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By T Dooley Raking in heaps of business without having to spend the time, money and energy on hunting down sales. Now that sounds like the sort of stuff dreams are made out of. Well, not really. Not if harness this most powerful and influential for… Think about how Apple went from something that you ate to keep the doctor away to the creator of the best-selling iPod… How Hotmail managed to gain more than 12 million subscribers in less than a year-and-a-half… Its called WOMM or word-of-mouth marketing. Based on spreading good honest opinions, it influences more people to buy or not to buy products and services than most if not all other forms of marketing. Buzz marketing can be worth thousands of times more powerful than conventional marketing. But to really spread the word about your business, positive WOMM is generated from lots of things done well. Here are 11 ways to leverage the selling power of word-of-mouth marketing: 1. Be valued offer exceptional value to your customers. It goes without saying that your products and services should be the best they can be. But why stop there? I always deliver more than I promise with my clients. It might be throwing proofreading into a website rewrite without charge, offering suggestions for an improved marketing response or simply finishing the project well ahead of time. The willingness to go out of your way for customers is always obvious, and they do take a note of it. The result can be that they rapidly spread the word about working with you. 2. Be inviting actively seek feedback from your customers and prospects. Positive testimonials work well in your marketing materials. Include a few on in your company brochure, and be sure to place them on your website. 3. Be a writer writing articles for local publication, trade magazines and online sources can really help spread the word. You can create an expert status for yourself, to boot. If you dont have the time or skills to write articles, hire a freelance writer to ghostwrite the articles for you. That way, you still get the PR as your by-line will be published. 4. Be tagged! You probably know by now that the best source of business is always the people you know. So, if they are able to clearly and concisely tell others what you do, all the better! This can be facilitated via a snappy tagline (not a slogan) that tells people what you do. Keep it brief, preferably up to eight words. Use this tagline on every marketing piece including your email signature, business cards, stationery, etc. 5. Be fair and honest word-of-mouth marketing depends on being highly believable, truthful and reliable. If you promise something, be sure to deliver it. Dont push any surprises on your customers, either. Always spell out up front what you get for your prices. People dont like to feel theyre been robbed, so dont wait until the end to add on any items such as hidden delivery charges. By being as genuine and good to your word as you can, your customers are more likely to sing your praises, rather than badmouth you. Be the news press or news releases are a fantastic way of getting media coverage. The majority of press releases go straight into the bin, or simply get lost among the daily deluge of press materials. But if you write yours well, and it is newsworthy, then yours could grab you tons of free publicity. 6. Be the news press or news releases are a fantastic way of getting media coverage. The majority of press releases go straight into the bin, or simply get lost among the daily deluge of press materials. But if you write yours well, and it is newsworthy, then yours could grab you tons of free publicity. My ‘Power Publicity’ TeleClass will help you write and distribute a release that grab’s the media spotlight. 7. Be spreading the news newsletters or ezines that are sent out to current and past customers, prospects, the media and associates can be very effective marketing tools. Focusing on who will receive your newsletter will in turn help to focus your marketing efforts toward the very people who are more likely to use your products or services. And if they like what they read, theyll tell others about you, too. 8. Be thankful people like to be appreciated. When was the last time you sent a note of thanks to someone because they were a good customer, or they paid on time? Do it! Its a good way of showing you care, and of reminding them who you are! 9. Be competitive try an online sweepstake or contest, with a prize that hits your ideal customers hot button. Make it desirable enough that people will play again and again, or invite others to play. 10. Be an in-house publisher write a book on what you it is that you want people to invest in. If interesting and done correctly, your book can quickly become talked about and the buzz will extend to your business. 11. Be affiliated using an affiliate programme whereby your offer your affiliates up to 50% of every sale they make pushes the word-of-mouth and referral marketing into a snowball effect. As well as getting people to promote and sell your products or services, your business or name will become well known. Again, make sure that what you are offering is of value. Copyright, 2006 T Dooley, Independent Copywriter & Editorial Consultant Want to use this articleon your website, blog, a message board or in an ezine? Not a problem! But please give credit where it’s due. You MUST include the following: Tracey “Word Doctor” Dooley of MediaMinister (http://www.mediaminister.co.uk) is an experienced copywriter, editor and marketer. She has spent almost 14 years crafting compelling copy that successfully sells, informs, educates or entertains. =====>>> To sign up for her freebie business- building tips, marketing and publicity pointers, visit http://www.mediaminister.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T_Dooley http://EzineArticles.com/?WOMM:-The-Easy-Way-to-Skyrocket-Your-Sales&id=330514 fast cash ri bad credit auto title loan easy personal loan work at home for prepaid card or payday loan

