Five Signs that Your Local Marketing Needs a Tune-up
Local marketing is a powerful tool that can help any business generate leads and close new business at a local level. It is an unreasonable expectation to think that most business people will be highly skilled in the fine art of local marketing so here’s a quick snapshot of some pointers that may indicate that your local marketing could do with a tune up.
1.Your business is mono-tactical in its approach to generating leads and winning new business. This is quite common – especially amongst small businesses. For example a local plumber may advertise in the local classifieds to generate 100% of his leads and sales. Some companies may use a handful of local marketing tactics. The point here is that your business will go from strength to strength if it increases the actual number of local marketing tactics used.
2.Your company doesn’t have a local marketing budget allocated, but instead will look at opportunities as they arise. This is another popular approach amongst franchisees and small businesses. The key here is that there is no pro-activeness in funding and executing local marketing strategies on a regular basis. Imagine the possibilities that arise when you regularly allocate funds to local marketing programs.
3. Your firm is oblivious to peaks and troughs in your revenue cycle and schedules local marketing activities without thinking about the impact they may have at various times of the year. Just as you wouldn’t dare plant carrots in June because they won’t grow, there my be times during the year when local marketing will have a minimal impact on your target market whilst at other times clients will be falling all over themselves to do business with you. Identifying these cycles and making the most out of them is the key to being successful.
4.Your company doesn’t track the return on investment it gets from any local marketing activity that it implements. This is possibly the biggest local marketing sin a business can commit. Without a formal review of the success of local marketing activities undertaken a company can’t realistically make a well considered decision to replicate or reject a tactic that it has used.
5.Your business doesn’t have a formal, conscious plan that incorporates the use of other people’s people and other people’s money. Your suppliers, local business associations, sponsorship properties and even charitable organisations have much power in being able to assist you in successfully marketing your business throughout your local territory. By identifying ways to use other people’s people, money, resources, advertising, business relationships, time and capital a company can expand its local marketing capability and reach.
So there you have it – some common local marketing mistakes that franchisees and small businesses tend to make and some of the ways to overcome them. By addressing one or more of these five areas a company can positively impact the number of leads and new sales it can attract through local marketing activities.
For more information about local marketing and local area marketing planning, contact Greg Mullane, Marketing Manager, LAM Plan
Sphere: Related ContentGoogle Local Review – also works in Brisbane
Google have a nice little service called Google Local which integrates into Google Maps. You can register your business for free and if someone does a search on your business type, you will be listed with a map of the local area and a flag pointing to your location.
The process works as follows:
1. Sign up here (you may need to get yourself a free Google account). Make sure you write down your username and password. You will need these details in 3-4 weeks.
2. Register your business details – remember it is free.
3. In about 3-4 weeks you will receive a nifty little postcard in the snail mail post all the way from the USA. It has a secret code on it to activate your account. This is a listing security measure.
4. Go back to your listing and activate the entry.
That’s it !
The thing that I love about Google Local is that you can easily select a service provider by location. The example I’ve put here is for pizza in Brisbane.
It’s not without it’s flaws though. The top listing for brothels in Brisbane is a Rover Cars web site. The 4th listing is for soccer uniforms. Maybe some evil marketing genius knows something we don’t.
Sign up today, it’s free and it’s cool.
Linux Training – Running Linux from a Live Bootable CD
One of the easiest, fastest and fun ways to get Linux training, and get experience working with Linux, is to use a Linux live CD / DVD. This is just a single CD or DVD that contains the complete Linux operating system!
You just put the Linux live CD / DVD in your drive, start your system, and the entire Linux operating system boots and runs automatically.
You can work on a Linux desktop, run Linux software programs and go to the Linux command line to run Linux commands – the way the real pros do Linux administration.
There is no Linux installation required!
To run a Linux live version, you need to be able to boot from CD or DVD, but that shouldn’t be any problem. Lots of systems are set up to automatically boot from CD or DVD and you may not need to do anything. But on some systems, you need to change a system setting or hold down a key, like the letter “c” to boot from a Linux live CD / DVD.
Another great thing about Linux live CDs / DVDs is that they’re real cheap! So you can try lots of different Linux distributions (versions) to see which one you like the best.
Linux Tip: To get a Linux live CD or DVD, do an Internet search for “linux live cd”. Look through the list to see which Linux distribution you want. You may even want to get several! You can get them mailed to any place on the planet for a very reasonable price.
Experiment away and have fun trying out lots of different Linux live CDs / DVDs. See which Linux versions, desktops and programs you like. This is an excellent way to learn Linux and get hands-on Linux experience at the same time. Just put the CD / DVD in the drive and boot! — Clyde Boom, Author and Expert Trainer with 20+ Years of Training Successes.
