Just Until Payday

The bed is the centrepiece of any bedchamber. There a number of bed styles ranging from the simple to the extravagent. In old cultures they used to decorate their beds attractively. Egyptians slept on a couch which would have legs carved like animals. As time went by, beds began to get bigger and more decorative. These beds were decorated with silk, velvet or complementary materials. Beds frequently served as symbolisations of social status and wealthiness.

These days people prefer to go for simple bedsteads which will support the mattress. Beds come in a wide range of sizes and styles, they also come at different prices so you can be sure to find one to fit your budget. To determine what sort of bed fits your bedroom and budget, find the style, design and size of the bed that you are searching for. The size of the bed had better be proportionate the size of the bedroom.

Some beds have an extra bed built in for when those unexpected guests stay over. There’s a 2nd bed connected under the primary bed that can be took out when required. When you require more storage there is a bed that includes drawers or even lifts up with plenty space. Additional types of beds include bunk beds, air beds, water beds, pine beds, leather beds and beds particularly designed for children.

Your bed is the main thing in your bedroom. Do your preparation before selecting one. The correct size and the style can decidedly transform your bedroom into a better-looking space.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
-Josh Billings

In the art and science of sales, goals are perhaps the seeds that from all creation springs forth! I personally like this statement because it motivates me to want (desire) to ponder, pray and proliferate my own, however slight they may be, creations and contributions. However, the achievement of most goals is largely dependent on the help received from other people. Recognition of this fact is essential! But understand this vital point: Not everyone is willing to be a crusader of your cause!

It is an all too common fact that it takes money to make money, but those that already have the necessary resources are usually quite uninterested in giving a leg up to those that do not have it already. Think in terms of the biggest fish bowl in the world…Hollywood! When you are nobody, nobody cares, but when you have arrived…they come out of the woodwork. Why is it like this? Well, we’ll save that topic for another article, this article is more specifically about the dissection of the reasons, and not why we (society) have become so complacent, especially where sales and survival go hand-in-hand. But what I will say is that we as people, largely seem to be stimulated by the thought of being associated with those that already have, and few of us want to be associated with those that do not…this is a sad commentary on civilized man, it should be the other way around. Nevertheless, people on a whole have a variety of reasons for not helping you, assisting you on your way or coming to the aid of your crusade and you have to respect and accept their reasons. But before you run off licking your wounds, you must first ask for a reason for the rejection; it is your cause, fight for it. But then again, people always have the option of not explicating their reasons to you.

To someone who understands their role of salesperson yes is the breath of life. We are all programmed to respond to yes, but when we hear a no, lookout! So…is it a yes, a no…or a maybe! Keep in mind, “Maybe” is not rejection. In fact, it has a far better probability than the reception of a totally negative response. In sales, and when the possibility of rejection appears, usually the prospect just needs a little motivation to convert “maybe” into a “yes”. It may also indicate either “I need more time to think about it” or you need to tune in to the far too popular radio station WIIFM, “What’s in it for me?”

Rejections sometimes simply signify that the customer needs additional information. Frank or otherwise candid folks can easily say “no.” Perhaps what they are really telling you is: “You’ll have to do better than that” or “Impress me.” If you succeed in turning their “no” to a “yes,” the next time around, expect a much more effortless excursion.

In general, people do not like to be pressured! We despise being forced into submission. So, the added pressure to get most to submit to our whims well most likely be met head-on with a sharp and resounding “No!”

Some silver-tongued salespeople use time as a pressure technique to convince customers to buy, buy…buy! However, studies have determined that this particular technique usually works in reverse. Salespeople the world over have been using this tactic for eons; a ‘cheap-trick’ customers have already ascertained as a contemptible marketing ploy. People nowadays find it difficult to believe such ‘lowly’ sales methodologies. Unfortunately, this technique might still work for non-thinkers and those who impulse buy. In the modern global marketplace, salespeople must evolve, adopt and employ more creative, innovative and convincing sales banter to attract more astute buyers.

Finally, for your consideration, people may simply reject your proposal because they have no need for your product or service or they merely are not interested at all in whatever it is that you are pedaling. In such cases, be not resentful; thank them for being forthcoming and for their honesty. You may then ask them what exactly it is that they desire or require. Always be grateful, thankful for their time and close the meeting courteously. Hold your head up high.

Too many people are easily discouraged by rejection. These are people who are not whole-heartedly determined to pursue their desire, obtain their goals…they do not know that what lies on the other side of rejection is more oft than not so, so sweet. They consider rejection as a major obstacle, a threat to their well being. Remember… We all sell, everyday and in every way…that is who we are, that is the way.

