Archive for August, 2008
August 9, 2008 at 2:40 am · Filed under Ads + Plugs
To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and traffic cones may be nothing more than a road-clogging nuisance.
For Kerem Tepecik and Dale Vith, two men who’ve made a good living by changing light bulbs forty feet above the pavement, the so-called “bucket truck” is more ominous.
“Every time I go up, I wonder if this is the day I’ll die”, says Tepecik, a married father of two. “We call it the “prayer bucket”.
Naturally, spending hours swaying in the Texas wind while dismantling high voltage light fixtures as angry drivers on the street below zoom past, the two electricians shared a single thought. “There’s got to be a better way.”
“After a couple of near-death experiences, where a truck nearly fell on me or on him”, says Vith, the pair began to learn the truth of Edison’s dictum, “Invention is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.”
Taking a cue from “High masts” (200 foot light poles used on freeway cloverleaf overpasses) with their built-in lowering systems, Vith and Tepecik spent nights and weekends designing and building prototypes of their “Retropole”, a patented crank-and-rail attachment which safely disconnects and lowers the light for servicing.
The system is now in church parking lots, fast-food drive-thrus, and at the headquarters of a nationally-famous family restaurant chain, whose management is in the process of rolling out “Retropole” in locations nationwide.
Following a soft launch in May/June ‘05, the new company’s small staff has been thrilled by the reaction on the part of customers of every size.
With retail prices under $1000, the systems pay for themselves the third time a light bulb is changed. Easy DIY maintenance and low cost of operation (bucket trucks charge $200-$300 for minor service calls, whereas the bulbs are sold for $20 at home improvement stores) appeal to maintenance staff.
Perhaps more significant, though, is the invention’s positive impact on property value.
“For every dollar a property’s annual maintenance cost drops, ten dollars is added to the property’s value” explains Tepecik.
The implications of this have lead two major Texas-based manufacturers to gear up for enormous production runs.
“Kerem and Dale are two good guys who worked hard to bring a terrific idea to life. How often does an idea come along that helps with so many issues-safety, environment, and so on, that also helps large businesses save a fortune?” says Sherman Allen, marketing director of the Dallas based Retropole, llc.
He notes that “bucket trucks” are leaky behemoths which cause concrete and landscaping damage, and, in terms of fuel, the 13-ton monsters “make Hummers look like econo-boxes.”
In an ironic twist, the success of Retropole will keep Vith and Tepecik in the “prayer bucket”, since the one-hour installation of the mechanism requires one final ascent for removal of the light fixture.
Tepecik says he’s considering a sign on the truck that says “I’m never coming here again.” http://www.retropole.com
For more information contact:
Sherman Allen
Director of Sales and Marketing
Retropole, llc
sherman@retropole.com
(214)668-2589
http://www.retropole.com
August 8, 2008 at 7:46 am · Filed under Ads + Plugs
The call to action is the most important part of your presentation. This is where your audience understands exactly what you want them to do. It’s where you define yourself as a persuader instead of a presenter. This conclusion should not come as a shock to your audience. Throughout your presentation, you should have gently led them to the same conclusion that you are now giving them. You should have already prompted them to want to do what you are about to tell them to do.
Some people hate this part of persuasion because they are asking their prospects to do something. This should really be the best part–the action is the only reason you are giving the presentation in the first place; your audience is going to understand that. If you become tense and uneasy, so will your prospect. The whole presentation should be structured to make the call to action smooth and seamless. In fact, the prospect should not even see or feel your call to action coming.
You should prepare your audience for this conclusion before you even start on the rest of the presentation. Your entire presentation should be built around the call to action. I mean, write out the call to action word for word beforehand. From the outset of your message, you must be eager to get to this point. Be positive and enthusiastic. In your preparation, make sure your conclusion is explicit and that the audience is not left on their own to make sense of and understand your message. You need to tell them what to believe; you draw the conclusion for them. Make the call to action easy for them to follow and simple for them to do. There should be no doubt in your prospects’ minds about exactly what you want them to do. Act with authority. You are the expert — demonstrate your expertise. Strive for the teacher/pupil relationship
There is a story of an old man who goes to a dentist because he has a tooth that is killing him. He has been putting it off for months and finally he has to get the tooth taken care of. Once there, the dentist agrees that the tooth needs to come out. The man asks the dentist how much it will cost. The dentist replies that it will be about $250. The old man yelps and yells, “$250 to pull out a tooth?!!” Then he asks how long the procedure will take. He is told it will take about five minutes. “$250 for five minutes of work? That is highway robbery!” the old man protests. The man then asks the dentist how he can live with himself charging people that kind of money. The dentist smiles and says, “If it’s the time you are worried about, I can take as long as you want.”
