3 Ways To Ease Depression Isolation

June 19th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Chris Green One of the hardest symptoms to deal with during a depressive episode is feeling disconnected from reality. This feeling causes sufferers to retreat further and further into their own world. They become isolated from their loved ones and friends and the loneliness deepens the depression. Heres three ways to stop isolation from making depression worse. 1. Have at least one person you can turn to and have regular contact with 3-4 times a week. Someone you can call when you need to talk, someone who can be with you just watching TV or going to a movie. You dont have talk about how you feel if you dont want to and be clear that you dont want to be questioned about your feelings. Hopefully, theyll understand this and will be there for you when you need them. 2. There will be times when you just want to shut out the world and have your own space. Many sufferers just want to be alone in a quiet room such as their bedroom. Theres nothing wrong with this at all. But try not to make it a daily or regular habit. Schedule this once, maybe twice a week at most and be strict with it. Its about a balance. Yes, shut the world out for a day or two each week. For the rest of the week, be around people, especially the special person we discussed in the first paragraph. 3. When you do shut the world out, do it in a way that helps you rather than hurts you. So, instead of retiring to a dark room and lying in bed to brood about your problems, try these: Mind puzzles logic problems, crosswords, spatial puzzles etc. jigsaw puzzles, draw or paint, play a musical instrument, write stories, watch TV or a movie, or read a book or a magazine and listen to some music. With a book and music, avoid anything too heavy or deep. Keep it nice and light. In this way, isolation doesnt become a period of deep introspection where you worry or fret about problems or go over the past or beat up on yourself. You get the peace and tranquillity but not the torment that can accompany it during a depressive episode. If you feel isolated and that life seems like a virtual reality, then please put these techniques to use. Isolation is a part of depression and the key to lessening the impact is to understand how it happens and use it so it helps you beat depression instead of keeping you trapped in it. Copyright 2006 Christopher Green Chris Green is the author of Conquering Stress, a special program which will show you how to conquer stress, depression and anxiety without taking powerful drugs. For a free e-course please click here => http://www.conqueringstress.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Green http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Ways-To-Ease-Depression-Isolation&id=130903 bombay money lenders act same day unsecured loan project payday is it a scam same day payday loans

Review Of Popular Dating Site

June 15th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Kum Martin Review Of Date.ca There are many Canadian-based dating websites hitting the Internet these days which makes meeting that certain special someone a true possibility. By using Date.ca, individuals looking to establish relationships with others, whether it be as friends or more, can meet new people each and every day. There are a few reasons why Date.ca is a great website to look into. Free Access to Many Useful Date.ca Tools Date.ca allows individuals to create free profiles and check out the interesting profiles of others at no charge. This is a wonderful opportunity for interested parties to use the website and determine if they like what they see. For those who do and wish to access all of the tools of Date.ca, obtaining a premier membership is an option that individuals have and they can do so for a reasonable price. The premier membership one can obtain from Date.ca ranges anywhere from $14.99/month to $29.99/month depending on how long the subscription lasts. Helpful Advice Although meeting new people and potential mates is the primary concept surrounding Date.ca, this website also provides helpful advice to its members. One can learn about various dating issues and have questions that they may have answered by knowledgeable individuals. The articles and tips which the website provides are great things to take advantage of on Date.ca. Meet Locals or Individuals from Different Countries One who utilizes the Date.ca website will find it intriguing that they are able to meet individuals not only from their local area but areas around the world as well. With the technology of Internet dating in general and that which is provided by Date.ca more specifically, one can establish contact and forge possible relationships with individuals around the globe. Check Out More Dating Articles:travel dates fares time flight Thanking Someone For Doing Something Special For Youthanking someone for a special favor Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kum_Martin http://EzineArticles.com/?Review-Of-Popular-Dating-Site&id=284537 military payday loans bad credit personal secured loans buy appliances utah county monthly payments no credit check personal short term loans that can be paid monthly

