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Everyone wants a web business. Well, not everyone, but a lot of people want to quit their day job and be able to work at home in front of their computer and make their living while being able to spend time with their families.

But how does that happen? Of course you have to have a website. That’s a start. And of course you need something to sell there. That would be a good step. But once you have a product and a website, the people will start coming to your website and buying stuff right?

Well, not exactly. The “build it and they will come” philosophy only works in movies about baseball. You have to do a few things to get customers. Of course you can submit to the search engines for traffic, but that takes time and is never guaranteed to send your website traffic. You aren’t even guaranteed to be indexed when you submit your website. Although this is a necessary step, it may not answer all your traffic needs.

You could trade links with other websites to get traffic. However, you need to trade links with a website that is already getting a lot of traffic for enough people to go there, then a few of them click your link and go to your website. Most websites that have a lot of traffic don’t want to trade links with someone with a website that has no traffic.

You could buy advertising on other websites. Again, you need to buy advertising on a website that is related to your topic and one that has a lot of traffic. Most webmasters are very proud of their traffic and charge a lot of money for you to advertise there. So unless you have a pretty hefty budget, you may not be ready for buying advertising just yet.

So, how do I get traffic for my website? I’m glad you asked. Again, you do need to submit your website to the search engines. That will probably get some traffic to your website in the long run.

But in the meantime you may need to purchase bulk traffic from a good source. There are several companies out there who offer to sell you traffic, but you need to be smart about it and not buy just any traffic. If the traffic you buy for your website is not geared or targeted toward your topic or product, then all you will do is spend money and get no one to buy your product or service.

Some websites sell popup, popunder, or exit traffic. What that means is they have websites out there that whenever someone goes to the website, a popup or popunder is sent to them advertising your website or it can be an window with your website actually inside of it.

If you purchase this sort of traffic you will definitely see hits to your website. The question is which popunder or popup traffic to buy. You need to make sure the company you are buying from is reputable. The wrong traffic to your website can penalize you with the search engines and hurt you in the long run.

In addition to that as I said above, the wrong traffic will not convert to sales anyway so it is a waste of your money. You need to find a company that is selling you targeted traffic. You need to be sure they have the type of traffic you want for your website. If one company does not have traffic that is specifically targeted toward your topic, product, or service, find another one.

However, keep in mind that you need to know who you are targeting. You need to understand who your buyers are. Many times your buyers may not come from a website that is related to your topic. If you are offering a general service or product, you may only need to make sure the traffic is coming from the countries you want it to come from. If your website is all in english, you might not want 100,000 visits from people in China.

Do your homework to make sure the company selling the traffic is legitimate, that the traffic is from the right countries, and that the traffic is traffic you can convert and popunder or popup traffic can get you started making sales in as little as one day or one hour!

D. David Dugan personally helps to maintain the DD&C Spyware Information site http://spyware.dugancom.com and often uses traffic from http://www.acceleratedtraffic.com.

Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the first thing you here from your doctor is to “get some exercise”. Pretty soon everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and pointing out to you just how important it is to “get some exercise”. I know, I suffer Type 2 diabetes, but I have learnt how to control the disease, and getting exercise is an important part of that control. At first you think how can I possibly exercise, it was probably this mindset, and lack of exercise, that brought on the disease. You are probably well overweight, a major contributor to the disease, and the feelings of apprehension set in, how can I possibly exercise.

While you may be thinking “that’s easier said than done”, you may be surprised to learn that exercise isn’t necessarily about “no pain – no gain”. Regular physical activity can become an enjoyable part of your day with long term benefits to your diabetes and your overall health. You will even lose weight. It is as important to a diabetic as is giving up smoking. Regular physical activity is certainly worth the effort with the following benefits.

For the person with diabetes

Improves the body’s response to insulin.
Can therefore lower glucose levels.
Lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels.
Reduces the risk of heart disease.
Lose Weight.

Other benefits and positives

Reduces stress and tension.
Increases energy levels
Strengthens bone structure.
Improves mental outlook.
Increases fitness levels.
Improves sleeping habits

It is recommended that you aim to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing some form of moderate intensity physical activity. Moderate intensity physical activity means you will notice your heart rate increase, and you may have a light sweat. If you are not breathing more quickly than usual, it is not helping. If on the other hand you are gasping and unable to talk, you are overdoing it. If you are trying to lose weight, 30 minutes may not be enough, but it is an excellent place to start. Also, read everything you can on the subject of diabetes information and I can suggest http://www.health4diabetes.com is a great resource.

My form of activity was walking and playing tennis and golf. Initially I started on flat walks of 25 – 30 minutes, and then once fit boosted it to about 45 minutes walking more quickly, and “took to the hills”. I am lucky to have both flat and hill sectors in my neighbourhood. I have lost 8 Kg (17.5lb), feel fit and strong, and currently have the diabetes under control. I know I can’t cure the disease, but I can live with it and not have to suffer.