When planning and preparing your call to action, remember that the process does not have to be long and painful. Be short, brief, and to the point.
Learning how to persuade and influence will make the difference between hoping for a better income and having a better income. Beware of the common mistakes presenters and persuaders commit that cause them to lose the deal. Get your free report 10 Mistakes That Continue Costing You Thousands and explode your income today.
Conclusion
Persuasion is the missing puzzle piece that will crack the code to dramatically increase your income, improve your relationships, and help you get what you want, when you want, and win friends for life. Ask yourself how much money and income you have lost because of your inability to persuade and influence. Think about it. Sure you’ve seen some success, but think of the times you couldn’t get it done. Has there ever been a time when you did not get your point across? Were you unable to convince someone to do something? Have you reached your full potential? Are you able to motivate yourself and others to achieve more and accomplish their goals? What about your relationships? Imagine being able to overcome objections before they happen, know what your prospect is thinking and feeling, feel more confident in your ability to persuade.
About the Author:
Kurt Mortensen’s trademark is Magnetic Persuasion; rather than convincing others, he teaches that you should attract them, just like a magnet attracts metal filings. He teaches that sales have changed and the consumer has become exponentially more skeptical and cynical within the last five years. Most persuaders are using only 2 or 3 persuasion techniques when there are actually 120 available!
Kurt teaches over a hundred techniques to give you the ability to effectively work with every customer that walks in your door. Professional success, personal happiness, leadership potential, and income depend on the ability to persuade, influence, and motivate others. Learning how to persuade and influence will make the difference between hoping for a better income and having a better income.
If you are ready to claim your success and learn what only the ultra-prosperous know, begin by going to http://www.PreWealth.com and getting my free report “10 Mistakes That Continue Costing You Thousands.” After reading my free report, go to http://www.PreWealth.com/IQ and take the free Persuasion IQ analysis to determine where you rank and what area of the sales cycle you need to improve in order to close every sale!
August 7, 2008 at 11:20 pm · Filed under Ads + Plugs
I spent every waking hour at my computer, looking for the ‘Golden Fleece’ of marketing. I spent hours, and days, and more hours in hopes of finding the one Marketing plan that would allow me to achieve my dreams, and goals.
I spent thousands of dollars that could have been more wisely spent paying my bills, and necessities of life; on one marketing program, or E-book after another. Joining one affiliate program after another until like so many others, I no longer knew which program I was attempting to promote: and giving none the attention that was necessary to really make it a success.
Then a fortunate (?) thing happened: my computer DIED! It didn’t just crash, It laid down and died. As in un-repairable completely dead!
There I sat, day after day in front of a blank screen with literally thousands of dollars worth of programs locked up inside of a dead computer going thru withdrawal. I had spent three years chasing the ‘GOLDEN FLEECE’, and had nothing but a dead computer to show for it.
My wife (Bless her) seeing my misery, decided to give me a new computer for Christmas. I was overjoyed; my addiction reared its ugly head to be heard again. But good fortune had smiled on me while I sat without a computer.
I had had a reprieve from my addiction. I knew what had been my downfall before, and vowed not to make the same mistakes again. I had finally learned; that the shotgun approach to business, while accelerating (the hunt for the ‘GOLDEN FLEECE’ was exciting,) it by no means was the avenue to success.
I spent 2 more months deciding what it was I wanted in a business. I decided I wanted a business that had a HUGE MARKET, a CAPTIVE MARKET…
And I would only promote one major product with 2 minor products that tied into it.