Watch Free Sample I Learn Linux Video Tutorials now at http://www.iLearnLinux.com/ and get over the steep Linux learning curve (tra).
Sign up Now for Free I Learn Linux News to receive Linux tips! Source: http://www.articletrader.com
Sphere: Related ContentIf You Apply These Five Advanced Article Marketing Tips You Can Create Your Own Web Traffic Storm
Posting articles on article distribution sites is one of the latest methods that web site owners and SEO experts employ to get more and better quality traffic. Articles allow you to get multiple quality one-way links with a lost less effort and better results than link exchanges. By consistently applying the following tips you will increase you web site traffic.
Invest time in a great headline. A catchy headline that offers the reader a real benefit will draw readers and visitors. Use concrete and credible words that make the reader excited about reading the article. Words like “free’, “amazing” and “new” are often overused and are less likely to draw cynical readers.
Try to be specific, beneficial and believable. “How to travel in luxury and see the best sites in Sydney for less than $30 per day” is a good example of a specific, beneficial and believable headline.
Work on your signature/bio. Second only to the title, the anchor text in your bio is the most important part of your article. The anchor text should include that key word phrase that you want to rank highly on in the search engine results page. If you want to rank highly on the term “Sydney limousine hire” then make damned sure Sydney limousine hire is a part of the bio and that that phrase describes the link to your web site. Look at the resource box for this article and try to work out what keyword phrase I am trying to rank highly on.
Register a Google alert. To track your progress in Google, register a Google alert for the headline of the article you are about to submit. When you register the alert, make sure you put the title of your article in quotes. Each day Google will send you an e-mail showing where your article’s headline appears. You should start to see results in 3-4 days.
You will be stunned where you article shows up, often in sites where you didn’t submit it. This is because many article directories syndicate their content to other web sites. By registering a Google alert you will also be able to track down article thieves who copy you work and submit it as their own.
Register with multiple article submission sites. The most time consuming part of article submission is the initial registration process with the article directories. Once it is done, you can keep on using the same directories to post your articles (it’s probably easier to use the same username and password for every site).
To find the good article directories, go to your favourite search engine and search on “list of article directories”. Aim to register with at least 50 different directories. For an excellent list of directories with good PageRank, send an e-mail to directories@searchtempo.com
Experience shows that an article submitted to 50 different article directories with reasonable page rank should generate over 200 back links within 3-6 months. This is good news for your Page Rank and for generating organic traffic.
Automate the process with macros. You can save heaps of time by using macro software to paste your article text into the submission forms on article directories. A very useful application is called Hot Keyboard Pro. You can trial it for 21 days.
With this software you can program different keys to perform different tasks. For example, you could program F1 to paste in the title, F2 to paste in the article summary, F3 to paste in the article body, F4 to paste in the author’s bio/resource text and F5 to paste in the article keywords.
With practice your macros should enable you to submit to 50 sites per hour.
John Hacking is Product Manager for the Brisbane search engine optimisation and search engine marketing firm, Search Tempo. To submit your sales and marketing related articles, please submit your article here.
Sphere: Related ContentThailand History and Geographic Facts
Thailand can be divided into four geographical regions. In the north are mountain ranges and deep valleys in which are the sources of Thailand’s principal river, the Chao Phraya. The mountains are covered with forests of teak and evergreens. In central Thailand is the plain of the Chao Phraya. This is the most densely populated region, and it has the most fertile farm land. In the east is the Khorat Plateau, a high, stony plain, where cattle, hogs, buffaloes and horses are run. The fourth region of Thailand is the part that lies on the Malay Peninsula, which is mountainous and contains the main tin and other mineral deposits.
The climate of Thailand is tropical. It is governed largely by the monsoon, a wind that blows from the southwest from May to November, bringing a warm, rainy season, and from the northeast from November to March, bringing a dry and cooler season. The months of April and May, between the monsoon seasons, are the hottest of the year.
Thailand has many wild and strange animals, including more than a thousand varieties of brightly coloured birds. It is famous for the elephant, which is the national symbol of the country and is protected by law. The so called white elephant (which is really a lighter shade of grey) is considered sacred. A favorite animal from Thailand is the Siamese cat. Thailand used to be name Siam.
The largest city of Thailand, and the capital, is Bangkok. It is a modern city located about 25 miles inland from the ocean at the delta of the Menam River. It is a harbor and center of trade, and has a population of more than 1,500,000. Several international airlines connecting Asia with the United States and Europe make regular stops at Don Muang airport, which is one of the largest and most modern in Asia. Other important cities are Khon Kaen, Buriram, and Thonburi.
