How to Channel Your Marketing in the Ever Changing High Tech World

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As a marketer, copywriter or entrepreneur… you want to sell stuff for other people to buy. So you need to separate out the hyped tech that is mostly about entertainment.

And for God’s sake, keep your hands off the evil lethal stuff! And learn the simple secrets of using all new technology as a way to channel your salesmanship.

The technology, all by itself, will not magically generate profits for you. In the still-current Paleo-Tech Age model, the only people who are supposed to get rich from new tech are the creators and share-holders. As Google proved with its profit-murdering slap at sites trying to use pay-per-click to build lists, entrepreneurs are seen as suspicious usurpers of technology, and must be thwarted whenever possible.

I know people who are ecstatic about getting massive numbers of hits for their funny video on YouTube… who spend days figuring out how to use Slingbox to catch TV shows on their cell phones while they travel… and who prefer texting to talking.

Not that there’s anything wrong with any of that.

But a million hits for your video of Farquar falling off his skateboard won’t put a nickel into your pocket. And why are you still wasting so much time watching TV? There’s a brave new world spinning out there, wondering when you’re gonna show up.

If you’re gonna be an effective entrepreneur, marketer and copywriter, you gotta brush the stars out of your eyes and see all the technology tumbling down the chute only in terms of how you can use it in conjunction with your salesmanship skills.

It’s fun, I gotta admit. I love all the new tech gadgetry. The X-Box bored me, mostly. It really was just a small step up from playing Pac-Man drunk in a loud bar, but I’m excited about the Wii’s potential for truly gnarly gaming.

And all the career adventures I’d craved in my youth are now available again, thanks to technology advancing faster than The Man can censor it.

I can now have my own pirate radio station, publish and distribute my own books, and produce any type of late-night-quality TV show I like… all from my cluttered little office, digitally, online.

I get shivers just considering all the possibilities.

Online Sports Books and Sports Betting

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There are not many things that are more exhilarating than the first big win you get when betting sports online. It is a thrill that eclipses that of many different types of gambling, even offline sports betting. There is nothing, short of an actual win at a casino’s sports book that can compare with the experience.

This is not to say that there are not other thrills to be had in other areas of gambling. There definitely are. The first foray into table games is a wild ride. It is a mixture of fear, excitement, and adrenaline that rushes over you like a wave. Nevertheless, in the end, table games simply cannot compare.

The main reasoning behind this argument is this: Sports betting online mixes two great pastimes into one, pulling from the best of both. The thrill of gaming itself is mixed with the excitement of being a sport spectator and creates an experience that greatly surpasses either of the individual parts.

There’s no way to compare typical sports betting with a bookie and online sports betting, because they are two different animals. First, online betting is a legal approach, while calling your bookie is not. With your bookie, you do not know where he or she is getting the line. You certainly cannot use him to research the teams. In addition, and most importantly, you will be limited to betting only certain contests that the bookie offers. This just does not compare.

Sports betting has the power to bring you passion for sport that you probably forgot you had. It can take you back to the days of your youth when every athlete was an idol and a god, and who could do no wrong. Back to the days when you lived and died by your favorite team.

To find this out for yourself, pick a sport that you do not necessarily watch. Go to your favorite online sportsbook site and pick a team for that sport. Do some research on their schedule, look at their record, and read up on the players. Now, pull the trigger and bet their next game. All of the sudden, a team you did not pay much attention to, playing a sport you don’t normally watch becomes a group that you are actually pulling for with all of your heart. Who cannot appreciate that kind of excitement?

If you are looking for a way to increase your enjoyment of watching a game, there is nothing like sports betting online. Try it today and never look back.

Summit County Colorado Real Estate and the Recession

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The Summit County Colorado Real Estate market is feeling the full force of the recession. In fact, market data shows that the market decline began about the same time that Bear Sterns collapsed. Prior to that time, Summit County had been fairly immune to the problems facing much of the rest of the real estate industry throughout the US. There are many reasons for this, among them:

  1. Compared to the rest of the country, Summit County has a fairly low percentage of sub-prime borrowers and the loan defaults that plagued other markets was not much of a factor in Summit County.
  2. Summit County did not experience the speculative bubble that occurred in some other markets. Being a four sessions destination resort market, most buyers in this area purchase for the purpose of personal use and/or tourist rental income, not with the intent to sell in the short term.
  3. In the absence of the speculative bubble, and being surrounded by mountains and National Forest, over development in Summit County did not take off as it did in other markets.

