Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Countries With The Best Climate #9 -- Italy

When it comes to weather, Italy is really a land of contrasts. Generally speaking, it has one of the best climates in Europe although conditions can vary. The Italian Alps in winter are likely to be cold with crisp blue skies and enough snow to keep skiers satisfied. On the other hand, Milan is often fog-bound, and the Po Valley can be quite cold and damp as well. In fact winter fog can be a problem throughout all Central and Northern Italy.

For the best winter weather, check out the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi Coast, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. All enjoy a mild winter climate, and rainfall isn’t too heavy either.

Obviously the farther south you go during the summertime, the hotter it will get. The deep south indeed can be very warm. In Apulia, the heel of Italy, even the sea temperature averages 82°F in August.

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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

4 Ways To Get Your Opt-In Subscribers To Trust You Quickly

While much of the world has developed barriers and protections to keep their e-mail accounts spam-free, there are also those that subscribe to e-mails that promote their products, services, and their site. This is mainly because these subscribes want to know more about what these sites are offering and how they can be beneficial for them. These people expect to be kept posted on what they are interested in and what is new in their chosen market or field.

Businesses would be so lucky to have these types of customers. The basic element needed to get these types of people is trust. When your customers trust you they will reward you with their loyalty. Many internet users have gone to great lengths in protecting their email accounts from spam e-mail. Some free e-mail internet providers and internet service providers offer spam protection while there are also some internet based companies that screen your e-mails for you.

With an opt-in e-mail list, the e-mails you send containing your promotional materials such as newsletters, catalogs, and marketing media will not be blocked. Your intended recipient will be able to read and view what you have sent, thus making it a successful transfer of information. To be allowed to do so, you will need permission from your recipient. To get this permission, you need to get their trust. Unfortunately, with the tremendous lack of disregard for privacy on the internet, gaining the trust of an internet user you don’t know personally is a big achievement.

To build a good opt-in list you need people to trust you. For a faster and quicker build up, you will need to get your opt-in subscribers to trust you quickly. The faster you build your opt-in list the faster word spreads about your site and company. The bigger the scope of your opt-in list the more traffic you get which will spell more profits. Its easy math if you think about it. Moreover, getting the numbers is not that simple though. Or maybe it is?

Below are four simple ways to get your opt-in subscribers to trust you:

1. Getting the trust of your clientele shouldn’t be so hard, especially if you do have a legitimate business.

Obtaining your customers trust should be based upon your expertise. People rely on other people who know what they are talking about. Gather all the knowledge and information about your business. Frankly if you decide to go into a business most probably you have an interest in it. Like they number of former basketball players who become coaches, you usually don’t venture into something you don’t have any interest in.

2. Show your clients that you know what you are talking about.

Provide them with helpful hints and guidelines that pertain to what you are selling. For instance, talk about how to install a roof if you are into hardware products, or provide articles on insurance settlements if you’re a settlement lawyer. You don’t have to be a big corporation to make use of an opt-in list. If your customers see you as someone who knows what he or she is doing and saying, they will trust you quickly.

3. Be true to your customers if you want to hype up your products and services, and provide guarantees.

The more satisfied customers you get, the bigger probability that they will recommend you. Generally, people will trust someone they know, and when that someone recommends you then you’re a shoo-in. They will go to your site and check it for themselves and will be given a chance to experience what the others have experienced from you. So make sure to be consistent in the service you provide.

4. Another tip in getting customers to trust you quickly is to provide them an escape hatch.

Show them that you are not there to trap them. Keep a clean list that would enable them to unsubscribe whenever they want. Elaborate your web form by providing information on how to unsubscribe from the list in addition to providing this information on the emails you send. Guarantee that they can let go of the service whenever they want to. Many are wary that they may be stuck for life and would have to abandon their email accounts when they get pestered with spam.

Remember when you obtain the trust of your clients that you don’t lose that trust. Should you do anything with their email address like sell it or give it out, you will lose many members of your list as well as potential members. The true quickest way to gain the trust of your subscribers is when you are recommended by someone they trust.

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Generate Traffic Using Free Methods

Creating a company and building its website requires a lot of things, namely capital. Making money requires money as well. Of course, with the versatility the internet offers, there are many ways you could find to help optimize the potential of your site or business in generating traffic.

While there are ways to jumpstart your traffic, many sites don’t have the resources that others have to generate more traffic for your site. Well, you don’t have to spend a cent; all you need is the proper mindset and a lot of eagerness. You also must have the drive and perseverance to do hard work and research to generate more traffic for your site.

