding of their products and needs. Fundamental needs include the following:



a. Principals are looking for reps to help develop a relationship between themselves and the client. The basic focus is building strong relationships.



b. Principals want their reps to be professional and prepared. For new reps, a marketing plan can really be a big advantage.



c. Principals need to know that you will be giving their products time and that you are prepared to cover the required territory.



d. In the absence of an established revenue stream, principals need to know that you are financially stable. The last thing they want to do is spend time and money over several weeks to wind up having their rep drop them for financial reasons. By conveying your goals to meet these needs, you will stand a better chance of landing that line to represent.



6. The Sales Process We break down sales into two primary functions:



a. Getting Appointments. We consider the process of getting good face to face sales time with a new customer as 50 percent of the sales effort. For many businesses, the purchasing power can fall on one of several positions. In a manufacturing facility, for example, purchasing can be the responsibility of Purchasing, Maintenance, Engineering, Plant Managers, Store Room managers, Inventory Control, Office Managers, etc. One of the hardest things to do in a complex business environment is to get the right people to listen to your presentation.



b. The Sales Pitch. At the start, this is an area where the tools available to you become most valuable. For any new rep, the absolute best resource to help you become successful is to bring in your principal's sales manager. While this method may not be practical for all cases, it should be considered where applicable. Long term, it will be your responsibility to perform sales presentations. For the first few months, however, the principals will be very happy if you can set up sales presentations which will maximize their time and efforts. It serves as an excellent method of training and will show your principal that you have the ability to get to the right people. Having your sales manager make some initial presentations will also help improve closing rates and shrink the overall sales cycle. The other advantage includes credibility.



7. Set up a web site. It's easy and a great way to promote your new business.



8. Keep your new principals happy. The best way is to make sure they know you are actively promoting their products include:



a. Write Call Reports.



b. Get quotation requests.



c. Ask lots of questions.



d. Request travel time with your sales manager, if applicable.



About the Author: Jeffrey Simon (jas@rephunter.net) has over twenty years of management in operations, financial, project management, and software development. In 2001 he joined Matthew Tronnier to found RepHunter, Inc., (http://www.rephunter.net), which matches companies and independent sales representatives.



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My Black Urban Vertical: African-Americans and Web 2.0


By Elbert McQuiller

Submit the words “Blacks,” or “African Americans,” in combination with “Long Tail” to the Google or Yahoo search engine, and discover quickly how finding the most relevant topical information sometimes can be elusive even for the Internet savvy. One might reasonably conclude that although African Americans represent 12% of the U.S. population, or 38 million individuals, they are nevertheless often a long-tail play when it comes to online search. “Long tail” is a reference to a phrase coined by writer Chris Anderson in his October 2004 article of the same title in Wired Magazine. The hotly debated premise of Anderson’s article is that the Internet has lowered the costs of distribution to the point that it now makes sense for merchants to address the pent up demand of niche groups for better tailored goods and services.



Supply and Demand or Heads and Tails?



Most would agree it is relatively easy to search by Black or African-American in general and find rich content. However, try searching “Black owned restaurants in Chicago” for example and you are likely to be largely disappointed or even worse misled. Given that there are 22 million African Americans online, it begs the question why topical search about them has not advanced past its present state? My Black Networks, LLC (MBN), a social media network company based in Austin, TX, believes there are three primary forces at play.



• First, although recent studies suggest the digital divide between black and white households has closed, MBN states the relatively late adoption by blacks may explain the historical neglect to create the kinds of centralized taxonomies characteristic of Web 1.0. “Incentive to distribute content will naturally be lower if a sufficiently large and accessible audience to receive it does not exist” states Elbert McQuiller, co-founder of MBN. However, MBN concedes that the convergence of the development of Web 2.0 applications such as blogging software, the commoditization of PC’s, the wide spread availability Web-enabled cell phones, and the emergence of the first African American major party nominee for President have resulted in a recent and substantial narrowing of the digital divide.



