April 10, 2008
One of the great advantages of advertising and marketing on the web is it’s cheaper than traditional print based promotions. No printing or photocopying fees. No postage costs.
And with email you can communicate to your prospect almost instantaneously.
So why bother with promoting your site offline?
The biggest reason is that most people are getting overwhelmed by the amount of email they receive, especially spam.
They may delete your message thinking it’s unsolicited email even though they have given you permission to contact them.
Also, the increasing use of anti-spam software to filter out unwanted mail is unfortunately targeting legitimate email as well.
I’ve been hearing a lot from other online publishers about the decreasing response to their email offers and how many of their customers and prospects aren’t getting their ezines anymore.
That’s why I suggest you supplement your online marketing with a bit offline promotion.
One of the cheapest forms of print advertising is postcards. (No, not the ones you send to Grandma while you’re on your Hawaiian vacation.)
The ones I’m referring to are blank. You feed them through your desktop printer as a full size sheet and then separate them along a perforated edge — usually there’s four postcards on one sheet.
First, you need to write the headline and body copy for the postcard.
You don’t have a lot of room for your message. So you need to be succinct.
Your headline should spell out a strong benefit of your product. Here’s a headline I use for my own postcards promoting the Information Marketing Boot Camp http://www.dc-infobiz.com
“FREE Report How To Set Up and Run Your Own Home-Based Publishing Business… and Never Create A Product, Write An Ad or Talk to Anyone”
In the body copy, I follow up with a quick explanation of info marketing and then list the great benefits that it offers. And then I list my web site address where they can get more info.
Remember, that a postcard is similar to a classified ad in that you can’t use it to directly sell your product. There simply isn’t enough room on a postcard to do a complete sales pitch.
You use it as the first step in a two-step selling process. The postcard is only for generating sales inquiries.
You then follow up by directing the prospect to your website where they can find the full details and benefits of your product.
Or you can ask the prospect to send you an email and then reply with your sales letter.
Once you’ve captured their email address, you can follow up multiple times.
You can format your postcard in a word processing program. I use Microsoft Word and its Envelopes and Labels command to set the file up to print correctly.
Here’s a tip that Ron LeGrand, author of the Information Marketing Boot Camp, passed on to me.
Go to your local post office and buy their pre-stamped postcards. You just run the sheets through your printer, separate, attach the address labels and mail!
And, best of all, you’ll only spend a handful of change per postcard.
About The Author
Dave Coyne is a copywriter, marketing consultant and president of DC Infobiz http://www.dc-infobiz.com.
FREE Report. How to start a home-based publishing business and never create a product, write an ad or talk to anyone. Send a blank email to dcinfobiz@getresponse.com
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Generic drugs are those that intend to be copied or used as a substitute of the original drug been expired by the companies or bio-equivalent and re-taken by other fraud companies with same ingredients of the patented medicine available in the market by original manufacturing unit because these original medicines are always patented under a brand name by any drug company of the world.
Such drug availability is called upon as Generic drug. The fraud companies, smartly cheat the same active-ingredient mixed under the medicinal tablet or capsule and provides tag with certain price increase so that the inflow of cheap or third-grade medicines should be supplied in the market conveniently with no or much contingencies of getting trapped or even being jailed. The biggest stumbling block under generic drug supply is that the formula is used exactly the same by any other drug company.
Pharmacists all around the globe due to consider the branded generic drugs safe and sound for consumption by a specific patient as FDA ensures that all drugs ought to be safe and if generic drug is utilized the ingredients will react with the bloodstream in a same way therefore this drug form isn’t completely discarded as in comparison to their branded-counterparts. A generic drug consists of purity; quality; quantity and strength with specific stability as well just like any another drug available in the market.
Generic drugs don’t take a longer span of time like the original one to get digested or dissolved in the blood. The quality is cheap therefore less expensive drugs can be launched into the market by generic manufacturers which do not have investments cost to the development of such new drug in the market. The patenting of the generic drugs includes: research; promotional activities; development and marketing of easy purchase and sale of the drug at over-the-counter-chemist-shop. A sole right is provided to the company who has taken the authority for producing such medicines and launching them into the market I the first instance.
The easy accessibility of customers for acquiring generic drugs comes along under substantial discount rate terminology. Today almost half of all prescriptions come along or filled only with generic outlook.A good manufacturing practice is maintained for both generic and branded-over-the-counter-drugs. Substandard facilities are never permitted by FDA approved rules. Around 3,500 drug tests are done and are safely recommended by FDA alone in a year and should meet with the compliance or else the patenting of the generic drug will be terminated completely.
