The Real Reason You Should Be Marketing With Articles

Article marketing has become very popular of late, especially with the explosion of a couple major article sites and publishing of some serious tools and resources that will better help marketers to use article marketing in their repertoire. For myself, I use article marketing exclusively to drive traffic to my website and to generate business.

Because of its sudden popularity, some misconceptions exist about the reasons why someone would engage in article marketing. (To be sure, article marketing has always been popular and in use, but only of late has it really hit the mainstream.)

For example, you have read that the most important reason you should incorporate article marketing into your marketing arsenal is because, in article marketing, you have the potential to generate hundreds, if not thousands, of backlinks to your site. As you know, solid backlinks are what drive many of the search engine spiders. That is, if your website links appears contextually (i.e., not in a "link farm") on someone else's site, you are often rewarded for that in terms of search positioning.

Thus, the more articles you submit to article sites, and the more your articles are reprinted from an articles site onto another site, the more backlinks you get. Certain article submission software programs even allow a provision for you to alter your resource box so search engines don't consider your articles to be link spamming.

But this is not the real reason you should be marketing with articles. There is a far more important reason: To establish yourself as an expert. Everyone's business service a niche, even internet marketers (that, in itself, is the niche). While the backlinks are great for your site, what's more important is that a reader of your article, whether they found the article through a search, at an articles site, or in someone else's ezine (who reprinted your article), reads your opinion and your understanding of your business topic/niche.

Think about it: In the "real world," when you need a service, who do you want to buy from? The service provider who looks like an expert and has been around for a long time, or the one working out of his garage with used and dirty equipment? If you need a how-to book on building a deck, do you buy one by an author just out of high school with no credibility, or do you buy one by an author who has his own deck-building TV show and has published three other books on the subject? In both cases, you probably buy from the expert.

This is the real reason you should be marketing with articles. Backlinks are great, but it is more important that you establish yourself as an expert, as the go-to person in your area of business.

Jeremy M. Hoover is an online freelance writer who specializes in writing 300-500 word content articles for your website or ezine, or for article marketing. Order articles from Jeremy at his website, http://www.jhooverwebcopy.com. Read more of his marketing articles at his blog, http://www.jhooverwebcopy.blogspot.com.

Talkin About Chicken

Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in my neighborhood Starbucks when I noticed two 70-somethings seated at the table next to me. Although they sat mere inches from one another, they communicated as if they were standing on opposite ends of a dark mountain tunnel.

"I'M WILLING TO GO FAR FOR GOOD CHICKEN," bellowed the gentleman in yellow pants on the left.

"YOU DO LOVE YOUR CHICKEN," agreed his companion, a man whose enormous black glasses made him look like a political cartoon.

I smiled at the poultry lover in a subtle I-like-chicken-too kind of way. Then I removed a fresh yellow highlighter from my pocket, took a sip of my latte, and began to read through the folder of interview notes I'd brought with me. I read one sentence before my concentration was interrupted.

"KNOW WHO HAS SURPRISINGLY GOOD CHICKEN?" queried the man with the glasses.

"WHO?" asked Yellow Pants eagerly.

"RED LOBSTER."

"RED LOBSTER???"

"SWEAR TO GOD."

Yellow Pants couldn't accept this information. He did, however, agree the shrimp platter was second to none. Yellow Pants then went on to explain, in stupefying detail, the exact location of every good chicken restaurant within ninety miles of the Denver metropolitan area.

I put down my highlighter and began drumming my fingers on the table wondering how long the chicken chatter would continue. I looked around and noticed two men in dark suits sitting at a table on my right. They were tapping into their Palm Pilots, jotting notes onto a legal pad, and strategizing about an upcoming sales meeting. They were doing exactly what people are supposed to be doing at Starbucks: working.

As I listened to the older gentlemen on my left and the salesmen on my right it dawned on me that the biggest difference between retirement and the working years is the ability -- and desire -- to talk about chicken. At length. I wish I had time to think about chicken, I mutter to myself as I jam my folder into my briefcase and head off in search of a quieter table. But I'm busy. I have deadlines. I have to multitask whenever possible. Even my idle time is filled with projects and purpose.

Take running, for example. When I go for a run, instead of admiring the daffodils that are starting to push through the hard-packed winter dirt, I try to generate new story ideas and make sure I keep my heart rate at 70% of maximum for at least 25 minutes.

When I go to the dentist, instead of wasting time in the waiting room by reading about the latest celebrity breakup, I compare the allocation of my stock portfolio against the allocations suggested in Money magazine. No sense wasting a good 20 minutes.

I'm not like this person I know who just converted to part-time and now leaves work at one o'clock everyday to work on his golf game. If I took off at one o'clock, I'd expect myself to write a novel. Or learn Japanese. By dinner.