Gardening For Fun, Beauty And Relaxation

June 7th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Alexander Marlin Gardening is fun, and I enjoy the moments I spend while working in my garden. This is the only time I can honestly relax and not worry about the burdens of life for a couple hours. If you want to start your own garden, may it be indoors or outdoors, there are a couple of steps that you must take. Now, there are many types of gardens you can start with, you may want a flower garden, a vegetable garden or a garden filled with plants. The choice is unlimited, you can even combine your garden. But, the one thing that hasn’t changed, is that you have to plan your garden layout, or your in for a chaotic mess. Your first step towards a beautiful garden is dealing with the landscape, you have to layout how you will divide the little space available, and decide what types of plants you will be using and how you will sort them by type or color. You also have to choose the garden decor that will blend well with your home. It seems difficult at first, but it’s not, there are many resources that can help you get started. I always like to start by doing my research online. The internet is an endless source for gardening tips and gardening articles to help you get started. You can also run down to your local library and get yourself a couple books, that will put you in the right frame of mind. Now, I must admit, that without the right tools, your gardening will be a tedious and tough job. The right gardening tools, makes the job easy and fun. To get more details, you can visit my website. Alexander Marlin loves writing articles about the things he loves and enjoys doing. Read about his passion for gardening Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Marlin http://EzineArticles.com/?Gardening-For-Fun,-Beauty-And-Relaxation&id=524377 title lenders car loans payday states consumer interest charge legislators no fax instant loans paycheck stub sample pay day advance thornton co

Traditional Chinese Medicine In Your Daily Life

June 1st, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) divides the year into five seasonsfall, winter, spring, summer and late summer. Summer and late summer offers a special time of abundance. The natural growth of green and growing things surrounds everything; fresh foods are readily available nearly everywhere. During summer when the natural world bursts into full bloom the universal energy is at its highest point. A plants highest Qi or vital energy occurs when it flowers, according to TCM principles. TCM views all foods from an energy perspective. Behind the foodbeyond nutrition, beyond vitamins, beyond caloriesis energy. Each food vibrates at a specific energy frequency that corresponds to a specific organ or meridian. Foods grow in variable weather, at diverse locations within distinct energy fields. A fruit or vegetable carries energy patterns relating to these various influences. In other words, the energy or intelligence of a plant or food knows how to thrive in a given situation. It is this energy (not caloriofunction) which relates to different organs. The essence and the organ or meridian have a matching energy frequency. One enhances the otherin fact, they seek each other out much like a magnet. This understanding of Qi and essences is a result of thousands of years of observation of how vital energy works. These insights were usually achieved through deep meditation and experiencing Universal energy. The knowledge has been passed down through generations. Depending on how they are used, foods can act as herbs. They can help increase or decrease vital energy. For example, using the flower of a plant like the sunflower causes energy to rise, while using the root of a plant channels energy down through the bodys meridians or internal energy network. Each flower part can play a role in helping the knowledgeable TCM practitioner achieve the goal of balancing a persons energy toward prevention and wellness. TCM principles regard food as medicine; it is energy that is the real healing tool. If certain issues need herbs, the skillful use of a particular foods Qi can help dramatically. While Western medicine focuses on calories or nutritional content, it is easy to see from the way foods and herbs are used in TCM that something is going on behind these things that can help restore health. For example, many food and herbs are often mixed together and cooked for hoursthus the nutritional value has long been processed outthe mixture can still be highly effective in treating various conditions. It is the essence or remaining energy that is of value. TCM principles believe foods can influence something extraordinarily important in the bodyand that is energy. With TCM, allergy sufferers are made to understand that the offending food is not the problem, it usually means that the food carries a special energy or is vibrating at a specific frequency that the body cannot handle. The solution:bring the affected organ back into harmony or balance with the rest of the body. TCM offers very effective ways to accomplish this. The Universe has provided a powerful, yet natural way to maintain good health and help when good health fails. Experiencing TCM in your daily life is connected to an understanding of the critical role food plays in strengthening the house we have chosen for the spirit. TCM uses the knowledge in its ancient organized system to examine the various factors that contribute to a condition of disharmony. The goal of TCM is to seek a permanent solution to the issue, rather than just treating the symptoms. That is why you wont hear a TCM practitioner say, Just take this prescription for ten days and call for another appointment if you need a refill. Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, motivational speaker and inspirational leader specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life’s challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorothy_M._Neddermeyer,_PhD http://EzineArticles.com/?Traditional-Chinese-Medicine-In-Your-Daily-Life&id=383556 cell phone companies no credit check bad credit offshore lenders fast cash pole dance hard money loans

