How To Master Article Writing To Get More Traffic

If you are starving for traffic, can't seem to consistently draw thousands of visitors to your website each day and struggle to get them to buy when they get there - you can benefit from this technique.

For several months now I've consistently written and submitted at least 2 articles each week.

The articles are NOT the crappy 300 word articles loaded with keywords with very little added value for human readers, but articles in the 500-800 word range that follow a very specific formula.

Here's how to write 2 articles each week in less than 60-minutes.

Step 1. Find One Compelling Problem Within Your Market

How do you find these? You can pull from your own experience, what problems did you tackle this week that you could share with others? Check the last few days of questions on forums related to your topic - these forums are a real idea bank. Survey your subscribers and customers to find out what they are struggling with - this should give you enough articles for an entire month if you ask the right questions. The key point is that you want to identify one, very specific, high demand issue per article.

Too many people ramble on, try to address multiple issues or just want to tell a story -- that's a writing hobby, not a business.

Step 2. Work On a Riveting Title

Focus on capturing your audiences attention, pumping up their interest, even border on contoversial. Relate your topic to a hot current event. I wrote an article several months ago about leadership traits of Walt Disney that related to building your infoproduct business. That article has pulled in several thousand visitors on its own and still attracts huge search engine traffic to this day.

Step 3. Start By Presenting The Challenge

You know and your reader knows the challenge you are trying to solve - but you want to use the first paragraph to really re-create the "feeling" of having the problem in the reader's head. You are setting them up to really look forward to the rest of your article - where you will solve their problem.

Step 4. Offer A Simple, Effective Solution Linked To Your Website

What separates super-charged, traffic generating articles from those that disappear into the ether? You need to offer your readers hope by outlining a simple, fast solution to their challenge while NOT giving away all of the methods behind HOW to achieve the solution. You want to convince the reader that YOU can solve their problem, all the while giving them the impression that there is more, so much more, that they could still find by clicking on a link to your website, opt-in or other follow-up system.

Be consistent. Once you complete your articles, send them out to distribution directories, build private publisher lists, and post them to your articles directory on your website - even post them to your blog, if you have one.

Finally, generating a massive stampede of traffic to your website is possible for anyone - the trick is spending your limited time on the right activities and methods.

Discover the most complete, most proven and most effective traffic generation model available today to pump truckloads of customers to your site: http://www.highertrustmarketing.com/part/ts

Making Headway on a Slow Day: 9 Ways to Turn Down-Time into Productivity Time

If you work from home, you know the kind of day I mean. You made the calls. You revised those drafts. You sent out the emails. Where is everybody!? As much as you used to relish a slow day when you were corporate, it's a little different when you're playing boss to yourself. Your mind gets to wandering. Should I head out to the park? Should I hit the mall? Should I... file for unemployment?

For a freelance writer, designer or web marketer who works from home, a day without contact from the outside world can bring on anything from sluggishness and inertia to a panic attack. Such fun games the mind will play when the two of you are left alone for long periods of time! But here's a little secret about slow days. They're the perfect opportunity to catch up on everything that went out of your head the minute the phone stopped ringing.

How do you remember what it is you were supposed to be doing before it became unimportant? Think back to the last time you were swamped! Chances are, your mind was in overdrive, firing off ideas about how you could be improving your business. Were you mulling over a couple of articles? Pipedreaming a new web marketing strategy with an online buddy? Wishing you had remembered to meta-tag every page of your website?

A slow day is your big chance to get cracking on those little plans that will lead to big business for your company. Do you make lists of things that never get accomplished? Today's the day you'll be filling that goal notebook with checkmarks! Here are some tips on how to make headway on a slow day.

1. Learn a new program. Remember last month when you bought "HTML for Dummies" and then tossed it into your closet? Now's the time to drag that book out of hiding. Remember that free software you installed along with your scanner? Take the tutorial. A day that's free of interruption is the perfect day to pick up a few new technical pointers. Mastering some new programs can save you a huge headache when push comes to shove and you're struggling with that last-minute project.

2. Organize your workspace. Isn't it about time you stopped using the floor as your file cabinet? And STOP depending on your email for phone numbers; you'll be sorry the day the server goes down and you can't get in touch with your biggest client! Invest in some hanging file folders and a Rolodex--so you'll have easy access to contact information, project notes, contracts and such. Stock up on printer cartridges and paper so you don't run out in the middle of an important project. Hang a wall calendar and start using it. There are so many small things you can do to get organized and increase your productivity!