• Secondly, MBN believes the lack of advertising targeting African Americans is also partially to blame. According to a Nielsen study published in January 2008, overall advertising spend targeting African Americans reached $2.3 billion during the 12 months between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007. This figure, however, represents less than 1% of total U.S. advertising dollars. MBN maintains that the relative allocation gap in online media is even greater. This places African American publishers and content at a competitive disadvantage. Mr. McQuiller states “The availability of content is partially dependent upon the ability of publishers to monetize their sites and advertising revenue continues to be part of the dominant business model.”



• Finally, search engines rely primarily on key words to interpret data. Although progress continues to be made in terms of more nuanced, semantics search, the algorithms driving search engines continue to give greater weight to word matching and literal or denotative meaning. Publishers who desire to target the African-American market must optimize their sites in ways that increase their likelihood of discovery. For example, the website of a “Black-owned restaurant” will probably need to include keywords or tags that identify it as such, if the goal is to be easily discovered by someone searching for those types of restaurants.



Vertical Branding Meets Vertical Search



MBN is launching its portal site www.myblacknetworks.com in an effort to address the fragmented state of the data that it believes is culturally salient to its target markets. MBN describes itself as an ecosystem of informational websites targeting unique segments of the African, African-American and Caribbean community or the African Diaspora. MBN begins its quest by launching The MyBlack™ Urban Vertical. The first phase of the launch includes unique websites for 20 cities with large African-American populations. Each site includes the MyBlack™ brand and offers relevant national and local news, a Black-owned business directory, small business resource center, a wealth-building section, an events section, as well as special interest areas for lifestyle, health and romance. Each city site is accessible from the portal and is also connected to a shared social networking platform. MBN eventually expects to expand to include over 200 major cities around the globe including major urban centers in the U.S., Africa, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. The portal site will include links to such destinations as myblackchicago.com, myblacklagos.com, myblackriodejaneiro.com, myblacktoronto.com, myblackkingston.com, and myblackparis.com.



MBN’s objective is to facilitate vertical search by its target markets by employing vertical branding of relevant content. In the near future MBN hopes to partner with a vertical search engine or create its own. MBN believes that the opportunity for social networking among the African Diaspora is ripe given the current and projected growth in internet-enabled mobile devices in its emerging online markets and believes that MyBlack™ can be a dominant player in the space. When asked what MBN intends to do after reorganizing the Web, Mr. McQuiller shrugs and replies “Watch the tail wag the dog.”



About the Author: For additional information, please contact Elbert McQuiller or visit http://www.myblacknetworks.com. “My Black Networks,” “MyBlack” and “Because MyBlack is the New Black” are all trademarks and/or servicemarks of My Black Networks, LLC. ABOUT My Black Networks, LLC - My Black Networks, LLC is a social media network company, headquartered in Austin, TX, whose primary service is an ecosytem of informational websites targeting unique segments of the African, African-American and Caribbean communities.



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31 May 2009

Business Opportunity - Home Based Business Opportunities


By Calimano

There are many business opportunities in the home-based business world. You just need to know where to look for them. Business opportunities present themselves to the Internet, business acquaintances, friends and family and just about anywhere you look. When you see a need for something, this is a business opportunity. You must have an entrepreneurial sense of curiosity in spirit make your own business opportunities in the home-based business world.



A business opportunity can come from a friend who needs some writing done for his or her business and they hire you as a ghostwriter, this is a business opportunity to make extra money. And then you can hire yourself out as a ghostwriter because now you have experience. And if writing is something you enjoy and are good at, you can write articles for other people and their websites that is a perfect business opportunity for you to make extra money.



A business opportunity can be found everywhere on the Internet if you know which keywords to type in the search engines. You can type in business opportunity and you will get a whole host of information regarding business opportunities. And depending on what you want to do, like selling or helping others set up their own business opportunities you can find it on the Internet. However the Internet is not the only place to find a business opportunity. A business opportunity can present itself to the newspaper - in the one ads, through your friends and family, just about anywhere.