The realization that there is a lot to be learned from rejection is crucial. Each rejection is an opportunity to begin again more intelligently and appropriately. “When one door closes, another door opens; but you so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that you do not see the other ones opening in front of you.” -Carpe Diem!

Kurt’s website http://www.kreatefitness.com, as well as his Provo Utah Private Fitness Facility Synergy Fitness Systems, specializes in in providing leading edge exercise and nutrition programs and the Neo Physis super premium supplement line. All of these superior products offer superior results.

Many of the newbies that are being exposed to the internet on a daily basis have dreams of running a website and making it successful. For some, this is a grueling task and leaves them short-winded trying to do so.

There are numerous marketing techniques that can be used to generate traffic on a regular basis. Out of all of them I have tried, writing seems to work the best.

Writing articles for ezines, newsletters, websites and forums in addition to using other marketing strategies keeps your website visible.

The internet has turned out to be a publisher’s paradise. Never before has the chance to publish your ideas and insights been this easy. In some cases all it costs is some of your time. You can write an article this morning and have it published in the evening.

Writing was once a secret weapon for many marketers, but now it has been thrown in the open and is now being used by many people. It has work wonders for me since I started doing it. My articles have appeared in ezines, newsletters and on websites with varying degrees of success. Here are some guidelines on how to write articles:

A. Write about what you know. Make sure it’s related to your business (so you can use the keywords you want to rank with) and helpful (so it gets published). Once you get thinking about it, you’ll probably find there are hundreds of articles you could write that are helpful. You may even have some of them partly written already in your instruction manuals or installation guides, etc. Another good idea is to think of all the questions you get asked by customers and potential customers. These questions show you what people are interested in. If you write an article answering every one of these questions, you’ll get published, and you’ll also show yourself to be a credible expert.

B. The best articles are only as long as they need to be. Keep it short and sweet – there’s nothing wrong with a 400 word article. By the same token, if you need 1500 words to say all you need to say, that’s fine as well

C. Simply write in a style that your audience will be comfortable with. If they’re from the old school, don’t write like I am. Don’t use contractions, don’t end sentences with prepositions, and don’t start sentences with “and” or “but”. But if they’re not old school, just use conversational English. In fact, the more of yourself you include in the article, the more engaging it will be. The key is to make it readable.

Once you’ve written your article, you’ll need to develop a list of publishers that may be interested in publishing it. The best way to accomplish this is to display your articles on your website. Place a subscription box on each of your article pages to enable your visitors to subscribe. This list should be used to send your new articles to your list of publishers. “Submit Article” in the Google search will give you many sites where you can submit your articles.

Happy writing!

Whatever kind of freelance or consulting work you do, one of the best ways to attract top clients is to position yourself clearly as an expert in your field.

And yes, you first have to be an expert. You don’t have to be the world’s leading expert, but you do need to know what you’re talking about, and in real depth.

To become a credible expert it first helps if you choose your niche carefully.

If your niche is too broad – like ‘all consumer electronics’ – you’ll find it hard to position yourself as a true expert.

If your niche is too narrow – like ‘Sony PlayStation’ – you’ll find it hard to make a living.

Niches like ‘computer games’ or ‘home entertainment’ are perfect. It won’t take you a lifetime to become an expert in either field, and there are plenty of prospective clients to choose from.

Of course, it will help enormously if you choose a niche in an area that genuinely interests you.

>> Got expertise? Here’s the next step…

One of the fastest ways to get the word out is to get your name in print. In other words, write articles.

It’s the strangest thing…but as soon as someone sees your name in print, your ‘expert’ status automatically jumps up several notches.

Publish your articles on your own web site. And make it known that other site editors can reprint your articles on their own sites and in their newsletters. Get the word out through a blog and by participating in discussion groups.

And, of course, every article should include a short bio and link back to your own site.

>> What’s better than having your articles online?

The next step is to get your articles printed in real print publications, on paper. Again, strangely, an article on paper earns you more expert points than an article on the web.

Best of all, if your niche is, for instance, home renovation products and services, get an article printed in one of the trade magazines that serves that industry.

Now you’re getting in front of hundreds or even thousands of prospective clients. It’s not an ad. It’s better than an ad. You’re presenting yourself as a true expert, with the implicit endorsement of the editor of the publication.

>> Accept those invitations to speak

Once your name has appeared as the author of a sufficient number of useful, expert articles, you’ll start getting invitations to speak. If they don’t come your way, start looking for them.