By Leon Chaddock You need litigation support. Where are you going to turn for your needs? Surely your client expects high quality and you expect to do much better than the other side of the courtroom will. But, when it all comes down to it, there is simply some things that you just can not do on your own. In these cases, having effective, reliable litigation support on your side can make all of the difference. If you are interested in these services, look at the advantages that some litigation support opportunities can provide for you. For example, they can help you in a number of very important ways. They can help you with video depositions as well as courtroom design and automation. And, they can help you with scanning and the coding of your very important documents. Should you choose to go without litigation support like this, you may find yourself in a whole mess of trouble. But, before you head off to choose a company to do your work for you, consider the options that you have first. For example, youll simply need to have the right levels of experience and know how from the company that will provide your litigation support. You need to know that you can trust in everything that they provide for you. Quality is key. You also need to know that they will deliver when they say they will. They need to provide for you what you need, when you need it. You need to be able to expect quality, timeliness, and expertise from the litigation support that you choose. To find the companies that can provide just that for you, you simply need to use the web as a tool to finding them. Research them, ask questions, and interview them. Do whatever it takes to provide you with what you need to know. Make sure you can communicate with them effectively and that they prove worthy through the way in which they present their services to you. Litigation support is the backbone of your company, after all. for more information please see http://www.litigation-support-shack.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leon_Chaddock http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-and-Using-Litigation-Support&id=84433 lottery pay day texas bad credit new car loan refinance your personal loans instant decision personal loans

By Ziv Haparnas Fat free food has become a phenomenon. Everywhere you go signs yell fat free as if to suggest that the food you are going to eat is healthier and less fattening. Many of us assume that fat free food is actually not fattening at all. A sad result of the fat free craze is people putting those extra pounds without realizing why. The word fat has many meanings. Two of them are fat in the food we eat and fat that we put on our bodies as a result of eating too much bad nutrition and not enough exercise. It is unfortunate that the word fat is used to describe these two totally different meanings. Because the same word carries those meanings many of us tempt to believe that as a result of eating fat free food we will not gain fat on our bodies. The truth is that eating fat does not necessarily mean that this fat will be put on our bodies as extra pounds. Fat has more calories per gram than many other ingredients. Eating a lot of fat means consuming much more energy than our body needs and extra energy means the body turning this energy into layers fat reserves. It is really the energy in the fat and not the fat itself that is fattening. So dont think that just by avoiding fat you will avoid getting fat that is just not true. Fat free food is less tasty than food with fat. Many times in order to compensate for the lost of taste food companies add sugar and other ingredients to their products. Processed sugar is a very low quality source of energy. In fact the body can only use that energy for a very short time after it was consumed. Since most of us are not going to jog right after consuming sugar the body will have nothing to do with that extra energy but convert it to fat. Sugar turns into fat in our body. Many people do not realize that or just ignore that fact. Consuming fat free food that is rich in sugar is not different than consuming food with a lot of fat or just consuming a lot fat and calories. The body is an amazing machine and it is very efficient. Energy that can not be used or is not needed is reserved for the future and the way in which the body reserves energy is by building extra layers of fat. So when we eat fatty food we actually just consume too much energy the reason we gain weight is not because we eat fat that sticks to out body but because that fat has too much energy and the excess energy is converted to layers of fat by our body. And when we eat fat free food that is rich in sugar our body will again have excess energy that can not be used and that will be converted to layers of fat too. To conclude it is important to understand that fat free does not mean healthy or non fattening food. Always check the nutrition facts of the food you consume to determine that you are not consuming too many calories or too much sugar. It is better to have some fat in your food and less sugar than too much sugar and no fat at all. As always the best diet is one that preaches for moderation in the quantity of food and in its nutrition. Make sure your calories are consumed from nutritious ingredients and not from just sugar and fat. Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ziv_Haparnas http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Truth-Behind-Fat-Free-Food—Do-Not-Be-Tempted-By-The-Ads&id=182631 budget finance pay day loans how much of a percrentage can an employer legally take out of a paycheck short term interest only loans cash advance questions

By John Williams Throughout the decades, the social significance of black hairstyles has remained a relevant part of black history. Unlike other American cultural trends, black hairstyles represent a significant history and pride amongst black women. Where else does ones self worth and self image play such a high role in society? When black women enter the salon for a new hairdo, many times they must look at the whole picture; considering the social message that they will be sending when walking out of the salon and into black society. Since the 1400s, when slaves were brought to the New World,” they were made to change their hairstyles to more traditional European standards. This included the use of herbs and botanicals that relaxed their coarse hair, giving the appearance of finer hair. Throughout slave times, black women grown accustomed to their European counterparts wore their hair straightened, combed, and parted. Since that time, black women have often been ridiculed for their choices regarding their hair. In modern day times, black women must choose to conform to Western society and their hairstyles or go for the more natural look. During the late sixties, the Afro and more traditional ways of wearing ones hair made a debut. The image of freedom and pride led the movement for the El Natural look. But it was just that, a trend, that came and went; and in the near future; will most likely come again. However, since that time, more black women have opted for hairstyles that are Americanized and project the societal views of beautiful hair. Nothing is more evident of this trend than the huge amounts of money spent yearly on black hairstyles at various salons. Today, a black woman may spend hundreds of dollars at a salon every week, striving to achieve that perfect hairstyle. Even in the poorest of neighborhoods, hair salons and barbershops that cater to black hair are still thriving. So are these black women abandoning their cultural history and giving into the white mans ways? Most black women say no, its not a matter of history or culture, but a matter of looking good and feeling good about ones self. John Williams sends out a free hairstyle tips newsletter. Sign up for yours today! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Black-Womens-Hairstyles:-Its-Not-Just-About-The-Hair&id=102860 calculating paycheck withholding what is hard money loan indiana paycheck calculator payday loan utah

