How To Increase Your Chances of Getting Your Article Published

Publishers and webmasters can spend massive amounts of time just trying to gather their articles for publication. The simple process of trying to obtain an article can be frustrating.

The longer it takes for the publisher to acquire your article the easier it is for them to walk away. Some publishers aren't as determined as others and the simple act of procrastination can lead them to never publishing your article.

The easier it is for a webmaster to obtain your article the better chance you have as an writer to send more traffic to your website.

In the time that they could've already copied and pasted an article for publication they've spent wasting it away on actually trying to get it.

So how can you make webmasters and publishers job 100% easier and increase your chance of getting your article published?

1) By reducing their effort as much as possible. Eliminate the effort they'll have to make after they realize they want to publish your article.

2) Offer them the option of acquiring your article right after they've read it. Give them the benefit of copying and pasting your article immediately. Provide them with instant gratification. No delays.

3) Do the work for them. Give them the opportunity to be as lazy as they can be. Provide them with a preformatted HTML version of your article so they don't have to spend the extra time doing it themselves. This option is especially useful for webmasters who publish your articles on their website.

4) Don't stop there. Not only should you offer them an HTML copy, offer a text copy of your article. This makes it very easy if the publisher of your article is being published in an ezine.

5) Make them love you. Offer them the best of both worlds. Eliminate the need for them to request permission to use your article. At most, the publisher should only have to notify you that they are publishing your article.

Bridge the gap and they'll be coming back for more: http://www.valuablecontent.com/submit.html

The less work a publisher has to do the happier they are, and the more articles they can publish.

About The Author

Reduce the workload of publishers. Valuable Content provides text and HTML copies of articles submitted to the website. Writers are encouraged to submit their articles: http://www.valuablecontent.com/

articles@valuablecontent.com

Hand Out Warm Glows

Do you remember how you felt after your last interaction with another person either on the phone or face to face? That person - it could have been a customer, a colleague, a salesperson, a friend or even a member of your family. Did they make you feel good, uplifted and more positive, did they leave you feeling neutral or did they make you feel down and more negative.

Unfortunately, most of us have grown up in a negative culture where it's much easier to tell people what they did wrong rather than praising them when they succeed. Research in the United States found that 65% of employees received no recognition for good work in the past year. Similar research in other countries of the world shows comparable results.

Other research has shown that the number one reason people leave their job and customers take their business elsewhere is that they don't feel appreciated. (And if you think about it - many people leave their partners for the very same reason)

If customer's leave an interaction with you or one of your team feeling better than they did before, then they're much more likely to come back, recommend you to other people and spend more with you.

If one of your team feels better after an interaction with you then they're much more likely to pass that feeling onto a customer. "The way you treat your staff is the way they'll treat your customers" - Karl Albrecht

Give five positive comments to one negative comment to the other people in your life and you'll have - more happy customers - a workplace that's more productive and more fun - more friends - better relationships and a healthier, happier and longer life.

Remember - "Hand out warm glows, not dampeners."

Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of "How to get More Sales without Selling" This book is packed with practical things that you can do to ? get customers to come to you.

Click here now:
http://www.howtogetmoresales.com
http://www.alanfairweather.com

Algebra Help Software

Need help making sense of algebra? Have algebra lectures in your classroom left you scratching your head and wondering: "How on earth did they get that answer"? Do not despair, because help is at hand. AlgebraSolver from Softmath can make all the pieces of the algebra puzzle fall into place, improving your grasp of the subject with step-by-step problem solving that demonstrates exactly how a solution has been reached.

One of the most powerful algebra software programs ever developed, AlgebraSolver software can help you solve any problem from your textbook. It has the ability to respond to your request for explanations, making sure that you actually understand how you reached the solution. With this software you can easily:

Tackle arithmetics and complex numbers
Simplify algebraic expressions
Solve linear, quadratic and other equations and inequalities
Solve a system of equations
Tackle graphing
Get unlimited practice in problem solving

Instead of tearing your hair out in exasperation each time homework deadline approaches, investing just $67 in it can put a permanent end to your algebra woes. You have nothing to lose. If for some reason you feel the software does not help solve problems and increase your understanding of algebra, you can return it for a full refund.

