TextWriters Webcontent & Webpages
|
||
In today's global community, a strong presence on the internet is just as important for your company as anything else you do on publicity. Competition is fierce and a good, striking website with a great content is one of the best tools to make yourself known and attract customers. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Altavista are your most important allies on the world wide web. With a good website and the correct tools, people will find you among the millions of web pages on the internet. The internet provides you with more marketing possibilities than ever and you must make sure to "wire yourself in" and spread the message. Search engines look for pages on the web applying various criteria, including coding in your page, title and keywords. A well-written text on your web pages employing all relevant words for your business will improve your chances of success. Other than making your site as good as possible, you can promote your website, and with that your company, by spreading your presence on the world wide web. One of the ways to do that is to have articles written about you and your company and posted on various other sites, including links to your own web page. We can help you to build a good-looking, well-presented and effective website and strengthen your presence on the internet. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Below you will find a number of ca. 500-word articles we wrote to publish on various article websites, where the articles contain links to direct the reader to the target site. We have removed the links, but you will see how a relevant article with the correct keywords can help you get visitors to your site through other channels. Health articles:
Travel articles:
Miscellaneous:
Professions:
There is no scientific dispute any longer that what you eat can effect your mood – whether you feel up, or down. Although your food choices may seem based on taste or other conscious criteria, there is evidence that people often make unconscious food choices that change brain chemistry to put them in a better mood. They unwittingly “self-medicate” with food antidepressants. Additionally, chronic depression has been linked to a long term subtle deficiency of certain nutrients that can go unnoticed and uncorrected by the body for long periods. Except for caffeine and sugar, few food substances have been meticulously studied to determine how they manipulate mood. However, it seems clear that food substances effect neurotransmitters, the brains cell communicators. One such neurotransmitter that has been tied to depression, as well as to violence, is serotonin. It is known to lift the mood generally, and dramatically in some people. Many doctors equate low brain serotonin with psychiatric symptoms. Getting more serotonin into the brain, or stimulating serotonin activity, sometimes relieves depression. That’s why those with the winter blues often turn to sugar. Winter blues – or S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), effects millions. It is caused by a lack of sunlight and people who are depressed in this way tend to crave carbohydrates. Carbohydrates (complex sugars), re-energizes them, and puts them in a better mood. If you get depressed during the cold, long, dark winters, and crave sweets and carbohydrates, the biggest nutrition tip is not to deprive your body of what it craves. If you do, you are likely to sink even lower into the depression. As anyone who uses it knows, caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. It has huge mood lifting powers. Caffeine produces feelings of well-being, sometimes even euphoria, which is probably what makes people want to administer it. Those hooked on caffeine automatically seek to give themselves enough to five them a feeling of contentedness and a reduction in anxiety. Caffeine is also a mild antidepressant, and has proved itself safe over many years. However, care should be applied when consuming caffeine. Excess can wreck your mood, disturb your sleep and trigger anxiety, depending upon your individual tolerance of the drug. Has anyone ever told you that greens are good for your mood? It has been proven that a lack of folic acid can foster psychiatric disorders, particularly in women, including depression but also dementia and schizophrenia. Folic acid is a B vitamin found plentifully in green leafy vegetables. It is also found in heavy concentration in beans and pulses. That folic acid can act as an antidepressant is no secret among nutritionists – it is one of the best nutrition tips anyone who has ever had depression can receive. Eliminating the deficiency often cures the depression. Low levels of folic acid in the brain cause levels of serotonin to sink. A dose of 200 – 500 micrograms of folic acid a day may well help fight depression in susceptible people. This amount is easily obtainable from a varied diet, and since high doses of folic acid are toxic, caution is advised when self medicating. Our fore-fathers knew these invaluable nutrition tips by instinct. They viewed optimum nutrition as insurance against future illness. Food is awesome in its ability to effect our well-being, and as a result, the quality of our lives. Creating a personal aerobics exercise program to supplement your health regime is very beneficial to most people. Your choices must satisfy you both mentally as well as physically. Individual tastes must be taken into account if the regime is likely to be a success, and long-lasting. There are a number of health tips which you will find invaluable in making your decision as to which exercise routine suits your needs, and can be incorporated into your daily life. Walking is excellent for general health, and is probably the best choice for people who have been inactive for many years. It is convenient, inexpensive and easy. Health tips for walkers include measuring your walk by time, not by mileage, and to challenge yourself but don’t overdo it. Walk comfortably and naturally, maintaining good posture following your natural gait. Walking requires no equipment apart from a good pair of walking shoes. People who walk for exercise have the lowest drop out rate of all. Jogging is excellent for weight control and cardiovascular conditioning. Many people love to jog, but joggers must guard against injury. Jogging stresses both knees and ankles. Tips include to begin slowly, monitor your intensity level and never run “through the pain”. Get a good pair of running shoes which provide support and shock absorption. Wear loose and comfortably fitting clothes. Measure your progress by the time you spend jogging, rather than the distance covered. Swimming is also a great choice for aerobic conditioning. You don’t have to be a great swimmer in order to get a good workout. The strengthening and toning benefits of lap swimming are well documented. Health tips include varying your strokes to work all of the major muscle groups in the body, and investing in good quality eye goggles for comfort and relief from chlorine. Also, consider using ear-plugs, especially if you are prone to ear infections, or if water in your ears bothers you. As with most of these aerobic exercises, the best health tip of all is to start slowly, and built up your intensity over time. Whichever aerobics regime you select; implementing the health tips will ensure that you gain all the benefits of the exercise, in a safe manner. You will enhance your life, and health, while doing something you enjoy – the best health tip of all! Let’s get this straight. ALL foods are healthy. Assuming the food has been grown, harvested and kept correctly. What is variable is the amount we eat, how the food is prepared, what is added, and the quality of the food. Two ancient sayings my grandmother was fond of encapsulate the eternal truth about food - “everything in moderation” and “variety is the spice of life”. Until the last decade, modern medicine neglected the medicine in everyday foods, viewing it as folklore, lacking in proven scientific validity. But now mainstream scientists are increasingly reaching back to the truths of ancient food folk medicine and dietary practices for clues to remedies and antidotes for our modern diseases. Research on nature’s medicine is growing by leaps and bounds almost daily. Why are prestigious research institutions like Harvard telling us with great gusto that broccoli is full of powerful anticancer agents, and that eating more carrots seems to dramatically prevent strokes and heart disease? The reason is simple. For the first time in history, science is vigorously validating what your grandma always knew – that what we eat is urgently important in determining our health, both now, and in the future. Today, scientists with new technology can detect, isolate, and test minute quantities of bioactive plant compounds. The ancient Egyptians discovered that consumption of cabbage would cure as many as eighty seven diseases, and that consumption of onions would cure twenty eight. Garlic was considered a holy plant, due in large part, to its medicinal properties. Cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage and broccoli) were cultivated primarily for medical purposes and were used therapeutically against headache, diarrhoea, gout and various stomach disorders. Which healthy foods to eat? Many professionals if pushed to select only one food group would choose plant foods – fruits and vegetables – which are rich in antioxidants. It is claimed by many that these foods can save you from virtually every disease and illness known to man. So far, scientists have linked destructive oxygen reactions to at least seventy different chronic diseases, as well as to aging itself. Antioxidants re-enforce the body’s police force, who go around moping up pockets of the destructive oxidant brigade. This is a constant battle, so a constant intake of antioxidant nutrients throughout our lives, is vital. Oxidants come in various guises. Probably the most notorious are the free radicals. These molecules have lost one of their electrons, and are thus unstable. They try to grab it from any passing cell, creating havoc in the body. But you may be able to eat your way out of this dilemma. Fruit and vegetables, are packed with a variety of antioxidants, and are thus one of the most healthy foods to eat. Since the dawn of civilisation, we have relied upon the forests, fields and gardens for our food and medicines. Finally, science is catching up with myth and turning our fore-fathers myths into medical reality. More people than ever before travel by airplane nowadays, and more airlines are starting to offer longer non-stop flights. With the addition of modern aircraft, airlines have started scheduled ultra long-haul services of up to eighteen hours. Some examples of such flights are Singapore-Newark, Bangkok-New York and Dubai-New York. Such long travel times mean sitting in the same position for a very