Budget Alert - How to Live Within Your Means

Everyone has the ability to understand what their means are and how they can manage to reduce some unnecessary expenses to be able to live with their means. The difficult part is of having to make choices and that too, the correct choices.

We now that most of what we earn goes towards the everyday essentials like food, transport and clothing. If we spend a little time becoming aware of where we could tighten our belts a little, that would be a good starting point for managing money. We will start you off with a few possible practical tips on how you could save money - as you keep practicing them, very soon you will find solutions of your own so much so that controlling your expenses well within your means will become almost second nature.

Food
o Did you know that if you eat out, you end up paying almost three to seven times what you would have spent in you had eaten at home. Try to avoid eating out and eat more at home. It is less expensive, more healthy and a great time for the family to get together.
o Large grocery stores as well as food warehouses offer the best deals. Try and avoid the fancier convenience stores.
o Rather than go in blindly for nationally advertised brands, use store brands. They are normally less expensive but offer the same quality.
o Always make a shopping list when you have to visit a store. Impulse buying are big spending leaks and eventually you end up buying things that you do not really need, thought at the time of purchase you may have been absolutely convinced that you needed it.
o Pack a lunch for yourself and your partner instead of always going out to eat.
o Always compare the unit prices of the products. Though the quantities may be different, reduce the price mentioned to per unit. See which product is less expensive per pound, per liter and so on.
o If there are two-for-one kinds of sales on products that you use anyway, take advantage of as many as you can.
o Junk food probably offers the least nutritional value but is fairly expensive. Avoid purchasing junk food like chips, soda or candy as much as you can.
o If there is any sale going on, stock up on items that can stay and that you will eventually need like paper or canned items.

Clothes
o Even if it may not sound appealing, you can find some great quality clothes at garage sales and flea markets.
o Do not throw away old clothes that are still wearable. See if there are any children who would be able to make use of them. Similarly look for grown up children who may have clothes they have outgrown for your own children.
o Thrift stores are another good source for reasonably priced quality clothes.
o Look at 'consignment stores'. These stores will give you good money if you bring in wearable clothes that are still in good shape. You can either take the cash and buy elsewhere or take store credit and buy cheaper clothes in the store itself.
o Do not always try and go in for the latest trends. They are what they are - trends and do not last for long. Sticking with classic wear will ensure that you wear clothes longer.

Transport
o Carpooling is the necessity of this century. Try and find people who can share your ride to and from work.
o If you live near your place of work or study, try to avoid taking the car every time. You could try walking, biking or even skating to school. You will not only save on your fuel costs, you will get some good exercise on the way and help the environment as well.
o Use the public transport wherever easily available.
o Make sure your car is properly maintained and tires are properly inflated. This will ensure that your car runs smoothly when you need it and you have to spend less money on it
o Keep note of the gas stations that offer lower fuel prices and try to refill your car at those places rather than at more expensive fuel stations.
o If you are buying a car, purchase one that has the adequate mileage for your purpose.
o Even if you possess car insurance, you should check up out other deals every year or two years to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.

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Canned Food For Feline UTI

The benefits of a raw food diet for your feline pets have already been discussed. In brief, raw meat diets for felines, which are entirely carnivorous in the wild, help to prevent the incidence of Feline UTI. Unfortunately, cats themselves may not be able to accept this sort of diet especially if it is new to them. In such cases, canned cat food can be substituted for raw meat.

Canned food for pets contains more moisture, and in this sense it is similar to raw food. You may have noticed that your pet cat does not need half as much water as your dog does every day. This is because cats do not normally lap up water, as do dogs.

Canned food, therefore, helps by upping the liquid content of the cat's diet, which in turn helps in speeding up digestion, aids in the flushing out of toxins and smaller crystals before they can cause problems, and improves immunity to UTI.

Vets may recommend that cats that have suffered feline urinary tract infections be fed exclusively on canned food. This will help in preventing a recurrence of the infection.

If you have never purchased canned cat food before, it is worthwhile pausing to look at the large number of alternatives that are available and choosing one that suits your cat's needs, as well one that will be effective in helping prevent UTIs.

Here's a look at some of the choices:

Meat - Always assess this when first looking at the list of ingredients on a can. All felines are pure carnivores and meat is the food that their bodies can process and use the best.. Thus, chicken meal, meat by-products, and similar products are not the best kind of food for your cat. Instead, examine the pet food section in your store for canned foods that contain a higher proportion of pure protein such as beef, lamb, chicken, duck, rabbit, and turkey. Fish can be suspect as experts feel that seafood can contribute to the problem of feline UTI. So it is perhaps to go for these only occasionally, or avoid them altogether.

Cereals - Wheat and rice can be present in the canned food that you choose providing they are in the unrefined brown form, and do not form the highest proportion out of all other ingredients.

Amino Acids and Minerals: Of all the additives that may be present in canned food, DL-Methionine is one that works to preserve the health of the kidneys. This is an amino acid that works to keep the pH balance of urine between 6.0 and 6.8. If this is not one of the ingredients, buy it in powdered form and add it separately to the food. Magnesium should be present only in very small amounts; 0.025-1.0 per cent is acceptable.

Berries and vegetables: These promote urinary tract health, especially cranberries, blueberries, corn and carrots. They can also present in small proportions as they provide add fibre to the diet.

Remember to ask your vet for advice if you need it. Cats will not tolerate a radical changeover, so alter diets carefully and gradually.

Janet Markowitz has been a German Shepherd Breeder for over 20 years. She has always been interested in using natural and holistic remedies for her Shepherds whenever possible. She has found that by using natural Remedies in conjunction with conventional medicine, she has achieved great success in the health and longevity in her dogs.

http://www.PetsNaturalRemedies.net

Creative and Delicious Methods for Preparing Seafood

Sometimes, all that is needed to truly change things up in the kitchen is a new game plan as far as ingredients and recipes are concerned. For those who aren't particularly adept with dinner but who want to make a change, adding seafood and nixing nastier and fattier red meat sources is a great way to get a fantastic taste and to also make things healthier for the whole family. From recipes for Alaska halibut to learning how to turn fish into burgers, here are some of the best creative methods for preparing seafood that is delicious, healthy, and environmentally-friendly, too.

Salmon burgers! Sure, it might sound crazy to think of a fish burger, but the fact is that canned salmon makes some of the heartiest patties out there. Simply flake it out into a bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste, and then a couple of eggs and some breadcrumbs. Pack the mixture together into patties, and then fry them up in the same manner that a typical burger would be prepared. Whip together some dill and yogurt, then squeeze lemon, and you have a healthy burger alternative.

Go with the best white fish! With so many different recipes for Alaska Halibut, this fish is one that shouldn't be left off any table. Whether it's adding chunks to a stew to beef things up, whipping up some fish sticks at home, or simply throwing a piece of quality fish on the grill, there are plenty of different methods associated with this versatile and healthy fish.

Try some at-home sushi. Sure, there are plenty of expensive versions of sushi meat out there, but at the same time, the more affordable options coming from Alaska's icy waters means that anyone can try to roll up some rice and seafood tonight. Even the most remote towns in the country these days have grocery stores with sushi ingredients, so don't delay in trying to bring a bit of flair to the dining table.

A whole new pasta. Throwing meatballs on top of pasta is second nature for many who enjoy carby goodness, but the fact is that fish can be just as great. Whether it's salmon or tuna, mixed with some olives and a bit of great goat cheese, it makes a delicious alternative to the typical spaghetti-based dishes that a household might be used to.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaska seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great instructional videos to show you just how to create the perfect dish. Check out the ASMI Facebook page for more information on Alaska Seafood!

Sales Strategies - Pre-Empt Anticipated Problems

Before your prospect even comes close to thinking about objections, you can take a number of steps to anticipate them, prepare for them and even prevent them.

What-if's

One of the most effective ways to deal with a prospective client's objection is to plan for it. When you play the 'what-if' game, you try to come up with every difficult question or issue your prospective client could raise. Objections should be at the top of that list.

Although anticipating a potentially endless list of objections may sound like a daunting task, most of the objections you will hear generally fall into five or six key categories.

These objections are often 'the price is too high' 'let me think about it' or 'we are pleased with our current supplier.' All of which can be overcome with a request for more information on your part and practice with other sales professionals with the answers.

You will find that, rather than hearing many different objections when you sell, you will most likely hear variations of the same objections. This is good news for two different reasons. In the first place, if you are hearing basically the same objection over and over again, you may be able to alter your sales presentation in order to prevent an objection from even being formed.

And secondly, by dealing with the same objections over time, you can anticipate them and develop a few highly compelling responses. But make sure they don't sound rehearsed or canned. Try to come up with new and varied ways of saying the same thing.

Dave has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only does this author specialize in health, fitness and relationships you can also check out his latest websites on The Pros And Cons and Learning Toys For Kids.

Both created to ensure you're informed when making the right product decision.