Many of those who have turned to AlgebraSolver for help before you say it is a priceless tool. What they appreciate most is the way the software walks you through the problem solving process one step at a time.

AlgebraSolver is amazingly flexible. Depending on what you need, it will just give you just the answer or a complete breakup of the entire method of solving a problem. If confusion arises at any stage, AlgebraSolver comes with a detailed manual designed for easy reference. Or you could e-mail the Softmath support team that has an exceptional record of quick and friendly customer support.

If you need help with algebra, AlgebraSolver is the best way to go. It compares favorably with other existing algebra solving software. Give AlgebraSolver a try. Visit www.algebrasolver.com for more information. Softmath guarantees that it will take the aggravation out of algebra and make learning fun again.

Dr. Neven Jurkovic

Lead Software Developer and CEO

Algebra Help Software

The Occult

"Christianity posits the realization of human freedom not here on earth but only in the Kingdom of Heaven." (1) Fukayama tells us, and it seems to me he is interpreting what the dogma says; even though it fits his own slave and master concept taken by his evil predecessors. Right as he may be about Christianity, he is not right about the teaching of Jesus. Well, what good is there in such a belief system? It encourages no growth or potential for freedom while you are alive. It gives no insight to actual knowing of what exists hereafter, except through faith in someone telling you what is right. How can anyone accept such utter hogwash? Are we to be enslaved to such a cosmogony while alive? God grows too, and he would be dead if he didn't. All things around us in nature say change is a good thing.

Why would a 'social engineer' like Fukayama tell us that Christianity is the 'absolute religion'? Is this more expert inducement to be a slave? Methinks there is something rotten afoot, and not just in Denmark. His knowledge of early religions is not displayed in his book. I hope to show all religions have used knowledge that when others employ it they call it occult or some other derogatory name. I will have to show certain people and families in corporate or business life are also involved in the religions to the point of controlling them.

His judgement seems uneducated and unwise to me. His good versus evil Nietzschean dialogue is not aware of the truth plainly available in the words of the Britannica in reference to Zoroaster. They say this good versus evil thing of Christianity with a battle being won by good is there 500 years earlier in Zoroastrianism. In truth it was there in Egypt's Abraxas, and in the Keltic Creed and many other places. There is no merit in such assertions and the issuance of them from the hegemony makes me Blanche and sputter, at times. How can you say man is free only in heaven or the hereafter and hope to build positive models of behaviour? This is especially true when you can buy 'special dispensations' or simply confess in order to gain forgiveness. This is the kind of religion the Mafia would love! The cover of Cahill's book The Gifts of the Jews shows all the councils of the Christians are behind another 'Bible Narrative'. Please question such authoritarian assurances and employ your own soulful sensibilities. When you are troubled do not desist, but rather persevere and learn to see the Peace they seek to destroy or hide from you. Shalom!

Vivekananda, Swami Chinmayananda or lesser gurus are not the only adepts who teach self-mastery and how the mind or brain experiences the world around us. Rishis or Mahatmas are not regarded as occultists and yet the techniques they use have been shared for thousands of years by people throughout the world. Part of the whole issue of human cultural development is the Flat Earth fiction that continues to make people think that one point of view is better than some other point of view. It is as if the people of Europe think that their own leaders did not send their best students to get the best education or import the teachers who already had learned Tantra, and the Therapeutae's arts derived from Druidism and shamanism or the Magian arts. At some level you can find adepts in the most orthodox religions. The Sufis of Islam or the Carmelites and Santerians of Catholicism come to mind but there are many mystical or occult sects in Buddhism.

"The universe is a self-organizing system engaged in the discovery and realization of its possibilities through a continuing process of transcendence towards ever higher levels of order and self-definition. Modern science has confirmed the ancient Hindu belief that all matter exists as a continuing dance of flowing energies. Yet matter is somehow able to maintain the integrity of its boundaries and internal structures in the midst of apparent disorder.

Similarly the cells of a living organism, which are in a constant state of energy flux, maintain their individual integrity while functioning coherently as parts of larger wholes. This ability implies some form of self-knowledge in both inert matter and living organisms at each level of organization. Intelligence and consciousness may take many forms and are in some way pervasive even in matter. What we know of life may not be an accident of creation but rather integral to it, an attractor that shapes the creative unfolding of the cosmos.

