Counter Assertion

Complete the aerodynamic look of your car with a painted body kit wing. Get the newest, coolest Ford Mustang Spoiler for your car. Forget the old plastic spoilers, nothing come close to the real thing on racing touring cars. Give your Mustang Spoiler a head turning touch with exclusive custom designed spoiler. Spoilers are the most sought after car accessory in the U.S. today; as no accessory can equal the sporty look, it gives your car. They are available at the dealership but usually on the most expensive or sport models.

Some Ford Spoilers are made from OEM factory grade plastic, ultra lightweight, no joints to separate, integrally molded mounting inserts, stainless steel hardware and mounting gaskets while some specialty high rise and racing style spoiler wings are made of carbon fiber. It maximizes down force plus genuine carbon fiber looks great with less weight.

Other Ford Mustang Spoilers like the Thunderbird Spoilers are CNC-machined graphics and tough, heavy-duty acrylic construction with polished anodized billet sides while others are made of fiberglass with added performance. Those that have Aluminum wing spoilers have twin center decks are fully adjustable up to 35 to let you create just the “right” rear down force.

Give your vehicle added flair by adding Ford Probe Spoilers. Add a hunk look to your vehicle with premium quality Ford truck spoilers, which are stylish and durable.

For an impressive array of Ford parts, visit http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD where you can find the latest in innovative and stylish parts that a Partstrain is where you can order genuine Ford car parts and accessories at wholesale prices. Parts Train supplies superior and highly durable Ford parts available today. Its huge inventory allows us to get your parts to you quickly. If you need to have parts shipped right away, then Partstrain is the right one for you with a highly experienced and knowledgeable staff on call 24 hours a day.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

In this day of age going bald and losing your hair does not regularly mean that you yourself will have to run around your borough with a comb-over. The treatments to help balding blokes has increased so much over the last 3 years that men are coming across treatments that will actually give hair regrowth.

The mind-blowing techniques have been around for over four years, and might well involve laser technology, hair landscaping and topical treatments. Boys can start losing their own hair from the young age of 18, & can become almost totally bald by the age of 30 Young women may also start losing their precious hair. Visit Advanced Hair Studio and get the latest baldness treatments in the studios or for home.

Baldness that runs in the family is the main reason for balding guys. At 1st the hair begins to thin at the beginning of the forehead and can seamlessly become get sparse on the crown of the head. The balding part might eventually manifest into a considerable bald and thin patch making the bloke feel terrible. And then the thinning forehead & crown eventually become one large bald patch. A little bit of hair sometimes regularly left.

Advanced Hair Studio has been helping balding men for in excess of 20 years & owns hair studios all over the world. With their first-of-its-kind own hair loss techniques the corporation can aid chaps who want to regain their confidence & hair line.

In the first decade of the internet empire, mainstream book publishers have been notoriously slow to explore the possibilities of putting literature online; but with Google proposing to upload every book on earth to the internet, their moment of truth is surely approaching.

Over recent months a gargantuan legal showdown has been brewing between Google Inc. and the American publishing industry, relating the former’s ‘Google Print Library Project’, which will involve scanning and uploading the contents of virtually every book on the planet. Many book publishers have been outraged by this attempt to infringe upon their intellectual properties, fearing that the products they have traditionally sold for profit will soon be ‘free to air’ for anyone with an internet connection. But at a deeper level, the very existence of Google’s project only highlights the fact that traditional publishers have failed to address the possibility of digitally distributing literature.

Meanwhile, a few of the more progressive publishers are taking up the challenge, and making their own moves to put literary content online. According to John Mansfield, webmaster for the avant-garde small press Total Cardboard Publishing, ‘Most of the book publishers have basically ignored the possibilities of the web. I think they’re ignoring it because they’re happy with how their business is running, and a little bit afraid of losing control of their publications. But if you keep ignoring it you’re just going to get left out. You can’t stop the future.’

A minority of book publishers have started making serious moves towards online content, in parallel with traditional print distribution. Total Cardboard, for example, has established an ‘Online Reading Room’, where many of their publications are available in full as web pages. Asked if he is afraid that people will not buy their books when they can read them free online, Mansfield says ‘No, not really. Physical books still have something special to offer that will never be superseded by the internet, as far as I can see. We just see the Online Reading Room as a way for more people to be able to read our publications. If anything, I think it might increase sales, by increasing exposure.’

