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A newcomer to the world of investments in the notion of “Virtual Real Estate Investing“. Everything from using the internet as an avenue to make more money in real estate to online games such as SecondLife seem to be included in the popular definition of this term.
In order to figure out the truth of the matter, I sought out Bryan Ellis, whose experience in the fledgling industry is truly impressive.
When I began using the term virtual real estate investing in the late 1990s, I did so because I saw clear parallels between the strategies used for profiting from physical real estate and those that would create income in the online world, said Ellis.
One example of the parallels between virtual and physical real estate Bryan Ellis cites is the similarity between the monetization of domain names versus physical property. “There’s a huge difference between a website and a piece of real estate, but the ways you can profit from them are similar: ‘flipping’, rental/leasing, advertising sales, etc…all of these apply to both markets” he states.
The parallels really are obvious. Consider: A valuable piece of real estate is valuable largely due to the interest that other people have in that specific location. Similarly, ownership of a desirable domain name is valuable for the same reasons. In either case, you could sell or lease the asset and turn it into cash.
In our next installment of this series on virtual real estate investing, Bryan Ellis will share the internet analogies to the physical concept of real estate development.
Pay per click (PPC) advertising continues to gain popularity in
the online marketing world as an effective and inexpensive way
to drive targeted visitors to web sites. Research firm eMarketer
reported that between 2002 and 2003 the paid search listing
market grew 175 percent. Major trusted search properties such as
Google, Overture, FindWhat.com, and Kanoodle, all offer PPC
campaigns in which you pay only when someone clicks through your
banner ad or link. But PPC also has an enemy–click fraud–and
understanding what it is and what to do about it should also be
a key part of your PPC campaign.
What is Click Fraud?
Click fraud is when someone or something generates illegitimate
hits on your banner or text advertisement causing you to pay for
worthless clicks. AS PPC campaigns have grown in popularity and
keyword prices and bidding have become more competetive, click
fraud is on the rise.
Online marketers are becoming increasingly worried about the
prospect of click fraud. According to CNET News, some marketing
executives estimate that “up to 20 percent of fees in certain
advertising categories continue to be based on nonexistent
consumers in today’s search industry.”
This estimate is certainly unsettling for advertisers who,
recently, have been paying hefty amounts bidding on desirable
search terms. Financial analysts report that in the year 2004
advertisers are paying an average of 45 cents per click. Compare
this to 40 cents in 2003 and 30 cents in 2002; the bidding wars
continue to rise.
Who’s Doing it and Why?
Click fraud perpetrators are most often motivated by trying to
increase revenues from affiliate networks or attempting to
damage competitors’ revenues by forcing them to pay for
worthless clicks. The Google Adsense program, in which
affiliates receive payment for clicks whether they are real or
not, has caused great concern for Google and has intensified its
focus on click fraud.
Those engaged in click fraud use a variety of techniques to
generate false clicks. Low cost international workers from all
over the world are hired to locate and click on ads. The Times
of India provided investigative reporting on payment for manual
click fraud happening in India. Unethical companies may pay
their own employees to click on competitor ads. Last but not
least, click fraud can be generated by online robots programmed
to click on advertiser or affiliate ads. Some companies go to
great lengths creating intricate software that allows for this
to happen.
How Can You Deter It?
Many advertisers know about the possibility of click fraud but
generally haven’t done much in the past to prevent it. Some feel
that if they complain to any of the search conglomerates, it
could ruin their free listings. Others feel like the problem is
beyond them.
“It is a bigger problem, but folks just don’t want to take the
time to track it down because it’s a complex problem,” stated
John Squire, of web analytics firm Coremetrics, to CNET. “Given
that some of the largest marketers manage up to 1 million
keywords in a campaign the data can be difficult to crunch.”
Companies who do understand and report click fraud to search
engine properties have had success receiving refunds for
fraudulent clicks. For those advertisers who want to address the
possibility of click fraud in PPC campaigns, good option do
exists. At the most basic level, advertisers can use general
auditing; many have been known to compile lists of sites that
generate high numbers of clicks but not sales. This will indeed
put up a red flag.
On the other hand, because click fraud is advancing at such
frequency, click fraud detection companies and software have
been popping up all over the country. Let’s take a look at some
of the options:
ClickDetective - ClickDetective allows you to track return
visitors to your site and alerts you if there is evidence that
your site may be under attack. Its reports show you every click
in real time rather than a summary hours later.
