10 Tips For Packaging That Sells Products To Boomers

June 13th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By JoAnn Hines Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product’s packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: “Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales.” These 10 tips are adapted from DESIGN YOUR PACKAGING FOR THE ULTIMATE TARGET AUDIENCE - BOOMERS 1. Don’t associate boomers or over those older than 50 generation with being old. Boomers view themselves as younger than they are (typically by 20 years).
Whether you use the word, “boomer,” “senior, “over 50,” or “aging,” this group doesn’t want to be referred to as old. Avoid using the “over the hill” context. Use words that are not considered negative. Gone are the days of over 50 being considered close to the end of life. You’re not old. You are in the prime of your life. In surveying my audience I asked what name they preferred to be used as a reference. The 50+ age range prefers to be called: mature
boomer
older
senior
golden 2. Make it easy to use. Emphasize convenience or ease-of-use. Boomers are busy people–making their lives easier or more simplified is important. They like to spend time on activities like cooking. They just don’t want to spend a lot of time getting things together to do it. 3. Make it easy to read. How important is the label’s readability? 70% Very Important
8% Somewhat important
4% Not at all important “We are not illiterates. Just make sure we can see what we are buying.”
They size of type and the readability of packaging was the #1 packaging problem issue cited by the over the 50 crowd. Even with glasses many times the product labels are difficult to read. Make no mistake; Boomers will be reading it to make an informed decision 4. Keep the product secure. By product security I mean that there is no evidence of tampering or indication that the product has been opened in any way. This is going to be a huge issue in the future. With the advent, of 9/11 food security has become paramount. How important is product security/integrity? 72% Very Important
18% Somewhat important
2% Not at all important 5. Create relevance. Use role models or visuals that represent the audience. Having a 20 year old touting the latest benefits means nothing. Conversely, having a 50+ year old speaking to her daughter or granddaughter creates relevance. 6. Don’t use celebrity endorsement. Do celebrity endorsements influence your purchasing decision?
2% Yes 98% No
Wow. Think of all the wasted money. Do endorsements from a senior organization such as AARP influence your purchasing decision? 14% No 86% Yes So the bottom line is don’t use celebrities. Think of all the money you will save. Do use AARP and similar organizations to tout the product. 7. Make it easy to open. Does ease of opening influence your decision?
48% Yes
54% No Ease of opening was considered a problem after they tried to open the package. Unfortunately, many of the reasons a package is difficult to open is because of external influences, tamper evident, theft, counterfeiting and product integrity. 8. Keep it simple. The same features that make packages kid-friendly should make it easier for many adults to utilize. What they want you to know about the package:
Make it easy to handle
Use color coding to differentiate products in a family
Need easy opening packages 9. Use language that connects Use language that connects with boomers. In most cases, they are educated, literate and informed. Communicate with them as such. Hip hop and other “in “style messages create a negative image rather than a positive one. 10. Forget about age Does age matter? How important is the designation that the product is for those older than 50? 14% Very Important
16% Somewhat important
60% Not at all important So don’t categorize the product is one created for those over 50. However you reach out and connect with boomers through product packaging, it’s important to visualize this market as vital, active people. Eliminate the old stereotypes that we grew up with of people over the age of 50. Create significance by using images of people who realize they have the best years of their lives ahead of them. Got packaging problems? I can help. I teach people how to package products consumers will buy. I make it easy to answer your problems with email and voice consultation. Get advice from the top expert in consumer packaging. To order the full report Design Your Packaging For The Ultimate Target Audience - Boomers email the Packaging Diva @ PackagingDiva@aol.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Tips-For-Packaging-That-Sells-Products-To-Boomers&id=51333 payday advances
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Ways to Excel in Law School