long time, which can be bad for the blood circulation. This makes the need for exercise tips even more crucial to the travelling public. While business and first class passengers have plenty of personal space around their chair, and even can turn their seats into comfortable beds in many cases, coach class passengers especially, run the risk of getting DVT or deep vein thrombosis. Many airlines recognise this modern problem and warn their passengers of the risks of remaining in the same position for many hours. In their in-flight magazines they mention the risks and give tips and advice on how to fight the chance of getting thrombosis. Generally, it is advised to do some simple exercises once an hour or so to keep the blood circulation moving. Exercise tips are moving the toes up and down, stretching the legs as far out as possible, and pointing the toes, and rocking left and right in the chair, clenching and unclenching the muscles. Stretching the arms and wiggling fingers, while rotating the wrist, will keep blood flowing in the arms. Ideally passengers should also get out of their seats and walk around, but flight attendants doing their in-flight service and blocking the aisles might make this somewhat difficult. The airlines’ efforts to minimise the risk for passengers come directly because of concerns for lawsuits. At various times passengers have made claims against airlines regarding the development of blood circulation problems in the body, supposedly because of frequent flying on longer sectors. The airline business, just like any other, is about making money. The main revenue is made by passengers travelling in first and business class who, in return for the high fares, get comfortable seats with all kinds of amenities and a full service. Economy class passengers, who often pay a fraction of business class fares, travel in much smaller seats and with less legroom in the part of the cabin which they themselves often refer to as “cattle class.” While the seat pitches, the distance between seats, differ from airline to airline, they are somewhere in the 29 to 32 inches range. Passengers complain about the limited legroom, while airlines don’t want to increase seat pitches for the simple fact that they would have to decrease the number of seats in the cabin, and by that earn less money. Most major carriers now do compensate economy class passengers in another way, for example by offering personal TV-screens for their entertainment during long flights. And some have introduced a fourth seating class, between economy and business, offering more room, but not the service of business class. Perhaps the invaluable advice of drinking plenty of fluids while flying, (not alcohol), is the best exercise tip of all. Since walking to the lavatory and back several times is probably the best exercise a passenger can get at thirty five thousand feet. The Whiff of Success – No More Gas It is an age old social problem, one that taxed even the minds of great men such as Benjamin Franklin and Hippocrates. Ancient physicians who specialized in flatulence and it’s avoidance, became known as “pneumatists” – their quest was to find a cure for “escaped wind”. Excess gas is rarely a sign of a serious disease, and if gas is worrisome to you, the best way to control it is by diet. Most gas is odorless, but some is so smelly, it can be detected by the human nose in a mere one hundred parts to a million of air. Most people pass gas up to fourteen times a days. The primary source of flatulence is the intestines inability to absorb certain type of carbohydrate. When carbohydrates are insufficiently digested, the residue passes to the large intestine, the home of hordes of hungry, harmless colonies of bacteria which feast on the leftovers. This process spews off mixed gasses. How much gas is produced varies from person to person. There are many health secrets which help one avoid blaming the dog, or the next guy in line. Avoiding dairy produce containing lactose could help hugely. Lactose intolerant people have a low level of the intestinal enzyme lactase, which is essential to digest lactose, the type of sugar found is many dairy products. But you don’t have to be lactose intolerant to have unwanted side effects, some people can only handle certain amounts of lactose with comfort. The only exempt dairy produce is yogurt. Whilst almost everyone knows that beans are a surefire producer, did you realize that cabbage, broccoli, onions, cauliflower, bananas, radishes and pretzels can also be highly flatugenic. Watch out for the low-calorie sweetener, Sorbitol, which is a ferocious producer of gas. If you love beans, but hate living with the consequences, there is a solution. Firstly, the better beans are cooked, the less the problem. Some studies have shown that soaking beans for twelve hours before cooking, makes the beans lose much of their gas producing properties. Another health secret is that fiber in certain fruits and vegetables can increase gas. If you are adding fiber to your diet for health reasons, do it gradually, to allow the bowel time to get used to it. This lessens the increase of flatus. Most peoples production of gas returns to normal within a few weeks of adding fiber. A well known health secret of the older generations, is that activated charcoal tablets are highly effective in eliminating excessive gas. This method of eliminating excess gas is considered the best treatment available by many pharmacists. A lesser known health secret, is to block gas by the addition of ginger or garlic to vegetables as they are cooking. In a test with green peas, a minimum of garlic was added to the peas at the start of the cooking process. The result was that the peas produced a minimum of noxious gas. So you see, one need not be Benjamin Franklin or Hippocrates to avoid the often embarrassing situation of excessive gas. There are many health secrets which will allow you to minimize your production of excess gas, and to enjoy a breath of fresh air. Low Cost Travel in the Land of the Rising Sun Air travel in Japan has long been relatively expensive due to the limited amount of airlines and limited competition. But, just like in the United States and Europe, over the last couple of years a number of new, mainly low cost, airlines have started operations. These compete on similar routes, forcing ticket prices down and making air travel much more affordable to many more people. If you are visiting Japan with only a short time to travel, the airplane will allow you to see a lot of this diverse and interesting country in a short time space of time. The national flag carrier, Japan Airlines, and its main competitor, ANA, used to dominate the domestic market, covering all main routes, and feeder airlines. The Japanese market has opened up considerably. High density wide-body airliner flights have been joined by smaller aircraft on the same routes, which for the passengers means not only lower ticket prices, but also more travel options. Japanese low cost carriers include Air Do, Air Next, Ibex Airlines, Skymark Airlines and Skynet Aviation. Japan Airlines (JAL) have also set up their own budget airline, JAL Express, much as other main carriers such as Delta with Song, Qantas with Jetstar and Singapore Airlines with Tiger Airways. The fiercest competition and therefore the lowest fares can be found on the country’s main route between Tokyo and Osaka. Both places have two large airports (Haneda and Narita near Tokyo, and Itami and Kansai near Osaka.) But airlines don’t just face competition among each other, they also have to compete with the railways. More specifically the Shinkansen, the famous high speed bullet train. These trains travel at around 200 miles per hour and will soon be going even faster, and pose a serious competition to airlines, especially on shorter routes. Add to that the check-in and waiting times at airports, and soon the plane won’t be the fastest way of getting from A to B. The train is often more comfortable than coach class in an aircraft, and travelers can enjoy the scenery while zooming through the landscape. A highlight is the famous Mount Fuji along the Tokyo-Osaka route. The downside of train travel is that the Shinkansen is quite expensive. While Skymark Airlines, one of the low cost airlines covering the Tokyo-Osaka route, offers one-way fares starting from 5000 yen (approx 45 US dollars), a standard one-way fare on the bullet train is 13,750 yen (approx 120 US dollars). With the rise and rise of low cost airlines, it is now more affordable than ever to explore the Land of the Rising Sun. Australia is a vast country and, both its inhabitants and visitors rely on air travel increasingly. Low cost airlines are making budget travel by air a possibility for all. If you are visiting Australia on a tight schedule, as well as budget, traveling by air will allow you to see much of this vast country in a short time. Australians have also been bitten by the budget airlines bug, and more and more people are taking to the skies now that air travel is much more affordable. Where the domestic market used to be dominated by the national flag carrier, Qantas, with the instantly recognizable logo of white kangaroo, a number of low cost airlines have started operations over the last couple of years and taken passengers away from Qantas. This has stimulated Qantas into offering lower fares or other advantages to lure back customers, such as free domestic tickets in combination with international fares. The competition can only benefit travelers. The most successful low cost carrier in Australia is undoubtedly Virgin Blue, an offshoot of British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson´s Virgin Group. Having started with his revolutionary long haul airline Virgin Atlantic, Branson also opened Virgin Express, one of Europe´s first ever low cost carriers, and later also Virgin Blue. Neighboring New Zealand has also been added to the Virgin family with its own low cost carrier, Virgin Pacific. In light off the huge success of Virgin Blue, Qantas decided to start its own low cost carrier under the name of Jetstar, as a separate airline, parallel to its full service operation. Qantas also launched a low cost airline based in Singapore, Jetstar Asia, and will shortly start another, Jetstar International, for international low cost flights of up to eight hours. Another newcomer to the Australian low cost airline market is OzJet, which distinguishes itself by offering only business class flights. It operates aircraft with a business class seat configuration only, and sells the seats for less than competitor Qantas. To illustrate price levels, Qantas´ lowest one way fare on the main route, from Sydney to Melbourne, is 112 Australian dollars. Virgin Blue has fares starting from 69 dollars, and Qantas´ own Jetstar offers fares from 79 dollars. On the Sydney to Perth route, the cheapest Qantas ticket is 272 Australian dollars, while Virgin Blue