Why a Hard Money Lender Might Be Your First Stop

May 29th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Corey_Senn]Corey Senn It isn’t uncommon to hear mortgage industry insiders refer to hard money lenders as a last resort. While this may be true to the extent that many borrowers who solicit loans from hard money lenders do so as a last resort, there are many cases in which a hard money lender may be sought before a traditional banking institution. Let’s take a look at some scenarios where a hard money lender might be a first stop instead of a last resort. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Let’s say a real estate developer has sunk $10 million into a development deal and originally planned to sell units in January and would then begin to recoup their investments dollars from the project. As is the case with many such endeavors, delays may push back the beginning sales date or the project may go over budget, leaving the developer with a cash negative situation. The developer now must take out a bridge loan in order to get through his cash poor period in order to “survive” until the project begins to realize a cash positive position. With a traditional loan, the bank would not push through the loan for the borrower for four to six weeks. The developer would default on his original loan or would not have cash on hand to finish up the project. The developer needs cash right now and oftentimes needs the cash for only a two to four month period. In this scenario, a hard money lender would be the perfect partner because they can provide a loan quickly and efficiently. REHAB INVESTOR Another example of a hard money scenario is a rehab investor who needs a loan to renovate run down homes that are non-owner occupied. Most banks would run from this loan because they would be unable to verify that the rehabber is going to be able to promptly sell the units for a profit — especially with no current tenants to provide rent to handle the mortgage. The hard money lender would, in all likelihood, be the only lender willing to take on such a project. FLIPPING PROPERTIES Another group who may use hard money lenders as a starting point as opposed to a last resort are real estate investors looking to “flip properties.” If an investor locates a property that they deem to be a great value, they might need quick and secure financing to take buy, renovate and sell the property quickly. Anyone looking to flip real estate does not want to hold on to the property for a long period and the short term loan from a hard money lender will accommodate this need. The loan may also be structured as interest only, keeping the expenses low. Once the property is sold by the individual who is flipping the property, the principal is paid back and the profit is kept or reinvested into the next project. A BORROWER IN FORECLOSURE One final scenario of hard money involves someone who finds themselves in foreclosure. Once a homeowner falls behind on their house payments, most lenders will not provide them with a loan or restructure their current loan. Occasionally, an individual who is facing foreclosure will obtain a hard money loan to avoid foreclosure proceedings and use the time to sell the property. The question remains why would hard money lenders loan money if a traditional bank wouldn’t even consider such a gamble. The answer is two fold. The first is that hard money lenders charge higher rates than traditional lending institutions. The second is that hard money lenders require the borrower to have at least 25-30% equity in real estate as collateral. This insures that if the borrower defaults on their loan that the lender can still recoup their initial investment. A hard money loan is essentially a marriage between a borrower in a tough spot (either from a time sensitive perspective or due to their poor financials) and a lender who is risk adverse and is willing to take a chance for a higher return. While hard money loans may be a last resort for many, there are plenty of scenarios when hard money is the only way to go. Corey Senn is a Senior Partner with [http://www.badcreditlender.net]A Bad Credit Lender, a California based mortgage lender that specializes in hard money and [http://www.badcreditlender.net/badcreditlender/bad-credit-loans.html]bad credit loans. Located in La Jolla, California, A Bad Credit Lender provides competitive private [http://www.badcreditlender.net/badcreditlender/hard-money-loans.html]hard money loans, bad credit home loans, and bridge loans. In addition, Corey is one of the main contributors to the California Home Mortgage Loan web blog. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Senn http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-a-Hard-Money-Lender-Might-Be-Your-First-Stop&id=85865 cash for check payday maryland loan for people with bad credit georgia cash advance need money now very small loan