The flavor of the drug; its color that discolors overtime if not consumed initially and other inactive ingredients are different in nature. The regulation processing of the generic drug provides a 20 years patent protection to the innovator of the drug from the date of submission of the patent and he is the one who lays down the initial cost of the medicine including marketing expenses; research and development to develop such drug. A competitive generic version got introduce in the market by other fake companies but with thorough information and testing up the drug facility by FDA approval. You could contact your insurance company; physician or pharmacist for more detailed and specific information on generic drugs.
Click here to learn more
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It is estimated that billions of dollars in delinquent commercial credit is currently being carried on the books of both American and international businesses. This figure changes as our economy grows or contracts. Increased competition, diversification of product lines seem to indicate that these figures will continue to move upward. Regardless of the state of either the national or international economy, the necessity to grant credit and to collect commercial receivables using professional methods remains vital to all businesses.
Credit Sales Volumes Are Important
The average commercial business sell between two to five percent of their products for cash. The credit department is responsible for the other 95 to 98 percent of the goods and/or services sold. Businesses have varying percentages of their financial resources tied up in receivables. Actual losses might range from one-half of one percent to five percent of sales without serious results. This depends on profit margin and other factors. Losses can explode to significant sums very fast if not restricted by the credit manager.
Good Customer Relations Are Paramount
The credit department must also be in tune with customer relations. This quality is absolutely necessary in order for the company to prosper when selling on credit. It is very, very easy to say “no” to prospective customers, and it is also very easy to firmly demand payment at the time of the sale. If this attitude reduces sales, then the credit department is not performing its complete function, which is to create a balance between sales and collection of money.
When extending credit to a new customer, the following basic information should be harvested for your credit evaluation and kept on file:
Is the firm individually owned, a partnership or a corporation?
You must obtain full names of owners, partners or officers and all business addresses. This is a must. A follow-up form letter to the hastily approved customer may supply this information and the local city directory may be helpful with details of ownership or tenancy. You should, however, get the information before delivery of the merchandise.
How long has the applicant been in business?
Statistics show that 50 percent of business failures are firms less than one year old, 75 percent are less than five years old.
At what bank does the applicant do business?
What is the average size of his bank balance and are there any loans outstanding? The customer may have a financial statement which will reveal this, and certainly a phone call to their bank manager is in order. They might only confirm the existence of an account, unless your customer pre-approves release of the details. A carefully worded and signed application will gain you the most information.
What do the records show?
Are financing agreements kept, or have legal suits been filed? If the amount of credit requested is substantial, additional financial information may be secured from an outside credit information source such as another supplier trade association or business reference. n What are some of the business firms with which the applicant is currently dealing? You will want to check with at least three companies to determine how much credit has been extended and the creditors’ payment experience with the applicant company. This procedure may help you and other businesses in exposing customers who exploit their suppliers.
Search for Patterns of Problems
It is a constructive idea to analyze those customers who have become collection problems and to note reasons for their delinquency. A pattern will probably be revealed.
It may be found that some collection problems involve businesses which were in operation less than a year at the time credit was originally granted. This is a “red flag.” It does not mean that a new business should be denied credit, but it does mean that additional information should be obtained to ensure that the business is potentially a good credit risk.
Sometimes the credit manager will have to deal with a sales person who is overanxious or under-trained. In the desire to sell, they may make promises that lead to collection problems. When such a pattern develops in an area, it would then be wise to advise the sales manager about the problem. It is often expedient with large orders to send the potential customer a letter spelling out credit terms.
Some Delinquencies Are Unavoidable
It is inevitable in granting credit that certain conditions cannot be foreseen and that there will be unavoidable delinquencies.
It is usually acceptable company policy that credit losses within certain percentage limits can be sustained, as growth can only be achieved by reasonable risk taking. Reserves for bad debts and collection costs are an acceptable and recognized expense for business. A too-tight credit policy can dry up potential growth. A too-loose credit policy can be a great expense.
By granting credit intelligently and by following good billing and collection procedures, it is possible to hold risk to an acceptable figureto a balance between company growth and losses due to bad debts.
Get free information and advice on commercial collections.
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Refinancing is an easier and convenient process for repayment of the existing loan with the help of a new loan. The new loan may be taken from the same or a different institution but secured by the same belongings as the first loan. Refinancing can be done for different purposes to decrease interest costs or risk, for making payment of other debts or to lessen periodic payment obligation.
You will refinance your loan from a bank, from your existing loan provider or other lenders. The same collateral is used for refinancing a loan used at the time of your original loan.