prices start at 150 dollars. The price of a ticket depends on how early the fare is booked and how full the aircraft is. With the rise of low cost airlines, it’s now more affordable then ever to explore Australia by plane. And with the international routes served by low cost carriers from Australia, it is now also possible to combine your visit with New Zealand, Indonesia or Singapore for an incredibly low cost price. Low cost airlines have made the impossible possible for travelers visiting Australia on a budget. The Ultimate Vacation – Trophy Hunting in Alaska You’ve done it all. You’ve safaried in South Africa, cruised the Caribbean, and dived with dolphins. So what’s next? What’s left? Stop wondering - this is it! Alaska is so full of exciting vacation options it is difficult to know which to choose. On an Alaskan Trophy Hunt vacation you will be one of the few people on earth to actually see and experience remote areas where awesome animals like the grizzly bear, moose and caribou make their homes. If it is your first hunting vacation, you may be more comfortable with a Guided Hunt. You will benefit from the knowledge and experience of a professional and fully trained Guide who is familiar with the terrain, the specialist equipment you will use, and most importantly, the animals you will encounter. In what could be hostile conditions, these assets could prove life saving. With the aid of a registered Guide and hired equipment, you can safely experience something others have only dreamed about. But don’t worry; you don’t need to forego your creature comforts. One of Anchorages best kept secrets is the many excellent hunting lodges, offering all standards of accommodation and facilities, from basic to luxurious. Many have rooms with their own freezers for your catch. Lodges are often located on rivers, and offer their guests complimentary fishing, including the use of equipment. The rivers around Anchorage are clean, clear and bountiful, offering five different types of salmon fishing alone. After your hunt, your Guide will organize transportation for you and your Trophy back to the comforts of the Lodge. There, your Trophy animal will be cleaned and prepared for you. Meat will be vacuum sealed, clearly labeled, and frozen. Should you decide to rise to the challenge and ‘go it alone’ without a Guide, you have several options. You may decide to combine river fishing by boat with four days at a camp, to experience the authentic outdoors, and in order to capture your Trophy. Most lodge owners are happy to organize flights to camps and all the equipment you need. The more developed lodges offer river boats for hire, either with or without engines, and some also have the facility of a private air strip. Sharing the experience of four days and nights in remotest Alaska can be especially rewarding, as the many Testimonials available confirm. Some say it was a spiritual experience. Tailor made packages are also offered by many lodges, combining all aspects of hunting. Treasured memories of peace and tranquility, of being one with the vastness of nature, and of acquiring that longed for trophy, whilst filling the freezer, are all yours on a Hunting vacation in Anchorage. The ancient streets and breath-taking architecture of Istanbul offer an unusual destination for the discerning traveler wishing to avoid the usual Christmas commercialism. It is also a great place to buy Christmas gifts. Turkey's largest covered market, the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) in Istanbul, offers excellent shopping and great bargains. The range of beautiful objects available is quite breath-taking, including silky Turkish carpets and kelim’s, colorful and pungent herbs and spices, sparkling crystal, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, Turkish lamps, everything you can think of made from leather, brightly colored cotton and wool products, an array of Turkish costumes including authentic belly dancing outfits, and many types of handmade musical instruments. If you show any inclination to playing any of the instruments, you will doubtless be dragged into the store and offered an impromptu rendition of some obscure Turkish folk tune. Bear in mind this is not purely a tourist area and plenty of local people shop here too, giving the atmosphere a big dose of warm and friendly authenticity. The architecture and layout of the Grand Bazaar alone merits attention. Forget your boot sale in a field, or rickety tables in a church hall, this building is quite stunning in itself. This is like no Bazaar you have ever been to before. The interior is literally like Aladins cave. In fact, this is probably where Aladin got all his stuff! The building is packed with literally hundreds of individual stalls, laid out in a labyrinth of narrow aisles. Wares are gaudy and bright, and strewn or hanging on every available area. Wafts of fresh spices and herbs drift on the air, and eager vendors entreat you to enter their lairs. But beware – brush up on your bargaining skills as they are absolutely essential here. If you are in negotiation with a shop owner, often you will be brought a glass of hot sweet tea. This is a pleasing aspect of bargaining in Turkey, but also an indicator of how long bargaining can take. It is quite exhausting but well worth the effort to see as much as you can of the Grand Bazaar. There are hundreds of shops, so plan on spending several hours. There are plenty of bars and cafes within it’s walls, so you may sit and rest awhile. Instead of the usual American coffee, why not try a chilled Ayran? (pronounced eye-run). It is a thin, slightly salty yogurt-y drink, which is very refreshing. So instead of having turkey for Christmas lunch, why not make Turkey your destination for Christmas vacation this year. Retirement is a time to kick back. It is a time when many feel they have ‘paid their dues’, and have earned the right to slow down, and do nothing. But increasing numbers are shocked to find that they do not like doing nothing. Many retirees, especially of the so called baby-boomer generations, see things in a different light. They realize that retiring is a golden opportunity to use the time to expand their horizons. No longer tied down by family and employment commitments, the world is their oyster. Traditionally, retirees take stock of their lives. For some, it is a disappointment. Many decide then that they wish to leave behind something substantial when they have gone. Something of lasting value. It can be summarized as a feeling of wanting to end on a high note. Of doing something worthwhile. This is one of the key reasons retirees are ideal candidates for Mission Trips. Building a new church in Peru? Call in the retirees – you’ll have it done in no time. Often this mature section of society are self sufficient, love travel and are more willing to help others. Retirees are by their very nature experienced. Many retirees are still very active people, with a wide range of skills and hobbies. Retirees are a very much under-appreciated resource. There are opportunities to help both at home and abroad. Projects abound from one day to one year with most trips falling between one and two weeks.. For those interested – a web search will yield many opportunities. For many, the starting point is their local church. It is a sad fact that a large percentage of men who reach retirement age, die within two years of retiring. Many feel they have lost their purpose in life. Men in particular in our culture tend to be defined by what they ‘do’. Boredom and lack of activity can lead to serious medical problems, such as depression. What is easy to forget in this situation is that we work for many reasons; for satisfaction and interest as well as for money. And Mission Trip travel is an extremely rewarding way to help others and gain huge personal satisfaction. Another plus for Retirees as Mission Trip participants is that at this stage in their lives, they are less likely to be considering their own needs and more open to contributing to the greater community. Instead of visiting the kids again this summer, why not enroll in a Mission Trip? You will enjoy yourself, meet others, and gain untold satisfaction. Who knows? It could give you a whole new outlook on life? We live in an image obsessed society today, so the question of whether to put your personal image onto your business card, is a tricky one, and one which should be given great consideration before having business cards produced. A photograph is supposed to be worth a thousand words, but are they the words you want associated with your business? There are undoubtedly many benefits to having a business card with your photograph on the front. However, if, for example, you are marketing your services or products from the hip young dude angle, and your image shows you are a late middle aged balding fat businessman, this could effect your credibility, and even put some prospective clients off. Another question to face is that not everybody photographs well. Does this matter? It does if your image is an integral part of your business. If you are a catwalk model, and your image portrays you as anything less than immaculate, then it could influence your business in a negative way. Conversely, if you are a service provider where building a business relationship based on trust and confidentiality is vital, it is important to put a natural, friendly but professional image of yourself on your card. A prime example of a profession where this would be very beneficial is accountants. This is one aspect of marketing where it would be foolish to compromise for the sake of budget considerations. Even if you have a photograph where you think you look particularly good, get some done professionally. It will pay back ten times the cost in the long run. Whatever your business – from selling cutting edge technology to designing websites, having your face on your card will ensure that you are recognised and recognisable. It also means that your card is less likely to be thrown away and more likely to be remembered. If you follow up in person, after giving your business card, the prospective client will have less difficulty in putting a face to the name, as your card will (hopefully) have been in his wallet for a month or so. If your first name can be used for both males and females (like Charlie for example), then a photograph on your business card will help with identification, when you eventually meet your prospective client. The downside to having your photograph on your business card are tiny, when compared to the benefits. The main drawback is that they are probably more expensive to produce, and that you will have to stump up for the cost of getting professional quality pictures. Bear in mind that photographs can date you, and also outdate you. If you change your appearance substantially then it may be better to get new cards printed. Face it, if you do want photographs on your business