To the extent that these premises are true, they suggest we have scarcely begun to imagine, much less experience, the possibilities of our own capacity for intelligent self-aware living. Nor have we tested our potentials for self-directed cooperation as a foundation of modern social organization. Evolution, although it involves competitive struggles, violence and death, also involves love, nurturance, rebirth and regeneration-and is a fundamentally cooperative and intelligent enterprise.

There is substantial evidence that it is entirely natural for healthy humans to live fully and mindfully in service to the unfolding capacities of self, community, and the planet. Yet in our forgetfulness, we have come to doubt this aspect of our own being. Nurturing the creative development of our capacities for mindful living should be a primary function of the institutions of civilized societies. It is time that we awaken from our forgetfulness and assume conscious responsibility for reshaping our institutions to this end. Written by David C. Korten in the prologue of "The Post-Corporate World" Life after capitalism http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576750515/102-1126258-0124163" (2)

There are many people who follow greatness or need to be lead and we must investigate any who tell us about great things they have experienced. This can be very difficult because what works for one person will not work for another person for reasons of their differentness as well as the constant availability of knowledge and 'direct cognition' or what I call tap-ins. I provide a comment from one of Gurdjieff's students who saw others finding illumination in a way he personally found silly. This is an excerpt from William Welch M. D.'s remembrances of this great man who saw most humans could not think or even feel their way to actual wisdom. Gurdjieff's structured dance allowed certain parts of the mind to integrate and then connect without any obstruction from the programming and fears of their lives. This is my personal opinion that you might not agree with too. This excerpt is in relation to the ritual of bathing and saunas that Gurdjieff did while in New York shortly before he passed away.

"I was astounded to read some years later that among the bemused adepts who participated in this droll ritual, one believed himself to have been initiated into some special level of illumination in the course of his gradual, and ultimately total, immersion. I am afraid my only illumination derived from the shuddering chill to which I never became wholly acclimated, as my fundament and its anterior appendages were finally plunged into the icy water." (3)

The idea that a fully diluted homeopathic tincture might heal through some imprint left by Cyanide found in peach pits or laetrile is just one of the conundrums that science still struggles to face. But the fact is cyanide kills cells and results have been achieved by some people who might have attuned themselves with that small amount of Cyanide that Japanese researchers found in peach pits after the US researchers said there was no possible agent that could kill cancer cells in peach pits. The implications of this extend to genetic rituals that modern science cannot see the effects of, and other energy lattice memory or Intelligence. One of my correspondents is a genetic researcher at a university in the Midwestern United States and we both have found artifacts that indicate the use of harmonic attunement with matter in rocks and we are open to this same method being used in affecting the DNA of animal life including humans.

Author of Diverse Druids
Columnist for The ES Press Magazine
Guest 'expert' at World-Mysteries.com

End Time Clock Ticking Away?

Earlier this month, I heard President George W. Bush and Mahmoud Abbas, the Prime Minister of the Palestinians speaking of another Peace Treaty with Israel. President Bush spoke about the boarder security of the two countries: Israel and Palestine. Abbas of course, spoke of achieving final peace between the two nations. Upon hearing these two heads of state speak, I remembered what the Bible stated in 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verse 3: "When you hear them say peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them."

This statement lets us all know what time it is on God's Spiritual clock, right? "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." My perspective concerning these two political leaders is that they are fulfilling Biblical prophecy. However, they are both fighting against the Word of God and no man or force can win against the Word of God. Do they truly believe they can bring peace to Israel by signing a treaty?

You know America has signed numerous treaties between the only true Americans: Native Indians. Not to mention, that America broke almost every treaty signed with the Indians, who does America think they are? Now remember, Ishmael and Isaac are half-brothers who share Abraham as their father. Their sibling rivalry will continue until the Lord Jesus Christ comes back with everlasting Peace for the whole world. So!! I will just call the road map to peace between President Bush and Mahmoud Abbas wishful thinking and deception at the highest level. Let them that have ears to hear; hear what the Spirit is saying to the Saints.