You can start out small, speaking to local business groups and marketing associations. If all goes well, you’ll soon find yourself with opportunities to speak to much larger groups at industry conferences.

And yes, being a speaker earns you major expert points.

>> Time to write a book?

Nothing brings you expert status faster than being the author of a book. Do you know enough on your subject to write a book? It may take a little time before you’re ready. But the more articles you write and the more times you speak, the deeper your knowledge will grow.

In addition, articles and speaking engagements generate feedback from your readers and listeners. And the more feedback you get, the better you will know what it is people really want and need to know.

If you can get published and distributed by a major publishing house, so much the better. If not, self-publish. You’ll need to do a lot of promoting to get the sales, but you can earn more money from each book sold and still confirm your status as an expert in your field.

>> Concluding thoughts

After a while you’ll find yourself writing articles, speaking at public and corporate events and signing copies of your book or books at every opportunity.

At that point you will have truly earned your stripes as an expert and will find yourself with a very impressive list of clients and prospects.

Start writing!

Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author and speaker. You can access all his newsletter articles on writing for the web at his http://www.ExcessVoice.com site. You’ll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at http://www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com

When it comes to working out at home, few pieces of equipment are going to offer the benefits of an Elliptical Cross Trainer. Ellipticals are designed to provide aerobic and cardio-vascular benefits without the risk of injury associated with running, jogging, or other workout equipment.

But what is the best elliptical for use in your home? How do you tell which elliptical is the right one for you? Much research has been done by medical professionals to determine the answer to that question.

A wide range of physicians who treat primarily sports injury and medicine feel that the Precor EFX 546 is a high quality piece of exercise equipment. This elliptical is very easy to use and is adjustable to all surfaces and sizes. It is durable and reliable, and it is also designed to make you feel like you are exerting less energy than you really are, so you will get a better workout.

The problem is this unit usually comes with a price tag of over $5000. But if you cannot afford to purchase an expensive elliptical cross trainer, Do not simply run out and purchase the least expensive trainger you can find. Sit down and research your options.

Many cheap ellipticals do not offer a complete, sufficient workout. Make sure to find a model that allows you to adjust the incline – without this feature you will not get the workout that you want. Also, make sure your elliptical is comfortable and easy for you to use. Otherwise, you may never get on it, and then you are not working out at all!

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Elliptical-Trainer-Solutions.com. He provides more elliptical trainer ratings, rankings and elliptical trainer reviews that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Nothing beats the joy of your first sale. You can plot, plan, market and dream all you want, but until you get that first sale, you’re not sure that you’re a “real” writer. It’s 26 years since I sold my first book to an international publisher. I walked on air for days. To my mind, because real writers wrote books, I was real writer at last.

Your first sale legitimizes what you’re doing to others, and not least to yourself. When you’ve got that sale, you get a lot more than money: you get confidence, feedback, and ideas on how you can make the next sale and the next.

How do you make that first sale? Here’s how:

=> One: Give yourself a deadline

Although I’d made writing sales I didn’t sell a book until I gave myself a deadline. I gave myself a long deadline, ten years. I didn’t need that long, it took a year. However setting a deadline turned selling a book from a dream into a goal. If I hadn’t given myself a deadline, I would have fudged for years: making outlines, doing research, writing a chapter here and there, and convincing myself that I was trying to sell a book, when I wasn’t doing anything of the sort.

Give yourself a deadline to make your first sale. You’ll know how long the deadline should be. Don’t make it ten years unless it’s something where you need to learn a lot of skills first before you can produce a product.

Your deadline must be serious. The ten years I gave myself was the absolute cut-off date. If I hadn’t sold a book by then, I intended giving up writing book-length material forever.

=> Two: Ask for the sale!

Once I’d set the ten-year deadline, I knew I had to ask for the sale. This meant submitting partials to publishers. A partial is a fiction proposal. It consists of a synopsis, a chapter outline, and the first chapters: around 50 to 100 pages of the novel. I wrote a partial every two months, and sent them out.

How will you ask for the sale? If you’re selling your writing, then send out novel and non-fiction proposals, or proposals for magazine articles.

Keep in mind that “Ask for the sale” means ask the person who can buy your product to buy it. I approached editors at publishing houses who could buy my work. I didn’t approach agents. As handy as literary agents are, an agent can’t buy.

No matter what product you’re selling, from apricots to zebras, you must ask the person and/ or company with the cash to buy your product.