cards, and there are many advantages if you do, then this is one marketing strategy where cutting corners can mean cutting your business opportunities. This is one situation when the right photograph really can be worth a thousand words, but make sure they are the words you want associated with your business. What does it really mean to be professional? Do you measure up? We are all encouraged to be professional in our business or working lives, but what does it really mean? The Oxford English Dictionary defines professional as “…engaging in an activity as means of a livelihood. Extremely competent in a job. A person who conducts his business in a field also pursued by amateurs. A person who engages in an activity with great competence.” But is it just competence? This seems doubtful. Being approachable and reasonable to people, and affording them respect is important. Presenting yourself in a businesslike manner, whether in person, in writing, or on the telephone is vital. Laziness, lack of time or pressure of other commitments, should not impede your ability to pay attention to this. Another important aspect of professionalism is knowing your stuff. Do your homework. Know what you are talking about. Bluffing may come easy to some people, but being found out in a half-truth will lead to loss of credibility, thus jeopardizing your professional relationships as well as compromising your integrity. Another rule of thumb is do not commit to writing anything which you are not totally comfortable with. The acid test is to imagine it on the front page of your local newspaper. Being accurate and taking responsibility for your actions and decisions is definitely a strong part of being professional. In the western world a firm grasp of time management, and punctuality is considered important in a professional. Sometimes being professional means knowing who best to delegate to, then having the courage of your convictions to stand back and let them do the job. Giving credit where credit is due is also the hallmark of a true professional, as is respect and recognition for others. Looking the part is also part of it, and this includes wearing clean, appropriate clothing and paying attention to personal grooming. Listening to reason and being fair minded is important but can be difficult, often requiring you to do this when the other person isn’t. A caveat; being professional does not mean allowing other people to take advantage of you or to be abusive to you. Sometimes you may not be able to say what is on your mind, and biting your tongue, holding back with insensitive comments, may be difficult, but how you present yourself is all a part of being professional. In conclusion, it seems being professional means being adult, showing you have common sense (and using it), being considerate to others, and showing self-control. Business Cards: Outdated or Essential? Business cards are essential to marketing, it is as simple as that. These little cards speak volumes about who you are and what your business is. They can be worth their weight in gold. Whether promoting a business or yourself, giving out suitable business cards is crucial in a marketing project. But these little gems cannot function if you leave them at home. So keep an updated supply in your car, in your wallet or purse, and near the door so you can grab a handful every time you leave the office or home. They should be upgraded in priority and remembered along with your wallet/purse, mobile phone and car keys. It is a habit which will pay handsomely in the long run. Here is a selection of ways of using your business cards to promote your business. *When paying bills by post, slip in one of your business cards before sealing the envelope. When you think about it – bills often contain advertisements, so why not send a card advertising your services? You never know who will open the envelope. Think of it as throwing a pebble into a pond. Sit back and watch the ripples and wait for the phone calls. *Give business cards out to everyone, including family and friends. Don’t be shy, give two if you can, don’t try to hold onto them, make sure you always have a ready supply. Perhaps the person you give your card to will recommend you to another, so a second card would be really useful to him. *Use psychology to give you an advantage: When you give out a business card, ask the recipient if they have one for you. If they do present you with their card, make notes on the back to use in your follow up calls. Make that person feel important, and spend some time looking at their card. Come right out and ask “Is your company hiring at the moment?” or “I would appreciate a referral if you know anyone who could use my services”. You may wish to “sweeten” the idea by adding that you are willing to pay a percentage (say 10%) to them for any successful referrals. *Take full advantage of any possible chance meetings. Social gatherings could well produce clients for your business. Don’t discount these events, take plenty of cards with you even if it is only a birthday party for a friend of your kid. You honestly do not know who you may meet. The same applies to travelling or going on holiday. *In today’s economic climate, where there are many people chasing the same leads, it is important to be pro-active when following up on leads. It is tough for those hiring and firing to keep track of individuals when interviewing or considering so many applicants. It is up to you to be memorable (for all the right reasons) and to give that person a reason to call you back. A good plan is to send a short hand written note thanking the person for their time after a business meeting or interview. Slip in a business card. After receipt of this, you will be on the memorable list and make yourself stand out from the crowd. Your patience and persistence, when coupled with attention to detail, will eventually pay off. *Brand yourself or your company with a slogan. Put that slogan on your business card. It should answer the question as to why they should hire you and what makes you and your services or product, different from all the others. A catchy phrase or slogan is an almost guaranteed method of your customers connecting you or your company with their product or services. Instead of saying “Attorney” on your business card, say something like “Legal Services With Integrity”. An appropriate slogan makes a big difference, and makes you instantly more memorable. *Newspapers and magazines often have editorial content giving details of people being promoted or joining different organizations. You will read these in a new light when you look on them as opportunities. It has been suggested that everyone is only six people away from meeting or knowing someone important to us, whether a movie star, political figure or future customer. You simply never know where your card will end up. When you see these congratulatory announcements, send the individual a blank greeting card on which you have written your congratulations. Include your business card. Not only will you make someone's day, they may also feel compelled to respond back to you, thus increasing your network of contacts. *When handing out your business cards, ensure that you always present it face upwards. Follow the practice of business people in the Far East and present your business card with both hands. This cements the impression that your card (and by extension your business) is something very important. *If you are hoping to conduct business internationally, then use the back of the business card to print a translation of your card in your customer’s language. Even if they have no difficulty in reading English, they will appreciate the thoughtfulness, and it will be considered a rather nice touch, again, singling you out from the crowd. Double the Power of your Business Card One of the most powerful tools you can use to promote your business are professionally designed business cards, which mention your name, contact information, company details and, if you have one, your website. While the first question that arises when designing a business card is what exactly to put on it, you don’t have to limit yourself to the front. The back of the card doubles the available advertising space, allowing you to supercharge your business card. The print shop may well give you a special price to have something printed on that side as well. What to put on the back of your business card? There are many options. On some cards you will find advertising which has nothing to do with the company the card is from. More likely it is the name of a printing company that offers to print a number of cards for free, and as compensation prints its own name on the back of your card. Think carefully before deciding to go for such cards, as it might have an unwanted effect on your company’s image. The person receiving your card might get confused by this unknown name, or, if he or she knows it is a free card, might regard it as rather unprofessional, and you as a cheapskate. There are many useful things you could do with the back of the card. For example, if your office is not that easy to find, print an area map on it indicating your address with a pictogram, much like you find on the back of cards from restaurants and hotels. Nothing is more frustrating for your business contacts to drive around in circles in unknown territory, looking for a difficult to find location. Another thing to consider is translating the text on the front of your card into your target markets language. For example if your company is located in a country where English is not the main language, have your card translated and put the translation on the back of the card. Even if your business partner speaks English fluently, it will always be appreciated to see the information in his or her own language and it will show that you have an eye for detail. In Arab countries for example it is common to have business cards printed on both sides, one in English and the other in Arabic. If your company forms part of a group, you could mention the names of the other companies on the back of your card. This could be complete details, or just an internet address. A way to ensure that your card will remain in your business partner’s wallet is by placing important telephone numbers on the back, such as police, fire department, ambulance and hospital. Or what about a small calendar? Very handy if your prospective client forgets the agenda or just needs a quick reminder. Whenever he or she looks at the calendar, it will be a reminder of you and your company, and that will keep you in the picture. As you see, a business card can be much more than a small card with your name and company details on it. It is a powerful marketing tool, offering you the opportunity to double your efforts to snag a potential client. Having a flutter is fun! As a child growing up in England in the late 1960’s, the week before the Grand National (a very famous