I didn't realize how bad this constant do-think-plan mentality was until last night when I found myself alone in a restaurant waiting for a friend. I didn't have a notebook so I couldn't jot notes or plan the next day's activities. I didn't have a cell phone so I couldn't check voice mail or leave impressive after-hours messages for my editors. I hadn't even brought a report or magazine to read.

So, I read the menu. Four times. I looked out the window. I read the menu again. I asked for a glass of water. I read the menu again. I checked my watch. I started to sweat and within the space of minutes, I'd wrapped my arms around my waist and begun to take deep sucking breaths like a drug addict curled in a darkened corner of an abandoned warehouse.

By the time my friend arrived fifteen minutes later I was utterly disconsolate. Not because she was late but because I'd been forced to spend fifteen minutes -- 900 whole seconds -- idle and alone with my thoughts. There were things I could have been doing, should have been doing. But I went to the restaurant unprepared. The time had been wasted.

After I explained my dismay to my friend -- who was not nearly as apologetic for her tardiness as I thought she should have been -- she looked at me and asked, gently, "Why did you think you had to do anything? Quiet time is good thing, you know."

And then it dawned on me. The ability to cogitate on things like chicken and Red Lobster are not a side effect of one's employment status; they are a function of one's perspective. My friend was right: idle time is not wasted time. Taking time out, even for 15 minutes, allows you to reflect on your life, generate new ideas and appreciate things like chicken and the many ways it can be cooked and how many other animals, when cooked, taste like chicken. It's why people take vacations and have Sundays off and why there are wonderful things in the world like books and plays and champagne and hiking trails. Idle time may not be good for our careers, but it's essential to our souls.

So here's my challenge: for the next week try to take time every day to be alone with your thoughts. Hide your to-do list. Turn off the radio in your car. Look at the clouds. Go to bed a half-hour earlier without a book. Do something because, well, just because. Then, when you've figured out how to be idle -- how to do or think or talk about anything that pleases you even for a brief amount of time every day -- let me know how it goes. I'll be with the two old guys at this great new chicken restaurant down the street.

Copyright, 2005, Shari Caudron.

Shari Caudron is an award-winning columnist, writing coach, and author of "What Really Happened," a collection of humorous stories about the lessons life teaches you when you least expect it. Shari regularly delivers speeches to women's groups about how to transform ordinary experiences into opportunities for personal growth. Website: http://www.sharicaudron.com E-mail: shari@sharicaudron.com

What is Groupware?

Vince Lombardi once said that, "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." If this is the case, then what do we need to do in order to insure success in our companies? How can we combine the efforts of each individual as Mr. Lombardi said was so key to the success of a particular organization? While there are many possible solutions to these questions, I have found something that will help your company become more organized, and your employees more unified in their work. I am talking about groupware.

What is Groupware?

Groupware is software that facilitates the communication between the members of a network workgroup. It allows people within a company, whether they are physically in the same location or in several locations all over the world, to share documents, information, and data. It allows them to collaborate on ideas and projects, by allowing them to essentially work on the same page at the same time. With groupware there is no limit to the number of people that can work on the same project without creating duplicate ideas and work. Since groupware can track all document information, you will never wonder if you are using the latest version of a document.

What about CSCW?

If you have ever heard anything about groupware, you have probably also heard of CSCW. CSCW stands for Computer Supported Cooperative Work and is the study of groupware, i.e. how it is designed, developed, adopted, and used. People that are involved with the study of CSCW not only include software designers and computer scientists, but also researchers and people that study organizational behavior.

How does Groupware differ from the Traditional User Interface?

Where a traditional user interface generally focuses on the use of only one person, groupware relates to groups and understanding how people work and function in a group. Groupware is also more focused on the ease of use for the user because the system must be more responsive as the pace of a particular application is generally driven by the pace of the conversation. Other factors, such as the size of the group, and the roles that people play are taken into consideration when designing groupware.

What can Groupware do for you?

Groupware has many functions and can be a very useful tool to keep your company organized and your employees working in unity. While there are many advantages to using groupware I have listed a few key ideas below. By having some sort of groupware in your company you can allow your employees to:

? Share information

? Keep common schedules

? Manage e-mail

? Maintain bulletin boards

? Have several people work on one document

? Write Collectively

? Hold real-time network meetings

? Share files

? Share calendars

? Share database access

? Share spreadsheets

? Have electronic conferencing

? Have cooperative project management

As you can see, there are several advantages to using groupware to keep your company more organized and unified. Groupware will allow your employees to collaborate on information, ideas, and many other facets of their work and allow them to be more effective, productive, and organized. We already know that when we combine the efforts of each individual in an organization, we will see greater achievements and more success. If your company could benefit from groupware, then I encourage you to find out more about it and explore different possibilities to see which one will fit your needs the best. It will be one of the best decisions you will make with regard to the organization of your company documents, ideas, and information.

Mike Nielsen is a client account specialist with 10xMarketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For more information about groupware, visit NextPage.com.

The Apocalypse

Revelation 6:2-6:8.I will bring thee down, saith the LORD.

