The wizard in Wizard of Oz and the guy behind the curtain pretending to be him have different personalities. Which one would you rather listen to? The wizard comes across as bigger than life and unreachable. The little guy hiding behind the giant green face is one of us, a person.

Companies that publish newsletters without a name or a voice feel cold and untouchable like the wizard. Give a voice to one person and you put a face on the company. Readers respond to a person better than an invisible entity. Think of an email newsletter that provides a wealth of information and over time becomes a victim of its own success. You used to look forward to receiving the newsletter, but it has turned into a big commercial.

This has happened to award-winning newsletters. At the time of receiving the award, the newsletter provided powerful stuff, helping it achieve success and earn its large mailing list. Once it reeled in readers, the material changed and not for the better. When working on something for a long time, falling into a rut happens. But there is a difference between falling into a rut by turning the newsletter into a news release and providing readers with something of value. Read on as I alert you to the pitfalls of this rut and give you ideas for keeping your readers satisfied.

Prevent Mr. Big Head

One newsletter no longer provides articles and instead points to the publisher's blog, products for sale and webinars starring the publisher. Another still offers an article, but not as much or as valuable as in the past. The newsletter also announces the person's accomplishments, newly landed clients and includes short articles recommending a product -- articles that sound more like affiliate recommendations than reviews.

Another company keeps distributing news releases about its successes. Most issues leave the reader wondering, "So what? That has nothing to do with me or my needs." Once in a while, it sends an issue with the latest products added to its database, which is the purpose of the mailing list. But it doesn't provide updates on the industry anymore unless it's about the company.

An egotistical publisher takes advantage of the mailing list by sending out emails with specials, "check out this product," "come see me," "attend my webinar," and "attend so 'n so's webinar" (that has nothing to do with the newsletter topic). The message comes across as if the person is a celebrity. Throw his name around to friends and colleagues, and no one will have heard of him.

These newsletters from Mr. Big Head are in danger of losing readers. They miss the old down-to-earth style and person's original voice that came across like a friend or colleague providing advice or information. If the unsubscribe rate doesn't change much, it doesn't mean you're safe. It could simply mean readers don't want to bother unsubscribing, and instead, they send the unread newsletter to the trash bin whenever it comes in.

For example, in a recent conversation, a colleague and I admitted to each other that we don't unsubscribe to certain newsletters for political reasons. We know the publisher, and it would be noticeable if we dropped the newsletter. Instead, I've created a filter to send it to the trash bin.

Know that change happens

Change happens, and it's okay to do it, but change depends on the why and whether or not it has readers' best interests in mind. For instance, a popular newsletter drastically redesigned its layout, leaving many to write about their displeasure with the change. It doesn't mean never redesigning the look and feel of your newsletter, but rather tread carefully how you go about it. If you include readers in the process, you're a step ahead of many.

The publisher should've alerted readers of the redesign plans and explained the reasons for doing it. To make readers more accepting, the publisher could ask readers for feedback as to what they want and don't want to see. Some readers might be willing to review preliminary designs and provide feedback. After the change goes in effect, write an introduction talking about the change and invite input.

Don't be a victim of the success trap

Readers hesitate to write and tell the publisher to "stop focusing on yourself so much." It's easier to provide feedback on a newsletter's design or a new column than one related to a person. How many of you have written a note to a person criticizing the person as opposed to an object or thing?

One editor does a fabulous job of sharing her news and successes without adding a drop of ego. She writes like a friend reporting on what's happening in her life including the bad things. I use her as a model for avoiding the "me, me, me" trap.

What about the fact newsletters are supposed to bring value to the publisher and not just the reader? Many successful newsletters accomplish this without becoming a commercial or an ode to the company. Ways to accomplish this:

• Ensure the advertising to content ratio is in favor of content.
• Include a free offer.
• Put links to the site where it is appropriate (byline, banner, published line, etc.).
• Create "special" offers good for a limited time.
• Add related products or services at the end of an article.
• Limit the sending of offers or specials in a separate email.

Highlight special offer emails

Sending special offers between issues is A-okay. The approach and the frequency make the difference. Some companies increase them between issues, and soon readers give up looking for the real content. A successful publisher sends a special once after every issue or every other issue. She also identifies such emailings by using a different subject than her regular newsletter. An example:

Subject: eNewsletter Journal: January 2005

Subject: eNewsletter Journal Special for Readers

Not the most exciting or creative subject line, but I'm sure you can think of better. The point is to use something that doesn't have the date or issue information. Ensure the newsletter / publisher is recognizable, while giving the offer emails a different identity from the newsletter emails through the subject heading.

Keep your voice

Your personal voice drives your newsletter's success. When reading a favorite newsletter, what voice do you picture? A corporation? An employee? The company whose newsletters have turned into news releases comes across as an organization rather than a person, like the Wizard of Oz hiding behind a big scary figure. When we meet the guy behind the curtain, it's surprisingly a different personality and more likeable than the great Oz. See if you can't bring that personal touch to your newsletters.

Then, the next time you read various newsletters, see which ones draw you in and which ones repel. Answer the question of why they make you feel this way and use that to help you with your newsletter. When you show credibility and readers trust you, they will buy as long as you provide them with value and a unique voice.

Meryl K. Evans is the Content Maven behind meryl's notes, eNewsletter Journal, and The Remediator Security Digest. She is also a PC Today columnist and a tour guide at InformIT. She is geared to tackle your editing, writing, content, and process needs. The native Texan resides in Plano, Texas, a heartbeat north of Dallas, and doesn't wear a 10-gallon hat or cowboy boots.

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The dash--that curious mark of punctuation people use in their email and letters. Not the hyphen (-), but the dash (--). It's made by hitting the hyphen twice. In most cases, when you type the hyphen twice it will turn into one long dash (-). Sometimes you see the dash inserted where a comma would fit; other times you see it where you would put parentheses. How is the dash supposed to be used-and when can you use it to get the effect you want?

Each mark of punctuation has a specific function in writing. Certain conventions are attached to every mark of punctuation, and as long as the conventions are adhered to, most readers will understand what we mean when we write. The problem is that the farther we get from our education, the more difficult it becomes to remember the conventions.

Then, add the informality of email to the mix and all "standard" conventions sprout wings and fly out the window. Or at least that's what happened for a time--until we realized people didn't understand our messages. We're revisiting conventions in punctuation because the whole point to the work we do is to get our messages heard and understood--the way we intended them to be understood.

The dash, the comma, and the parentheses tend to be used interchangeably and can to be pretty confusing when they are. Most writers confuse them because they don't understand the important role each mark plays in conveying meaning to the reader. I'll clear up the specific use for each so you'll better understand when to use the dash to get the results you want.