If you sell a product or service from a website or out of your home there are many business opportunities when you meet other business owners for you to trade website links or information where you might become an affiliate of each other's businesses. This means you will be selling for the other person and they will be selling for you. This will broaden your sales team - even if you didn't have one you have one now - and you will get more business this way and so will the other person. When you're at a party like a dinner party or a meeting and you start talking with people about your business opportunity its called networking and they in turn talk to you about their business. It's always a good idea to carry business cards with your website address on them so people can check out your website and your products and services so they know if they want to join you in selling your products and services. The same goes for you, you want to check out their products and services to make sure this something that you want to represent to your business associates. This is a great way to produce more business opportunity to make more money for everyone involved.



You can make your own business opportunity by networking and therefore becoming an affiliate of someone else's business and they become an affiliate of yours therefore widening your sales reach to include theirs at the same time you are widening their sales circle which is a win-win situation for everyone involved.



Keep your eye out for a business opportunity because they are hiding everywhere.



About the Author: Calimano is an Expert Internet Network Marketer and Founder of Wealth Building Strategies. "Tried Network Marketing before and failed? It's not your fault. Let this rookie "unknown" marketer show you how to make over $10,717 per month while exploding your network marketing organization without ever buying or calling a single stinking lead." ==> http://www.cyclonesales.com



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How To Know Where To Find The Dough


By Wendy Pearson

Many of us are looking for alternative ways to earn money. Some may take on a second job while others will try a business investment opportunity. Mutual funds, stocks and CDs are all great if you're using them for the long term. They take a long time to mature but get there in the end. Some that are a bit more daring may look to Business Investment Opportunities to increase their incomes. This is something that is certainly worth considering and it may be just what you are looking for.



Investing in businesses can prove quite lucrative if you choose the right one. You can help someone get the capital they need while you get a quicker return on your money. However, how does one know which business investment opportunities are worth pursuing and which should be ignored.



There are several great ideas that can be money spinners with the right person behind them. One of the most popular business ventures at the moment is home renovation service. People want their homes to look the best that they can because it increases their resale value. Getting in with someone experienced in this field could pay off and pay off well. Renovating homes does require some capital so there will be people wanting investors. Why shouldn't you make the money rather than some bank?



In the west, we tend to love our pets more than our human relatives. There is almost nothing we wouldn't do to make our fine furry friends lives better. Pet friendly products are all the rage these days. If you encounter someone with a great product for pets this could be an opportunity waiting to happen. If they have designed it themselves they will need help with marketing and advertising. Again, it should be you capitalizing on this opportunity, rather than the corporate giants. This is a good way to cash in on a very popular area.



Sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that are going to pay off in the end. Believe it or not, cleaning service companies are busier than they ever have been before. People do not have the time to clean for themselves like they did 50 years ago. Most families are two income households leaving very little time for those domestic chores. Investing in a good cleaning company could pay off very well. They almost never go out of business. Look for a company that has high standards and make several calls to find the right one. You may find that this is the perfect business investment for you.



Another great business investment opportunity is catering. Catering has expanded its realm in recent years. They were used once solely for large parties and banquets. These days catering can include simple meal planning. With the average family being so busy, good nutritious meals often fall by the wayside. A company that offers good quality meals, delivered to the home and served could prove very profitable. This is a great business opportunity for the right person.



About the Author: Wendy Pearson Director http://www.imperial7.com http://www.imperial7.com/successuniversity/ http://www.earnmegabucks.ws/



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18 May 2009

Make Money Online - Work From Home


By Todd Lamb

List Building – Create a Money Making Sales Force



The easiest and fastest way to make money in Internet Marketing is to have a large list. With a great list you have an entire force of people you can market to at anytime. That’s why list building is very important. With list building you can create a money making sales force.



There are many different tactics you can use to build your list. But before you can apply any of them, you first have to get an autoresponder to capture emails and names for you. Two of the most popular autoresponders are offering by AWeber and GetResponse. Both of these sites offer great autoreponders that will capture names for you list and keep those names nicely organized.



Once the ability to build a list is in place then you can actually start with the list building.



The fastest and easiest way to do this is to offer a free report or something else. In exchange for people giving their email to you, they will get something of value for free. Just make sure it is valuable, otherwise people won’t buy anything from you. For example, on my site you see I offer 3 free reports in order to ensure the people who subscribe get great value. If you make the free gift valuable then people will associate you with quality information and they’ll be very likely to buy from you when you market to your list.