Who’sClickingWho.com - This fraud detector tracks all PPC search
engines, detects multiple IP’s, and even pops up a “ClickMinder”
after a potential abuser clicks repeatedly over five times.
BogusClick - BogusClick can help advertisers determine
competitor IP addresses, originating PPC search engines and/or
partner sites involved, as well as keywords used.
Clicklab - Clicklab employs a score-based click fraud detection
system that applies a series of tests to each visitor session
and assigns scores. Calculations are made to indicate bad/good
sessions to show an advertiser the quality of traffic.
Click fraud is a big problem in search engine marketing that’s only going to
get bigger in the future. It is wise for any online advertiser
to implement some auditing system. Why continue to waste
precious campaign money?!
Today’s business environment is very protective making it difficult for salespeople to reach prospects. Cold calling and selling changed after 911. Many businesses increased security to put employees at ease. Building management did the same thing and we found more guards stationed in many buildings.
There are some buildings and premises that became unavailable to us. Although security has loosened, you know it is tougher if you make cold calls either on the telephone or in person. Our once easy walk through the front door of a business to get information has changed and security concerns may prevent us from reaching our contact. In some cases we will find a lonely telephone behind the front door and nothing else. These new security challenges won’t prevent us from reaching our contacts. We must adapt and find new ways to achieve our goals.
Finding the Right “PIGEON”
What we want to find is the easy target for our quest of information. If we follow the sales process, we must determine “who” will give us information. As we already mentioned, sometimes walking in the front door and meeting the incredibly nice receptionist might not be an option for us. Thus, the back or side doors are options. Here are three of my favorite pigeons.
The Sales Pigeon - Find the One That Loves to Talk
We believe a great salesperson is an excellent listener. But, salespeople also love to talk and share. You know what we mean, don’t you? If you get a salesperson to relax, they can frequently talk for a long time about anything. Although this isn’t their best trait, since we want them to be good listeners. Anyway, the idea here is to reach a gabby salesperson for the company we want to do business with. This is done buy asking for the sales department. If we merely ask for someone in sales, we will usually reach our sales pigeon. We begin by mentioning that we are also in sales. This fact gives us a common point to build on with them.
We should be honest and forward about our struggle to reach the right person in their company. The typical sales pigeon shares our challenge and frequently offers useful information and strategies for getting past the toughest gatekeepers. They may even put us directly in touch with the people we want to meet.
The Top Pigeons are Nicer
In most cases we won’t be able to talk with the top pigeon or a C-Level contact on the first attempt. However, some of the nicest people are at the top and they have the best information. When we politely request whom to contact at their organization for presenting our solutions and services, they will send us in the right direction. One of the secrets here is to relax, really relax, really! If you have to, talk slower and ask for help. Most people will give us help if we just ask for it.
If we don’t reach the C-Level, President or Vice President we will be speaking with the executive secretary. These are people who are used to working with professionals. Always have an agenda when you attempt this strategy. The agenda is to find “who” in the company the right person is. Keep it simple! Once you have a name, contact them and mention the name of the person who suggested that you talk with them. This works great when done properly.
The Messenger Pigeon Knows a Lot About the Company
The messenger Pigeon is in the back or the basement of the building. These pigeons know almost everything about what is going on and who does what. These are the people who deliver, sort the mail and receive packages for the company. This contact strategy works well with large institutions like hospitals, colleges and manufacturing companies. The messenger pigeon rarely meets anyone who gives them credit for what they do. The important thing here is to be nice and respectful as we ask for assistance.
These are a few additional ways to get information when we face a tough, secured company or organization. It helps to try multiple methods and contact several people using the information we find along the way. Don’t forget the Internet which can be our best friend. Searching for information on the web can deliver essential information we can use on our first pigeon.
Steve Martinez teaches business how to out smart and out wit the competition by automating and customizing ACT and Outlook with the best practices of sales. http://www.sellingmagic.com
With the weather getting nicer, a lot of motorcyclists are dusting off their motorcycles and performing their routine spring tune up. One very important area to check is your brakes. Otherwise it will be very difficult to stop by just dragging your feet going 50 mph.
I will mainly focus this article on replacing the rear brake pads. This job is very simple, and takes less then a half hour. Even a government employee could do it.
1] For this step you will use a flat tip screwdriver between the pad, and rotor. Gently pry the pad outward to push the piston back in the caliper.
2] Find and remove the retaining clip on the pin. Remove clip.
3] Using a small punch drive the pin half way out. You will want to leave it so that it holds the inboard pad in place.
4] Remove, and replace the outboard pad. Make sure that it is seated in the caliper. Slide your punch in the hole so that the pad stays in place.