June 8th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Catherine Zandueta Law school can be a tough place. A student must deal with competition, long hours and intellectual bombardment. Here are ways to help you cope and even excel in law school. If you want to excel in law school, be sure you want to be lawyer. This seems obvious. You spent your undergraduate life working toward law school and you prepped and took the LSAT to get into the law program you wanted. Still, be sure you want to be a lawyer because the first year of law school will be a shocker. There is no way to adequately prepare a law student for their first day or first year of study. If you want to excel in law school, be prepared to realize that you are now an adult dealing with adult situations and issues. The best way to get you through your three year program is to have the desire and motivation to see the program through to graduation. One thing you must cultivate is efficient study skills. Its not just about how much time you have to study. Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to get all your work done. Be sure to prioritize your workload. What you need the most time for is reading. Your coursework will be packed with pages of case studies and briefings. Be sure to make enough time to get through those pages not just once but two or three times. What you need the most time for is acclimating yourself to the words that are used and the ideas that are expressed. If you become familiar with reading law then you will begin to read through your work faster and more critically. Many law students express feelings of losing themselves in law school. Law school is a rigorous journey that ultimately leads to a critical and analytical mindset and cultivates the ability to argue effectively. Yes, you will be changed after law school as most people are when they finish any type of graduate school. The difference with law school is that it changes the way you view the world. It shows you that there is more than one right answer and that the best answer is the best argued one. Because of the rigorous course workload, a law student must take time for themselves. Its easy to get caught up in the world of law. You are attending lectures for many hours and have to study for even more. You can spend 100 hours a week just studying. You dont want to burn out. Refresh yourself by taking some time out to see friends and family. Although its hard to find the time or energy, try to exercise once in a while. This will help you relieve stress and improve your endurance. The best advice is to get through the dreaded first year as best you can. After that its more of the same. Your third year will be your best. You will attend less lectures and find that you can grasp the material quicker. So work hard, study efficiently, and have some fun. Review more industry related articles by Catherine Zandueta at CareersandEducation.com. Catherine Zandueta is a feature writer and often covers topics related to Campus Degree Programs and Career advice. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Zandueta http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-to-Excel-in-Law-School&id=383162 calculating paycheck withholding
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Antique Farms: A Great Family Heritage to Discover - Part I

June 4th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Aliza Adar Levine Antique Farms provide a fascinating time tunnel of what once was.
There’s nothing like actually experiencing Living History to make it come alive. If you are into collecting Antique farm bells, wagons or tractors, it’s a lot of fun to go to farm Museums and country tractor shows. They are really fun and are a great way to spend a family day that will be remembered and appreciated. I remember playing on old tractors as a kid, in my home town over 40 years ago! Playing farmer with my two wild brothers, on old ramshackled tractors is a memory I still delight in. Who knows? Maybe that is what hooked me into the Antique Farm passion? What is really amazing though is that you can find ancient relics at these shows often in Top running shape. Did you know you can still order parts for some of these living history machines?
To share in the fun, here is a list of some of the best Farm Museums out there. Here is a list of Farm Museums by Area:
(Please note: There are a lot of them so I will present the huge list via several articles). Alaska
Museum: MUSEUM OF ALASKA TRANSPORTION & INDUSTRY
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
Contact: (907) 376-1211
Info: Open seven days a week from May 1st to September 30th, and Tuesday through Saturday the rest of the year. Hours are 10AM until 6PM during the summer season and 9 Arizona
Museum: STUTTGART AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
Location: Stuttgart, Arizona
Contact: (501)-673-7001
Info: Large farm equipment specializing in tractors and steam engines. Open Tuesday- Saturday, 10-12 & 1-4 Museum: THE GOLDEN ERA MUSEUM
Location: 297 W. Central, Coolidge, Arizona
Contact: (602)-948-9570 weekdays or (520)-723-5044 weekends
Info: Open 11 am to 5 pm weekends October through May. Admission price California