How the People are Governed
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, which means that it has a king, a parliament that makes the laws, and a constitution that protects the rights of the people. There is a prime minister, who is the head of the government, and a Council of Ministers who assist him. The first constitution of 1932 was suspended in 1958 after repeated disorders, and a constitutional assembly was formed in 1959 to draft a new and better constitution. Thailand is divided into provinces called changwats, each of which is governed by a commissioner who is responsible to the Council of Ministers.
Everyone must go to school between the ages of 7 and 14. There are many elementary and high schools, and there are five universities, including a medical school. Three of these are located in Bangkok. There are also military, naval, and police academies. More than half of the people of Thailand can read and write.
Thailand in the Past
In ancient times Thailand was a land of independent city-states. These were usually at war with the Mongols and the Burmese. The greatest of the city-states was Ayutthaya, which became strong in the 1300s and won much territory from neighboring states. Marco Polo visited Ayutthaya, and many other Europeans came to trade with the Siamese, including Dutch, English, and French. After four hundred years of prosperity, Ayutthaya was invaded and conquered by the Burmese, in 1767.
Another city-state arose at Thonburi, and in 1782 a Thai king arose who was the founder of the present Thailand dynasty, or family of kings. He was Rama I, and he established Bangkok as his capital. During the 1800s European nations were establishing claims to territories all around Thailand. The king was forced to give up Laos and Cambodia to France, and parts of the Malay Peninsula to Great Britain, but Thailand never gave up its independence.
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Sphere: Related ContentMore Fax Spam – This Time from Prospect Marketing for Destinationsrus
![dru fax[1]](http://www.amityoil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/dru-fax1.jpg)
I’m really getting fed up with fax spammers. I get up in the morning, I walk into my office and often there is a wad of junk faxes waiting for me from domain name companies, water cooler companies, debt collectors and recruitment companies.
This time it was a promotion for a company called destinationrus for a holiday in Fiji. Apart from the waste of toner and paper, the thing I really object to is that it cost me 2 minutes and a phone call to try to get off the list. And when I do ask for a removal, it doesn’t mean it happens.
Destinationsrus appear to be using a fax spamming company called Prospect Marketing. In fact, Prospect Marketing use Destinationsrus as a glowing example of how to layout a good spam fax. These spam faxes cost about $750 for 10,000 faxes. Talk about a waste of paper and the irresponsible generation of green-house gases !
If the Rudd Government want to really get some brownie points before Christmas, announce a do-not-fax register along the lines of the amazingly popular do-not-call register. It will be a sure-fire winner.
Comments please 
Is every stainless steel bottle created equal? Protecting your health and the planet
There are two stainless steel mixing bowls in my kitchen cupboard. One feels more solid and has aged gracefully with use, the scratches are almost absorbed into the worn smooth metal surface, and it remains a grayish stainless steel colour. The second, purchased at a discount store, has taken a distinct yellow tinge and is displaying tarnish, its surface seeming artificially glossy.
I understand now that there are different grades of stainless steel and the quality will affect how it wears and what toxins it may impart to food or liquids contained in it. How will this quality affect my choice of a stainless steel drink bottle? There are important features to look for when choosing a reusable stainless steel bottle
Stainless steel is always made using chromium, because it is what makes steel “stainless”. Other elements are also employed including nickel, nitrogen and molybdenum. These elements can leech into liquids, so it is very important that the bottle is made from high quality, 18/8 food-grade stainless steel – but also that you trust the manufacturer is telling the truth when they say what the bottle is made from. Some will claim to make the bottle from the thinnest and cheapest stainless steel they can in order to cut manufacturing costs and hence pump up profits.
Other features are also important:
- Are the lids made from a BPA free plastic?
- Can you see sharp corners or joins inside where dirt and bacteria can build up?
- Is the thread around the screw top easily cleaned?
- Will the lid leak and can you buy a replacement lid without buying a whole new bottle?
- Does the manufacturer provide a guarantee?
Consider who the manufacturer is. Do they have a long history of quality, who are the real people behind the company and what is their story? In 2004, Klean Kanteen was the first company to make a water bottle from stainless steel. They have continued to lead the way with innovative stainless steel products. Another leading sports hydration company making high quality stainless steel bottles is Nathan, using a clever straw drinking mechanism. Perhaps the grandparent of all stainless steel is Thermos, whose name has become synonymous with insulated bottles for hot water. Many of us grew up taking “the thermos” on a picnic.
From an environmental point of view, is a stainless steel bottle more eco friendly than a plastic bottle? A Life Cycle assessment study published in the New York Times in 2009, considered the environmental and health impact of stainless steel bottle from the extraction and processing of its ingredients, to its manufacture, distribution, use and final disposal. It found that if your stainless steel bottle takes the place of 50 plastic bottles, the climate is better off.