3. Write an article. Experiencing freelancer frustration with nowhere to vent? Had a recent eye-opener while doing work for a client? Being an independent contractor means something new every day. Whether it's a challenge, a victory or a pitfall, everything you come away with is a valuable lesson to be learned. Why not share your knowledge with the world? There are thousands of websites looking for content. Many give you a byline, and some will even pay you! What a great way to make the most of your experiences... and get your name out there in print.

4. Do some research. Ever have a conversation with a colleague, and "not really know what they're talking about?" Say they mention 'viral marketing'- well, you've heard the term, sure, but what does it mean, really? "AdSense articles... what is that?" you wonder. Down time is the perfect time to get informed and updated! Do a Google search on all those mysterious buzzwords you've been hearing. Go through your old emails and catch up on reading. Surf around; bookmark some good sites. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you learn in just a few hours!

5. Join a Network. Web networking's the way to go... use your "free day" to make some new contacts and maybe even a few friends. Participate in a forum discussion where you can share your knowledge as well as learn from others! If you're already part of a network, take this time to reconnect with people who might become future clients or business associates. When you least expect it, they'll come out of hiding with an exciting work proposition... maybe even on your next "slow day!"

6. Update your website. There is nothing more unprofessional than a website that's only half-built, or not up-to-date. Still have Christmas imagery bedecking your homepage in March? Get rid of it! Thought about raising your hourly rate but never got around to doing it? Now's the time! Whether it's adding portfolio samples, improving the general design, adding legalese or putting together a Testimonials page from satisfied clients, chances are there's something that can be done to improve your website and increase your credibility!

7. Buy a present for your business. Got a stash of cash in your PayPal account? Invest a little of it in the future of your business. Join a freelance website with a good reputation. Take a 2-day course in something you've always wanted to know more about. Gifts that will broaden your professional horizons and ultimately increase sales are money well spent!

8. Learn how to become a Website Affiliate. Build business relationships, get exposure, share information and get paid for it! Affiliate Programs are usually free to join, and with a few clicks of the mouse, you can supplement your income simply by driving traffic to other people's websites. How's that for easy cash?

9. Create a Company Newsletter. If you don't already have one, downtime is your chance to build a contact list and put together a company newsletter. With a little investigation you'll discover that many websites offer free trial periods where you can learn to use their contact base and newsletter-template software. And there are tons of sites on the web that offer free articles that you can print in your publication. Maybe you can even make use of those articles you wrote the last time nothing was going on!

Now, what are you waiting for? You've only got half-a-slow-day left to get going on these projects. Happy Freelancing!

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. Use with permission.

Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years' industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.

Hubris - Definition: Microsofts Passport

Before September of 1995, Microsoft ignored the Internet because their 16-bit Windows 3.1 operating system couldn't handle the 32-bit Internet world. With the introduction of Windows 95, Microsoft decided they owned the Internet.

Instead of having separate accounts at dozens of websites, Microsoft decided that you will have one master account that you will use to log in everywhere. That account will contain your credit card number, bank account numbers, all your personal information and financial records, and Microsoft will own that account.

Well, Microsoft IS the United State's government condoned monopoly, so 200 million Internet users, and 100 major web companies dutifully signed up for Microsoft's Passport wallet service.

In 1999, Internet authorities discovered Microsoft's passport service had numerous security holes, and hackers could steal your personal information. In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission admonished Microsoft for not adhering to their own privacy policy. In 2003, Microsoft purged all the financial records from its Passport servers.

Millions of users continue to sign up for Passport because of the convenience it offers. Nearly 100 websites use Passport as their authentication method. Users don't need to remember separate usernames and passwords for each website. They can log in to all of them using a single email address. Some of the websites let you register without a Passport accont, but others, especially Microsoft owned websites, require you to have a Passport account.

If you sign up for Microsoft Network (MSN) or for a free Hotmail email account, you will be forced to sign up for Microsoft's Passport wallet service. You can sign up for a Passport account with a non-Microsoft email account at Microsoft's Passport website.

To sign up, you need only an email address and a password. After you sign up, you can choose to add personal information to your profile. Then you can indicate if you want to share your information with companies that use Passport. If you choose to share your personal information, be aware that Microsoft shares it with every passport website you visit, and those websites are not required to adhere to Microsoft's privacy policy.

The Internet does not need a master account repository for users personal information. Users don't need to remember separate usernames and passwords for each website. Every Internet user has memorized two or three different email addresses and half a dozen different passwords that they use everywhere.