Revelation: Something disclosed, especially something not previously known or realized: disclosure, expos?, exposure, and revelation. Apocalyptic eschatology is marked by the conviction that God will intervene decisively in the present evil age and vindicate his suffering elect over their oppressors, raising the dead, consigning the wicked to eternal destruction, and establishing a new creation. In the Bible, apocalyptic elements are present in the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Joel, Zechariah, and Daniel. The collection known as the Pseudepigrapha

[1. Spurious writings, especially writings falsely attributed to biblical characters or times.

2. A body of texts written between 200 b.c. and a.d. 200 and spuriously ascribed to various prophets and kings of Hebrew Scriptures. ETYMOLOGY: Greek, from neuter pl. of pseudepigraphos, falsely ascribed: pseud s, false; see pseudo?+ epigraphein, to inscribe (epi-, epi- + graphein, to write]

Contains a number of early Jewish apocalypses, including 1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, and 2 Baruch. In the New Testament the book of Revelation is often called the Apocalypse. ( pok? lips), allegorical figures in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; the rider on the white horse has many interpretations?one is that he represents Christ;

[This view has its skeptics thou, for the rider on the white horse was Given a Crown, meaning that He had no power until after it was given to Him, as with the other three horsemen, the second point here is that whenever Jesus is mentioned, He is always mentioned having a Sword and never a bow. This is my interpretation of this.], the rider on the red horse is war; on the black horse is famine; and on the pale horse, death.

The Apocalyptic nature of man has come from years of indecisiveness in the worshiping of the creature instead of the creator. The spiritual battle ground is Israel and especially Jerusalem, lets read; Tuesday, July 27, 2004 TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran will wipe Israel "off the face of the earth" if it dared to attack the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities, a spokesman for Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying. "The United States is showing off by threatening to use its wild dog, Israel," the public relations head of the Revolutionary Guards, Commander Seyed Masood Jazayeri, was quoted as saying by the Iranian student news agency ISNA.

Rev 6:2-8; And I saw, and behold a white Horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Here we see that the writer John, stated that he saw a Great Sword, not just a sword. A great sword is to signify, great death was inevitable.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny (An average daily wage, penny, not to be misunderstood, At this time a days wages will be needed to sustain food for the people); and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Olive Oil (trees) and Grape wine (Vineyards), two main commercial staples of Israel.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. (Death was the rider but after the rider came Hell, speaking of the destination of those who met Death.) And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

If you notice in Revelations 6:2-8 , there are the words ; power or crown was given unto, them, him, and orders of see thou hurt not the oil and the wine, who was giving these things power, crown and stipulations of what to leave unhurt? God. Because of the totality unrighteousness of man, God will have His day of Vengeance.

Rev 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [God is the one on the Throne and Jesus is the Lamb] { But Jesus is not returning here in the tenderness of a Lamb but as a roaring Lion and Vengeful King of Kings.} For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Fire and smoke, mingled with blood, none will be able to stand, all of mans posturing and great swelling words will fall on deaf ears as the Son of God breaks thru the eastern sky. And the elements shall melt with a fervent heat.

Many still today are saying that a righteous God would never destroy men, because He loves us. This is a misconception on their behalf. Gods' word is true and not a lie. His prophecies will come to pass and His judgments on man are righteous judgments. Blood will flow to the bridle of the horse for 200 miles, this is fact and a promise from the Almighty.

Death, Hell and the Grave are never satisfied, they always hunger for more and more, and only thru Jesus can we escape the torment that is to come upon a lost and unrighteous world. Hell enlarges its boarders daily, and is never satisfied and never complete. Idle threats from man have never nor will ever concern our Lord and savior, but man is headed for the Apocalypse with swift feet and greed in His heart. The blood will flow and the beasts of the fields and the fowls of the air will devour the bodies of many. An Eagle is a bird of prey as are the vulture and others. They shall be filled with their flesh.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are the representation of the four plagues that will consume the enemies of Israel and the Israeli people. This is an international plague that will touch the lives of all people on the earth and none shall escape. Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. This prophecy is against Edom. Its destruction seems to have been typical, as their father Esau's rejection; and to refer to the destruction of the enemies of the gospel church.

All the enemies of God's church shall be disappointed in the things they stay themselves on. God can easily lay those low who magnify and exalt themselves; and will do it. Carnal security ripens men for ruin, and makes the ruin worse when it comes. Mans laws and mans statutes will come to no avail when the Great Day of the Lord comes, and it will come. So, is there hope yet for man?

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

For the saved yes, and about the lost, yes, we as Christians must do as Christ has demanded; " John 9:4, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." We all must work while we still have the light. Those whom are lost must come to Jesus while there is still a light shining otherwise the night will come upon you to everlasting darkness.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

All In The Mind

"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take it" -Alvin Poh

As part of my exercise regime when I was younger, I made it a point to have a run around my neighbourhood as often as I could. Although when I say "as often as I could", it usually meant only once every week, or none at all. But I was still proud of the fact that I ran. The route was pretty tough for me, with slopes and small hills, and finishing every run gave me a sense of accomplishment and made me feel healthier and fitter.

