THE CAT’S MEOW

FOR WRITER’S & READERS

Issue 09, Vol. 05

© August 10, 2005

“THE CAT’S MEOW FOR WRITERS & READERS”

Newsletter/Ezine: ISSN: 2237-65

Published by Rosanne Catalano, (a/k/a R.C.Kayla)

Writer/Author and Ezine Chief Editor,

For Her Official Author Web Site – http://www.rosannecatalano.net

Editor and Proofreader: Nancy Peckford,

Technical Writer/Author, Web Designer and Assistant,

Nancy’s Web Site – http://webwriterworx.tripod.com

Our Subscriber list is NOT made available to others.

IN THIS ISSUE – AUGUST 10, 2005

NAME OF AUTHOR TITLE OF ARTICLE AND/OR COLUMN

Rosanne Catalano EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S CORNER

Nancy Peckford EDITOR’S CORNER – On Hiatus

Heidi Lynn Metzger (Featured Poet) COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS

Charles Goulet “Writing and Self-Examination”

Sanne Darsent “Menopause- Natural Changes”

Verzek Polis “Insurance”

Charles Interess “Invest”

Steve Zinsatz “Loan”

Monda Skyefire “Fitness- What Does it Mean?”

Travis Bahn “An Often Overlooked, Yet Valuable Workforce”

Francois Propreti “How to Buy Property in France”

Neal Ferrado “Dream Cruise to the Caribbean Islands”

M. Tan “Networking: 5 Fantastic Ways to Network Effectively”

Douglas Titchmarsh “10 Reasons for Starting a Home Business Online”

George Trabos “The First Place You Should Look for a Telecommuting Job”

Charlie Cook “Increasing Short and Long Term Pr0fits”

Kenyatta Maboour “Stock Market Investing”

Fabine Carren “Following the Career Path to Happiness”

Scott F. Geld “Positive Company Branding”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S CORNER:

by Rosanne Catalano – www.rosannecatalano.net

My dear readers, after a long battle with chronic pain and lung cancer my stepdad passed away August 2^nd… the cancer had suddenly spread throughout his whole body. My hubby and I flew down to Florida to comfort my mom during this awful time. Her heart is breaking as is everyone’s who knew & loved him… though my stepdad and I had our ups & downs throughout the years, he knew I loved him and considered him my second dad…loving my stepdad as I did for thirty-two years I felt so guilty not being able to fly down while he was sick, my chronic pain got the better of me but I know he understood; he had lived in chronic pain for seventeen years due to a stroke he suffered in 1988, which left his left arm paralyzed and him experiencing extreme pain in his neck from which he had many surgeries and procedures to unblock the clogged arteries and to alleviate the pain he was in….

IN LOVING MEMORY:

HAROLD CLINTON WELCH

Born January 26, 1930

Married (3^rd time to my mom): March 29, 1981

Died August 2, 2005

Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Stepfather…

You showed a tough exterior to the world,

Those who loved and knew you,

Knew you were a softie where it counted – in your heart.

Though we know you are now in God’s loving care,

You are loved by all here on Earth – family and friends alike,

And will be missed forever more….

Though we will always hold your memory

Dear to our hearts,

We wish our Father above

Hadn’t called you home so soon…

To break our hearts.

Hate to admit this dear readers but not only did I cancel the knee surgery for another time, I did not stop smoking… if anything, due to my stepdad’s taking a turn for the worse and then passing on I smoked even more cigarettes to alleviate my heartbreak. You would think that because he died from lung cancer (though he had quit smoking ten years ago!) that all us smokers would quit… cigarettes are a very hard addiction to beat but I know it can be done with time.

And right before my hubby and I left for Florida, received two more “rejection letters” from magazine editors where I had submitted short stories. All part of being a writer – rejection letters! BUT, the good thing about getting those is that I will try even harder to give editors material more suited for their magazines… both rejection letters said: “Dear Rosanne, Thank you for submitting your short story and/or work to ________. We enjoyed reading it but, unfortunately, it’s not exactly what we’re looking to publish at this time. Please consider sending other work to us.” When editors tell a writer to consider sending other work to them that is a great sign… it means they loved what they were reading but it did not quite fit their magazine style. Rather than it getting me down, I will just try harder next time to make sure my poetry and/or stories ‘fit’ the magazine’s format. That’s all we can do as writers – never give up, and just keep writing!

Tears continue to flow for my beloved stepdad, though I know it is ten-times worse for my mom who lived with & loved her husband for 32 years… Our Father in Heaven please watch over and comfort my mom during her heartbreak; she truly loved Harold Clinton Welch, whom we all called “Clint.” Clint, my second dad, was truly loved and liked by all….

Without further ado, please do enjoy the August issue at your leisure as the days of summer wind down….