If an Internet master account repositiory is desired, it should NOT be owned or operated by Microsoft. A repository of personal account information must be operated by an honest, independant company.

Note: In April 2000, U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled that Microsoft violated two sections of the 1890 Sherman Act. He concluded that Microsoft was an illegal monopoly that used anti-competitive means to maintain its dominance in Intel-based operating systems.

Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp.

Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.

About The Author

To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp

The Rapture, A Coming Event; Part 1

Daniel 2:44-11:35

To begin with, what is prophecy? It's the study of future events. There are those who think that the rapture has already taken place, and that Jesus has already set up His kingdom on earth. I'm here to show that this type of thinking was the same in Paul's time.

Lets look at 2nd Thessalonians, 2:1-5. A letter had been forged in Paul's name and was sent to the Church stating that the rapture had already taken place. 2nd Thes 2:1-5 "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, nether by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you. The church here at Thessalonia was upset, for they relieved a false letter in Paul's name, they were sad because, they thought that they were lost because they believed that the church had already been raptured. What a blow that had to be on these people, waiting on Jesus to return and take them home and then hearing that He had already come and gone. Isn't that what were hearing today? Prophecy has to take specific time lines that were set up by God.

There are over 230 prophetic verses in scripture that have to line up and be fulfilled before the rapture can take place. Unless otherwise noted, prophecy must be taken literally to be understood. There are two distinct fazes, listed in scripture, may I say, more than once, The first is the rapture and the second is the glorious appearing. Some reference for these are, Mth. 24:29-31, 25:31-46., Dan 2:35-44., Rev. 19:11-21. Look at John 14:1-3., 2nd Cor. 5:8-10 and Rev 19:1-10, These last three should be read in conjunction with each other. As you've noticed a lot of prophecy times are lined up with each other in one or two single verses. That is the reason we have to look carefully at each verse to see weather there are more than one event taking place.

Here are some of the rapture passages listed in scripture. John 1`4:1-3 Phil 4:5 1Tim 6:14, Jude 21, Heb.9:28, and these are just a few. As you can see, God in His wisdom gave us the tools and information to decipher prophecy, and if it was important for God to install these prophecy passages, we should try to understand them.

The second coming passages or Glorious Appearing passages are just as long and start from Dan 2:44-45 thru Rev 22:7,12 and 20. This is just the beginning of the study of the rapture and by no means are we even half way thru. Lets look at Daniel and the entire 70 weeks in retrospect. Daniel 9:24-27. 1st we have the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus decree to rebuild Jerusalem, then we have the restoration of 49 years, rebuilding the temple and the city walls under two different men. 1. Ezra and 2. Nehemiah. Next we have the 434 years of silence, or 62 heptads until Messiah shall be cut off but not for Himself. And Jesus crucified, this is 483 years. That leaves 1 heptad or 1 seven year period of tribulation for the Jews, which is called in Jer. 30:3-11, the time of Jacobs trouble. End of 1st Lesson

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R. Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Forget Positive Thinking

There are always explanations for why things to you or others. Even though you might not understand why. Some of the time, when things happen that you do not wish for, you may be tempted to throw your arms in the and wish ...

But me! I just say 'Great'. You know why?

No, I am not one of the lucky few. I have learned a very life defining skill. And that is to maintain perspective. Of course you have heard about 'perspective'? Let us work on this together now, please.

Perspective is one of those influencers that are instrumental in shaping your reality. It is not the only influencer, but it does play a pretty crucial role.

You (and you alone) determine your perspective. Never mind what is happening out there. You are ultimately responsible for your outlook, because you can control your self-confidence, your self-talk, as well as your expectancies.

These three are the components of perspective. Success is much more possible when these three components are positive.

Yes, it might be raining out there and the sheriff might be knocking at your door. You might be faced with a bankruptcy and your most trusted partner might have just dumped you. But... what is important when these things happen is the climate/environment you are creating and maintaining in your head. Your glorious status might be history, but how about rewriting your future? And here's how...

Self-confidence

It is important for you to remember that your perceptions of reality changes depending on how you feel about yourself at any given moment. Got that? If you are full of confidence, you diminish the power of outside factors, and your internal reality is charged up with resourcefulness. 'What if my self-confidence is so low because of the failures I have experienced'? I hear you ask.

Focus on the fundamentals and basics. That is what you do. Make sure you master the fundamentals and basics of whatever it is that you want to do. And when you can do the fundamentals right, you have taken the first steps in increasing your self-confidence.