Anyone who runs knows that you will always have the urge to give up, or to cut short your route. When the going gets tough, you go home and relax. It's human nature. And this is what is going to be the main topic of this article - Overcoming human nature.

The fact really is that many of us have the potential to perform, and to excel. What do you think of the quote you see at the top of the page? Do you agree with it? This quote was actually invented during one of my runs. I remembered that the day was exceptionally hot, but I had missed a few days of exercise, and the sedentary lifestyle was getting to me. So I went to put on my running shoes, and started on my usual route. I was like a caged-up dog finally let loose, and practically pranced down the stairs to the street. My mind was full of high-energy, positive thoughts:

"This is great! I'm finally going out ? Time to work those legs!"

"I'm raring to go! Lemme have 'em!"

When I hit the pavement, I let go of my pent-up energy, and really ran. I was fresh as a daisy, and ran with the wind in my hair. It felt really good. I was f-r-e-e!

Ten minutes later, I couldn't have felt worse. The heat was getting unbearable, and the humidity was horrible. I was sweating profusely, and my legs felt like lead. The initial freshness had all gone away, and I was feeling like hell.

This was when little specks of negativity started to appear in my head.

"I shouldn't be out here in this weather. I should be resting at home."

"I'm risking heat exhaustion here."

"I run a lot anyway ? what's one run less?"

"That hill in front's so long?I should probably just turn back."

With every one that came into my head, my perseverance dwindled. Every negative thought that came into my mind seemed to take root, grow, and multiply. And with every negative thought, my steps grew smaller, and slower. My lungs felt constricted, and I had an overwhelming urge to stop.

Interestingly, I think I felt almost like how those cartoon characters would, with a small devil and angel quarrelling above my head.

This was when the realisation suddenly struck me though. The thought hit me square on the face, and I could have sworn that there was even a loud "wham!" when it connected.

I was letting myself become a "quitter". And it was because of a simple fact: I was letting negativity enter my thoughts. I was letting them permeate and grow. I was encouraging myself to take the easy way out.

As I pushed myself and tried to move on, I started thinking about this. The funny thing was that, after a while, I realised that when I wasn't paying that much attention to my run ?it was actually getting easier! Meanwhile, I came up with this line that described the realisation that I just had:

"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take it."

If you focus on doing something, and keep telling yourself that you can do it, you'd more likely than not succeed. If you let even just a wee bit of doubt creep in, you'll soon start to be complacent and you'll take whatever easy way out your mind's offering you.

Case Study 1: The Runner

You are running your third round on the running track. You intend to complete six rounds, your normal distance. You feel great still. You push yourself, telling yourself that you can do it, that you can beat your previous time. But suddenly, you start to think about why this is so important to you. It's like a floodgate's been open from this point onwards. You no longer tell yourself that you can do it, but ask yourself why you should do it. You begin to slow down. You are more observant of the pain in your legs and the difficulty you have breathing. Soon, you even start to harbour thoughts of cutting your run down to only five rounds, because "what's one round less".

Case Study 2: The Student

You are three days away from your exam. You have your book out in front of you, and you have to study a total of nine chapters. You've completed two chapters, and you intend to finish at least five at the end of the day. You know you have the determination to do so, and you begin reading through chapter three. After five pages, your mind starts to wander. You start pondering. You think about how tired you are, and you soon convince yourself that it's true. You yawn. You think about how long three days is, and figure that it's too much time for just seven chapters. You start wondering why you are studying so soon. Your eyes begin to feel heavy. You are tired. You decide to take a nap, and go to sleep for two hours, and you do so.

That's why I think letting yourself even think of a concession is dangerous. If you are really intent on doing something, you shouldn't be thinking of anything else. When you start to let your mind drift and think about the easy way out, you immediately start losing your determination, drastically. I think the best way to overcome this is by instantly stop, and remind yourself of your true goals and objectives.

Alvin Poh has been specialising in web development, content distribution, advertising and marketing strategies since 1995. His goal is to provide practical information based upon his years of experience to help webmasters, website designers, and self-employed people achieve their goals in today's competitive Internet. At his site, you can learn how to make money online.

Eating For Success: Breakfast For The Busy Corporate

The first place that we cut corners when we are busy or stressed is our eating and in particular our breakfast. The food you eat forms the very building blocks of your body, but most of us have lost sight of the fact that food is fuel and that the purpose of eating is to provide our bodies with the tools they need for energy, functioning, building and maintenance. We eat for a variety of different reasons, none of which relate to the idea of providing our bodies with quality fuel. We eat unconsciously, we use food to fill emotional voids or to be sociable and we fill our bodies with things that we all know aren't good for us ? in effect, rather than using food as essential fuel, we use it to inflict damage on ourselves.