How sweet is it to have more traffic for your site without spending a single cent? Now it’s a sure thing that many sites have articles that offer tips and guidelines on generating traffic using only free methods. Because it is possible, you don’t need to spend a single cent. It may take time, to be honest; I’m not going to beat around the bush. You obtain better chances by paying for your advertisements, but at least you’ll get a fighting chance with some of these free methods I’m about to tell you.

Take advantage of forums and online communities. The great thing about forums and online communities is that you can target a certain group that fits the certain demographic you are looking for. You can discuss a lot on things about the niche you represent or offer. Another great advantage is that you know what you are getting into, and you will be prepared.

With forums and online communities you can build a reputation for your company. Show what you are made of and wow other members with your range of expertise about the subject. With that you can build a reputation and trust with the people who share your expertise and knowledge.

You can also make use of newsletters. Provide people with a catalog of your products along with interesting and entertaining articles. If you make it really interesting and entertaining, more people will sign up for your newsletter and recommend it to other people. The more people who sign up for your newsletter, the more people there will be who will go to your site, thereby increasing your traffic.

Another great idea is trading links with other sites. Again, you don’t have to spend a cent. All you do is reach an agreement with another webmaster. By exchanging links, both sites will benefit each other. All traffic that goes to the other site could potentially click on the link of your site and visit it as well. This works well especially when both sites feature the same niche.

With newsletters, you can write articles to pique the attention of people who are interested in your product. Try writing articles that will provide tips and guides to other enthusiasts. Writing articles that provide good information and knowledge to other people can provide the necessary mileage your traffic flow needs.

Many sites offer free submission and posting of your articles. When people find your articles interesting they have a good chance of following the track by finding out where the article originated. Include a link or a brief description of your company with the article, and there’s a great probability that they will go to your site.

Write good content for your site. Many search engines track down the keywords and keyword phrases your site uses and how they are used. It is not a requirement that content should be written by a professional content writer. You could do your own, but you have to make content for your site that is entertaining as well as informational. Content should provide certain requirements as well as great quality.

Generally, internet users use search engines to find what they are looking for. Search engines in return use keyword searching to aid their search results. With the right keywords, you could get high rankings in search engine results without the high costs of pay per click.

All of these methods and more will drive more traffic to your site for free. All it takes is a bit of effort and extended man (or woman) hours. Learn all you can about the methods depicted here, and you will soon have a site with a great traffic flow without the usual costs that come with it.

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

"A Piece of the Blarney Stone": 10 Ways to Improve Your Communication

The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of chatter. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).

There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though life watching talk shows, listening to radio programs, joining clubs dedicated to public speaking, getting involved in ordinary conversations, yet certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communicator than to know the very person closest to you: YOU!

1. What You Know

Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker means to practice what you've learned. My stint as a guest at every Toastmasters' meeting I go to has taught me that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.

2. Listening

It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little more confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.

3. Humility

We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what they mean and yet rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly, and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh, and you can get away with it as well.

4. Eye Contact

There's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though a certain someone may be gorgeous.

5. Kidding Around

A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when speaking. That way, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd, and they'll feel that you're just as approachable and as human to those who listen.

6. Be Like the Rest of Them

Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as learning what makes people the way they are.

7. Me, Myself, and I

Admit it, there are times you when sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. Also while you're at it you can spruce it up as well.

8. With a Smile

A smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile.

9. A Role Model

There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.

10. Preparation

Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.

That about wraps it up. These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I've learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking, and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Getting Started with Forum Marketing

Forum marketing can help get your online business noticed. Forum users, by and large, are tech and net savvy and like purchasing things online. Many who frequent forums are also authorities on the topics discussed in the particular forum.

Forum marketing, therefore, helps make a good impression with a knowledgeable and influential audience. This can help spread word all over the internet and beyond.

A simple step-by-step procedure can help you effectively make forum marketing a part of your marketing strategy.

Not all forums host the people you want to communicate with.  You should choose a group of 5-10 forums on where to concentrate your energies.  Ensure that these forums have at least 10,000 posts from at least 1,000 members.  Also, concentrate on forums where there are at least 10-15 new posts each day.

Avoid forums that are hosted by your direct competitors as well as those that are flooded by spam.

Create your forum accounts as soon as possible.  This is helpful because seniority is given a lot of importance in most online forums: some even require you to wait a few days before making your first post.

When you sign up, you will be asked to agree to their user agreements and posting guidelines.  Read these documents very carefully.  A lot of people skip this and just click yes, mainly because there is a lot of legal jargon that no one cares to read. However, some important things to look for are:

  • Are you allowed to include links in your posts?

  • Can you promote your business?

  • Can you use commercial messages as your signature?