Step two involves making sure that you achieve small incremental victories. Little by little. From one small victory to the next 'little bit' bigger victory. It might be necessary at this stage to achieve as many 'baby victories' as possible. Until you feel more 'confident' to handle bigger situations. In NLP they call it 'small chunking'. Break down your challenge into smaller, manageable components. Achieve success in each little components. Haven't you heard how you eat an elephant?

Self-talk

What do you say to yourself and about yourself when you are under pressure? Think about a particular incident? Was what you were saying then helpful, resourceful or was it discouraging?

Watch your words, because they might have a tendency of sabotaging your efforts at building self-confidence.

Your words communicate one of two things. They either communicate images of failure and helplessness or they communicate images of success and resourcefulness. If you communicate helplessness to yourself, especially when you are under pressure, you are not doing yourself any favor. Which would you prefer while you are building your self-confidence: a rhetoric of past failures or a message of hope and resourcefulness?

You can change the tape you want to hear. You can change what you tell yourself by:

a. monitoring your self-talk
b. using positive, concrete language and
c. maintaining perspective.

Ok, the title of this discussion is 'Forget Positive Thinking'. I bet you my last penny, positive thinking does not work. Especially if you are under severe pressure.

For me what has worked is the practicality of building my self-confidence, monitoring my self-talk, and maintaining perspective.

Ke o agile uses http://inthezone.port5.com/2daedge.htm to stay current in his field and to gain a competitive edge. You can too! Any one can at http://inthesuccesszone.blogspot.com

Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye

Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree for about 6,000 years; having been especially popular in the Isle of Crete (which as you recall, also appeared in the Seven Countries Study to be the site of the lowest incidence of heart disease). All oils that we use for eating and cooking contain "fat" and olive oil is no exception. However, it is mostly monounsaturated fat as opposed to saturated fat or hydrogenated fat. It can be used as a flavoring for cooking or in salad dressings or as a healthy substitute for butter or margarine. Several large population studies have confirmed that diets with higher amounts of fat of the monounsaturated type reduce total cholesterol and LDL ["bad"] cholesterol levels to the same degree as low fat, high-carbohydrate diets [such as the AHA Step I and II diets]. The additional benefit of olive oil is, as part of a Mediterranean type diet, is that it also has a favorable effect on lowering blood triglycerides [also a factor in heart disease] and maintaining HDL ["good" cholesterol].

In a published study, individuals were randomly assigned to one of three diets: a diet enriched with olive oil, an AHA Step II diet, or an average American control diet. The olive oil and Step II diets lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to the same degree. However, triglyceride levels fell 13% in patients on the olive oil diet and increased 11% in the Step II diet. HDL cholesterol levels were unchanged in the olive oil diet but decreased 4% in the Step II diet. Remember we want to keep the HDL up as high as possible to reduce heart disease.

Based upon the above information, the authors of the study estimated that the overall risk of cardiovascular disease was lowered by 25% by the olive oil diet and only 12% by the Step II diet. Please note that the cholesterol lowering "statin" type drugs lower risk for a heart attack by about 35%, which is not too much better than the "olive oil" diet alone. In subjects with elevated cholesterols who would benefit from use of statin type medications, additional cardiovascular benefit would then be found by also following a diet with olive oil as a substitute for salad dressing, as a substitute for butter or margarine, and for cooking.

Olive oil apparently has other beneficial effects such as lowering blood pressure, inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol [the last step before it gets put into your arteries], providing anti-inflammatory effects, and improving insulin sensitivity.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given manufactures of olive oil and some olive oil-containing food the green light to carry a statement about their potential heart benefits. The claim indicates evidence suggesting that about 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day may reduce the risk of a heart attack. However, to achieve this result, the olive oil should replace a similar amount of saturated fat and should not increase the total daily calories.

The strong taste of extra-virgin olive oil is partly because of the presence of a large amount of "flavonoids", which account for its antioxidant properties that then reduce LDL oxidation. Other foods rich in flavonoids include berries, apples, onions, tea, and red wine (all of which have also been shown to be of benefit in reducing overall heart risk).

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387&
link_code=as2&camp=1789
&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.

Selecting Mens Formalwear For The Wedding

Have you ever noticed that weddings seem to be all about the bride? There's information available for the wedding dress, shoes, makeup and accessories. But...what about the groom and his ushers? After all, they need to wear something to the wedding too!