Here are 3 options for a quick and easy, healthy breakfast to kick start your day. All recipes take only five minutes or less to prepare.

1. Protein Power Shake ? Mix in a blender ? 1 piece of fruit i.e. banana or mango are divine

1. 1 handful of almonds (for protein and good fats)
2. Milk or Water for liquid (I use water to save the extra calories)
3. 1 dessertspoon of flaxseed oil (for good fats)
4. Cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

2. Protein Pan Cakes ?

1. Beat 2 tablespoons of raw rolled oats into 2 egg whites and cook on a hot pan (no oil)
2. Top with a piece of fruit chopped up, low fat cottage cheese and some real maple syrup or honey.

3. Cottage Cheese, Nuts and Fruit ? This is the quickest, cut up a piece of fruit, top with a handful of raw almonds and some low fat cottage cheese. Eat and go.

All of these quick breakfasts can be prepared and eaten at home in a space where you can mentally prepare for the day. Eating on the run at work is not feeding your body energy.

Start the day with a simple breakfast at home.

Life Balancing expert Jennifer Jefferies is one of Australia's best-known authors and speakers. Jennifer's simple, practical and proven 7 Steps to Sanity can help bring balance to anyone who wants to have it all without sacrificing their health, sanity or sense of humour along the way. Jennifer is a qualified health practitioner, who speaks to corporations throughout Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, sharing practical real-life strategies that help people to improve their health, wellbeing and productivity by finding balance in their lives.

Jennifer has also written numerous books and e-books and life balancing products. You can contact Jennifer at:

Jennifer Jefferies International Pty Ltd
Po Box 4298,
Elanora, QLD 4221 Australia
Phone: +61 7 55986035
http://www.jenniferjefferies.com

Bridal Shower Games Are Extremely Fun!

Bridal shower games are a wonderful way to put your guests at ease and to get the party started! Ideally, bridal shower games should be easy to play and should provide guests with an interactive way to interact with one another in a casual and fun way. Fortunately, there are lots of games you can choose to play.

Trivia bridal shower games are wonderful because they give guests the opportunity to prove how well they know the bride or groom by encouraging them to answer questions about when the couple first kissed, what their jobs were, where they attended college, etc. A variation can be current information such as the bride's favorite restaurant, where she would like to vacation, and her favorite food.

To get everyone moving, try some games that require the guests to get off their butts and socialize. Wedding dress is an all around favorite. For this exciting game, you divide the group into groups and have each group dresses one member in a wedding gown made entirely from toilet paper. The bride then chooses the winning design of course! For extra fun, have the models be the mothers of the bride and groom and the maid of honor.

Purse power is a one of those bridal shower games that is fun and can help the guests get to know a bit more about each other as well. Have everyone put their purses in front of them, then start naming items from a list that you are looking for. You can award points for each item that a guest has in her purse, with more points for unusual items (1 point for powder or lipstick, 5 points for mini flashlight). To get into the grove of things, give extra points for birth control pills, foam, diaphragms, or condoms!

Traditional word games are also popular games to play and you can focus on such games as word searches, scrambles, or hangman style games based on words and phrases having to do with weddings. These are easy to find and download on the Internet or find in bridal shower books.

With so many games to choose from, keeping the laughter going will be no problem at all!

Melanie Doetsch is an author at eBridalShowers.com where you will find further bridal shower ideas.

Water Conservation in the Garden - Use a Rain Barrel to Harvest Rainwater

If you are a gardener you probably already do a bit composting to recycle yard and kitchen waste. This homemade "Black Gold" does wonders for your plants and soil. But, have you discovered the gardening benefits of harvesting and recycling rainwater to use in the garden?

Many communities nationwide are experiencing either short-term or long-term water shortages. Some communities have begun rationing programs and impose fines if a homeowner uses too much water. Why not try some simple rainwater harvesting techniques and use the water to irrigate your garden? You'll be able to water your plants when they need it and you may see a bit of savings on your water bill at the same time.

Harvesting rainwater is as simple as placing a rain barrel under a roof gutter downspout. Practically any large, clean container can be used as a rain barrel. For instance, you can use a plastic or metal trash can. However, there are major benefits to using commercially designed rain barrels. Features of commercially available rain barrels include: childproof and pet-proof lids, mosquito screens, overflow hardware, spigots for attaching hoses, and the ability to link multiple barrels together. These features make using your rainwater much easier and safer. Many city water departments will give homeowners a rebate on their water bill if they buy a rain barrel.

You can find durable, heavy-duty rainbarrels at most home improvement stores and garden centers. You can also order them from online suppliers. These rain barrels can be quite attractive also. Some are made to look like traditional round wooden barrels while some are square, or half-round to provide versatility and style when placing one beside your house. Some rain barrels currently on the market are made from recycled shipping containers for Mediterranean foods such as olives.