You have just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and told to get some exercise. You are unfit and overweight. Where do you start. The writer is a diabetic well experienced in this dilemma.
http://www.health4diabetes.com

Music is changing. In fact, the music industry is changing; it is changing even faster than it realises. Major record labels are often up to speed on latest developments, but it is indie music that leads the way in the music world - and everyone else seems to follow. Indeed, with the online music revolution taking place right now, being signed to a major record label is less and less important. However, having your own record label can be more and more beneficial.

Starting out

First of all, you really have to think about the image you want to convey. Every record label has an image, mostly created by the selection of bands on the label. So start off by grouping together with some bands you know that are similar to yours. Make sure that these bands are serious, and that they believe in the record label. You will be doing a lot of band promotion together, and sharing a lot of resources, so you need to trust these musicians, and you need to maintain your brand identity. Because yes; a record label is a ‘brand’. Think of certain record labels you know, and you immediately associate them with a certain ethos - a certain type of music. For example, 4AD built its reputation by signing bands like The Throwing Muses, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, The Cocteau Twins, and of course, The Pixies. It has always been known as an off-the-wall combination of ethereal and edgy rock bands.

First steps - sharing resources

Sharing your resources as a young record label is very important. It is essential that every band on the label helps in the creation by joining in fully. Finding a rehearsal studio is a good first step - find a location that you can all share, and use your own equipment. You will cut down on costs, and you will find that you have more time available for rehearsing. Secondly, if you have some money behind you, try to assemble your own studio. You can maybe contact other studios to see if they have old equipment that they want to sell second-hand, or you can scour the internet for offers. If you have the equipment to record, then you won’t have to pay for studio time, and you can take as long as you want to record your music.

This initial investment may hurt you, but a record label is a long-term investment, and if you are serious about producing good quality music, you are taking the right steps.

First steps - Responsibilities

Everyone involved in the record label should know their responsibilities. First of all, you should be looking at getting a distribution deal. This means that someone has to contact the distributors and cut a deal with them, and maintain friendly relations. Distributors will often ask record labels for approximately 40% of the cover price of a CD, which may seem like a lot, but it will get your CDs into the record shops.

Naturally, not everyone buys CDs nowadays. Music is changing, don’t forget, and the online revolution means that people are downloading music online more and more. Inclusion on i-Tunes, therefore, is absolutely essential, as is your own page on myspace.com. You should have your own page for the record label, as well as pages for each band - make sure that as many people as possible can hear your music and can see that your label exists.

Someone should be regularly contacting radio stations, both internet radio stations and traditional radio stations. Once you have targeted the radio stations you want to work with, you can cut a deal with them, maintain good relations with them, and carry out your band promotion.

Next steps - Creating The Product

So, once you have set up your organisation, you have to create a product to promote. Make sure that you only release one CD at a time, so that you can focus your promotion - try to have all the groups working to a schedule that is set well in advance. That way, you can organise the band promotion so that everyone benefits from it.

You need to consider copyright as well. Each band has to copyright its own music before putting it out on the net, or distributing it in record shops, and you have to copyright your own brand as well. This is part of the regular paperwork involved in running your own record label, so make sure that you know your country’s administration backwards!

When promoting gigs, make sure that your flyers all carry the same identity, i.e. your record label logo, and the same layout. This gives people the idea that something important is happening, and creating a buzz around your groups is very important. When people see a record label at the bottom of a flyer, they are immediately impressed, so in effect, you are creating your own buzz!

Keeping it going

So you have your rehearsal studio, you are producing your own music yourself, and your bands are playing concerts, and doing well. So keep it up - keep coming up with new promotional ideas, and keep the buzz alive. Create a small festival, make sure that your label is recognised by the owners of the local venues and make sure that you have a good reputation. You have a lot of organising to do if you are going to run your own record label, but it’s worth the time and the effort.

It is also important that you look for independent musicians who might want to join your record label. You will probably receive a lot of demos from various bands, but the best way to add indie bands to your label is to go out and find them yourself. Don’t forget, a record label is really just a name - but it is the driving force behind your band, and if you want to make it work, people have to know you, so that means going to music events, festivals, concerts, etc., and making band promotion your mantra.

Having your own record label, then, means that you improve your own band’s reputation by association. It also means that you create your own local music community with other independent musicians, and that you benefit from each other’s knowledge, know-how, and resources. Indie music has always been at the forefront of musical change - with bands often one step ahead of the crowd. Owning your own record label puts you two steps ahead of the crowd.

learn more about starting a record label or register on our site to get signed with a record label

Colorado Springs property is some of the best property in the state of Colorado. You should be able to find that perfect mountain property or other great property rather you are buying or renting a home in Colorado Springs. If you are considering a move to another state, you will want to take more than one look at this fantastic area.