So, what should the groom (and his attendants) be wearing to a wedding? In most cases, it depends on the time of day that the wedding is to take place. If the wedding is to be a very formal evening affair, a tuxedo is required. For a morning or afternoon wedding, the attire of the men will depend more upon a combination of preferance and the type of wedding theme you've chosen.

For example, the groom should not be showing up in a formal black tuxedo for a wedding on the beach. A lightweight and lighter color suit would be more appropriate. If you're planning a very casual wedding, then lightweight dress pants, shirt, tie (optional) and blazer would be appropriate as well.

The groom, father-of-the-bride, and groomsmen should all visit a professional formalwear shop for guidance and information on the type of attire that is available. Most men don't realize just how many decisions go into choosing a wedding suit or tuxedo. You'll need to choose from single-breasted and double-breasted jackets; collars that are peaked, notched or shawl; cummerbund or vest; bow tie, ascot (these are double-knot ties with ends folded over) or a casual tie.

Also, it's very important that everything coordinates with the attire of the bride and bridesmaids, so make sure you know exactly what they will be wearing and the colors chosen. (Take a fabric sample or a picture of the dresses).

Unless you plan on attending a lot of formal occassions after the marriage, most men are better off renting their formalwear as opposed to buying it. There are a lot of men's stores that carry large selections of wedding attire and they will do alterations on rented suits. However, before you rent anything, make sure you know what comes with the package. Do you need to buy the cummerbund and/or vest? Are the shoes included? What about the tie and shirt? Make sure you get a written receipt that states what is and is not included in the rental.

The groom and other gentlemen should be measured for their suits approximately three months before the wedding. For any groomsmen who live out of town, they can go to a local shop for measurements, then send the information to the groom so he can set up the rental. Please make sure your ushers understand that they are not to make their own rental arrangements in another city. You will have no way of knowing if they actually picked the correct suit, color, or accessories until they show up for the wedding, at which point you will have one very unhappy bride - not a good thing!

The groom should look after all the rental arrangements at one store only. Any groomsmen coming from out of town should arrive at least 2 to 3 days before the wedding for final measurements in case there needs to be last minute alterations done.

Most rentals can be picked up a day or two in advance. Check the suits/tuxedos over carefully before leaving the store with them. Look for any stains, rips, snags or possible cigarette burns. Everyone should try their suit on to be sure it fits properly and the length of the pants and jacket sleeves are correct. Be sure to wear the shoes you will be wearing at the wedding for this. Check the cuffs and collar for frayed material, and make the jackets don't have any buttons missing.

After the wedding, the bestman usually returns his own and the groom's suit to the formalwear shop by the next business day. The groomsmen are responsible for returning their own suits, also within the next business day to avoid late charges. Small food or beverage stains can usually be removed easily enough, however if a suit is heavily damaged, be prepared to pay for it. So fellows, be careful during the wedding!

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles regarding wedding tips for the bride and groom, visit http://www.wedthemes.com/bride-groom-tips.shtml

Adirondack Furniture - What It is and Why You Want It

Adirondack is the name given to a style of furnishings that date back to the late 1800's. During this time period, immediately following the civil war, upstate New York gained notoriety as a popular tourist destination. People, mostly the rich, flocked to the lavish hotels and guest houses that dotted the rustic landscape of the Adirondack Mountain range to relax and enjoy the tranquility and atmosphere that could be found in these remote destinations.

In order to attract these tourist dollars to his location, one of the locals, William West Durrant, created a unique destination that came to be known as the "Great Camp." In this camp, Durrant utilized many of the natural resources that could be found in the Adirondack Mountain area, such as limbs and leaves, to create beautifully styled, rustic chalets and furniture that mirrored the popular chalets of the Swiss.

Not only did this furniture harmonize with its natural surroundings, it was also very comfortable and durable. It did not take long for Durrant's style to catch on, and soon there were many such camps in the area of the Adirondacks.

From there, this style of furnishings, called Adirondack furniture in honor of the mountain range where it was created, spread to the Rocky Mountains and beyond to become one of the most popular styles of furnishings of that time period.

While the popularity of Adirondack furniture has declined somewhat since the 1930's, the style is still alive and well today. The versatility, durability and comfort of this furniture make it a favorite of people of all ages and personalities.

Although Adirondack furniture is mostly identified by rustic, wooden pieces designed to harmonize with nature, today's styles can accommodate almost any d?cor and setting. Today, Adirondack furniture is available in a wide variety of finishes and styles to compliment any garden, cabin, home or getaway. They include cedar, teak, plastic, folding furniture and painted finishes. Adirondack furniture can also be customized by the addition of hand painted designs and/or cushions chosen from a wide variety of colors.