To get the offer out there try a couple simple tactics.



First you can use your signature in your email and on forums. Obviously forums are the better tactic between the two. You should join forums within your niche and make quality posts. Then once you’ve made 10-15 good posts, you can put the offer for a free product in your signature so every time you make a post people on the forum will see your offer.



Another great free tactic for list building is to join with other people for a group giveaway. For example, all of you will put in a free product and everyone will also market the free products. Then when someone wants to takes advantage of your free product that person will have to go your site and give their email for the free product. Since it’s a group giveaway, you’ll get tons of exposure all at once. This is a great way to build your list fast.



Strong list building can create a money making sales force for you. With a large list, you’ll have built-in potential customers who are interested in your niche that you can market to at anytime. Therefore a great list will equal more money for you.



There are so many different strategies available to you at times it can almost seem overwhelming. That is why it is important for you to seek a mentor to assist you with this vitally important skill which forms the foundation of your online career.



I recall when I started I was similar to many people in that I hadn't even heard of lists. My experience started out with success on ebay and I later became a more avid and focused niche marketer.



I cannot over state the importance that before you begin anything start with products and strategies to build your list. That is how you make money online plain and simple. If you deeply want to work from home and earn cash online then begin there and nowhere else.



Check out my free report on how to build a Six Figure Sales Force for really detailed list building strategies.



About the Author: Todd Lamb teaches people to make money online throug strategy, connection and dedication. See for yourself at Online Super Wealth



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14 May 2009

Blasting Away: Steel Building


By Sarah E. Martin

There are three general uses of the term “Blast” in the making of steel.



It’s hard to overstate the importance of the steel industry in the United States, especially in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. This article gives a glimpse of insight into one critical area of steel making: Blasting.



First, it is the name given to air under pressure used for purposes of combustion, etc., as in the blast furnace or the Bessemer converter; in some cases for cooling purposes, as in the case of tools. If preheated, it is termed hot blast or warm blast; if not preheated, cold blast. A blast under considerable pres- sure is sometimes referred to as a cutting blast; if weak, a soft blast.



Blast Box. - Of a Bessemer converter: A shaft furnace supplied with blast for producing pig iron by smelting iron ores. It is continuous in operation, the solid raw materials being charged at the top, and the molten pig iron and slag tapped out at the bottom at intervals. Large furnaces are about 80 to 200 feet high, have an output up to 600 or 700 (commonly 300 to 600) tons per day, and employ blast at a pressure of 5 to 25 (usually 1 to 15) pounds per square inch, and at a temperature of about 900° to 1400° F. (485° to 7600 C.) The modern equipment consists essentially of the furnace proper or stack; blowing engines for compressing the air for the blast; stoves for preheating the blast; appliances for charging the raw materials; and a cast house for disposing of the molten iron.



Stack. - There are three well defined divisions, usually circular - practically never oval or square - in section. At the bottom is the hearth (well, laboratory, or crucible) of cylindrical shape; above this the walls diverge, forming an inverted truncated cone, called the bosh (also the name for the greatest diameter of the furnace), above which the walls converge to the top (throat or mouth), forming another truncated cone set upright. In a furnace with saucer bosh or belly walls, the walls above the bosh, instead of being straight, are slightly convex. The furnace is built of fire-brick (cold blast furnaces are built of stone), usually but not always encased in a general steel (http://www.steeldeal.com/) jacket extending part or all the way up. The section above the bosh is supported on a mantle (mantel) ring (lintel plate) and columns. Up to a certain distance from the bottom of the furnace the walls are protected from corrosion by cooling plates of bronze or other metal through which water circulates. Sometimes water is caused to flow down the outside.



Blast. - Formerly the blast was always used cold (hence the term cold blast) but this practice is now restricted to a few small furnaces, as a rule employing charcoal for fuel. Hot blast was introduced by Neilson about 1828, and affected a great economy in fuel. The blast is introduced near the bottom of the bosh through a number of pipes or tuyeres (twyers, tweers) which are protected from burning by being encased in water-cooled metal castings (tuyere blocks). The overhang of a tuyere is the amount it projects into the furnace beyond the inner wall.