Of course, there are counter-examples to each of the above points and the they are included only as a comparison to other markets and to give a general overview of the real estate market in Summit County leading into the first quarter of 2008. To a large extent, the real estate market in this area had been, and continues to be, defined by the overall US economy and not necessarily the trends within the real estate industry as a whole.

And with the exception of a hand full of talking heads and Wall Street bail-out recipients, most of the rest of us know that the economy is not doing well.

The recession has resulted in a decline of Summit County Colorado Real Estate sales prices, number of sales, and overall sales volume. Meanwhile new listings continue to come on the market resulting in an abundance of inventory. One of the hardest hit sectors of the Summit County Real Estate market has been vacant land. To investigate this further, the following will examine the two Summit County Real Estate vacant lots that sold in Breckenridge Colorado during the first three quarters of 2009 in the $400,000 to $500,000 price range:

  • The first was a resale of a lot in the Highlands at Breckenridge for $403,000 on 08/14/09. In this case, the Seller had paid $550,000 for the land on 05/31/07 when the market was it its peak.
  • The second was a sale by the developer of Western Sky Ranch in Breckenridge of a 4.98 acre lot for $499,000 on 09/22/09. Being a developer sale, there is no previous sales information for this property. But, the closest comparable sale within Western Sky Ranch for the adjoining lot of 3.58 acres which sold for $725,000 on 01/04/08, also prior to the market contraction.

Two sales in a narrow price range do not define the entire Breckenridge real estate market for vacant land. Breckenridge does not define the County as a whole. And the market for vacant land does not directly translate to that of residential property. But the most generalized market data also shows inventory up, transactions down, and prices reflecting these facts.

There are also some positive signs for what the future of the Summit County real estate market may hold:

  • Interest rates are down. As of this writing, the interest rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage is about 5%. A year ago it was about 6%. This means a lower monthly payment of about $63 per $100,000 borrowed. Alternatively, a $1,000 a monthly payment a year ago would cover a mortgage of about $167,000. Today, this same payment would cover a mortgage of about $186,000.
  • In anticipation of inflation, money is moving toward hard assets. The recent record high prices of gold reflect this. Real estate is also a historic hedge against inflation and the discrepancy between the price of gold and the price of real estate is near the highest in US history. In other words, it now takes fewer ounces of gold to buy an average home than almost ever before. And with bullion and numismatic gold becoming increasingly difficult to find, and the inventory of available real estate on the rise, how long can this trend last?
  • Colorado is one of the states projected to be the least impacted by the recession. Unemployment in Colorado is lower than the national average, personal income is higher, and the Colorado economy has significant high-tech, natural resource, and alternative energy sectors.
  • Bloomberg recently reported that Vail Resorts Inc., which owns both Breckenridge and Keystone, is projecting skier visits and overall bookings to be up this ski season over last and one component of the Summit County real estate market is rental income generated from renting homes and condos to tourists.

With inventory up and prices and interest rates down, this may be the ideal time to invest in Summit County real estate. For more information, contact Ted Amenta – Summit County real estate agent.

Copyright 2009 – All rights reserved by Ted Amenta

Notice: Publishers are free to republish this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety including copyright and author information, and all links remain intact and active.

Pet Sitting Tips For Home Business

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Times have changed and many young couples are choosing to further their careers before starting a family. They do however still want a pet and their wellbeing is paramount. There are going to be periods of up to 8 hours daily that their loveable pet will be alone while they are working and this is when a pet sitter is sought after.

What is a Pet Sitter?

A pet sitter is not just someone who picks up the dog and takes it for a 20 minute walk and then returns it home. A pet sitter is much more than that. A pet sitter is the primary carer for the pet whilst their owners are not there. To become successful in this niche market you must firstly be confident and love animals as not all pets are cute and cuddly. Some are definitely pets that only their masters could love. This does not mean you cannot get to understand the pet’s attitude and work towards having a good relationship with it.

Duties

Stick to the guidelines given by the owners as that is what you are there for. Once a week the pet may need to be washed. Do not think of this as a chore, think of it more as a bonding exercise and it will be fun.

The pet especially if it is a dog will require at least one walk during the day and is a good time to really get to know him. It is best not to let the dog off the leash during this time as he has to learn to understand and obey you first before risking him running away. Simple obedience lessons can be given with a longer leash, like stay and sit and can be fun for you both.

Accidents

Sadly accidents happen and the pet you are looking after may bump and hurt itself whilst in your care. You need to have on hand the phone number and address of the owners vet and also a car to transport it there.

