Be All That You Can Be: The Company Persona and Language Alignment

It's not just CEOs and corporate spokespeople who need effective language to be the message. The most successful advertising taglines are not seen as slogans for a product. They are the product. From M & M's "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" to "Please do not squeeze the Charmin" bathroom tissue, from the "plop, plop, fizz, fizz" of Alka-Seltzer to "Fly the friendly skies of United, "There is no light space between the product and its marketing. Words that work reflect "not only the soul of the brand, but the company itself and its reason for being in business," according to Publicis worldwide executive director director David Droga.

In the same vein, advertising experts identify a common quality among the most popular and long-lasting corporate icons: Rather than selling for their companies, these characters personify them. Ronald McDonald, the Marlboro Man, Betty Crocker, the Energizer Bunny - they are not shills trying to talk us into buying a Big Mac, a pack of smokers, a box of cake mix, a package of batteries; they do not even personalize the product. Just like the most celebrated logos, they are the product.

Walk through any bookstore and you'll find dozens of books about the marketing and branding efforts of corporate America. The process of corporate communication has been thinly sliced ​​and diced over and over, but what you will not find is a book about the one really essential characteristic in our twenty-first-century world: the company persona and how words that work are used to create and sustain it.

The company persona is the sum of the corporate leadership, the corporate ethos, the products and services offered, interaction with the customer, and, most importantly, the language that ties it all together. A majority of large companies do not have a company persona, but those that do benefit significantly. Ben & Jerry's associates in part because of the funky names that theyave to the conventional (and unconventional) flavors they offer, but the positive relationship between corporate management and their employees also plays a role, even after Ben and Jerry sold the company. McDonald's in the 1970s and Starbucks over the past decade became an integral part of the American culture as much for the lifestyle that they reflected as the food and beverages they offered, but the in-store lexicon helped by setting them apart from their competition. (Did any customers ever call the person who served them a cup of coffee a "barista" before Starbucks made the term popular?) Language is never the sole determinant in creating a company persona, but you'll find words that work associated with all companies that have one.

And when the message, messenger, and recipient are all on the same page, I call this rare phenomenon "language alignment," and it happens far less frequently than you might expect. In fact, all of the companies that have hired my firm for communication guidance have found themselves linguistically unaligned.

This manifests itself in two ways. First, in service-oriented businesses, the sales force is too often selling with a different language than the marketing people are using. There's nothing wrong with individualizing the sales approach to each customer, but when you have your sales force promoting a message that has no similarity with the advertising campaign, it undermines both efforts. The language in the ads and promotions must match the language on the street, in the shop, and on the floor. For example, Boost Mobile, which caters to an inner city youth demographic, uses the slogan "Where you at?" Not grammatically (or politically) correct - but it's the language of their consumer.

And second, corporations with multiple products in the same space too often allow the language of those products to blur and bleed into each other. Procter & Gamble may sell a hundred different items, but even though each one fills a different need, a different space, and / or a different category, it is perfectly fine for them to share similar language. You can use some of the same verbiage to sell soap as you would to sell towels, because no consumer will confuse the products and what they do.

Not so for a company that is in a single line of work, say selling cars or selling beer, where companies use the exact same adjectives to describe very different products. In this instance, achieving linguistic alignment requires a much more disciplined linguistic segmentation. It is almost always a more effective sales strategy to divvy up the appropriate adjectives and create a unique lexicon for each individual brand.

An example of a major corporation that has betrayed both of these challenges and still managed to achieve linguistic alignment, even as they are laying off thousands of workers, is the Ford Motor Company - which manages a surprisingly diverse group of brands ranging from Mazda to Aston Martin. The Ford corporate leadership recognized that it was impossible to separate the Ford name, corporate history, heritage, and range of vehicles - so why bother. They came as a package. Sure, Ford serves an individual brand identity, through national and local ad campaigns and by creating and maintaining a separate image and language for each brand. For example, "exceptionally sensual styling" certainly applies when one is talking about a Jaguar S Type, but would probably not be pertinent for a Ford F 250 pickup truck. But the fact that the CEO carries the Ford name communicates continuity to the company's customers, and Bill Ford sitting in front of an assembly line talking about leadership and innovation in all of Ford's vehicles effectively puts all the individual brands into alignment.

The words he uses - "innovation," "driven," "re-committed," "dramatically," "dedicated" - represent the simplicity and brevity of effective communications, and they are wrapped around the CEO who is the fourth- generation Ford to lead the company - hence credibility. The cars are the message, Bill Ford is the messenger, the language is dead-on, and Ford is weathering the American automotive crisis far better than its larger rival General Motors. Again, the language of Ford is not the only driver of corporate image and sales - but it certainly is a factor.

In fact, the brand-building campaign was so successful that GM jumped on board. But Ford quickly took it a step further. In early 2006, they began to leverage their ownership of Volvo (I wonder how many readers did not know that Ford bought Volvo in 1999 and purchased Jaguar a decade earlier) to communicate a corporate-wide commitment to automated safety, across all of its individual brands and vehicles. Volvo is one of the most respected cars on the road today, and aligning all of Ford behind an industry leader is a very smart strategy indeed.

So what about the competition?

General Motors, once the automotive powerhouse of the world, has an equally diverse product line and arguably a richer history of technology and innovation, but their public message of cutbacks, buy-backs, and layoffs was designed to appeal to Wall Street, not Main Street, and it crushed new car sales. At the time of this writing, GM is suffering through record losses, record job layoffs, and a record number of bad stories about its failing marketing efforts.

It did not have to be this way.

The actual attributes of many of the GM product lines are more appealing than the competition, but the product image itself is not. To own a GM car is to tell the world that you're so 1970s, and since what you drive is considered an extension and expression of yourself to others, people end up buying cars they actually like less because they feel the cars will say something more about them.

Think about it. Here's a company that was the first to develop a catalytic converter, the first to develop an advanced anti-tipping stabilization technology, the first to develop engines that could use all sorts of blended gasolines, and most importantly in today's market, the creator of OnStar - an incredible new-age computerized safety and tracking device. Yet most American consumers have no idea that any of these valuable innovations came from General Motors, simply because GM decided not to tell them. So instead of using its latest and greatest emerging technology to align itself with its customers, GM finds itself in a deteriorating dialogue with shareholders. No alignment = no sales.

Another problem with GM: No one knew that the various brands under the GM moniker were in fact. . . GM. Even such well-known brands as Corvette and Cadillac had become disconnected from the parent company. Worse yet, all the different brands (with the exception of Hummer, which could not get lost in a crowd even if the brand manager wanted it to) were using similar language, similar visuals, and a similar message - blurring the distinction between brands and turning GM vehicles into nothing more than generic American cars. Repeated marketing failures were just part of GM's recurring problems, but as that issue was completely within their control, it should have been the easiest to address.

When products, services, and language are aligned, they gain another essential attribute: authenticity. In my own market research for dozens of Fortune 500 companies, I have found that the best way to communicate authenticity is to trigger personalization: Do audience members see themselves in the slogan. . . and therefore in the product? Unfortunately, achieving personalization is by no means easy.

To illustrate how companies and brands in a competitive space create compelling personas for them while addressing the needs of different consumer groups, let's take a look at cereals. Anyone can go out and buy a box of cereal. But different cereals offer different experiences. Watch and listen carefully to their marketing approach and the words they use.