Of course, modern steel making uses much more sophisticated, computer-aided technologies, but the basics, as described above, remain.



About the Author: Sarah E. Martin is a freelance marketing writer specializng in construction, building, and home improvement. For more information on general steel, please visit http://www.generalsteelexteriors.com.



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Small Business Myths That Can Stop a Franchise Before it Starts


By Candice Clem

Whether it’s Paul Bunyan and his gigantic blue ox or a get-rich-quick business opportunity, America loves a tall tale, we always have, and there are plenty of them to go around. Nowhere is this more true than in small business, where some say that success is guaranteed while other say that it’s nearly impossible. Though there are probably dozens of myths about small business to choose from, here are 5 that are notorious for either deterring people from even starting a franchise or getting them into deep trouble after they have purchased one.



1) "You can’t actually make money that way"



Wrong. In some ways, the idea that you can start your own business, perhaps work from home, and make good money working a small amount of hours may seem too good to be true, but in reality it is possible. For example, a naysayer may doubt it, but some Rotobrush franchisees have been able to bring in an annual income of $75,000 by using their duct-cleaning equipment to clean out the ductwork of the homes of only three clients per week, which equates to much less than fulltime work. It’s a bit of an extreme example, but its point remains: you can make money.



2) "I could never afford to own my own business"



If you have enough money to purchase a decent used car, then you have enough money to buy a franchise. Though taking advantage of a good business opportunity logically seems like it should come at a very high price, this is not always the case. In fact, some of the greatest business options come at some of the smallest prices, like Blind Brokers Network, a business that gives franchisees the inside track on the business of window covers for only $10,000 up front, and American Vending Systems gets its franchisees into an industry with easily the highest profit margin available, again for only $10,000.



3) "Success is guaranteed"



Not all myths paint the situation worse than it actually is. This particular franchising tall tale is a gross exaggeration of the fact that starting a franchise does drastically increase your odds of success because you’re using a tested and functional business model. Think of starting a small business as climbing a steep rock face and a franchise as your climbing harness. It’s true that wearing the harness will greatly increase your chances of making it to the top safely, but it’s not a guarantee.



4) "I won’t have to answer to anyone"



Though a person may not actually say this, often it’s really what the words "I get to be my own boss" would translate to if we were really honest with ourselves. Although when you start a franchise you will get to be your own boss, you will still have to abide by the rules of the franchise, and depending on the franchise you choose, these rules will vary in scope and number. As your own boss in a Griswold Special Care senior care franchise, or as the owner of your own Molly Maid, you do have the privilege of working without having someone constantly looking over your shoulder, but that does not mean that you get to make up all the rules yourself. On the contrary, most franchisors are fairly specific about how things in your business are run, because, first, their method is the one that has worked all this time, and second, their primary concern is keeping the name of their business in good shape. At the end of the day, these rules will ultimately work in your favor as well because you will be able to piggy back off of the successful strategy that got the franchise in question where they are today.



5) "It’ll be smooth sailing"



Once again, a franchise is a great thing because you receive an already functional business model and there is support available to you at every step along the way, but don’t think for a second that there won’t be hard work involved. No matter how well designed the Cruise Planners work at home business plan is, and regardless of how much help you can get from their training and support staff, if you expect your business to flourish, it is going to take hours and weeks and months of effort on your part to make your business succeed.



The problem with any of these myths is that they give business owners a false sense of what they are actually engaged in. Whether that notion leads them away from franchising entirely or presses them into a business that they aren’t prepared for, the threat of failure is much higher than it would have been if they just had a clear vision of what they were doing. Before you get into the profitable business of small business franchises, make sure you have all the facts.



About the Author: Find more information about small business franchises at Small Business Sale



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Read More..Small Business Myths That Can Stop a Franchise Before it Starts

Where the Money is Online...And One Secret That Can Make You Millions...


By Joseph Ratliff

So, where is the money online?



That my friends, is an age-old question.