From a human point of view, who made the bottle and was that person treated fairly and compensated for their time. This is the hardest criteria to judge because few of us can actually visit the factories in China where most of the bottles are made. We can at least always go to the manufacturer’s website and ensure they have published a statement about their factory and worker conditions. Again, as with most things in life, we have to make a judgement call on whether we trust the company and what they are saying.
Written by Tracey Bailey, Founder of Biome eco friendly retail stores.
Sphere: Related ContentWhat is Polished Concrete ?
Concrete floor polishing was initially used for a matter of function in commercial buildings and warehouses as it increases lighting using the natural reflection off the floor, eliminates dusting and is extremely low maintenance saving time and money. Polished concrete techniques have progressed and technology now allows a qualified contractor to add colour and different finishes to the concrete making each floor unique which has made polished concrete floors the sought after flooring solution for residential, retail and office buildings as it is functional and visually appealing.
Concrete is made from natural materials and can also be mixed with some recycled materials; the concrete itself can also be recycled. Concrete is so versatile as its durable, the materials are readily available and it can take in then release heat better than other floor coverings as concrete polishing doesn’t affect the thermal mass of the floor which is a property that enables materials to absorb, store than release heat.
The materials in concrete absorb the energy slowly and hold it for a long period of time which can help to reduce heating and cooling requirements. Concrete floor polishing eliminates any need for additional floor coverings, all of which would require manufacturing and transportation so polished concrete reduces the effects on the environment. Depending of the quality and condition of the concrete, polished concrete has a longer life cycle than traditional floor coverings and if correctly installed by a qualified specialist in concrete floor polishing it can last forever which reduces the environmental waste which would be caused by replacing carpet, vinyl and tiles.
A polished concrete floor will resemble a polished stone floor; with a high-gloss finish the floor will have a mirror like effect. Polished concrete floors also improve the air quality, unlike carpet it doesn’t trap pollutants or bacteria and the surface is reflective which will reduce the need for unnatural lighting. Polished concrete has many more benefits which cannot be achieved from any other traditional floor covering. The concrete floor polishing process uses non-toxic chemicals, and no sealers or solvents are required.
Concrete floor polishing is created by processing the concrete surface by means of a mechanical process which involves grinding and refining the surface using diamonds till a desired finish is achieved, this process takes some time and only a qualified specialist in concrete floor polishing should be appointed to install a polished concrete floor. Polished concrete enhances the new or existing concrete which reduces the use of energy draining manufacturing processes and fossil fuels used for traditional floor coverings.
There are many different results that come from polished concrete floors by using multiple abrasives which are measured in grits which are generally applied from roughest to finest and each density will refine the surface in preparation for the desired finish. A specialist in concrete floor polishing may use up to nine different grits to achieve the durability, reflection and clarity of polished concrete and will apply a densifier which has a chemical reaction in the concrete resulting in a hard crystalline structure making the concrete floor more durable and resistant to stains, offers extra protection to the floor and prevents water from penetrating the surface. These reasons and more are why polished concrete is the eco-friendly and sustainable flooring solution which cannot be compared to any other flooring option available.
Concrete flooring is a great option. If you are considering polished concrete on the Gold Coast or concrete polishing on the Gold Coast , and would like a free onsite evaluation call (07) 5549 3573 now. We have offer our unique high-gloss finished backed with a 10 year warranty in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Sphere: Related ContentGet Married in Paradise? So many choices for your and your wedding party!
When you get married, it is all about the love, sharing that special day with your partner, family and friends. However, as air fares get cheaper and destinations more accessible, it is becoming more and more common for couples to take their weddings off-shore, or off-state to a new and romantic location.
Why is this becoming popular? Firstly, it allows you tailor your wedding around a favourite holiday destination or place of significance. Did you dream of getting married on the beach, frangipanis in your hair and a golden sunset, but you are stuck in the city? Dream no more, tropical weddings are affordable and professional with many tropical destinations offering specialist wedding and honeymoon packages.
Destinational wedding packages can be tailored to suit your dreams. From romantic couple only escapes to complete family and friends getaways.
When thinking of taking your wedding away, beachside nuptials appear to be the preferred escape and Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the perfect destination. Cairns offers happy couples a variety of options. A ceremony on the beach, with the sand between your toes, or something more formal in a seaside chapel, followed by a beach reception with tables set up in the sand. Arrive by car, or for something different, you can kayak or even sky dive into your nuptials. Many couples have experienced the thrill of this in Cairns, Australia and it brings a whole new meaning to pre-wedding jitters or nerves.