With the world wide web still evolving faster than anyone could hope to predict, only time will tell if Mansfield’s confidence comes from foresight or imprudence. In any case, publishers will have to start facing up to online content soon, if Google are to be prevented from gaining an insurmountable advantage in the distribution of digital literature.

The Total Cardboard Online Reading Room can be viewed at www.totalcardboard.com.

Tony Macaroni is a freelance writer.

To start this article, a joke: Why did the programmers mix up Halloween and Christmas? Because 25 DEC = 31 OCT. Haha! Well… if you got that, you probably don’t need to read this article.

It is often said that there is no such things as 100% security. While that is true, it is no reason why you shouldn’t take all necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized access. In this article we will examine a few ways to protect your data.

Local Security

Out of all the different ways an intruder can access your computer, local access is the most promising way to circumvent your security. If a person has local access to a computer, it is only a matter of time before the data on the computer will be extracted.

However, protecting your computer against local attacks is also easy and only takes a few minutes. First, put a password on your BIOS configuration. Typically, it involves pressing Esc, Tab, F1, or some other key to access the BIOS configuration. From there, the configuration menu should have a tab about security. Open the tab about security and choose a decent password (there are hints about choosing a good password later on). Also, set the computer to boot up from the hard drive first, and do not let it try to boot from the A:\ drive or the CD-ROM drive. The reason why it shouldn’t attempt to read the A:\ or CD-ROM drive is that an intruder could use a CD-ROM bootable O.S. like Knoppix to steal your password, even though a BIOS password is set. Now save the changes and exit.

Now to set a password on your accounts on Windows operating systems:

For NT and XP users: Make sure your administrative account has a password on it. Also, put a password on any other accounts you have and disable the guest account.

For 95, 98, and ME users: The security offered on these platforms is insufficient for the protection of your data. The best option for these platforms would be to rely on other forms of protection, such as encryption.

Internet Security

The Internet opens up a host of security issues, but since the security problems are so prevalent there are many good solutions. We will now take a look at a few of them.

Firewalls:

Firewalls protect things called ports. Ports are what your computer uses to access the Internet. To view a webpage, for example, your computer connects to the website’s computer through port 80. Programs called Trojans can open ports on your computer and let people get into your computer and do whatever they want, including stealing passwords and credit cards. With a firewall, you can close most ports and protect your computer from Internet attacks. A firewall that I highly recommend is Zone Lab’s free firewall called ZoneAlarm. It can be found at Zone Lab’s website, http://www.zonelabs.com.

Anti-Virus software:

Ah… its name rings like poetry in my ear… but seriously, anti-virus software is seriously serious business. Seriously. No way around it, you need to be protected! Anti-virus software is not the be all end of computer security, nor was it meant to be. However, it is a major and powerful form of defense against viruses, trojans, and worms. Now let’s talk money… the universal language. Most anti-virus products cost money and a subscription cost… so check around for the best deals. However, the most prominent anti-virus software products are Norton Anti-virus (http://www.symantec.com/) and McAffee (http://www.mcafee.com). But for you people who can’t live without freebies, try AVG by Grisoft (http://www.grisoft.com/). The personal version is free… and awesome. Literally… no joke… free. Wow. Try them all and decide which one you like the best. After you have one, setup auto scan if it isn’t setup already. Okay, now you are ready! Concentrate, and become one with the force!

Spyware protection:

Spyware… that this stuff can just be plain nasty. These are the programs that discover information about you and send it to their evil masters. Beware! Danger, Will Robinson! Now, lets talk about ways to destroy them. People will have day-long arguments over which product to use, but the two main programs (both free!) are Spybot: Search and Destroy (cool name - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) and Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/). Try them both, and see which one you like.