Thank you to all those who sent condolences to me and my family.

EDITOR’S CORNER:

by Nancy Peckford – webwriterworx.tripod.com

Will RETURN in December 2005…

© August 10, 2005 by Nancy Peckford

technical writer/author, web designer and assistant

COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS:

(Every Month Highlighting Artistic Talent)

FEATURED POET THIS MONTH: HEIDI LYNN (“DIZZY”) METZGER

TOGETHER FOREVER

As I sit here and wonder
About all the years

We have been together
I wonder…
Will we grow old together?
Will we always be together?

Will we have the same love forever?
Will we live apart forever?

All I know now is that I want us...
Together forever more

Written by Heidi Lynn Metzger

AUTHOR BIO:

Please send all emails to dizzi6794@yahoo.com or greenpurpleblah@yahoo.com. Thank you!

A writer must know the reason they are writing and that requires self-examination….

“Writing and Self-Examination”

Written by Charles Goulet – www.telusplantet.net

Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part of the writer will be shared with readers? Will it be only information or will it include the essence of the writer? This, then determines what will be written: poetry, essays, articles, short stories, novels, or any other genre of writing.

A writer’s work must share part of his or her being, or it is merely reporting. And when the soul or spirit of the writer is included, it requires a depth of self-examination; it requires searching the psyche for what is important and even relevant to the writer and thus, to the reader. This is egoism, not egotism; the first is self-assurance, the second is vainglory.

Although writing for financial gain is important, it should never be the sole reason for writing, as that will not bring out the best in the writer. Passion of expression, a need to communicate, a desire to share a part of the person – ideas, feelings, passions – and love are the bases for exemplary and ageless writing.

Writing must fulfill a heartfelt need for self-expression, ego fulfillment, or a therapeutic necessity, and last, but not least, financial reward and fame.

If writing does not foster this self-examination, it is nothing more than a skill to use words, to use language, and to use writing to manipulate and not to satisfy the reader.

___

AUTHOR BIO:

Charles O. Goulet has a BA in History and a BEd in English literature. He has written several historical novels that are available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.

Charles O. Goulet can be reached at go1c@telusplanet.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

“Menopause- Natural Changes”

Written by Sanne Darsent – www.menopausemgt.com

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life. Technically, it is the stopping of periods or menses. The average age is 52 however menopause can occur in the thirties or sixties. Perimenopause is the time around menopause – usually the 2-5 years before but sometimes women have symptoms 10-15 years before stopping their periods. The time of menopause for woman can be dramatic. Menopause is usually unique for every woman but every woman does stop having periods. Some common symptoms associated with menopause include hot spells during the day- hot flashes, night sweats- heavy sweating at different times of the night, weight gain, emotional ups and downs, and loss of sexual desire. All of the symptoms of menopause can be mild or severe. Many of these symptoms are caused by hormonal imbalances and changes, not necessarily estrogen loss. They are also related to diet, lifestyle, and genetic factors.

Many women reach fifty years of age working 60 hours a week, taking care of a family, children and parents, and have little time for themselves. Their hormones are burnt out and have little reserve for dealing with this natural period of menopause. Basically, during menopause the body is resetting our hormones for the second half. It would be easier if women had more time to relax and go with the flow during menopause, but few have that chance.

In the past, the prime treatment for menopause symptoms was hormone replacement therapy. In more recent years, it has been found that these replacement therapies weren’t as effective as first thought, and they can be detrimental to a woman’s health. So, what is the answer?

There is light at the end of the menopause tunnel. The phase does end, as most women’s symptoms diminish over 2 to 5 years. For some the time may be much longer. There are some things that help women through this necessary body change. Sometimes changing diet, exercise, and sleep patterns do help going through menopause. Taking a good multivitamin with some herbs and oils can also help the body deal more efficiently with menopause.

There is a common myth that menopause is caused by a decline in estrogen production. Instead the real cause is hormonal imbalances of Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Menopause is your body’s way of letting you know that it is not balanced properly.

Again, menopause affects every woman a bit differently; some have major imbalances, while others have only minor problems. It has been proven that diet and activity levels can play a major role in achieving the proper hormonal balance. It’s also known that there are certain natural solutions to help get the hormones back in balance during menopause.

If menopause is challenging you then consider all different treatments to find one or more that work for you. Read as much as you can and make some logical decisions to get through it.

AUTHOR BIO:

Sanne Darsent is the president of Menopause Mgt. Co., an excellent internet resource for menopause information. To learn more, visit http://www.menopausemgt.com.