In addition to granting you the option of customizing the look of your furniture, the Adirondack furniture style also gives you many choices when it comes to deciding what types of pieces to include in your particular setting. There are many styles of chairs, tables, benches and accessories that can be purchased together or separately to compliment your style and customize your living space.

And Adirondack furniture is affordable. While a single piece may cost you a couple of hundred dollars or more, depending on what you choose, the quality and durability of this furniture are unsurpassed. In other words, the investment that you make in Adirondack furniture today will ensure that you have beautiful, comfortable furnishings years from now. Once you take into consideration how often other types of furnishings need to be replaced, you will agree that Adirondack furniture is well worth the price.

So if you are looking for furnishings that are unique, comfortable, beautiful and durable, and are the envy of your neighbors, Adirondack furniture may be just what you're looking for.

Jennifer Akre is a successful business owner of numerous outdoor websites such as http://www.eAdirondackStyle.com. Her websites provide information and product for Adirondack furniture, Adirondack chairs, and other outdoor furnishing such as teak furniture and garden benches.

Summer Is Here! Consider Tackling Key Home Improvement Projects While The Weather Is Good!

Summer time means barbeques, baseball, camping, and yes, Home Improvement Projects! As the weather gets nice and the days get longer so do lists of home improvement projects. Here are a few projects which are best done in the summer maximizing the long days and the good weather!

Gardening/Landscaping: Depending on which part of the country you live in it may be too late to plant a garden from seed, but you most likely still have time to get your garden going using starters. Plant now, be sure to properly weed and water and you will enjoy your vegetables all fall.

Many landscaping projects can be done throughout the year but it can be easier and more enjoyable during the summer. Build a rockwall, plant some perennials, or put down a fresh layer of mulch. Working in the summer ensures the soil will be easy to work with and completing these projects now allows you to enjoy them for the remainder of the summer and fall.

Exterior Painting: In many parts of the country 80% of exterior painting gets done between the end of June and middle of September. The reason is the weather is more predictable and warmer; you don't have to worry as much about getting rained on in the middle of applying the second coat of paint. The summer months are also a popular time for staining decks. Not only do most people spend a lot of time on their decks during the summer and thus want them to look nice, but the long days are ideal for completing a re-staining job in a weekend.

Roof replacement: Summer is the perfect time to replace your roof because there is no chance of getting snow and the weather is more predictable so you can plan the best time to tear the roof off. There is nothing worse than tearing off your roof right before a large rain fall! Also, in the summer you don't have to worry about losing the heat from your home as you would during the cold winter months.

Screening in your Porch: To fully enjoy the outside without the bugs, screening in your porch is the only way to go. This project can actually be competed almost anytime during the year but will be enjoyed during the summer.

Get Air Conditioning unit tuned up: If you haven't already done so you should get your AC tuned up. Many units use close to 50% more energy when they are not running properly. With the rising cost of energy you can't afford to keep your Air Conditioner running below its peak.

The preceding is a list of projects which are best completed during the summer months. There are many other projects that are also completed during the summer but the ones above should be moved to the top of your list to maximize the weather during the summer.

Good luck and don't forget to make time to go swimming too!

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Face The Fear, Ladies

Okay, I'll begin by telling you that I've been divorced for about 5 years, have an amazing family and by anyone's standards, I have a wonderful life.

I worked in the film industry for almost 9 years for my ex-husband's company. But when we split, I had the dire task of figuring out just what else I was supposed to do, having worked in that industry for his company for the duration of our relationship, here I was, having to think about finding a job. A what? I was totally clueless. Where would I start? I'm the first to admit that I'm probably not going to receive 'employee of the month' honors anytime soon, and the thought of actually having a boss makes me cringe (I'm definitely the "I only have two hands, do it yourself" type of employee).

Considering all of these things, I realized that it was probably best that I start thinking about starting my own business. But what kind of business was I going to start? What did I know about running a business? What did I know how to do? Granted, I could fold laundry, and change a mean diaper, but who was going to pay me for doing that? I was terrified. What was I going to do? What if what I did was a flop? Worse yet, what if this endeavor was a success?