5 Cold Appetizer Recipes Great For Any Party

Gearing up for a party includes creating a menu of mouth-watering treats for your guests. Often the main dish will be inspired by the occasion. Turkey for Thanksgiving, Crown Roast for Easter, Burgers and dogs for the 4th of July. But what about those appetizers to keep your guests happy before the meal is served? This all important menu item is often overlooked in the mad dash to ensure all is ready. But, with a few simple ingredients you can serve your guests appetizers that will not only keep them happy and their fingers out of the pots until the meal is ready, they will spark conversation and set the mood for fun.

What is an Appetizer? An Appetizer is a small serving of food or sometimes a beverage that is served before the main meal. It is intended to 'wet the appetite'. Digestion begins in the mouth. Saliva is generated when you begin to chew. This helps to begin breaking down the food for digestion. Ok, I know that may be too much information, but think about it this way. Not only will a good appetizer get your guests primed for that great meal, it may be the reason they don't stuff themselves. Most people know that it takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to send the signal to the brain that it is full. Eating an appetizer just before a meal is served may cause you to eat less. Now there's a bonus. Appetizers as a diet aide.

Cold Appetizers:Some basics to keep on hand so you are ready at a moment's notice to serve up a tray of treats.

• Cheese - several varieties are best but at least have a good cheddar


• Olives - black and green


• Anchovies


• Cream Cheese


• Mayonnaise


• Pimento


• Assorted Dried Fruit


• Crackers


• Nuts


• Sour Cream


• Party Franks


• Canned Shrimp


• Canned Oysters


• Canned Salmon


• Lemon and Lime juice


• Assorted spices including dried parsley

These are just a few of the things I keep on hand. With these I can almost always come up with a tray of treats as guests walk in the door. For Example:

HALF AND HALF

• You will need about 8 slices of your favorite bread. You could also use crackers for this instead. This will make about 16 crackers. Mix 1/2 cup drained and flaked salmon with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice (you may substitute lemon pepper if you don't have juice). Salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. TIP: I omit salt as I have friends and family on low salt diets, but it you think it needs salt and perhaps a little pepper, go ahead.


• Mash 1 avocado and mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, salt and pepper. Set aside.


• Using a large drinking glass cut each slice bread into rounds. You will be cutting off the crust, but don't toss it. I put the crusts in a zipper bag in the freezer to use for bread crumbs later. of Toast bread in the toaster or on a cookie sheet. Omit this step if using crackers.


• Spread toast lightly with butter or margarine. This helps keep it from getting soggy from the spreads.


• Spread 1/2 of each round with the salmon mixture and the other half with the avocado mixture.


• Garnish with pimento or olive slices.

This makes a tasty and welcome open sandwich to get the party started. The Salmon and avocado are a nice complement.

MOSAIC SANDWICHES

• You will need 8 slices each or a light or white bread and a dark bread. I like using seedless rye and pumpernickel.


• Remove the crusts from the bread and set aside. Remember to add those crusts to your zipper bag in the freezer. You are going to have a great mixture for bread crumbs.


• Mix up some canapé' butters. You have a lot of choices. Cream 1 cup butter with any of the following additions: TIP: You can use cream cheese instead of butter.


• 1 cup cooked Minced shrimp, 1/4 teaspoon salt, dash of paprika and 1 tablespoon lemon juice


• 1 can anchovies or 4 tablespoons anchovies paste, w teaspoons lemon juice, 4 drops of onion juice or 1/2 teaspoon finely minced onion. You can also substitute other canned fish like herring, smoked salmon, or sardines.


• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese


• 2 tablespoons chili sauce, drained. Just be sure it is not too runny.


• 1/4 cup chopped olives and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice.


• Spread each slice of bread with one of the butters above.


• Stack the slices, alternating dark and light until you have stacked all 16 slices of bread.


• Slice the stack into 4. You want to have four stacks about the same size. Lay the stacks on the side.


• Spread one side of 1 stack with a different spread. You can use the same but adding a second spread makes it more fun.


• Take the next stack and turn it over so that the pattern of dark and light is reversed and place it on top of the first that has been covered with the spread.


• Repeat this process with the other two stacks. Do not put spread on the top of the last addition.


• Again slice the new tower into four slices. You can then cut each of those length wise to create 4 mini sandwich towers each. You should end up with about 16 appetizers.

These look impressive and although it sounds complicated it really isn't. You can make this in about 5 minutes.

DEVILED EGGS an old standby but one almost everyone loves. Here is a little twist.

• Boil a dozen eggs and set aside to cool. When cool peel and prepare by slicing in half lengthwise and removing the yolk.


• To the yolk add sour cream and 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise. Use just enough sour cream to make the mixture creamy. Separate into two small bowls.


• To one bowl add 1 tablespoon chopped olives and 1/4 teaspoon pickle relish.


• To the other bowl add 2 tablespoons finely chopped ham.


• Put each mixture into a small zipper bag. Cut a corner off of the bag and use it to pipe the mixture into the cavity left by the yolk in each egg.


• Garnish with pimento or a small curl of ham, or a small triangle of ham placed into the yolk center.

These look as good as they taste and it only takes a minute or two to add a little surprise flair. You could also add chopped fresh tomato instead of olives, or chopped pepperoni instead of ham.

FRUIT KABOBS

• You will need several varieties of fresh fruit, some maraschino cherries, and bamboo skewers.. Cut fruit in chunks. For apples, pears, and other similar fruit, dip in lemon juice or orange juice to reduce browning.


• Alternate chunks of fruit and cherries on the skewers. Be sure to leave about 4 inches at the end as a handle.


• Serve with Vanilla Yogurt mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the cherry juice as a dipping sauce.

You can't get much quicker than this and it tastes great too.

DON'T FORGET THE CHEESE

• 1 pound brick of cheese, this may be the cheese of your choice, but a favorite is mild cheddar


• Crackers, a good buttery round or a whole wheat cracker is great for this. Try one of those new flat bread crackers too.


• Sliced Ham

Slice cheese into small slices that will fit on the crackers you have chosen. Slice the ham into strips and wrap around the middle of the cheese slice. Place on crackers. You may wish to garnish some or all of the crackers with a piece of pimento, and olive, a sprig of parsley, or even a small stem of celery. Those slender tips with a couple of small leaves remaining look good and are edible.

With a little advanced planning and less than an hour you can put out a tray of assorted crowd pleasers. I can prepare these 5 dishes in about half an hour, but I do them often. Once you have your ingredients ready, assembly is quick. If you have children in the house, encourage them to help. They will be proud to carry the trays of appetizers they helped make and urge every one to try a taste. Happy Entertaining.

For over 20 years I have been working and playing online. I am a certified teacher, entrepreneur, website designer, and genealogist, and as such I find that people are constantly asking how to do ____.

At http://www.LifeWithBarbara.com I am working to share as much information as I can find. Why? Simply, because I really feel it is time to get back to basics. People Helping People. It is what has made us who we are. If you need information, free products to offer for sale or as bonuses for your business get them here with No log-in or payments of any kind required.

If you are looking for access to one of my other sites you can find the links at http://www.cagleonline.com. Read articles, watch free videos and more. Be sure to check out the Cagle Cooks section.

How to Make Her Desire YOU - 3 Quick Tips For Men

So,  you want to learn how to make a woman want you and only you?  The bad news is,  that most guys have no real clue as to what it is that they should be doing to make this happen.  The good news is,  you can learn how!  Making a woman desire after you is not as hard as it may seem at first.  Sure,  you might feel a little intimidated,  especially is she is a hottie,  but that doesn't have to keep you from getting her!

Here are 3 tips that should help give you the start that you need:

1.  Your approach should show no real hesitation.  When you are approaching a woman,  the last thing that you want her to pick up on is the sense of you being nervous.  Trust me,  they will pick up on that EASY,  especially if you are real hesitant about approaching her. 

2.  Forget the canned line approach.  Occasionally that might work out.  Usually it won't.  The more attractive a woman is,  the more likely it is that she has heard those same lines a million times before.  To really make a woman think of you,  you have to be at least a little unique in how you talk with her.  The goal is to stand out in her mind.

3.  This may sound funny,  but know in your mind that she is yours.  When you can trick your mind into thinking that you already have her,  then all that nervousness goes away in an instant.  And you will interact with her in a much different way.  The mindset is key.

Wanna know more?

Go to: http://www.geturgirl.com NOW!

You can publish this article as long as you keep it intact and the URL active.

How to Grow With Water

It sounds like a compendium off elementary school facts: The Earth's surface is more water than land; our bodies are mostly water; you cart survive for weeks without eating but will likely die within a few days of your last drink. Despite all the discussions about water we've been having since grade school, a lot of confusion remains. Not so much about the geological makeup of the planet or our biological makeup, but about how much you need to ingest and when.

The bottom line is that without proper water intake, your bodybuilding efforts will be compromised. If you're serious about building muscle, here's what you need to know about [H.sub.2]O.