It’s worth mentioning here that you don’t need to follow any particular rules when you’re asking for the sale. For example, most writing books will tell you that to sell a novel you must write the complete novel, then write the partial, then get an agent and then wait while the agent sells the book. You can follow someone else’s rules if you want to. Or you can choose your own route. Do what you intuitively feel is right for you.

=> Three: If it’s not working, get feedback from others

You’ve set your deadline, you’ve asked for the sale repeatedly, but no one’s buying.

At this point, I need to tell you that everyone who’s ever followed this process for selling their writing has sold their writing before the deadline. So from long experience I know that this process works. If this process hasn’t worked for you it means that somewhere you’ve bumped into a wall, but don’t see that is a wall.

You need feedback. Find someone’s who’s doing what you want to do, and ask them for help. You may need to pay for it, but it will be money well spent, because they’ll be able to put you on the right track. Don’t ask for help from people who have never done what you want to do. If they haven’t done it, they may think they know how it’s done, but they don’t.

After you get your feedback, set yourself another deadline, and then ask for the sale until you make the sale. Try this simple process: it works.

Author of many books, including Making the Internet Work for Your Business,
copywriter and journalist Angela Booth also writes copy for businesses large and
small, and consults on search engine marketing. Angela has written copy for
companies in many industries, ranging from technology and real estate to the
jewellery trade. Her clients include major corporations like hp (Hewlett Packard),
WestPac Bank, and Acer Computer. For copywriting services and marketing
advice contact Angela at angelabooth.com.

When work is off and it is time to get together with my girlfriends, we are off to the mall. We usually go to the indoor mall, but lately it is the outdoor mall. The indoor mall is super for the winter time and when the wind chill is cold, but now it is warm and the spring air is coming in. We love the outdoor mall. The way it works is that instead of browsing all of the stores and shops inside, we just do it outside. The air is so much fresher and clean at the outdoor mall, we don’t like breathing the indoor air of the indoor mall. We all walk together and browse the shops, from clothing to restaurants they are all lined up just like in the indoor mall. Outdoor malls are great for exercising and getting the metabolism going faster, you can use the Acceletrim fast weight loss solution for more energy. Walking and shopping are great for the health. We always wear our sun block and wear hats to keep the sun off our faces when we shop at the outdoor mall. After shopping at the outdoor mall we will grab a nutritious lunch at our favorite restaurant and sit at the table to watch everyone else shopping. Sometimes the people watching is just as much fun as the shopping.

It’s been said time and again that “the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”

We may know this to be true, but how does it relate to the world of business and job-hunting?

Let’s say you are looking for ways to present your job experiences in a way that is flattering, descriptive and realistic (sound familiar?). If you do an Internet search on ‘words’ and ‘job search’ or something similar, you will be presented with millions (literally) of articles telling you exactly how to use the right keywords to get scanned, searched and selected by thousands of resume- and employee-seekers out there.

Tips for successful scanning are important, but what happened to good old common sense when it comes to communicating who you are and what you’ve done to the people on the other end?

Whether you are writing a resume, a brochure or even your life story, we recommend these guidelines:

Stay simple
If you were telling your friend or neighbor what you’ve done, would you try to confuse and impress or would you go straight to the meat of the matter? Job seekers, resume writers and all the rest of us who want to use the power of words to our advantage know that beating our readers over the head with confusing, long, multi-syllabic words will get us nowhere. (OK, maybe to a Scrabble tournament, but that’s about it.)

Yes, do use forceful, targeted and descriptive action words to explain what you do, for whom, how and to whose benefit, but say it so the rest of us actually understand it the first time.

It’s all good
Remember that every task, no matter how boring, menial or frustrating, has taught you a skill, method or principle that you use to this day. More than that, someone, somewhere has directly benefited from your work. So…don’t downplay anything you have done.

For instance, you may have spent one summer organizing files in a dentist’s office, sitting on the floor and sweating to the oldies on the radio. You may have never even considered sharing this experience on paper.

But think about the effect of your efforts: did you create a new filing system that benefits the office staff and the patients? Don’t you think that a streamlined office means patients spend less time and money on their treatment in the long run? Doesn’t increased productivity among office staff means higher profit margins for the practice as a whole?

Tell it like it is
Don’t turn your babysitting experiences into a contribution to the worldwide relief of children’s hunger, but remember that everything happens for a reason. Each experience each skill has brought you where you are today. Instead of brushing it off, grab it and use the right words to make it — and you — shine.