“Insurance”

Written by Verzek Polis – www.qqinsurance.com

People all over the world pay billions of dollars for insurance. This means they pay premiums to a company to reimburse them if something happens to them, their houses, their automobiles, their furnishings, their jewelry, and even their credit. Insurance companies aren’t without controversy as rates soar and disgruntled people complain. In the United States, President Bush is promoting the lowering of payment to patients who find themselves victims of malpractice. Some doctors are abandoning their practices as they aren’t making enough to pay the heavy costs of malpractice insurance. Although we protest, most of us continue to pay for policies.

One of the most crucial insurance plans someone can own is health or medical insurance. The rates of physicians are rising, and so are the costs of medical procedures and hospital stays. Prescription costs are soaring, convincing many people to abstain from necessary medicines, or to seek them from other countries such as Canada and Mexico. The poor and elderly receive aid from the government offices like the Department of Social Services (DSS) in the form of Medicare and Medicaid, but they generally need to buy supplemental policies due to the fact that everything is not covered. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) began some years ago to try and govern costs, by setting specific fees for services and referrals to specialists mandatory among other things. Many U.S. citizens would like to see medicine socialized as it is in many other nations. Antagonists predict that the taxes would be astronomical. To describe the state of health insurance of the U.S…..a mess.

Life insurance is another popular plan to have, especially for those with families. A person basically puts a dollar value on his or her life, pays premiums until death, and the beneficiaries receive the specified amount. This is especially important for the breadwinner of a family. Once that person is gone, so is the income.

Property insurance protects your home or business against fire and any covered acts of God. Without these plans a person or family could lose everything they own in one disastrous event. Recent years have been costly to both the insured ant the insurers in southeastern seaboard states, especially Florida. Although hurricanes are not uncommon events, in the past few years the area has seen some of the worst. To add to that they have come closer together than the usual cycles, and have caused devastating destruction.

Automobile insurance is another substantial form of insurance to carry. With more cars on the road today than ever before it is absolutely necessary. You never know when an accident can happen. In most states drivers are required by law to carry it. Other than protecting the driver, the primary purpose of car insurance is to protect the other people involved in an accident. If a person has a collision with you and is not covered by insurance chances are they do not have the money to compensate you for any medical or auto damage expenses. Most states have implemented no-fault insurance laws. This means that a policy holder’s own policy would protect them. Policy rates depend on age, driving record, and even credit history. Eager young drivers can also face very high premiums.

AUTHOR BIO:

Verzek Polis is the owner and operator of QQ Insurance Inc., which is a premier resource for information on gardening. For questions about this article, or for more information go to: http://www.qqinsurance.com.

“Invest”

Written by Charles Interess – www.quinvest.com

One of the most widely heard statements in a young person’s life is “save your money” or, “save for a rainy day.” For most the stock market was a popular place to invest money for long term security. There are those who have come to doubt that institution as it has been extremely volatile in years past, as well as recently. There were crashes in 1929 and again in 1987. The government has established measures to keep these catastrophic events from happening again, but there is no real guarantee.

The first stock exchange was established in Pennsylvania in 1790. Soon investors from New York came to study it and from those meetings the New York Stock Exchange was established on Wall Street. Today the market is made up of 300,000 computers seated on traders’ desks. Advanced protocols are used to network them and make pricing more precise. These computers are in turn linked globally, as that’s the economy we live with, in today’s world. Daily business in the stock exchange is estimated at more than $2.2 trillion.

Stock market investing has made drastic changes since the appearance of the Internet. Investors used to have to hire a broker to maintain their portfolios. Online trading has become increasingly more money-making as it does away with the broker’s fees, but some still use one. There are still costs associated, but they are much less. Management of your accounts is in your hands now. None the less, it is still a gamble, but one can learn the proper way to invest from online resources and books on the topic.

There are other ways to invest one’s money. Mutual funds are popular. The risk is less since investment companies form to put money in the stock market, bonds, money markets or other commodities. Since capital is spread out, chances of losing large amounts may be less than just buying stocks.

Another strategy includes Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). Different types of IRA’s exist that a person can put money into. Usually no taxes are paid until there is a withdrawal. In some scenarios penalties are applied for an early withdrawal. If interested in one, plan to see the account to fruition.

Employers set up retirement accounts for employees in the form of investments or pension funds such as 401k. The IRS allows laborers to have a set percentage of their wages deducted and placed in a 401k fund. Due to the fact that the money is deducted before any taxes, the investor finds that they are able to maximize their profits. Many companies will meet a portion of the employee’s contribution. There are restrictions on the dollar amount and percentage in place, a check with the human resources department for company’s rules should clarify this. Most of the time programs like these are only offered by the larger corporations.

There are a number of ways to invest your money, including purchasing property. You can develop it by building a home or business (depending on the zoning laws) and earn tax write-offs. You can hold onto it and hope to sell it later for a profit. With so many people afraid of stock market volatility, many are choosing this route, helping to cause the explosion in property prices we’re now seeing.