Separating the Comma from the DashIn my article "Does Punctuation Really Matter in Eamil?" I discussed two of the multiple uses of the comma: to separate items in a series and to set off introductory clauses. Commas can also be used in the middle of a sentence to set apart information that is extra-stuff you don't need but that might be useful. For example,

"We will provide breakfast. We will not, however, provide lunch."

In this example, the "however" between the commas isn't required. You could leave it out and still understand the sentence. Hence, the "however" is calm and calls little or no attention to itself.

Parentheses also indicate that the information within them could be left out because the reader doesn't need that information to understand what's being said:

"The results have been released and are included with this report (see Appendix A)."

In this case, the information in parentheses is extra and not necessary though definitely useful. You may remember from school that when you see information in parentheses you can skip that information and will still be able to understand what's written.

Using the Dash to Make Your Point

Okay, so commas set off unimportant information; parentheses set off unnecessary information. What do dashes do? Dashes add emphasis. This is completely opposite from what commas and parentheses do. Consider their difference this way: parentheses whisper, commas are calm, dashes scream!

When you separate information in your sentence by using a dash or dashes, you are telling your reader "this is the only information that really matters." Because of the impact of dashes and their difference from commas and parentheses, you can see how important it is to use dashes correctly-and only when you want to add emphasis!

Knowing What You're Doing & Why

While some folks have begun to think dashes, commas, and parentheses are interchangeable, you can probably now see why using the correct one in your sentence will make the difference in the message your readers might get.

Be careful to use your marks of punctuation carefully so they help reinforce the message you are trying to get across to your reader. Stick to the conventions of punctuation, and be consistent. This not only improves the readability of your documents; it also increases your credibility.

About the Author:

Dr. Tracy Peterson Turner works with organizations that want to turn their managers into leaders and with leaders who want to get their messages heard. She is an expert in both written and verbal communication and conducts presentations and workshops to help individuals and corporations meet their communication goals.

Visit Tracy on the web at http://www.Mgr-Impact.com. Email her at Tracy@Mgr-Impact.com

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It happens all the time. Debt collectors try to collect on debts that consumers have no knowledge of or never owed in the first place. So, what do you do when a bill collector demands payment in full on a debt that you never knew existed? You need to request a validation of debt.

A validation of debt is a request for proof that the collection agency that is contacting you owns the debt/or has been assigned the right to collect the debt on behalf of an original creditor. A validation of debt also includes a complete payment history, starting with the original creditor, and a copy of the original signed loan agreement or credit card application. This may be a debt you really owe or possibly a debt that was sent to collections by mistake. Either way, debt collectors can be very unapproachable. It is important to remember that you also have rights. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Paragraph 809, - Validation of Debts:

"(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing:

(1) the amount of the debt;

(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;

(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. (c) The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.

The information presented in this article only covers some of the more important aspects of debt validation. It is important to do your research and fully understand your rights and obligations prior to attempting any type of communication with a debt collector.

Alan BarnesIAPDA Certified Debt ArbitratorPresident and CEO of Debt Regrethttp://www.debtregret.com

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Real estate investments come through a variety of different options. However, whether it is a vacation property, a first home, an early retirement house, or a rental property that you find appealing, real estate investments are all the rage, and are quickly becoming one of the safest investments available, especially in our less-than-perfect economy.

One of the most accessible investments for the average American is more common than most residents realize. A first home offers a lot of advantages over renting. Building up home equity, utilizing tax advantages, and appreciation in home value are only some of the things that make common homes into great investment opportunities. The best market to look for when buying a home is a stable one, with average rates of appreciation. A stable market will provide a safe investment a few years down the line.

Vacation properties or second homes provide an excellent investment opportunity for individuals with the extra income to spend on another property. However, vacation home buying is often fraught with mistakes when it comes to the investment value:

? It is a common error to believe that locations with extreme demand and skyrocketing rates of appreciation are the best for investment. Don't allow yourself to be fooled. Markets with unreasonable demand and unaffordable home prices like these will be unable to sustain this type of growth. Unstable markets run the risk of leveling out, or worse yet, crashing. Your best option is a stable market with average rates of appreciation, roughly around 5%.

? Buyers of vacation homes often pay above market value for the property. While this relates directly to the markets where vacation homes are most popular where the competition drives prices far above listing price, it is still something within the hands of the buyer. Choose an area with less of a seller's market, and never pay above market value if you hope to make an investment out of your property.

Buying a rental property is often a real estate investment for an entirely different reason. While most properties become an investment through the resale value, rental properties generate income for the owner during the period of ownership. The same guidelines apply as with buying other realty properties, but also remember that the best rental property owner is one with the time to invest. Experts warn that you should only buy a property when you are willing to put years into your new rental property. It is also important that you have extra funding when going into the deal. You will probably need to make renovations, updates, and repairs as time goes on.

Regardless of your reasons for deciding to purchase an investment property, the options are numerous, and opportunities are growing with time. Of course, it is important that any prospective buyer consult with a real estate professional, finding a qualified buyers agent can save an individual from making the costly errors often forgotten when purchasing a real estate investment property. Of course, the best reason to buy such a property is because you have the time and desire to enjoy, and the desire to make an average house into a great home.

Inside Real Estate in a network entirely devoted to real estate information. Our staff of nationwide writers has provided a library of over 25,000 real estate articles. Inside-Real-Estate covers several topics from the basic "how to's" of real estate to city specific real estate information.

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Buying a Home and committing to a Mortgage can be very scary!A home mortgage loan is the largest debt that most Americans will take on in their lifetime. As such, making the decision to take out a mortgage is not one that most first time homebuyers take lightly. Not only will your monthly mortgage payments probably be the largest bill that you face each month, but the total amount of debt realized with a home mortgage loan can have a staggering, and sobering effect on the first time home buyer.

I can remember the months leading up to my decision to fill out a mortgage application. I had nightmares about loosing my job, not being able to keep up with my payments and finding myself homeless. And those were on the good nights when I was able to sleep at all!

Committing to a Home Mortgage Doesn't Have To Cost You Your SleepGet the Best Rate on Your Home Mortgage Loan

Home mortgage interest rates hit record lows in 2004 and have remained at record lows as we go through 2005. It is possible today to get a thirty-year fixed rate home mortgage loan for under five percent, and an adjustable rate mortgage can be found for under four percent if you look hard enough!

However, record low mortgage rates do not mean that you should take the first mortgage offer made to you, even if it sounds low. On the contrary, it means that shopping around for the best mortgage possible may be even more beneficial then during a high market period.

If you solicit mortgage rate quotes from enough lenders and pay attention to economic news, you might be able to secure a home mortgage loan at an interest rate that you will not see offered again in your lifetime.