But I have an answer…you might not like it if you sell “make money online” products to internet marketers. But first, I am going to pose a question about those that claim to be online marketers, but who keep buying ebook after ebook (or course after course, whatever it is) about making money online…



Are you really an internet marketer, if you keep trying to find the “secrets” of making money online?



I mean it, answer that question for yourself. This is today’s “look in the mirror.” But, really put some thought into that…here’s why:



The exact definition of the word marketer is ” One that sells goods or services in or to a market, especially one that markets a specified commodity.”



Now, if you read the definition above, do you see any word or implication at all of “one that buys any collection of incestuous recycled marketing tactics from other marketers” in that definition?



Educating yourself is important, and I do firmly believe in it, so with that in mind I have another question for you to think about today…



Shouldn’t your eduction center around a firm understanding of marketing, copywriting, and learning how to properly operate and grow a business?



Those “My System Will Show You How To Make $34,237 In 60 Days” courses are not going to help you in any of those three areas…period. Also, there is no secret to making money online, you simply have to have a firm understanding of marketing, copywriting, and how to operate and grow a business in order to start.



If you got into internet marketing thinking it is a “make a ton of money fast” opportunity…save your money and time, and stop now. It isn’t. There are ways to make money using the internet that are fairly fast, a la Ebay, Google Adsense, promotion of Clickbank products etc…but those are short lived…and guess what?



Everyone else is doing it too!



With Ebay, you can sell your old stuff…but what happens when you run out of old stuff? Go to garage sales? Pick up other’s junk and sell it on Ebay? Possibly, but that all works better with a solid plan and the determination and drive to actually build a business doing it.



Take it from someone (me) who has spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on business opportunities and systems online. There are no shortcuts.



Ok, enough of your look in the mirror, it’s time to answer the two questions:



1) Where is the money online?



If you have ever seen the movie “City Slickers”, Jack Palance keeps mentioning “one thing, just one thing”…as the secret to life. Well, the same applies to “where the money is”…



“It’s in one place, just one place…”, and just like Jack said in City Slickers, “it’s something different for everybody, you have to figure it out for yourself.”



In other words, you have to find a market that needs what you are enthusiastically going to deliver in your internet business.



This is key, and it is different for everyone. I can tell you that the baseball card niche can be very profitable, because I am passionate about it…but that doesn’t mean that you will have the interest, experience, passion, and knowledge to build a business within that same niche.



You have to find out for yourself which niche you are passionate about that has a hungry market to serve…and where money is being spent.



On to question number 2…



2) What is one secret to internet marketing that can make you millions?



While individual secrets alone will not make you millions…this one will certainly give you a head start.



Many people view “Internet Marketing” as a business in and of itself. It isn’t, and that mentality will cost you thousands of dollars.



Here is the secret:



The internet is only a delivery device. It is the media form through which you deliver a product, produce your marketing messages, write and deliver articles, etc…



The internet is not your business itself. You can combine the internet with offline direct mail, newspaper classified advertising, yellow page ads (in some niches), and other forms of media to build your entire business around.



Who says you cannot sell an ebook offline? There are no rules that you have to follow. Free your mind…and quit limiting yourself.



You might be saying to yourself, “Dagnabbit Joe, I have heard this all before…these aren’t secrets.”



Well, are you practicing them right now? Come on, be honest with yourself. Does your business truly know no boundaries? Are you building and marketing your business, or wasting your money looking for the “next big secret”?



There is a reason 90% of all small businesses fail within 5 years…perhaps a solid understanding of business and marketing before actually starting a business is a contributing factor? :)



Take it from someone who tends to learn things “the hard way” (me), you need to really sit down and self-analyze, and decide if you are in this for the money…or in it to win it.



About the Author: Once you have made the decision to be "in it to win it", you can visit Joseph Ratliff on the web at The Profitable Business Edge 2 . Before you leave, be sure to subscribe to the full-length article feed at his RSS feed.



Source: www.isnare.com

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12 May 2009

5 Reasons You Buy So Many E-Books Looking for the Magic Pill


By Joseph Ratliff

This post is going to hit you straight in the gut. It isn’t going to feel good either, so if you can’t stand the truth…stop reading…but then call me when the money runs out for your internet business.