When you come to visit the homes and get to know the city, you will realize that Colorado Springs has so much to offer you and that the land is just breath taking. No one ever really gets accustomed to the view it is great. Everyone would be envious of your Colorado estate even if you were on a tight budget just because of what you can see when you look out your windows. Don’t worry about your budget, because there is something for everyone in Colorado Springs. From the small one bedroom homes, to the multiple story condos, townhouses and even five bedroom homes, you can find it all in Colorado Springs.

When it comes to the value of Colorado Springs homes, you will be able to find anything in any price range and with high value. The properties range from $30,000-$4,000,000. Therefore, as for class, Colorado Springs is for anyone, and you can find the house that will fit your budget, your family and your dreams. You should be able to fit right into Colorado Springs no matter what class you are from and you will benefit greatly from the Colorado Spring area.

Colorado Spring realty businesses make sure that they price their homes fairly for both the seller and the buyer so that both parties can be happy with the final sell. That’s why it is so great to buy a home for investment purposes. Investments in the Colorado Springs real estate is a good move because you know that you will be able to buy for the lowest prices and then you can always ask for something higher when you sell it. In fact, most of the time people will purchase a house in Colorado Springs and live there for maybe a couple years or not live there at all but do some upkeep on their investment and sell it for way more than what they bought because the market value increases daily. Colorado Springs land is worth more than almost any other area in the United States.

The tourist attraction and the number of visitors that go to Colorado Springs each year makes sure that the value goes up. For those who know their stuff about real estate, the more the area is visited by tourists and the more attractions that are offered, the better the investment. It’s literally a real estate “hot spring”. The land that for sale in the Colorado Springs area is good to build anything on and can be used for building a home or ranch. A family type of life is what you will experience in this area, where people come to really experience life.

If you are thinking about Colorado Springs relocation, you are on the right track to a good investment. The atmosphere is very friendly and everyone is considered the best type of neighbor. If you are planning on relocating to Colorado Springs you will want to know a little bit of the city’s history. Well it was first found in 1871 and has become the second-largest city in Colorado. Although the city has changed a lot from being a small, Victorian spa to a huge, sophisticated city, Colorado Springs has still managed to keep its small town feel. While every town has a bit of history, you can also find there are many types of developments and houses being built all the time. The economy is strong, and jobs are to be found in this area.

It is also one of the most famous places to vacation. In fact, over six million people visit the area per year. It’s amazing that the town can stay so caring knowing that most people are only coming and going. One of the most famous tourist sites in the world is located only six miles from Colorado Springs. When you move to Colorado Springs, you became part of the town and also a part of the history as many people come to live, fulfill their career, ski, and farm. Practically everyone in the area has gone to Pikes Peak which is a site that you will have to visit when you are visiting or if you are going to live here. Pikes Peak is the gateway to all outdoor adventures found in Colorado. In fact, it is the most commonly visited mountain in the world. Tourists bring money and jobs to this region so if you want to start a business, you can do that in Colorado Springs as well.

Homes that are located in Colorado Springs can be some of the nicest homes in the state, but you should make sure that you get a good realtor in Colorado Springs. This is important because getting the financial details straight can be mind-blowing. A good local Colorado Springs Real estate will show you the best homes in Colorado Springs.

Many times the realtors will show you the Colorado Springs MLS, which contains multiple listings from multiple banks or sellers so that you are able to find your ‘dream hom’-e’ in Colorado Springs. This is an area you will want to live, explore, and raise your family for years to come. Real Estate agents in Colorado Springs are well acquainted with the area and should be able to tell you some tricks to find the best type of foods or where you can save the most money shopping, or where you can find the best nightclubs. They will inform you about the area and of what to expect with your relocation, how much services cost locally and you can find out information if you have any special needs or requirements.

You will also be happy to know that your real estate agent will take of you and your every need. They will make sure that you make your transition as smooth as possible and without too many concerns or stressful times. They will try to get you the best deals for property and for any property that you are selling. The Springs is a great place to live because it is family friendly and even works for those who love the single life. Rather you have a family or are as single as they come, you will love the environment and atmosphere of Colorado Springs. Look for a home that you can grow into, one that has three or four bedrooms, so you can build a family, throw parties and have a great time living in Colorado.

Colorado Springs mountain property is some of the best property that you will find. If you live in an area where there are not mountains now, you will be excited about what you will find, see, and what you can do in this region. It is great for those who want to build a ranch or simply just be located out of the city and away from others. Mountain property can also be a great investment because everyone wants to be left alone and escape their work world when they come home. By owning mountain property, you should be able to easily cash in the investment and turn your mountain property into cold hard cash. Most mountain properties do not stay on the market for too long, that’s why you should try to snatch it up before anyone else is given the chance. Even if you are selling property by owner, you will be able to sell the house quickly and be able to invest in more Colorado real estate quickly. Real estate values are going to rise, as properties become more scarce, if you want to move, you can do it all with the help of a real estate agent who will provide you the best information about areas you can live.

Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience as a mortgage loan officer. Her site http://www.explainingmortgages.com - a real estate investing and mortgage resource devoted to making mortgage types and home loan programs easy to grasp.