Now for the most powerful security tool… listen carefully… this is powerful! COMMON SENSE! Firewalls, anti-virus software, and spyware protection is useless against social engineering. Social engineering is conning a person into compromising their security. Now I know what you are saying, why would someone ever compromise their security because some stranger told them to do so!?!? It doesn’t make sense… but it happens. All the time. Think about some e-mail messages you might have gotten… “I Luuuuv you!” “Your pictures are inside!” “I saw your profile…” If a virus is attached, and you download it hoping to see something and you see something quite different, you have been the victim of social engineering. Most social engineering attacks are more powerful and dangerous, but you get the idea.

Checklist to protect yourself:

___ Set a bios password.

___ Change startup to hard disk.

___ Set password on user accounts.

___ Disable guest account.

___ Download and setup firewall.

___ Download and setup anti-virus software.

___ Download and setup spyware remover.

___ Use common sense!

Remember, security is not a destination, it is a journey.

Michael Antonucci

www.pinetreetechnologies.com - Your source for useful programs!

Everyone is looking for the golden chalice. Internet businesses abound. The world wide web is flooded with this opportunity and that opportunity. When asking yourself “what can I do to earn a little extra money” you might turn to the idea of an internet business as a possible solution. So you start looking. Finding some websites that look promising, you start requesting some information by giving out your name and your email. Your email is flooded every day with offers for you to make money on the internet confusing you more and more every day. You start the process of “opting out” because the number of emails is overwhelming and taking up way too much of your valuable time. The information overload that is occurring is astounding! The search for the right residual income business opportunity to fit your needs can be simplified if you follow the basic principles presented in this article.

The decision to become an affiliate of any residual income business opportunity is entirely up to you. Never forget that! Your search should be based on your own personality traits and desires, not necessarily on the suggestions and sales pitches of others. Think in terms of what you would like to do. The “how am I going to do it” will come naturally if you write down your goals and aspirations. One of the key benefits of choosing your own residual income business opportunity is that you get to do it your way for a change. You are your own boss!

Understand the nature of the residual income business opportunity customers. Any business survives because it’s customers keep coming back to buy more. Your customers provide recurring income when you take care of them. Offer discounts and specials that will retain your customers. Your downline is part of your customer base!

A residual income business opportunity is viral. As an affiliate for a particular business line, each of the respective affiliates that are a part of your immediate downline have their own franchise, their own downline. They build their business pretty much the same way you build yours, one affiliate at a time. In time, you could see your downine and all of the affiliates in your organization grow into thousands! If a member of your downline decides to opt out of the business, their downline is still considered part of your downline. A good analogy of this is grafting a branch onto a tree. Their branch remains part of your tree. It never stops growing, even after your own retirement.

Any residual income business opportunity should offer passive income. Your business, if set up correctly, will grow and generate income on a regular basis on auto-pilot! This comes from building the number of members in your downline. Many affiliates put their focus on team building. You can be the Director or CEO of a business where you spend most of your time answering emails, going to meetings, and speaking about how you built your business. Or you could be enjoying yourself by spending more time with your family, going on cruises to far away places, and living the life you have always wanted. And all the while, your residual income business opportunity is working in the background very hard. When you get home, the check from your residual income business opportunity is in the mail or direct deposited to your account. Time for another cruise!

A residual income business opportunityneeds to be marketed effectively. The internet offers uncounted ways to market your business. The more common ways include Google adwords, blogs, websites, article directories, forums of many kinds, email lists, ebooks, search engines that you can submit to, and many, many more. It’s so easy, you can do it yourself or hire a company to do it for you.

A residual income business opportunity should be optimized. It does not make any sense to expose a product line or opportunity to someone who wants flowers if your business is not about flowers! Optimization techniques for your residual income business require correct search engine optimization of your website, ads, articles and emails. An example of this is keywords. If you want to sell flowers, one of your keywords should be “flowers”. Your residual income business opportunity will get a better response if your customers are targeted.

These are just some of the aspects of a good residual income business opportunity. This business is flexible. This business is exciting! It is truly the only business opportunity that can be taken up by anyone, from any walk of life.

Leonard Bartholomew, B.S. Computer Science, Is A Cardiac Computer System Administrator As Well As An Authority On Developing Home Based Internet Businesses Part Time. Get more Information On How To Build Your Own
Residual Income Business Opportunity Visit: http://www.moxie-drive.com

Did you know that every successful professional has one thing in common? They all possess a strong level of emotional resilience.
We’re they born with it? No, in most cases they learned it as an ability necessary for survival in business.