What are some of the advantages of collecting rainwater for use in your garden? For starters, you will be doing your part to conserve both water and energy. When you use rainwater you will not be using your municipal drinking water and will not be using the energy it takes to pump it to your house. It's free, so you won't be billed for it! Rainwater is fresh and naturally low in salt and chlorine so it's good for your plants. Most of the time it is not cold and won't shock your plants like water from an underground source can do.

Your grandparents probably used rain barrels to irrigate their gardens. Why not try something old to solve a new problem and conserve water by using a rain barrel? Even if you live in an area with very little annual rainfall you will be amazed when your rain barrel fills up after just one or two rain showers.

Article by Amy Passmore for Waterwise Ways. Visit Waterwise Ways for more information on conserving water in your home and garden.

This article may be freely distributed as long as the author's name and live website link appear.

Ceiling Fans ? That Dont Require The Ceiling

The trend in remodeling homes is to expand the outdoor backyard or patio into a lovely room where you can entertain. It just makes sense to extend your surroundings to be more useful. Some are going all out and installing outdoor kitchens while others are just getting new patio furniture. If you are like me; you love being outdoors but can't take the heat. When the air is stifling and still, you just want to retreat into the air conditioning so you feel like you can breathe again. If you want to create a cooler more comfortable atmosphere on your porch or patio; consider installing a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are fabulous for circulating the air and making you feel cooler even when the temperature of the air is getting hotter. Don't limit yourself to having a fan indoors. If you are redecorating your patio or just want to entertain more outdoors, you may want to add a stylish outdoor ceiling fan to the decorating and comfort mix. These fans make great focal points for any backyard. There are numerous styles and models on the market that will fit any patio d?cor. Ceiling fan styles can be broadly grouped into Retro, Traditional, Contemporary, Futuristic and Special. I happen to love warm copper and have decorated my patio with copper lighting and accents such as a copper fire pit and many sizes of copper pots. There are fans that resemble the era of the twenties with a look straight out of the movie Casablanca. Others are very contemporary in a trendy nickel or other new hot metal finish. Some choose to stay more understated with a simple white fan that just blends in. You can also easily find a traditional wood grain look which would be great on the porch of a log home.

There are different styles of fans available according to your needs. There are distinct features for outdoor ceiling fans that will help you decide what you need for your backyard to keep cool. Don't happen to have a ceiling on the patio? Don't worry; you can still have a stylish ceiling fan. Free standing fans don't need a ceiling. You can place this overhead model anywhere on the patio. It has galvanized steel construction and a weather shield hood. The tubing is powder coated for weather resistance. This needs to be permanently installed. You cannot move it around yourself. It is usually found in white and is great for any occasion, by the pool, or wherever you need it. Hunter has a style of fan that has plastic all weather fan blades and the motor is raw copper that is very shiny. Other styles are brushed or the copper may appear antiqued. Since the fan is rated for the outdoors, you might want to let the copper reach a rich patina on its own.

An outdoor ceiling fan is specially designed, engineered and manufactured to withstand the heat, cold, dust, dryness and humidity that it will have to work in. Manufacturers will rate outdoor ceiling fans differently than other ceiling fans. Some are for wet conditions and these are the fans that you can actually use outside in the elements. Damp rated fans can only be used on porches or places where they are covered. Housing and motors will be completely enclosed on an outdoor fan and they are a little more expensive than a conventional indoor model. If your fan is not rated correctly for the outdoors it could become quite dangerous, or it will rust and the motor won't work. Don't let anyone tell you that your ceiling fan must have a ceiling. Now you can purchase ceiling fans that will work just as well outdoors to circulate the air as they do indoors.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying a dehumidifier, air filter, portable air conditioner, ceiling fans and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

Starting Your Business: 3 Tips for Bootstrapping Your Way to the Top

Bootstrapping a business startup does not necessarily mean that you are unable to find traditional sources of capital. It may mean that you are clever, or that you know a bargain when you see it, or that you are the type of person who derives a certain satisfaction from crafting something using your own hands and vision, from scratch. If this is the way you feel, a franchise is probably not for you. A venture capitalist, if you could even find a member of that rare species when you are just starting out, is also likely to want some or too much control, and your vision might be thrown out of the window in that scenario as well.

It's kind of the same thing when you make your first homemade cheesecake using a recipe from a gourmet magazine, and then you realize how horrible those store bought cheesecakes in a box (that you used to eat) would taste in a side-by-side comparison. Just think, if you embrace the "entrepreneur as gourmet chef" metaphor that I have suggested above, you can tell people that you are an "Entrepreneurship Connoisseur" at social gatherings and when you are seated next to other first class passengers on your next flight to someplace exciting. Not going anyplace exciting, you say? Funny you should exhibit such a lack of enthusiasm, because that leads us to tip number one:

1) You may have thought that we'd start out with some high-powered "secret" bargaining strategy for bartering or negotiating with suppliers or landlords. Well, in a way you are right. The all time top tip, numero uno, has to do with your attitude. Do you think you are "having a bad day," routinely? Maybe it's not the kind of day or days that you are having; maybe it's your contagious nasty attitude that infects everyone around you and holds you back.