Most cereals geared towards children sell energy, excitement, adventure, and the potential for fun - even more than the actual taste of the sugar-coated rice or wheat puffs in the cardboard box. On the other hand, cereal aimed at grown-ups is sold based on its utility to the maintenance and enhancement of health - with taste once again secondary.

Children's cereals are pitched by nonthreatening cartoon characters - tigers, parrots, chocolate-loving vampires, Cap'ns, and a tiny trio in stocking caps - never an adult or authority figure. Adult cereals come at you head-on with a not-so-subtle Food Police message, wrapped in saccharine-sweet smiles, exclaiming that this cereal is a favorite of healthy and cholesterol-conscious adults who do not want to get colon cancer! Ugghhh. Kids buy Frosted Flakes because "They're grrrreat!" Adults buy Special K because we want to be as attractive and generous as the actors who promote it. When it comes to cereal, about the only thing parents and kids have in common is that the taste matters only slightly more than the image, experience, and product association - and if the communication appears authentic, they'll buy.

And cereal certainly sells. From Cheerios to Cinnamon Toast Crunch, more than $ 6 billion worth of cold cereal was sold in the United States alone in 2005. If you were to look at the five top-selling brands, you would see a diverse list targeted to a variety set of customers. The language used for each of these five brands is noticeably different, but in all cases totally essential.

In looking at the first and third best-selling brands of cereal, one might initially think that only a slight variation in ingredients mark their distinctions. Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios are both based around the same whole-grain O shaped cereal, but are in fact two very different products, beyond the addition of honey and a nut-like crunch.

The language behind Cheerios is remarkably simple and all-encompassing - "The one and only Cheerios." Could be for kids. . . could be for young adults. . . could be for parents. Actually, Cheerios wants to sell to all of them. As its Web site states, Cheerios is the right cereal for "toddlers to adults and everyone in between." The mixture heart-shaped bowl on each box suggests to the older consumer that the "whole-grain" cereal is a healthy start to a healthy day. But the web site also has a section devotedly to younger adults, complete with testimonials and "tips from new parents" talking about how Cheerios has helped them to raise happy, healthy children. The language behind Cheerios works because it transcends the traditional societal boundaries of age and adds a sense of authenticity to the product.

While you could probably live a happy and healthy existence with Cheerios as your sole cereal choice, there is a fundamental segment of the cereal market that demands more. For the cereal-consuming public roughly between the ages of four and fourteen, a different taste and linguistic approach is required. Buzz the Bee, the kid-friendly mascot of Honey Nut Cheerios, pitches the "irresistible taste of golden honey," selling the sweetness of the product to a demographic that craves sweet foods. While the parent knows that his or her child desires the cereal because of its sweet taste (as conveyed through the packaging), Honey Nut Cheerios must still pass the parent test. By putting such statements as "whole-grain" and "13 essential vitamins and minerals" on the box, the product gains authenticity, credibility, and the approval of the parent.

Two different messages on one common box effectively markets the same product to both children and parents alike, helping to make Honey Nut Cheerios the number three top-selling Cereal in 2004. So with the addition of honey and nuts, General Mills, the producer of the Cheerios line, has filled the gap between toddlers and young adults, and completed the Cheerios cradle-to-grave lifetime hold on the consumer.

To take another example, if you want people to think you're hip and healthy, you make sure they see drinking bottled water - and the fancier the better. No one walking around with a diet Dr Pepper in hand is looking to impress anyone. These days, there's almost a feeling that soft drinks are exclusively for kids and the uneducated masses. There's a cache to the consumption of water, and expensive and exclusive brands are all the rage. Now, there may be a few people who have such extremely refined, educated taste buds that they can taste the difference between Dasani and Aquafina (I certainly can not), but the connoisseurs of modish waters are more likely than not posers (or, to continue the snobbery theme, poseurs). You will not see many people walking around Cincinnati or Syracuse clutching fancy bottled water. Hollywood, South Beach, and the Upper East Side of New York City are, as usual, another story.

There's one final aspect of being the message that affects what we hear and how we hear it. How our language is delivered can be as important as the words themselves, and no one understands this principle better than Hollywood.

At a small table tucked away in the corner of a boutique Italian restaurant on the outskirts of Beverly Hills, I had the opportunity to dine with legendary actors Charles Durning, Jack Klugman, and Dom DeLuise. The entire dinner was a litany of stories of actors, writers, and the most memorable movie lines ever delivered. (Says Klugman, an Emmy Award winner, "A great line is not spoken, it is delivered.") Best known for his roles in The Odd Couple and Quincy, Klugman told a story about how Spencer Tracy was practicing his lines for a movie late in his career in the presence of the film's screenwriter. Notably pleased with the reading, the writer said to Tracy, "Would you please pay more attention to how you are reading that line? It took me six months to write it," to which Tracy shot back, "It took me thirty years to learn how to say Correctly the line that took you only six months to write. "

Spencer Tracy knew how to be the message - and his shelf of Academy Awards proved it.

Excerpted from WORDS THAT WORK by Dr. Frank Luntz. Copyright 2007 Dr. Frank Luntz. All rights reserved. Published by Hyperion. Available where books are sold.

Better Options for Junk Car Owners

There are several advantages of owning a junk car that many people have never considered. To most, junk vehicles are garbage that no one wants to deal with or buy. Instead, a junk car can actually be a great treasure! One of the greatest opportunities for junk car owners is being able to discover different ways on how to discard or get rid of a junk car in their garage or driveway.

For example, there are various constituents in vehicles that can be recycled and reused in countless ways. This option is the most recommended; however, there are many other fun ways to reuse a scrap vehicle. Continue reading to learn a few ideas, tips, and fun ways to put a junk car to good use once and for all!

Selling Junk Cars for Cash

One of the most obvious reasons people want to get rid of a junk car is for convenience; however, a more common reason is for sheer profitability. A person can sell a junk vehicle for cash, or disassemble the parts and sell them piece by piece for a higher profit. There are so many salvageable parts on a scrap car, that a person can sell these parts for cash and make more money than selling the car as a whole.

There are several options when it comes to selling a junk car for cash. Depending on the status and conditional state of the vehicle, the cash value with always vary. The better condition the car is in, the more money it is worth. Also, if a car still retains the valuable components, such as a converter converter and engine, then it is worth even more.

The best place to start if you wish to sell a junk car for cash is a scrap metal yard. Scrap metal companies buy junk vehicles and break them down into more valuable parts. They retain the appropriate equipment, machinery, and tools to quickly disassemble a car and recycle the metal that is inside.

You can make more money at these scrap yards if you take apart the junk vehicle yourself, then sell each individual component for cash. The reason you will get less money for a whole junk car is that the company has to use time and effort to strip down a vehicle themselves.

Scrap metal yards will certainly give you a higher cash return for your junk vehicle than a regular person who's found your ad in the paper. Scrap metal companies know and understand the worth of certain metals with automobiles and retain the taxes to purchase large inventories of scrap vehicles for recycling purposes.

They also make the process easier for the client because they generally offer pickup and towing services for free. This way you do not even have to leave your house to sell a junk car to a scrap metal recycling company.

Before selling your old vehicle to one of these businesses, it is recommended to become familiar with the types of valuable metals found within your car so that you are more aware of the potential cash return you are entitled to receive.

Types of Recyclable Metals Found in Vehicles

There are two types of metals, ferrous and nonferrous. Ferrous metals are not as valuable as nonferrous metals, but are still high in demand and can be recycled and reused in various ways. It is still a very beneficial metal in the world. Ferrous metal is any alloy that contains iron. This includes cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, wrought iron, and other steel and iron alloys.