Increasing website traffic is the name of the game on the internet. It’s important to note, however that there is no one thing that can bring instant traffic or ongoing sales. It’s a combination of strategies that promote contact and networking.

Not all strategies work for everyone, so it’s important to know what the options are, utilize a few that look appealing and stick with what works for you.

Here’s a few tips and strategies that have worked for me. Give them all a try or perhaps just one. Any or all can make a healthy difference:

1. Write A Press Release

A press release is not a sales pitch and sales hype is not allowed. It is, however, your chance to provide your business story which can be a powerful form of marketing. When writing your press release you’ll want to provide the who, what, where, when, how and why of your business. Create interest by detailing who you are, what you are about, why you went into business, but more importantly, how your customers have benefited.

An effective press release can create a newsworthy story that is capable of creating buzz and interest all across the web for a long time to come.

2. Create A Blog

Whether you have a website or not, a blog is an ideal tool for giving you and/or your business a favorable presence.

Think of a blog as a diary. Create your blog by posting your products and information. Then on a daily or weekly basis add additional products, information or comments. Invite comments from others and before you know it you’ll have a steady stream of visitors.

If you don’t have a website, creating a blog is a great place to start and you can create one for free. If you do have a website, a blog will help generate visitors. The beauty of blogs is that you can also add Google adsense ads for additional revenue.

3. Create Special Offers

A limited time sales offer will encourage your visitors to act. If you have customers that are interested in your products, give them an occasional boost by holding a sale. Chances are they’ve been eyeing your products for some time, and with a special offer incentive, they just might take the leap.

4. Use Pay Per Click Advertising

Every internet business owner should consider pay per click advertising. It’s fast, it’s targeted and can be cheap if done correctly. Therein lies the key, you must research how to create a cost effective pay per click campaign.

It’s not rocket science. You simply need to write a compelling ad, research relevant keywords and understand your return on investment. This means that if your product earns you $20 per sale then you must pay no more than 20 cents per keyword, preferably less. For example, on average, your ad will bring in one sale per 100 clicks on that ad. If 100 clicks brings one $20 sale then you’ve just paid $20 for that ad (100 x .20) and you broke even. Therefore, your goal should be to pay less than 20 cents per keyword but no more. Finding relevant, less popular keywords is goal.

Of course, the better the ad and the better your website’s sales copy performs, the more sales you will receive.

5. Write An Article

Don’t put this one off. The internet is designed to deliver information and what better way for you to get the word out about you, your business and your expertise than by providing relevant, useful information. If you’re selling scrapbooks, write an article on how to scrapbook. A well written article can show someone how easy scrapbooking is, boost their interest and therefore encourage a sale.

If writing an article is not something you feel you can do, have it written for you, it’s not expensive and it’s one of the best ways to bring traffic to your site.

6. Carefully Optimize Your Site For The Search Engines

Don’t build your site and forget it. Utilize the search engines to your benefit by taking the time to optimize your site. Optimization doesn’t have to be complex. Simply create a title that clearly depicts what your site is about and write a description that accurately describes to your readers what information you have to offer. Research relevant keyword phrases as opposed to single words and repeat that phrase in your title, description and throughout your page.

7. Create A Newsletter

Your goal should be to keep your viewers coming back to your site over and over again. The best way to keep in touch with viewers is through publishing a newsletter or a periodical that offers beneficial, useful information.

Post a newsletter form on your site and specifically direct your viewers to sign-up. Don’t just expect them to notice that you have a newsletter, direct them there and be specific about what your newsletter offers.

By publishing a weekly newsletter you are reminding your readers of your products, sales or upcoming events. Avoid pushy sales tactics and sales hype. Simply offer useful information, tips and advice. Make your newsletter a thing of value by keeping them interested and encouraged.

It’s important to remember that it takes an average of 7 visits for a viewer to buy; they’re not likely to visit seven times without a reminder.

8. Offer Something Free

We all love free and the internet is no exception.

- If you publish a newsletter, offer a free ebook or free e-course in exchange for an email address. In your newsletter also offer a free tips section that pertains to your site’s topic.

- If someone makes a purchase, consider offering a free bonus, this often prompts sales.

- Offer free teleseminars. This is an excellent way to let your viewers hear your voice and experience who you really are. It builds trust and they won’t soon forget who you are and what you are about.

9. Make A Donation

Create a promotion where you will be donating a percentage of your proceeds to your favorite charity. Donating money or services to your favorite charity builds trust and a positive image for your business. I’d much rather buy from someone
that donates a few dollars to a worthy cause than someone who doesn’t.

10. Participate In Discussion Forums

Take the time to find online forums that are relevant to your business. By responding to questions, offering advice or posting your articles, others will see you as an expert in your field as well as someone willing to help. Posting on a weekly basis will allow readers to become familiar with you and your business as well as regarding you as a respected authority.

When registering on a forum be sure to create a signature file that includes your website address. This will post your website address each time you make a forum entry.