What is emotional resilience:

It is the ability to quickly return to a state of poise, confidence and ease no matter what curves are thrown your way. How do you get there?

Here are the 7 Steps:

1. Have a strong level of belief in yourself:

Know that whatever happens, you are offering to the marketplace something that is extremely valuable. Know your uniqueness and communicate it clearly.

2. Have strong boundaries:

You don’t need emotional walls in business but you do need to set and maintain strong boundaries. This especially includes the ability to say “no”

3. Always go for a win/win:

Give yourself permission to know what you want and go for it. Make sure it is a win/win.Rule of thumb—if the interaction is not going to be a win/win, refuse to be involved in it.

4. Keep an attitude of high intentions and low attachment:
When you’re in negotiation, you need to be strong and assertive with a high intention to succeed. It may sound paradoxical but you must be detached from the outcome, knowing that you did your best.

5. Remain focused on the task and keep your emotions in check:

In your personal life, live it up! Have a ball! Allow yourself to laugh, cry and get angry. It’s good for your soul. However, in your business life, keep cool and keep your emotions in check. This will make it easier for you to attend to the task at hand.

6. Stop trying to make your clients into your friends:

If you really want to be emotionally resilient, don’t create dual relationships. They tempt you to get emotionally involved and then take everything personally. To be resilient, you need to stay impersonal, i. e. centered and calm.

7. Create positive self-talk:

Don’t let your Inner Critic run the show. Develop the voice of your Inner Ally so that you are always tuned into positive self talk. You’ll hear statements like :
“Good Job” or “Don’t sweat the small stuff”

How good are you at keeping your Inner Critic at bay and filling up your mind with positive self- talk, like “I’m proud of myself for…”?

For more information on powerful marketing tips and
tools, please visit Maya’s website:
http://www.90daystomoreclients.com. While you’re there, get
your Free Audio Mentoring Session by clicking the first
button.

Yes, the best multi vitamins are indeed necessary. Unfortunately most younger individuals and those who are in relatively good health think that they don’t need to take the best multi vitamins, and that regular one a day vitamins like those found in most retail outlets will do.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s a fact that there are many good vitamin benefits you will receive to help fight illness, curb the aging process, increase energy and so much more. However, keep in mind that not even the best multi vitamins can guarantee you’ll never get sick.

The best vitamin benefits come from the fact that you will achieve a much-improved level of health and help to fight off the possibility of many different types of disease.

There are two main types of ingredients that must be present in the best multi vitamins in order to receive the greatest vitamin benefits. They are nutritional; which include vitamins, minerals and key amino acids; and botanical which are basically herbs.

Because of many different factors, it is necessary for everyone young and old, healthy and unhealthy, to take the best multi vitamins.

One of the biggest reasons that you need to take the best multi vitamins on a daily basis is because of the depletion of nutrients in the soil used to grow our food.

The food that we eat can only be as good as the ground it was grown in and the farming practices used to grow and process it. Over the past century or so it has become so deprived of valuable nutrients that very little food has much more than trace amounts of the vitamins and minerals it once had.

There are a lot of farmers starting to produce organic food in recent years but it will still take a lifetime to be able to get any minerals and vitamins back into the soil. Organic food is free of pesticide and contains some more nutrients but not nearly enough to make a difference.

Another reason for a need for not only daily multi vitamins but, the best multi vitamins is that most fruits, vegetables, etc. are at least 7 days old by the time they make it to the store shelves.

Regardless if they are kept in cool storage conditions, the vitamin and mineral content in the food, as little as there is, will deplete with each passing day.

Here’s the way most of the fruit you buy is processed. First, it’s picked before being fully ripe and is then put into cold storage for many weeks or sometimes months.

Second: When the fruit is to be shipped it is sprayed with a gas in order to quicken the ripening process. The gas is supposed to be safe but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t do anything to help retain vital nutrients.

Not all multi vitamin supplements are created equal. Some do not have the precise amount of magnesium needed to fight high blood pressure.