Museum: ANTIQUE GAS & STEAM ENGINE MUSEUM
Location: Vista, California
Contact: (619)-941-1791
Info: Open daily 10-4. Guided tours & tours organized demonstrations available. Colorado
Museum: CONEJOS CO. FARM/RANCH MUSEUM
Location: LaJara, Colorado
Contact: Gene Williams, (719)-274-5765
Info: Open June 1 - September 30. Delaware
Museum: DELAWARE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUMS & VILLAGE
Location: 866 N. Dupont hwy., Dover, Delaware 19901
Contact: (302)-734-1618
Info: Featuring antique tractors dating back to the early
settlement. Illinois
Museum: WAUCANDA TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Location: Waucanda, Illinois
Contact: (708)-526-9303
Info: Many collections of farm equipment and old engines. Open May to September, Sundays only, 1-4. Museum: KLINE CREEK FARM
Location: Winfield, Illinios
Contact: (708)-876-5900
Info: Featuring many collections of farm equipment and tractors from the 1890’s. Open Thursday- Monday 9-5. Closed on holidays. Iowa
Museum: FLOYD CO. MUSEUM
Location: 500 Gilbert St., Charles City, Iowa
Contact: (641) - 228-1099; Fax (641)-228-1157
Info: Museum is open all year.Large selection of tractor manuals & Oliver Promotional Films on video tape available. Museum: HEARTLAND MUSEUM
Location: 119 - 9th Street SW, Clarion, Iowa 50525
Contact: (515) - 602-6000
Info: The museum has over 16,000 square feet of antique tractors, trucks and machinery. Visit the museum website at www.heartlandmuseum.org Museum: MIDWEST OLD SETTLERS & THRESHERS ASSN. INC.
Location: Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Contact: (319)-385-8937
Info: Collections of steam tractors & engines. Open mid April to mid October, Monday - Friday, 9-4. Museum: VAN HORN TRUCK MUSEUM
Location: Mason City, Iowa
Contact: (515)-423-9066
Info: Open daily May 25 to September 22 Indiana
Museum: SKINNER FARM MUSEUM & VILLAGE STEAM & GAS SHOW
Location: Perrysville, Indiana
Contact: Norman Skinner, (765)-793-4079
Info: August 15 & 16, 1998. Call for more information. Kansas
Museum: CENTRAL KANSAS FLYWHEELS MUSEUM
Location: 1100W. Diamond Dr., Salina, Kansas 67401
Contact: (785)-825-8473
Info: Hours are 1-5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. May 1st through October 31st. Call for special tours. Our museum has a rare policy of accepting items on loan. We feel this policy makes items available to us that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Museum: NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CENTER & HALL OF FAME
Location: 630 Hall of Fame Dr., Bonner Springs, Kansas
Contact: (913)-721-1035; Fax (913)-721-1202
Info: Open mid March through November Museum: NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CENTER & HALL OF FAME
Location: Bonner Springs, Kansas
Contact: (913)-721-1075
Info: Open mid March to November, Monday- Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5. That is enough for now. More Museums to come next time! Aliza Levine is an Antique Farm Nut and Historical Researcher
Check out http://www.Antique-Farm.com - Feel Free to copy, print and frame the stunning Historical Farm Photograph Collection! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aliza_Adar_Levine http://EzineArticles.com/?Antique-Farms:-A-Great-Family-Heritage-to-Discover—Part-I&id=101323 real lenders for bad credit
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Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth Whitening

May 31st, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Stuart Simpson Maybe you are ready to get rid of your old silver fillings. Maybe you dont like you discolored teeth. Or maybe your smile needs adjusting. This new dentistry goes beyond just fixing teeth. Its about helping people gain more self confidence by having a wonderful smile. Your image matters and tells your customers and friends that you value your image and expect the best in return. There are several different forms of cosmetic dentistry to give you that winning smile. Crowns, veneers, bonding and bleaching are all effective methods to varying degrees and price. Cosmetic crowns can cover old, leaking silver fillings. They can also cover fractured and broken teeth. If you have visible fillings when you smile, porcelain crowns can eliminate that metallic look. Crowns are tooth colored to match your existing teeth. They are carefully tinted to match existing teeth. Cost can range from $550 to $800 per tooth. Veneers are around $750 to $2,000 per tooth. But it will reshape your teeth. The dentist usually grinds down your teeth and adds a custom porcelain shell. Most people get the six to ten teeth in their smile zone fixed. Then you can have the others bleached. But the bad news they usually have to be replaced about every 10 years. Bonding is similar, but uses a plastic resin instead of the porcelain. Dentists have used these to replace chipped teeth. Bonding is done by hand by the dentist and is much cheaper at $300 to $700 per tooth. It cant reshape your teeth like veneers, but