Your business will do well to perform each and every strategy noted above, however, performing just one of these powerful marketing strategies will improve your chances of drawing visitors to your site, but more importantly, it will help keep them coming back.

Elizabeth is a seasoned internet marketer focused on helping
anyone interested in building a home internet business by providing free marketing advice, marketing product reviews, free courses, motivation and a friend.

Grab Elizabeth’s comprehensive home business and marketing ideas free newsletter today.

The heartbeat of your behavior change program is your consequences because they help you keep your rules alive. Think of rules as the brains of the operation because they have the information about what behavior is expected. Think of rewards as the legs of the program because they keep things running nicely. And be sure to think of ‘consequences’ as something very different from punishment.

Consequences are natural and logical outcomes of behavior. Consequences can be rewarding. But, when there is a problem to deal with, natural consequences free you from struggling to control your child while he has opportunities to learn to solve his own problems. Above all though, you want to keep your children safe so there may be times of exception when you call the shot, and that’s that.

Key Tips for Successful Consequence Planning

1. Match up the severity of the consequence with the seriousness of the violation. This does not mean be harsh. It does mean a consequence must be compelling enough for your child to take action. Banishing your child from the kitchen because he spilled the milk –again – is overkill and not too practical but mopping the floor before leaving the kitchen is a match. Eventually he will get tired of spilling and mopping.

2. Pre-plan. Don’t make up consequences as you go along.Kids must be clear on what will and will not happen in given circumstances. Where appropriate, involve your child. You may be amazed at how your kids jump on board identifying their own logical consequences. If you see adjustments are needed, go back to the drawing board, think it through and then talk with you child to be sure the program changes are well understood.

3. Be consistent, without fail! If you let a consequence slide, or relax your guard because things are getting better, it will be a tough climb uphill to correct. Stop what you’re doing and follow through, no matter what else is going on. When you are wishy-washy, your kids know they can outsmart you. On the other hand, every time you show consistency, you also show credibility and each incident gets easier to handle.

4. Stop yourself from impulsively delivering absurd consequences in the heat of your frustration. “You’re grounded for a month!” is probably way overdoing it. A week may be more effective and is definitely more realistic for you to enforce.

5. Threatening what you cannot possibly follow through with is the same as saying “I don’t really expect you to listen to me.” Your kids know those buttons well and play a tougher game than you will have the energy to play in return. Avoid resorting to useless threats. They usually start with phrases such as “From now on –” and “Never again –”

6. Don’t fall for guilt, debates or self- doubt. That is the timeworn test you must pass.
Remember who is the parent here. Calmly state your expectations in a positive, non-confrontational way. ‘You can be on the phone or IM your friends after all homework is done.’ [Notice how you have also stated that the consequence of not finishing homework at a reasonable time means no ’socializing’ from home that night.]

7. Give second chances –rarely. You can include a first warning system in your program to alert your child that consequences he may not like are on the horizon. Then follow through if the warning goes unheeded!

8. Practice. Consequencing is one of the toughest parenting and educator challenges, but like other skills, it becomes comfortable in time. As you see the wonder in how consequences work, you will wonder how you managed before! Your child will learn to respect them and expect them.

Modify When It Will Help Your Child Succeed

With our challenging loved ones with Autism, ADHD, Asperger Syndrome and other LD issues, we must further fine-tune our approach by teaching them the micro skills that may not come naturally but are necessary for success. A child may need:

• More time to process a situation. For this child, it may only be fair to build in warnings.
• problem-solving skills required to come up with solutions to the consequences presented.
• help to see how flexibility will pay off for her – that cooperation makes the world easier to live in even though it may not be her preferred way of doing something.
• skills to avoid being taken advantage of so not to wind up with continual consequences.
• help to not over focus on the rules – for example, kids with Asperger syndrome can get fixated on the rule when paying attention to the consequence is the important part.

Ellen Mossman-Glazer M.Ed. is a Life Skills Coach and Behavioral Specialist, specializing in Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. Over her 20 years in special education classrooms and treatment settings, Ellen has seen the struggle that children and adults have when they feel they don’t fit in. She now works in private practice with people across the USA and Canada, by phone, teleconference groups and email, helping parents, educators, caregivers and their challenging loved ones, to find their own specific steps and tools to thrive. Ellen is the author of two on line e-zines, Emotion Matters: Tools and Tips for Working with Feelings and Social Skills: The Micro Steps. Subscribe for free and see more about Ellen at http://artofbehaviorchange.com/
You can take a free mini assessment which Ellen will reply to with your first action step.

I thought I had heard every mean spirited comment in the world, having played ball in the nether regions of the L.A. Angels organization when I was fresh out of high school.

But then, I had a teenager.

One sparkling Sunday morning, when I strolled to the fridge, about to rejoice with a glass of juice and the newspaper, my daughter said: “Gee Dad, you look OLD today!

What can one do; get mad? Not a good idea!

Something creative surged through me and cascaded from my lips.