The biggest question is also the most argued and the most important for those of you concerned with both your health and your physiques: How much water should you drink per day? You've probably heard conflicting tidbits of conventional wisdom. Some people swear you should count every glass, aiming for about eight each day; others say you should just drink whenever you feel thirsty.Then there are those hardcore gym freaks who carry a gallon-size bottle of water around while lifting, slugging it back between sets.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Washington, D.C., which sets dietary regulations, reviewed the research on hydration and water intake in 2004 and released an updated recommendation. It said that to maintain optimal hydration, men need to drink 16 cups of water a day, and women need 11. Sound like a lot? Well, for one thing, when the IOM says cups, it actually means cups, as in not glasses or mugs, but 1 cup 8 ounces. That makes a total of 128 ounces of water per day, or 1 gallon. Not everyone thinks that much water is necessary. The authors of a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology in April 2008 examined existing research on water intake and found no evidence that drinking extra water is good for you. Their review was found to be extremely flawed, however, and their ultimate conclusion was that there's also no evidence that drinking extra water is not good for you.

Research increasingly shows that getting even slightly less water than your body needs can have notable effects on everything from strength to muscle growth. A study published in 2001 in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research had 10 trained men perform their one-rep max (IRM) bench press in a normally hydrated state and again in both a dehydrated state and after having rehydrated. When they were dehydrated, subjects' IRMs decreased compared to their normal and rehydrated states. In addition, the leaner the subject, the more dehydration affected him.

Scientists concluded that even a 15% loss in body mass due to dehydration that's only 3 pounds for a 200-pound man resulted in a significant decrease in strength. And not just muscle function is affected.

Research

A new study conducted at the University of Connecticut (Storrs) found that dehydration and resistance exercise can be a bad combination, negatively impacting the ideal hormonal state for muscle growth. Researchers had study subjects complete three identical bouts of exercise in three different states: normally hydrated, moderately dehydrated (about 2.5% of body mass lost) and more severely dehydrated (about 5% of body mass lost). They then drew subjects' blood and tested it for a slew of hormones linked to muscle growth, such as testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, insulinlike growth factor-1, insulin, glucose, lactate and more. Being underhydrated was found to negatively affect testosterone levels in two ways. One, it boosts levels of Cortisol, which competes with testosterone for receptors and can drive down T levels, and two, it reduces how much testosterone is released in response to exercise. It also affected the metabolism of carbs and fat, meaning you might end up with more bodyfat. Altogether, the evidence is strong and mounting that keeping your body well-hydrated is important not only to overall health but also to the pursuit of muscle.

It's nearly impossible to predict how much water an individual will lose during exercise. Every trainee's sweat rate is different and linked to such variables as percent bodyfat, conditioning, heat acclimation, exercise intensity, altitude, even genetics. That said, most athletes lose 0.5-2 liters of sweat per hour of exercise. Since the ratio of water lost to water replaced is 1:1, that means you need to drink anywhere up to 2 liters of water to replace what you lose.

Rule Of Thumb

One rule of thumb is to weigh yourself before and after the workout and drink about a pint (16 ounces) for every pound you've lost. But you also lose water driving to the gym, sleeping at night, eating one of your seven daily meals, etc. In fact, the mere act of breathing is responsible for the majority of the body's water losses, hence our recommendation to drink a gallon of water per day.

Content prepared for http://www.hiasin.com

Motivate Your Employees Through Storytelling

Nonprofit organizations use the stories of others to move people to dig deep into their pockets and give to groups or individuals in need. In many ways, nonprofits are expert storytellers or they wouldn't raise the funds needed to help others. Storytelling doesn't have to be a motivational tool that only nonprofit organizations use effectively; any company can learn to tell a story in order to increase production and inspire employees. In order for employees to be motivated through storytelling, three things need to happen; know your goal, find a hook, and finally, share it authentically.

Knowing the Goal

Before jumping into a motivational story, you need to have a goal in mind. Think about what you want your story to accomplish? Do you want your employees to work extra hours or perhaps develop a new product? More often than not, if you're looking to inspire your employees, it's because you're sharing a vision with them. When you use storytelling to share a vision, be clear in what you want them to see. If you're not clear, your story will be ineffective and the vision or goal you have will be lost.

Hooking Your Audience

When you read a book or see a movie, there comes a point in the story where you are committed to it. You either love it or hate it. It's the point in which you are "hooked". Much like the artistic hook, when you're using storytelling as a means to motivate your employees, you must be able to hook them and get them committed to the story you're telling or they either won't understand the goal, or worse, they will stop listening altogether. The point of hooking your employees early on is so that they will become vested in wanting to know what comes next in your story.

Storytelling with Feeling

When you share your story with your employees, it needs to feel original; meaning it can't sound like a canned speech. The authentic feeling your put into your story is essential for your employees finding your story believable and thus feel inspired to act in the manner you want. Storytelling can't be emotionless. The storyteller must feel that the story is important to them or it won't be important to the audience.

Two recommendations:

If you're interested in storytelling, Profitable Storytelling is a fantastic site!

And for an incredible source of motivation, you really need to look at BlindMentor.com You'll be really glad you did!

The Who, What, Where, and Why of Christian Book Promotion & Marketing

So, do you think every Christian needs to read your book? If you do, let us stop for a moment and get real. If you think your book is going to end up in WalMart, on Oprah, and on the NY Times Bestseller List...really, I hate to rain on your parade, but you really are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment. It will help from the start to have realistic expectations and recognize clearly who your real market is. You must ask your self these defining questions...who, what and where? Then you must prove the why.

If you cannot narrow down your who into a specific people group, the narrower the better, the more difficult you will find marketing and promoting your book.

WHO?

If your who is all Christian, all women, all men, or all teens, then we've got a problem. Your goal should be to target your message to a more specific people group, like:

• New moms


• Single moms


• People in sales


• Military wives


• Cancer survivors


• Homeschoolers


• Christian writers


• Teachers


• The grieving


• Bereavement counselors


• Child abuse survivors


• Teens struggling with addictions


• Women struggling with eating disorders


• Christian counselors


• Runners or hikers


• Pastors or church leaders


• Wives of veterans


• Parents of terminally ill children


• Caregivers


• Senior citizens


• Stay at home moms


• Dog lovers


• Cat lovers


• And so on

The more clearly you can define your market, the easier it will be to find ways to advertise and promote to them.

If you are a fiction writer, make sure you include an issue in your story. Do not just have your main character become a Christian, but create someone struggling with abortion, infertility, domestic violence, infidelity, prodigal children, AIDS, homosexuality, etc. This will help you niche market your fiction title much easier since there are many support groups in the church and secular world reaching out to those dealing with issues, giving you a greater potential reading audience, again, because it is targeted.

WHAT?

Once you've determined the who and hopefully narrowed down your market to a niche group of potential readers, it is time to take a look at the what:

• What magazines or newsletters or newspapers or catalogs might they read?


• What radio stations do they listen to?


• What TV shows do they watch?


• What websites do they visit?


• What keywords are they typing into an internet search engine?


• What blogs do they read?

These days you see magazines, catalogs, websites and newsletters targeted for specific people groups. Many support groups have newsletters to keep in touch with their membership and typically the cost to advertise is low. Also, the chances of getting your book reviewed are much better in this type of publication than in a huge, well known publication...especially if your book offers great benefit to their readers.

All too often, authors gravitate towards the well known, full color, slick magazines like Christianity Today, Discipleship Journal, Charisma and the like. But beware...to advertise in these publications is not only extremely expensive, but typically very unproductive because the audience is so broad. You could easily spend thousands of dollars and get about as much return as flushing your money down the toilet would!

Take a few moments and come up with a list of keywords that relate to your topic. Then go to a few different search engines (http://www.google.com; http://www.dogpile.com; etc.) and type in each one of the keywords on your list. You will be amazed at all the resources you will find on the internet...and many of them are looking for important books like yours to add to their list of links and recommended reading.

The essential opportunities to look for are resources that are focused on meeting the needs of your particular people group. Whether it is a daily or weekly radio or TV show, a catalog, or newsletter, or an e-zine, blog or website, do some research to see what you can find that is dedicated to your prospective readers. Those are the kinds of websites, publications and media resources that you will want to prayerfully add to your marketing plan.

WHERE?

So where are you going to find these prospective buyers? Another reason to get as specific as possible is that you will find that the more specific the people group is, the easier it will be to find events and happenings where they might gather. Whether it's in cyberspace, or in your physical locale, people who share similar interests or challenges tend to gather on a regular basis. This is good news for you if your book is a resource that will meet their needs.

Online

• Message boards


• Forums


• Chat groups


• Opt-in newsletters


• Targeted websites


• Blogs


• E-Zines


• Social networks (myspace.com; facebook.com, etc.)


• Teleclasses


• Web Conferences

Offline

• Support groups


• Seminars and conferences


• Bible Studies


• Book Clubs


• Conventions (annual, regional, etc.)


• Civic groups


• Churches


• Monthly membership meetings


• Christian workers conferences


• Christian Education conventions


• Street Fairs / Festivals

You've zeroed in on your niche market, but now begs the question...why should anyone buy your book? What do you have to offer them?

At this point the best thing you could do is get some valuable feedback. Get a group of your supporters together for a creative inspiration session. Brainstorm a list of places where you can find those who need to hear your message. While you're at it, ask your focus group these important questions:

• What does your book offer?


