Publishing An Ezine Is A Great Way To Attract Your Ideal Client

One of the most effective ways to stay in front of your client is to publish a content rich ezine. Why?

I am glad you asked why publishing an ezine is an effective way to stay in front of your clients, because it will galvanize you to be viewed as an expert resource for current and new clients alike. The internet is all based on content, not just any content but the kind that helps you stand out in a crowd.

Publishing an ezine is by far one of the most cost-effective forms of communication with a warm market, meaning opt in subscribers or organizations and individuals who follow you and who are fans of yours. What is great about publishing an ezine is the low-cost to publish one.

The fact that an entrepreneur or organization can purchase a contact management software program for a low monthly cost, that yield benefits that continue to pay itself forward for years to come. An organization and or solopreneur remains relevant with their clients and prospective clients by providing research, white papers, and content rich articles focused on the needs of their clients and prospects.

Client attraction comes in the form of articles, those an organization or solopreneur writes or articles from another source, with their approval of course. One can also include upcoming events on their ezine to include virtual coaching, teleseminars, webinars and videoconferencing sessions.

Nowadays ezines include videos which provide an even more client friendly approach, which draw in clients because they get to know you on a more personal level. Ezines play a key role in attracting prospects because your content is unique to you and you control the conversation between you and your target audience.

One of the key benefits of an ezine is the opportunity to provide links to your website and social media sites. In effect, what this does it open the door for more and more potential subscribers and opt ins. List building becomes an intricate part of an ezine and money is in the list of prospective paying subscribers.

One of the best features of an ezine is the kind that is set up with an autoresponder. In other words, when a new subscriber signs up to your ezine, you can schedule multiple follow ups with them to keep them engaged and informed.

Some contact management software programs feature Paypal and other monetized options that allow the ezine publisher to sell books, coaching, training, workshops and other offerings. The bottom line is this, an ezine positions you to be front and center with your ideal clients and prospective clients. Your client attraction system is ready for you to get started, let the journey begin today.

Marriage and Relationships - 6 Creative Ways to Reconnect With Your Spouse

Do you know how many couples in marriages drift apart over time and eventually have nothing in common? Consistently spending quality time together is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your spouse. Many couples are so busy with work and raising a family that they have trouble finding time for each other and their relationship suffers.

With all of the responsibilities in life, how do you carve time out of your schedule for your mate? Here are six creative ways to connect with your spouse:

1. Turn Off the Television

The time you spend watching television is not quality time spent interacting and getting to know your mate intimately. Instead of experiencing reality T.V., experience a real relationship.

2. Schedule a Regular Date Night

A date night does not have to be expensive or elaborate. The most important thing is being with each other and sharing your life, hopes and dreams.

3. Work on Mutual Projects or Hobbies Together

You bond with each other while working together on a hobby or mutual project. It also helps you to continue to have common interests and goals.

4. Exercise Together

Your heart gets two work-outs at once: one physical and one emotional.

5. Meet for a Lunch Date

If your evening schedule is too hectic for one-on-one time, schedule to get together at lunch.

6. Prioritize

It all boils down to your priorities. Everyone has the same twenty-four hours in a day. You will make time for the things that are the most important to you.

Identity Theft Prevention Tips - All Internet Users Need To Know

If you are a frequent internet user, then you should definitely be concerned about identity theft. Every year 10 million people fall victim to identity theft. You can avoid becoming a victim by not giving out your personal information and making sure your computer is properly protected.

Whatever you do online, make sure you refrain from giving out your personal information to people who you don't know. If you receive an email from your bank or other financial institution asking for information, do not click on the link in the email. Call the bank or institution or enter their web address in your internet browser directly. Financial institutions should not be requesting information through email. If yours does, then you may want to consider closing your account and switching to a different institution.

When making a purchase online, do not enter your credit card information unless you are on a secure internet page. A secure internet page can be identified by an "https" prefix to the web address instead of the typical "http" prefix. Many times you will also notice a symbol of a closed padlock to indicate a secure webpage as well.

You can further prevent online identity theft by choosing difficult-to-crack passwords. You should use passwords with a mixture of numbers, capital letters, and lowercase letters and symbols at least eight characters in length, but the more the better. Make sure you avoid using the same password for every site. Instead, write the websites and their usernames and passwords down on a piece of paper and keep it in a safe and inconspicuous yet accessible place. Just make sure you do not save them as a file on your computer. As a matter of fact, make sure you do not store any personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers on your computer, cell phone, or other electronic device.