Is this not close enough to the water for you? In Cairns, you can even get married underwater, while diving the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t believe me! ~ It has been done, underwater photographers are available to capture your special moment with nemo and a graceful sea turtle as your witness.
If that is too extreme, but you want to include a visit to the Reef in your destinational wedding, then simply plan a half day or full day trip around your nuptials. There are plenty of combinations available in Cairns Australia, from a helicopter trip to an isolated coral cay, to an exclusive charter taking you to a remote, pristine coral reef.
What about your guests? Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are considered a must visit destination for many people. Everyone wants to go there, most just need an excuse. Make your wedding a trip of a lifetime for you and your guests by bringing them to Cairns.
As well as being a part of your special day, this tropical paradise offers a range of exciting activities. Reef trips, rainforest excursions, beach horse riding, tropical taste tours and some of the world’s leading spa retreats are all found here.
If you lean more green than blue in your wedding choices, Cairns is the only place on earth where World Heritage tropical rainforest slides down to meet the golden beaches and fringes of the Great Barrier Reef.
These are the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests and you can get married here, celebrating your love in this pristine nature’s paradise. Let towering cathedral figs be your altar, mossy pavers your aisle and falling leaves your confetti. Rainforest weddings can be as formal or informal as you like. A range of chapels are nestled amongst the greenery for more traditional ceremonies, or slip off your shoes and take your celebrant somewhere remote for a memorable ceremony.
Your guests will thank you for bringing them to this amazing tropical paradise. When they are not at your wedding, they can enjoy luxurious accommodation, explore the reef and rainforest, cuddle a koala or even take an outback tour.
There are many activities to choose from that the wedding party and guests can enjoy. There could be activities such as shopping, snorkeling, boat rides, guided tours or even wine tasting. Just keep in mind that it is typically the bride or groom or their families footing the bill so be sure not to tell your guests the cost of the bill because they more than likely would feel uncomfortable having someone else paying for them.
The great part of destination weddings is that it is usually more intimate and typically only the close family and friends come. So you could have more personal activities. You could have a sleepover the night before the wedding and have everyone over to the hotel for movies, drinks, and popcorn.
Just remember that for many of your guests your destination wedding may double as their vacation. So be sure to find out their plans so that you don’t over book. Some guests may choose to plan their own activities.
Any activities you choose, your destination wedding will be sure to be special and a long lasting memory for many years to come.
When planning your destinational wedding, make sure you use a professional Cairns wedding photographer, because you will want to capture your Cairns Wedding Photography in the best possible light. Photographers can also capture amazing images of you, whilst scuba diving in Cairns
Sphere: Related ContentCommunicating a Service Offering in Cairns
Because services are not touchable, marketing communications for services do more than sell services. Communications make services more tangible, and present prospects something firm to measure.
As a result, marketing communications for most services haul around a heavier burden than communications for products. A bright red Porsche 911 convertible, for example, chants loudly and beautifully for itself. Very few services speak for themselves at all.
We implicitly give trust to most products. We trust that our new tyres won’t explode, our brown sugar will taste sweet, and our aspirin will reduce our headaches without bad side effects. But we are far less trusting and certain about most services.
We worry that our solicitors and auto mechanics will toil on our behalf more than necessary, and charge more than is warranted. We are concerned that the latest weight loss service will fail, just like the five before it. We worry that our remodelers will extend their budget and complete the job weeks after they promised. We worry that the collection agency we engage for our service will badger our clients worth keeping and collect only a small part of our outstanding receivables.
So unlike communicating about products, communicating about services must make the service more tangible and real, and must soothe the worried prospect. It’s not like selling Porsche automobiles.
For more information about services marketing and making services more concrete, visit Rob Johnson’s Twitter page. Sponsored by Rob Johnson of http://seocairns.seovoodoo.com.au/
Sphere: Related ContentRaising Donations Using Direct Mail
A direct mail campaign is often the most practical way to reach many donors. Sending letters also is a simple way to campaign. There is no need to recruit, train, manage and motivate a large workforce. A few talented individuals can run the entire operation. And you will find you will get a lot more volunteers to fold and stuff envelopes than to cold-call potential contributors. That’s not to say all one must do is write a letter, post or e-mail it, and wait for the returns.
What makes mail fundraising campaigns difficult is that they are one-sided. No allowance exists for a campaign worker to personally motivate prospects. The most enthusiastic letter simply cannot match the give-and-take between a skilled fundraiser and an open-minded potential supporter. Lacking aggressive salesmanship, only minimum gifts can be expected, no matter how well written the solicitation letter and enclosures may be.