However you choose to invest, it’s a wise thing to do. Just make sure you get all the information you can before you let go of your money.

AUTHOR BIO:

Charles Interess is the webmaster of QU Invest, which is a premier resource for information on gardening. For questions about this article, or for more information go to: http://www.quinvest.com.

For those in the loan industry looking for a resource or those looking to get a loan in the future, Steve Zinsatz tells you below how-to…

“Loans”

Written by Steve Zinsatz – www.aviploan.com

Most people at some time in their lives will ask for a loan. Often children start asking parents for a loan when they spend their allowances too soon. Many parents are soft hearted and don’t require the money to be paid back, so the child isn’t really learning the concept of borrowing. By the time they reach college age they often must apply for a school loan. These are special loans backed by the American government, charging low interest, and at least ten years for repayment, thus keeping the monthly payments as low as possible.

What do we mean by interest? If a private party or institution decides to lend someone money, they deserve to get something in return along with repayment. Usually this is established at the time the loan is made and is in the form of a certain percentage. When economic times are hard, and economies decline, interest rates are low. As the cycle revolves and times improve, interest rates rise. When looking for money to borrow, the rate of interest is a major consideration.

What are loans used for? Probably the most widely used loans are for homes and automobiles. These are big ticket items and many couldn’t begin to save enough to buy them outright. There are financial institutions set up specifically to handle home mortgages. There are various plans available when you finance a home. Variable rates change as the interest paid to the banks rise and fall. Most people buy houses when rates are down as they have been for a few years. Now that they are rising again, the real estate market will probably slow down. Some people prefer a fixed rate of a certain percent. That means it’s locked in no matter what the rates do. Obviously people seek this type of loan when the interest rates are low. Home loans can be taken out for as long as thirty years.

Auto loans are also necessary for most. Although it is easier to save for a car than for a house, most of us want instant gratification. Sometimes we are faced with having to buy a newer or better car than the current one, which is costing its worth in repairs. These loans run from three to about seven years. When the automobile market is stagnant, dealers will usually offer a variety of incentives to encourage people to buy and clean out their inventory. Some of these incentives might take the form of cash rebates or low interest rates. Since the market of Internet car buying has come about, life has become difficult for car dealers.

There are many places to find a loan and even more reasons to borrow money. Some institutions single out those with sub-par credit by charging hefty interest rates. This often only increases their existing problem as they become further in debt. More recent companies have created a lucrative business of advancing money to people using their next paycheck as collateral. The interest rates are extortionate and usually end up getting the borrower further in debt.

The moral of the story is to try to keep from taking out a loan unless you know you can repay it. When you do apply, carefully research the institution and their interest rates. It always sounds so easy, but later payments of a loan can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and expense.

AUTHOR BIO:

Steve Zinsatz is the owner of AVIP Loan, which is a premier resource for information on gardening. For questions about this article, or for more information go to: http://www.aviploan.com.

“Fitness- What does it mean?

Written by Monda Skyefire – www.afitnessbug.com

Almost everywhere you go today, you are approached in some manner about health and physical fitness. The fact that a large percentage of Americans are considered obese has helped increase the marketing of diet, physical fitness, and health products. You’ll be reminded of health and fitness on TV, in magazines, on the radio, the news, at work; almost everywhere you go you’ll see something about physical fitness.

So with all of the fuss about health and fitness have you bitten the bullet yet? If the answer is no, than here is a brief description of the fitness standards and how you may improve your current fitness level.

Fitness experts suggest that there are five basic keys to fitness including:

1) Aerobic Endurance- This measures how your body copes with moderately strenuous activity in a given period of time. It also measures how effectively your heart and lungs combine to provide you with the oxygen your body needs.

2) Muscular Endurance- Muscular Endurance measures your fitness level by your ability to hold a particular position for a sustained period of time or repeat a movement many times. One example might be to lift a five-pound weight 20 consecutive times.

3) Muscular Strength- This measures your body’s ability to provide a certain level of force in a given movement.

4) Flexibility- This measures your joints ability to move through a range of motion.

5) Body Composition- This measures how much body fat you are carrying compared to your bone and muscle density.

If you are weak in any area or need to begin a general overall fitness plan, there are basically three areas of exercise you should concentrate upon to make improvements. They are stretching, aerobic activity, and strength training. Each of these areas is very important to your overall fitness level. Eating a healthy diet will also contribute greatly to your overall fitness level.

No matter how fit or unfit you are it is never too late to start training. Irrespective of when you last exercised getting back on the bike so to speak won’t hurt but will actually help you to feel great.

AUTHOR BIO:

Monda Skyefire is the resource developer and designer of Fitness Bug, a place for all your fitness information. To read more, visit http://www.afitnessbug.com.