5] Pull pin the rest of the way out, and replace the inboard pad.
6] Re install the pin through both pads. I use a long extension, and go through the wheel to knock the pin in completely.
7] Finally, reinstall the retaining clip.
Now for the helpful hints.
First only replace one pad at a time. If you remove both pads at the same time the anti rattle shim will fall out, and you will have to remove the wheel to get it back in place
Do not attempt to remove the caliper. All you will get for your trouble is heart ache
Once you are done follow this pad break in procedure to avoid noise, and premature wear
Get to 30 MPH, and slowly apply rear brake till a complete stop. Count to 30 and do it again. You are trying to stop without heating up the pads: so go easy. Repeat this procedure at least 10 times. 20 is better.
Contributing author to Cycle Solutions
http://www.cyclesolutions.net
and Kingpin Cruisers
http://www.kingpincruisers.net
You have finished building your own website. You have introduced your company and presented your products and services. You have added propositions and promos to catch your target audience’s attention. You think you are doing everything “right”, but all your promotions have failed to produce growth in your new internet business.
There are many ways for your web site to be promoted, but maybe you’re missing the “key” to the “best” promotion. Here are some things to consider:
- If you have started to promote your web site, keep it constant. If you promote your site with persistence, it will catch your audience’s attention.
- Be patient. Try each different promotion until you find the best.
- Free promotions such as search engines and directories would give your web site the deserved traffic you always wanted. Make sure to check your web site’s ranking to know whether or not this type of free promotion is right for you.
- Make a deal with other web sites on trading links which could help both web sites. Make sure to use words that could easily interest the audience.
- Find free classified ads web sites that could boost the promotion of your web site. Most of these classified ads web sites provide powerful marketing features and are an extremely fast way of getting your products or services on line.
- Free and low-cost internet banners are spread all through out the World Wide Web. Banners that pop-up at the top of a page or in a separate window would automatically catch your target audience’s attention.
Free internet advertising is a perfect way to make your products or services known to millions of prospective Internet customers. The probability of someone needing your services or wanting to buy your products is very high. There are free services out there that may suit your services, products and web site…you just need to find them! Go to work - Browse the internet for the best free internet advertising and learn how to take advantage of what you are able to find.
If at first you don’t succeed…try, try again! Analyze your techniques, keep track of your customers and learn what works. Then be ready to try new methods and repeat those methods that are already working.
It has been said that the best things in life are free and this saying also applies to the many forms of free advertising that are available on the internet. Give this form of advertising a try and you also may become a true believer in the power of free internet advertising.
Dr. Deepak Dutta is the creator of SemanticBay.com - an interactive social network website based on user shared text and picture contents on any topics. Website creators, publishers, and maintainers can promote their website at SemanticBay.com using website articles. Users can join for free, invite friends, maintain buddy lists, rate contents, comments on contents and earn points.
When you think about contests or other various events when human skill or genius is being acknowledge, there are always various types of award plaques that are being handed out to either the contest winners or just to the persons who are being honored at a certain event.
In spite of the awarding ceremony being a small part of the whole program, the award plaques are clearly an important part of the whole event. Without it the contest or the event would not really have a highlight and really, there is not fun when there are no awards that are being handed out.
You can be sure that the organizers of the event or contest have really taken their time in coming up with the kind of award plaques that really befits the winners of the person who is being honored.
Award plaques come in all sorts of types since they will be used on different occasions, like the award plaque that will be used at a quiz bee will definitely be different from the award plaque that will be given to someone who just won a writing contest or the award plaque that will be given to the person who has created a great scientific discovery or to someone who has managed to change the world for the better.
So you see, there is really much effort to be done when it comes to picking out the perfect award plaque that you will use for whatever event or contest you are holding.
There are actually various award plaque stores all over the United States all offering various types and designs of award plaques. Some of these award plaque stores also offer other specialty services when it comes to producing an award plaque that will fit your taste.
A common type of special award plaque service is to have your award plaque custom made. You can actually turn the award plaque into something that really represents either your organization or institution to give that extra kick for your award plaque. Of course, you have to be prepared to give a little extra money for having such a unique plaque made. Having an award plaque that is distinctly your company’s, institution’s or organization’s own is certainly worth that little extra money.
In case your area does not have a lot of award plaque stores and the ones that are being sold off in specialty stores are not your type or are just too boring for words, you can then log on to the internet wherein there are so many award plaque makers who offers all sorts of designs and finishes for the award plaques that they offer.