Here’s another angle to ponder. Assume that I’m a small-donation prospect with some interest in your charity. There’s a good chance that I’ll donate generously to your appeal if you knock on my door or phone because your enthusiasm and presentation will be hard to resist. And how many other organisations will solicit me in these ways? Very few. But send me a solicitation letter and you place your request in the midst of enormous competition for my same donation dollar. And because it’s a letter, I have little problem withstanding its impersonal nature. If your organisation is not among my very favorites, you won’t receive a contribution of any consequence.
You see, although I think highly of your organisation, I have a desk covered with fundraising letters, from the best known national charities to all sorts of noteworthy regional and local groups. I am overwhelmed with mail appeals. After sorting through them and making my top-ranked selections, I find my charitable budget is about depleted. But I still care about your cause, so here’s five dollars to show you my heart’s in the right place.
With these factors as a downside, letter solicitations produce highly profitable income derived from small-gifts for organizations that plan and carry out meticulous programs. However, first-class mailing programs get extremely involved, both creatively and from a marketing standpoint. There are six elements to understand before considering a direct mail campaign:
1. Fundraising by mail is an ongoing component of annual fundraising programs. In capital campaigning, letter writing is a tool for wrapping up an appeal and giving thanks.
2. Ongoing mail appeals focus equally on retaining and upgrading present contributors while discovering and cultivating new prospects to make up for donors lost to attrition and to enlarge the donor pool. Present givers won’t always be an available source of funding.
3. Donors via mail don’t come free. Depending on the package, to obtain a new contributor, you can spend from $1.30 to $1.60 (or more) for each initial dollar raised from that person.
4. Mail programs are long-term propositions and instant financial rewards are unusual.
5. Be clear who you designate as a donor and who you label a prospect. Donors are people currently contributing to your campaign. Someone who gave you a gift two years ago or a person who once contributed a painting to your auction are prospects, not donors. Get used to thinking of three distinct groups: current donors, past donor prospects, and new prospects.
6. Some prospects have more interest in and knowledge about an organisation than others. Cultivated potential donors are first approached because they represent the highest rate of return. For instance, a past donor prospect is a better bet to send you a new donation than someone who once came to a special event that you held. The person who came to the special event is more likely to fund you than someone who never heard of your group.
In planning a full scale mail campaign, don’t lose sight of the fundamental fundraising requirements. Make sure your project has compelling goals, high visibility, specific, attractive, and timely needs.
Additionally, make sure your group has start-up funds on hand for what can become a relatively large investment to get the program rolling. For example, depending on the scale of your operation, you might want to engage a letter shop or mail house to provide the many functions necessary to get your direct mail package to recipients. This is an expensive proposition.
Or you might opt to subscribe to an online software provider to help drive your mail program. Since the highest percentage of return comes from current contributors, they are the first group to target. If a goal is reachable by only contacting these people, expenses will be minimal and your problems will be solved. If that’s not realistic, additional prospects who might fund your project would need to be reached. That’s fine so long as you realize that their percentage of return will be far less than supporters.
For instance, you send a letter to current donors and perhaps {30|40|50} percent of them respond with {donations|gifts}. A letter sent to brand-new {potential donors|prospects} typically yields responses of around 0.5 percent to 2 percent. Until you’ve won over a new potential {donor|giver}, don’t expect relatively large {donations|contributions}. A return of 5 percent to 12 percent can be expected from present donors.
If your group, school or {sports club|club} is looking for fundraising ideas and easy fundraisers, have a look at Goldstar Gifts and Stationery’s easy to manage ideas for fundraising.
Sphere: Related ContentManila History
Manila is the political and economic focal point of the Philippines, and it serves as a drawcard for residents from all over the Philippines. For most visitors from North America or Europe, this metropolis does not seem to merit more than a few days’ visit, after which the tranquility of the provinces may seem all that much more attractive. Although a trip to Manila can be taxing, it nevertheless gives the tourist important insights into the culture, history and current state of this island republic, insights that stem from its very wealth of contradictions.
In the sights of foreign conquerors
Natives who settled at the mouth of the Pasig River in Manila have seen a great many rulers come and go. The first to come were the Malaysians, who arrived in the Philippines during the pre-Christian era. Hindu and Buddhist leaders from Indonesia followed. Islam got to Manila at the end of the fifteenth century. The Muslim reign established in the mid-sixteenth century had been in existence for barely a decade when Spanish Catholic seafarers appeared on the horizon.
Colonial Manila
Miguel de Legaspi conquered Manila in 1571, declaring it to be the capital of the Spanish colony of the Philippines. Despite the ravages of World War Two, when Manila was heavily bombed, traces of the city’s colonial past are still in evidence, particularly in the Intramuros district. Intramuros, literally “within the walls”, meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress. The city centre, with its partially restored wall , is the site of a number of sixteenth-century buildings including Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and the church of San Augustin, the oldest in the city.