“An Often Overlooked, Yet Valuable Workforce”

Written by Travis Bahn – www.utemployment.com/

Your sales figures are sky rocketing, your employees are at their capacity, your office space is diminishing and life is great. But you want to push forward and continue to grow while your market is ripe. It’s time to hire some more dedicated employees! The only problem is your office space just won’t allow it. You have your accounting department crammed in a small, back office as it is. It’s time for that larger office you’ve had your eye on this past year. Wait! There’s a better and much cheaper way…

Four Reasons Why Your Company Should Hire Telecommuters

1. Telecommuters Save Their Employers Overhead Expenses

Why create more office space when those wanting to work from their homes already have the required office space to do your job? Those looking for telecommuting jobs already have the essential equipment such as computers, access to the web, phone lines, cell phones, etc.

And with the advent of Voice Over IP systems, long distance charges can be reduced to a minimum allowing you to expand your workforce across the globe. Many existing company headquarters take advantage of this technology and you should, too.

Forget about the expenses of expanding your office area, not to mention the increase in utility bills, and invest it in more prosperous areas to expand your business.

For those business owners just starting out, utilizing telecommuters are a great way to get your business up and running fast without the added expense of real estate. Use the money saved to grow your business during it’s crucial development phase and only add office space when your profits warrant it.

2. Telecommuters Are More Productive

There’s no hanging around the water cooler talking to fellow employees about their plans for the weekend in a telecommuting arrangement. In fact, home workers actually work harder to prove to their employer that this working arrangement is indeed worth it…for both of you. Office gossip and politics never get in the way of a teleworker.

Taking days off due to car problems or having to stay home with the kids aren’t an issue with work at home employees. They’ve already developed plans to aide them in working a straight 8 hour shift with few interruptions. And long waits in rush hour traffic are now spent more productively working on projects for their employers.

Many studies have already proven that telecommuters produce results that exceed their fellow office-bound colleagues.

3. Homeworkers Have A Higher Morale

Having a better work schedule and more control over it, causes telecommuters to be more loyal to their present employer. In addition, without the added stress of heavy traffic to and from work produces a more relaxed, thus more productive, employee. This in turn, results in less days asked off and unexpected absenteeism.

Recent research sponsored by AT&T has shown that employees who telecommute can save their present employers as much as $10,000 due to less absenteeism and increased job retention.

4. Homeworkers Broaden Your Workforce Pool

No more having to place an ad in the paper hoping that the right employee for your vacant position will march through those doors. And no more expensive relocation expenses for those that qualify but live in another locale.

You’ll have the privilege of picking the cream of the crop from across the country or globe. You won’t be restricted to choosing only talent from your local area.

So are you convinced yet? These are only a few of the many benefits of hiring at-home workers. According to the American Interactive Consumer Survey, employed teleworkers have increased from 11.6 million in 1997 to 23.5 million in 2003. The trend is here to stay and smart business owners should tap into this valuable resource we call telecommuting.

If you’re curious about learning more of this growing trend, be sure to check out the Annual Telework America Study published by the ITAC: http://www.telecommute.org/telework/twaresearch.htm

AUTHOR BIO:

Travis Bahn is the webmaster and editor of a large Website on Employment…a leading resource on the internet for all things concerning employment. Visit the archives at UT Employment by going here: http://www.utemployment.com/

“How to Buy Property in France”

Written by Francois Propreti – www.franceto.com

If you are thinking of buying a house in France never make the decision after having a good holiday there, think a research well all the pros and cons.

Step 1: Searching The Right Property

If you are not in France you can get a good head start by looking at websites or going to a French property, alternatively you could employ a home finder based in your own country or France. If you go to France to do look yourself look for ~a vendre~ (to sell signs) or look in the windows of ~agents immobiliers~ (estate agents) and ~Notaires~ (public notaries).

Step 2: Should I Get A Survey?

Yes to check that you are not paying over the market price, these can be done by the estate agent. If you are worried about structural defects get a written report from a builder or architect.

Step 3: Managing Your Euros

You can normally get a mortgage for up to 80% of the value of the property. Add 10% to the property price to cover the cost of buying. Also check whether sales commission is included in the price. If the property is less than 5 years old VAT will be chargeable on the property.

Step 4: The Legal Process

Always use a legal advisor. You can buy the property either as an individual, either in single, joint or multiple names or alternatively through a French Property holding Company whose shares are held by the buyers. The cost to set up is between ~1000 & ~3500 but there are significant tax advantages.

Step 5: Protecting Your Interests

Remember that The Notaries ensure that the conveyancing process is carried out properly and all taxes and fees are paid. Make sure you get your own legal representative to advise you throughout the process.