it can whiten your teeth similar to bleaching. Bleaching is good choice if you dont need your teeth straightened or reshaped. Peroxide bubbles out some of the stains in the tooth enamel. Your dentist will make a tooth tray for about $200-$500 that allows you to wear and let the peroxide do its trick. Usually you can get your teeth 5 shades whiter. You may have heard of Zoom! or BriteSmile. These are dentist-performed bleaching using special gels that are light activated. This can get your teeth up to 10 shades whiter! But this process can run from $400 to $1200. But its fast and your done. Before you go to any extremes, it may be beneficial to try the Crest Whitestrips Premium. This may give you an idea of how much change you want before spending the big bucks at the dentist for a professional service. Long ago, they used chlorine as a paste on peoples teeth. Looked great, but it ate off all the enamel and subsequent tooth decay set in causing unbearable pain. Thank goodness we have better options. There are several methods to whiten your teeth. These are some ideas on how to get your teeth, not only whiter, but also give you that wining smile you deserve. Stuart Simpson
http://www.teeth-whitening-review.com/articles Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Simpson http://EzineArticles.com/?Cosmetic-Dentistry-and-Teeth-Whitening&id=19918 laws on cash advance
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Contact Lens Care and Hygiene

May 29th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Ahmed Foaud There are absolutely no doubts that contact lenses are one of the most in demand beautifying tool in the world. The fact that the cost is well within the reach of most people, also adds to its attraction. So how to care it is very important point. The process by which the product is maintained and kept functional is called maintenance, or as in our context here, care. The steps you need to cover the minimum and most basic contact lens care are: Before handling contact lenses, wash and rinse your hands. Use a mild non-cosmetic soap. Soaps containing perfumes, oils or lotions leave a film on the hands, which may be transferred to the lenses and cause eye irritation. Dry hands with a lint-free towel. Fingernails should be short and smooth to avoid damaging the lenses or scratching the eye. Apply cosmetics after inserting and handling contact lenses. Hairspray may leave deposits on the contact lens. Use hairspray before inserting contact lenses. Do not use tap water to clean or soak contact lenses. Tap water contains bacteria that can cause serious eye infections that may lead to
blindness. Use lens care products recommended by your eye doctor. Contact lens solutions are designed for single use only in the storing case. Do not use solutions more than one time. Protein-removing enzyme cleaners are useful for rigid gas permeable contact lenses and for daily wear non-disposable soft contact lenses. Replace the contact lens storage case every three months. Rinse the storage
case every day with sterile rinsing solution. Let the storage case air dry. It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding lens care
and hygiene to prevent eye complications due to contact lens
wear. Fouad is a contact lens expert For more Information and Reviews Contact http://www.lensrate.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ahmed_Foaud http://EzineArticles.com/?Contact-Lens-Care-and-Hygiene&id=263706 cash advance no credit check
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The Pros and Cons of Online Dating Service

May 25th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Dave Poon Online Dating Service is one way to find love or a partner in life. It is a community where people from different places meet online and get the chance to communicate with each other. This is a convenient way for you to get to know a person whom you might be interested with. You can easily find an online dating service that suits your needs. Some of the popular dating services are Yahoo Personals, Match.com, eHarmony, Perfect Match, American Singles, Lavalife, Date.com and FriendFinder. Each site offers unique services for you to meet other people all over the world and establish good relationship with them. From there, you may find a prospect partner in life. If you plan to join an online dating service, it is important that you are aware its advantages and disadvantages. Below are things you have to consider before engaging into online dating. The Advantages of Participating in Online Dating Service (PROS) Convenient, Fast and Easy
Internet is a convenient place for you to get in touch with another person. If you want to show your interest with someone, you can just email them or chat with them if they are online. This saves your more time unlike those old days wherein your need to send snail mail to your penpals. Also, you can easily get information about a person through the online dating service. You can investigate more about the person before you actually meet them face to face. If you found out that you have differences and you just dont agree on many things, then you can easily break the connection between the two of you. Inexpensive