There are mainly two types of refinancing: fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. In adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate keeps on changing according to the market rates. In starting, you have to pay enhanced rates as compared to fixed rate mortgages.
The mortgage loans with fixed interest rates are known as fixed-rate mortgage loans and you can easily manage your monthly budget. Your monthly payment remains the same throughout the loan period. Fixed interest mortgages are of two different types: 30 year fixed rate mortgage and 15 year fixed rate mortgage.
Some uses refinance to lower their interest rates that in turn increase their monthly income. When rate are declining its beneficial to refinance your mortgage and this could save your money. Refinancing your home helps in reducing of your mortgage to build equity faster. A refinance loan is used for different purposes like adding a new room, to buy a car and for many other purposes.
The author presents the website on Refinancing. It covers the meaning of refinancing, types and importance of refinancing. You can visit his site for refinancing guide.
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This beautifully crafted, emotional short story was absolutely breath-taking. Em’s devastating losses pile up while her husband begins to buckle under the strain of maintaining a family environment.
Their love, so deep and true was weighted by circumstances beyond their control. The sad ending had a positive twist that will leave the reader with a feeling of distant wonderment and hope. I really liked how the whole story came full circle around a big old oak tree on the family’s property.
Megan Allen is a gifted writer and I highly recommend “Memoirs of a Fallen Oak.”
~ Lillian Brummet, Book Reviewer, and co-author of the book Trash Talk - a guide for anyone concerned about their impact on the environment. (www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)
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Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 6:03 am
OK - you have paints, brushes, palette, a painting surface and some water but where do you start? When you are beginning with acrylic paints it can appear to be very complicated!
Every painter has their own process, but I like to start at the back of the picture and work forward. In other words I start by painting the background and things that are furthest away and then work forward from there.
I paint a lot of landscapes and seascapes and it makes sense to start at the farthest away area. Usually this means starting with the sky. Then the distant land areas, middle distance land, and finally the foreground area.
Painting in this order means that the areas that are closer can overlap the further away areas and this helps to ‘push them back’. This helps to give depth to the painting.
In the Acrylic Painting Course we look at all the ways to give depth to a painting, for example having the most detail in the foreground. However working ‘from the back’ is a good method that helps to achieve this too.
Some painters prefer to work the entire picture at the same time. This helps them to get the right balance between the different areas as the painting progresses.
This ‘all at once’ method is used when painting the portrait in the Acrylic Painting Course. I think it is the best way of working when painting portraits, animal pictures and some still life scenes.
However when you are beginning with acrylic paints it can be a bit overwhelming to have to think about the whole of the picture. It is easier to just concentrate on the one area you are painting at the time.
Also with acrylic paints it is fairly easy to go back and add some extra color when you want to get the balance of a painting ‘just right’. In watercolors this would be more of a problem.
The best way when you are beginning with acrylic paint is probably to try both methods and see which one you prefer!
Catherine Calder is the author of the Acrylic Painting Course
A step-by-step painting course perfect for beginners. Quick and Easy
Free Report on ‘How to Paint Abstract Pictures for Pleasure and Profit’
Plus a Free Preview of the course shows how to paint a sunset
Visit http://www.LearnAndDo.com/acrylic.asp
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At last, there’s hope for millions of women suffering from
Premenstrual Syndrome. Researchers have found that a regular
intake of calcium may reduce premenstrual syndrome be as much as
60 per cent.
It’s a problem that has baffled doctors and worried women.
Symptoms that occur a week or two before a woman’s monthly
periods. While these symptoms usually disappear after your
period starts, PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome often interferes
with the women’s normal activities at home or work.
Despite ongoing studies, the cause of Premenstrual Syndrome are
not yet clear. Of course, some women may be more sensitive than
others to changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.
While some believe that stress does not seem to cause
Premenstrual Syndrome, it could make it worse. Studies have
revealed that Premenstrual Syndrome can affect menstruating
women of any age and that Premenstrual Syndrome can affect
menstruating women of any age and that Premenstrual Syndrome
often includes both physical and emotional symptoms.
Now, the latest on the Premenstrual Syndrome front is that a
diet rich in calcium appears to reduce the risk of developing
Premenstrual Syndrome by as much as 40 per cent.
Most women experience mild Premenstrual Syndrome, but for about
20 percent, the symptoms can be severe. These symptoms define
Premenstrual Syndrome and can interfere with daily activities
and relationships, according to a report published in the
Archives of Internal Medicine .