How to Initiate a Conversation Within Seconds of Seeing a Woman

May 18th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Scott Patterson “How do I initiate a conversation with a woman?” This is a question I receive all the time from my loyal readers. What happens is these men spot an interesting woman, but they have no idea how to walk up to her and start talking. Unfortunately many of them make the mistake of using some corny pick up line they heard from their friends. Now let me tell you a little secret Pick up lines NEVER work When you use a pick up line, you’re telegraphing your interest and showing a lack of originality. Instead of attracting women, your pick up line is instantly repelling them. So how do you initiate a conversation without using a pick up line? It’s simple All you have to do is use an Opener! What is an opener? Basically an opener is a type of conversation starter which can instantly attract the interest of women. It’s used to begin a conversation, get their attention and then transition into getting to know them better. It differs from a pick up line because it involves getting their opinion and getting them to talk. An opener differs because it doesn’t make you look cheesy or lower status. Openers work for many different reasons. Primarily an opener works because: 1) Women love to give their opinions 2) You can use their answers to latch onto a conversation topic 3) You’re not telegraphing your intentions 4) You’ll appear to be funny while being interesting at the same time. The key to creating a good opener is it should be an open-ended question which involves all the people in the group you’re approaching. What you’re trying to do is walk up to a group, ask their opinion and get them talking. So the opener should NEVER be question which can be answered in a quick yes or no. Instead it should get them talking and make them interested in what you have to say. Now here are few rules you can use to craft a good opener: First you have to give them a time constraint. If a group thinks you’re going to stay for a few minutes, they’ll be more likely to open up and be friendly. Then once you’ve attracted their attention, they’ll forget about your time constraint. Next your opener should be interesting and funny. In order to be fun, try to keep your conversation starter light hearted. You should fabricate a opener from your life or use something which provides and excellent topic of conversation. Finally you have to give them a reason why you’re asking their opinion. In other words, you can’t give the appearance that you’re randomly walking around the room asking people questions. The best technique is to let them know that you were having a conversation with your buddy and you needed a woman’s opinion. What you want to do is sit down and craft 3-4 different openers which can be used in different environments. Just think of funny or interesting things within your life and then craft an opener around it. If you’re stuck, you can use this opener which many guys have used to great success. It’s called the “G- String Opener”: You Say: “Hey guys, I’m on my way out, but I wanted to get a quick opinion from you all. I was just talking to my buddy and we were discussing a mutual friend. This guy totally messed up with his girlfriend and cheated. Unfortunately his girlfriend found this other girl’s G-String underneath his bed. To cover for himself, my friend told his girlfriend that he has a fetish for wearing women’s underwear. What’s funny is his girlfriend loves this idea and now makes him wear her underwear. So I was wondering what you guys think: Do you think he should continue to cover for himself or should he come clean with his girlfriend?” This opener is effective because it’s interesting and funny at the same time. Once you use this opener and get their opinion, you can transition into other topics and find out more about the group. Now I encourage you to sit down and create your own opener. Try to tailor it to your personality and make it funny. Just remember that openers are a great way to initiate a conversation and they will ALWAYS beat out a corny pick up line. Want to learn 50 different ways to meet, approach and attract women? If so, take a look at Scott Patterson’s Free eBook which provides 50 tips for approaching, attracting, and dating ANY woman. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Patterson http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Initiate-a-Conversation-Within-Seconds-of-Seeing-a-Woman&id=512459 can employer keep last paycheck when i quit desperate for personal loan money lenders for medical offfices payday lenders in mexico