• What problem does it help the reader solve?

Spend some additional time listing all the benefits of the message and then take a break. After a snack, come back together and go over the list, highlighting the most compelling and exciting benefits. These are the ones you will want to use in your sales copy in advertising, back cover copy, and a short description for a catalog.

WHY?

The truth is, people are selfish. That's our sinful nature and there's no getting around it...that said, most don't really care why you wrote your book, what they really want to know is what is in it for them. Why should they take the time to read what you have to say?

Hopefully you've already gone before the Lord to make sure your message is His message, getting rid of anything that draws attention to yourself and embellishing whatever glorifies the Lord. With that done, you need to clearly and articulately encapsulate the benefit your book offers your reader.

If you cannot come up with sales copy of less than 40 words, then you might be in trouble. Let's face it, people are busy. If you meet someone in an elevator; you don't have 15 minutes to tell them about your book...you need a sound byte...a "bottom line" describing the problem that exists and the solution you offer.

You should be able to share your sales copy (or "elevator speech") one on one in 30 seconds or less. You've got to be able to communicate what's in it for the reader and be ready to expound on that as the opportunity arises. Just make sure your copy sounds natural when you say it...if it is too flowery or technical it will sound canned. It needs to be natural yet compelling to those who hear it without so many words that your listener gets lost.

As you consider the troubles you help others conquer, as a Christian writer, you are able to offer a real and enduring solution for the trials of this life. It is true that the solution is surrendering ones life fully to Jesus and becoming a disciple whose only goal is to do His will, but that does not necessarily mean that the Lord is going to solve all of our problems and we will never have to suffer.

Readers are tired of trite, superficial answers to the challenges of this life. We must, as Christian writers, give them an opportunity to go deeper and experience true life by the power of the Holy Spirit as the only solution to the issues they face.

So what are you helping your reader to overcome? Depression? Loneliness? Abuse? Unforgiveness? Anger? Betrayal or infidelity? Fear of the future? Grief over the loss of a loved one? Make sure you use this information in the back cover copy and all advertising and sales material so that your potential readers will relate based on their felt needs and see that you may have some answers for them.

In conclusion, by clearly determining who your market is, what type of media they prefer, where they congregate with others, and why they should buy your book, you have the basics that you'll need for success. Now you can create and launch a successful marketing campaign to get your message into the hands of those who need to read it.

Athena Dean, founder of WinePress Publishing and three-time self-published author, has coached hundreds of authors through the daunting task of book production and promotion. Over the last 17 years she has helped bring the degree of credibility for self-published works up to the high level of acceptance in the industry it enjoys today. Athena functions as Acquisitions Manager for WinePress Publishing Group http://www.winepressgroup.com and is currently the President of the Northwest Christian Writers' Association http://www.nwchristianwriters.org Check out her You Can Do It - Promote and Market Your Self Published Book Blog at http://athenadean.authorweblog.com

Ringing in Ears Blood Pressure Problems - 3 Tips to Stop the Whooshing Noise in You Ears

You probably already know that hearing loss and its unwelcome cousin, tinnitus is most often caused by subjecting your ears to loud noises. Other causes include head injuries, sinus and ear infections, wax build-up, high cholesterol, TMJ problems or dental problems, food allergies, certain types of tumors and high blood pressure. If you have an odd whooshing or thumping ringing in ears, then high blood pressure may be linked to the cause. Here's help to get over this confounding problem.

Say Hello to Pulsatile Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the medical term for "ringing in the ears" although some people hear other sounds. Normally the noises can't be heard by anyone else and there is no obvious cause of the noise in your ears. You may hear it in one ear or both ears. The noises vary, but in pulsatile tinnitus the noise is described as a drumming, thumping or whooshing noise in the ears. Anyone of any age can experience of tinnitus. Some times the noises last for minutes, other times the noise never goes away.

Does the sound in your ears beat in time with your pulse? This is called pulsatile or vascular tinnitus. Approximately 3% of tinnitus patients experience this kind of tinnitus. When you have pulsatile tinnitus you hear a rhythmic pulsing, often in time with your heartbeat.

Ringing in ears blood pressure related noises are caused by a narrowing or a partial blockage of your arteries or blood vessels caused from an atheroma. The most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus is arterial turbulence, a noisy blood flow caused by plaques or kinks in the arteries in the head or neck. An atheroma is an abnormal accumulation and swelling of cholesterol and fatty acids, calcium mineral and fibrous connective tissues within the walls of your arteries. It can be made worse if there is also hypertension. The good news is that many forms of pulsatile tinnitus are treatable.

Tips To Stop Ringing In Ears Blood Pressure Problems

Pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom of a more serious condition and you are advised seek out your physician's advice to reduce your cholesterol levels as soon as possible. Here are some natural steps to ending your pulsatile tinnitus.

1. Salt contains sodium. Sodium causes the sounds of tinnitus to become louder and more intense. High sodium levels lead to high blood pressure problems. So back off or completely stop adding salt to your food. Search out low sodium products when buying canned or pre-packaged foods.

2. Try lowering your blood pressure without synthetic drugs. Add omega rich fish oil to your diet and eat more fiber. If you love oatmeal or oat bran flakes eat it every day as they offer the largest cholesterol lowering effects of all grains.

3. Dairy products can aggravate tinnitus and add to cholesterol problems (which lead to pulsatile tinnitus.) Try eliminating all dairy products from your diet for 10 days. Keep a daily log of any changes (good or bad) in your ringing in ears blood pressure related noises. If at the end of 10 days you noticed a reduction in the pulsatile related noises, then continue on without dairy or slowly add it back in with skim/low fat dairy products.

If you are tired of living with the noises related to pulsatile tinnitus, you need to get your blood pressure or cholesterol problems under control. The above tips are easy and you may find that you get relief from ringing in ears blood pressure related noises in days. Get your hands on more free tips for a life free of tinnitus at http://MyCureForTinnitus.com.

Why Cats Need Canned Food

Cats are true carnivores, requiring a meat-based diet for optimal health. Their natural diet is prey such as rodents, lizards, insects, and birds. These prey consist primarily of water, protein and fat, with less than 10% carbohydrate (starch, sugar and fiber) content. Cats are exquisitely adapted to utilize fat and protein for energy. They are not at all like dogs and people, who are adapted to use carbohydrates for energy.

When feeding our companion cats, the most logical strategy is to feed the diet that most closely mimics the natural prey diet. A homemade diet is an excellent way to accomplish this, but it isn't always practical. Feeding more (or only) canned food is another way--one that is often easier for people to deal with. Canned foods are higher in fat and protein, and lower in carbohydrates, than dry foods. Their high water content increases the cat's overall fluid intake, which keeps the kidneys and bladder healthy. The higher fat contributes to skin and coat health. Because the ingredients are more easily digested and utilized by the cat's body, canned foods produce less solid waste in the litterbox--and who doesn't appreciate that?

Another feature of the cat's natural diet is variety. A hunting cat doesn't one day decide to eat only purple finches! He will eat any small prey he can catch: chickadees, mice, grasshoppers, robins, or rabbits. Likewise, we should feed our cats a variety of foods. Variety keeps cats from becoming finicky and food-addicted, lessens the chance of dietary excess or deficiency of any single nutrient, and may prevent the development of food intolerances, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. Feeding the same dry food year after year greatly increases the risk of these problems. With canned food, it is easy to vary the flavors and protein sources.

Dry food typically contains 35-50% carbohydrates, mostly as starch. (The new "grain-free" foods may be as little as 20% carbohydrate). This is necessary because the equipment that makes dry food requires a high-starch, low-fat dough for proper processing. Cereal grains provide an inexpensive and plentiful source of calories, which allows manufacturers to produce foods containing adequate calories at an affordable price. A few dry foods provide less carbohydrates, in some cases substituting starchy vegetables and soy for cereal grains; but they are still heavily processed and just as dehydrating (if not more so) than regular dry food.

Adult cats need 2-3 times more protein than dogs. Yet dry cat foods generally supply only about 1/3 more protein than dry dog foods-about 30-35% in dry cat food compared to 20-26% for the average dry dog food. "Kidney" diets for cats in renal failure are even more restrictive with 26-28% protein (such diets should never be fed to normal cats; they will cause muscle wasting as the cat breaks down its own body for protein). Canned cat foods contain 45-50% protein, and canned kitten foods may contain up to 55% protein. (All percentages calculated on a dry matter basis.)

Cats are attracted to food that has a strong meat or fat flavor. Pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to make their starch-based dry foods palatable to cats. They may coat the kibbles with fat or with "animal digest," a powder made of chemically or enzymatically digested animal by-products. The result may be a cat who overeats, not because he's hungry, but because he loves the taste of the food and doesn't want to stop. (I think we've all been there!)