Solicit Several Mortgage Rate Quotes

In order to get the best deal on anything in America, it is important to shop around. Securing a home mortgage loan is no exception to the rule. If you are the type of consumer who likes to walk into the first store that you see and buy what you need without comparing your options, then you might also be inclined to accept the first home mortgage loan offered to you.Doing so would be a big mistake. In order to get the best possible home mortgage loan you will need to "shop" and compare lenders.Having a substantial down payment on the home that you wish to purchase and applying for a smaller home mortgage loan is another way to increase your chances of getting mortgage approval. Again, this goes back to the risk involved to the lender for financing your loan.

Many mortgage lenders will require that you have a 20% down payment on the home, and then they will grant mortgage loan approval for the remaining 80% of the purchase cost. This helps to offset the lender risk. In the event that you are unable to keep up with monthly mortgage payments and you default on the loan, the lender will have a better chance of recovering his money through foreclosing on and selling the home if the loan is a smaller percentage of the market value of the home.

Therefore, if you can save 30% or more towards a down payment on your home, you will be lowering the risk to the lender and increasing your chances of getting mortgage approval.

You May Have To Accept a Higher Interest Rate on Your Mortgage LoanIf you wish to secure a mortgage despite your bad credit history, and you do not have a sizeable down payment saved up, you may have to agree to a mortgage at a higher interest rate than that which is being offered to low risk borrowers. This is because the lender will want to be compensated for his increased risk level.This should not necessarily prevent you from taking the loan, though. If you secure the mortgage and are diligent about making timely payments, after paying on it for awhile you will improve your credit history. Then you can refinance the mortgage at a later date with a better rate offer.

Michael Contaro
http://www.atozonline.com

For more articles by Michael Contaro, you can go to http://www.atozonline.com

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The six-figure book advance, like the New York Times bestseller, is the object of many a writer's fantasy. Whether it's also a realistic goal is something else again.

Can you really get a six-figure book advance?

When Susan Page wrote The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book in 1997, she included the following list of the qualities that you and your book have to have if you're going to get a six-figure advance.

Your book is on a topic of wide general interest that could excite a large number of readers.

Your book has a distinctive angle and makes an original contribution to its field.

You have substantial credentials to write on this topic OR you have a co-author who does, OR you can get an extremely famous, well-credentialed person to write a foreword for you.

You have prepared an extraordinary proposal and are working with a competent editor already.

You have a show-stopping title.

You secure the services of a well-known, experienced agent who believes the book can earn such an advance.

You are both willing and able to promote your book on radio and TV and in print.This is not a mix-and-match list. You have to have all of those things to get the big advance, unless you are an international celebrity or a best-selling author.

Page's aim was to deflate unrealistic expectations. Her book aims to get you into print, not necessarily to get you rich. Most authors do not get rich from their books. Most publishers don't get rich either. Book publishing is an industry in which there is very little profit. If authors get rich, it's usually because having a book lets them sell expensive services and book high-paying speaking gigs.

You can get a six-figure advance, but it will cost you.

And I don't mean the $197 price tag on Susan Harrow's new e-book, Get a Six-Figure Book Advance. A $200 investment is nothing if it gets you a $200,000 return. Using the proposal template/software included with her $197 e-book, you'll be able to produce the kind of proposal that will have publishers in hot pursuit-but getting the advance requires a whole lot more than just buying the book or even having all the right elements in your proposal.

If you want a six-figure book advance, you're going to have to work for it.

Susan Harrow, jokingly known as a "de-motivational coach," doesn't try to pretend otherwise. In her August 4th teleclass, co-hosted by ghostwriter Mahesh Grossman of the Authors Team, she made it clear just how much work goes into getting a six-figure advance, and how long and hard you have to keep working after you get the money.

How advances work

In order to persuade publishers to pay you $100,000 or more before your book is published, you have to convince them that your book will sell at least 100,000 copies. (Your royalty will be about $1/book for a trade paperback, possibly as much as $3/book for a hardcover, so you do the math.) And since books don't sell themselves, what you're really saying to the publisher is that you can sell those 100,000 copies.

Yes, a publisher that invests that much money in you will also invest more in the production and marketing of your book than in someone who gets a smaller advance, but when you get right down to it, no one really buys a book because of its publisher. And your book won't sell just because it's a good book. People rarely buy non-fiction books for the quality of the writing. They buy for the quality of the information-and in the mind of the public, that depends on the expertise and reputation of the author. It all comes back to you.

How do you get readers to think of you as an expert?

First, they have to know you exist. If you're not already a celebrity, you're going to have to become one, or at least put up a convincing show. If you don't have legions of fans, you should at least have thousands of subscribers to your e-zine or blog, or a syndicated column in a newspaper. If you haven't been on Oprah or The Today Show yet, radio interviews and local TV news programs are a good start.

Getting into the public eye

To get visible enough fast enough, you probably need a publicist, which means shelling out several thousand dollars. In order for media attention to do you any good, you have to look good and sound good every time you appear. That means getting professional media coaching before you start lining up interviews to make up for not being a celebrity. You need to arm yourself with a repertoire of sound bites for all occasions and rehearse until you can spout them in your sleep.

That doesn't just take money, it takes time. It takes work. And no one can do it for you, either, because you, as the author, have to be the one in the limelight.

Editing is essential for a killer proposal.

Media coaches and publicists aren't the only team members you'll have to enlist if you want a six-figure advance and a book that justifies it. The services of a professional editor are essential for both your proposal and your finished book. In fact, you might just want to hire a ghostwriter and get it over with, because you're probably going to be too busy marketing to write.

That's more money spent in advance of getting your advance.

Post-publication publicity

You're not through yet, either. Now that you've gotten enough media attention for yourself to impress a publisher, you have to do it over again for your book. You're going to have to shell out a good-sized chunk of that advance on your own publicity efforts. More and more publishing houses assume that your advance is the marketing budget for the book, so they expect you to spend your own money on getting the book sold. (Tip: when mentioning this in your proposal, always make the offer contingent on the publisher matching the amount.) This expectation actually holds true regardless of the size of your advance, but the more money you want to get, the more money you have to spend.

Six-figure advances are not for the faint of heart

Writing a good book is the least of the challenges facing you when you set out to get a six-figure advance. Moreover, if you don't earn out your advance by actually selling 100,000+ books, your chance of getting such a large advance again are nil. To succeed when the stakes are this high, you need to become an Olympic athlete of a book marketer. That can be hard to do if you have either a day job or a family, never mind both. And it's almost impossible if you don't have a substantial chunk of starting capital.

Do you really need a six-figure book advance?

For many authors, five figures is plenty, especially for a first book. Even if it loses money, that book will create the leverage the author needs to succeed in other aspects of her business. (That's one reason self-publishing can be such a good option for business book authors.) Getting a smaller advance still takes work and costs money, but it's a much more manageable goal for a first time author without fifty grand to invest in getting into the bookstores.