Whenever you hear of someone on the news or in a report in a magazine stating that multi vitamins are not needed, don’t believe them. It’s been proven that our food no longer contains the nutrients we need each day.

Here are some more facts about multi vitamins in order to be considered the best available.

Most health care professionals recommend the best multi vitamins for anyone who is under any type of stress, (most of us are on a regular basis) those who have any type of illness, are pregnant, etc. regardless of how good their diet is.

There are so many different vitamins and minerals we all need each day and we aren’t getting them from our diet. The answer? Take the best multi vitamins you can find, and do it each day.

The best multi vitamins may cost you a little more now, but the reward of a long healthy life makes it well worth it.

Phil Beckett is a health & fitness trainer, author & educator. He can get you the results you want in less time with less work. For more vitamin benefits & information on the best multi vitamins, visit:
http://www.womens-health-fitness.com/best-multi-vitamins.html

This paper address the positives and negative of starting a business online, and help the reader to decide if such an endeavor is really and avenue that he or she should travel

95% of all home business or businesses online fail! This is a staggering thought especially for those that may be considering taking on a home business. When a person takes on the responsibility of starting an online business, or any small business online for that matter, he also resigns to give up his lifestyle has he or she has heretofore known it.

The commitment it takes to become successful is greater then any commitment most individuals may make in their lifetime. It is a commitment that must come from not just the entrepreneur but also his/ her partner, children and family. Many sleepless nights are spent at the computer trying to figure the missing ingredient that can get the cash flowing to your business.

Of the 5% of successful online business owners not even one of them would change their life, many are financially secure and for them making six figure incomes is actually common place. But to start a business is difficult and for most the emotional, physical and financial drain is just too much.

There are some real advantages to starting an online business. For one thing you, and you alone make the decisions, failure and success is a by-product of the effort that you put into the business. If you are smart in handling the business and things go your way there is no limit to how much money you will make.

Since online businesses are normally run from home you will need less startup cash. Things like a storefront, inventory and a physical location are not issues. There will be no need to commute so the increase in gasoline and transportation cost will be lower.

Working from home is not all peaches and cream, many of the same issues that we addressed as advantages can also be a disadvantage. Yesterday I stayed at home watching my granddaughter, and even though she was no trouble at all, I was utterly amazed at how little work I got done with her here. However, I was able to spend all day with my granddaughter something I think I failed to do enough with my own children when they were young.

So as you can see it about what you are willing to give up to succeed, what are you willing to do to express your creative side? That creative side of online businesses can be a very rewarding thing. But are you willing to work harder and longer, so you can play harder and with better toys?

About The Author:
—————————————————————–
Not long ago, I didn’t know ANYTHING about Internet marketing…
However, within just 2 weeks, I launched my own website AND
learned how to profit from an opt-in list, pull in sales with
ezines, make money with Google Adwords and setup my own BLOG!
learn more visit me at http://www.awwsum.com
—————————————————————–

NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this
article within your website or newsletter as long
as you leave the article fully intact and include
the “About The Author” resource box. Thanks!

Just like most things real estate investing can be broken down into easy to learn step.

Step One - Learn the basics:

Ownership of real estate is evidenced by a valid deed. When you buy property the seller signs a deed that transfers his ownership interest to you. Most states use a Warranty Deed. With that deed the seller warrants that title to the property is as he has described. You would buy title insurance in case some defect in title was discovered after the transfer of ownership. Recording the deed is notice to the world that you are the new owner.

You must know how to correctly fill out such basic documents as purchase offers, deeds, options, leases and rental agreements. Many of those documents have been recorded in your county and you can see many expert examples by viewing your County Recorders files.

If you have borrowed money to buy the property the lender will record a mortgage or trust deed immediately after the Warranty deed has been recorded. This mortgage is a lien on the property and gives the lender power to foreclose if you violate terms of the loan, like stop making payments.

Step Two - Understand how to buy real estate:

Most sellers want to sell their property for full price and all cash. Investors generally want to buy at a discount and delay paying for as long as possible. To do that you must understand the many techniques an investor can use to satisfy the needs of the seller.

You only make good deals if the seller is urgently motivated to sell. Perhaps he has lost a job, been transferred, has a drug problem, is facing divorce, bought more house than he could afford… or a variety of other reasons why he/she must get out from under those mortgage payments.