Charges

Charging for this service varies according to experience. When first starting out it may be advisable to charge less than experienced pet sitters and then work on your reputation. Look on the internet to see what others are charging and what services they are offering.

Advertise

To get your first pet sitting job you may need to advertise. Try some free options first. Word of mouth is always the best reference so tell your friends of your plans to start this new career as they may know someone who would be interested in hiring you. Put a card advertising your service on the message boards of supermarkets. Use Facebook to your advantage also.

Once you have your first pet sitting job and get to bond with the pet involved you will find you have not only a good career but one you know you will love.

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Loan Guide

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One of the main mistakes that most people make when looking for a loan is to only approach one lender. A loan is such a serious obligation, that you must shop around. A personal loan is what it says, a loan for you to spend as you like. A debt consolidation loan is a useful tool, but it doesn’t look at the reason why you got into debt to start with. A home equity loan is one which is based on the amount of equity you have in your home. In the case of business loans the most important task is in preparing a business plan. You should also consider what type of loan is suitable. Unsecured An unsecured personal loan is a good way to obtain a loan from £1000 up. This type of loan can be used for any purpose. An unsecured loan is not linked to your house and means your home will not be at risk should you run into trouble when trying to repay. Unsecured loans are normally provided at a higher interest rate than a secured loan. An unsecured loan can help you pay for some home improvements, a holiday, school fees or a surprise tax bill. Since you are putting up no collateral at all and already have poor credit, the lender is taking quite a risk by letting you have an unsecured loan.

An unsecured loan can be a good idea for someone who has several high interest debts which are causing them to pay large amounts in monthly repayments. There’s no doubt about it, discovering the best unsecured loan websites can be quite a challenge. Secured A secured loan is a type of loan that requires the borrower to give the lender some form of security. In every case with secured loans you should know that your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it. If you don’t keep up the payments, the secured loan providers know that they are entitled to seize your home to meet their debts. There are lots of reasons why people apply for a secured loan. These are usually for debt consolidation or for home improvements. Why would someone choose a secured loan rather than a personal or unsecured loan? The secured loan charges a much lower interest rate than the unsecured one. It is really important to look around for the best low rate secured loan. It is fairly easy to obtain a personal secured loan in the UK.

A low cost loan could well be a good way to either consolidate debt or to pay for a major purchase so that the cost can be spread over a period. Borrowing from an unscrupulous lender, particularly one who offers you a high-cost loan using your home as security, is an extremely risky thing to do. If you do need to borrow money, have a look at your lowest cost options first. A no-cost loan is a loan where the lender pays all of the closing costs, and does not ask for any monies from you. To sum up The first step in getting a loan is determining what type of loan you need. Taking out a loan is a big responsibility, so please do make sure you do plenty of research. One other thing to note is co-signing a loan takes on the same importance as if the loan is for you.

Diet And Lifestyle Changes – Food And Nutrition For A Healthy Pregnancy

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Chances are that you will have to make some diet and lifestyle changes as you prepare for pregnancy. And prepare for pregnancy period you must, because a planned pregnancy can be a dream come true, where as an unplanned one, can be a nightmare.

A Well Balanced Diet

A healthy diet is a must in preparing for a healthy pregnancy. A well balanced nutritious diet made up of fibers, vitamins and starch, green leafy vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits to provide your baby with vitamin C, fortified cereals, and foods rich in folate(supplements of folic acid) are recommended, because they prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord in babies. Also, foods rich in iron and calcium; nuts, dry fruits, bread, milk and yoghurt are good to eat. Avoid drinking too much coffee and raw or uncooked meat. Avoid dairy products and seafood.

Fertility Enhancers

There are certain foods and herbs, which are male fertility enhancers and reduce female infertility as well. Ginseng, flaxseed oil, and palmetto are some of these that enhance male fertility. Vitex, evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil help in reducing female infertility.

No Smoking, Drugs Or Alcohol

When you’re planning to have a baby, you and your partner will have to under go some diet and lifestyle changes that you may not like in the beginning, but remember, these are for the good health of you and your baby. Give up smoking, drinking and drugs at once. They can be very harmful and do not create a favorable atmosphere for the baby in the mother’s womb.

Exercising For A Healthy Pregnancy

Ask your doctor and start some mild form of exercise, like walking or swimming or some yoga and some deep breathing exercises to bring down your stress levels. Ask your partner to do these exercises together with you. And avoid very strenuous exercises like horse riding or deep sea diving or skiing.

What You Shouldn’t Do

You should avoid saunas and hot bathtubs, as this may cause a neural tube defect in the baby.