At the centre of power
The heart of Manila is now elsewhere, in Makati, the modern commercial and banking quarter. Elegant high rises, gorgeous residential estates, super-modern shopping centres and numerous 5 star hotels can be found there. The modern development of this quarter began in the mid-twentieth century. Like much of the development in Manila, Makati is closely connected to the politically powerful Zobel de Ayala family. The family name is found throughout the city, on streets, buildings and public monuments.
They come here not only to pray
Pasay City is located in the south-west of Manila across the superhighway from high-class Makati. On Wednesdays, Pasay is overrun with people. In Baclaran, the faithful crowd into Redemption Church, where weekly services are held in honour of the Virgin Mary. But one suspects that even more Manilans make their way to Pasay in order to patronize the neighbourhood’s famous lech6n stands, known to be the best source of that quintessential Philippine specialty, roast suckling pig.
A bit of folk culture
Throughout Manila, a light rail station is never far away. If your stomach is complaining after a feast of suckling pig, a gentle ride on this elevated railway is highly recommended. The trip back to town can also be made by Jeepney, of course, though it will be slower and more crowded.
Jeepneys were originally former United States Army jeeps that had been made into passenger vehicles with as many as fourteen canopied seats. These days, however, most Jeepneys come new from the production line. Beautiful painting and ornamentation are a must have for genuine Jeepney status. Most have Catholic religious figures as their central theme, but they may include lighthearted comic strip images.
Many Jeepneys are so thoroughly covered in advertising that they resemble moving billboards, while others looks like temples on wheels. What’s important for visitors to remember, however, is that Jeepneys follow specific routes, just like buses. It is always best to inquire about the route before getting on board.
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Sphere: Related ContentWorking from Home
Working from home is becoming more and more acceptable. I work from home and I adore it. I don’t think I could ever work at an office again, but I must face the possibility that I may have to move my enterprise into commercial premises if it keeps growing like it has in the last few months. Even if parts of my enterprise get relocated, I’ll try to stay at home myself as much as I can.
Times are changing and working from home, particularly for the self-employed or contract employees is becoming more common. It is pointless paying rent for business premises if it isn’t necessary. Working from home has many pluses.
You can work back late without getting into strife with your family. You can “drop into the office” anytime you like. You can get up really early if the mood takes you and put in a few hours work then go back to bed. But as a marketing consultant, there is one feature I really like, all the tax deductions!
You can claim some of your household expenses on your tax return. Based on the floor area used for business purposes, you can claim a portion of your mortgage interest, insurance, rates, water, electricity, maintenance and the bulk of your telephone bill as well as depreciation on the carpets, curtains, computer equipment and so on. At the end of the financial year you will be surprised by the list of deductions.
You will also save on travel costs, wear and tear on your car and more importantly wear and tear on you, having not to deal with peak hour or public transport. Not to mention picking up approximately an extra one to two hours per day of work when you don’t have to travel.
There is a downside to working from home. The first problem is family distractions. Kids home from school at three o’clock, a friend at the front door, phone calls for other members of the family.
You also may not have the perfect workspace, or space may be limited. Work space is vitally important, you must have an area set aside purely for business, nothing else, just business. I have found that it’s best also if you can close the door on the weekends and at the end of the day so you can “leave work”.
I think many of the perceptions of people that working from home is “unprofessional” have lapsed into history. The number of major companies that allow their workers to work from home via the internet has increased enormously in recent times. “Outsourcing” has become a commonly used term and this has brought about a spate of self-employed former employees, most of them working from home.
The other problem that many people working from home suffer is motivation and discipline. You must start work everyday just as you would if you were employed by someone else.
Want to work from home in your own home based business for women? You can learn more about starting your own profitable and flexible home business.
Sphere: Related ContentVibrant Hong Kong
Hong Kong welcomes visitors from all over the world with a wide smile. The urban embodiment of the compromise between Chinese and European cultures, Hong Kong has long been one of the most vibrant cities on earth.
Few travel to Hong Kong for the sights; they come for business and excitement. Hong Kong is so lively it sizzles like the oil in the woks of its ubiquitous street vendors. Little has changed since the 1997 return of the British colony of Hong Kong to China. The city that flourished through co-operation between the Chinese and British societies is, if anything, more fascinating and colourful than ever before.
Opium highs and wars.
In the early eighteenth century, the first British traders to arrive at what would become Hong Kong, found only a few fishing villages. The region had no importance at all within the Chinese Empire and had been ignored for centuries.