I had learned that in order to achieve the financial success that had always been just (in the next program) out of reach; I needed to finally settle in, and promote the one best program I had,
Just one, and give it my full attention…
The 2 minor products not only support the major product, I couldn’t do without them; they were opt-in list builders. The Major product I finally decided on is one that every person that surfs the web must have. Not wants, but must have!
I’ve overcome my addiction; I’m a happy man. I’ve found my Niche!
About The Author
Russ Wilson is an Internet marketer, and distributor for ISPVIP, the premier Internet service provider that pays you for using the service. http://www.shmyl.com/ddaa
webintel@ispvip.com
August 6, 2008 at 11:21 am · Filed under Ads + Plugs
With so many diets and fads being offered on the market today, it is no wonder why people are not just confused about weight loss and health, but in many cases, actually doing their body more harm than good. Unfortunately, one of the aspects of dieting that you see most often is the reduction or elimination of fat. The problem is that the body needs a certain amount of fat to function but without going over a healthy level. As you will see in this article, knowing what the right level is and how to monitor it are crucial to overall health and wellness.
Studies have been able to link certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure with high levels of body fat. The key is to ensure your body has enough fat to function properly but not too much, whereby disease could become a problem. The best way for a person to determine the level of body fat is by measuring it on a consistent basis with a simple tool called a caliper. In a matter of minutes, you will know exactly how much body fat you are carrying around with you. With this information, you will then be able to adjust your diet, cardio exercises, and weight training to bring the fat-to-muscle ratio in line.
Keep in mind that there are several options, one being a body fat analyzer. Additionally, there is the skin fold test whereby waist to hip ratio measurements will be taken, circumference measurements, hydrostatic weight, near infrared analysis, bioelectrical impedance, total body potassium determination, and a test recently offered called the plethysmographic measurement, which is based on the principle of air displacement. All of these tests are good indicators of your current fat-to-muscle ratio.
Now, if you want to go through a professional to determine your true body fat level, you have two excellent options, both being accurate. The first is the Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and the second, Hydrostatic Weighing. With DEXA, a full body scanner is used that reads and differentiates between bone mass and soft tissue mass. This type of scan can be completed in about 20 minutes and is painless, providing accuracy within a 2% error margin. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of DEXA but if not, you can have the scan performed for around $100.
With Hydrostatic Weighing, the body is weighed underwater. The test consists of sitting on a scale underneath water while blowing out as much air from your lungs as possible. Then when dunked below the water’s surface, you would blow out even more air. Because fat does not weigh as much as water, the more fat a person’s body has, the more they will float. Therefore, Hydrostatic Weighing works by measuring underwater weight so that body density can be determined.
On the other hand, if you want to have the option of determining your fat-to-muscle ratio on your own and every day if you like, you can simply purchase a caliper from drug stores, health equipment stores, and even on the internet. Just remember that if you are interested in losing weight, instead of depending on the bathroom scale, it is important that you worry more about the excess fat being carried. While a standard scale will tell you if you are losing weight from diet and exercise, a scale will not tell if you are losing the body’s muscle or fat.
Understanding how to measure and monitor your body fat gives you a level of control to your future. The problem is that the majority of people know very little about their bodies. To become and stay healthy, you need to understand your body - how it works and what your body composition is so you can make choices that will be best for your overall health and wellness. Again, the best way to achieve this is to incorporate good diet, cardio exercise, and moderate weight training into your daily routine, along with measuring your fat-to-muscle ratio with a caliper.
While there are many different websites that provide you with valuable information and guidance, one of the best is Composition Tracker. With more than 25 different body fat formulas from which to choose, you will feel confident knowing you can and will succeed with losing unwanted fat. Composition Tracker offers tremendous benefit to all types of people, whether you are a man, woman, teenager, or elderly person. To gain more information and to get started today, simply visit http://www.comptracker.com
Fitness Consultant Anthony Ellis has helped thousands of individuals lose fat and build more muscle. To read more about his fat loss recommendations please check out his site at www.fatlosstips.com
August 4, 2008 at 5:24 am · Filed under Ads + Plugs
Imagine that you are a radio producer. You have to fill three hours a day, five days a week, every single week. You need topics that inform, enrage, entertain, educate, motivate, and otherwise engage your audience. How do you find those topics, and the guests to make them come alive?