Everybody has internet nowadays because it has been part of our basic needs. So if you have an internet connection then getting an online dating service is a cheap way to meet a love one or a prospect partner in life. Many companies provide free services for online dating. Thus, you can save a lot of money compared to really dating a person during the get-to-know stage. Instead of buying cards, you can send him/her an ecard or simply send a note via email. And you can just have chit-chat all day instead of going out on a restaurant and spending a couple of dollars. Safe
Most online dating services incorporate safety and security in their service agreement. This means that the identifiable information you can give about yourself is controllable or limited. The Disadvantages of Online Dating (CONS) Dishonesty
Some people may not provide accurate information about themselves and some may even break their promises. They are not afraid that you can get back on them because they can easily change their contact information or identity on the internet. Unreal
The love or any feeling you have towards a person maybe unreal because you havent really met the person. You may have a good relationship online but when you meet face to face, there is a possibility that the chemistry is not there. This will be one of the risks because you have to distinguish fantasy from reality. Since the process is usually fast, intimacy may not be felt or may not last that long. Security
While it has been discussed that participating in an online dating service is safe, there is also an accompanying risk when it comes to meeting people you really do not know. Some may even harass or harm you once you put your trust on them. This can even be traumatic to others. Remember to take extra care when looking for the appropriate online dating service that can cater your needs. Then, accompany your search with good common sense and judgment to minimize the risk involved when participating in online dating service. This way you can have a safe, fun and enjoyable online relationship. Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in Online Dating. For more information regarding Online Dating Service please drop by at http://www.worldwidewebdating.com/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Poon http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Online-Dating-Service&id=264749 payday trans
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Is the Role of Marketing Changing

May 22nd, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Ian Dainty Have you tried any prospecting lately, or talked to any potential customers for your products or services? If any of these people do have the problems your products or services solve, have you noticed that they may already know quite a bit about the types of features your solution does offer. Many savvy B2B purchasers are now able to begin the buying cycle without you. It used to be that when a prospect was in the hunt for a solution to a problem he would call his local sales rep, and have him come over for a chat. In fact, he would probably call three or four different companies and have each of them send over a representative. As business and sales people, we salivated over this, because this was what we called low hanging fruit, ripe for the picking. We always thought, I have the information, and they need me to find out about the types of solutions I could offer them to solve their problems. The Internet has changed all of that. Now your prospects can go online and learn almost anything they want to know about all of your products and services, as well as the products and services your competitors offer. This takes away the advantage you may have had before. So what can you do to take back that advantage? There are a number of things that can help you. That is why marketing has become so important now more than ever, and will become even more important in the future. You need to have different marketing campaigns that will grab your prospects and want them to come to you first. Here are five marketing ideas you can pursue to keep your company name constantly in front of your prospects and customers. 1. Offer them something to prove you understand their business problems. Offer them a free report, a white paper, a webinar; have them sign up for your newsletter, etc. Show them you understand their business, and that you can help them. 2. Increase the frequency of your communication with your customers and prospects. You should be sending them something of value at least every two weeks. If you arent doing this, you can bet at least one of your competitors is doing it. 3. You should have at least five marketing approaches you are using. These can include any of the following.