Nonferrous metals are higher in value and include alloys such as aluminum, copper, brass, silver, lead, and more. The best way to determine whether or not a metal is ferrous or nonferrous is by using a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the metal, then it is ferrous. If it does not stick, it is either nonferrous metal or not metal at all.

Precious metals are even more valuable; such as platinum, bismuth, zirconium, cobalt, and gold. Some of these precious and nonferrous metals can be found in junk automobiles. Cars have many parts within them that contain valuable nonferrous metals. For example, a catalytic converter is made of platinum, a very precious nonferrous metal. If a junk car still keeps this part, it can be worth a lot more money. Also, copper radiators are a valuable item. Contact a local junk car buyer for current market values ​​for metal and automotive parts.

Additional Uses

One great option is to simply keep your old car in case you need to replace a worn-out part in your current vehicle. Using old car parts as spare or backup parts is a great way to save money and be resourceful at the same time! Buying new car parts can be costly and time consuming. Using a spare part saves cash so long as you can find a person to install it for a fair price. This is a great way to put your old car to use while saving money too.

Another option for old junk vehicles is to use them for art or other fun commodities. Many artistic people like to take regular items and turn them into fun and useful things. For example, old car parts can be manufactured to form beautiful modern and creative art, or even refurbished into household items like towel racks and mantles.

Overall, junk cars have many uses and should never be broken off as a waste of space or trash. Recycling, earning money, creative art, and more are just the beginning of what a junk car can do for you and others! If you own a junk vehicle, consider some of these ideas and spread the word so everyone can make a little cash and contribute to the environment at the same time!

Car Repair Service

Car repair service is something that it's worth spending some time doing a little research about in order to find a  shop that's a good fit for you and your car. As with most services, it  pays in the long run to spend some time shopping around for a good, honest car repair shop.

Time spent finding the best Boulder auto repair facility for you and your car is an investment of time and effort that will give you peace of mind and could potentially lengthen the life of your car. It's something that you should only have to do once or at least not very often because once you find a good auto shop, you will become a long-time, loyal customer for many years to come

Perhaps one of the best indicators of a quality Boulder car shop is the word of mouth that gets around about it. In Boulder, word can spread quite easily via the student population at the University of Colorado, especially with all the social media avenues of communication that students use every day, including Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

So, in the context of social media at CU, a good repair shop can quickly have loyal customers who are willing to let others know about the best Boulder car repair service they have found in town because it just outshines all their previous experience with other shops in the past. Do some searches in Twitter or Facebook looking for students talking about their experience with local car shops.

Another place to find Boulder locals talking about local repair shops is on some directory type of websites that allow readers to write reviews. When you do a search in Google for Boulder car repairs, some websites you will find in the search engines will have customer reviews. You need to be a little careful here and not swallow everything you read whole.

Sometimes a review will smack of a competitor trying to bad mouth a decent repair shop. If most of the reviews are positive and plausible, one or two really negative reviews would not necessarily steer me completely away from a car repair shop, especially if the auto shop has been in business for several years.

Having said that, if I find numerous negative comments about the same Boulder repair shop on several sites by different people, that will get my attention and I will probably not consider trying that shop.

Another tip for selecting a good car repair shop in Boulder is to choose an auto shop where the technicians work on several different makes of cars-both foreign imports such as Volkwagen, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Audi, Porsche as well as domestic cars such as Ford, Cadillac, GMC, etc. You will be able to tell by the Yellow Page ad or the shop's website. For example, the local shop called Bolder Auto has a website where they talk about what specific makes and models they like to work on.

When a mechanic has a variety of experience working on different makes and models, it gives him a much greater understanding and insight into how cars work (or don't work), not just for repairing a Toyota but Subaru, Honda, Audi, VW, Porsche--any brand.

It's always a good idea to ask the person you deal with at the local Boulder shop if the guys who will be working on your car have Automotive Service Excellence certifications which are also known as 'ASE certifications'. These ASE certifications are a good way to validate a mechanic's skills to work on any type of vehicle. These are national certifications and not specific to Boulder or Colorado only.

Another tip for finding a good Boulder car repair service is to start looking before you actually need one. Then you won't have to settle for just trusting that the repair work will be done correctly because you have no choice.To start, find a local shop that's running a special for an oil change or some simple service you need and make an appointment. See what  kind of experience you have and go from there.

There are lots of Boulder car repair shops to choose from, so narrowing your choice before you actually take your car to the shop will require a little time applying the tips above to find the shop that best fits your need in the local Boulder community.

Online Poker - The Fastest and Easiest Way to Play Poker

In the era that we live in, computers play a major role in our lives. The internet is used everyday for various things, such as buying clothes, games and other different accessories. Some people actually work from home and make a living using the internet. Poker is a world wide game, therefore, if you really think about it, poker made one of the best decisions by joining the internet. Poker is so popular that there is a possibility that in every country of the world there are homes with people playing poker right this minute, and the majority of these people are playing online poker.

Playing online poker is fairly simple if you have basic computer skills. If you do not know basic computer skills, do not worry, all you need to know is how turn on your computer, manage a mouse, open the internet page, type "play poker online" in the search box, press enter and choose which ever site you prefer.

Online poker sites have dozens of games you can play. Why? Originally it was one game; over the years different styles of poker have been created due to the imminence popularity poker has around the world. If you have access to the internet, then you have all the different varieties of poker in the tips of your finger. If you like poker and you are a beginner sometimes you have some questions regarding the rules, strategies, or maybe you just want to know some of the history of poker; the internet also has hundreds of articles filled to prim with information that will take hours to read completely. (You can never read all the articles regarding poker because new articles are uploaded everyday!)

Technology makes our lives easier, and computers with internet access are part of this technology. Therefore if you are up-to-date with technology and you love playing poker, online poker rooms are a little piece of heaven available in your home. What is also cool about online poker is that there are free online poker rooms and pokers rooms were you can place a bid and win money! Some of the most popular poker games are Texas hold'em, five-card draw, seven-card stud, Razz, Omaha high, Chinese poker, crazy pineapple, deuce-to-seven, and double-flop Texas hold'em.

Online poker is the fastest and easiest way to play poker. You can never get bored of it. The best part of online poker is that with every style of poker you choose to play, the generals rules of that particular game can most of the time be located in the same site, or the site will have a reference site where you can go and read the main things you need to know about the style you chose to play.

So what are you waiting for? Leave all does fifty-two cards you use to play poker with and play poker online, the fastest and easy way to play poker.

Extend Your Garage Door's Service With Simple Maintenance

Maintenance and service are important to prolong the use of your devices. If you can keep it long-repeating then you are actually saving your money. Maintaining garage door opener is not difficult. We have some tips below that you can apply.

There is one important thing you should keep in mind. If you find some problems, repair them soon. Or, if you have no time to do it now, then leave the garage door opener non-active until you are ready to do the repair. Firstly, uninstall the opener from the door. You can do manual operation temporarily until it is repaired.

Then you need to do some checking on the door, find whether it is still in balance or not. Check the tracks. If you find some disordered tracks, just straighten them by loosing the screws which keep the tracks to brackets or those which secure the brackets to the opening part. Fix the track with some fasteners so that it keeps on its place.

You can take some cloth or soft brush to clean the tracks. Pick some automotive degreaser and spray it on the tracks. After that, rub them with the cloth. It is important to clean the tracks to ease the door's move. Also, we strongly suggest that you get some lubricant and apply it to the roller-wheel bearings. You can find special lubricant for garage door easily at home store.