(c) 2005 Sallie Goetsch.

You have permission to reprint and distribute these articles online, in whole or in part, free of charge, as long as you include complete attribution.

Author-izer and Collabowriter Sallie Goetsch started writing at the age four. She specializes in turning busy professionals into authors. Get free articles for your e-zine, newsletter, or website from her article blog or e-mail authorizer@fileslinger.com to ask about custom web content.

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Speculation continues about the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, and what role Angelina Jolie may have played. At least three different rumors are circulating as to what may have been the cause.

Rumors of an Extramarital Affair

One rumor has it that Pitt and co-star Angelina Jolie were having an affair. This rumor began circulating last May, when Pitt was photographed holding Jolie's hand on the set while filming Mr. & Mrs. Smith. They both denied there was any romance.

A Recipe for Emotional Infidelity

"Even if the rumors of an extramarital affair are untrue," says author and infidelity expert Ruth Houston, "it highlights the danger of inappropriate friendships with members of the opposite sex. This can lead to emotional infidelity, which is often a precursor to sexual infidelity". Problems can develop if the friendship is conducted away from the view or without the knowledge of the other person's marriage mate. Affairs usually start with someone the wayward spouse knows and comes in contact with on a regular basis.

Workplace Affairs

According to one study, 73% of infidelity begins in the workplace. Friendships that start out innocently enough progress to emotional infidelity and eventually escalate to extramarital affairs. Says Houston, "This holds true whether the workplace is a movie set or an office environment. And workplace affairs are on the rise." Anytime two people of the opposite sex are in close proximity on a regular basis for extended periods of time, the potential for emotional infidelity exists. All that's needed to take it to the next level is sexual chemistry and opportunity. "Even if the intense year-long friendship between Pitt and Jolie did not take a sexual turn," says Houston, "they were treading on dangerous ground."

When Opposite Sex Friendships Become a Problem

Time spent by a husband with a "friend" of the opposite sex is time spent away from his wife, unless they include her in the activities taking place "Even if there's no sex involved," explains Houston, " emotional bonding occurs, and before you know it, infidelity is rearing its ugly head." Opposite sex friendships become a problem when they become a replacement for the marriage. When one marriage mate starts sharing hopes, dreams, special moments and intimate information with an opposite sex "friend" instead of their spouse, a bond develops which has infidelity potential. Houston warns, "All it takes for the situation to spiral out of control and infidelity to occur is an air of secrecy, sexual chemistry, and the opportunity factor. Even if an affair was not the original intent."

Arguments Over Starting a Family

Another rumor has it that constant arguments between Pitt and Anniston over the issue of starting a family were a contributing factor to the split. Pitt, 41, is anxious to start a family, while Aniston, 35, is reluctant to do so at the expense of her acting career. During the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Angelina Jolie brought her 3-year-old adopted son, Maddox to the set every day and Pitt enjoyed spending time with the little boy. Their closeness caused him to compare Aniston unfavorably with Jolie, by pointing out to her that Jolie, who is 6 years younger, has successfully combined motherhood with her acting career.

A Marriage "Ripe" for An Affair

Regarding the friendship that developed between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - if there were problems in the marriage, however minor, it was a bad time to form a close relationship with someone of the opposite sex - even if that friendship was platonic. It doesn't take much for such a friendship to make the transition from emotional to sexual infidelity. Houston observes, "If there are major problems between husband and wife, that marriage is 'ripe' for an affair. Given the right (or wrong) set of circumstances, infidelity could be just a 'friendship' away."

Telephone Sex

Still a third rumor has it that Pitt and Jolie, called each other constantly on the phone. Supposedly Jennifer Aniston listened in on one conversation (either accidentally or deliberately) and heard Pitt and Jolie having telephone sex. "If the rumor about phone sex is true," says Houston, then Pitt's friendship with Jolie had already crossed the line - even if phone sex was as far as it went." Frequent lunches, dinners, meetings, or phone calls with the "friend" that a spouse "forgets" or neglects to mention, have a way of alienating one's marriage mate.

Denials All Around

Angelina Jolie has denied any responsibility for the Pitt - Aniston split. Both Pitt and Aniston themselves have publicly denied that a third party was involved. Even People magazine said the friendship between Pitt and Jolie never reached the point of an affair. In "Jennifer's My Space Blog" Aniston said, "The tabloid stories weren't true, no one was cheating, no one was carousing around town, it just didn't work out."

Jolie Directly or Indirectly Responsible

Says Ruth Houston, "The bottom line to all the rumors and speculation is this: It appears that either directly or indirectly, Angelina Jolie, contributed to the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. Even if her only role was to prompt Pitt to make unfavorable comparisons between Aniston and Jolie."

The Lesson

Whatever the truth is concerning Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, the lesson is clear: Avoid opposite sex friendships that become very close and exclude your partner or marriage mate. They can lead to emotional infidelity. Houston cautions "If sexual chemistry and the opportunity factor are also part of the mix, sexual infidelity may not be far behind."

ATTENTION: Editors, Reporters, Staff Writers, Producers, Talk Show Hosts

If you would like a copy of the Inappropriate Friendship Quiz or "13 Tips on How to Keep Opposite Sex Friendships from Becoming Infidelity" to use as a sidebar or as part of your coverage of this story, please send an e-mail to InfidelityExpert@gmail.com with "friendships" in the subject line. Please include your name and the name of your publication or show.

To interview Ruth Houston, please call 718 592-6039 or email her at InfidelityExpert@gmail.com

# # #

About Ruth Houston

Author and infidelity expert Ruth Houston is the nation's leading authority on signs of infidelity. Her book Is He Cheating on You - 829 Telltale Signs documents practically every known sign of infidelity, making it the most comprehensive infidelity reference of its kind. A member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Ruth's articles have appeared in publications in the US and abroad for the past 20 years. Ruth's 10 years of in-depth research on infidelity began when she accidentally discovered her now ex-husband's affair. Ruth has been quoted in such publications as the New York Times, and Cosmopolitan, and has been a guest on Good Day New York, Telemundo, 1010WINS and over 100 other radio and TV talk shows nationwide.

To receive a copy of the Inappropriate Friendship Quiz and a free tip sheet on "How to Keep Opposite Sex Friendships from Becoming Infidelity" send an e-mail to InfidelityAdvice@gmail.com with "friendships" in the subject line or visit http://www.InfidelityAdvice.com.

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Most of the service providers I've worked for or with don't like marketing or selling. In fact, a lot of them will say they "hate it." At the very least, they'll tell me they don't think they are very good at it.