You also want to make sure your computer protection software is up to date. It is imperative this day in age to have good antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall installed and constantly updated. You can find a lot of good free software out there that will perform these tasks just fine, but many of them do not update automatically. For ultimate online protection, it is usually worth the price to purchase a good internet security system. This will ensure your computer security, and your private information is kept up to date.

Now that you know how to prevent becoming a victim of online identity theft, it's time to put these methods to use. Just remember, be very skeptical about strange emails and make sure you make purchases from a trusted, secure website. It is also a good idea to use many difficult-to-crack passwords and ensure your computer protection software is up to date. By following these methods you can significantly lower your chance of being one of the 10 million yearly victims of identity theft.

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Human Resources at Work

This article relates to the Human Resource Functions competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. It reflects one employee's satisfaction with the manner in which her HR department carried out their work. This competency examines how your employees feel with regards to the quality and implementation of the human resource role within your organization. A human resource department that is properly informed of employee issues, demonstrates a high integrity level, and communicates effectively with staff and management should expect a high satisfaction level in this competency area.

This short story, Human Resources at Work, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales From the Corporate Frontlines. It illustrates how a competent, compassionate staff can perform their HR functions and really make a difference in the lives of employees, creating goodwill that spreads throughout the workplace.

Anonymous Submission: Human Resources at Work

I've worked at a few different companies, and never had much interaction with human resources departments, other than hiring and benefits enrollment paperwork.

I'd like to tell you about one staff member who really made a difference in my life. Stricken with a sudden and very debilitating sickness, I was completely confused about my benefits and responsibilities with regard to time off for treatment, and the coverage provided by my company-paid health insurance plan. I'd rarely even been sick before, and never hospitalized.

I called work from my hospital bed to tell my manager what had happened. I asked a few questions about my options and he told me he hadn't a clue---and offered to transfer my call to the HR department. I really didn't know what to expect. I had heard some lunchroom complaints abut nasty attitude over the years, but had no reason to expect a problem in this situation. Still, I was nervous.

I needn't have been. Julie was kind, helpful, and very efficient. She had a broad base of knowledge about my benefit programs and the sequence of procedures that I should follow. There were a few areas that seemed questionable, but she promised to get answers and get back to me. She fulfilled that promise quickly and efficiently.

Over the next few weeks, which proved to be a trying period, Julie was always there for me. She helped me process paperwork, contacted the proper home office departments on my behalf, and did everything she could to minimize the stress involved in my recovery. "You just concentrate on getting better, I'll take care of everything at this end", she would say to me whenever things got too confusing. She really understood my distraction and took over for me when I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sure there were times when another person would have lost her cool and become frustrated, but Julie never did.

I recently returned to work after a long rehabilitation period. I'm feeling much better now, and see and speak to Julie less often. When I think of the people who were most responsible for helping me to recover, I always think of her. She took responsibility to assist me, and did a fantastic job. She knew how to handle my issues, and was masterful at effective communication. Julie is an asset to our human resources department, and reached the standard that I believe all professionals in this field should strive for.

© 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active.

5 Strategies That Will Boost Your Business Productivity Today! - Part 2

Growing your own small business can be one of the most exciting journeys you could ever embark upon!

But it's important that you continuously implement new and fresh ways to generate sales and improve your profitability in order to stay ahead of the market!

Here are the next 5 Strategies to help you propel your business to new heights of success!

1. Develop your own Loyalty Program

If you have a look in my wallet, I have a Jesters Pies Card, a Subway Card and a Video Ezy card - all of which entitle me to something for nothing once I have made enough purchases!

Some people will call me cheap...I just think it makes sense! If I'm going to buy something anyway...why not go somewhere that rewards me for my loyalty?

If people have to buy your type of product or service from somewhere, why not make it more attractive for them to buy from you?

Create your own loyalty program and create regular, satisfied customers who get rewarded for giving you their business!

2. Collect email addresses from your clients (with their permission!)

The most cost effective form of marketing today is via email and if you haven't already started collecting your client's email addresses then start today. You may wonder how that could possibly help you grow your business, but let me give you an example.