Peace Out

Diane Williams, also known as Mrs. Fox is a unique character based from Nevada York's novels, Caught Up and Mahogany's Revelations. [ http://nevadayork.com ] She is an old soul at heart, who loves to tell it like it is! She firmly believes the real war on Earth is a spiritual war: Good vs. Evil. Diane's goal is to make sure that every person is aware that ones spirituality needs must out-weigh one's physical and mental desires. She currently resides in Idaho where she strives to "keep it real." http://nevadayork.com

Heart Health ? Fish Oils To The Rescue

In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming more common, lets take a look at something most of us can add to our weekly diet for prevention of heart problems.

Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oil promotes heart health. A daily dose of fish oil has helped prevent, slow or even reverse the hardening and narrowing of arteries in heart disease in some studies.

In a 2001 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the University of Munich reported that a fish-oil capsule a day may "modestly" improve blood flow to the heart and bolster traditional therapy in patients with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. In a study of 223 men and women, those who took a dose of fish oil per day for two years had fewer atherosclerosis complications such as heart attack and stroke.

Fish oil, found in fish such as salmon, it is a key component of the low-saturated-fat Mediterranean diet that has been linked to the lower incidence of heart disease in that area of the world.

How does fish oil work? Researchers are not ready to say, but one team of doctors used x-ray to peer into patients heart arteries at the beginning and end of one study. They found that after two years, the arteries of the fish-oil patients, on average, offered more room for blood flow to flow through, with less plaque.

The improvements were not dramatic, however the doctor's team concluded that the benefits found in this study are significant enough to warrant including fish oil as part of traditional heart-disease treatment. At minimum, taking a daily capsule or dining on fish twice weekly would fulfill the needed amount.

Fish oil has also been found to help heart rhythm problems and can help to thin the blood as well. Research continues and always finds Fish oils to be helpful for the heart. It is certainly worth adding fish a couple times per week to the diet, isn't it?

Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac, EFT-CC. has helped people increase their health for the last 25 years Visit her site at http://www.health-doc.com and her Healthy Living Blog at http://www.health-doc.com/blog/health-blog.html

Star Jones Nuptials: Fairytale Wedding or Diva Gone Wild?

In case you've been living on another planet for the past several months, you may not have heard that Star Jones was getting married. For the rest of us here on planet earth we couldn't escape this joyous news unless we swore off pop culture icons like Entertainment Tonight and People magazine.

Star Jones, current co-host of TV's chat fest The View with Barbara Walters, recently married Wall Street banker Al Reynolds in an elaborate, pull-out-all-the-stops wedding extravaganza fit for a queen - or maybe a successful diva.

That's right. Star Jones is a world-class diva. Okay, anyone familiar with Star knows her penchant for pampering herself with the finer things in life. So, it shouldn't be any big surprise that she went all out to have the wedding she'd been dreaming about since she was eight years old.

Star's fairytale wedding included such niceties as a wedding gown with a 27-foot veil topped with a crystal tiara, a 60-member Broadway choir, more attendants than Princess Di had at her wedding, and a custom made 7-carat princess cut diamond wedding ring.

Of course, as soon as the juicy wedding details surfaced in the media, the Star Jones haters came out of the woodworks - - often expressing their mean-spirited views of Star, Al, and their special day with vicious glee.

All right. Maybe Star went just a teeny weenie bit over the top. But so what? In the end, it's just one couple's happy wedding day. Theirs just happened to have a lot more bling bling than most folks.

Admit it. Most of us would have loved to have sneaked a peak into the star-studded event, if only to gawk at celebrity guests like: Angela Bassett, Kim Cattral, Chris Rock, Hillary Clinton, Vivica A. Fox, Barbara Walters, Lisa Ling, Kelly Ripa, Al Roker, Blair Underwood, and Donald Trump.

Whew! Now that's a lot of star powered bling right there.

When it comes right down to it, one person's overblown extravaganza is another person's Cinderella fairytale come true. It's a matter of personal style and taste. I say, do whatever makes you happy. That's all that counts in the end.

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday
One special moment. One special ring.
http://www.1-love-rings.com

Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb gardener or just like to have a pretty yard, these frugal tips may help you save a little money!

1. Stale coffee and coffee grounds make great organic fertilizer. They provide many trace minerals and low, gentle levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.

2. Remember that a good soaking of water less often is better than a light sprinkling every day -- for veggies and for your lawn.