Dry food is very dehydrating. Our feline friends descend from desert-dwelling wild cats who are well adapted to limited water resources. Their ultra-efficient kidneys are able to extract most of their moisture needs from their prey. However, the end result is that cats have a very low thirst drive, and will not drink water until they are 3-5% dehydrated (a level at which, clinically, a veterinarian would administer fluid therapy). Cats eating only dry food take in only half the moisture of a cat eating only canned food. This chronic dehydration may be a factor in kidney disease, and is known to be a major contributor to bladder disease (crystals, stones, FUS, FLUTD, cystitis). Caution: adding water or milk to dry food does not solve the problem; and the fact that there are always bacteria on the surface of dry food means that adding moisture can result in massive bacterial growth--and a very upset tummy.

The high heat used in processing dry food damages (denatures) the proteins in the food. The resulting unnatural proteins may trigger an immune response that can lead to food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

There is increasing evidence that carbohydrates (starches and sugars) in dry food are simply not metabolized well by many, if not most cats. While obesity is caused by many factors, the free-choice feeding of dry food to a relatively inactive cat is a major player. Obese cats are prone to joint problems, liver and kidney disease, and diabetes.

Recent research has shown that high-carbohydrate diets are to blame in most cases of feline diabetes. Many overweight cats are carbohydrate-intolerant, and should be fed low-carbohydrate diets (think "Catkins" diet!). This means canned food. Experts are now recommending canned kitten food as the primary treatment for diabetes. Many diabetic cats can decrease or even eliminate their need for insulin, simply by changing to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Ultimately, canned food may be even more beneficial as a preventative for this devastating disease.

Overweight cats may greatly benefit from a switch to an all-canned diet. Any all life stages and kitten foods is fine, although you do get what you pay for, and quality is important. Most cats lose weight more efficiently on a canned food than dry food diet. Even though they're often eating more calories, these diets are much better suited to the unique feline metabolism.

If your cat is not used to eating canned food, add it to the diet slowly in small amounts. It is so different in composition from dry food that it may cause tummy upset at first.

If a cat won't eat canned food, it's usually because of a dry food addiction, or because he isn't hungry enough to try something new. Start by putting the cat on a meal-feeding schedule, leaving dry food out only an hour each, morning and night. Once he's accustomed to the schedule, put a little canned food down first. Most cats will be willing to try it at that point.

Dry food is a great convenience and may be necessary in some cases when the guardian is gone long hours or cannot feed on a regular schedule. But at least 50% of the diet (preferably 100% if you want to ensure optimum health!) should be a high-protein, high-moisture, low-carb diet such as canned or homemade food. Your cat will be healthier, and while you'll spend a little more on food up front, ultimately you'll save hundreds, if not thousands, on veterinary bills!

Dr. Jean Hofve is a retired holistic veterinarian with a special interest in nutrition and behavior. Her informational website, http://www.littlebigcat.com, features an extensive free article library on feline health and pet nutrition, as well as a free e-newsletter. Dr. Hofve founded Spirit Essences Holistic Remedies for Animals (www.spiritessence.com) in 1995; and it remains the only line of flower essence formulas designed by a veterinarian. She is a certified Medicine Woman within the Nemenhah Native American Traditional Organization who uses holistic remedies as a part of body-mind-spiritual healing.

Why Your Employees Should Always Greet Your Customers - Retail Staff Development Tip #20

It is no secret that greeting every customer that enters your store quickly and warmly is a key to good customer service. Plus, it is the first step towards making a great SALE! It is also no secret that the dreaded, dreary "Can I help you?" greeting will get an immediate, "No, thanks, I am just looking," from every customer, every time. Even if they really do need help.

So what ARE you supposed to say to greet your customers?

In an ideal world, every employee would be able to come up with a personal, genuine, and unique greeting for each customer that walks in your door... and they would be able to do it within 30 seconds of spotting the customer.

Alas, there is no such thing as a perfect world.

Sometimes even the most intuitive and creative salesperson draws a blank. And for many employees, the initial greeting is the most difficult part of their interaction with your customers. So while we should all strive to reach the ideal of a personal, unique greeting for every customer, it is a good idea to have a fallback greeting you can use for any customer, in any situation.

But just because it is a back-up greeting does not mean it has to be a bad or ineffective greeting. Here are some suggestions...

• Steer clear of yes/no questions - they do not give you enough opportunity to interact with the customer or learn about his needs.


• Stay away from greetings that will not work if a customer hears in more than once. For example, "How did you find us?" or "Is this your first time in our store?" are terrific the first time a customer hears them, but if two or three employees in a row use the same line, they really sound canned.

Instead, try a "choice" greeting that gets your customer to pick between two scenarios. Here is one example that can work for almost any store and almost any customer.

"Hi! Are you just in browsing today or are you looking for something special?"

If they choose the "something special" option you are all set. Start asking questions and you are one step closer to a satisfied, happy customer.

If they choose to browse, point out some new, unusual, or trendy merchandise and keep the conversation rolling. This is how it might sound. "Browsing is great! Be sure to check out the new Ultra Widget 5000 in pale aqua that just arrived today. It is right over here..." And start walking with the customer.

There are two tricks to successfully using this fallback greeting.

1. Practice it until it rolls off your tongue quickly, easily, and naturally. Remember, you want it to be on the tip of your tongue to use whenever you can not think of anything else to say.


2. Know ahead of time what you plan to show your customers who are just browsing. Do not make it hard on yourself by having to come up with something on the spur of the moment. Or even worse, by having no conversation comeback other that, "Uhh, OK."

If this greeting does not strike your fancy or if it will not work well for your store, come up with your own. It does not matter what fallback greeting you use, just so long as you have one and it is one that works!

Content Copyright © 2008 WhizBang! Training

By Bob Negen

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Discover the Amazing Health Benefits of Canned Salmon

So you've heard the hype. You know that salmon can prevent cancers and heart attacks. You've heard all about those miraculous omega-3 fatty acids. You've read studies which detail how eating it on a regular basis can actually possibly reduce your levels of bad cholesterol and aid in boosting your immune system. So, the question is, have you started eating more? If you are one of the types who wishes they did eat more salmon, or fish in general, but simply are too busy, and do not have the time, then think canned salmon. And if you are wondering is canned salmon healthy, then the answer is a resounding yes.

This treat has all the nutrients and vitamins as salmon fillets and salmon steaks. It really is the perfect solution for a busy household. If you've got kids, it really does make for a great lunch. In fact, this particular way to get your fish intake is a great alternative to tuna if you are worried about mercury levels, or simply want to switch things up a bit. The question of is canned salmon healthy, is really a no brainer, because yes it is healthy, and it's quite tasty too. Your kids will love it.

Wild salmon, in whatever form, canned, filleted or grilled, is even better. It's better for the environment and it's better tasting. Wild salmon, especially from Alaska, is sustainable, high in omega-3s and it is delicious. Did you know that canned wild salmon contains up to four times as many omega-3 fatty acids as tuna? It's also more environmentally sound.

Again, even if you cracked open a can of salmon and pondered at all the bones and black bits of skin, and wondered, is canned salmon healthy, you would be able to rest assured, that indeed it is beyond healthy. It is good for you. It is good for the environment. And, it is so easy to prepare.

With salmon from the can, you can make everything from salads to sandwiches and bisques. It is really versatile. You cannot go wrong with salmon. And remember, your kids, with time, will learn to love it.

Great tasting Alaska seafood is a healthy way to feed the whole family. You'll find a ton of great nutrition information at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's website.

How to Sell Ideas - Discover 4 Responsive Methods to Sell Your Ideas

If you have bright ideas that you think can benefit other people, I recommend that you sell them to convert them to instant cash. Here's how you can do that:

1. They must be unique. Before you go ahead and sell your ideas, I recommend that you do your research first. You will need to do this to make sure that your ideas are unique and that they haven't been used before. It would also work to your advantage if you apply for patent to protect your ideas from being stolen.

2. List building. The next thing that you need to do is to capture the contact information of your potential clients. If you are selling ideas for reality show, you may want to call different heads of TV stations. Make sure that you get the name and the contact number of the decision-maker.

3. Cold calling. Pitch in your ideas to people who might need them. You can do this by doing cold calls. For best result, I recommend that you plan way ahead before you call any number. You must prepare a compelling sales script, you must have a list of benefits that your ideas can offer, and you must have canned rebuttals for possible objections. It would help if you can practice so you'll sound confident and collected throughout the call.

4. Sales presentation. If you are lucky enough to secure an appointment, I recommend that you make the most out of it. Research your potential buyers to figure out the best ways to present your ideas. These people must see the need for your ideas so they'll buy them in a heartbeat.

By the way, do you want to learn more about using articles like this to drive traffic to your website and increase online conversions?

If so, I suggest you check this out: article marketing traffic.

A Prescription From The PR Doctor To Become Positive Headline News

Publicity is an essential ingredient in any integrated marketing communications plan. Positive public relations are very important to all businesses and require a dedicated strategic thinking effort to achieve the desired results. The impact of media coverage and positive media headlines can mean an enhancement of your company and your individual image in the communities and the markets where you do business.

The PR Doctor has developed a prescription for you to use to become positive headline news. The prescription includes the following ten (10) prescribed strategic actions.

#1: Always have something newsworthy to say. If you want to be a positive headliner and be part of a good interview, then you need to emphasize the strengths of your company and what differentiates you from others in the business sector. You also need to have some quotable aspect of your business to get reporters attention.