Avoid contact with heavy metals, radiation, and hazardous chemicals.

Avoid taking any medicines without the doctor’s knowledge, and inform him that you are preparing for a pregnancy, so that he informs you of medicines that may interfere with your health during this special time.

When’s The Best Time to Have Intercourse.

This is a special time for you. You must definitely have sexual intercourse during the most fertile period. This is the period when the ovum is released from the uterus and is ripe for fertilization. It stays that way for 12 hours, after which, it starts to degenerate. This happens anywhere from the 12th to the 16th day of the fertility cycle, known also as the most fertile period or ovulation period. If you have sexual intercourse before or during this period, there is every chance of you getting pregnant. Of course, there are other factors at work too and that is why we recommend healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. Don’t forget to read good books and articles on the net about having a healthy pregnancy. These will make you wiser and prepare you for the arrival of your little bundle of joy.

The Law Of Attraction Internal Workings

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All the ancient texts and religious writtings speak of it. Poets, teachers and sages have prnouched the good news of it for thousands of years. Books have been written about it. Songs have been song about it and people have made a fortune teaching it. But do you know enough about it to use it? The Law Of Attraction is probably the most powerful Universal Principle we know of, do you think, perhaps, you should learn a little more about it and maybe even use it to create your dreams?

The Law Of Attraction at its very basic level states that everything is created by thought and that thought attracts to itself physical things, people, situations and circumstances. Your predominant thoughts are activating the Law of Attraction this very moment and bringing these things into your life!

Having said that, you should also be aware that it is not only the outer material world that is affected by our creative abilities. Our bodies and our very personalities, characteristics, physical, mental and emotional attributes are all created by our thinking. Are you creating the life you desire & becoming the person you wish to be or are you like Job and bringing upon you all manner of woes because you are giving your attention to them? Perhaps you are even identifying yourself as a victim and refusing to acknowledge the Law and use it consciously!

Although the movie ‘The Secret’ told us this law was hidden for centuries. The Law Of Attraction is not really as much of a secret as they think. Having been in existence since the very beginning of time, it is an unyielding, never bending, unbreakable Uiversal Rule. You cannot escape it! There is a great body of evidence that suggests mankind has known about, and utilised, the great Law for about 7000 years. But these teachings were hidden for thousands of years by those people who wished to control the population. Through hiding the laws of the universe and the knowledge that we create our own realities these dogmatic leeches could keep all the power for themselves and ensure no-one opposed their rule. The great Law Of Attraction was actually banned in the past.

It was largely at the beginning of the 20th century that the general public started to become aware of this great law due to the diligence, fortitude, integrity and grace of writers such as James Allen (1864-1912), Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) and Charles Haanel (1866-1949).

Wallace D. Wattles, born in 1860 and died in 1911, was also a forward thinking man. In the masterpiece, ‘The Science Of Getting Rich’ by Wattles, the author tells us “There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe. A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.” How revolutionary that statement was in 1910.

Haanel set out in a 24 part correspondence course, which is now condensed into one volume called “The Master Key System”, a complete guide to successfully using the Law Of Attraction! It was banned by the Church in 1933 due to its revelations. This is allegedly the book Bill Gates read before he created Microsoft!

Napoleon Hill revealed Andrew Carnegie’s great Secret to the world – that thoughts create things – when he wrote “Think & Grow Rich” in 1937 (although it had taken him 25 years to complete).

James Allen wrote his famous work in 1912 and in “As a Man Thinketh” he tells people that “mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto woven in ignorance and pain they may now weave in enlightenment and happiness.”

However, although the teachings have been around for thousands of years and they have been readily and easily available to the general public for almost a century the great majority of people do not take the time to learn the workings of probably the most powerful physical law in the Universe.

Don’t you think you deserve to gain a better understanding of the Universe in which you live? Do you not think it’s time to get a clearer view of the laws that govern this Universe, you and your life. When you truly understand the Law Of Attraction and begin to work with it for you personal advantage, I promise you, your life will change in fantastic, unexpected and unlimited ways.

Begin now to utilise this gift and construct in your imagination the life you really want to live. Seek out ways to remove your own inner resistance and limiting beliefs.

Start to use the Law Of Attraction today!

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Is Investment Property a Safer Bet for Your Retirement?

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Should I buy an investment property or put all of my spare money into a pension? This is a question that, over the past few decades at least, has troubled many an individual, but which will be better when it comes to your retirement?