Just keep in mind as your reading this post, that you are not the only one guilty of searching for a “magic pill” to explode your online business (I used to as well in the beginning).



Nope, as a matter of fact, 90% of us (at least) are guilty of at least one if not all of these things (and if you think you are in the 10% club, do a hard check to be sure).



Take these to heart, make some mental changes, and your success online will soon find you.



There are 5 primary reasons why we get caught up investing in e-book after e-book, trying to search for some magical device that will skyrocket our online businesses with little effort. You can also apply these 5 reasons to any information device attached to some sort of promise (remember the sales letter).



I will tell you that no such device exists, and while there are tools that accelerate your business’ growth, most of us don’t make full enough use of those tools anyhow.



NOTE: Coaching, mentoring, and business growth groups are not included in this, because of a distinct difference, those types of guidance usually come with a sort of accountability factor and other variables that an e-book or study course does not.



This brings me to our first reason…



Reason #1 - Pieces of information



Have you ever purchased an e-book that made a promise to you? Most do…from this one…



“Using this system to generate an income of over $10k a month in less than 30 days!”



to this one…



“I have found the secret to easy cash on the internet!”.



There are a ton of different promises that are made, but the reason that you will most likely never make that kind of money online with this one e-book, is that it is only a piece of information.



The last time I checked, an e-book cannot “coach you” on the rest of the answer necessary to make the system in the e-book work. Nor would it be expected to do that. An e-book provides a part of the answer, but the writer of the e-book used a complete business system based on sound business growth principles in combination with the “solution” presented in the e-book to generate the results obtained and mentioned in the sales letter.



Quite frankly, the information in most e-books is actually good and works. But the odds of you having all of the rest of the pieces in place to use that information to 100% of its potential are astronomical. Sorry for the dose of reality there.



In conclusion, if you had all the pieces you needed to run a successful online business, you would already be running one. Buying e-book after e-book is not the answer, unless you have grown businesses online before, and are damn sure you only need that one piece to make your system work.



On to reason number 2…



Reason #2 - The Consumer Mentality



Let’s face it, we all like to go shopping once in awhile.



Guys, I don’t want to hear the “I never go shopping, I always know what I want to get from the store” line…because I know that it’s total B.S. (Craftsman Tool Section in Sears anyone? :) ).



Since we like to go shopping as human beings, and just “look for things to buy” once in awhile, we have developed what is called the “Consumer Driven Mindset”. It’s inside all of us to some degree.



The sad part is, that applies to e-books as well.



And the website with the section that drives home my point here is The Warrior Forum by Allen Says.



I have been a member of that forum for about 3 years now…and there is one section that takes full advantage of the “consumer driven mindset” in all of us…the WSO, or Warrior Special Offer section. This section of the forum is specially created for Warriors to sell and market their products to other Warriors.



Now think about that for a second…



The Warrior Forum in and of itself has enough information and such to build an online business in just about any niche you can think of. Some of that information comes from six and seven-figure earners online as well.



But yet, there is a section on that forum where Warriors are selling to other Warriors, and thousands of dollars change hands every single day. From one Internet Marketer, to another.



Interesting huh? The forum has more than enough information to totally build an online business, yet the same people who are members, and internet business owners themselves, are also shoppers buying even more information.



Which perfectly leads us to reason 3.



Reason #3 - The Human Condition…Laziness/Denial



Here is where I will lose the majority of you reading this post (which I appreciate by the way :) ).



You, by human nature, have an element of laziness and denial within you. You cannot deny it.



We all seek the shortest, or most efficient way of doing something…including building online businesses or making money online. For those of you that are successful already, congratulations, but you are part of this group as well. Successful individuals might have to look a little deeper within for those “moments” of time when laziness creeps in, but it is there every time. We are not robots.



You could tell me that you work hard, are very successful, have “dialed in” marketing processes etc…but you cannot tell me that you are not human.



What does that have to do with buying e-books?