How to Banish Bad Breath

May 14th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Ryan Arsendatama You can banish bad breath naturally by using home remedies. Along side using herbs to get rid of bad breath, you need to continue to brush your teeth, gums and tongue after meals. Bad breath can be quite embarrassing at any given point of time. Bad breath is caused by the presence of oral bacteria. However, there are other causes of bad breath too, like onions, garlic, smoking, dryness of the mouth, and gum disease. More people suffer from xerostomia, which is, basically, dryness in the mouth. It occurs during sleep or if you have been speaking for a longer time. The saliva is a special kind of mouth moisture that kills oral bacteria. Get Rid of Bad Breath Naturally Bad breath, in medical terms, is known as halitosis. You can banish bad breath naturally by using home remedies. They are effective and do not have any side effects. Along side using herbs to get rid of bad breath, you need to continue to brush your teeth, gums and tongue after meals. Some of the useful herbs and tips on how to banish bad breath are: 1. Wash your mouth with water, sage leaves, mint leaves, and parsley, to rid yourself of common bad breath. They are effective reducers of bad breath. 2. Frankincense, also known as Boswellia carterii, is a herb that has antibacterial capabilities. It is mainly used for treatment of sores and toothaches. 3. Cardamom seeds add sweetness to your breath, and are widely used as a breath freshener. 4. Drinking tea made from Fenugreek seeds helps to remove bad breath. 5. Parsley, whose Latin name is Petroselinum sativum, is more than just a green vegetable. Chewing parsley will get you fresh breath naturally. 6. There are certain types of herbs and spices, which are natural breath enhancers and are used in cooking. Some of them are cloves, fennel, or anise seeds and you can carry them in a pouch and chew them after meals. 7. You can chew some fresh breath herbs like wintergreen, spearmint or peppermint. They have a mint flavor and are soothing to the throat. 8. Commiphora molmol, Latin for myrrh, is also used for bad breath. It can be taken to cure infections in the mouth, teeth, gums and throat. It is very effective for toothaches. 9. Even fruits, such as Guava will help you reduce the intensity of bad breath. These are some of the natural ways to kill that embarrassing odor. If you are able to use them regularly, then you can rid yourself of bad breath. Understand the causes of halitosis is the first step in fighting halitosis smartly. Visit our site for more free tips on how to cure bad breath. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Arsendatama http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Banish-Bad-Breath&id=138808 cash advance limits for ohio apple payday current personal loan rates unsecured business loan or grant