horse race) took place, my father would get us kids together on a Saturday morning to “have a flutter’. In the front room, a room in which usually only visitors and grown ups were allowed, with a pin in one hand, and the newspaper in the other, we would be instructed to “pick a horse”. The procedure was simple – stab the pin into the box containing all the horses predicted to take part in the race the following week. Whichever name your pin stabbed became ‘your’ horse for the actual race. No knowledge was required, no expertise essential, and there was the possibility of winning some extra pocket money to buy more Beatles records. Of course, we rarely won. The following Saturday, in the afternoon, we would all be sat glued to the television set waiting for the horse race to take place. Watching those magnificent animals parade around the paddock in their bright jockeys’ colours was a huge delight. It also gave us the opportunity to pick out “our” horse. The race itself was over very quickly. The only part we did not like was seeing those long legged beasts fall. I remember no great concern was ever afforded to the dismounted jockeys, even if they appeared immobile after a tumble. The finish was always the most exciting, with everyone in the room shouting their horses name, and willing them to “Go on, go on”. Even my gran, who rarely emerged from her room, was persuaded to sit with us and cheer. I was brought up on this. I have not turned into a degenerate gambler. In fact, I have not gambled since. Where is the harm? To my mind, trying to ban all gambling, is like trying to ban all alcohol. A small percentage of people may become obsessive or compulsive or even degenerate through repeated exposure to serious gambling. But what about the rest of us? To ban or impose severe restrictions because some people may not be able to control their impulses seems ludicrous. It would take away a rich source of entertainment. And in these stressful times, when families are working longer and longer hours, and seeing less and less of each other, a little family flutter is fun. Is Viral Marketing Contagious? Hotmail was the first internet company to benefit from so called ‘viral marketing’. The term was coined because the pattern of the spread of new Hotmail subscribers resembled nothing more strongly than the spread of an organic viral outbreak. Essentially, the news of Hotmail was spread by word of mouth, from person to person. Hotmail’s subscribers grew from zero to over l2 million users in just under 18 months. A traditional print publication would hope to reach somewhere around a hundred thousand or so, within a few years of launch. Hotmail is now used in over 150 countries, despite the limitation that it is only available in English. This rapid saturation of subscribers, means that Hotmail spread more quickly than any other company in any media, in the entire history of the world. With a modest advertising budget of just $50,000 Hotmail became the largest email provider in several countries where it had done no advertising whatsoever – India being the main example of this phenomenon. A key element in viral marketing is that every subscriber who uses the product becomes a salesperson for the company and products. Essentially customers do the selling. In the case of Hotmail, a clickable link was placed at the end of every email message. This was an exceptionally clever psychological trick. Although the link is clearly shown as an advertisement, it carries with it an implied endorsement from a friend, the person sending the email. The person receiving the Hotmail message knows two things, that the product works, and that their friend is satisfied with it and is a subscriber. Another important point is whether the person receiving the email wants to become part of this group, the group of friends using Hotmail. Every Hotmail user has to sign up and complete a detailed demographic and psychological profile, which includes questions on occupation and salary. The completed applications provide an unprecedented supply of highly personal information. It is not easy to persuade people to part with such intimate and private information. Applicants face a decision in deciding to share their private information with an online company – as yet, unknown. And the applicant may not be at all certain at this point whether the product is worth the effort involved. There are undoubtedly considerable difficulties in asking detailed personal questions of prospective subscribers. It is incredible that Hotmail overcame all of these difficulties, with highly limited funds. Their secret weapon? Viral marketing. There are several books on viral marketing, so those entrepreneurs wishing to catch a dose of viral marketing, should make it their business to read up on the subject. Who knows, maybe it is contagious? My younger sister lives for music. She spends about six hours every day on her keyboard -- longer at weekends. She experiments with melodies, saving the best to turn into songs for her internet site. We collaborate on the words to her melodies. I’ve always been good with words so I tend to write the lyrics, testing them out on Janet, to make sure they have the right number of beats per line. Janet is not shy, she always lets me know if something is not exactly right, usually by a really ugly grimace. She can be very picky. We often end up arguing. I guess sisters always do. But generally speaking, Janet was always a very good sister when I lived at home. She never stole my clothes or make up, but often would ‘borrow’ my music tapes and CD’s. I guess music is her life. Mum pays for a private tutor twice a week. Janet is not my twin. I am five years older than her. And she is completely different to me. I am private and introvert, quiet and shy. I have short dark hair, am considered quite attractive but not pretty. I moved out last year into my own apartment. Janet still lives at home with mum. Janet is big with long blonde hair, and watery blue eyes, like dad. She is anything but quiet. Mum brought us girls up from four, when our father died. She works as an administrator for a local theatrical agency, and has worked there for many years. Sometimes over supper, she would regale us with stories of how some of the stars were temperamental, and would give the booking agent a great deal of hassle one way and another. Mum does not go out very often, apart from work. She is always busy around the home, and handles most of the maintenance on the house and the decorating herself. She is always budgeting and saving money. She went to evening school last year and learned about plumbing. She has just finished completely renewing all the plumbing systems in the house. Before that, the water was very unreliable, and often there was no hot water in the mornings. I go around quite often to see mum and Janet. My apartment is only a short bus ride away, and I finish work at five most days. As usual when I open the front door, I see mum in the kitchen. I can hear Janet upstairs, picking out notes on her keyboard. She is a very talented musician, and makes quite good pocket money from her website. Mum is always yelling at her to spend more time on her studies. Tonight is special. I came straight from work as it is Janet’s fifteenth birthday and mum is making a birthday tea for her. She even got a cake from the German bakers near her office. I got her a really fabulous present, I can’t wait to see her face when she opens it. She’s wanted them for ages, but she just couldn’t find anything nice enough, despite spending hours and hours looking on the internet. Janet cannot speak. She was diagnosed as being mute from a tiny baby, although she has no difficulty hearing. You see, her music really is her life. So you can imagine how delighted I was when a friend told me about the fabulous color business cards available from a shop in town. They have a huge selection with color musical themed backgrounds. There were three designs which Janet would have liked, but I chose one I know Janet will be overjoyed with – showing her beloved keyboard, with her name, phone number and website on the card as well. I was lucky when I ordered them as I got a free plastic coating and free delivery. They arrived real fast and I just know that Janet is going to think they are absolutely perfect. Janet can’t tell me, but the look in her eyes will. With an awesome selection of full colour business card ideas for all patriots, this is the site for you. Whether you are involved in the caring professions, or the ‘taking care of business’ professions. Maybe homeland security is your field? Or perhaps you work with the community or military? If you work with the police force, or are a fire-fighter, para-medic, nurse or soldier, these cards are for you. What better way than to show your love for your country than on your business card? Show that you care by incorporating an image of ‘Old Glory’ on your card and you will be creating an unforgettable card with your name on it. In these troubled times, a patriotic business card is the perfect tool for showing your values. The American flag stands for honor, truth and bravery. It is recognized and revered the world over. It is a flag which stands strong, despite adversity, and so commands the greatest respect. The symbol of the most powerful country in the world is a commanding background for your business card. By association, your business card will be infused with patriotic values - not bad for a 2” x 3” card. But where can you get a deal? You want the best quality, at the lowest price. And with a few extras for free. Look no further, these guys have it all. They are just about guaranteed to have that perfect card for you. Their selection is awesome. They use thick, luxurious card, and print in full colour. You can create your own individual design, with a few easy clicks, incorporating your choice of patriotic design. This is a great company -- they run specials and deals, and they ship free within continental USA. Included when you order is a free glossy UV coating to make your cards shine. Your clients will immediately notice the difference, and realise you are a fellow patriot and professional of distinction. These cards are truly the best you can buy. Produced in America, by Americans, for Americans. We have to thank Hero, the Greek scientist, for inventing the first ‘one arm bandit’. It was a mechanical device for dispensing Holy Water to pilgrims at an extortionate cost of five drachma per portion. From there the concept evolved into the popular games machines much loved today. The term ‘one arm bandit’ came into popular usage at a time when gaming legislation was lax and machines could be rigged never to pay out. Known variously as slot machines, one arm bandits and pokies, these machines provide endless hours of entertainment for all the family. A favourite with teenage boys and grannies alike, these machines offer fun, pure enjoyment and endless hours