#2: Develop good solid opinions and share them with confidence. The media loves to quote people who are willing to share opinions on controversial issues, make predictions about their industry, take risks and exhibit confidence. And these quotes can turn into positive headlines.

#3: Speak with authority. Share your knowledge. Positive headliners will develop a reputation as an authority on their industry, business sector or a particular subject. They will do this by speaking at various business forums, including professional societies, seminars, workshops, chambers of commerce and other business forums.

#4: Develop a positive personality. Think of the positive headliners who grab the most media attention. One of the most important things they have in common is charisma. And their charisma helps them educate reporters without delivering what sounds like a "canned" sales pitch.

#5: Develop a position of authority or expertise with the media. Positive headliners become leaders in their field by sharing their knowledge with the media. Reporters want to gain access to experts to quote, and therefore positive headliners achieve credible exposure in the media.

#6: Interpret news events. Positive headliners think on a "big picture" but they speak on a narrow "snapshot" focus. They issue news releases, write letters to editors or otherwise contact trade and business media to offer insight into business and economic developments. For example, how will the recent increase in minimum wage impact your business?

#7: Always display the highest level of good business etiquette. Positive headliners who are often quoted in the media are those who treat reporters with courtesy. They are on time for interviews, return phone calls and e-mails quickly and thank reporters for their time.

#8: Build positive relationships and credibility with the media. Media-savvy positive headliners establish rapport with the best and most highly regarded business editors and reporters just as they do with their key customers. They develop a relationship by meeting and talking with them frequently to determine what they need - and then they respond with interesting and valuable information or with access to requested people to meet those needs.

#9: Always think before you speak. Although it is essential to build relationships with reporters, positive headliners know they must carefully consider every word they say. It is important to remember that any damaging quote is worse than no quote at all.

#10: Be available. You must understand that media relations are all about the media deadlines. A reporter cannot postpone deadlines, which means positive headliners who want media attention must work around critical deadlines and editorial schedules and be willing to respond after hours or even on vacation.

The PR Doctor encourages you to develop a plan to gain positive headline news for you and your business.

Glenn Ebersole, Jr. is a multi-faceted professional, who is recognized as a visionary, guide and facilitator in the fields of business coaching, marketing, public relations, management, strategic planning and engineering. Glenn is the Founder and Chief Executive of two Lancaster, PA based consulting practices: The Renaissance Group, a creative marketing, public relations, strategic planning and business development consulting firm and J. G. Ebersole Associates, an independent professional engineering, marketing, and management consulting firm. He is a Certified Facilitator and serves as a business coach and a strategic planning facilitator and consultant to a diverse list of clients. Glenn is also the author of a monthly newsletter, "Glenn's Guiding Lines - Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach" and has published more than 325 articles on business.

To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at http://www.businesscoach4u.com or jgecoach@aol.com

How To Bring A Call Script To Life

In a recent article I explained that scripting conversations is inescapable, inevitable. You'll either use one unconsciously, from memory, or explicitly, having written it down.

Presuming you write it down, which is a really good idea, you can now focus on improving your delivery, your vocal nuances, so it doesn't sound artificial.

If you ask most tele-reps why they don't like scripts, they'll respond that they don't want to sound canned, believing that one naturally follows from the other.

Not true.

A few years ago, actor James Earl Jones did a radio commercial for a restaurant chain. He simply read from its menu, using his wonderful training to make each item sound stupendous. (As you know, Mr. Jones is the deep, resonant, Darth Vader voice in "Star Wars.")

The ad proved that it isn't what you say, i.e. the quality of your script, that alone determines your impact. Performing it well, bringing it to life, is just as important.

So, here are some quick pointers on script reading that actors will also appreciate when they go to auditions for cold readings:

(1) Read the script one phrase at a time; not one word at a time.

When we speak spontaneously, in everyday conversations, we use phrases, and express them as entire units. Stopping to utter words as individual units slows us down and makes our language sound stilted.

(2) Breathe in the middle of a phrase, not at the end.

Again, when we speak spontaneously, we breathe in the middle of ideas. By breathing only at the end, you signal that you are reading, and your listener will discount what you're saying as contrived.

(3) Vary your tones.

Poor script readers sound mono-tonal, and this is generally artificial, unless we're genuine geeks or police dispatchers who follow a cultural code in restricting their voices to narrow ranges.
Let your voice rise and fall, from high to low, and from soft to louder. This is what we do in everyday conversation, so let's carry it over to reading scripts.

(4) Get over the fact that the script's language isn't your everyday language.

It's better, crafted for persuasion, not chitchat or recreational conversation. So, you didn't write it, no big deal. You can still make it yours by repeating it and by making it sound spontaneous. In fact, once you've said it 100 times, it will seem second nature to you.

These are some of the ways in which you can tackle the task of making a script come to life. Remember, real professionals do this, whether they're Broadway actors or your favorite classroom teachers.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of 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. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC's Annenberg School, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Fad Diets and Crash Diets - Why You Need to Avoid Them and Follow 1 Simple Plan

In other words, the weight you have lost is soon regained, either because the weight loss was mainly water, soon inevitably restored by the body, or because you cannot keep up a severely restrictive food diet for ever, or even for very long.

Hollywood Diet

The Hollywood diet for example, which consists mainly of different fruit juices, only supplies you with about 400 calories per day. When you compare this figure with the average daily calorie intake for an adult of 2000 you can see that this is just plain silly. You cannot manage on 400 calories per day for very long, and you cannot exist on cabbage soup for the rest of your life.

Crash Diets

Crash diets dehydrate you, whilst low calorie diets put your body into starvation mode, slowing your metabolism since your body thinks it's starving and tries to conserve its energy supplies. This causes your weight loss to plateau and you are unable to lose any more weight. Very high protein diets can lead to a deficiency of some micro-nutrients and put a strain on the kidneys.

What you need is a sensible diet based on the sound principle that the amount of your daily energy expenditure needs to be greater than your energy equivalent of the food you eat. This, coupled with an increase in exercise levels to boost your metabolism, will lead to a steady, albeit gradual loss of weight.

Yes, it has to be gradual. You cannot really expect to lose more than a couple of pounds per week on a sensible diet, and so it will take several months to lose an appreciative amount of weight. This is better, surely, than making yourself ill or getting nowhere at all?

You need therefore to cut back your daily calorie input by a small amount, probably 2-300 calories, whilst maintaining a healthy and varied diet. The key to a healthy diet is that it should contain roughly one third of each of the main groups of foods, protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and not too much of any one group.

Protein

Protein is essential for body growth and repair, but you don't need to worry about getting sufficient as it is present in meat, fish, and many vegetarian foods such as beans and pulses. Most people get enough protein in their diet without having to think about it. Unfortunately, some meats, particularly red meats, are high in unhealthy fats called saturated fats, so for this reason it is best to moderate consumption of red meat.

Fat

Fat has had a bad press over the last few decades, being overly blamed for obesity amongst our Western society. Eat too much fat and you get fat, sounds plausible, but many now think that it's not quite as simple as that. The fact is that we need some fat in our diets, for normal brain and nervous system function, for the utilisation of fat soluble vitamins, amongst other things. Fat is also a source of energy. Too much fat may be bad for us, and certainly too much saturated fat, since this is implicated in the formation of atheroma, causing artery and heart disease.

Carbohydrates

It is now recognised by many that carbohydrates are the main culprits when it comes to putting on excess weight in our Western society. Because carbohydrates are cheaper to produce than protein, they are incorporated by food manufacturers into almost all their foodstuffs, from tomato sauce, breakfast cereal, ready-meals, canned beans, to the more obvious cakes, biscuits, and breads.

Moreover, these carbohydrates are refined, which means, despite the name, that they are actually bad for us. This is because they are so rapidly digested and absorbed by the body that they cause sudden surges in blood sugar levels, which is not a healthy state of affairs.

Blood Sugar

Our blood sugar levels need to stay fairly constant, and repeated sudden surges have to be corrected by our body's regulatory system using insulin. Excess glucose in the blood is removed, converted to fat, and, because there is no immediate need for it to be used for energy, it is converted to fat, and stored in the body leading to weight gain.

Healthy Diet

Our healthy diet then, should be one where calories are reduced, mainly at the expense of refined carbohydrates, but still consist of roughly one third each of protein, carbohydrate, and fat, plus plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables for their essential content of vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

The diet I have described is virtually the same as the Mediterranean diet, incorporating as it does, lean protein, mono-saturated oils such as olive oil, and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you cut back on refined carbohydrates, substituting whole-grain breads and pasta for white, and copy the diet of the Mediterranean people, you can lose weight while staying healthy.

Check out Sarah's site she reviews home gym machines and the Marcy home gym which will definitely help you win your weight loss battle.

What Would a Customer Service Professional Do? They Take the Time to Respond

What would a Customer Service Professional do? A Professional takes the time to respond. In previous articles this was addressed as part of Active Listening, yet this really is a skill set on its own. It requires you to think, to plan, to consider before responding. When you take the time to respond you include all of these elements. Why? Why do we need to do this? Because canned scripted responses do not get it done folks.