If there is a problem on the sensor, repair it soon. Firstly, you need to reset the unit. Shut it off for a while. Then restore the electricity to the door opener. Also, you can check the wiring which connects the sensor to the opener and see if they get loose connections. Or, you might consider using a voltmeter to do this testing. It is strongly recommended that you soon replace the broken parts. Hopefully, this article can be useful for you to have garage door with best service. You can do it by your self that you do not need to ask any service and maintenance agency.

Winter Auto Detailing Tips

The winter season can cause a lot of damage to your car. During the cold winter months, the car's plastic, glass, tires and paint work are at the mercy of the elements. Before the winter arrives, you can help protect your car with a little protective work. Let's take a look at a few things to keep your car protected for the winter:

Seal the paint work

A paint sealant like a synthetic wax is a practical option to apply to your car if it is likely to be left exposed to the extreme winter conditions. Use a proper paint sealant to give the desired protection against road salts and water. Many of the modern sealants are very effective at creating a useful barrier to stop oils, chemicals or other contaminants from causing damage to the paint work. A single application of a top-rated paint sealant has the potential to last the entire winter season.

Keep the car clean

Driving on the road in the winter can increase the risk of the car getting chipped or scratches because of the many items of debris on the road. Any deep scratches that are left in the car's paint work can lead to moisture penetration which will continue to freeze and thaw. Over time this will start to weaken the local paint work and oxidation will start to set in.

A regular car wash is a great way to minimize the risk of paint related oxidation. Also, the entire body of the car should be checked for paint scratches and chips. If any defects in the paint are noted, they can be repaired with a suitable paint sealant.

Treat the leather interior

The cold winter months can have a negative impact on the leather interior of a car. The dry and cold weather is very effective at pulling the moisture from the leather upholstery. The best course of action is to treat the leather before the start of the cold weather arrives. Ideally, it is wise to start the work on the leather before the daytime temperature drops below 50 ° Fahrenheit. If the treatment is left too late it can be difficult to get the leather to accept the conditioner.

Give the tires protection

Every part of the car has a tough time in the winter. This even applies to the tires, which can benefit from a generous application of a high-quality tire dressing to give a useful barrier against the natural elements. Also, a silicone based tire dressing is a further option for those traveling in snow because it can help to stop the buildup of road salt, ice and snow.

Advice and Tips on Repairing Your Car's Upholstery

As an owner of a vintage car that has needed complete restoration, I know the value of do-it-yourself projects. By doing the car repairs or restorations yourself, you can save thousands of dollars. One of the most often needed repairs for vintage cars is the upholstery. Let me give you some easy tips for repairing it yourself. First of all, you should always clean the upholstery before starting any repair projects. Use an upholstery cleaner that is made specifically for the type of upholstery you have and always follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter. I prefer to spot test the cleaner in an out-of-the-way place just to be sure. You will be amazed at what a good cleaning can do for old upholstery! Sometimes it will reveal potential problem areas that you can repair before they become a big problem.

Repairing Leather upholstery tips:

If sewing or recovering the seat is not possible, you could try a leather repair kit that can be found at any automotive store. The kit will come with a plastic substance that you will tint to match as close to your car upholstery color as possible. You'll have to apply it and then let it dry. I do not recommend this for large areas. It is usually ok for small areas if the color is well matched. Black or White upholstery is the easiest to match.

Repairing Vinyl upholstery tips:

Do not try using glue to repair your vinyl! It seems like an easy fix, but the adhesive in the glue can actually destroy the foam padding underneath the vinyl. You do not want to create more problems! Instead, simply cut a patch of excess vinyl found under the seat and use adhesive specifically made for vinyl upholstery to patch it. Again, follow the adhesive manufacturers instructions carefully.

If it is just the piping around the seat that needs repair, use this simple trick: Take a match stick and remove the match. Add some contact cement to one end of the match and work it into the damaged area. Then apply the cement to the other end and work that end of the stick in. Fold it in as you go if necessary. Make sure you let the cement dry completely before using the seat.

Do some research ahead of time and see if this do it yourself project is something you think you can do. You do not want that vintage muscle car looking awesome on the outside and old as dirt on the inside. With a little work you can get it in top notch shape!

Six Tips On How to Avoid Auto Repair Problems

Have you ever thought an auto repair shop may have taken you? You took your car in for a simple oil change only to be told you needed additional, expensive work done. Every day, people are taken advantage of this way. It's estimated nine out of ten women believe they're targeted due to their gender.

Let's fight back! Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

1. Do your homework. Do some checking ahead of time by reading a car care guide for your make and model. In it you will discover some basic repairs so you can know what questions to ask the mechanic.

2. Use your senses. When describing your car's problem to your mechanic, use your senses. Tell how the car "feels" to you or if you have been hearing certain abnormal sounds. What this does is let him know you've been paying attention to your car's needs.

3. Check your warranty. Be careful of paying too much for your auto repair needs. Check with your automobile dealership to make sure your repairs aren't still covered by a warranty. If you choose to take your car to an independent business the parts may be covered by the warranty, but you will most likely need to pay them for the actual cost of fixing it.

4. Get a second opinion. If you still aren't sure if you're being taken advantage of, don't hesitate to get a second opinion. And for goodness sake, don't tell the second mechanic what the first mechanic said was wrong with your car. Wait for the diagnosis from the second one and how much it will cost.

5. Ask to see the part. If you're still uneasy, you can always ask to look at the part, where exactly it is in the car and why they believe it needs replacement. And ask them to show you the old part once the replacement has been done.

6. Run away. If you sense any sort of pressure from the auto repair shop to have your car fixed for things you never knew were wrong with it, walk away as fast as you can. Your good sense and intuition will often be your two best friends in these situations.

A good, honest mechanic will be certified and licensed, have a nice clean garage and communicative employees who can look you in the eye. Two more important things to look for are a written estimate for all the work to be done and, after the work is done, a complete invoice showing the charges for parts and labor.

None of us is born with the knowledge of how our automobiles work. We just want them to get us safely to our destination. But it would behoove us to be as familiar with them as possible. That way, when an unscrupulous auto repair person does cross our path, we'll be able to back away from them as fast as we can.

Financial Advice For a 401k Loan

If you are in the situation whereby you are in need of money fast, your 401K may be looking pretty good right about now. After all, it is possible to take out a loan against your 401K. There are some rules and tips you need to remember, however. Here is some financial advice for a 401K loan.

The first point to make is: if at all possible, avoid taking out a loan against your retirement savings. Reason: this is your financial future, and there will come a day when you want every penny you can get. Remember the effects of compound interest: the larger the amount in your retirement account and the longer you keep it in there, the more money you will have when it comes time to retire.

Of course, you can choose to skip a loan and just withdraw money from your plan. However, the tax penalty you have to pay in this case will make this a very unattractive option.

Fortunately, taking out a loan against your retirement savings requires that you pay no tax penalty. However, there are limitations and restrictions for taking out this type of loan. The restrictions vary by plan, so check with your plan administrator. For most plans, the following are acceptable reasons to take out a loan against your 401K:

1. Pay for college













2. Pay your mortgage when facing possible eviction or other hardship













3. Pay medical expenses













4. You are purchasing a home for the first time

Here are some of the regulations and constraints you will most likely face when considering this type of loan:

1. There will be a minimum loan amount: usually around a thousand dollars













2. Your loan will have a prescribed length at the outset, such as 5 years or less













3. There is a maximum you can borrow, which is usually around half of your account's value at the time of the loan













4. Depending upon your plan, you may incur loan fees for taking out a 401K loan.

If you are considering taking out this type of loan, make sure you have exhausted all of your other options first. If you have poor credit but need money fast, you may want to consider a short term personal loan instead.