If you ask them why it is they feel this way, you're most likely to get some common responses such as:

"When do I have the time? I'm busy enough as it is."

"I don't know where to start."

"I don't know what to do."

"I've tried networking, but I don't ever get anything."

"I just don't have the gift of gab."

"I'm a _________, not a marketing or sales person."

When you ask those same professionals what it is that they like to do, you're likely to get something such as they love to solve problems or help their clients do something that they can't really do for themselves. They enjoy being able to provide valuable information to those who need it the most, their ideal clients.

What they don't understand is that positioning themselves as problem solvers is also a better approach to marketing.

Shift your focus from 'having to market and sell yourself and your services' to 'being a provider of information and a solver of problems for your ideal clients.' You'll not only enjoy the journey more, you'll actually become a better and more successful "marketer/seller." That's right! Don't focus on trying to convince, persuade, or sell. Take the pressure off yourself. Provide information to help solve problems and provide solutions and you'll build more business.

People (including businesses) hire or buy services because they have a problem, pain, issue, or some other business or personal need that they don't have the time, the skills, or the inclination to address for themselves.

People and businesses realize they can't, and frankly don't want to do it all. Of course, you knew that. But why aren't they buying those services from you?

You see when you're marketing and selling, you tend to focus on trying to persuade and sell. You talk a lot about and share materials that are focused on who you ARE, what you HAVE, what you can DO, or what you KNOW. We most often market the features and services we want them to buy from us. I'm sure you've been there - trying to convince we have the capabilities, persuade that we're the best option, and sell the features and benefits of our service(s). What doesn't get explained is what they GET from working with you.

Many business owners believe it's a numbers game. We're led to believe that if we tell enough people, eventually someone will recognize the value and say, "Hey, that's just what I've been looking for." But this leads to a lot of rejection. No wonder you don't enjoy marketing yourself.

Shift your focus. Clearly articulate the problem or problems that you want to help your ideal clients solve when communicating with prospects and referral sources and they will begin to listen. Then, if you can demonstrate credibly that you can provide a solution to that problem, they'll want to know more. You're going to enjoy the process a whole lot more and you'll be amazed at how much more successful you'll be!

(c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing

About the Author:

Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today.

Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.ABCDgrowth.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.

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"hate "hey "marketer/seller" _________ actually approach articulate benefits business businesses capabilities clients communicating consistently convince credibly demonstrate

ASTROPHYSICS: - Many other entries will deal with knowledge from this truly amazing field of exploration founded in astrology and chaos science before the Ice Age. There is one question we'd like you to consider at this time. In the recent past, the 'experts' said there were likely some 100,000 lifeforms in our universe (there are others) which are at least as advanced as we are. That was before the Mars meteorites indicate there is water on Mars as well as some biologic form of life. That factor plus water on moons around Saturn or Jupiter has greatly accentuated the statistical probability to the point that it is more realistic to talk about civilizations that may have existed on Mars and Venus, from which we may have come. It certainly makes it likely that there are hundreds of thousands of advanced lifeforms in our own galaxy.

If you refer to our Relativity entry you may reasonably ask if the 'dark matter' or parallel universes are even more populous. The Hubbell Telescope's photo of the center of the known universe was elected the top scientific discovery of 1999 for very good reason. We are not nearly so old or as advanced as others and we are even less important or unique than we have wanted to believe.

Author of Diveerse DruidsColumnist for The ES Press MagazineGuest 'expert' at World-Mysteries.com

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Every year as school starts web hosts see an up tick in orders as entrepreneurs and stay at home parents have more free time and the vacation summer season winds down to the shorter days of winter. Many hosting companies plan special fall campaigns designed for these small business startups. But lately there has been another wave around this time of year and it comes as specialized hosting packages for students and parents. Increasingly we are seeing websites for bloggers, online photos, resumes, family forums, podcasting, and web cams. This variety of new technologies has spawned a larger need for web hosting. Someone has to host all of this content and information. And in some cases like web cameras, photos, and podcasting the hosting needs are pretty large.

Seniors and juniors in college are using simple resume websites with "their name".name to help promote their skills and give potential employees a place to research them. These websites can give a lot more information and if designed well are a tribute to the professionalism you are trying to portray. This is an easy thing to use on job hunting websites and to include in your email signature. You can usually find a website like this for around $40/year with tools to help you easily create it.

Blogs, blogs, blogs. This is certainly one that we here about all of the time. But students, teachers, and even parents love to blog about their education experience from college down to elementary school. Blog websites have become extremely easy to setup and many very full featured ones are free! These websites give anyone a forum to express their views and experiences, and education seems to be a topic people love to talk about.

The next buzzword after blogging is Podcasting. This is the art of taking a blog to the spoken level. People can record whatever they want and upload it to a pod casting website for the whole world to hear. It is very popular for people to create virtual tours of museums and universities for people to download and walk around with in their ipod. Or it can simply be a recording of your personal views for the whole world to hear.

What do parents who like to see their child's classroom and voyeuristic college kids have in common? Web cams. Another step up from blogging and podcasting your thoughts and voice, is actually filming yourself. Web cams are finding their way in to all sorts of places and the back to school season seems to spur an extra boost. Web cams are being used by schools to allow parents to view their child, they are being used around campuses and neighborhoods for security, and also by parents and children separated by distance to see each other.

Another smaller type of website that we have even heard of is Family forum boards. As a family gets spread out with multiple kids in multiple colleges across the country, a forum board offers a convenient way for everyone to communicate on their own time and keep up with all of the conversations of the family. Most hosting companies offer free forum boards with their hosting plans and these are very easy to install and setup. If you look for a web hosting company with an auto-installer script, such as Fantastico, you will be amazed at how easy it is to get started.

The final type of back to school website are online photo albums. With the proliferation of digital cameras people are now turning to online photo albums as a place to store their family treasures. This also allows your far away college student to post pictures of his dorm room for the extended family to see as well as for the family to post pictures of the good times they are having. A picture is worth a thousand words. There has been the creation of web hosting companies specifically designed for this task. This is called Image hosting. Type "image web hosting" into any major search engine and you will find all of the companies you need to choose from. Also, most web hosting offer free online photo album scripts that you can install. And as mentioned previously, if they advertise an auto installer like Fantastico, then the install and setup is done for you.

The fall months historically offer increased web hosting demand, but with the advent of recent technology trends we are now seeing an increased demand in specialty hosting during the fall that caters to students, parents, and friends. These are just 6 specialty hosting needs but I'm sure there are other ways people are using the internet to enhance their educational experience and reduce the distant that it sometimes puts between family and friends.

About the Author: Rodney Ringler is President of Advantage1 Web Services, Inc., which owns a network of Web Hosting Informational Websites including HostChart.com, ResellerConnection.com, FoundHost.com, ResellerForums.com, and HostingKnowledge.net. Rodney has over 15 years industry experience from programming to internet marketing.