3. If your neighbor has a plant you particularly like, ask for a cutting, instead of going to the nursery and buying one. Maybe you could trade a cutting from one of your own plants.

4. To easily water a tomato plant, bury a bottomless coffee can next to the plant and pour the water into the can. This allows the water to go straight to the roots.

5. Plant marigolds in your vegetable garden. They will attract insects that eat aphids and other pests.

6. My husband bought some used carpet at a garage sale, cut it into wide strips and laid it down between the rows in our garden. Now we can pick peas with getting our shoes muddy.

7. Use grass clippings as mulch around your vegetable plants to keep moisture in and weeds out. Just don't use the clippings right after you have fertilized your grass or treated for weed control.

8. If you have access to them, pine needles make excellent mulch.

9. A natural, frugal garden pest spray: mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil. Use 3 tablespoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray on plants.

10. In the herb garden, to keep plants like mint from taking over too big an area, put it in a clay pot and simply plant the whole pot!

"He who plants a garden, plants happiness."

About The Author

Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".

editor@cynroberts.com

Manhatten Paving-Asphalt Paving Seal Coats

Why should you even consider sealing your asphalt driveway?

Seal your existing parking lot to:

Establish all weather surfaces that are maintenance and dust free, thus saving you overall asphalt maintenance costs in the future.

Maintain the existing pavement in its present condition by delaying or eliminating further aging due to water, sun, heat, and humidity.

Change asphalt pavement road textures- allowing for a non skid, smoother, uniform appearance in the pavement.

Change asphalts color-by sealing the shoulder for demarcation from the main pavement of the entire pavement surface to improve light reflection and appearance of overall asphalt pavement.

Supply minimal additional strength to the pavement at minimum cost

Provide a moisture barrier between asphalt and mother natures elements.

Give better resistance to studded tires

Correct existing pavement problems by waterproofing openness in pavement surfaces.

Performing slight leveling-increase the look and feel of a uniform parking lot.

Can temporarily or permanently fix your problem depending on the cause of asphalt pavement damage.

Economic reasons-

A seal coat can be less expensive than repaving an entire asphalt pavement surface.

A seal coat can be an interim step to asphalt mixed pavement, thus, giving you extra time to save funds for additional asphalt paving in the future to be applied.

A seal coat can economically prolong the life of existing asphalt pavement.

Slurry Seal-

What is it?

It is a mixture of specially graded aggregate and an asphalt emulsion, usually applied with a squeegee. This smooth textured mixture is easily applied under normal weather conditions.

Purpose-

Slurry will seal an existing pavement and produce some minor leveling without the inconvenience of loose cover stone. It can also be used for mass crack filling, to improve skid resistance, to enhance appearance, and reduce studded tire wear. Slurry made with a coal tar emulsion can protect the pavement in parking areas from being damaged by petroleum spills and drips. This material is designed to enhance asphalt paved surfaces that do not need to be immediately repaved.

What about the effects of weather on slurry seal coats?

Weather can have a drastic affect on the quality of the seal coat. Variations can be cool, hot temperatures, rain, wind, and humidity. Unfortunately, you have no control over these variables, but, you can plan to do this type of work when weather conditions are fair.

Cool air or pavement temperatures (under 55-60 degrees) can affect the binding characteristics of the asphalt by making it less sticky or increase it viscosity. The result is a poorer bond between the existing pavement, the asphalt, and the rock.

Sealing in hot weather (air temperatures of 90 degrees and higher) can also create construction problems with seal coat applications. The seal coat is more fluid and is less viscous, loosing its strength.

Rain causes that slurry seal particles to float up through the aggregate cover and can be picked up on the tires of vehicles.

Hopefully it is evident now that if you have an existing asphalt paved property, it is imperative to apply slurry seal coats in order to increase the overall look and feel of the pavement surface. Seal coats cost far less than having to repave entire pavement surfaces and will add extra years to your paved parking structures. Maintenance is the key to adding life to asphalt. Don't make the mistake of not being proactive regarding the health of your asphalt paving parking lots!