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know what I'm talking about, the one or two weeks you get every year to escape from "real life" and just be you. Relax, eat and drink well, enjoy your family, catch up on some much needed sleep. But, before you pack up and head out, rethink the all-too-normal hotel stay. Believe it or not, you have options, one of which is the vacation rental.

Would not it be nice to leave your own home, arrive in your destination city and settle into a "home away from home" for your next vacation? That's what vacation rentals are all about. These are homes waiting to be rented out by people on vacation. Each vacation rental owner will have different criteria in what type of renter they are looking for, each vacation rental house will vary in amenities, and each price will be dependent on the time of year and the length of stay. So, it sounds like a great idea, but how do you figure out how to make it all happen? Not a problem. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions regarding vacation rentals. Read on, my friend, your next "home away from home" vacation rental is right around the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions on Vacation Rentals

What are the advantages of a vacation rental?

Do you ever wish your hotel room had just a little more personality? Yeah, I thought so. Well, renting someone else's home for your vacation might just be the thing you're looking for. Usually offering larger living spaces than hotel rooms, these vacation rentals are all about living like you were in your own home. They offer greater privacy than hotel rooms and most rentals have a kitchen area for cooking, which in the end will save you money if you prepare some of your own meals.

You'll enjoy several rooms, and maybe even different levels, instead of one big room where the whole family sleeps. Many owners will leave information on things to do and see in the local area. Vacation rental homes are clean, friendly, comfortable and inviting. This is because many of them are not just rental homes, but also function as the owner's own residence for part of the year.

A majority of vacation rentals tend to be cheaper on a per night basis than their hotel. By renting directly from the owner you will avoid taxes, tips and other external charges. However, there is a wide variation among others based on a number of factors (see How Much Should I Expect to Pay below)

What are the drawbacks of a vacation rental?

Of course, there's always the other side of the coin. As vacation rentals are not usually monitored by a central managing company, you'll only know what you're getting yourself into when you actually arrive to your rental. Many owners require pre-payment, or at least a large deposit fee, before arriving. Therefore, if things are not the way you anticipated after arriving, or if you find your dwelling unacceptable and decide to head to a local hotel, you may lose any money you prepaid. This is also true for last minute cancellations. There is not usually a refund. You always run the risk of getting less than you expected, but, it's rare.

Most times, vacation rentals tend to be cheaper than an average hotel room per night. But, not always, so make sure you are comfortable with the price you will be asked to pay.

Another disadvantage to vacation rentals is the lack of a managing member on site to deal with any problems that you may encounter with the home or during your stay in general. Most owners get around this by having a list of emergency numbers, utility companies and other such items available to the renter should they need anything.

What amenities are included in a vacation rental?

Since every rental is owned by a different owner, each will include different amenities. Some come with swimming pools, hot tubs, others with golf packages, and horse stable privileges. In cities with tourist attractions, some owners include tickets to local attractions.

Most vacation rentals come with the essentials: TV, equipped kitchen, towels, linen, and everyday appliances, but it never hurts to ask these questions when searching for the perfect place. Be sure to understand exactly what you are paying for before sending in the payment.

What types of rentals are available?

Pretty much any type of dwelling that you would want to live in during your vacation is available somewhere. From studios in downtown Manhattan to a villa in the south of Spain, you'll be able to find what you're looking for. The range of available options is mind boggling. Additionally, each week, month and year there are new possibilities as owners put their homes up for only certain weeks or months of the year, the choices are constantly changing.

Are vacation rentals only available in the US?

Vacation rentals are available worldwide. They can be found in every state of the US and almost every country in the world. Do not be fooled by their different names, though. Vacation rentals are also known as holiday cottages, tourist rentals and holiday rentals. If you are looking for one in Europe, the Italians call them agriturismi, while the French say gites. If you are in Germany you will be looking for ferienwohnungen (yep, try to say that three times fast with a bratwurst in your mouth!)

Regardless of what you call it, though, a vacation rental is a great option for those getting ready to take a few weeks off from reality and enjoy the good life a bit.

How do I find a property?

There are several ways to go about finding the perfect vacation rental for your next trip. Check with your local travel agent to find someone in your area that specializes in finding owners and renters and getting them together. Another option is the yellow pages. Finally, there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Type in a search for "vacation rentals" and over 13,300,000 websites can be found just on http://www.google.com alone. Some websites only list vacation rentals in the United States while others specialize in vacation rentals worldwide. There are some sites that will allow the potential renter to look for a residence by specific search criteria such as a particular destination, certain number of bedrooms and types of amenities that are included in the property.

Most of the vacation rental services on the internet are only the "go-between" or the "classified" section of the newspaper. They take no responsibility for the truth or correctness of the ads that are listed on their sites. So, do your homework by making phone calls, speaking with the owner and asking specific questions. Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers, if not, move on to the next rental, there are plenty.

If you're not comfortable with the whole renter / owner thing, there is another way to rent a vacation home. Some companies exist that strictly buy and rent out homes to vacationers. They offer a bit more security so that you feel you are really getting what you bargained for (although nothing is ever 100% fool proof). Additionally, sometimes these agencies will give you cancellation insurance. In other words, if you cancel before arriving, they may be able to refund a portion of your deposit or payment instead of keeping it as most owners do if a cancellation occurs. With some agencies you'll find that you pay a higher price than going directly to an owner. This is how the agencies make their profits. There are always pros and cons to each scenario. Ensure you know which one works best for you.

How much should I expect to pay?

This is a tough question to answer. The amount you pay will depend on what country or state you are visiting, number of days you are staying, and type of house you are renting. Some owners offer package deals including tickets or sightseeing events along with the rental, others include bonus days if you stay for a certain length of time. There are other owners who may offer free or add-on house cleaning service with your stay while some go to great efforts to ensure you have everything you need, even additional items such as a crib, highchair or wheelchair. Each vacation rental will be entirely different from the next. Your best bet after deciding on your destination is to review multiple rentals to determine which is better suited to your needs and overall budget.

Are there any hidden fees?

Hidden fees usually only emerge after you have arrived. These may include extra for phone calls, house cleaning service, extra person fees, excess heat and air-conditioning bills, pet deposit, computer access ... etc. Again, be extremely thorough when interviewing the owner of your prospect vacation rental. Ask about any "extra" fees, or if the house is "all-inclusive". Do you have free access to all the pantry and food items? How about the laundry supplies? All utilities? It never hurts to ask!

Vacation Rentals

In summary, cover all bases by asking lots of questions. Getting your agreement in writing is also a very smart idea. After these basics are out of the way you will be ready to take off for your home-away-from-home vacation rental. Try one this year and see for yourself that vacation rentals can be a fantastic means to really getting the full enjoyment out of your next vacation.

7 Tips to Safe Online Dating

Almost any online dating service requires that you put down personal information about yourself that can be viewed by other people. This is necessary as your information will then become part of their database and easily searchable if someone is looking for a person that fits your criteria. It helps people find other people online, probably like a search engine works. Members are allowed to upload photos as well as videos of themselves. Many of these websites will also have an online chat and message board option, allowing members to communicate.