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I do not smoke, never have, and admit to being one of those 'pain in the butts' (OK, bad pun!) that go on about the foul stench, and anti-social behaviour of smokers, especially in public places.

You can imagine my joy when one of my local pubs recently banned smoking. Shortly after the ban had come into force I spotted a guy poised with cigarette in hand, and was about to get huffy and even confrontational. Fortunately I held back and continued my beer - but was puzzled. The cigarette was unlit and yet he was putting it near his mouth, flicking the imaginary ash and generally acting as if he was smoking it. Curious about this I eventually enquired, only to find out this was his own rather unorthodox approach to keeping his hands busy and therefore, as he put it, keeping his weight down.

Although everyone knows that smoking is detrimental to health, it's surprising how many smokers cite fear of putting on weight as a reason to not quit smoking.

The simple fact is that it is not quitting smoking that affects your weight, but the change of habit can result in you increasing your food intake.

But there are plenty of ways to ensure this does not happen to you.

There is no need for a special diet when you stop smoking, but you must use your common sense. If you eat chocolates instead of smoking then you are very likely to gain weight!

Monitor your diet for a fortnight before you stop smoking - write a food diary, noting everything you eat and when. You simply use this to make sure that what you eat post-quitting follows a similar pattern.

In a similar way, note how much exercise you can do as a smoker. When you stop smoking, you can begin to compare how much more exercise you can do with ease. This will inspire you to the possibility of becoming fitter in other ways, and will actually help you through the tough period of giving up the addiction.

Even moderate amounts of exercise can reduce tobacco cravings. A recent study found that women that maintained a rigorous exercise regime coupled with a stop-smoking programme were twice as likely to succeed as those who didn't. Frankly, exercising is incompatible with smoking, and you are also more likely to be mixing with non-smokers.

Let's face it, if you smoke 20 cigarettes daily, you are putting your hand to your mouth at least 200 times a day. When you quit, you need to keep your hands busy. How about peeling fruit for snacks, doing jigsaws or maybe even knitting.

Keep visualising yourself as a fit non-smoker, especially when your motivation starts to flag. You can always get help with this through the use of hypnotherapy. As in so many behavioural issues, it is simply a matter of re-programming our mind. Giving up smoking is tough, and self-hypnosis is a method that many are discovering as a simple way to help keep the mental attitude and motivation on course.

Like the chap in the pub, you may find your own method of coping with your quit smoking challenge, and well.. if it works - great!

Good health!

Keith Watson - 25 years as a registered nurse. Now writing about and promoting a holistic approach to health issues. To learn more about hypnosis as a therapy, visit http://www.adam-eason.com/

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Would you like to get lucky? There are at least a dozen ways. The simplest one is to just start looking for good luck.

Have you ever noticed that when you buy a new car, you start to see similar cars all over? They were there, of course, but now you are seeing them, because your are looking. This is how it is with luck too.

Start counting the ways you are lucky in life, and the first thing you'll notice is that you feel better. A sense of gratitude is good for your soul, even if you're not religious.

Start watching for more good luck, and you'll notice that you "get lucky" more often. This won't be your imagination.

Looking For Good Luck Creates It

I won't tell you God or the universe brings luck into your life once there's grattitude in your heart. That's a nice thought, but not my style. The less spiritual explanation is that when you acknowledge luck, and look for more, you create a certain frame of mind. It helps you take advantage of opportunities you might otherwise not recognize.

A friend mentions a new business in town that is hiring, for example. You might usually think nothing of it, but what if you were watching for luck, and grateful for the good luck you've seen in your life? You're more likely to check it out. Months later you may be working for this company, making more money and saying "Boy did I get lucky."

Have you heard the saying, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" This is the frame of mind of a lucky person. Seeing how lucky you are, even in small ways, makes the possibility of good luck more real to you. This gets you watching. Then the watching gets you thinking, "How is this lucky for me? What can I do with this situation? How can I make lemonade from these lemons?"

Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning grattitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You'll find more at http://www.selfimprovementnow.com.

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In the world today, you will but a phone, and it will be locked to one single network. This is because the network providers lock the phones to only accept their SIM cards, so you don't change network. Well, what if you wanted to change network? There is a simple solution. Unlock your phone!

Reasons to unlock your phone are:

• There are many websites and shops that unlock your phone for around �5.

• You can change SIM card whenever, wherever you like.

• Changing your SIM can save you money, different networks offer different tariffs.

• When you buy a new phone, unlocking your old phone to sell it, or giving it to a friend, means that you will either get a lot more money for the phone (you will attract more people rather then just one group of people on the same network) or you will be able to give the phone away without hassle. Your friend can keep the same card and number.

• You don't have to take the phone with you to most shops, and you won't have to send anything off to websites! It is all done remotely, and you receive your codes within 25 hours. All you need is a few details about your phone!

Reasons why not to unlock your phone:

• There are no reasons!

• The price? No! It doesn't have to cost as much as �5! Many places including my website offer unlocking for a lot of phones for a very small amount!

• You can buy software to unlock you phone for very cheap prices, and the software works for unlimited use!

• Buy cables for your phone to update and flash your phone!

So unlock your phone now!

Resources:

• www.unlockcentral.cjb.net

• www.ucables.com

About The Author

Jonathan Nathanson

I am a webmaster and I own many sites all to do with mobile phones and web design. I also own gaming sites and clans.

www.bckdesign.cjb.net; www.bckteam.cjb.net; www.unlockcentral.cjb.net

paddywak666@hotmail.com

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DREAM IT, CREATE IT, BECOME IT

If you've been reading my newsletter for awhile, you know that I continue to incorporate and teach the 'how to' principles behind successfully achieving our goals and dreams. One important piece of wisdom I've gained is that nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until we first have a dream. But even when we have a dream, we can't begin manifesting it until some important first steps are taken to lay the groundwork. To make a dream come true, what's interesting is that we don't have to initially know HOW we are going to do it. Instead, the first critical steps to achieving a dream are:

A clear and precise vision of the dream.

Sort of the big picture or overview of what you want.

"First we conceive, then we believe."

Articulation and expression of the dream.

Exchanging the feelings of fear, uncertainty, failure,

or overwhelm, with ones of excitement and joy.

Creating belief in your dream.

For example, you might have the dream of permanently overcoming your eating behaviors. Yet, until you articulate it, then begin regularly seeing and feeling the joy of it, the dream remains vague and distant. If the feelings surrounding your dream are ones of apprehension, fear, overwhelm, or indecision, your dream doesn't have a chance of developing. As long as your dream stays enveloped in a fear state, your chances of achieving it are minuscule. To make a dream come true, there's some work to be done first on your thinking patterns, then your emotions, and eventually you build to a belief in the dream and yourself.