The British built a trade port here in 1711, and it thrived during the early nineteenth century when goods from China were in vogue in Europe.
As the fashion for Chinese goods waned the British began to trade in opium instead, growing it in India and importing it illegally into China, where the Qing dynasty emperor had banned its sale. When the Chinese tried to halt the imports, the British responded with violence.
The resulting Opium Wars (1838-1856) were disastrous for China. In 1842, the British took control of the city of Hong Kong and it became a British colony. A 1898 pact with China made Hong Kong and 234 nearby islands a British protectorate for ninety-nine years. The treaty ended in 1997.
Negotiations took place in 1982 to modify the original agreement in order to protect Hong Kong’s special status. China had originally demanded control not only of the so-called “New Territories” around the city, but also of Hong Kong itself. Through a series of agreements and negotiations, Great Britain was able to prevent Hong Kong from being directly absorbed into mainland China. Instead, on 1 July 1997, Hong Kong was declared a Chinese Special Administrative Region.
Skyscrapers and feng shui.
Hong Kong’s special status has allowed it to remain a modern economic hub. Despite its visible modernity, traditional ways of life are never forgotten. The ancient Chinese art of feng shui is still used with new constructions, where measurements are configured according to lucky numbers and windows positioned so as to let good luck in and bad luck out.
Skyscrapers loom where splendid colonial buildings once stood, only a few of which have remained. In the central district, the Cathedral of St. John, the former French Residence and the Legislative Council Building are among the few traditional buildings that remain.
Omnipresent Buddha.
Traditional life has a strong influence in the New Territories than in the city itself. Superb temple complexes abound, built in traditional style in tranquil settings. 10,000 Buddhas Monastery is one of the most visited. This number represents “very many” or “countless” in Chinese, rather than a specific number of Buddhas.
In fact, there are more than 10,000, perhaps as many as 13,000. The enormous bronze Buddha towering above Lo Pin Monastery on the island of Lantau is the largest Buddha in the world, measuring 26 metres tall. Visitors can climb a steep path of 260 steps to reach it. The panoramic view from the top definitely rewards the effort, as does the spiritual enlightenment achieved along the way.
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Sphere: Related ContentHow to Sell Your Car
Unless you are thinking about keeping your old vehicle and giving it to someone else, you will eventually need to sell it. There’s many ways to sell it, but first let’s consider the preparation of your vehicle prior to advertising or trading.
Presentation is the key factor
The first thing one should consider when selling an old vehicle is how you can sell it for more money. The technique, which most people seem to overlook, is to simply make it look absolutely stunning!
This does not mean just washing and vacuuming it, although that’s a very good start. It is the overall preparation and detailing that counts. This is a well-known secret of most used car dealers.
You would be surprised to see the condition of some of the vehicles they purchase, but after a few hours in the detailing shop you wouldn’t think it was the same car! The best advice to anyone selling his or her car, is to have a professional car detail carried out. This will cost you around the $200 mark and it will be money well invested.
It will, in effect, save you hours of hard work trying to do it yourself with nowhere near the same result. This alone will add hundreds of dollars to your vehicle, particularly when selling online.
I know of people who have had their vehicle detailed and fallen back in love with their car deciding not to go ahead with the sale.
Once the detailing has been completed you should make sure any minor defects are repaired. It is also important that you have the service logs and any relative mechanical history at the ready, as this is now becoming a critical factor when buying or selling a used car. If a service is due or near due, make sure you have it done prior to selling. This will give a prospective customer an appreciation of how well you have kept your vehicle.
What is your car going to sell for?
Before you start selling your vehicle, either privately or to a dealer, you must know its market value. There is nothing worse than advertising your vehicle with a highly inflated price.
One way to find out the approximate price of your vehicle is by studying the motor section of your local newspapers, which will give you a reasonable guide. Another way is to look in dealership yards to see what price similar vehicles are being sold for, but you must remember these vehicles have margins built into them to cover the dealer’s operating costs and over-stock.
Alternatively, the internet can provide a wealth of information on vehicle valuations. This is only web-based information and is generalised, so it does not give you accurate pricing on your own vehicle because of the specific condition and accessories fitted.
Sites where you can gather this type of guidance are the individual dealership web sites and vehicle pricing-guide sites such as www.redbook.com.au and www.glassguide.com.au
This information is purely to assist you in making a qualified and rational decision when buying or selling your vehicle. Remember, these sites are to be used only as a guideline, they are not entirely accurate as they do not take into consideration the individual buying or selling trends within the different states.
There are always variations to the rules about pricing, so you should follow your intuition when setting a price and be sure to leave room for negotiating in your asking price. Your starting price should be higher than the price for which you really want to sell your vehicle.
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