 Direct mail
 Shows & Exhibitions
 Conference calls
 Webinars
 Telephone marketing
 Email capture
 Public Relations
 Press releases
 Referrals
 Focused advertising
 And there are many, many more ways to keep in touch 4. Ask more questions every time you get a chance. Try and understand your prospect and customer from every angle. Get a 360 degree look at your customer. Then send them an email thanking them and confirming everything you talked about. 5. Get a third party to interview your present and past customers. These types of interviews yield very positive results for two good reasons. First, your customers are impressed that you would pay someone money to interview them. Secondly, your customer will be more frank and objective with a third party and you will learn more this way. Always remember to help your customers. Dont pester them and you will be successful. Ian Dainty has been involved in selling and marketing for over 30 years. Ian started his business career with IBM. He has owned, grown and successfully sold two technology related businesses. Ian has trained thousands of sales, marketing and management people on strategies for opening new account, selling to small and medium sized businesses, as well as managing large Fortune 500 companies. Ian has written a book entitled “A Blueprint for Success in Hi-Tech Sales”. Visit Ian’s web site at http://www.hitechsalescoach.com and join his newsletter to obtain a free copy. Or you can purchase the book on its own. You can also contact Ian at ian@hitechsalescoach.com Good Selling. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Dainty http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-the-Role-of-Marketing-Changing&id=344671 apartments with no credit check in atlanta ga
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What is a “Pour-Over Will?”

May 19th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Phil Craig One of key parts of your estate plan is your “pour-over will.”
Yet, many people don’t know what it is, what it does, or why
it is needed. First, what is a “pour-over will?” Simply put, it is a last will and testament that states that if
there is an asset that was left out of your revocable living trust, then the missing asset is to be put (”poured over”) into your revocable living trust so that the missing asset will be transferred along with the other assets of your revocable living trust. Another purpose of your pour-over will is to revoke any prior wills you might have had. This avoids the possibility of a conflict between what is stated in your revocable living trust and what was stated in your prior will. The pour-over will can also state your wishes with regard to who
will care for any minor children you might leave behind. This is
called nominating a “guardian of the person” of your children.
Your revocable living trust will probably contain provisions for
the use of your assets for your minor children. Does a “pour-over” will require probate? Yes. Probate is used to
carry out the terms of your will. A will has no effect unless and
until it is admitted to probate. Often, we will not need to use the pour-over will to avoid probate if we have a General Assignment of Assets to our revocable living trust. You should check with your estate planning professional to determine if one is appropriate for you. Good luck and until next time, Phil Craig P.S. Feel free to forward this on to any friends. Phil Craig is a licensed attorney and entreprenuer.
He started practicing law at age 25 in 1979.
He does not take on any more clients, but is
advisor to some of the biggest names in the internet
world. He shares his knowledge gained over the
last 25 years at his Living Trust Secrets newsletter site:
click here=========>http://www.LivingTrustSecrets.com ** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
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The World of Online Personals

May 16th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Morgan Hamilton One day while I was hanging out on the Internet, I stumbled across something very interesting. It took me by surprise and I’m not really sure why. It was nothing scandalous, it was simply the online personals section of my local web portal. What I’ve read on these online personals is what made me pause. I knew I had been out of the dating game for quite a while. I never imagined that they would become so racy. First of all, there were suddenly a whole lot more ladies participating on these WAP site that I had recalled. I will have to admit that when I was a little bit younger, I enjoy checking out the online personals in hopes of meeting women. Going to the nearest bar and scouting for them felt creepy, and getting a date from one of my classmates was out of the question. When you are one of the only few nerds in a class filled with quarterbacks and other sporty types, your chances of getting a date are next to nil. That is why I turn to online personals as my means for meeting the ladies. Truth be told, I actually met some very fine young ladies through the online personals. My first regular girlfriend was someone that I had met through the online personals. She may have been quite a bit older than I was, and come to think of it, quite a bit heavier, but hey, that’s the way it goes. Another encounter that I had with a woman met through the online personals ended up costing me quite a bit of money. But even which conned me out of it. I should say I allowed myself to be conned. After all, when a girl asks you for your credit card number in the very second online meeting, would you be dumb enough to give it to her? Unfortunately for me, I was. For once it paid off to have a credit card that was pretty much maxed out. In any