I replied, without hesitation: “Thank you for that!”

And at that moment, the sun grew even brighter and I could feel, was it a faint halo above my head?

Anyway, the line worked like a charm, and it kept working whenever I heard nasty remarks.

Any time you want a surefire way of perplexing, nonplussing, stymieing, or blunting the criticism of your teenager or grown-up critic, recite this line with dripping appreciation, and
you’ll accomplish 5 wonderful things:

(1) You’ll stun them with a quick reply.

(2) You’ll show you haven’t taken the bait and grown angry.

(3) You’ll demonstrate a genuine sense of humor.

(4) You’ll show poise under pressure.

(5) And, you’ll feel great about yourself!

Now, let’s tweak this line a bit.

You already have the text, and the timing. Those are two of the Three T’s, critical ingredients for winning communications.

Now, all you need is the right tone.

This line should be uttered with the same tone that you’d use as if a dear friend invited you to summer at the Hamptons, play tennis with Jack Nicholson, or to play tennis with Jack Nicholson in the Hamptons.

In other words, the tone should emulate the pattern found in the phrase, “Why I’d LOVE to!”

Go ahead and practice once or twice:

“Thank you for that!”

Actually, an insult is an invitation, entreating you to be a jovial, upbeat, happy sport that is resilient enough to bounce back from anything.

Even from the backhanded slam of a teenager!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of http://www.Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, ‘The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,’ published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations from Santa Monica to South Africa. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com

For information about coaching, consulting, training, books, videos and audios, please go to http://www.customersatisfaction.com

As the United States Senate and President George Bush try to come to some understanding of what is needed to properly address the illegal entry of non-resident aliens to the United States, for the 12 to 20 million illegal aliens already residing in the U.S., the issue of existing false documentation has yet to be honestly addressed.

But proposed legislation in the Senate leading to a path of legal residency and ultimately citizenship for those illegal aliens presently residing in the U.S. would involve presentation of proof of identity and length of residency.

The problem will be whether or not the illegal or “undocumented” aliens will be willing to admit that their status in the U.S. is illegal, or will continue to maintain that the documentation they hold is valid, even if fraudulent and illegally obtained. In order to do so, there would have to be an amnesty program, but President Bush has insisted that his proposal for legal residency of illegal aliens is not an amnesty program which presents a problem.

Forms of identification, necessary to secure employment, are a valid Social Security card and either a valid Work Visa or Green Card, and in some cases an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in lieu of a Social Security number. However, employers rarely check as to whether the documents they are presented with are actually legal documents, partly because of their authentic appearance.

The sophistication of computer technology over the past several years, has led to the manufacture of official looking counterfeit immigration documents. Illegal residents no longer need depend on flea markets or corner stores which once only sold less valid-looking identification. Forged document mills have become big business in both the U.S. and Mexico, yielding billions of dollars each year. And for those people crossing the border through smugglers or chauffeured in by other means from Mexico, they are usually provided not only access to the U.S. by said smugglers but given fraudulent documentation and identities as well included in the price.

Presently, the fraudulent document business is what many experts in law enforcement are saying is akin to organized crime, due to its vast network of operations. Most well known is the Castorena Family Organization (CF0). According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the Castorena’s have dominated a big part of the printing and distribution business of forged documents since they arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in the late 1980’s. And ICE has knowledge that the CFO now has operations in all 50 states.

Julie Myers, Director of ICE, has referred to document forgery in the U.S. as epidemic. And although Myers says that ICE is joining multi-agency task forces to crack down on forged document rings nationwide, it still leaves little resources left to weed out the existing individual holders of illegal documents being used to gain employment, gain access to state and federal entitlement programs as well as driver’s licenses and voter registration cards.

As part of the average $2,000.00 smuggling fee given to those referred to as “coyotes” who transport or smuggle Mexicans illegally over the U.S. border, those illegally entering are either given a package of fraudulent documents or are given contact numbers for illicit vendors selling the various documents. They range in price from $100.00 - $500.00, depending upon the number of documents and the quality of their authenticity. But the most desirable documents are acquired from the Castorena network.

The forged document mills were an answer to the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act which required that potential employees present a Social Security card, driver’s license, or voter registration card as proof of legal residency to their employer. But the 1986 law also mandates that there be civil penalties invoked for those employers of illegal aliens, and rarely has it ever been enforced.

Yet, contrary to the headlines and television broadcast videos shown, not all Mexicans coming into the U.S. walk through the hot desert heat and risk their health and safety to enter. The coyote business has also become more sophisticated and some have become one-stop-shop operations. For more money, of course, people are transported in cabs with the coyote dressed as a taxi driver and the passenger well dressed and carrying money. For example, the cab might be full of shopping bags of new clothing from San Diego stores when going through the border crossing to show law enforcement that the illegal alien is a wealthy Mexican merely visiting the U.S. The coyote assures the uneventful passage through the border by advising the passenger on how best to not tip off law enforcement. They then make their way through to Los Angeles whereupon the illegal alien is met by friends or relatives. They are now on their way to their new life.