Anyway, one day I returned from a shopping trip with a black handbag amongst my treasures. When I took it out of the shopping bag, my daughter looked at me and said, "Another black handbag? What's up with all of the black handbags?" Okay. I'm a self-confessed handbag junkie, but when I was shopping for a handbag, all I could find were black bags and I had more black handbags than I cared to admit to. I told my daughter that what I'm looking for essentially is a really unique handbag. Something that people will stop me on the street to ask, "Where did you get that handbag?", but I can't find it. To which she replied (and she was 10 at the time), "If someone doesn't already make it, why don't you make it?" My thought was, "Me? Make a handbag?" Can I do that?"

I thought about my daughter's suggestion for about a month. After which time, I decided to go ahead and start my company designing and manufacturing handbags. I studied fashion design when I was younger, and I couldn't think of any reason that a handbag would be more difficult to make than a dress. Decision made!

I started my first company in November, and by February, I had 23 stores who were carrying my product. I designed and drafted the pattern, found the fabric, manufactured the products, and I did it all alone. I work at home for the bulk of the time and it's a ton of work, but I'm happy with it.

Looking back now, I can't figure out exactly what it was that I was so afraid of. I just knew that I was terrified, but decided to go ahead and do it anyway. Turns out, it was a wonderful decision. I'm my own boss, I'm running the show. I enjoy it so much, that I've started another company doing something else that I love. Yes, most of the time life is hectic, but I absolutely love it.

Debbie Burgin has been divorced for 5 years. She discovered upon the exit of her ex-husband, that her divorce was actually for the best. She's discovered that post-divorce, she and her children are happier, and more relaxed in their lives. She runs two of her own businesses, http://www.warnerdigitalmedia.com, and http://www.debbieburgin.com, and counsels other divorced women to "Face the fear! Get out there, and live life!"

9 Tips for Great Design of Your Marketing Materials

1) Don't just hire a good designer. Hire someone who has had plenty of experience designing business collateral. Your designer needs to ask you the right questions about the project. And he/ she needs to be able to turn the design round reasonably fast too.

2) Write the copy first. I believe the copy drives the project. (Unless this is a print ad, in which case the visual and headline will often dominate).

3) Read your copy word for word to your designer. You'd be amazed how often designers don't understand the project because they haven't been properly briefed. Your designer is going to be expressing in design the same persuasive arguments that you / your writer will be articulating in words.

4) Ensure that your designer communicates your branding i.e. the values you are trying to communicate.

5) Check that the copy is easy to read once it has been laid out by your designer. If the design takes too much attention to itself, then your readers won't be following your arguments.

6) A professional designer will give you a creative brief: he sets out on paper the brief as he understands it. This includes the brand and the benefits of the offer in question. The creative brief means misunderstandings get cleared up before it they are too expensive to change.

7) He'll then present you with 2-3 design options for your review, about 3 weeks later.

8) Remember, you aren't choosing the color for your sports car, you are choosing the piece that best reflects the brand and personality of your company or offering.

9) Finally your designer brings you the finished product. He instructs printers and oversees production.

WOULD YOU LIKE A WORLD-CLASS JOURNALIST TO GHOSTWRITE AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION FOR YOU? Contact Neroli Lacey NOW!

How clear and persuasive is your website, brochure copy or direct mail?

Call Neroli Lacey NOW to win more business TODAY.

About The Author

I'm Neroli Lacey of Beyond Communications Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. I've been helping executives transform their businesses and their lives with outstanding marketing materials since 1995. VISA, 3M and Perot Systems are some of my bigger clients. I have worked with clients in Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, Minneapolis, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Delhi. I used to be one of the top journalists in Britain writing for The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, New Statesman, Vogue and Tatler.

Before newspapers I was an investment banker. I grew up in London, England, studying Latin with Greek at Bristol University.

Please visit my website: www.beyondcommunications.com

Or contact me at: neroli@beyondcommunications.com

612-215-3826

Choosing The Right Cosmetic Colors For YOU!

The first thing you need to do before picking out colors is to decide if you have a Warm, Neutral or Cool skin tone. One way to do this is to take a good look at yourself in a mirror in natural sunlight. Decide if your skin color has more Blue or Yellow to it, or if they are pretty well even.

More Blue = Cool
More Yellow = Warm
Equal = Neutral

Another way to find out what skin tone you have is to compare your skin to the colors Silver and Gold. Generally if your skin looks good with Gold, you have a warm skin tone, Silver means cool, and if it looks good with both, then you have Neutral.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell on yourself, so you may want to ask a friend to help you decide.