WHAT IS A DREAM BOARD?

One simple, and powerful, way of making your dreams come true is to create a visual representation of your goal outcome. Dream Boards are great tools to help see your goals vividly and stimulate your brain. A Dream Board is a visual picture of the dreams you have for your life. A dream board is a large poster board onto which you place pictures of what you want to create.

For example, if your goal is overcoming an eating disorder or losing weight, take a little time and ask yourself some meaningful questions.

What would achieving your goal mean to you?

How would it look?

How would life be different?

What strengths would you have?

What would achieving your goal bring into your life?

Notice what images come to mind. From these images you can begin to write down the goal you wish to achieve. Remember to make it positive and in the present tense. The next step is to create a visual embodiment of your goal. The key is finding pictures that will reflect you already in possession of your desired goals. Just as writing down goals will help you crystallize success in your mind, so will visualizing through your Dream Board.

WHY DO DREAM BOARDS WORK?

Have you ever heard that a picture is worth a thousand words? Looking at the pictures which illustrate your success, over and over again, will help manifest your dream. Repetition is key here. Recall all of the advertisements you see on television and in magazines. Ask yourself, "Why would a company spend millions of dollars in television advertisements to sell a .99 cent hamburger?" The answer is that they spend that kind of money because it is proven that the repeated images of their hamburger will change your spending and eating behavior.

Marketing research has confirmed that people will buy just about anything, if they are shown that image enough times. For one person that may be just one or two viewings. For another person, it may be one thousand repeated images. How many impressions will it take for you to achieve your goal? View your Dream Board as often as needed and for as long as needed to help you begin to believe in your dream.

CREATE DREAM BOARD

Use Dream Boards with your goals to increase your success. The following are your needed tools to create your Dream Board:

1. Purchase a large poster board in whatever color you like. Also pick up a glue stick and a pair of scissors.

2. Gather an assortment of old magazines, pictures, catalogs, and snap shots.

3. Take some time and create a space where you can relax and have fun. Brew a cup of hot tea, light a candle, put on music that speaks to you. Breath deeply, close your eyes, and imagine the goal you wish to achieve. Allow your senses to play with your dream.

4. Now open your eyes and begin to view the magazines. Tear out any pictures, words, phrases, and thoughts that inspire you. Don't think about it too much. Simply go through the magazines and remove anything that grasps your attention. Pull out pictures, images, words, and phrases that excite and motivate you to reach your destiny. Along with the pictures, it also helps to add motivational statements that spell out the goals you wish for yourself.

5. Take your time. Give yourself a few hours or an evening to do this project. After you feel you've reached a stopping point, use the scissors and cut out the words and images.

6. After you have cut out the pictures and phrases, glue or paste them on your poster board.

7. Have fun doing it! Enjoy yourself! Let you imagination be your guide. If you really want to make this a fun experience, invite several of your closest friends over to join you in the process. You could create a Dream Board party.

8. Once your board is completed, activate your Dream Board: put it in a place that you can look at it often for a month or two. Perhaps in your office or in your bedroom where you will view it daily. Or maybe even tack it to the ceiling above your bed. As time passes, feel free to add to your board, or paste over what doesn't work. Make it come alive by dwelling on it every now and then when inspired. You could make it the first thing you look at in the morning, and the last thing you view before going to sleep. As you concentrate on these visual images of what you want, add a sense of peace and joy. Smile. Inhale the sensation of you having exactly what you want. Allow your subconscious mind to help you achieve your goals.

Copyright 2005, Dr. Annette Colby, all rights reserved.

Dr. Annette Colby, RD
Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Healer
Annette@AnnetteColby.com
972.985.8750

"Opening Creative Portals to Success"

For free inspirational newsletter, articles & info visit:http://www.LovingMiracles.com

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Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized ?in the name of Jesus Christ.? And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call. --ACTS 2:38-39

Approximately two thousand years ago, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed the truth that is at the very heart of the lighthouse ministries. The gift and ministry of the Holy Spirit is the most important truth any believer can receive.

The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody knew this well. "One day in New York-what a day!" he once declared. "I can't describe it. I seldom refer to it. It was almost too sacred to name. I can only say God revealed Himself to me. I had such an experience of love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.

"I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different. I did not present any new truth. Yet hundreds were converted. I would not go back where I was before that blessed experience if you would give me Glasgow."

The Holy Spirit is the key to revival and awakening because He is the key to supernatural living. Apart from living in the fullness of the Spirit, the believer has no power to introduce others to Christ. The Holy Spirit is convicting many Christians of their lethargy, their cold-ness of heart, their unbelief, the loss of their first love. A spiritual explosion is spreading the Good News of Christ far and wide throughout the world. There is a resurgence in evangelism unparalleled in church history, as we endeavor-in the power of the Holy Spirit-to help fulfill the Great Commission.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, lighthouses for Christ are beaming the greatest of all news not only to their neighbors, but also to "all who are far off."

Bill Bright Products Books, Music, Videos up to 30% Off!
http://freedomonline.spreadtheword.com/store/SearchAllSimpleNEW/asp/strSearch/Bill%20Bright

Earn Income, Ministry Funding, Answer God's Calling!

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What will it take to get you to perform better golf? I'll bet you've tried the gimmicky golf training aids. Did they work? How about equipment? How many drivers do you have in your garage? Am I getting your attention yet?

My approach to perform better golf is through training your BODY, not buying more equipment or taking more lessons. It is your BODY that plays the game, so focus on it and the sky is the limit.

I want you to think of yourself as an athlete. You probably were one at some point in your life. Did you ever do a workout for that sport you participated in? I'll be the answer is yes.

Well now your sport is golf. And to perform better golf means training specific to golf. Not going into a gym and plopping down on a machine. Not working out like a body builder. But doing exercises that are very similar to your golf swing with resistance.

It angers me when I see all these so-called golf fitness books, programs and websites that say they are for golfers, but when I look into them, they are all just general fitness programs. I don't want you to waste your time with programs like this.

I want you to do exercises that will have an immediate impact on your game. That will give you the quickest return on your time and money investment. Doesn't that sound like a winner?

I have spent the better part of the last decade developing programs, books, dvds and online sites to both educate the golfer and give them easy-to-implement golf fitness exercises and programs that will have a direct impact on their game.

To perform better golf you need to take this approach. If you aren't a believer yet, just ask yourself if your game has improved in the last 6 months. Be honest. Has it? If not, what are you currently doing that you need to change?

Training your body with light weights, exercise tubing, medicine balls and exercise balls is the easiest, and most affordable way to accomplish your golfing goals.