Brett Lane is the Webmaster and SEO professional for Manhatten Paving Company, located in Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles Seal Coats

History of Enterprise Car Rentals

So few really understand the drives and motivations of entrepreneurs. Many write about them, some lecture and teach about what they are, how they operate and what they have achieved; yet so few really understand them. So many fail to realize the dedication and sacrifice it takes to win at that level and the super stars are so rare that one just has to look in awe. One of the greatest stories of Entrepreneurial success is that of Jack Taylor who founded Enterprise Rent-A-Car. I therefore recommend this book about the History of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Book is;

"EXCEEDING CUSTOMERS EXPECTIONS- The Story of Enterprise Rent-A-Car" Stan Burns Published by Greenwich Publishing.

Jack Taylor was the of Executive leasing, which turned into Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Before starting Enterprise Rent-A-Car with the help and additional money of his friends dad, Jack was a Navy fighter Pilot flying in WWII a Hellcat. Enterprise is known for its great young and aggressive workforce, mostly recruited from College. It is an MBA grinder job where you must prove yourself to be promoted and the History of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, proves they promote from within, as a matter of fact its current CEO and CFO both started out washing cars. Many great people as history will reveal started out washing cars. I can name quite a few on our own team. Jack started out in St Louis and then moved on to other major cities to develop a great Nationwide company now worth over 5 billion in assets and guess what? It is a private company not public. Here is a previous post of a few days ago as part of this post; Enterprise Rent-A-Car

I believe this to be a great company, not only because it is one of our customers, but because they do try hardest. I am a little offended by the article in Nov. 2001 of Forbes, which had a little fault with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. One needs to learn reality of highly motivated companies and not condemn or even hint at possible condemnation of what they do not understand before putting finger to keyboard. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is great and they deserve their success. GE would have done the same thing, so would Microsoft, the US Marines and anyone of our franchisees or anyone on our team including me. (I own the company; www.CarWashGuys.com ). You do not get to be one to the top 10 Private companies in the World by being a pansy ass. Their current CEO and CFO both started at the bottom of the company and worked up to those positions. And guess what they started out by; washing cars. I tell you there is no better company in the auto business to be associated with. Trying harder may sound good, but winning because you try hardest is the best. Vince Lombarde says;

"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that's first place. It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in everything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win. It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That's why they are there - - to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The objective is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules - - but to win. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour - - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - - is that moment when he has to work his heart out in a good cause and he's exhausted on the field of battle - - victorious."

The people who make up Enterprise are great from the car washers to the President of the company who at one time or another were the same. I truly believe in the power of the team at Enterprise Rent A Car. One of Jack Taylor's great quotes to his team was;

"YOUR BEST CUSTOMERS, ARE YOUR COMPETITION'S BEST PROSPECTS."

Today Enterprise Rent A Car has 300,000 cars, it was taken from $100,000 in start-up dollars to that 5 Billion in assets. 3,000 locations, Now in UK, Canada and many other countries, but did you also know that Enterprise rent-a-car also ownes many other operations non-auto? They had Mexican Restaurant Chain, Coffee Shops, Peanut Butter product line, Fruit Drink Mix line, Macadamia Nuts, Micro-brewery in Hawaii. This is a great company with great people and it has proven that great customer service and fair pricing and pure hustle is a winning combo. Talk about basics, The History of Enterprise Rent-A-Car proves it works, no one can deny it now, there were competitors who tried harder, but who is winning today? Next time you think about Entrepreneurial greats be sure to add Enterprise Rent-A-Cars, Jack Taylor to your list. Think on it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

No-Holds-Barred Conversation with Dan Lok - Part 1

Question: If you were starting out and had no references or a substantial resume, how would you go about finding paying customers for your services?

To answer your question, I'll assume you're a junior copywriter or marketing consultant.

When I first started out and didn't know a soul, I'd open the yellow pages and cold-call the business owners. I'd go to networking events and try to get business. (Sucks!)

Sometimes I'd do a little 'switchcraft' and call the companies who sent me direct mail letters.

Before I had a track record, I wrote a lot on a results-oriented basis. This is also know as a 'sink or swim' or 'thrive or starve' approach.

I'd write an ad or sales letter for a client, with the guarantee that if the ad didn't work, I didn't get paid. If the ad did work, I'd receive a flat fee.

Once I'd proven myself as a credible, conversion-oriented copywriter, I switched to requesting compensation based on a percentage of the sales. Ultimately, I changed to a flat fee, plus a percentage.