of entertainment. One arm bandits are preset to pay back a certain percentage of the money they take. In New Jersey, USA, as an example, slot machines must pay back 83 percent of the money played. And this is by law. But even at lower paybacks of 75%, you can still hit a lucky streak and end up as a winner. It is a slot machine fans’ dream to find ‘loose slots’, i.e. a machine which pays out winnings easier and more plentifully than any other machine. These rare machines do exist. It may be that casino’s use these ‘loose’ types of machines as motivators. It seems they most often appear near change booths and near coffee shops or snack bars. The logic here is obvious. The management want other players who are waiting in line for change to hear the unmistakable jingle of coins on metal, the evidence of a big win. Similarly, those who are sitting taking a time out from playing, eating or drinking in the coffee shop, are reminded by the not so subtle clang of winning coins that they should hurry up and finish eating and drinking, and to return to the gaming floor! Another prime location for the elusive ‘loose’ machines is on elevated carousels and at ‘crosswalks’. The thinking behind this is that these machines are visible from almost every angle of the gaming floor, allowing almost everyone to witness the joy of every win. Crosswalk locations are areas that players must pass through to get to other slot machine aisles. The same principal applies. The casino management want slot players to witness frequent jackpot payouts. Passing players are far more likely to be drawn to play the aisles where the high wins occur. It is in these main slot aisles where the tight machines are waiting in lines, to fleece unsuspecting gamers. Another tip to his to check whether there are freestanding kiosks within the main casino. Almost all casinos sublet space on the gaming floor to the manufacturers of slot machines. These freestanding kiosks, and the machines therein, are not strictly bound by the individual casinos marketing strategies and therefore may offer the canny punter a larger percentage of wins. Armed with this inside info, it is indeed easier to strike it lucky with one armed bandits. Firstly, let us define what a logo is. It is an identifying symbol used to advertise and promote something -- an organization or a product usually. Usually, symbols combine a pictorial and textual element in a distinctive manner. Traditionally, a company logo is a distinct, and hopefully memorable, visual symbol for the brand to be promoted. A logo should ideally represent the core values, the aspirations, and the positive attributes of the organisation. A distinctive and instantly recognised logo can stick in the mind of your customer and identify the company, possibly one of many, from many others offering similar products or services. A good example of this is the Nike “Swoosh” logo. The key aim of a logo is to be instantly recognisable, and for the customer to connect your logo with their perception of the high quality of your goods or service. The style of your company logo will influence your customers buying decisions. Probably the very first thing a prospective client would see would be a company business card. This small and apparently insignificant marketing tool is a very important introduction to your company. Great care should be taken over every element of the card. A cheap and poorly produced card, with unbalanced text, or inappropriate logo, in dreary colours, will speak volumes about the quality of your product or service. For service oriented businesses, it is even more important to create the right impression with a professional and appropriate logo on a smart and suitable business card. In today’s global market, facilitated by the internet, there are an increasing number of competitors chasing the same business. This makes it even more important to have a suitable symbol than it was in the past, when a simple coloured company name was considered sufficient. A professional logo which exemplifies the company ethos, is essential for terrestrial as well as cyberspace companies. In today’s marketplace, the home business is competing with huge companies and their potentially unlimited budgets. Selecting a suitable logo can be difficult. Often the most effective, clear and memorable is the simplest. It is important to blend the logo with the type of product(s) or services your company offers. A high-end gentleman’s outfitters would be ill advised to have a scruffy cartoon character for example. On the other hand an elegant logo for a company producing children’s jungle gyms would also be inappropriate. The company’s image and the target audience should also figure in the selection of an appropriate logo. Another point to consider – the type of font. Try to envision your company concepts and ethos, and extract from that the type of characteristics you would like the logo to represent. For example, do you want to portray the company as strong and bold? Elegant and classy? Young and hip? The choice of colour schemes in your company logo is also important. Colours have their own role to play in logo design. Colours can convey many different moods and feelings, and you would be wise to select yours with care. Far from being something outdated and inessential, it can clearly be seen that an appropriate and suitable logo can be a huge asset to any company, big or small. One of the most interesting subjects of photography is aviation. There are few other subjects with such diversity. Think of the hundreds of different airlines all over the world, each with their own trademark livery, each with different types of airplane, one more colorful than the other. Or think of aviation photography in another way; by taking shots of airport terminals or the people that use them, the travelers, who also come from all over the world. Or, if you’re more of a type for high speeds and heavy metal, the world of military jets offers a range of possibilities as well. You’ll be able to take some fantastic shots at air show displays. Aviation photography is a hobby for many people all over the world, a hobby that brings a lot of people with the same interest together. But imagine you could turn your hobby into your profession, or at least make some good pocket money out of your photographs. If the shots you take are good enough, there are plenty of opportunities to sell your pictures. What comes into mind first are of course aviation magazines, although it might be tricky because they probably already have their own staff photographers or a team of freelancers who capture the newest planes and liveries all over the world. But every picture is different, so if your dream is becoming one of those photographers who make money by doing their hobby, just go for it! But think also about travel magazines, newspapers, airplane model manufacturers, or even the airlines themselves. Airlines would love to get their hands on the very best pictures of to promote their company, and this isn’t limited to just pictures of airplanes. An airline is a huge enterprise with many fascinating aspects and departments. Again, a world of opportunities to sell your pictures. But now the question remains whether taking good pictures is all you need to make a living from your hobby. Well, you might have expected it already, but the answer is -- no. There are a lot of photographers out there with the same hobby and the same desire to sell their work. So it’s not enough to just take good shots. You have to promote yourself, make yourself known to any potential buyers. And one of the most cost effective tools at your disposal is a professional, full colour business card. Just think about how important it is to combine the great images you took with a good image of yourself. The quality of your business card is as important (maybe even more so) as the quality of your pictures. You take a lot of time with presenting yourself and your photographs so they are professional. The same must apply to your business cards. And, with a truly professional approach, you will succeed in turning your hobby into a great business. For years, I have been known as someone who gets attached to my belongings. I never buy anything without carefully considering what I need it for, whether it suits my needs and my budget. This includes my car. I had been driving a trustworthy but ancient Volvo station wagon for about ten years and really needed to replace it. So with some trepidation I started to look around for a new and suitable vehicle. In my town there is an industrial area which is full of car dealers, each one promising lower prices and a better service than the other. Where to begin? I visited each and every one of them, then started to make selections. I run a restaurant and need a big vehicle for Costco shopping, so I could begin with eliminating the dealers who had only small cars. What I really wanted was a truck. But I soon found out that these were way over my budget so I could eliminate the dealers who only sold truck’s as well. But this still left me with a whole range of dealers who did have the kind of vehicle I was looking for, and all around the price I had budgeted for. I am not very good at deciding, so I had to come up with some way to select the car dealer you want to do business with? One day, sitting at home and going through my list of dealers and candidate cars, I started looking at the collection of paperwork, and business cards I had built up in the two months I had been looking. As I was sifting through them, something caught my eye. They mostly looked very unprofessional. Some cards were printed on very thin card, others were badly printed, and some even contained spelling mistakes. It was obvious that some of them were printed by the dealer himself, probably on his home printer. What does this tell about that particular dealer? If he is trying to save money by printing his own business cards, which don’t look good at all, will he indeed offer me the top-level service he claims he will? Somehow I doubt it. Amongst all those business cards, there was only one that caught my eye. This one looked great; printed on nice thick card, with bright colors, a stylish font, and shiny coating. The card looked really professional and I got the feeling that this dealer was a good one, one with an eye for detail. And I was right; I bought my new vehicle from him two days later, and have always received excellent service ever since. I wasn’t too happy about the cards for my restaurant either, so I asked my car dealer friend where he got his. He recommended his supplier. I got in touch with them, ran through the easy online steps to order cards, and always receive compliments from my business partners and customers. You just never can tell. It is impossible to know exactly who is going to take a bunch of business cards. I have a small computer shop in the local high street. My clients are the local