The internet, aside from being home to various award plaque merchants, is also a highly convenient way of purchasing an award plaque from a generally faraway place like if you live in New York and the award plaque maker is based in Germany (it will cost you the shipping though) or if again, you live in New York and the award plaque specialty store is situated in Los Angeles (it will be pretty impractical for you to fly all the way to California).
Just be prepared to pay extra for the shipping and handling as well as allow some time before the award plaques will actually reach your place. So be sure that when you are opting to take this kind of award plaque shopping, you should give an ample time allowance for its delivery or else, your award plaque might not have even arrived by the time of the awarding ceremony.
There are various types of award plaques that you can choose from like the really generic slide in award plaques where you can just literally slide in a printed matter in your award plaque frame where all the details concerning the event and the winner’s name are all there. Next there are the traditional matted plaques which are a popular choice for corporate office settings and are usually given out on special yearly corporate events.
For more great plaque info and advice check out: http://www.best-plaques.com
If you’re a solopreneur, consultant, business owner, or independent professional, you probably have asked yourself some or all of the following questions:
* How can I get more clients?
* How can I get better clients?
* How do I sell more to the clients I’ve got?
* Can I earn more money and still have a life?
* Why are sales activities so difficult sometimes?
* Is there a “right” way to sell?
* Where can I turn for hands-on advice when I need it?
* When will this get easier?
Well, I’ve got some answers. Here’s what most sales training companies will tell you is the answer to your sales and marketing challenges: sales training. Here’s what most marketing consultants will tell you is your answer: marketing consulting.
Well, that just isn’t the case.
If anything, you need to UNlearn what a lot of sales training and marketing seminars and sales books have told you. You need to reconnect with how to sell based on WHO you are - in short, to start using and recognizing the power of selling differently.
And here’s something new and different coming from someone like me: You don’t need sales training.
Sales training (and any training) is for people who lack knowledge. My clients are typically very smart. But they’ve learned to sell from the head - using gimmicks, clever phrases, manipulative “closing” techniques, and artificial “rapport-building.” None of this works or lasts because it’s outside-in - trying to force you into a mold that you just don’t fit.
A truly effective approach will unlock your thinking and help you sell FOR REAL. It’s more authentic, and it works and lasts because you start to sell from the inside-out - based on WHO you are, and not on an external set of behaviors that work for only a very small percentage of “old school” salespeople.
Think about it. You know how to sell (or at least you know you don’t like what a lot of sales training SAYS is the way to sell). You have probably had some sales training; and you might have gone to a few sales seminars; you have probably read a sales or marketing book or two; and you may even have heard some fluffy “woo-woo” talks that call themselves sales training; but none of it stuck because none of it seemed relevant to you or spoke to your desire to help people by providing genuine value.
You need a personal sales and marketing strategy that seamlessly combines your natural self with your strongest message to your best prospects with the highest value, using the least time and effort.
Then you need a plan and an accountability mechanism (sales manager, coach, or colleague) that will help you work your plan, day by day, prospect by prospect.
Unlike traditional sales training, true sales and marketing effectiveness is a process, not an event. And it always works from the INSIDE out. That means that it’s focused on internal skills and lasting tools, not sales training gimmicks or external “techniques.”
When selecting a sales and marketing professional, you need to be aware that a lot of marketing consultants give detailed blueprints but no tools. And a lot of sales training provides specific tools but no overall blueprint.
You want to look for a resource that integrates big-picture marketing strategy with day-to-day selling tools so that your marketing WORKS and that MORE SALES HAPPEN. The truth is that nobody needs “one-size-fits-all” sales training or “here’s-your-marketing-plan-good-luck” consulting. You simply need a customized set of keys to unlock the business answers you need. There is no cookie cutter. You’re no cookie.
Marketing and innovation expert David Newman has written 8 books and has been quoted in dozens of national media outlets. David is also a sought-after speaker and seminar leader. Visit http://www.unconsulting.com for more free articles and resources.
Who hasn’t thought of getting married in Las Vegas at some point or another? Whether it’s the glitz and the glamor of the city or just the fun environment, you might want to take that and put it into your own wedding.
And you won’t have to run off and elope to do it either. Bring everyone with you.
Blue suede shoes?
No, you don’t have to have the groom dress up as Elvis to have a traditional Vegas weddingalthough that’s not a bad idea.
You can start off the wedding plans with an invitation that looks like a deck of cards. This is an indication of the fun, relaxed atmosphere of the wedding. You may even want to drop in a few real cards just for good measure.