Also, little spoken of in the mainstream media are Mexicans actually of well-to-do means and good educational or vocational backgrounds who choose to forego a professional career in Mexico. Many white-collar jobs in Mexico pay less than, for example, putting up sheetrock in the U.S. For the Mexican trade school graduate, appliance repair in Mexico could pay $100.00 a week. But in the U.S., a refrigerator repairman, for example, earns approximately $35.00 an hour. And for doctors and nurses from Mexico, many decide on blue-collar work upon arrival in the U.S., as they are without the proper medical certification in order to practice medicine. However, they do not seem to appear to have trouble in accessing forged U.S. documents.

But whether they are rich or poor, the issue of false identity remains an intrinsic problem of immigration and necessitates it being a part of any discussion concerning immigration reform. For it is the predominance of fraudulent documentation which is the gateway to life in the U.S. for illegal aliens, and for those who have already established lives in the U.S., albeit illegally. And while 13 states now issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens the ramifications of owning such a photo ID are extensive.

But in North Carolina, for example, the state does not require any identification other than a utility bill or other proof of address in order to complete its Spanish-language voter registration form. North Carolina presently has no system to know if an illegal alien registers to vote. Upon applying for a driver’s license, most states comply with the 1993 Motor Voter Act which allows citizens to register to vote at the same time they apply for a driver’s license or state issued ID. All that is required is a Social Security card or ITIN to receive a driver’s license. And all anyone need do is to say that they are a citizen in order to register to vote.

Although there are many documented reports of non-citizens voting there is no enforcement of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act which makes it a federal crime for non-citizens to vote in any federal or state election, unless authorized by the state. Advocates for legalizing illegal aliens would like the government and the public to believe that those illegally living in the U.S. have no interest in voting. In fact that may be true. But a voter registration card is an immensely valuable tool as it is a document which may be accepted by employers as validation of identification when combined with a Social Security card for employment.

But non-citizens on the voter registration rolls legally nullifies and skews the process of redrawing Congressional and state electoral districts after each U.S. Census is taken. Voter registrations are supposed to be representative of legal U.S. citizens who legally vote. Lawmakers benefit from the illegal representation of unlawful residents and those who illegally register to vote as they are counted as valid constituents.

Additionally, jury pools for jury duty are compiled from a municipality’s voter registration records. If illegal non-citizens are chosen for jury duty, they can have a profound impact on the determination of legal decisions. Verdicts by juries in which non-citizens have served on could very well be overturned should it be found out that a non-citizen participated in the jury process in its rendering a verdict.

These are but a few indications of the wide ranging and deep-rooted consequences of what the false document industry has bred. There sadly are many, many more. But ownership of false documents by illegal aliens now begs another question. In order to receive benefit of the path to citizenship which both the Senate and the Bush administration have proposed, will not illegal aliens then need to admit that they have been using fraudulent documents in order to become employed, receive state and federal benefits, receive an education, drive and register to vote? For if they really want to come out of the shadows as their advocates continue to claim, then illegal aliens will have to abide by the law and reveal their true identities. However, that proposition may ultimately prove too foreign for them to bear.

Diane M. Grassi is a freelance columnist, reporting and writing commentary on current events of the day providing honest and often politically incorrect assessments. From U.S. public policy to Major League Baseball, she is an eclectic thinker, and demanding of her readers to reflect on their own thinking patterns from an alternative perspective. Whether you agree with her or not, Diane M. Grassi will have you coming back to note her opinions, and if at best she wakes you up, then her goal will have been accomplished.

Ms. Grassi is featured with the online publications: New Media Journal.us; American Chronicle; Mich News.com; Opinions Editorials; the Conservative Voice; Liberty Watch Magazine as well as many others. She also writes regular columns on Major League Baseball where she is a featured online columnist with The Diamond Angle Baseball Ezine and Sports-Central.org Ms. Grassi may contacted at: dgrassi@cox.net

Lender bonuses cost YOU thousands of dollars in interest, and hundreds of dollars in monthly purchasing power.

Independent mortgage reps have a built-in incentive to offer higher interest rates than otherwise available on home loans. Lenders pay brokers increasing “rebates” or “yield spread premiums,” the higher the interest rate on the loan. Federal regulations currently require NO disclosure of this incentive, and State requirements vary widely. Some lenders disclose, but not always clearly.

The incentive can range from less than a quarter point to over three points (and varies by lender). A “point” is 1% of the loan amount. Each lender has a “par” rate (no rebate) with each rate above that yielding progressively more rebate. Most borrowers don’t know about this disadvantageous system, and wind up paying origination fees on top of the broker’s rebate; that is, the broker typically receives much higher compensation than disclosed.

These so-called “fluffed” interest rates cause higher monthly payments, and cost borrowers unnecessary interest. A broker who induces a client to take a 7.00% rate instead of an available 6.00% rate, on a $500,000.00, 30-year-fixed loan, has created $118,354.00 of extra interest payments over the loan term.

