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5Jul/100

You DO Have an Email List Dont You? – Email-Marketing

You DO Have an Email List Dont You?

No matter what type of business you operate, you need an email list. Not just any list, preferably an opt-in list. If it's a double-opt-in list, it's even better. Why?Because your list keeps you in touch with your clients and prospects; it develops a relationship of trust; people buy from people they trust; and finally, it's a very cost effective way of marketing.Take this example of a hairdressing business with a proprietor we'll call Sophie. Sophie obtains the email addresses of her clients in her database along with details of the types of services they generally require eg, perm, haircut, shampoo etc.She and her team know the periods between services so, when clients are due for another hairdo, she sends them an email reminder suggesting they ring a day or two in advance to ensure a booking. Clients respond.Occasionally, she has a low demand day. Her paid staff is going to stand around without a full day of work.Sophie goes through her database and finds several clients who would normally require a new hair job around about that time. She sends them a short email offering several booking times and a small discount if they accept.Bingo! Instead of four hours without bookings, she now has three hours taken up.This is only one of many examples. Veterinary practices email people about their animals' vaccinations; dentists about follow-up work; hardware stores about specials and so on.If you haven't got and maintain an email list, you are missing out on opportunities, including some new ways to make money. Also, if you send letters to clients/prospects now, you can cut out the expense of postage, stationery, lodgement, printing and other associated costs.This is all good stuff, however, your list has to be obtained and managed in accordance with the various Spam legislation. That's why you must get people to opt-in and agree to receive email from you before you send it.Double opt-in occurs when people subscribe to your list from your Internet site and you send them a message seeking assurance that they ... and not someone pretending to be them ... actually completed the subscription. When they reply, the deal is done.This can all be done automatically saving you a tremendous amount of time and money.So, if you haven't got an email list, what will you do about it today?Copyright Robin Henry 2005Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet marketer whose firm, Desert Wave Enterprises, helps individuals and businesses improve their performance by using smart processes, smart technology and personal development. He lives at Alice Springs In Central Australia. Visit Desert Wave Enterprises to read more about email.

30Jun/100

Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture-Gardening

Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture

You've put a lot of work into your garden, from planning to digging to weeding to all the little tasks that keep it looking beautiful. Sharing your garden with others is the next step, and doing that requires more than pretty rows of plants. You created a garden to enjoy, didn't you? Imagine your garden in use - garden benches and patio furniture to provide places for people to sit and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Choosing garden furniture can be the ultimate expression of your pride in the garden you've grown.When choosing garden furniture, you should take into account the kind of use that your garden will get. Is your garden meant to be a relaxing haven for just you? A place where you'll read and sip iced tea, away from the bustle of the modern, busy world? In that case, what better piece of garden 'furniture' is there than a classic hammock, slung between trees or on its own stand? And of course, if you put up a garden hammock, you'll need a small garden table close to hand to hold your iced tea and book when you pull your hat down over your eyes to snooze in the sun.Perhaps you picture dining al fresco in your garden. In that case, you'll be choosing garden furniture that includes patio or garden table and chairs. From beautiful white-painted French bistro sets to elegant glass and wood dining sets complete with parasol and side tables.The garden furniture that you choose can set the tone for your outdoor space in the same way that your choice of sofa, chairs and tables defines the style of your living room. A stone garden bench with urns gives a completely different ambience than a pair of rustic, unpainted Adirondack chair with a small table between them. A pair of sun loungers (or chaise lounges) with comfortable cushions invites your guests (and you!) to relax and enjoy the lazy pleasure of the outdoors. Park benches with black cast iron accents can lend a touch of turn-of-the-century Parisian charm to a simple garden, or fit right into a smooth expanse of lawn.When you're choosing garden furniture, you'll find a wide variety of styles and materials. Molded PVC furniture is a popular choice, in colors that harmonize with the natural surroundings. Wood picnic tables with benches are a standard, and classic redwood tables, benches, chairs and loungers are still one of the most chosen types of garden furniture in the world.Whatever your choice, just remember the reasons that you grew a garden to begin with - the pleasure and beauty of nature. Choose garden furniture that enhances both your garden's beauty and your enjoyment of nature.Matthew Anthony has produced articles on many furniture related topics such as garden furniture and childrens furniture.

30Jun/100

Do You Really BELIEVE You Have What It Takes To Make Your Website A Success? – Internet-Marketing

Do You Really BELIEVE You Have What It Takes To Make Your Website A Success?

Last week, on a cold, dark Friday night I stood barefoot outside a large exhibition centre in the heart of London preparing to walk the 3 most difficult metres of my life. Why were they going to be the most difficult? In between me and my destination was a bed of red hot, burning coals.I starting breathing deeply, reciting the mantra I'd been taught - "cool moss, cool moss" and took a step forward onto the coals. Before I knew it I had reached the other side
and completed my first firewalk.It was an awesome feeling! Thanks to Tony Robbins (the motivational guru who was running the event) over 10,000 of us walked over hot coals unscathed that night. And what it all came down to was one thing - BELIEF. I believed that I was going to make it across un-hurt - otherwise why else would I have done it, right?Are Your Beliefs Pushing You Forward Or Holding You Back? Your belief about something - that is - your feeling of TOTAL and absolute CERTAINTY about something can be the difference between failure and success. Now I've been in this Internet Marketing game for years now and there are many different sets of beliefs that I witness. Some of these beliefs are limiting whilst other beliefs are empowering. Are any of the following things that you might say?5 Limiting Beliefs You MUST AVOID Limiting Belief No. 1"I believe that you need a huge budget to make it big on the Internet and be successful"Limiting Belief No. 2"I believe that the well-known company that's my nearest competitor is untouchable and I'm just small fry."Limiting Belief No. 3"I believe if I have a great website with great products and great service then customers will beat a path to my door."Limiting Belief No. 4"I believe I can get to the top of the search engines by spending just 2 days learning about it."Limiting Belief No. 5"I believe there is nothing to this website marketing game. Just build a few links and success will be mine."6 Empowering Beliefs You MUST HAVE Empowering Belief No. 1"I believe in commitment to constant learning and enthusiasm for my product and my website will win through in the end."Empowering Belief No. 2"I believe if I spend many hours marketing my website every single week it will eventually pay off."Empowering Belief No. 3"I believe that seizing the entire concept of the Internet and building a community of connected partners and allies on the web will bring me success."Empowering Belief No. 4"I believe that an all-round focus on search engines, choosing the right key phrases, links and email marketing will grow my sales dramatically."Empowering Belief No. 5"I believe that giving away first and taking afterwards will prove to my customers, prospects and partners that my business model is sound and I will be richly rewarded."Empowering Belief No. 6"I believe that if I am to be truly successful online my website needs to be A PART of my business not APART FROM it.""I Saw Her Face, Now I'm A Believer" If you don't absolutely and honestly believe that your website will be a rip-roaring success guess what? It won't be.If you believe that the web is for everyone else and not for your business because your business is 'different' - you will get left behind. Some business owners thought the same way when the phone came along and then the fax and email after that. How long do you think they lasted or how quickly they fell behind?If you believe that the Internet is here to stay and offers a massive opportunity for your business both now and in the future regardless of the effort and investment it takes to seize this opportunity - congratulations! You've just reached the other side of those hot coals of doubt.Michael Cheney is Author of The Website Marketing BibleTM. Take the Free 7-Part Course "Internet Marketing Made Easy" and get your free sampler of 'The Bible' here: http://www.websitemarketingbible.com/marketing/