You can control real estate with leases, options, subject to techniques and a host of other “creative ideas”. To be successful you must understand which technique to use in which situation. You just talk to the seller until you learn what he/she will accept.

Step Three - You must uncover a steady stream of motivated sellers:

They are always plenty of people who must sell their homes and sell them in a hurry. The trick is to find them. Since most people will so “no” to any offer but all cash, you need to be constantly on the search those motivated home owners.

My experience is that most new investors don’t fail at investing… they fail at marketing. Marketing is how you sell you skill as an investor and find enough motivated sellers to keep the cash rolling in.

You can use billboards, flyers, telephone calls, door to door canvassing, bandit signs, newspaper ads, Web sites, direct mail… or any combination. If you don’t use good marketing every week of the year your chances of becoming a successful investors are minimal.

Good marketing is the secret. You can be expert at every creative buying technique in the book. If you can’t locate motivated sellers every week you just won’t be able to buy houses.

Time and again we’ve seen people with just basic knowledge of one or two buying techniques become very successful, because they are unrelenting in their search for motivated sellers. Perseverance and stamina can work wonders.

My choice is to mail postcards, because they are inexpensive to prepare and send. You can read more about my postcard system at http://digbig.com/4cjxp

Step four - Always have an exit strategy before you buy:

Before buying an investment property you must carefully evaluate the potential for profit. One of the keys to your evaluation will be to determine what you will do with the property if you buy it.

Included in the many way to profit are:

1. Place it in your “buy & hold” inventory if it will produce profitable rental income.

2. Place it in your “buy & hold” inventory if it will produce break-even cash flow and you expect it to increase in value by 8% to 15% or more per year.

3. You can assign the purchase contract to another investor for a one time cash payment.

4. You can buy the property and immediately sell it to a retail buyer and cash-out.

5. You can exchange it for a more desirable property.

6. Refinance cash out and use the money for the down payment on another property.

7. Etc…

Finally

Now you can visualize the four basic steps in real estate investing. You’ll never know all there is to know about every step. Just get started and add to your knowledge as you go along. Remember, all it takes to be successful is perseverance and stamina!

Mark Walters is a third generation investor who shares his experience at his Web site: http://www.CashFlowInstitute.com

There comes a time in every small businessperson’s life when common networking practices like handing out business cards, attending various meetings and schmoozing with potential clients only goes so far. Eventually, the same old techniques get overused to the point that they become insufficient.

But how many times have you gained new business, created a great relationship or watched your website hits skyrocket because you did something unusual? Or uncommon? Perhaps even unexpected? Maybe you were on the right track.

The following is a list of atypical networking techniques that will help boost business. WARNING: They will stretch your courage. They will test your expertise. And they will challenge your creativity. But when business cards aren’t enough, alternative ways to develop and maintain mutually valuable relationships are your ticket to networking success.

What’s Your Story?
How did you get your start in business? Did you “fall” into your line of work? Perhaps there was an interesting anecdote, epiphany or event that caused the birth of your business. If so, this is called “Your Story.” Now, it’s not your Elevator Speech or your 30 Second Commercial. It’s your story. And it’s a fundamental tool for helping people and potential customers get to know you.

Here’s the key: write it out. Practice saying it aloud. Make it funny. And tell it to everybody. Not only does this create a memorable presence, but the more you share it with people, the more they will share Your Story with other people. Why? Because people don’t remember things, they remember stories. And after a while, the word about Your Story will spread.

Mix the Medium and Wow People
When I receive an email from an organization or business who has a question, wants to work together or just wants to chat, I do something called Mix the Medium. Here’s how it works:

1) The exact moment I finish reading the email, I obtain the person’s phone number (if I don’t already have it.) If there’s no email signature, I look at their email address or go to their website. If all I know is their company, I call Directory Assistance or look them up on City Search. Basically, I do anything I can to get their phone number within the next two minutes.

2) Then I call them right back.

3) I then say, “Hi, this is Scott Ginsberg. I was in the office when your email came through and I thought I’d call you back!” I say with a big smile on my face.