Step 6: Contracts

You will be asked to sign a preliminary contract after an offer has been agreed upon. This becomes legally binding on both parties after a 7 day cooling off period. If there are any factors which may jeopardize the sale put them as conditions in the contract, i.e. Getting a mortgage approved, if you fail to get the mortgage the sale falls through. A 10 deposit should be paid to a third party at this point.

A contract will be written by an estate agent or Notaire and will include address of the property and both parties and the purchase price plus mortgage amount.

Step 7: Completing the Sale

The sale will be completed when the both parties have signed the final deed at the Notaires office. Registration can take up to 3 months after sale. The sale is only said to be complete when all the paperwork is complete.

Step 8: Moving In

Legal responsibility for Property Insurance and payment of utilities transfers once the final deed has been signed.

Step 9: Taxation

If you will be liable to French Income Taxation if you choose France as your permanent home, or you spend more than 183 days in France during the course of the year. Even if you are a non-resident in France you will pay tax on any rental income you receive plus pay a property tax which is based upon the annual rental value of the property.

Step 10: Renovations and Building Works

If your property requires significant renovation work, make sure you have sufficient funds to turn your dream into a reality and not a nightmare. Get three signed quotes from the builders before you go ahead with any work.

AUTHOR BIO:

Francois Propreti is the owner of France, which is a premier resource for information on France. For questions and comments about this article please visit: http://www.franceto.com.

“Dream Cruise to the Caribbean Islands”

Written by Neal Ferrado (“The Cruise Meister”) – www.relaxcruise.com

Caribbean Cruise Vacation

Taking a cruise to the Caribbean seems to be something a large number of people dream of doing one day, and no wonder why. The Caribbean islands lure vacationers to its beautiful warm beaches. St. Thomas and St. John are two of the most popular islands in the Caribbean, but there are several others to choose from that are also popular. You have different choices of entertainment, like lying on the beach sunbathing, or enjoying a relaxing swim. Sailing the magnificent waters will always make for a thrilling day. Need a little more excitement, try exploring the water in a whole new way by trying your hand at diving.

Having decided to take a cruise, the number of decisions that you are required to take suddenly becomes overwhelming. The foremost is the choice of Cruise Line. With a number of cruise lines and luxury liners to choose from and with each offering innumerable attractive packages of fun and frolic – the decision becomes even harder. Therefore, before commencing the trip of pleasure and relaxation, there are a number of details that need to be taken care of to have a ~smooth sailing~.

One of the important aspects to check is the requirement and availability of a passport. Many countries require a valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiration. You must ensure that you have your passport and visa formalities looked into and addressed before embarking on the journey.

For those of you who are taking a trip for the first time it is advisable to make full enquiries about your trip and get as much knowledge as possible. Don’t for a moment feel ashamed to ask questions or speak your mind. This in turn will give you a lot of benefits in terms of making your trip go smoothly and without hiccups. You would also be then well-informed about what all that you may need on your trip.

Such a vacation is, a dream come true. A once in a lifetime experience that should be documented with photographs. Remember to take your camera and film. Also, make sure that you double-check all the important documents so that you are not left stranded anywhere. Take travelers checks with you, as they are very handy. Finally, pack your bags and get going.

AUTHOR BIO:

Neal Ferrado is the cruise guide of Relax Cruise Heaven, which is a complete resource if you want to go on a relaxing cruise. Visit his website now for articles, tips and the best deals on your next relaxing cruise: http://www.relaxcruise.com.

“Networking: 5 Fantastic Ways To Network Effectively”

Written by M. Tan – www.yumcha.com.au

It seems as if everybody is into networking these days but only a handful of people know how to network effectively. Don’t miss out on golden opportunities to become acquainted with those who can help you personally and professionally. Follow my list and you’ll be utilizing all those fantastic new contacts in no time!

1. Look utterly presentable! Being smartly dressed will go a long way in attracting people to you. Wearing a nice suit is not enough. Make sure you pay attention to the finishing touches such as your shoes (are they polished?), your nails (are they short and clean for men and manicured for ladies). Is your hair clean and tidy? In short, how you present yourself is how people will treat and respond to you.

2. Do not pass out your business cards to just anyone. Although I am sure you want to publicize your business or maybe just yourself (!), others will view this as being a little too eager. Hold back. Get to know others and only then suggest that you exchange details if you feel that there is a rapport.

3. Don’t try to work the room. Contrary to popular belief, working the room can work against you. It’s the law of diminishing returns. About two years ago I went to a networking function with a friend of mine whom I’ll call Ravi. Before long, Ravi had met everyone in the room. However, I held back and noticed a lady reading a French daily paper. I approached her as I am a Francophile and we got on so well we chatted the entire evening. Ravi was disappointed in me as he always thought of me as a “great networker”. I tried to explain that it is not the quantity but the quality. I have since become incredibly good friends with that lovely fellow Francophile and we have gone to many cultural functions and made some wonderful friends together. Ravi on the other hand, never heard or stayed in touch with one of those people with whom he had met that first evening.