They are designed to be used as a framework in which you use key elements of the script in your own way so that it doesn't sound canned or scripted. Scripts are foundations. Foundations for taking the material in a script, using your brain (you know, that gray matter stuff you keep in your brain housing case) and craft a response that is timely, thoughtful, reasonable and respectful.

They were never designed (IMHO) to be used verbatim over and over again once you get the hang of responding the way you are supposed to. It's called Professional Customer Service.

If you have a Customer Service person (I'm not using the word Professional here) that has worked as a Customer Service Representative for longer than say....a month...and they are using the same canned scripts over and over without thinking (WITHOUT THINKING HE SHOUTS) about how they are responding to the Customer, I got no love for you baby! Seriously, how sad is this scenario?

You need to get out of Customer Service! You are making it a bazillion more times difficult for Professionals to undo what you have done. Do us all a favor, find a new job...like.... light bulb inspector or something. And if you are using the same old script over and over again, delivering it with the same ol' "enthusiasm", how mechanical is that? How does that sound to your Customer after awhile?

Ask yourself this question, if YOU don't want to call into a company and be scripted by someone who has not taken the time to learn the basic foundation and language to craft a reasonable answer and respond in an appropriate manner, what makes you think your Customers do?

The Professional who takes the time to craft a response that is timely, reasonable, and thoughtful is a lost and dying art in Customer Service. And one that should be grown and encouraged, nurtured if you will. By the way, it takes a desire to be caring in order to be reasonable and thoughtful. You can tell those people who are not by their level of caring attention to the Customer and of course, their Attitude towards their work, their co-workers, Life etc....
Taking the time to respond shows the ultimate respect for your Customer. It tells them that you are capable and ready to handle all of their business while responding to their requests.

Not taking the time to respond will result in lost sales, lost faith and trust and what's that other thing you lose...oh yeah, YOUR BUSINESS! Be Professional.

It's that time again when you really believe you want change or you need to change because what you are doing is not working. Let me ask you this, if you do not take action now, when will you? If you have read this far, send me an email and let's see how Specific Targeted Training can help you and your staff overcome Leadership, Management and Customer Service Challenges. Or just call me at the number below. Either way the road to Success is paved with Action. This first step is yours.
Contact me here! leonard@bizprotraining.com
or call 760-529-5635.
Seminar Leader since 2006 providing Leadership, Management and Customer Service Solutions.

5 Killer Tips to Ace Your Airline Pilot Interview

You've been slogging around in crummy weather flying checks or doing crunch and goes as a flight instructor for a long time now. Or perhaps you are at a regional and got your dream shot at a major. Maybe you just retired from military flying and are headed to your first airline interview.

Whatever the case, you have your big day coming up and you don't want to blow it. Although the shine has worn off from airline jobs in recent years, they are still highly coveted jobs with plenty of qualified applicants clamoring for them. The thought of an interview and all the hoops to jump through seems daunting. The good news is that there is a lot of support out there from people who have been there.

Many companies, from regionals, cargo, majors, etc., follow fairly similar formats for interviews. I have gone through the process several times, including regional and major interviews. I have found a few general tips that are applicable anywhere and should help you:

1) Company IQ - Make sure you have done some basic research on the company and are confident it is one you would be happy at. Make sure on the day of the interview you know the president, CEO, stock price, fleet, bases, and principles of the company at a minimum...there may be a pop quiz during the interview!

2) Survive the Sweatbox - Some interviews have simulator rides. The profile will be pretty basic and you won't be expected to be Yeager, but they are looking for basic airmanship. There are many prep companies out there, usually $500-$1000. If doing the prep takes the edge off and gives you confidence going into the interview, by all means do it. That $500 is chump change compared to the career earnings at a major. It would be a shame to lose your dream shot because you wanted to save a few bucks. Better to regret spending the money than regret not spending it!

3) Be Paranoid - Make sure you are on your best behavior at all times! Most airlines will fly you from your home to their headquarters on their airline. The interview starts as soon as you step foot into the airport. Some guys have blown it by giving ticket and gate agents a hard time. It may not be hard for an agent to deduce that you are interviewing and make a phone call to HR, sinking you then and there..IT HAS HAPPENED (especially if you are interviewing at a certain Texas LCC!) Smile and treat everyone respectfully because they are watching.

4) Know thy question - You know the expression RTFQ? When you are interviewing, LTTFQ!

Airlines used to ask What Would you Do type questions, but most interviews these days are Tell Me About a Time (TMAAT) where they want you to tell them a story about something that happened to you. They feel that past behavior will predict future behavior. The format for the answer should be the SAR model:

Situation - give them a brief overview of the problem or situation

Action - how did you decide to solve the problem

Result - what was the end result of your action and what did you learn

Sometimes you have to decode the questions. For instance, they may ask "TMAAT your schedule changed?" On the surface it may seem like a obscure question, but what they are really asking is if they junior man you and make you work into a day off, will you get mad and storm off the jetway or will you make a positive experience out of it? Thus you would want to tell them about a story where you got your day off rolled but saw it as an opportunity to make more money, help the company, etc.

5) CRM: Use all resources - There are tons of resources out there for you. Wikipedia is good for researching the company. There are several "gouge" sites where people who interviewed post their experience. I strongly recommend an interview prep service that specializes in airline interviews, they will teach you what they are looking for when they ask questions and how to formulate your own answer. However, you don't want to sound "canned" as the interviewers are trained to see through it.

Some interviews, such as Cathay Pacific, are more in-depth than a typical interview, and there are guides out there that explain how.

These tips will help you but they are not enough, so I made a resource for pilots:

Click here for everything you need.

How to Talk to Women - And Get Them to Want You Desperately Through the Sheer Power of Words

Attention men - if you want to be good with the females - it all comes down to one single thing - you MUST be able to create and build deep rapport with women. If you are able to captivate them with your words - it really does not matter if you look like Jabba The Hut or Raul "The Fat Proctoid" Asthana for that matter. Read on to discover the secrets on how to talk to women, and make them all want you desperately...

Three Ways To Talk To Women And Make Them Want You Desperately...

Technique Number 1. Flatter Her. Can you take a guess on what's the favorite topic for virtually every human that walks on the face of the earth? THEMSELVES. The key here is to make the conversation 90% about her, and only 10% about you (or even less). You will then be able to find out more about herself and what makes her tick - and also show her that you are deeply interested in her as a person (and not just her pretty face and hot body). These are the important components of building deep rapport between a male and a female.

Technique Number 2. Make Her Laugh. If you are able to make her laugh at your jokes, then you have indeed already won half the war. Remember the basic rule of thumb is - you must hone your ability to make her laugh within the first two or three minutes within starting the conversation with her. When you crack the first joke and she laughs, then you are sorted. You should have lots of 'canned' jokes - make them sound natural (and fits into the conversation) and you will be fine.

(Advanced) Technique Number 3. Fractionation. This is the hypnosis technique of bringing the girl through an "emotional rollercoaster", and in the process making her associate (or 'anchor' in NLP terms) herself emotionally with you. This is a rather sneaky technique, but is deadly effective.

Fractionation is considered as a 'dark art' tactic which is the basis of hypnosis-based seduction, and while controversial, it is known to be one of the most effective tactics ever invented by underground seductionists to develop deep rapport with women.

If you are interested in learning more about fractionation to make a girl want you, it is described in a step-by-step system in the Deadly Seduction Tactics free ebook - http://www.DeadlySeduction.com

These psychology tactics are highly unconventional techniques that are used by the secret elite in the seduction community. Use at your own risk. I personally vouch for the effectiveness of these tactics, but care must be taken as they could be outright dangerous in the hands of the unscrupulous.

But if you're ready to make women want you and don't mind dabbling in the 'dark arts', then do this. Click on the following link for a proven system that will get you instant domination of any woman you meet, guaranteed, and for free: Deadly Seduction Tactics

30-Minute Menus For Holiday Dinners

Are you planning a dinner during this holiday season? I love to entertain but don't have much time to prep (sound familiar?) so I have picked up a few shortcuts along the way. I have some 30-minute holiday dinner menu suggestions for you! You really can host a holiday dinner in 30 minutes - Flat! Let's get ready...

You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to put dinner on the table quickly. You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time.