Revolving Door Judaism

May 9th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Shael Siegel Twentieth century American Judaism has created the inevitable and perhaps desirable revolving door Judaism. People coming in and people going out–Jews entering at certain entry points and others leaving at different points of egress. That is what living in a democracy is all about — choices and the freedom to choose. Not only is the twenty first century Jew a Jew by choice, but he can also decide what type of observance and intensity he wishes. The phenomenon of chozrim besheela (lapsed religious Jew) is not anything new. Its been going on since the emancipation, and perhaps personified by such great thinkers as Moses Mendelssohn and Solomon Maimon. Judging from the Jewish news media and blogoshere one would think that its a new phenomenon, revolutionizing the Jewish world and wreaking havoc on the orthodox religious establishment. For years now the reverse movement of the baale teshuva (newly religious) has been scrutinized with little negative press, and rarely criticized by the secular media. Israeli stars like Uri Zohar, dropped out of secular Israeli society only to re-emerge as a haredi (ultra orthodox) rabbi accorded the respect even by the secularists as a man who chose to embrace his religion as a choice. The same logic ought to be used for those opting for a point of egress from religious life. What is particularly disturbing in the latest round of discussion over the issue of chozrim bsheela is the tone by which the issue has been addressed. The tone of the discussion is very much rooted in the communities they represent. Baalei teshuva are generally favorably accepted into their newly adopted communities. They are able to do so because the adoptive communities feel vindicated and justified for their life style. They also have a sense of empowerment: a secular Jew has rejected his secular life style in favor of a religious one. In the language of the Bible and daily prayers they see the application of the victory of the righteous over the secular humanists. A religious Jew leaving his community is treated as a pariah, an outcast to be chided. When a secular Jew chooses to join a religious community the reaction is not nearly as severe as the reaction of the religious community in experiencing the loss of one of theirs to the secular community. When a member of a haredi family opts out of religious observance he is regarded virtually as an apostate, and shunned. Not so when a secular Jew chooses to become religious. There may be some awkward moments, but he certainly is not shunned. Whereas the religious community welcomes the baal teshuva into its ranks as a sign of victory of right over wrong, light over dark, the secular see the baal teshuva as someone in search of meaning making a choice that will hopefully answer his spiritual needs. The distinction being made may be subtle, but not negligible. Haredim view the world in the familiar contrast of back and white, good and evil, right and wrong frum (religiously observant) and non frum, Jew and gentile. Relativism is not part of their language and they cannot discern between subtle differences and circumstances that might mitigate a decision made counter to the prevailing mores and norms of their community. (Perhaps that is why they favor the color black, because it has few if any variant color shades to it). The secular Jew, the humanist, sees the world in which he lives as a complex set of choices and opportunities. Making one choice over another does not necessarily imply a negation over the other options. There is an implied respect for all legitimate lifestyles, keeping judgment in check without the need to negate or deligitimize one choice in favor of another. Interestingly enough, the Jerusalem Post article of March 8, God Forbid and a posting in Cross Currents of March 12, The wonders of Leaving Observance reflects this difference between the two communities. Whereas the Jerusalem Post article reported on the work of the organization Hillel and its volunteer staff in aiding chozrim bsheela in a non judgmental and benign manner, the essay appearing in Cross Currents was pernicious, acerbic and judgmental. Yaakov Menkin who authored the essay in Cross Currents sets the tone in his article by referring to the Jerusalem Post as a puff piece. This is the classic and predictable tactic of the haredim. Attack, attack, attack, because were under attack! Attack and delegitimize the enemy. Menkin, to make his point has to invent and misinform his readership by explaining that humanists believe that observance is inherently abusive because it is the unanimous opinion of psychologists that reconciliation is best in anything but an abusive relationship. He concludes therefore that humanists consider observance inherently abusive. Menkins tactic is an old but transparent technique of setting up a paper tiger and then tearing it down. How disengenious! More disturbing than his perverse understanding of humanism is his systematic character assassination of Yaron Yadan, whom he sees as a tragic and pathetic individual who abandoned his wife and children. Rather than address the issues pertaining to chozrim bsheela he focuses on personal attack. To make sure he makes his point he continues insinuating that such tragic figures are not in short supply. So, Menkin inadvertently admits to the fact that there are plenty of haredim who have dropped out. In his mind, however they are all tragic and pathetic people. Im not at the least surprised that Menkin did not take note of the issues prompting the phenomenon of chozrim bsheela. Im not surprised that he only related to Hillel, an Israeli organization, but failed to address the fact that in New York the organization Footsteps is alive and well doing a brisk business of integrating lapsed haredim into society. Menkin, like so many other haredim are in denial that the number of defectors in their community is growing as more and more of this community look for choices. Just a cursory surfing of the net will attest to the growing multitude of blogs initiated by the disaffected haredim in the U.S. and Israel. It seems that Menkin gets a perverse pleasure in knowing that a chozer bsheela returned to the fold when he points out that the founder of the Irgun Lchozrim Bsheela became a chozer bteshuva. All this does is buttress my position that we are fast becoming a revolving door Judaism, with many entry and exits points. Who knows, maybe Menkins model baal teshuva will become a chozer bsheela again! Shael Siegel, educated in the United States and Israel is a post-denominational rabbi, educator, commentator and observer of the Jewish religious/social landscape. He manages a web site and writes a weekly blog which can be accessed through shaelsiegel.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shael_Siegel http://EzineArticles.com/?Revolving-Door-Judaism&id=506783 loaning a friend money no teletrack cash advance payday loan free money to pay off nursing school student loans moscow mills bad credit car loan