PEOPLE LOVE THIS. I have never done this without completely blowing the caller away. They respond with such excited phrases as “Wow, that was fast!” or “I’m impressed you called back already!” In fact, I recently received an email from a friend of mine who just changed jobs. He was writing to say hello and wish me a Happy New Year. And since I hadn’t heard from Jake in quite a while, I Mixed the Medium and called him right back. Five minutes later he booked me to do one of my speaking programs for his new organization!

Network en Masse
Speaking of speaking, here’s another untapped networking resource: local groups, organizations and associations. But I’m not talking about joining; I’m talking about giving a speech. It’s what I call “Networking en Masse.”

Small businesspeople are successful because they’re experts on something. So whether you’re in sales, printing, tech consulting or retail, find a way to transform your expertise into an informative, concise and entertaining speech that will help other people like yourself boost business.

Contact the meeting coordinator of your local Chamber, Rotary Club, Networking Group or Trade Association. They always need speakers. Offer the group a free 15-20 minute program. Include valuable tips, stories, illustrations and examples from your own business experiences that are of interest to the members. By speaking, you position yourself as an expert, validate your credibility and increase your company’s visibility.

Write as an Expert
Another underused networking tactic is writing articles or tip sheets about hot topics in your industry. You don’t even have to be a freelance writer or a journalist - just a business professional who can effectively convey his or her expertise in the form of a short article. Similar to speaking, writing articles in a publication read by your target market is the perfect way to position you and your company.

Here’s how to get started with this tip: Go to Google, type in your topic of expertise and the word “article.” For example, if you work in phone book advertising, type in “phone book advertising article.” (Be sure to use the quotation marks.) Hundreds of hits will come up. Read through a few dozen of them. This will give you an idea of what hot topics other people in your industry are writing articles about. Then, find out which online databases, ezines, newsletters or websites syndicated the articles you just read. By localizing these sources, you can contact the editors and inquire about article submission guidelines. (And if you get the opportunity to publish articles online, you can easily email the article link to other people who would benefit from reading your work.)

Don’t Fear the Big Shots
You’d be surprised how approachable some of the so-called “Big Shots” are. Great example: At a National Speakers Association Convention in July of 2004, I had the pleasure of attending a session with Seth Godin, best selling author of Unleash the Ideavirus and Purple Cow. Now, in addition hearing him speak, I’ve also been a frequent reader of his books and articles for years. And a few months after seeing him live I thought, “What the heck…maybe I’ll just drop him an email.”

So it came to pass on October 8th, 2004, that I emailed Seth Godin. I told him how much I enjoyed his speech at the convention and that his work was a big influence on my own books and speeches. I also told him to check out my website, www.hellomynameisscott.com, for it was an example of the kind of idea he so passionately supported.

What did I have to lose, right?

To my surprise about a half hour later, he wrote me back. “Thanks for the kind words, Scott! I blogged your site. Good luck.”

Little did I realize that Seth Godin publishes one of the top ten most frequently read blogs in the world. As a result, I received over 70,000 hits on my website in one day! This resulted in some great new contacts, several exciting business opportunities and the birth of my own blog, which is now a critical part of my business! Which brings me to my last networking tip.

Blog For Bucks
If you don’t already have a blog for your business - get one. A blog is an online journal on which you can post comments, links, stories and articles. This popular new medium through which to share your feelings, experiences and emotions is a free and fun way to network with other online professionals. After I talked with Seth last year, I started the blog for my business, and it’s become a valuable tool to stimulate personal dialogue with potential customers. It’s also a great way to let your customers know what’s going on in your life.

For more information go to www.blogger.com; or do a search for any of the various blog providers.

The commonality of these unusual, uncommon and unexpected networking techniques is this: you must do what nobody else is willing to do. Sure, handing out business cards and attending meetings are all good techniques. But everyone does that. So are you willing to practice telling Your Story? Would you call people right back when they’re expecting you to email them tomorrow? Do you have the courage to give a great speech, write a helpful article or start a blog that shares your expertise? And are you willing to get in contact with a Big Shot?

I hope so - because eventually, business cards just aren’t enough!

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions athttp://www.hellomynameisscott.com.