Take the theme even further by naming all of the tables by the various hotels and casinos in Vegasthe Flamingo, Bellagio, and the Golden Nugget are just a few. You can have favors that are Vegas inspiredcards, poker chips, etc.
You may want to make the ceremony look like one of the strip’s wedding chapels. Put up a sign that says “Chapel of Love” or something like that.
And yes, there’s more
One of the neatest ways to capture your Vegas wedding is to find someone who can create a cake in the shape of your favorite Vegas building. Why not have a cake in the shape of the Sphinx at the Luxor hotel? Or perhaps you want something more clichédlike the old boy Elvis himself.
Although the groom may not want to dress up like Elvis, you may want to incorporate red and black into your overall color scheme. These are the colors of Vegas, after all. Perhaps you can even set up small slot machines or card tables for the night. Hire a few blackjack dealers and you’re sure to have some impressed and satisfied guests.
Food is easy for a Vegas wedding because buffet is the way to go in the casinos. Set up a similar food sampling, and people will forget that they’re not in Vegas, but at your wedding.
And of course, a lounge singer is always nice, but not necessary.
Having a Vegas themed wedding is all about having fun. Perhaps you were engaged in Vegas or just want to capture its essence, either way, get creative and let the night be one you can bet on.
Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free minicourse on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams, and avoid wedding day disaster!
Get the free course “Your Special Day from Start to Finish” now at at http://www.weddingdata.com
Do you like to travel? Have you traveled to unique places on several continents? Would you like to see more? You can and for a lot less. In the past 6 years I have traveled to every city in the United States over 10,000 population and let me tell you, there is some much to see right here at home. You should see more of America, because there is so many great places worthy of a most excellent and rewarding travel experience.
For instance have you seen the Indian Cliff Dwellings in Arizona and Colorado? If not you must see these, they are incredible indeed, truly fascinating. Have you been to the Redwood Forests in California, wow, trees with trunks as wide as homes, unbelievable. Have you been to the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico? They are spectacular and talk about a geology lesson, magnificent.
There are so many places in America to see and not just our West, but in every state there are incredible treasures. So many people will travel abroad and spend thousands of dollars without even looking in their own back yard. If you love to travel, check out your own back yard. The United States of America has some of everything, we got it all, you need to take a road trip or play to visit all the wonderful attractions her in the states. Get on the Internet and see all you are missing and then go there and you will be blown away on it all and for a third of the cost. Think on this.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Here is a method you should pay attention to for your online company… accept credit cards. Whether you’re promoting digital goods or physical goods through online routes, your business should be able to accept credit cards to make sure the widest customer base that is feasible. The magnitude of the ability to accept credit cards cannot be denied. Being capable of accepting credit cards makes your internet business more available to a larger number of prospective clients and customers.
You’ll Gain Massive Benefits If Your Internet Business Accepts Credit Cards
Credit cards have been tagged as ‘plastic money’ since they have become acknowledged as a fine substitute to real cash. Many people favor real world businsses who accept credit cards. They would prefer to shop in stores that accept credit cards above those that don’t accept credit cards.
A similar rule applies in online dealings. People seek out eCommerce sites that accept credit cards, predominantly those that accept credit cards which they own. You can accommodate these people by crafting your online business to accept credit cards; you’d easily be able to boost the quantity of prospective clients you could gain.
In addition, by constructing an online venture that could accept credit cards, you will be able to take payments in a more suitable and secure manner. If your internet business would accept credit cards from paying clients, you’d be enabling them to buy more of your products easier.
Defeating a Significant Barrier By Accepting Credit Cards Online
Unfortunate to say, however, that there are quite a lot of people who are scared of online business transactions, even if your business would accept credit cards. There have been stories of so many scams and deceitful transactions Online, and genuine businesses which accept credit cards are the ones that have to endure such shame.
To facilitate and curtail the wave of this fear, businesses that accept credit cards should ensure the following things:
• Businesses that accept credit cards should ensure that its payment processing page is embedded with Secure Socket Layers (SSL) of at least 128 bit.
• Those that accept credit cards should also guarantee that such SSL encryption is displayed on the bottom right side of the user’s browser window, in the shape of a padlock icon.
• Also if you accept credit cards you should establish a reactive customer support system that can and will respond to the requests of your clients.
By setting up your internet business to accept credit cards you can only increase your customer base and improve your earnings for years to come.
For more information on how to Accept Credit Cards and increase your profits using a merchant account visit: Free Merchant Account Articles