Once you have decided your skin tone, it is time to choose a Concealer, Foundation and Powder. Depending on where you buy your cosmetics from, you may have a hard time figuring out which one looks best on your skin tone. Avon products are labeled with a W, C or N to decipher which skin tone they are best for. After this, the best way to choose a Concealer, foundation and powder is to try it out! Generally for concealer, you should pick one that is a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, so that when you use it to cover dark areas and imperfections it will blend and look natural. If you have a lot of red spots (acne, scars, etc.) then you should also look into getting a Green spot neutralizer, you use this under concealer to neutralize the red spot and make it look natural. After you have chosen the right concealer for yourself, you should choose a liquid foundation that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. If you have freckles it is recommended to match the color with your lightest freckles to help even out your skin color. Your powder should match your liquid foundation as closely as possible and be used last out of the 3.

After this you should choose an eye shadow. Again, depending on where you purchase your cosmetics you may have trouble finding shades that look good on you as they arent always labeled for skin tones. From my experience I have found that for Cool skin tones, Pinks, Berries and Blue/greys seem to look best, for Warm skin tones Earth tones tend to look best (greens & browns and some reds ESPECIALLY for redheads), and for Neutral Skin tones, I try to combine the 2.

After you have chosen and applied the appropriate eyeshadow, you should apply an eyeliner and Mascara. For people with light colored hair, brown or brown/black is an excellent choice of eyeliner and mascara. For people with Darker hair, Black is best, Although black looks very dramatic on anyone, it is a great choice for evening time.

After eyeliner and mascara it is time to choose and apply a lipstick. Generally you should match your lipstick to your eyeshadow, keep it in the same general color family, so if you are wearing pink eyeshadow, try a similar color lipstick, maybe a shade darker or lighter. Grey eyeshadow looks great with different shades of red lipstick! As a rule of thumb, if your eyeshadow is shimmery, you should avoid shimmery lipsticks, and vice-versa. I recommend to all of my clients to DAB lipstick on, not to swipe it across their lips. By dabbing you have more control over the intensity of the color and you can make a more natural or bold look.

As with everything, this is just a guideline, play around with your makeup, take whatever seems helpful and leave the rest, this is just meant to give some suggestions, the best way to find out what looks best on you, is to try different things out! Good luck!

Jessica Tracy is a work at home mom of 2 little boys, and currently runs 2 home based businesses. One as an Avon Beauty Advisor and Leadership Representative, and another as a distributor for Enchanted Potions. You can contact Jessica through her website http://enchantedscents.cjb.cc

This article may be reprinted so long as the Author Bio is attached.

Bird Watching Competitions – I Spy With My Little Eye

by: Richard Chapo
Bird watching typically conjures up images of people pursuing a relaxing
day of staring into the sky with binoculars. Ah, but then there is the
competitive side of birding.

Flying Emus…err, Elbows

For many people, something is only worth undertaking if there is an
element of competitiveness. With bird watching, no such element really
exists unless you include adding to your life list as a competition. Even
if you do, it is a rather vague, indirect form of competition. This is
where bird watching competitions come in.

Also known as "bird days" or "big days", bird watching competitions are
typically one or two day events held in a specific geographic area. The
idea behind the competition is to bring a bunch of birding enthusiasts
together and see who tally the most species in a particular time period.

Since the honor code is tied into reporting your tally, the competitive
aspect of such competitions isn't overdone. This isn't a situation like
bass fishing where they roll you into a stadium afterwards to count your
sightings in front of screaming crowds. Then again, perhaps an opportunity
presents itself…

Can you imagine ESPN covering the event?

"Bob, it looks like Longbill Louie is in fine form today. Look at the way
he balances those binoculars and what rotation!"

Probably not, but a man has to dream!

Back in reality, participating in a bird watching competition is a good
idea for two reason. First, the organizers tend to pick spots with lots of
species you may not have documented before. Second, it is a tremendous
opportunity to meet other people who have caught the itch. This often can
lead to future opportunities to bird watch with new friends in previously
unknown areas.

If you must compete, there are official bird watching competitions. The
World Series of Bird Watching is put on by the New Jersey Audubon Society.
Teams of birders are formed and pitted against each other in early May of
each year. With humorous names such as the "four loons", "stokes stompers"
and so on, it is a good time. The next competition is May 13, 2006, so you
have plenty of time to get in top birding form.

Birding competitions are a bit serious for me, but to each his own. Having
a Big Day, however, is a great way to get kids interested in watching.

Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals. Bird
watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours
and vacations. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more bird watching
articles.