Tip no. 1
Online predators know how to locate their prey and usually this information is all they need to get you to trust them. It would be advised that you join dating websites, that wont display your personal information until you grant a user you trust access to your profile. Also try to avoid putting down your address, home phone number and cell phone number on these websites. It is imperative that you know, how to protect your personal information.

Tip no. 2
Stay away from people who may have uploaded a fake photo of themselves on their profile. These people are probably criminals or sexual predators, who are not allowed to use these services in the first place.

Tip no.3
Try not to upload a recent photo of yourself, and only show your photo once you get to know someone online. Also refrain from emailing or file transferring your photo to anyone you donýt know online.

Tip no.4
Try not to display where you went to high school as well as what year you passed out. Most people can use this information about you to track you down and become stalkers.

Tip no.5
Donýt go out on a date the first time you chat with anyone online. Try to get to know them better, before you decide to go out on a real world date with them. It is imperative that you speak to the person and know him / her for a reasonable amount of time before you meet.

Tip no.6
Donýt display your full name on your profile, it is better for you to put up a nick name.

Tip no.7
Always be sure to sign out from the website properly and do not give your password to anyone. These are the basic preventive measures that you should take while Online Dating.

Top 5 Best Home Business Ideas

It is an ideal time to get started in your own home-based business as the unemployment rate is increasing day by day and there are no signs of improvement in the economy. If you are wondering, why should you give preference to home-based business over any other business type? Well, it is simple, the start-up investment needed to get going, flexibility of a job nature and great money-making opportunities are not found in any other business type nowadays.

There are various home-based businesses and in this article I will mention the top 5 home business ideas which can help you to start earning quick cash.

1 - Affiliate Marketing

It could be as simple as setting up a blogging site and reviewing products in your favorite niche to refer others. It would not be wrong, if I would say, it is a fast growing home-based business online nowadays as it can help you to earn huge cash if you would understand the tips and tricks.

2 - Freelance Writing

This is another decent way to start a home-based business if you have writing skills. There are number of websites that allow you to offer your services in ghost writing, short stories of technical writing. Some of the more popular jobs in writing are - writing topic related articles, e-book writing and auto responder emails etc.

3 - Business Coaching

Many small businesses cannot afford to have a full-time business coach, therefore if you have expertise it can be a great way to start a home-based money-making opportunity. It is always recommended to start offering your coaching to local businesses first and then expand it to a global market.

4 - Technical Support

This may be the avenue for you, if you are pro at assisting people to solve issues and technical problems. You can even produce your videos to show people step-by-step guide on how to resolve their common technical issue and that you can sell from your site.

5 - Blogging

Blogging has also been a one of the successful method to start home-based business as people has been making six-figures per year from it easily. If your blog is interactive and helpful for others, you can display ads and offer affiliate products and services to earn huge money.

Above mentioned are all very popular and successful ideas to start a home-based business but it is recommended to go with something you are passionate about, so that enthusiasm and passion will come across when you are doing it. This way, you will not be able to earn money out of it but will love your job too.

Making a Girl Wet - 3 Simple Tips to Make a Girl Wet

Are you looking for ways to make a girl wet?

Girls do get wet when you arouse them to a certain level. However, it is not easy to get a girl wet. But don't worry, I can help you.

Getting a girl wet can be emotionally satisfying for you - Well, I guess every man in this world wants to see his girl squirt during lovemaking.

However, do take note that not every girl can squirt. A woman gets wet and squirts because of orgasm. There are dry and wet orgasms: so if your lady falls under the first category, then you have no choice but to accept that she won't squirt.

But before you can know, you need to try the tips I am going to share with you here.

In order to get a girl wet in bed, what you do here is to try all ways to make her reach orgasm. There are basically 3 ways to make her orgasm:

1. Engage in prolonged foreplay. I can't stress seems to stress enough how important foreplay is. Many men tend to skip this and go straight to intercourse. Don't do that.

Naturally, women take a longer time to get aroused. When a woman is not aroused, she can't reach orgasm.

Foreplay is a good time to use your skills to make her reach maximum arousal level. Use your hand and tongue to stimulate all her erogenous zones such as breasts, neck, inner thighs, earlobes, abdomen, armpit, etc. Be thorough, but don't spend too much time on each area.

2. Go down on her. Cunnilingus or oral sex for women, is the single best way to make a woman orgasm. Spend at least 3 minutes to perform cunnilingus on her. Start with the outer lips and make your way to the clitoris. The clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation. If you use the right tongue techniques to lick her clitoris, she is going to explode into shaking orgasm.

One thing to note: Don't bite the clitoris. You will cause serious pain to her and this is a BIG TURN OFF.

3. Fingering her g-spot. Insert your finger into her vagina with your palm facing upward. Your first task is to locate the g-spot. It is situated somewhere at the front wall of the vagina. So use your finger to make a "come here" motion and try to feel a round, roughened area on the front wall. This is the G-Spot. Once you have located the g-spot, apply pressure to it. It should enlarge and feel more solid.

If you stimulate it correctly, you will feel her legs squeezing against your quads. This shows that she is near to orgasm! Go for the finishing line.

Making your girl wet by giving her an orgasm is a great way to satisfy her sexual desire. However, if you can't last long enough during intercourse (premature ejaculation), you are throwing your efforts to waste.

89% of all women asked, who admitted to being unfaithful to their male partner, said that they were driven to betrayal due to their man's inability to last long enough to allow her to have a vaginal orgasm.

Don't be one of them. If you are having problem to last long enough to satisfy her, check out the bonus tip below:

Postcard Marketing - A Few Simple Tips You Should Know!

Direct mail Postcard Marketing is nothing new. This method of marketing has been used by direct marketers for decades. Effective postcards need to be simple yet eye-catching. A postcard can also double as a gift certificate or a coupon. You can also use both sides of the card to promote your campaign. Your postcards should also have multiple ways to contact you. Your address, 800 number, web site, etc. If you offer multiple ways for someone to contact you, the more likely it will be that they will contact you.

If you have the time and money to invest, Postcard marketing can be very lucrative. From the cost of designing and printing postcards, to the cost of postage for delivering the postcards. These costs can vary greatly. The costs will range from $ 1500 to more than $ 3000 for 5000 postcards. How much you pay for shipping, designing and printing, can all vary depending on current shipping rates, and the deals that can be found for design and printing. The higher the quantity of postcards, the lower the cost per card. This, however, leads to a higher overall upfront cost.

With postcard marketing you can easily track the success / failure rate. If you send out 5000 postcards, a 5% response rate might be expected. That means you would have 250 responses. Of 250 responses you might again expect 5% to buy your product or service. That's 12.5 products or services sold for every 5000 postcards sent out. That equates to about 1/4 percent overall. These percentages are just an example and will vary significantly. The types of products and service being sold, and whether or not there's a market for that particular product or service at the time, are two factors that will play a major role in determining the overall success of any direct mail Postcard Marketing campaign.

In conclusion, direct mail postcards are more likely to be read than emails. For that reason, direct mail postcard marketing has proved to be very successful for a wide range of companies selling a wide range of products. However, it is not for every business or every product. I would not recommend this method of marketing to someone just starting out. In my opinion there are many other methods of marketing that are far more cost effective, and have far better results than direct mail postcard marketing. That being said, should you still choose this method of marketing, please make sure you do your homework. The more targeted your mailing list, the better the results will be.