Here's a technique that you can use to thwart "nasty attitude syndrome"-a vicious, virulent disease: Use a mirror. If you don't like the way that you look, imagine how other people feel. Put the biggest, nastiest snarl on your face that you can muster. Stare hard into that mirror and say, "I want the best price-now." Does the person in the mirror look like he or she would be inclined to melt before your eyes and say, "For you, my friend, I'd give you the world on a silver patter, because you are my favorite kind of person"?

Perhaps I should explain the almost magical curative powers of the mirror that you should now be holding in your hand (yes, use a pocket-sized model that you can carry along, wherever you go-on all of those exciting trips). If you will stand on your head while you are frowning, you can "turn that frown upside down." Other people will smile at you, and perhaps even chuckle, or roar out loud, rolling in laughter. Now you're getting the hang of it. A positive attitude and a smile on your face will help you start your business, get out of trouble with your spouse, or get you a date if you are single. Practice being excited, (just about) everywhere you go.

2) For anyone who has forgotten kindergarten, let me remind you that you used to be creative-maybe you still are-and creativity is the heart and soul of bootstrapping. If you have lost touch with your creative side, or it has been pounded out of you as a result of other people's efforts to turn you into a compliant drone, one who fits perfectly in a cubicle, then it's high time you start acting like a kid again.

Yes, we're talking crayons, paint, glue, cardboard, scissors, wood, and trips to a junk yard. We're talking Animal House (the movie), and good old-fashioned food fights. We're talking about imaginary worlds depicted in amusement park rides. We're talking about science fairs, contraptions in your garage, and blue-green gooey stuff oozing out of boiling pots. We may even be talking about an illustration of the product idea that you have, or a three-dimensional model of a store layout-like the one that you will implement in real life when you start your business.

If all of the above seems too silly, you are just flat-out in desperate need of the intervention described under tip number 1. You must get out of the rut that you are in. Working in a cubicle for the rest of your life is the notion that's really silly. When you leave your present workplace to go home, take a different route. You may find that by getting lost while you are on your journey, you rediscover your creative inner child, inside.

Creativity is an act, something one does, not a trait. You have to give your creative side the time and tools to act. Get yourself unstuck through lots of stimulation. Take the time to actually study innovation, invention, the future, the past, and specific creative techniques. On that last point, here's an example of one technique: think about opposites. What's the opposite of a high priced anything? An economy priced version. What's the opposite of a big package? A small one. It's chunky versus creamy. Light versus full-bodied.

There are books, Web sites, training programs, articles, and devotees of the study of creativity. It's time for you to "start your creative engine," buckle-up, and blast off to other worlds that can be reached only in your imagination.

3) Research, research, research. Study, study, study. Read, read, read. Do your homework. Remember that old adage about "location, location, location"? Well, now you can forget that one, at least for the moment. Your location, your customer base, your supply channels, your price, all of these things will become clear if you become a researcher. We are not talking about the stereotypical, wimpy, "beat me up in the schoolyard and take my lunch money" type of researcher. We're talking about a new breed of formidable, respectable, "super researcher": A guerilla fighter who takes names, observes weaknesses, and kicks booty.

Quickly, the next time you visit your neighborhood video store, count the tapes (DVD's, games, etc.) on one shelf. Then multiply the number of videos on that one shelf by the number of shelves in a display case. Next, how many cases are on one wall? Assuming four walls, how many new releases does the store have in inventory? Count the middle section, too. How many customers are in line? Do they look happy? How many employees are working? How many are loafing? What have you observed about the business? Does it look like the store's making money? (No, we are NOT "casing out the joint" for a robbery.) How long has it been in business? How busy is the store, morning, noon, or night?

Collect competitors' advertisements. Collect advertisements that you simply like (on the basis that they apparently gain attention, sell benefits, and stimulate action). Collect crummy ads, so that you won't repeat the mistakes made by others.

Bootstrappers pay close attention to what other people and businesses do, so that they might emulate good business ideas, or deviate from the norm with better ideas. It's amazing how many businesses are founded on the basis of so little research or planning. If you intend to start a restaurant, and you are willing to spend $10,000 or more on a stove or a commercial refrigerator, wouldn't it make sense to test your idea first? Prepare a meal as though you were already in business. Invite some guests to try your cooking. Ask them questions. How much would someone pay? How often would they eat the type of food that you have prepared? Conduct a survey yourself, or work with marketing students or interns through a local college or university. Ask, ask, ask, lots of questions.

Buy every entrepreneurial startup guide book pertaining to the type of business (if it is a typical one) that you are planning to develop. Go to trade shows. Read trade periodicals. Talk to people. You are a "private eye," and your client is your would-be business.