Burn Your Brochures: 8 Better Alternatives for Creating Collateral

May 1st, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Jonathan Kranz If you work in marketing communications, youve probably seen this scenario a dozen times: A harried sales guy, shirts-sleeves rolled up to the elbow, storms into your cubicle. I got a hot sales call in Toledo in three weeks. I got to have a brochure to leave behind, he says, smacking his fist into his open palm. You sigh. So it begins — yet another brochure. And you know how itll end: Thousands of dollars and multiple late-nights-against-deadlines later, hell have his brochure. But the company wont have the sale. And youll have a coat closet stacked with bulging boxes of forgotten collateral. Is there a better way to support sales? Something you can leave with prospects thats just a bit more memorable — and more effective — than the standard brochure with its forced march through company visions, product descriptions, and corporate bios? Yes, indeed. I offer eight suggestions, not as comprehensive answers to every sales-communications situation, but as inspiration and provocation for creating material less likely to gather dust — and more likely to draw your company closer to a sale. 1) Make it a magazine. David Ogilvy once asked why print ads had to look like print ads — why not make them look like articles? I say, why not go one step further and make your brochures look like magazines? Instead of the usual ho-hum content, create articles that position your company, products or services as ways to solve problems or achieve customer-desired goals. For about a decade, Baystate Health Systems in Massachusetts has published a beautiful four-color glossy magazine, AlphaSights, that they distribute to referring medical professionals in central Massachusetts. Distributed three times a year, AlphaSights is loaded with articles about new procedures, protocols and initiatives at its flagship hospital, Baystate Medical Center. Its been a phenomenal success: The first issue alone attracted an increase in referrals that more than offset the entire years production costs. 2) Make it useful. Heres another lesson from healthcare. Every day, legions of pharma and medical device representatives leave tons of samples, coffee mugs and brochures in physician offices across the country — clutter, clutter and more clutter. In a competitive field, how do you stand out? One medical products manufacturer got wise. They developed a pad of forms, 8.5 x 11, with pre-assigned check boxes and fast, no-brainer ordering fields a physician can complete in seconds. All she has to do is fill a few boxes, sign it, and run it through a fax machine to order the product. In a crowded field of competitors, this manufacturer got the most orders — not because it had the nicest mug or the most beautiful brochure, but because they left something behind that made their product the easiest to get. 3) Make it educational. Give your prospects a taste of your expertise. Professional services companies have been doing this for your years with the ubiquitous white paper, a kind of extended essay about a relevant topic of business interest. Why not apply the report idea to products and consumer services as well? For years, the Wall Street Journal has been offering personal finance guides as subscription lures. Anything complex could benefit by an educational report that simplifies: Imagine a guide to countertop selection for a kitchen remodeling firm, or an explanation of housing values for real estate agencies. With a little research and imagination, these businesses and others like them can distinguish themselves as authorities, not just other runners in the pack. 4) Make it handy. Two of my current clients are getting lots of mileage by packaging tips — handy advice and/or insights that are just long enough to be helpful, but short enough to be easily digested. Its a format people love — in fact, youre reading a tips-based article right now! The key is to break your know-how into bite-sized bits busy people can consume on the fly. Of my two tips clients, one is targeting the multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions market with a top ten tips guide; the other runs a tips-based website on a variety of subjects that interest consumers — and draws eager sponsors who want to reach them. Upscale or down-market, tips attract favorable attention either way. 5) Make it keepable. When I was a kid, a mechanics garage just wasnt real if it didnt have at least one girly calendar, sponsored by a Joes Auto Parts or Cranwicks Plumbing Supply on its walls. Cheesy? Perhaps. But you can be sure that the target audience saw the sponsors name and phone number every day — often long after the calendars expired! In addition to calendars, consider attractive posters, playing cards, puzzles and entertaining cubicle toys. Of course, you want to select options that are as closely associated to your business, proposition or message as possible. I know of one enterprise that creates decks of custom cards for authors (especially consultant or motivational authors), with each card serving as a chapter or topic summary. The decks are much more memorable than business cards or brochures, yet are less cumbersome and expensive than giving away free copies of books themselves. 6) Make it from the customers point of view. If the familiar brochure format still remains as your best option, then at least consider changing the perspective. Too much collateral is narcissistic, packed with empty chest-beating that attempts to wow the reader with the companys alleged greatness. Instead, write from the customers point of view. Skip the boring company history and honors won stuff, and talk about the real problems or issues your customers face. Then tell them how you solve these problems with precise, specific evidence that makes your claims credible. By adopting this shift in perspective, you demonstrate empathy with the customer — youre on their side — and you show a grasp of real-world circumstances prospects can recognize and respect. 7) Make it mailable. Or, if its going to be shared by hand, easy to ship or transport. In any event, consider how youre going to distribute your new collateral before you commit to creating it. Years ago, I worked on a spiral-bound booklet that the client adored. Unfortunately, the spiral binding bulged within its envelope and jammed the post offices machines. Worse, the book was an awkward size — just small enough to rattle around in an ordinary cardboard express envelope. While the design was lovely, the project was impractical and ultimately failed its intended purpose. Dont make the same mistake: If youre distributing in large quantities, make it easy to mail. 8) Make it work for you. A final thought: Youre not in the business of publishing collateral for its own sake; you should always have a specific marketing or business goal in mind for each piece you create. Everything you make must serve a dynamic role in your sales process, an objective that moves the prospect one step closer to buying. What do you want the customer to do as a consequence of getting or receiving your piece? Whatever that is, make it explicit. If nothing else, at least end your collateral copy with a call to action, a directive to phone, write or otherwise respond to you. If you can provide an incentive — a discount, a premium, a free analysis — all the better. But at the very least, ASK for the response and tell readers exactly how to reach you. Jonathan Kranz is the author of Writing Copy for Dummies, http://kranzcom.com/book.html, and the principal of Kranz Communications, http://kranzcom.com, a marketing communications and public relations writing firm specializing in B2B and consumer services marketing. He offers customized in-house and on-site marketing and PR seminars, and is a popular speaker at professional association events, meetings, workshops and conferences, http://kranzcom.com/speaking.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Kranz http://EzineArticles.com/?Burn-Your-Brochures:-8-Better-Alternatives-for-Creating-Collateral&id=165092 us governemtn free credit report boat loans bad credit bad credit home loans south carolina credit repair advise