I recently heard of a Hairdresser who started collecting email addresses from her clients each time they came to have their hair cut - with the promise that she would keep them informed of any specials that she might be offering.

Now, when she looks at the next week's bookings - if there are lots of spare appointments she fires out an email to all of her clients offering a special for 'Next Week Only!' - and bingo! She has a full week of appointments.

She's happy and her clients are made to feel even more special that they've picked up a reward for their loyalty!

3. Create your own monthly newsletter

Every business has something interesting to share with their clients and I'm sure yours is no exception! Once again, by using your email addresses, you can provide a very low cost service to your clients, and give you an excuse to keep in touch with them every month.

If you're an accountant, then why not provide financial tips relating to the time of year. Eg GST info, Tax Tips etc.

If you are a mechanic, what about some tips for keeping your engine running smoothly. Eg Checking the oil and water, tyre pressure etc.

Maybe you're a Lawnmowing contractor...what about suggestions for keeping your grass green and lush according to the different seasons.

Of course each month you can also offer 'specials' to your loyal clients to bring in extra profits during the quieter times. In the meantime, you're building a stronger relationship with your existing clients.

4. When was the last time you raised your prices?

Here's an instant way to increase your profits!

Are you underselling your services? Have you checked what your competitors are charging recently?

By adding some of the value added services that I've already addressed in the previous questions, you can probably also add some increases to your pricing without too much drama from your clients.

If you have an excellent product or service, don't become the discount king or queen...become the Exceptional Service Provider.

People don't mind paying for good quality service...because there is so little of it around!

If you mow a fifty lawns a week at $16 each, are people really going to mind if you increased your price to $17? Or what about even $20 - but each month you left them with a special report about how to care for some aspect of their lawn or garden for that month of the year - or maybe even threw some fertilizer on their grass! (They'll need to get you back even sooner if their grass grows better!)

You just added an additional $50 - $150 to your weekly profits - for very little extra work!

Think creatively!!

5. Develop your own Board of Directors

You probably know of other successful business operators in totally different fields from you, and their ideas could also be of benefit to your business.

Why not create your own Board of Directors. Offer to take them out to lunch as a group every two months and brainstorm for ideas on what they would do if they were running your business.

You may pick up two or three new ideas which is not a bad return on your investment of lunch!

Successful people love to share their ideas, so become a sponge and learn as much as you can!

Start applying these principles to your business today, and watch your profits grow!

Gainey's Back In The Groove

With a newfound perspective on both his career and life, Tommy Gainey has finally gotten his first ever win at a PGA Tour event during the 2012 McGladrey Classic. I wonder if he can pull another upset and win the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic...

As this ongoing PGA Tour event signifies the end of the current season, it ironically represents the start of Gainey's "two-gloved" progress in his career and in his life as well. He's not just another funky golf swinger that's struggling to make a name for himself on the tour. He has become a formidable opponent and he's beginning to gain attention among his peers. Who can forget about all of his birdies dropping in to finish at 10-under-par 60?

In an interview with the press just before the event at Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Florida, the unconventional swinger mentioned how his first PGA victory has changed his life.

"Winning the McGladrey was indeed the best thing that has happened to me," he explained. "Let's just say that a lot of players were coming up and saying congratulations and great playing. They know how difficult it is to win here and now I have finally won. It took a long time because I believed I played like 150 or something to finally get a single win. So it's really hard. And all of them saying well done, means a lot."

With that victory weeks behind him now, Gainey has set his sights on one goal - going to Augusta. The baseball-style golfer obviously doesn't lack motivation because his win did not include an invitation for next year's Masters, something he is still seeking to pursue through world rankings.

An inclusion in the top 30 season-ending money list will send him to Magnolia Lane; however this week's top prize ($846,000) is just not enough to really make it. He is currently ranked 56th in the money list with a recorded earnings of $1,524,703; he will need around $959,392 to be included in that list.

Even if Gainey won't be able to go to Augusta National riding on a win at this Disney-sponsored classic, he'll be able to get there by winning a staple tour event at the FedEx Cup right before the Masters next spring. He can also reach it if he cracks the top 50 in world rankings either at the end of the year or a week before the coveted Masters. Either way, a win this week would definitely guarantee him a spot in the U.S. Open next year.