Create a "war room." What's a war room? It's a place where you put a map on the wall, and use push-pins to depict an "enemy's" location; also affix notes to catalog strengths and weaknesses that you have noticed as a visitor. It's a place where you house all of the competitive intelligence that we've been discussing. It's a place where you plot the rise of your business, from small, well conceived beginnings.

4) I know, the article title said "3 Tips." This is a bonus tip. It's a FREE BONUS tip, for those persons who are still with me in this discussion. If you can't handle the first three tips, don't try bootstrapping. You won't make it. You need an inheritance, or you should resign yourself to staying in that cubicle. Try adding some color-a candy jar, or fresh flowers-so that you'll be happier in your confinement. Hey, that would be a small step toward changing your life, after all!

Here's the actual tip: Start small, and think differently (you may have supposed that I was going to say "think big," instead-that wouldn't be a bad idea, either). Give yourself time. Not days, weeks, or months, necessarily-we're talking years, if that is what you require to develop a contagious, positive attitude; create a winning idea; and become fully prepared for your exciting journey, bootstrapping your way to the top.

Dr. Robert Lahm is the founder of several businesses and Web sites, an entrepreneurship professor, a public speaker, and a writer. His typical topics include creativity and innovation, careers, start-ups, and small business marketing. Webmasters and other article publishers are hereby granted article reproduction permission as long as this article in its entirety, author's information, and any links remain intact. Copyright 2005 by Dr. Robert J. Lahm, DoctorLahm.com.

What a Ghostwriter Can Do for You

Do you ever have brilliant ideas for articles, books or a website, but never get around to doing anything about them? Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Trust and credibility are vital in creating consumer confidence. Being able to tell the world who you are, what you do and how you do it is the best kind of confidence-building free publicity?producing results rivaling those of standard advertising. But even if you could crank out passable copy yourself, most businesspeople should be spending their time doing what they do best?minding the store, not staring at blank sheets of paper!

If that's you, and your marketing plans include publishing books or articles, or enhancing your Web presence, an experienced professional ghostwriter can help you focus on your subject, organize your ideas, and then write persuasively to your target audience.

Or, if you've already written a book, article or webpage and think it's ready for the publisher or webmaster, think again! A professional copywriter's objective critique--complete with line edits and grammar, style and consistency checks--can spell the difference between acceptance and rejection.

What Does it Cost?

Ghostwriters' fees vary. Many charge by the hour; some by the word, still others are paid by the job. Rates may be negotiable, and dividing the charges into multiple payments is usually an option. Most ghostwriters ask clients to sign a contract, make a down payment (typically 50%) and charge a kill fee if the job is cancelled. Clients requesting in-depth consultations may be asked for a retainer. Though not refundable, retainers usually are applied to any project charges.

How Does it Work?

It all begins with a phone call or email inquiry to the ghostwriter or ghostwriters you've selected. From there, ghostwriters will typically interview you over the phone and by email (often for free). Let's say you want an article on "Designing Widgets"?the ghostwriter will need a detailed summary of your ideas to create a series of review drafts, which will go back and forth for your edits and eventually your approval. Ghostwriters will work closely with you until the job is done to your satisfaction. Once you've signed off on it, they can call their media contacts (or yours) to shop your article.

Whatever the job, however, talented, experienced ghostwriters know how to provide value to their clients. At the end of the day, the ideas are all yours and the finished product carries your byline. Articles with free-reprint rights are routinely published by ezines and websites, both of which can generate results, though you may prefer writing to a local readership.

Selecting a Ghostwriter ? Talent, Versatility & Experience

Basically, you can choose from among three types of ghostwriters:

? Full-time professionals who know your industry may charge more, but can probably get off the ground more quickly, with less time spent getting up to speed on your subjects.

? Generalists with experience in different subjects may require more of your time upfront, depending on their learning curves, but they can usually produce the results you seek.

? Amateurs are often a popular choice, since using volunteers or college students who may have decent writing skills but lower compensation expectations are thought to be a money saver?but you usually get what you pay for.

In selecting a ghostwriter or copywriter, it's usually best to interview several candidates looking for someone versatile enough to use different styles and work with different topics and media. Ghostwriters can be found online (try a Google search, a job board like guru or elance), or through word-of-mouth. Ask someone who has used a ghostwriter for a recommendation, or contact local news outlets or professional journals for referrals. But no matter whom you chose, always get resumes and writing samples, and look for someone you're confident will do the best job for you.

No one can guarantee publication, but you can and should expect ghostwriters to produce words you'll proudly call your own. Bottom line: working with a pro gives you the best value for your marketing dollar.

It's a good investment in your business.

Bill Willard, President of Willard Associates, has over 30-years experience providing high-impact written communications to small-business owners and independent professionals. A Phi Beta Kappa and former managing editor, he lives in Clearwater, FL. w.willard3@knology.net