event I never heard from her again and I appreciate that. As it turned out, it was a small price to pay to get her out of my life. In any event, getting back to the subject at hand, I was amazed by the openness and lack of scruples shown by these women. Not only were they more open about revealing who they actually were, a few of them actually became pretty explicit and verbalizing exactly what they were after. A far cry from my hey days on the online personals when it was taken for granted that the guys were all looking to get laid and the girls were all looking for the right groom. It seems as if anything on the online personals is free game at this point. It was kind of interesting. I sure was glad for the openness and opportunities the youngsters were enjoying. I must confess that I felt a little bit of envy that it wasn’t me. So if you do happen to get onto the online personals section of my local portal, see if there is a gopher15 hanging around. It may or may not just be me. Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning dating. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Online Personals Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton http://EzineArticles.com/?The-World-of-Online-Personals&id=255621 instant decision loan online
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Marketing the Government for Profit

May 14th, 2008 by mirabelmichels

By Melanie Corbett Steps and tips on marketing your business to the government. Fact: Federal, state and local governments buy over $450 billion combined in goods and services each year. Part of that can be yours if you know how to get it. Fact: Federal procurements under $25,000 never go through the bid/RFP process. The only way to earn these government procurements is to market your business wisely. You probably know there are huge opportunities for any business to earn government contracts. But how will YOU win them? Its easy to think of the government as a thing, an entity of inanimate form, but actually, the government is made up of people, hard-working business minded people just like you. With that in mind, marketing to the government is actually branding your name in the minds of the many thousands of government people who buy what you sell. If you will be doing business with the Federal government, the first step is to become registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR is a vendor database that collects and distributes data about potential contractors to government buyers. It helps Government Buyers know who you are and that youre a valid contractor. You can find it on the internet at: www.ccr.gov. Your next step is to find the right people. Numerous government buyers purchase different things. Some buyers only purchase supplies, while others are responsible for everything needed in their division - from property to paper clips. Do some research to find out who buys what you are selling. It really is all about who you know. Once you find the name and contact information of the right person, its all a matter of getting to know them and giving them an opportunity to know you and your business. This is when you educate buyers about your wonderful products and services. Get in touch through mailing advertisements, e mails, and telephone calls. But be careful, you dont want to risk being blacklisted as a spammer or be fined for unreasonable fax usage. Call buyers to inform them about your services, then ask if you can send them a fax or e mail. Also, call to schedule a meeting to discuss business opportunities with their agency. Dont forget to do your homework. Regularly check resources like fedbizopps.gov to find current federal procurements. The Small Business Administration website (www.sba.gov) also lists valuable information like prime contractors who are looking to subcontract with small businesses. Visit procurement fairs and conferences if your calendar and budget permits. Many resources are available to you including local SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Thousands of Small Business Representatives and Liaisons from every government agency are available to assist you. Find the Small Business resource in the agency you want to work with and let them point you in the right direction. Stay in touch! Maintain the relationships you begin with people in the government. Call and e mail regularly. You want to be in the front of their minds when they think about purchasing in your industry. Let them know when you introduce new products or services. Also, find out what their needs are, you may have just what they are looking for. Remember! Government employees are under strict ethical rules and are not permitted to take gratuities. However, nominally-valued samples available to the public are permitted. Finally, dont get discouraged. The government feels like a maze of organizations, agencies and divisions. It can be a challenge to find the right people. Take advantage of the resources that are available to you and learn as much as you can about the procurement process. Be confident in your products, your systems, and in yourself. The government buyers are like any other buyers; they want to work with people who offer value for the money. Your persistence and dedication to customer satisfaction is the best way to show government buyers that you mean business. About The Author Melanie Corbett works at TargetGov, helping businesses do business with the government. She can be reached at 410-579-1346 or mcorbett@targetgov.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Corbett http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-the-Government-for-Profit&id=12908 payday lloans
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