It wasn't easy. It's a good thing that 'thin is in' because I've been through a lot of lean and hungry months. I got ripped off so many times I can't even count them. Understand... I'm not saying this is what you should do, but that's what I DID.

In the beginning, you have to be pretty much shameless and willing to check your ego at the door. Be prepared to take on any kind of job for any kind of price. You want to make yourself damn busy. You want the law of supply and demand to work in your favor.

Your goal is to build up a portfolio of satisfied clients as quickly as humanly possible.

If it soothes your wounded ego, think of the process as 'earning as you're learning.' By taking a wide variety of jobs, you'll not only hone your skills a hell a lot faster, you'll also build up a reputation as someone who's 'earned his chops.'

And don't forget to collect testimonials.

Success breeds success.

Ultimately, just like me, when you're in demand, you'll be able to name your own price and do business on your own terms. If a prospect has a problem with how much you charge, you don't need to have a problem with them.

All you have to say is, NEXT!'

Don't worry, if you're good at what you do, you don't have to 'settle for less.' (If you're not good at what you do, and aren't striving to make yourself better, you have no business being in business.)

Here's another plus about providing good value: your clients will tell other people about you. You won't have to go looking for clients; clients will come looking for you. That's the position you want to be in?at the head of the 'receiving line,' picking and choosing your clients.

Your skills are in demand. The business world needs good copywriters. And good copywriters are rare. So the pro's in this profession are always in high demand.

As a marketing consultant or copywriter, you're better off if you don't have to engage in actively persuading prospects to hire you. You're in a much more powerful position, of course, if they come to you.

An excellent way to make yourself the 'go-to' writer that everyone wants is to establish yourself as an expert. Writing a book, creating a website and speaking at events are all excellent ways to gain a reputation as 'Miss Information' or 'Mr. Know-It-All.'

Question: What's an easy way to deal with lingering doubts and questions about an offer with the best ways to create urgency and compel people to act now?

As any good copywriter or marketer will tell you, overcoming resistance is essential to closing a sale. And as any successful copywriter or marketer may keep secret, there are essentially 5 foolproof ways to create a sense of urgency.

1) Limited Time

Time waits for no man, and neither should your offer. Set a time limit to send a clear message that says, 'You must act NOW.' Be sure to state a very specific deadline. Dont say 'This offer will expire soon.'

Do say, 'This offer will expire on July 20, 2004' or 'This offer will expire at midnight on June 12th' or 'This offer will expire in 10 days.' I think you know what I mean.

2) Limited Quantity

What do diamonds, vintage wine, and a triple-play in baseball have in common? They're valuable because they exist in limited quantity. Give your 'Widget' the same value by advertising that only a limited number of these Widgets were produced. Or say that only a limited number of these Widgets will be sold.

Again, be very specific. The above example should really read: 'Only 341 of these Widgets will be sold at this special 38%-off discount price.'

For a double-whammy, add a little financial incentive to your limited quantity offer: 'Only a limited number of these Widgets will be sold at THIS special price' or 'Only a limited number of these FREE BONUES will be given out.'

3) Exclusivity

People want to feel special and like they're getting something that other people aren't. Thats why the 'golf club members only' deal work so well...

4) Superiority

I've got an ego, you've got an ego, and you can bet your sales message that your prospect has an ego. Appeal to it with offers that say, 'This deal is ONLY for action takers.' and 'This deal is ONLY for successful people.'

5) Popularity

People like things that are popular and they trust what other people like... even if they don't know those people. It's the reason that restaurateurs always put customers in the front windows...you don't want a prospective diner looking in on a bunch of empty seats...

People like to be part of the 'popular crowd' and they also don't want to experience the pain of being on the outside looking in. So stir up the pain and remind your visitors what they will miss out or lose if they dont act now.

These two tactics are a one-two punch that will knock consumers right out of their lethargy and right into your offer.

About The Author

Dan Lok is the World's First Quick-Turn Marketer, with a proven track record of selling over $17.3 million dollars of merchandise and services. He's the rebel copywriter who's created hundreds of money-making ads and sales letter for over 39 different industries. Go to: http://www.askdanaquestion.com.