When it comes to telling it like it is, it’s always best to, well, tell it like it is: Be truthful. Be realistic. Never be afraid to toot your horn in a way that illustrates the direct benefit of your efforts to those on the receiving end. Say it once but say it right that one time. And, my favorite: show, don’t tell.

Once you stop, step back and truly consider your own words, you may be surprised at the sheer power you already possess.

Allison Nazarian is president and chief copywriter of Get It In Writing, a Florida-based company that helps businesses nationwide harness the power of words to sell, inform and publicize. Allison can be reached at 561.487.3917 or anazarian@getitinwriting.biz. Copyright© Get It In Writing, Inc. May be reprinted without permission of Get It In Writing, Inc and Allison Nazarian if in full, unchanged format and with complete attribution to author.

Would you like the audience to think you have a photographic memory? Would you like them to look at you in awe?

Here’s the technique.

Refer to an article in a magazine or passage in a book, but do it in a special way. Pause and look up in the air as if you are thinking and picturing the publication in your mind. Then refer to the article by page number, left or right-hand page, passage’s position on the page, etc.

The audience will think you are some kind of genius.

However, we know that you are just a savvy presenter who memorized the information and delivered it with that special WOW factor.

Copyright © 1998 – 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute

Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book “Wake ‘em Up Business Presentations” and “Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing.” It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients’ needs. http://www.antion.com

Advanced Public Speaking Institute
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http://www.GreatPublicSpeaking.com

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Selling your products at shows can be difficult when you have a lot of competition. Although some show organizers are careful to have a good mix of vendors, it’s not uncommon for other shows to have 20% or more of the booths filled with vendors in the same niche – which is a buyer’s market and a seller’s disappointing show.

Before signing up for any show, ask the promoter how many other vendors in your niche will have booths. And if possible, find out what kinds of these items will be represented at the show. Even if you have to dig a little for this information, it’s worthwhile to find out in advance whether the show is likely to be profitable for you.

For example, my medium is jewelry, which is usually the most competitive field at any show. And because of the overcrowding in this niche, many jewelry artists price the jewelry in their booth so low that it’s hard for them (or any of the other jewelers at that show) to make any sales at a worthwhile profit. No one benefits from that kind of venue.

But I’ve found out how I can easily get my fair share of the jewelry market by finding less competitive shows for selling my work. Here are some suggestions for shows where you can find eager buyers for your products and likely no other competing vendors:

Local Expos and Events

Many organized events in your area involve wholesale or retail vendors selling their products in booths. These events are usually well promoted and attended, and may be unlikely to have other vendors in your niche. Examples of this type of event include a women’s career expo, a home improvement show, a health fair, a business expo, and virtually any trade show.

Other unusual events that can be great prospects for selling your products without competition include historic re-enactments, car club shows, gun and knife shows, garden shows, spring or fall fashion shows, motorcycle rallies (motorcyclists are among the best and biggest-spending jewelry customers you’ll find!), and music competitions (like a battle of the bands or a bluegrass festival).

Club or other organization meetings are also a possibility if your product is interesting – you will likely be welcomed to give a talk about your goods and then sell them afterward. Examples of organizations include a Rotary club chapter, a garden club, an alumni association, or a local newcomers’ club.

To find out about events like these well in advance, or to locate clubs or groups that would welcome an interesting product presentation and show, call your local tourism commission and chamber of commerce. Ask for their recommendations, and most importantly, request to be put on their mailing lists of upcoming events. When you receive the listings, carefully consider each event for its potential as a show for selling your goods without competition.

Your Own Shows

With a little more work, you can organize your own shows where you can be certain you’ll be the only vendor in your niche. Examples of these are home parties, open studio sales at your studio or home, and fundraiser shows where you donate a portion of the proceeds to a designated charity. You can also cooperate with other vendors to set up bigger shows, and profit from each other’s customer lists.

You might do very well at an event with a ready-made huge crowd, such as a high school football game. Secure permission ahead of time to set up a booth presenting your product, and donate a percentage of sales to the school.

The key to success when doing your own shows is to be sure the event is well publicized if it’s open to the public, or that you personally phone and remind each invitee if it’s a private sale or party. The higher the attendance, the higher your sales.

So you see there’s no need to sell your products in overly competitive venues. Instead, consider your targeted customers and think creatively about opportunities to present your products to them.

About The Author

Rena Klingenberg is a jewelry artist with expertise in displaying and marketing products creatively on a small budget. She publishes two websites, http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com and http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com, to assist other entrepreneurs in marketing their work successfully.