Calcium supplements and Vitamin D, which aid the absorption
of calcium are believed to reduce the occurrence and severity of
Premenstrual Syndrome. To find out the effect of dietary
Calcium on Premenstrual Syndrome, data on women with and without
Premenstrual Syndrome was collected. The comparison showed that
calcium intake had a profound effect on whether women developed
Premenstrual Syndrome. ” We found that women with highest intake
of Vitamin D and calcium from food sources did have a
significantly reduced risk of being diagnosed with Premenstrual
Syndrome,” Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson of the University Of
Massachusetts, said.
The largest result was seen in women who consumed about 1,200
mgs of Calcium and 500 IU of vitamin D per day. “We found the
women who consumed four servings per day of skin or low-fat
milk, fortified orange juice and low fat dairy foods, had
approximately a 40 per cent lower risk of being diagnosed with
Premenstrual Syndrome, than women who only consumed these foods
about once per week,” she said.
Levels of calcium and vitamin D fluctuate across the menstrual
cycle, and this might define women with and without Premenstrual
Syndrome, she added. The findings should encourage them to eat
more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, she said. What’s more,
these nutrients have also been associated with other health
benefits, such as the reduced of osteoporosis and some cancers.
Must Read: Sailing through Menopause with ease: Menopause
symptoms, exercise, tips and diet at
http://www.weightloss-health.com/menopause_exercise_diet.htm
Calcium Tips and Benefits:
. When purchasing calcium supplements, look for the elemental
Calcium content.
. Studies have shown that it is the intake of dairy products
with the natural combination of calcium, magnesium and potassium
that helps to prevent and control hypertension
. Calcium can help you maintain proper pH levels, and to reverse
acidic conditions.
. Calcium is fat burner. Studies have shown that the people with
the highest calcium intake overall weighed the least
Must Read: Case Study: How Calcium helps in Weight Loss
too at http://www.weightloss-health.com/calcium_weightloss.htm
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I think this is a good time for a checkup, or physical as it is termed in the healthcare industry. I mean this is a good time to check the health of your site or setting. As healthcare providers, we are dedicated to curing our patients of their ills and keeping them healthy. My question is, “Do you have the same attitude about the place you work?” Is your site meeting its highest goals? If not, then it is time for a change.
I think that as a group healthcare sites are a lot like our patients. Some patients don’t work hard at keeping healthy. In fact, many engage in behavior that is very detrimental to their well-being. You probably can easily image such a person. Maybe they are very overweight. Well, there are many healthcare facilities that are like that. They have many processes in which there are steps which add no value, that are a complete waste of time and effort. Then, there are patients who do a lot of the right things. They eat correctly, get a good amount of exercise, and generally have a positive outlook. There are a few healthcare facilities that are fit too.
What does a healthcare site in not so good shape look like? These sites, I believe, have as their goals just to meet their compliance standards, those set by the state, JHACO, or the FDA or some other body. As long as they are being accredited, they are satisfied. Their attitude may be, “If it isn’t broken, don’t change it.” They are like patients who are content to just sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat whatever they like as long as they don’t feel poorly.
What does a healthcare site in good shape look like? I believe that such sites are continually looking for ways to better themselves. They engage in “continuous quality improvement” activities. They are really concerned about the health and attitudes of their patients and clients. They use surveys and they question and listen. Some even use a tool called quality function deployment when designing new facilities or programs.
Besides listening to patients, they pay close attention to their employees. They actively seek ideas from the employees on how things could be done better. They want to have their employees enjoy working at their site and support its mission. The leaders of such sites actively reflect this attitude.
Further, such sites seek ways to improve the processes at their site. They cut waste and save time and improve the bottom line. Many tools for doing this can be found in quality disciplines such as Lean Healthcare and Six Sigma. You can find a very good white paper on Lean Healthcare at the http://www.IHI.org website.
What are the results of these positive and active approaches? Our patients are happier, fitter, and find time to do the things they want. They generally live longer with fewer health problems. Healthcare sites which are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement programs generally find that they have the time to accomplish their objectives and don’t feel rushed, they have an improved bottom line, and they rarely experience adverse events. The doctors don’t have to work impossible hours to accomplish all they want. They work as a team.
Let me encourage you at this time to sit down with your colleagues and leaders and assess the health of your site. If you find that you fall short of what you should be, I hope that you put in the effort to reach the best goals. After all, we expect the same from our patients, don’t we?
Donald Bryant helps healthcare providers meet their challenges. If you liked this article and want more free tips, visit www.bryantsstatisticalconsulting.com for a free article to help you start making improvements at your site immediately.
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