Well, quite a bit happens in our businesses doesn’t it? So, when you see an offer to make any part of that business easier, or a “magic marketing shortcut” that points the way to double sales within 30 days or less…you start to think…



“Could this include me and my business too?”



That thought leads to another one…



“Could I be missing a piece of the puzzle?”



And then denial sets in…



“In buying this e-book with a magical solution, I wouldn’t be like other people who are falling for the marketing behind the solution, I am just taking advantage of this opportunity!”



And you buy the e-book or study course looking for that answer. The really interesting point is…if a solid marketer developed that product…they are preying on that very emotion and a series of others; our laziness, denial, greed, ego, etc…



One other emotion is a reason for buying e-books in and of itself though…



Reason #4 - Misplaced Hope



I hate to bring this up…because it is so common.



Many of my coaching students, clients, and many other business owners at one point have “hoped” that their marketing or other business processes would work, and that some big windfall was heading their way.



Do you know who this type of Hope is? She is a tired old girl getting ready to retire…she cannot carry businesses!



It is this misplaced “hope” in your business processes that can kill it…and if an e-book promises to bring you a ton of “hope” in a 50 plus page package…we fall for it all the time and buy that e-book. It is pretty easy for any marketer worth their salt to tap into this emotion at their will.



Quit hoping, and start testing, and taking a more scientific approach to your internet business. If developed properly, this scientific approach can put you in a position where instead of hoping you will get results…



You will know what results you are going to get!



On to reason 5…the final reason for this article (there are actually a ton more).



Reason #5 The Feeling We Are Being “Lied To”



Have you ever bought an e-book with some promise of a complete system, or other remedy to a business problem you have (the secret to marketing by the way)…



Only to have that solution seemingly fail to work (remember Reason #1)?



Then…



While surfing the net, you come across a similar solution, perhaps packaged in a different way (the way you package information is another marketing secret). This solution seems to include another piece of the puzzle in your internet business life.



How does that make you feel?



Most would feel this (I cannot speak for everyone) :



“Dang it, why didn’t that other e-book give me the entire answer, like this one does!”



Guess what, this e-book won’t give you the entire answer either. But I will bet you feel “lied to.” Some people even take this feeling another step and get a refund on the other e-book…and read this one with a “complete” answer (it isn’t).



In conclusion, there are a few points that are the bottom line here:



* With the knowledge that we don’t want to make just one sale to our customers, and we want to strike as broad a part of our niche that we can with multiple products…why on earth would any marketer worth their salt at all give you a complete answer in just one e-book? We don’t. Instead, we work to build your trust enough to buy another piece of the solution from us…and will structure offers with that in mind (retaining you as a customer).



This is why my business model is to only offer complete solutions to my clients (i.e. coaching, copywriting and consulting, etc…). While more of an investment, I know that I could never provide a complete solution in one e-book.



* You are lazy by nature. You need to try and stifle that part of your nature, knowing that there is no magic pill to grow businesses, period.



* The time you are wasting buying e-book after e-book would be better invested in testing another piece of marketing, and finding a scientific process of your own that will work with your business alone (then you can sell an e-book to others on this process ;) ).



* If you are about to use the excuse “Joe, I believe in self-education and these e-books are only purchased to satisfy that end of my business.” I will probably point you to your main computer’s hard drive and ask you to do a deep gut check on two things… 1) How many e-books you have on that hard drive.



Now, I would have you compare that with 2) How many e-books on that hard drive have you actually read fully and implemented. You see, self-education is part of my business too…but I can tell you that any e-book or educational material that I have now, has been read and implemented. Not to say that I am perfect by any means, I was where you are now about 4 years ago, and have since deleted all of the e-books on my hard drive.



I have found that in the end, in most cases, we already have the ability to build businesses. We have to develop with our businesses online, make the mistakes, pay the dues, and grow a successful one to really know how to do it again. That type of process will not take as long if you quit buying e-books and looking for the magic pill. It doesn’t exist.



Once you know how to build a very successful business, you can simply duplicate and eliminate mistakes…and e-books won’t be necessary.



About the Author: If you would like to investigate the shortcut to making money online, in fact to generate six figures within 12 months... visit How To Make Six Figures Yearly right now.



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