4. Don’t limit yourself to business networking. When we think of networking we think of business events and functions. However, don’t discount other opportunities such as cultural associations and even volunteering. If you come from a particular ethnic heritage, think about joining local associations which will enable you to meet others like yourself. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people from all walks of life and some of the best friends and business contacts I have made have been through volunteer work. It also makes you feel better that you are contributing to society and not just thinking about how the next person can help you.

5. Prepare to stay in touch. While it is nice meeting new people at networking events, it’s pointless if you do not follow up. Make a point of contacting people whom you met within a day or two either by phone or email. I was particularly impressed by a young banker who sent me his business card with a short note by snail mail (he had just run out of cards when I had met him). Suggest to your newfound networking buddies a small group lunch and ask them to bring along a friend. Just keep the momentum going.

Following my 5 Fantastic Ways To Network Effectively will make you not only better at networking, it will attract more people to you as well. As they say, it is a two way street.

Best of luck and happy networking!

AUTHOR BIO:

M. Tan is executive director of Yumcha.com.au, Australia’s premier networking site for Asian Professionals. Please visit http://www.yumcha.com.au for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

“10 Reasons for Starting a Home Business Online”

Written by Douglas Titchmarsh – www.cashinoline.info.

1. You want to escape the rat race. You’d rather spend the 2 hours you waste every day with your family, or on a hobby. Running your own business online you can stop the commute, and you can feel good because you are helping to cut pollution too.

2. You can work part time building your new home business online until you see it taking off. You aren’t giving up your bill paying regular job to jump in without any income.

3. It’s possible to start a home business online with very little outlay. Web hosting is cheaper than a bricks and mortar shop front. You already have the pc to access the net, it can start working for it’s keep.

4. You can choose your own hours. If you have an appointment to keep in the morning, start your online work in the afternoon. No one can tell you “you can’t have that week off in August, Bill got in first”.

5. If you work harder you can benefit directly, you put more hours in and your online business makes more profit, your wages go up. Your salary isn’t fixed by someone else’s view of what you’re worth.

6. A lot of online business tasks can be automated, using readily available tools. Emails can be automatically sent by autoresponders, even regularly asked questions can be sorted and answered by software.

7. A website works 24 hours a day without complaining. Even if you’re on holiday your online business website can be working online for you bringing in money.

8. Your online business can be as far reaching as you want, it can offer something for your local community. It can equally sell to people around the world, without penalty. It doesn’t cost any extra to send an email to Australia, or for your website to be used to make a purchase by someone in Europe.

9. Starting a home business online means you have a continuously growing market as more and more people come online everyday.

10. It’s dress down day everyday. You can work in your pajamas if you want, nobody’s going to stop you in your own home. No more suits and ties unless you want to wear them, but that’s your choice.

AUTHOR BIO:

Douglas Titchmarsh recently decided to start a home business online and is running a work-at-home opportunities site at http://www.cashinonline.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

“The First Place You Should Look for a Telecommuting Job”

Written by George Trabos – www.filejobs.com/

Where can you find the perfect work from home job? Is it on one of the hundred or more job sites somewhere on the internet? Is it in your local newspaper?

If it were me, I’d start with my current employer. I can hear your sighs of disappointment. I’m sure you thought I was going to reveal the Holy Grail of work from home jobs websites. If that was you, I apologize.

I wish I could promise that you could log onto any one of the free job boards, find one you like, contact the company and be hired on the spot. And I’m sure that there have been some cases where that has occurred. But that shouldn’t be the first place you start. Start where they know you.

Job hunting can take a very long time. Just add in to the mix that you need to convince a company who doesn’t know a thing about your work ethic or a thing about your skills to hire you so you can work from the comfort of your home, and your job just got a little more difficult. How long do you think it’s going to take? Unless you have some highly sought after skills, I’m sure you can guess the answer on that. A traditional job hunt would certainly go a lot smoother.

I don’t mean to discourage or disappoint you, I just want you to be able to face the facts and reality as it truly is. Yes, you can find a telecommuting job on these job boards…but it will take some effort. However, as more and more companies become familiar with telework and develop telecommuting policies, job searching and your odds at finding employment while working from home will increase in your favor.

But currently, the best place to look for a work from home job opportunity is with your current employer. They already know your skills and how hard of a worker you are. You are a hardworker aren’t you? You can use this in your favor.

If your company has a telecommuting policy already in place then you should definitely try to negotiate a work from home arrangement with them first.