Make Money From Games Online

Introduction:

Make money from games online; is this an interest to you? Well the gaming industry has never been bigger then what it is now and it will only continue to grow from the demand of hardcore gamers online. For all games to be sold and played we all know the content has to be outstanding due the competitive market for all top gaming companies has increased. These companies go through many procedures from animation to game testing to get a perfect final product and this is where you come in.

There is now a demand for game testers who can make easy relaxing money from games online or by getting a job through the big companies, either way way we know how to get you there and you have the skills they are waiting for.

Do you have an interest in?

- Testing games for big companies in order to make some extra income or even get yourself into it fulltime employment? It can be easily done with the correct contacts and the correct way of approaching the contacts. You will play games for the companies and give your personal feedback, following that you may be put as part of a team to discuss further information and to test the online multiplayer side of the game.

- Testing games in Beta online, there are online companies who need game testers to increase quality of game content to keep the traffic and customers visiting there websites. Every detail counts when it comes to the smaller game companies out doing each other and there are a larger hand of these companies paying out then most people would expect. This is defiantly a good way to make money from games online.

- There are also many other ways of achieving an income from game related jobs. There are websites enabling you to fill out surveys based on games you have played so they can collect the information and data from a large selection of players and make the correct adjustments. As tedious as the surveys can be they can have a very healthy payout for around 30-40 minutes of your time. This can be an excellent way of making money from games online.

- The one and only plus point of being a non-gamer or a soft core gamer is that all game companies encourage a selection of inexperienced gamers to trial there games as they like to have a fresh eye on there product allowing the layout to be easily understandable on their final product.

So to all you hardcore or softcore gamers who want to have a job in a rapidly expanding business with very big benefits, earning money from an enjoyment in your life then you're in the right place.

Here is the method and the route to carry on your journey as professional money making game tester. The tips, skills and method to make you the brightest gem out the box and to get you're learning and earning new tricks to make money from games online.

Avoiding Computer Viruses

Common sense and vigilance are all it takes to have a safe internet experience. We all have heard about the thousands viruses affecting computers. This is no new news for everyone. Viruses have implemented since the start of the computer era. Here are some effective tips that may be of help when it comes to avoiding computer viruses.

First, make use of a good and reliable spyware, malware or adware away from your resident shield. Aside from you antivirus software, having additional programs like anti-adware, anti-spam, anti-spyware and the like can significantly boost the security of your computer. Be sure to run these programs every time you start your computer, or better yet put them on automatic mode where they will be the ones who will block all the pop ups, ads, spam, etc that would come out when you surf the net. Do not forget to update your security software. One common mistake of people is forgetting to regularly update their anti-virus. Having security software that is no updated is as useless as having no antivirus at all.

Also remember to turn your computer's firewall on. If you do not know how to turn it on, search the internet or go to the help section of your antivirus' software. Firewalls are very important. They give you protection against hackers and people who might try to get access to your computer for their own purposes. When you receive or try to plug in an external hardware like a DVD, CD, floppy disk or flash drive, always scan them properly first. Viruses can also jump from one computer to another. Do not offer your flash drives into any computer because you can not be sure about the safety precautions that other computers have. They might have a virus in their computer and it can attach to your flash drive.

When you suspect your computer to have been infected by a virus, do not panic. If you are in a middle of doing some project, save the project first and exit the program. Close all programs that you currently are running and try opening your antivirus software. Let it scan your whole computer to check if there is really a virus that has infected the computer. Some viruses can be healed by antivirus software and they will be stored in a virus vault. They can disinfect your whole system and may request you to turn it off after you do so. Just follow the instructions and you will have a successful removal of viruses.

If you have tried running your antivirus and no virus shows but your computer is still running slow. Have an expert check your computer. There are also different factors that might have caused the lag in your PC. If a virus was detected but can not be removed, visit your computer programmer. They may reformat your computer so be ready to give them you back up. In case you have not made a back up of all your files, talk to the programmer and inform him your dilemma. They might be able to help you out.

How to Play Pool Like a Pro

There are more than a quarter million people playing pool in organized pool leagues. Go to your local pub and there's bound to be some people playing on the pool table. Why? Because it's fun and competitive. It does not cost an arm and a leg to play. A game costs about four quarters to play which makes it cheaper than playing a round of golf or going to the movies.

With so many people playing pool, you may ask yourself, "How do I learn how to play pool?" The answer can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. If you just want to play casually with your friends to have fun, then you simply need to learn the rules, learn how to hold the cue properly and learn how to pocket balls. If you want to become a World Champion, then you'll need to study the intricate physics of the game. Pool is a very psychological game so to reach the highest levels you will surely need to learn how to control the mental aspects of the game. Practice and regular competition will need to become a staple in your life. People have sent lifetimes winning knowledge and trying to master the sport.

You may find yourself somewhere in between these extremes. Fortunately, there have been hundreds of books written about how to play pool. There are also plenty of good resources on the internet. Choosing where to start or having a good guide may be a daunting task. I'll give you a good starting point for your journey.

1) Equipment

First you'll need to choose your equipment. You could grab a house cue and play with it if you're a casual player. House cues are not going to be consistent from one to another. This will become frustrating for any player to learn a new cue every time you play. Another problem is the tip. Tips on house cues a strictly maintained properly. This will result in miscues and make the game seem harder than it actually is. If you plan to play on more of a regular basis, then you'll definitely want to get yourself a descent cue.

2) Physics

You'll need to learn how to aim properly. Learn where the balls are going to go after the shot. There are many basic principals that every pool player should know. There are also many subtle effects that you'll learn years later as you reach higher levels of play.

3) Mental

If you think you can - you can, if you think you can not - you can not. Do not underestimate the power of your mind. All winners have several characteristics in common. You'll need to learn what these are and how to adopt them if you do not have them already. You already have one of them.

Top 10 Tips for Choosing a Web Designer for Your Business Web Site

How to Choose a Web Design Firm

Simple. You do your homework on them. Then, you start asking questions and taking notes. There are plenty of web designers available. You want to go with the best because, in fact, your web designer is in essence your partner. You want to choose a designer that takes YOUR business seriously.

What questions do you ask?

There are several important questions to ask when choosing a web designer for your business web site.

Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing the best web design firm for your business web site is a very important decision. And if your company is like most small businesses, you probably do not have a web design experience. Building your web site will take time and work. And working with a web designer is no easy task. So choose the right web design company from the start and avoid do-over's, which can be cost and time consuming.

1. What kind of web experience do you have?

For starters, find out what kind of design experience your potential design firm has. Do they have experience with content management systems such as Joomla or Drupal, do they have experience working with "raw" HTML? Has the web design company created web sites similar to yours? Do they have relevant industry experience? If you want to sell products through your web site and accept credit card payments, does the web design company you are considering have experience with ecommerce hosting?

2. Do you have a portfolio that I can review?

An experienced web design company will have a solid portfolio of web sites that they have created for other clients. Ask for links to other site the design company has created and reviewed each one. Do you like what you see? Do the sites have a style that appeals to you?

3. Do you have any references?

In addition to reviewing web sites, ask for customer references. Contact their clients and ask them about their experience with the web design company. Were they happy with the results? Did they get what they paid for? How much did they pay? Would they recommend them? How long did it take? What did not they like about the company? How responsive was the company when they had questions?

4. What are your prices?

The most important step in pricing is to make sure the potential design company outline all of the prices associated with the work and puts it all in writing. Never enter into a deal without all of the costs are well understood up front.