Radio shows use lots of guests, and if you can show them why you would be a good one, you can be on the air. The great thing about radio is that you can be on a show anywhere in the world–without leaving home! I’ve done radio shows in Denver, Washington DC, Phoenix, San Diego, Atlanta, and lots of other places, all from my home near Houston–and often while I’m still in my jammies. (If video phones ever catch on, I’m in trouble!)
Getting on radio can be as simple as targeting the stations or programs that seem to be a good fit for your topic (or finding a way to slant your topic to fit). Then, contact them by phone, e-mail,letter or fax. Send your pitch to the producer, and explain why you would make a great guest for their show.
Once they express an interest, be prepared to follow up with an information sheet or bio, and a list of suggested questions for them to ask you. Some will use these questions, others won’t, but it’s a good idea to have them available. Fax the info, or if there’s time, you may want to mail these items along with a product sample or other promotional item. I offer to give them a couple of my books to give away to listeners.
Be prepared to give listeners a way to contact you, and a reason to do so. For example, I give out my toll-free number and offer a free bonus (such as an extra booklet or tape) when listeners order and say they heard me on that station. Make the contact info easy to remember. My toll-free number is 888-BOOK-888. It’s easy to remember, even if you’re in your car and far away from a pencil to write it down. You may also want to give out your website URL.
Practice some answers to the questions you expect. Make them short and punchy. If you’re taking more than 30 seconds or so to answer, you may be talking too long (although that is largely determined by the type of show).
Once you’re on the air, remember that you are there to give them a good show, not to sell. Most will be good about giving your contact info, but be ready to work it in if they don’t. Whether your interview is 10 minutes or an hour, it will go quickly. At the end of your first interviews, you’ll remember all the things you wanted to say, but didn’t get to. You’ll get better with practice.
Relax and have fun, and remember to give them a good show. When you do, you’ll have lots of opportunities to tell your story on the air.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.
August 3, 2008 at 8:00 am · Filed under Fun Links, Games
This saves entrants time and effort. Fantastic MP3-players to win at online sweepstakes. Realy terrific electrical tools to be won at dutch online contests. 11 days ago a Dutch dutch online company started a dutch online sweepstakes. Really anyone can win really great micro waves every 20 weeks. Although some sweepstakes ask for a proof of purchase or UPC code, the sponsors must provide an alternate method of entry if they do so. 9 hours ago a Belgium webcompany has started with a contest websites. You can win absolutely fantastic Ipods every 2 months at best sweepstakes by windeprijsvraag. Consumer promotions advertised as contests, however, can require an entry fee or proof of purchase. Sweepstakes are frequently used by fast-food restaurants to boost business. That should be super or terrific to win 6996 dollar. Great cash prizes to win at sweepstakes websites. Many more sweepers are choosing to enter online sweepstakes. Anyone can win great Porches every 23 months. Many state lotteries also run a second chance sweepstakes in conjunction with the retail sale of state lottery scratch cards. Its fantastic or really great to win 443 euro. Terrific computers to win at online sweepstakes. 11 hours ago a Europe based company took of a dutch online sweepstakes. Before home computers were popular a common method of entry was a mailed one. 11 days ago a European online company begun with a contest websites. 5 weeks ago a Belgium dutch company has started with a dutch online contests. Sweepstakes are also legally different from contests in the United States. It should be realy terrific or super to win 1342 euros. Sweepstakes are generally easier and quicker to enter than contests. Really everbody can win absolutely fantastic wakeboards every 18 days. The reason why contests are treated differently is that the winners are not chosen by chance but by an element of skill. Sweepstakes promotions are prohibited from requiring a purchase to enter. In an effort to increase consumer demand for scratch cards and to help control the litter small problems associated with the disposal of non-winning lottery tickets. Members sign up once and are entered to various sweepstakes each month. There are also other online services, which automatically enter members into sweepstakes. It will be marvelous or really great to win 2951 dollars. Entering sweepstakes by mail is declining in popularity. Fantastic swimming pools to be won at dutch online sweepstakes.
« Previous entries