  • Can you contact other members for business purposes on the forum?

  • Are there restrictions on new and privileges for old members?

  • Your user name is the first thing that’ll be noticed.  Pick one that’s memorable, simple, and can be easily pronounced. You might want to use your real name and/or the name of your company.  Do not use random combinations of letters and/or numbers, or something that’s significant to you and you alone.

Create a profile that will help you establish credibility.  Put up a description of your experience and expertise. Personal information can help break the ice, but don’t venture into topics that can alienate anyone, like race, religion, or political affiliation.

Above all, treat forum marketing as an integral part of your long-term strategy, not just a one-off opportunity to bombard the message boards with information about your hot new product.  Nobody likes spam!

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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Four Main Types of Orders in the FOREX Market

There are many types of orders for traders to make transactions in the FOREX Market for making profits. Four main types are the most used, and many traders have found tremendous success with Market, Limit, Stop Loss, and Entry Orders.

Market Order

The most simple and most common type of order in the FOREX Market is the Market Order. Here, the trader buys and sells the currency at the rate prevailing in the market at the time of the transaction. Due to the huge size of the market and the high volatility, trends can reverse at any second. This is why traders prefer placing orders at the market price to guard them against any adverse trend.

Limit Order

With the Limit Order the trader specifies a price at which he may wish to buy or sell the currency. Suppose a trader has bought GBP against the USD at 1.9710, and then he can place a sell order at 1.9725. When the exchange executes the order, the trader will profit from it. The order will be cancelled if the target price is not achieved during the day.

Stop Loss Order

Due to market volatility, stop losses are essential. They determine the maximum loss a trader is willing to suffer. Suppose, in the above instance, the risk-taking ability of the trader is low. The trader may place a stop loss at 1.9705. At this level the exchange will book losses for him or her, and he or she won’t be affected if the price falls below 1.9705.

Entry Order

An Entry Order is filled only when certain conditions are met in the market, which the order specifies. There are two types of Entry Orders: Limit Entry and Stop Entry.

Here is an example of a Limit Entry Order. Let’s assume that the current market price for GBP/USD is 1.9705:10. This implies that the trader can transact at these levels. Here, a trader can place a limit entry order to sell his or her holdings at a price more than the market price, say, 1.9715. His or her order would be executed only if that price is attained. Similarly, he or she can place an order for buying at a level of, say 1.9700, and his or her ‘buy’ order would remain pending till the price falls to that level.

A Stop Entry Order is generally used when the trader has sufficient grounds to believe that the currency is trading in a fixed range and believes that it is on the verge of a breakout from that range. He or she might want to buy at a price higher than the market price or sell at a lower price than the market price. In the same example, the trader may go ahead and buy at 1.9720 or sell at 1.9690, where he believes that once these levels are attained, the currency will only go up or fall further, as the case may be. A trader exercises the stop entry order only when a trader has reasonable grounds to believe that there will be sharp movements in the currency rates in the Forex market.

So there you have the main types of orders in FOREX trading. Due to the risks in this market you should use caution and be guided by these types of orders.

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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Keys to Starting a Relationship

You may be awesome at something. If you think you are smart then make sure that you show it. If you think you have the ability to make some one laugh then go ahead make them laugh. If you are good at sports then demonstrate that.

Let people know you are different. Widen your horizons. If you feel that you do not have prospects then think again and look in another direction. If you like sports then look for people with similar interests and hang out with them. Look for someone with whom you would find it easy to communicate. A successful relationship starts with communication. If you fail with communication you may soon lose the relationship.

The first step you should take is to communicate effectively with your partner. First, start by simply talking and the making friends with that special person. Women are usually cautious when jumping into new commitments. Make sure you find a reason to talk. Also, make sure both of you are willing to exchange conversation.

Don’t make a third person be a medium. Be yourself and express your feelings directly. Make sure you don’t lie at the beginning of your relationship as this will become disastrous. You will be heart broken when you find yourself lonely.

Convey your feelings. Make sure that the right kind of emotion is transferred. Flirting is a healthy social and playful activity, but it must be reciprocated only in certain cases. If you get the right kind of emotion it may help you build a successful relationship. Don’t be sad if it doesn’t pay back.

Take things slowly. Don’t show any kind of desperation. This will spoil it for you. When you take things easy you may be open to lots of surprises. You may be surprised that your special person might ask you out for a date!

Make sure you don’t get the wrong vibe. Once you know that a formidable base is made you can go beyond. Make sure you continue having a normal routine. Don’t make your life revolve around that special someone. The person you start loving may want you and not a clone of yourself. This is why it is important to remain yourself truly as this would be highly appreciated.

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