Poultry Dinners:

Turkey Breast with French Country Gravy (crock pot with jarred Alfredo pasta sauce)
Long Grain and Wild Rice (boxed rice mix)
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts (halved and sauteed cut side down)
Crescent Rolls, Butter
Pound Cake Torte (purchased pound cake and icing)

Glazed Cornish Hens (microwaved with brown sugar / mustard glaze)
Pecan Stuffing (chopped pecans added to boxed cornbread stuffing mix)
Dilled Baby Carrots (bagged baby carrots)
Mixed Greens with Cranberries and Citrus (bagged greens, jarred citrus, dried cranberries)
Rolls, Butter
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream (purchased pumpkin pie, canned whipped cream)

Beef, Lamb, Pork Dinners:

Eye of the Round Roast Beef with Peppercorn Sauce (crock pot with dry onion soup mix, peppercorn sauce)
Mashed Potatoes (frozen steamers or instant masked potatoes)
Chop House Salad (bagged baby greens, tomato, onion, bell pepper, and blue cheese with vinaigrette)
Rolls, Butter
Individual Boston Cream Tortes (purchased pound cake, instant pudding mix, chocolate syrup)

Lamb Chops with Savory Butter (broiled lamb chops with red wine and herbed butter sauce)
Rice and Vermicelli Mix (boxed rice and vermicelli mix)
Parslied Carrots (bagged baby carrots)
Beet, Goat Cheese & Walnut Salad (red tip lettuce, canned beets, goat cheese, chopped walnuts with bottled vinaigrette)
French Bread, Butter
Minted Pears with Ice Cream and Raspberries (canned pear halves, creme de menth, fresh raspberries, and ice cream)

Pork Medallions with Tarragon Sauce (pan seared mustard-rubbed pork medallions with tarragon sauce)
Buttered Rotinni (boxed rotinni)
Steamed Zucchini
Yeast Rolls, Butter
Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts (graham cracker tart shells, instant cheesecake pudding mix, blueberry spread, lemon curls)

Spiral Sliced Ham (purchased fully cooked)
Quattro Fromage (macaroni with 4-cheese sauce using cheeses such as Fontina, Asiago, Provolone, Gruyere, Cheddar, Swiss, or Romano)
Peas with Mushrooms (frozen mix)
Lemon Pound Cake with Fresh Strawberries (purchased lemon pound cake, fresh strawberries)

Seafood Dinners:

Surf and Turf (cleaned and deveined shrimp, beef fillets or top sirloin cuts)
New Potatoes
Caesar Salad (bagged Caesar salad mix)
Chocolate Eclairs with Strawberries (puff pastry, instant pudding mix, chocolate syrup)

Poached Fish in White Wine Sauce (frozen perch or haddock poached in white wine sauce)
Duchess Potatoes (instant garlic mashed potatoes)
Baby Peas (frozen peas)
Baked Tomato Halves (halved tomatoes with shredded Parmesan cheese topper)
Rolls, Butter
Coconut Cream Pie with Berries (graham cracker tart shells, instant coconut pudding mix, shredded coconut)

Vegetarian Dinners:

Linguine Primavera (linguine with a primavera sauce and fresh vegetables of mushrooms, red bell pepper, green beans, broccoli, squash, and onion)
Watermelon / Raspberry / Strawberry Salad (fruits in a jarred raspberry vinaigrette)
Rolls, Butter
Fresh Fruit Tart (pineapple and orange slices mixed in cream cheese blend and poured in a baked purchased pie shell with blueberry garnish)

Fresh Tomato and Double Cheese Tart (puff pastry, Roma tomatoes, baby bocconcini balls or shredded mozzarella, shredded Parmesan cheese, and black olives brushed with olive oil)
French Green Beans (canned Frenched green beans with mushrooms and onion)
Pineapple Salad (canned pineapple and mandarin orange sections over fresh spinach)
Embellished Chocolate Cookies (purchased cookie dough with mini chips and coconut)

If you are serving an appetizer course with your dinner, for an elegant start to a wonderful meal I like to serve: brie with mango chutney; smoked salmon with a dill dip; grapes and a green vegetable platter that will go well with the dill dip; water crackers; gourmet olives. All prepared in 30-minutes or less (of course!).

For more menu suggestions, take a look at the Holiday and Special 30-Minute Complete Menu Plans [http://www.momsmealconnection.com/MMC_30Min_Menus_1.html] on my website.

The Complete Menu Plans give you:

• Recipes and step-by-step instructions for preparing the complete meal (not just the entree as most meal plans do) in 30 minutes - flat!
• I even include a grocery list to save unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
• These are eComplete Menu Plans so you can purchase the menu plan now and use it for dinner tonight!
• You won't have to spend your precious time thinking of menu ideas and then looking up the recipes - I will send it all directly to you!
• You can purchase a Complete Menu Plan for the introductory price of .25 each.
• If you have found my 30-minute menus helpful, then you must check out the 30-Minute Complete Menu Plans [http://www.momsmealconnection.com/MMC_30Min_Menus_1.html]!

MomsMealConnection is designed to help busy moms everywhere prepare meals - family meals, holiday celebrations, and special dinners plus entertaining - through recipe and meal planning links. I am the mother of five grown children who are now starting families of their own so to say that I have 'been there, done that' is an understatement! My trick is to plan weekly menus and grocery shop only once per week. I am a firm believer that once-a-week meal planning and grocery shopping saves a lot of time and money! We can all use more of those commodities.

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,

Elizabeth Randall and Family

The Way to a Successful Cover Letter!

First of all, a cover letter is a paper that introduces that impressive resume that you have prepared. Before you get started on your cover letter, here are a few tips to abide:

The Shorter the Better

Follow this concept! Your cover letter should not be too long, as long as it does the job of introducing you. It should be in 3 short paragraphs that say:

1. The job that you're applying for.
2. The reason why the employer should interview you.
3. How much you appreciate the time he or she takes to read your letter.
4. When you will call to make an appointment for an interview.

Just Be Yourself!

This is the biggest tip to follow when you are writing a cover letter. Most importantly, you have to be yourself and of course show a positive attitude! This would mean that you should refrain from writing an overly formal letter that does not sound like it's written by you. Don't even try to use phrases that sound canned! Instead, a better approach would be a letter with a casual yet polite style. This is definitely beneficial to you as it is a way to show that you would be a great and fun person to interview.

Now that you know the tips and things to avoid when writing a cover letter, it's time to get started on your letter. Follow the next steps and they will take you from top to bottom of your masterpiece.

Step One

Since you've gone through the step of creating a heading for your resume, it is needless for you to go through that step again. Instead, here's what you should do:

1. Make a copy of your resume on your computer.
2. Name this new document "Cover Letter".
3. Delete everything in the document except the heading.

With that, you've got a letterhead that is ready for the contents of your letter!

Step Two

Now, write the date and inside address.

Step Three

This would be the first paragraph of the body of the letter. It should say something catchy like:

1. Where you got to know of this job.
2. The name of the person who referred you to the man or woman you're writing to.

Step Four

This consist the second paragraph and it should be brief, describing:

1. The job that you would like.
2. What you have to offer on this job.
3. A "sneak-preview" on what you would like to talk about in the job interview.

Step Five

The third paragraph is your closure. You should say things like:

1. You will give the employer a call again to see when you can come by for an interview.
2. You appreciate the employer for taking his time to read your letter.

Step Six

Write your complimentary close like "Sincerely" or "Yours Sincerely". Then sign your name by hand at a few lines down. Don't forget to include your first and last name! lastly, write "Enclosure: resume." just below your name and flush left.

With the hints and detailed steps given above, you will be on your way to a successful cover letter. Good luck!

Next, find out about Multimedia and Animation and Information Technology.

Must-Do Preparations to Survive 2012

2012. How does this year sound to you? Does it scare you that much or does it just make you laugh? Well, whatever your beliefs or expectations are on December 12, 2012, the prediction is still scary. That is why whether that may be true or not, it will not hurt to do your best to survive 2010.

According to the mysterious Mayan calendar, the year 2012 will bring the most cataclysmic event, which is the end of the world. Many scientists have also agreed on that and they have researched further information about this prediction. They explain that on this exact date, alignment of the sun, earth, and Milky Way will likely occur. This will then leave the North and the South Pole to shift in the equator that can cause flood, volcanic eruption, earthquakes, and the like to destroy the earth.

So if you want to save you and your family, you must be prepared enough before this day comes. Here is the list of what you can do in order to survive 2012.

• Locate the best place to hide

Given this kind of condition, it is important for you to locate the best and the safest place to take shelter. A stable bunker will be the best shelter for events like this. Experts suggest that Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mountains of Turkey, Spain, and Morocco are the safest places on Earth when that time comes. They are proved to be flood, earthquake, tsunami, and storm proof and are even said to be safe from nuclear fall-out.

• Store necessary things for survival

Since no one knows what will exactly happen on this date, store as early as possible all necessary things you might need in order to survive. Prepare foods like rice, grains, lentils, and the like. Try to preserve foods and bring along canned goods. Provide emergency kits and toiletries. And most importantly, bring a lot of water with you for among the others, this is the most vital thing a human will need in order to live long.

Kitchen wares and other electronic gadgets like solar batteries, generators, and lights are needed also. Matches are a must to bring as well. So don't forget to equip yourself with these for you to be safe whenever this cataclysmic event hits your place.

• Provide transportation means

Bear in mind that transportation is also a must to survive. Make available vehicles for rough terrains, bicycles, parachutes or even hot air balloon. Store also boats in your homes in cases of floods. However, to be more safe never try to forget to stock a lot of fuels, water, and oil for reserve.

It is not a big crime to believe and get prepared for the end of the world. So for the sake of your safety, be familiar with the right things to do to survive 2012.

Help yourself Survive 2012 by knowing the facts behind. Do not be caught uninformed.