townspeople. They range from little old ladies with pull along shopping baskets on wheels, to slick suited business men on their way home from work. Before I got my new business cards, the old ones sat on the counter for months without anyone taking one. They even got dusty! Now I have some plastic business card holders that keep the cards in good condition, and make it easier for people to take them. They are going like hot cakes – the colors really grab the eye. I still have about 300 of the old business cards left somewhere behind the counter, they were nothing special really, and I should have taken much more care in selecting both the card and the style of lettering. I did not have a photograph background – the company I got them from did not offer or suggest them. And they took almost three weeks to deliver them to me. They were expensive too. I went for the classic black on white card, but the card was not a heavy type, and they looked cheap, despite costing me big bucks. I am sorry now that I didn’t spend more time on the old ones, because since I got the new ones from this new supplier my business has really taken off. People come in to the shop holding the card, usually which a friend gave them, but they don’t put it down. Back it goes inside their purse or wallet. The first batch of cards have almost gone, and I am thinking about ordering the second soon. These guys have a great selection of full color backgrounds for computer professionals of all types. And when I got my first order, they were offering a free shiny plastic coating. This seems simple, but it makes all the difference. I overheard some customers talking in the shop the other day, they thought the cards must have cost me a fortune. If only they knew! My workshop is at the back of the store – with a counter dividing the stuff for sale from the repair and upgrade area. We mostly repair computers, change modems that have been zapped by lightening, fit larger memory boards, that kind of thing. Being confident in this business is absolutely vital. Everyone with a home PC thinks they know about computers these days. I can’t count the number of machines I have had in the shop to repair after the man of the house (usually) has tried to effect a home repair. After receiving your first order of cards (mine arrived in record breaking time), and opening them, a great wave of confidence sweeps over you. After I had gone through the simple stages of ordering them on the website, I was sure they would look good, but when they arrived and I saw them, they were not just good, they were awesome. My only regret is not ordering them sooner. For fifteen years I have run a marriage bureau and matchmaking service out of my home in Bombay now called Mumbai, India. I arrange the marriages of Indian couples according to a centuries old regime, which follows astrological consideration, parental consent, and the provision of a dowry to the bride. In India marriages arranged by matchmakers are common. We perform an important function. But more and more, young people of today are turning from the traditional approach, to using a very modern approach – the internet, to find their spouse. This means whereas before, I would be very busy most of the time, with people lining up to see me and register their desires, now I have to search far and wide for new clients. Less and less, the affluent middle and merchant classes use the ancient courtship rituals, and marriage traditions. These ways of living are fading as the internet extends its fingers into the very heart of Indian life. I used to be very busy arranging rightful marriage alliance but this rarely happens now. This is an arranged marriage where maternal cousins marry. This form of marriage was an effort to keep any money within the family. The younger members of my family tell me that “Matrimonial Websites” (which are very like online dating services, but more serious), allow Indians with the right internet connection to find a marriage partner without the well meaning help of meddling relatives. Another reason for the internets popularity is speed. It could take three months for the consideration of just one potential match using traditional methods. On the net it can be done in one day. For those of you wondering what part romance plays in arranged marriages, in India, it is very little. The marriages where partners select each other, are called “Love Marriages” in India. Of far more importance than romance in the arranged marriage, is what the prospective spouses can offer each other and their families. It is far more a pairing or alliance of families than of individuals. Partners look for social, class and economic advantages in a marriage family. I do what the internet cannot. My speciality is arranging matches for the more complicated partners. Maybe the bride is not considered pretty, or perhaps she has a physical imperfection which may make it difficult to find a match in the ordinary way. Another complication could be broken engagements in the past, and more and more often I am coming up against partners who are already divorced, and looking for their second wife or husband. In my experience most of these divorcees have had “Love Marriages” which have broken down. They tried the modern way, and now are returning to the traditional Indian method of securing a life partner. As you can see, I really need professional and productive business cards – I depend upon them. They are the primary tool of my profession, and without them I would be lost. I was lucky in finding this website. One of my nephews recommended it to me, and since I do not have an internet connection which is fast enough for the world wide web, he arranged everything. My business cards have a fabulous colour background featuring weddings, with all my contact details printed clearly and neatly beside the picture. They are first class. I thoroughly recommend this website, and I am sure if you are wedding specialist, like me, you will benefit hugely from using these cards to spread the word of your services. Painters often have to work hard for years to be recognized among the many others who make a living with the same profession. Once someone looks at a painting and recognizes its creator immediately, then it becomes clear that success has been achieved. The same probably applies to photographers. There will come a day when the viewer will just glance at your work and know that the photograph is by you. But until that happy day, you could probably use all the help you can get. Although photographers say it with images, they sometimes have to promote themselves with words too. There is a wide variety of cards with different but relevant backgrounds to promote your business. A business card is one of the first things a business partner or potential client will see from you, so you’d better make sure that is looks as professional as the quality of your photographs. When you present examples of your work to a potential customer, hoping to reel in your next big assignment, you have to make sure your presentation looks the best it can possibly be. It’s not much use putting together a perfect portfolio in a classy leather document binder, only to top it off with your personal and business details presented in an amateur, unprofessional way. Especially if the client is getting quotes from various other photographers and comparing. A professional business card with a striking full color background image, will ensure that your presence will be remembered for all the right reasons. The importance of your business cards should not be underestimated. You should regard your business card as invaluable, especially in a profession in which image is so important. It’s not only the image you manage to capture that will earn you recognition in a profession with tough competition, but also the image your business partner or potential client gets of you, the photographer. You’ve probably spent a considerable amount of money to get your business going, buying all the high-tech equipment you need to excel in what you do. After all that, it would be unwise not to invest in promotional material that will ultimately serve as your first introduction and most valuable tools. You might say, I have all the fancy equipment, I take pictures myself and I have a good printer, so why can’t I make my own business cards? That’s understandable, but also not recommended. Concentrate on your core business instead. This company has a lot of experience and provides you with a top product and an excellent service, for a highly competitive price. Use them to help you promote your business and assist you with gaining the recognition you know you deserve. Click the link to view the photography themed cards on this site, they are really pictures which speak a thousand words to your clients, and every one could turn into a valuable assignment for you. The most cost effective tool you can use to cement your credibility, enhance your image while generating contacts and new business, is a professionally designed, professionally produced and appropriate to your profession, business card. Don’t waste your only chance to create the perfect impression by settling for anything less than the best. In professions and trades connected to most peoples’ most valuable asset -- homes, it is absolutely vital to project the right image. One only has one chance to create the first impression. Professionals such as realtors, mortgage brokers, home insurance agents, structural engineers, home valuers and assessors, builders, developers, interior designers, architects and many others, should endeavour to subtly ensure that the main focus of their profession (home) is firmly linked with their name in the clients mind. Without any doubt, the best tool for this job is a professional business card. Whilst you need your business card to be professional, it must not be cluttered or crammed with details. We all know a picture speaks a thousand words -- so an image closely related to your profession is ideal. But not just any image. Clip art which comes free with your computer is really not good enough, it will brand you unprofessional and a cheapskate. Not the impression one wants to create when trying to close a five hundred thousand dollar home. A spin off from having your profession centered image on your card is that you will immediately be putting yourself head and shoulders above the crowd, while also cementing your name and profession into your client/contacts consciousness. So many people give the standard black type on white card, that with a professionally themed card you will immediately distinguish yourself. It is also far less likely that your card will be trashed. Whether moving home, relocating or downsizing, for many of us who have done it many times, anything relating to the home is filled with dread. There are so many things to remember. Did we change the insurance? Did we set up the re-direct for the mail? Anything which