Make it Yourself

April 28th, 2008 by suzanekernodle

By Jonathon Hardcastle Hobbies can take almost any direction and form. From escaping into the unknown wilderness of a nearest national park to creating the cake of your best friend’s wedding, your hobbies reflect a part of your personality; obvious or rather well hidden. Some of my favorite hobbies include painting, traveling, conversing, cooking and dinning, walking and doing things on my own. Like many people around the globe, I take joy out of making things with my hands and exercise my mind in discovering new ways of using old things one would throw out instantly as waste. If you think this article is not for you, try remembering your grandma’s best recipe or when was the last time you found a new way to use those worn out clothes. Now maybe you can understand why making things can become a relaxing recreational experience that has a direct result and costs almost nothing more than time; which you will spend anyway, if you are determined to find at a store that special piece you are looking for. While you can go window shopping till you drop from exhaustion trying to find the perfect present for your friend’s birthday celebration, it would be rather interesting if you considered making something yourself instead. Apart from exploring your craft skills and realizing that an item can have more than its usual commercial application, your friend will be delighted to receive a gift that took you time to prepare and has your personal touch engraved all over it. From birthday cards, to picture frames, or even to a whole new attire, making something on your own can prove to be a rather fulfilling experience, which can offer you a high level of personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment that are not always earned during your heavy daily schedule. Thus, I strongly recommend to you to try putting your skills to better use and rather than suffering from calluses on your toes after hours of endless search, to offer yourself a way to express its creative side and save some money in the meantime. Older generations, not too far ago in time, have never heard of department stores and shopping malls and yet they managed to create everything that was necessary for them to live and be content while using their craft to serve their needs. Of course, life was not as comfortable and “easy” as it is today, but if one considers the easiness factor one more time, it is avoidable to conclude that consumerism and over-consumption have left human creativity unused and thus, in a state of hibernation. Putting your creative skills back into use is not that difficult. From crafting a toy for your child or pet, to creating stylish storage containers from unused boxes, or using all those extra pieces of cloth and sewing them together to come up with an interesting looking kitchen towel or even apron, your imagination can take your craft wherever you decide. Just think about the time you will save from traveling back and forth in traffic or searching without being able to conclude on a decent idea for your friend’s present. Things should be simple and only you are in control of your ability to make “easy” things really easy. Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Recreation, Alternative Health, and Games. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathon_Hardcastle http://EzineArticles.com/?Make-it-Yourself&id=318921 free credit report revbiews home mortgages for those with bad credit credit card application with bad credit is 700 a good credit score