For people who ask this question, the truth is that investment properties should be seen as a type of pension. Investing in one type of asset, such as UK residential property, shares, foreign property or even art, cigars and classic cars, can leave you vulnerable to shifts in the market that can reduce the value of the investment. Having a balanced portfolio that includes assets in a number of classes is the safest way to plan, and investment property is often a good place to start.

In the UK, house price increases over the past 20 years have been around the 500% mark, which is a tremendous level of growth. In the UK, this growth has slowed down a lot in the past couple of years, though many foreign markets are just starting to develop and it looks like now could be a great time to start building up the retirement fund with some key overseas investment property.

In certain places in eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Asia, the growth in property values is just taking off and as many of these economies do not suffer from the ‘boom and bust’ issues of the West, it can be argued that the investments are a lot safer in the long-term.

One of the main reasons why people choose investment property over traditional pensions in that pension plans in the UK can be complicated and inflexible. Investment properties are a physical asset and always hold a certain level of value, which can be realised simply by selling the property. Alternatively, the property can be handed down to family when you die – something that cannot happen with a typical pension.

Whilst there are often tax advantages to be had, the returns from pensions have recently been a lot lower than many investors had set their hopes on. One way of tying in investment property and pensions closer, to share some of the advantages, is to use a Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). Certain asset types, including UK commercial property and some overseas properties, can be put into a personal pension plan, giving the tax advantages of a pension and making the overall pot less susceptible to the fluctuations of the stock market. Putting property into a SIPP does have its drawbacks, such as greater administration costs and a more drawn out sales process.

One key thing to remember with investment properties is the time needed to see a strong return. An investment property aims to cover its costs with the rental income, so mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance and professional services are all paid for by the tenants, hopefully with something left over for the investor. Even if the property just covers its costs, the investor can hope to enjoy long-term capital growth, in the increased value of the property. Most property investors know that it is a long-term game – that’s why the average UK investor is believed to hold onto their property for 15 years.

So long as you do your research and take the time to learn the pitfalls, investing in property can be relatively low risk and can give an investor greater control over the performance of the investment. As a part of a planned and balanced approach to retirement, with other types of investments, investment property remains a sensible way to prepare for your later years.

Renewing Your Life Insurance Policy

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A life insurance Policy is an agreement between an Insurance Provider and an Individual, known as an Insurance holder. This agreement or contract states that the Insurance provider will pay an agreed amount of cash to the Insurance holder’s family in the event of natural death. This means that death by suicide is not recognized. The payment can also be made to the Insurance holder in the event that he or she falls terminally or critically ill. In order for this to happen, the Insurance Holder makes monthly payments known as premiums. This amount can also be paid as a lump sum. The main advantage of acquiring an Insurance policy is that you will have peace of mind knowing that your family and beneficiaries will be well taken care of when you are gone.

There are Permanent and Temporary or Term Life Insurance policies. A Permanent Life Insurance Policy provides coverage throughout your lifetime, until death. A Temporary Life Insurance policy will only give you coverage during the policy term and not longer than that. It pays the agreed lump sum only if the Insurance Holder dies during the policy term. If the policy term elapses and the Insurance holder is still alive, the Insurer does not make any payments. If you have a Term Life Insurance Policy, it is advisable to renew it at the end of the term if you wish to continue enjoying the benefits of Insurance coverage.

In order to successfully renew your Insurance Policy, there are a few steps that you will need to take: Collect all the important facts and information regarding your expired Policy such as premium amounts and payments. Establish what kind of renewal you are looking for depending on your current Insurance needs. For instance, if your policy was renewable on a yearly basis, you may decide to renew it for a specific number of years. This is allowed by most Insurance providers. Apply for the policy term of your choice and upon approval, the Insurance Company will send you a bill, indicating the amount of premium.

Premiums change and go higher upon renewal of the policies. Some of them will also require you to undergo health examinations in order to aid the Insurer in determining the amount of premium you should pay upon renewal. The premium amount usually goes up because of increase in age. The older you grow the higher the risk factor for the Insurance Company, hence higher premium rates. Other factors such as health complications also determine the amount of premium to be paid by the Insurance Holder. The yearly life insurance policy will not require new health exam reports. Most Insurance Companies allow renewal of these policies up to a certain age, usually not more than 85 years old. Your age determines the amount of years that you can renew your insurance policy for.

It is important to consult extensively with your Insurance provider in order to have the right information before applying for renewal. This will aid you in avoiding common mistakes that many Insurance Holders make including applying for a type of Insurance policy that will not serve their needs effectively.