Rebate-chasing also reduces the borrower’s buying power. In the scenario above, the borrower can buy $500.00 LESS house per month - if he accepts the higher rate.

Prospective borrowers should insist on full disclosure of the lender’s adjusted par rate and rebates. (“Adjusted” means the rate reflecting the borrower’s credit score, assets, income, etc.) They should aggressively cap the broker’s maximum compensation (total received from fees + rebate), and closely examine their estimated and final closing statements to detect any variance. Many borrowers don’t realize that they can say “no,” and ask for reduced fees, anytime. If the broker refuses, borrowers should not hesitate to shop around.

David has advised seniors for over 16 years on Reverse Mortgages, Home Loans, & LTC Insurance. See him at http://www.LTCquest.net or http://www.BenefitQuest.net or http://www.LTCworks.com
David is ethical, independent and non-predatory!

For most people, the wedding is a very important event in their lives. The joining of two people and the creation of a new family is one of the most meaningful occasions in a person’s life.

Weddings are complex and memorable events. Weddings take extensive planning and good execution as a great number of people come together to celebrate the occasion. Both the wedding itself and the related reception, showers and pre-wedding parties can benefit from custom designed private label drinking water.

One very effective way to establish a theme and create reminders of the memorable occasion is private label drinking water. Since a wedding is celebratory with food and refreshments for a large number of persons, private label drinking water serves a number of functions:

• The label can be designed to celebrate the occasion with quality designed artwork that reflects a custom message and theme

• The drinking water in the bottle is refreshing and healthy

• Many of the participants will save the water as a memory of the event

• The private label water can be combined with other items to create memorable party favors and gift baskets

Private label drinking water affords a wedding planner the ability to create a custom designed label with a very personalized message that meets the specification of the wedding couple. Since the event is personal, an individualized thematic message can be created. With the proper technology, high quality individualized graphics can also be added to create a personalized memory.

Personalized Bottled Water Memories

Personalized bottled water is an excellent way to preserve the memory of the wedding event. With a custom designed label for every occasion, the water can be consumed at the wedding or at a later date. In addition, personalized bottled water is ideal for the common theme of the wedding and associated wedding parties.

The technology is available to create a cost effective, high-quality personalized label that imparts a lasting message. Application of a custom designed label to a quality water bottle adds a powerful and distinctive message and advertising component to a high-quality refreshment drink.

Often referred to as consumable advertising, personalized bottled water can include graphics and pictures as well as text that can refer to a specific wedding event and can often be modified for subsequent events. Designed labels can also be stored for future use and other occasions like anniversaries and birth announcements.

An important feature of branded drinking water is the long term nature of the message. Many people who receive private label water tend to retain the bottles because of the uniqueness and quality of the label.

Create a Personal Message and Brand

Although brand creation has been identified in the corporate world, individuals can also create their own brand image related to their own interests. Private label water for weddings and anniversaries, the golfer, hunter, fisherman or sports car enthusiast for example can convey a personal message or one related to an individual’s club or organization; personalized branding can also create interest and enjoyment at future events or family gatherings.

The key to the creation of an effective message is through the development of a unique and focused idea that is simple yet powerful. As a result, care must be taken during label design to maintain quality and keep the message as simple as possible.

The Element of Quality

An overriding feature in the creation of personalized bottled water is the consideration of quality in three areas:

• Quality of water

The basic element of private label bottled water is, of course, water. However, there are many differences in the quality of bottled water. Ultra-pure bottled water produced by a combination of the distillation, filtration and oxygenation processes is considered by many to be of the best quality because it tastes very good and does not contain minerals, contaminants or bacteria.

• Quality of packaging

Since personalized bottled water combines health, refreshment and advertising, the packaging component must make a bold and forthright statement. Substandard bottle quality will seriously compromise the strength of the message.

• Quality of labeling design, printing and application

The label is the most significant part of private label drinking water; the message must be communicated in the strongest and clearest way in order to extend its original intent to the consumer. The label should be developed by a graphics designer or with technology that will aid the consumer in developing their own quality image. Printing is especially critical and the printing process should create labels that are guaranteed to have the same quality of any top-shelf brand in your gourmet or quality food store.

All labels should be waterproof and preferably laminated to ensure a long service life.

What to Look For In a Private Label Water Supplier

Personalized bottled water has become increasingly popular for personal life style events. This is particularly true with the advent of e-commerce that allows users the ability to design a label and purchase water online.

Quality is critical because the label serves as a statement for the individual. If any portion of the water, package or label combination contains substandard quality, then the entire product is compromised.

Reliable vendors with a reputation for quality, customer service and the ability to design labels and provide online service will almost always guarantee customer satisfaction.

Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Board of Element H2O an Ultra Pure bottled water company located in Chantilly, Virginia. For more information about bottled water, private label bottled water and bottled water delivery go to the Element H2O website.