So the most crucial item to determine is whether your position with this employer is suitable to be taken home with you. Most of the time this is pretty obvious. But due to large strides in technological advancements, more and more jobs are becoming telecommuting-friendly.

Next, find out if your company already has an existing telecommuting policy set in place. If they do, your job just got a whole lot easier. If not, don’t fret. You’ll just have to convince your boss on the many benefits for allowing you to work from home. But you’ll have to focus on their benefits. If you’re a good salesperson than this should be easy for you. If not, just study up on the net about telecommuting benefits for your employers. You and your employer will be pleased with what you find.

So once you’ve convinced your manager that your current line of work is suitable for telecommuting and you’ve voiced your opinion about your desire to work from your home, you’ll have to develop a work plan. Usually, you’ll start on a trial basis. Maybe one or two days a week to test the waters until both you and your employer are comfortable with the situation. Before you know it, if it agrees with you and your employer, you’ll be working from home full-time.

The last three paragraphs sound pretty basic. But entire books have been written on the subject. My intentions here aren’t to explain all of the ins and outs of how to do this. I just want to let you know that your current job is one of the best places to find a telecommuting position when first starting out in your job search.

AUTHOR BIO:

George Trabos is the webmaster and editor of a large Website on Jobs…an excellent directory on the web for all things concerning jobs. Visit the archives at File Jobs by going here: http://www.filejobs.com/

You want people to buy more from you today and to get those who don’t buy from you immediately to buy from you in the coming weeks and months…

“Increasing Short and Long Term Pr0fits”

Written by Charlie Cook – www.marketingforsuccess.com

“I was at your site for all of two minutes before I bought one of your manuals. I’m impressed!” I love to get emails like this one sent by Vicki from Tucson, Arizona. Marketing my business would be easy if every client bought my products within two minutes of seeing my marketing materials, or signed up for my coaching services after a few minutes on the phone with me.

Do you make most of your sales in 2 to 20 minutes from the time a prospect first reads your marketing copy, visits your web site or calls you?

Neither do I. I make approximately 10% of my sales at the time of first contact, but most prospects take weeks, months and, in some cases, years to become clients.

As I mentioned in my marketing blog, I track sales on the day I send out my marketing newsletter. Typically, orders for my books begin to come in within a couple of hours. Some will be from people who just found my web site and aren’t even on my mailing list, others will be from prospects who signed up for my newsletter a couple of weeks ago, and still others will be from people who have been getting my marketing materials for six months or even longer, sometimes as long as two years.

When Do People Buy?

Prospects buy from you when they know you exist, know which problems you solve, feel confident in your products or services and understand their value, and, most importantly, when they want to do something about their situation or are ready to solve a problem. Prospects looking for an immediate solution may buy your $149 product or $500 service today, but most won’t want to purchase it until next month or next year.

Increasing Pr0fits

You need a marketing strategy that helps you increase immediate, short-term and long-term sales.

Does your current marketing strategy do this? Does it prompt people to buy from you the first time they visit your web site or call you, make a purchase a few weeks later and in some cases buy from you years after their first contact?

Would you like to improve your immediate, short-term and long-term sales? Below are marketing strategies you can use to accomplish this.

Making Immediate Sales

You want a prospect reading your marketing materials for the first time to immediately see you as an expert and understand the value of your products and services. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the best way to do this is to describe products and services, credentials or list clients.

Introduce yourself with a marketing message that describes how you help your clients, phrased in terms of their concerns, not yours. Follow this with a few testimonials from clients that focus on the results you’ve generated.

Then describe the solution your product or service provides, again in terms of your prospect’s needs. Finally, ask for a commitment, an order or contact information.

Generating Short Term Sales

Not everyone arrives at your web site or at the other end of the phone line ready to make a decision. In fact, 80% of people spend two or more weeks researching their purchasing decisions. What can you do to keep these people interested?

First, get your prospect’s contact information. Stay in touch and continue to demonstrate your expertise and the value of your products and services.

You may have an interested prospect, but the prospect isn’t clear on why or when they should use your product or service. When you follow up a prospect’s initial contact, give them useful ideas they can use related to your product or service, and take advantage of this opp0rtunity to educate them about the problem or concern you can help them resolve.

Improving Long Term Conversion Rates

I had one prospect that I’d talked to three or four times on the phone over the course of two months. When they didn’t respond to two follow up calls, I stopped calling. Two months later, that is, four months after our first conversation, they called me to say that after researching a dozen other consultants, they’d finally decided to use my services and at the same time had expanded the scope of the project and the price I’d be paid. You’ve probably had similar experiences.

Some prospects take even longer than four months to make a decision to buy. Why? Because people buy based on their own timetable, not yours. They buy when they have a need and when they want to act on that need. Even after deciding