Just make sure when researching programs whether it be on the net or in a bookstore, that they don't spend all their time saying how great they are; or how "comprehensive" their programs are?but instead talk to you directly.

After reading this article?don't hesitate for a second. Get on Google or MSN or even Yahoo and type in Golf Fitness or Golf Training and see what's out there. Usually the ones near the top are the most credible. Spend a little time researching these results.

FYI - Don't be mislead by the results at the very top of the page. They are "paid ads". To avoid wasting time with these, go to the first couple of 'real results' right below the highlightedones.

Your end goal is to perform better golf!

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf fitness site - Perform Better Golf.

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"comprehensive" accomplish affordable approach article?don't athlete attention believer bookstore builder country credible currently cutting-edge developing easiest easy-to-implement equipment equipment? exercise

In today's world, a web site is virtually mandatory for any successful business. But there are web sites that will win you customers, and there are web sites that will lose you customers. Good design has a lot to do with which category your web site will fall into. But what is it that makes good or bad web site design? In my personal opinion, a good web site is one that's simple, informative and gives me a reason to come back frequently. That's what you should get from a good web designer/writer team. Bad sites, on the other hand, are complicated to use, slow loading, confusing or just plain annoying. Here's a list of my personal top 7 turn-offs as far as web site design is concerned:

1. Slow loading pages

Studies have shown that you have less than ten seconds to grab a visitor's attention. If your web page hasn't finished loading within that (very short) amount of time, you might as well forget about it. The main culprit I've found here are huge, slow-loading graphics, especially when they are embedded in tables. If large images are absolutely vital to presenting your business, compromise by adding thumbnails to the main page and allow the visitor to click on them to access the main image. Nobody minds a longer loading time, as long as it's them who can make that choice.

2. No contact information

As I've already mentioned in my article "Do's and don'ts of web site copy", one of my pet peeves is a web site that has no contact information accessible form the main page. If I can't get in touch with a company quickly and easily, chances are that I'll go to the competition. My advice is to have a whole page dedicated to contact information - address, phone, fax, email, and preferably a map of where you can be found (remember item #1, though - no huge graphics!) And please, don't use a graphic to display that information in a particularly clever way. I like to copy and paste that information directly from the web page to my contact management program. If I can't do that, you'll likely never hear form me - and all other customers who do the same!

3. Difficult to navigate

Don't try to be clever with navigational features. Simple text links or, if you prefer, quick-loading graphics are perfectly good means of allowing a visitor to navigate your site. Anything that requires interactive navigation, like menus that expand into sub-menus, sub-sub-menus and so on, is more an indication of a wrong information architecture than of a true need for complicated navigational features.

4. Non-HTML features

Don't get me started on this one. I've got a firewall on my computer, and my browser is set to block all those little nasty things that can mess with my PC. As a result I come across many a site that won't display or function properly, because it relies on features like JavaScript, Cookies, Interactive Headers or Java Applets. None of these are necessary to build a good web site, and unless you want your web site to lose you potential customers, you shouldn't use them. Or, if you absolutely have to, make sure that they are not integral parts of the web site!

5. Huge splash page

Another pet peeve of mine. As mentioned earlier, you have less than ten seconds to get your message across. Now guess how many visitors are going to wait longer than that just to watch a fancy animation? 'Nuff said.

6. Pop-up ads

A huge turn-off as far as I'm concerned. As a matter of fact, I've got a pop-up blocker installed on my PC, so if your web site tried to tell me something important via a pop-up window, I'd never even see it. If you feel that you have to use pop-ups, consider going for the less intrusive (and annoying) pop-under windows instead.

7. Sideways scrolling

Not everybody has a monitor with the same screen resolution as you, so make sure that your web site displays on monitors with a lower resolution without forcing your visitor to scroll sideways. It's a singularly annoying thing, and chances are that you'll lose those visitors very quickly. Or, if you have information in a column on the right side of your web site, it may simply never appear on the screen.

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Need online copy that gets results? Frauke Nonnenmacher is a copywriter who specialises in clear, informative and persuasive web copy. For more information, please visit her web site at http://creativecats.sectorlink.org/tracking.pl?article3
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

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I've been teaching people how to buy foreclosure properties for a long time.

And we all make the biggest profits on the deals that we rehab the right way.

But this does NOT mean what you might think!

The right way to rehab any property is by using a new business credit card or business line of credit, NOT your personal cash.

Most new real estate investors leave a lot of money on the table when they quickly buy and sell foreclosed houses.

Why do they do this?

Because they cut corners on the rehab work when they exhaust their personal supply of cash.

It can be scary for some people to do the rehab the right way and SINK $50,000 of their own cash into a project. And then wait for the house to be sold.

But a rehabbed house with a nice JACUZZI style bath tub sells for much more than the cost to put one in.

Most people just don't have the money to do it right when they're starting out as investors.

So here's THE SOLUTION!

Learn how easy it is to get business credit cards and business lines of credit.

Because you'll never run out of cash for your next rehab if you use my SYSTEM to set yourself up as the owner of a TRUE real estate business.

And by the way, you can use this cash to buy houses without going to the bank for a mortgage or you can use it for down payment money when you want traditional financing.

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RIGHT NOW I am going to make you an irresistible offer!!!

I will teach you EXACTLY how to find real estate that is in foreclosure, AND I will give you my program HOW TO GET BUSINESS LINES OF CREDIT for FREE.

WOW, did I just say I would give you the system I created for getting new business lines of credit for FREE?

Yes I did!

When you get my complete home study 6 hour system for how to CASH in on real estate foreclosures, I will give you the MONEY SYSTEM for FREE.

And I will GIVE YOU the MONEY system for FREE.

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Can you see how much money it's possible for you to make in real estate if you can get your hands on several nice business lines of credit.

This is the best loop hole available to the average investor.

When you use my business SYSTEM you can get invisible money.

It's invisible because it can't be reported on your personal credit score.

So no matter how much cash you use from these business lines of credit, no one will know!

My SYSTEM will even tell you exactly which 8 banks I use to get these business lines of credit.

This is my SECRET bank resource list I ONLY share with my clients.

Anything you want in life is possible when your making money in the real estate business!

I will guarantee your success or your money back. I will even personally teach you how to find these foreclosure deals with my LIVE telephone coaching.

YOU CANNOT LOSE with my help on the other end of the phone.

Sincerely, Thomas Kish.President of CashFlowExperts.Biz

Tom is a full time real estate investor. He has bought and sold over 5 million dollars worth of real estate in less than 2 years.

Tom is an expert in using new business lines of credit instead of cash to buy real estate. There is no one else teaching anything like this SYSTEM!

To learn more go to: http://cashflowexperts.biz/cmd.asp?ad=137545

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