reminds us which person is helping us with which aspect of the move in which location is very welcome. We always loved to go to Mexico for holidays. It is such a beautiful country, with friendly people, great beaches and interesting places. We always stayed in hotels, and at a certain point started to think about buying a second home there, a holiday home that we could also rent out whenever we weren’t using it. So on one of our trips we started to look around with various real estate agencies. The town we always go to is a very popular beach resort and the property market is booming. A lot of Americans and Canadians are buying homes there, either as a second home or to relocate. There were so many agencies, and we had seen so many houses already during the first few days, that we soon realized we had to apply more criteria to make a selection of agencies we wanted to do business with. One of the most important aspects of dealing with an estate agent is whether he can be trusted, and whether he is a professional. Those criteria alone made us eliminate about half of the agencies from our list. These were really the scavengers, the ones who called themselves real estate agents but in fact were just individuals trying to profit from the huge flow of people looking for houses. After taking those off the list, we still had a considerable amount of agencies to choose from. The first thing we did is contact each and every one of them again to have a second look at the houses, as you’ll always see something else, either a good or a bad thing about the house which you missed when viewing it the first time. At the end of that round of second viewings, we took a few more houses off our list. Finally, we ended up with three properties from three different agents. The houses were virtually the same, and so we started to think about the agents. A relationship with your real estate agent does not end at the moment you complete the purchase; it is important to have and maintain a good business relationship with him. Trust is a vital element. Sifting through the piles of paperwork we had gathered while house hunting, we examined the individual realtors cards. There were three which stood out. Two in black on white and one, with a fantastic coloured background and glossy finish. The card looked very professional, and the man himself really was a professional too. We followed our instinct and bought that house, and we haven’t regretted it for one moment. After the sale closed, we asked our realtor where his company got the business cards from and he told us about it. We had a supply of great cards printed with them and use them for promoting our second home for holiday rentals. We are already booked up two years in advance! Being a professional associated with religious matters can be extremely difficult. One is often required to invoke personal qualities and characteristics according to the occasion. There are joyful times, such as the baptism of a child, and sad times, like the funeral of a much loved family member. The bywords of such a related profession must be diplomacy, understanding, tact and thoughtfulness. Whether you are a local priest, an undertaker or mortician, a specialist funereal florist or a hospital chaplain, it is essential that your card gives people the right impression. The background must be suitable for your purposes, with no misinterpretation possible. A picture speaks a thousand words, and in this case, also conveys a feeling. If you are in the business of selling items to religious professionals, or if your company specializes in providing items or goods used in religious establishments, then the most cost effective business tool you could use to enhance your image while creating new business contacts, and maintaining old, is a professionally designed and appropriate to your profession business card. You only get one chance to create a first impression, so ensure you do not waste that opportunity. The selection of full color background themed business cards offered is exceptional. It is probable that professionals involved in religion, of one kind or another, will find exactly what they are looking for here. There really is no need to spend a great deal of time surfing the net looking for a better deal - there simply isn’t one. If you are seeking a professional product, with fast service at a reasonable price, and do not object to high quality, then this is the place for you. By clicking the link you will see the range of religious background themes suitable for almost every profession. You are a professional. You ensure you look like a professional, you behave like a professional, so make sure that your very first point of contact with your clients is also professional - use a professionally designed business card, a much under-rated tool which you would be well advised to prepare with care and careful consideration. The design and content are of major importance if you want your card to stand out from your competitors. In today’s world, there seems to always be at least ten other people offering a similar service to our own. We all need an edge. Something to make us remembered – something to distinguish our card from all the others. But does a card with all the latest gadgets and bells and whistles really ensure that people remember us for being a true professional? Is having your card printed on some unusual material really the way to go? Or having flashing lights? A classy, possibly understated background, with classic uncluttered design, but giving all your contact details, is almost guaranteed to give you that edge, and ensure that your card stays in their wallet, and not in the trash. No effort has been spared to gather together all the crucial design elements required to put together a truly professional and classy card. You are almost guaranteed to find one which suits your needs exactly. So if you are a professional, whether lawyer, engineer or doctor for example, these cards are for you. You may also be a recently graduated professional, starting out on the first step of the ladder. Use our service to grow your professional life, cultivate your contacts; be liberal with your cards, but first, ensure they are the best they can be. Don’t forget you only have one opportunity to create the perfect first impression, so don’t skimp. Now you are wondering -- but where do I find the time to Google for hours? I need a knockout selection at good prices, with a few extras thrown in for free. I need fast -- and preferably free, delivery. With the huge variety of colours, styles and backgrounds, and with optional glossy coating, it is certain you will find the perfect card for your needs right here. Go ahead, select your style and colour. Before you know it, you will be tearing open the package, absolutely delighted with the fast and professional service you received. As internet is taking over all over the world, businesses are changing dramatically. As owner of a travel agency you will probably be feeling the consequences of online bookings. Many business and leisure travelers, especially the ones who buy tickets only instead of complete packages, prefer the ease of online bookings instead of finding their way to travel agents. To survive as a travel agent nowadays means more than ever that it is necessary to promote your business. As the number of customers is decreasing, you have to do all you can to keep those few customers coming to you. Although it might seem not that relevant at first, a professional looking business card is one of the most important tools to solidify your presence in the travel market. Whether you are only promoting your business from your own agency and hand out your card to visiting clients, or visit travel fairs, have business meetings, or even hand out cards while traveling yourself, a well-presented and neat card will always score. If you want to attend a travel fair representing your own agency but have limited financial resources which don’t allow you to have a fancy stand filled with brochures and posters, your business card will do the work instead. Combining good interpersonal skills, keeping potential clients around your stand for a while and concluding your first contact by handing over an attractive business card will most certainly have a lasting impression with them, and the chances are big that whenever these people are planning their next vacation, they will come to you for assistance with arranging it. Make sure you never go somewhere without carrying a good stock of business cards with you. You never know who you could meet. In today’s hectic and stressful lives, a holiday break is one of the moments in a year which a lot of people long for. Chances are big that the subject of an informal talk will turn out to be a holiday, and in such moments you can strike by offering your services as a professional travel agent by handing over a professional card. A tool to ensure that one keeps your card handy is to print something extra on the back of it, such as a calendar. That way, whenever the person takes the card out to have a look at it, he or she will be reminded of you and your company… and the dates planned to finally make that tour through Europe or have a long weekend in the Grand Canyon. Check out the many professional card designs on offer. They are professional, have a great product, and very reasonable prices. Whether you rent or sell surfboards, jet skis, fishing boats or luxury yachts, only a good product will not make your water sports business flourish. You can of course spend as much money as you want on advertising in glossy magazines, but don’t forget that the simplest and possibly the most effective way to promote your business and yourself is by having a really good professional business card. A business card is the perfect way to make yourself known, especially if you’re just starting up your business and you want to avoid too many overhead costs. Think of all the possibilities. You could make deals with various tourist facilities, such as the tourism bureau, hotels, restaurants and car rental companies to have them display your cards on their counters. They take a minimal amount of space and are much less intrusive than large brochures, and yet just as effective. Especially if you include a map of the area indicating where the client can find you, printed on the back of the card for example. As a compensation for their help with promoting your business, you can do the same for them and refer your customers to them whenever your clients are looking for a place to sleep, to eat or to rent a car. It’s a win-win situation. If your business is located in a resort area with a lot of competition, nothing is more important than standing out from the rest. Look around you and you will notice that a lot of your colleagues take their businesses too lightly. Maybe they have the idea that a business promoting water sports is not to be taken that seriously. Well, they’ |