Ask them a bit about how they manage payments. If they respond in a very business-like and professional manner, this is a good sign. If they throw out answers like - "Do not worry, we'll manage" or "Whatever you are comfortable with", do not be fooled. This is trouble waiting to happen. Get the price in writing before you begin the project.

5. Do you have experience with search engine optimization?

Most small business owners do not have it in their budget to hire a separate marketing firm to work on search engine optimization (SEO), so it is imperative that your web designer have experience in SEO. A good designer will know that design and SEO go hand-in-hand. Designing a web site for search engines with "clean" code that utilizes cascading style sheets is essential to getting your content indexed in the leading search engines, such as Google and Bing.

6. Do you have experience with social media marketing?

Many marketing firms do know the first thing about social media marketing. These firms are stuck in the past and are not as effective as they pret to be. Be sure that you work with a designer that knows how to setup a Facebook fan page for your business and design a customized Twitter profile. This is important because you will want your social media properties to mesh with the design of your web site. The web site and social media pages should complement one-another.

7. What is your process for designing or building a web site?

Make sure you ask your potential web design company about the process that they use? Do they design a web site or do they build a web site? An experienced Internet professional should understand the difference between these two concepts. If they do not, they're probably not as experienced as they claim to be. Building a web site is a highly technical process, while designing a web site is a highly creative process. Many advertising firms specialize in web site design which does not necessarily require any web development skills whatever. At the same time, many firms design web sites, yet out-source the creative portion of the project. Find out from the beginning what the process if for the firm that you are considering.

8. How long will it take?

Perfectionism can be a huge stumbling block in the fast paced world of the Internet. Some designers are unable to compromise between quality and time to market needs. Test: See how long it takes until you receive a proposal.

9. What type of support is offered after web site launch?

If your design firm does not offer web site maintenance, you might want to continue looking. Most reputable design firms will offer "post-launch" maintenance for companies that do not have an in-house webmaster.

10. Which web hosting providers do you work with?

If your design firm does not know the first-names of the contact at their favorite web design firm, then this should raise a red flag. Most reputable web designers know not to choose a web host simply because they are the most popular or because they offer the cheapest web hosting. A reputable web design firm should know who to call and how to get results! Does your web designer work with a green hosting company? Environmentally-friendly web hosting is becoming more and more popular for business web sites looking to implement an eco-policy.

Getting a little recognition on the W3 is hard, even in a niche market (especially in a niche market). You have less than 10 seconds to convince a site visitor to stick around long enough to learn about the quality of your services, your products or your message. Web surfers are jagged out on information overload. If they do not see what they want to see on your home page or a landing page, they bounce. So, making a statement about your corporate culture and your business' core values ​​has to happen in the blink of an eye. Visitors will never even see the "About Us" page if you do not create a good impression - in 10 seconds. So, go green! An emblem or banner claiming that you employ green hosting makes an immediate statement about your on-line business. It says you care about the environment.

Do your homework when choosing a web design firm.

Good designers are creative people that need to think out of the box. Finding a good web designer is getting harder and harder. The good designers are being snatched by agencies and large projects. They are overloaded with work and often, you will not know about them because they do not have time (or need) to market themselves. Doing your homework and asking the right questions is important to decide if they are right for the job.

Is Online Banking Right for Your Business?

Online banking is one of the best productivity tools out there. It decreases physical paperwork, saves time, and helps make sure all of your financial information is accurate and secure. It's much easier to track a budget and offers lots of different ways to stay on top of your finances. Unfortunately, online banking also presents its own security risks. To bank online safely, here are some tips to save you the trouble of hacked accounts and identity theft.

• Try to use the same computer every time you access your account. Using your login information on more than one machine increases the chances that someone could hack in and gain access.

• Try to make the computer you use one that will travel with you. Using a laptop for online banking means that even when you're not at home, you won't have to use your login information on a strange machine. This being said, don't leave your laptop unattended, especially if you're logged into a banking site or recently have been.

• If you absolutely have to use an online banking site from a strange computer, make sure to log out, shut down the browser, and clear all cookies and temporary files when you're done.

• Use a unique password. Yes, it is convenient to have the same password for all of your online accounts, but it's also a major security risk. Do not you use your online banking password for anything else; it may not be a major disaster if someone hacks your Twitter account, but don't let that mean they have access to all your money, too.

• Don't let your password be something easy to guess. That means no using anniversary dates, birthdays, your last name, your phone number, or any identifying information.

• Change your password often, at the very least every six months. Even if you password is unique and impossible to guess, it's a possibility that a key logger or other malware could pick up your password.

• As obvious as it may be, it bears repeating: don't share your banking password with anyone. Even if it's someone you trust, that information transfer could allow someone else to gain access to your account without your permission.

• Don't use your mother's maiden name for the security question. That's an easy piece of information to find on the Internet.

• Never respond to an email that asks for you to reply with your bank account number, your social security number, your log in information, or any other sensitive information. Legitimate institutions won't do this. These emails are phishing scams designed to gain access to your online banking information.

• Invest in good anti-virus software for your computer and keep it updated. This will help protect you from any malware or viruses that could find their way onto your computer and into your personal and banking information.

• Keep all software on your computer up-to-date. Software updates are often security fixes. The notifications telling you to update and the install/restart time may be annoying, but they're often crucial to keeping your computer secure.

• Pay attention to your bank or financial institution's log in page. If something seems to have changed, you may have clicked on an illegitimate link (this is especially true if you followed a link from an email).

• Don't enter personal information into a pop-up, even if you're on the institution's legitimate website.

• Be careful when opening email attachments, even if they appear to be from someone you know. Always double check to see if the person meant to send you an attachment, and delete emails with attachments from unknown sources.

• Be aware of common current email scams by checking websites like onguardonline.gov.

• Shop online only at reputable sites. If you're giving any credit card or payment information, it should be somewhere trusted, often through PayPal, which is secure. Double check this, and if you're not sure, err on the side of caution and find somewhere else to buy what you need.

Money Making Online - Tips For Marketing Articles

If you are searching for the best way to increase traffic, gain good publicity, and become known as the expert in your field then article marketing is the key. If those your goals, start writing and circulate marketing articles online to make it happen. When you start marketing articles online there's a couple points to keep in mind.

Do not write just to have a way to build incoming links - write real quality articles. While the goal of building links is reason to write, you want your article to represent you and your marketing communications, as well as do extra work for you. When you produce a quality article you'll have those links coming in, but you want other business owners to want your place articles on their websites as well (more incoming links and traffic coming to you).

And if that quality article happens to be noticed, and then published by some well-known online or offline publication, can you imagine the kind of spotlight you would be in then? The bottom line is mediocre article marketing will not give you that kind of results. Since you're already putting in the time to write and distribute articles, why do not they have a powerful tool for you as well?

Start out seeing yourself as an expert, so when you write you will BE THE EXPERT. You are the one who chose this field, so communicate what it is that you know with your customers. When you believe you are the expert, it will show through in your writing as well. Keep in mind if you do not put yourself in that "expert in my field" class, no one else will do it either.

Make sure you write an Author Bio that really sells you and what you do - do not make the same mistakes others to by writing some mundane comments along with your website address - you will be blowing off valuable real estate at the end of your articles ! If the article you write is dynamic, you'll have readers looking at the author bio and wanting to click on it to know more about you. Be detailed and write an author bio that benefits you: Visit http://maryswebsite.com to find out about building websites that will sell - or - To receive a free 15 page report on building your own sales producing websites visit marysobsite. Are you able to see the difference? The reader's benefit is what you need to be focusing on all the time.