By Shane Magee Saint Patrick is of course the most well-known Irish saint, and today millions of Irish and non-irish alike celebrate the feast held in his name. Patrick was originally of a Roman family, and a child was taken hostage by an Irish raiding party and forced to work as a shepherd in Ireland. However, guided by a dream, he escaped and studied in several monasteries around Europe. Unembittered by his Irish experience, he heeded a request from the Pope to return and travelled throughout the country, his mission effectively marking the conversion of Ireland to a Christian country. Saint Brigid was the daughter of a local pagan Irish king; her mother was a slave who had been converted by St Patrick. From an early age, she had inclinations towards a spiritual life which her father resisted. She was famed for her generosity and would give her father’s belongings to anyone who needed them. Finally, he father agreed to let her enter a convent. When they asked a local king for land for an abbey, the king contemptously replied they could have as much land as her cloak could cover. Lo and behold, Brigid opened her cloak and it spread out to over a very sizeable area of land indeed. Her monastery at Kildare became a very important centre of learning. A more recent figure is Margaret Noble, who was born in Tyrone. In 1898, she met the great spiritual figure Swami Vivekananda, who had five years previously was instrumental in introducing Eastern philosophy to the West with his memorable plea for harmony between religions at the inaugural World Parliament of Religions in 1893. She began learning spirituality under his guidance and was given the name ‘Nivedita’, meaning one who is consecrated to God. Upon hearing a remark upon how well she had converted to Hinduism, Vivekananda’s sharp reply was that he was not trying to make her a Hindu, he was trying to make her a better Christian. After Vivekananda’s death in 1902, Nivedita continued on his work of education in India. In particular she is remembered for her tireless work to improve the lot of Indian women and for being of tremendous inspiration to those struggling for Indian independence. She has often been spoken of as a forerunner to Mother Teresa, who incidentally spent the formative years of her spiritual life in Ireland. The author, Shane Magee, has a Ph.D in particle physics. He studies meditation with the help of noted teacher Sri Chinmoy, and also teaches free courses on meditation and spirituality in Dublin, Ireland. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Magee http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Irish-Saints&id=490866 no fax no teletrak no cl verify cash advance money lenders london united kingdom lenders bad credit low income payday loans 30 min or less

By Peter Finch Many foreigners have come to Ukraine for business but have fallen in love with someone and have stayed for longer. What are good topics for conversation for your first date and what will guarantee you second? Young Ukraine ladies are open minded, well educated and their charm is hard to resist. They have interests in many areas: from social position, political opinion, knowledge in economy and of course, they are ladies and are interested in fashion and celebrities. They are curious towards foreigners because they know that these people have lived abroad and have new and different points of view which might broaden their own universe and give them new ideas and knowledge. It is not hard to start informal conversation with a girl from Ukraine; the challenge comes when you want to ask her for a date. These young ladies are careful regarding the relationships they have. There are many reasons for this and the most important one is public opinion. They have been taught that a woman has a high value but not speaking in monetary aspect, but regarding efforts for her attention. In their country, women who start a relationship from the very first “Hello” do not have a good public image. This is especially true for the small regions where everyone knows everybody and everything new is accepted with a suspicion. Good topics for conversation during the first date are your interests. The more you ask and share, the better you will know each other. Ukraine girls are not shy but on the first date everyone feels a little nervous and uneasy. Your best strategy will be to share something about your parents and childhood. Family plays an important role in local people’s life and if you tell something about yours this will bring your cultures a little closer. Most young women in Ukraine speak at least one foreign language fluently. Most of them have studied English in school or have taken extra courses. Even if they speak with an accent, what they actually need is more practice. They will enjoy chatting to everyone with whom they can put into practice their foreign language knowledge. One of the topics which to certain extent is not good to discuss during your first date, is the political situation in Ukraine as well as the old communist regime. The country was part of the Soviet Union but since December 1991 it is a fully independent country. Most people enjoy being citizens of Ukraine and not to be put under the flag of Russia. Another picky topic is the Chernobyl nuclear accident. It left devastation and ruined the life of many. It is said that radiation is still having an effect on these lands and Ukrainians rarely want to discuss this. If you make your date laugh and feel confident with you, be sure that you will have chance to invite her for a second date and eventually your relationship will grow more serious. Telling funny stories from your life is always a good strategy. Also share memories from childhood, because it is often considered that this is one of the most intimate periods in man’s life. This will reveal your past and your date from Ukraine will not remain there thinking that you only want to get advantage of her. Don’t get scammed. Check out our reviews of all of the top ukrainian dating agencies at Ukraine Dating Review. Looking for a ukraine bride or ukraine dating? Visit us now. You will be spoilt for choice. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Finch http://EzineArticles.com/?Ukraine-Dating—What-Are-The-Topics-For-The-First-Date&id=518197 el paso online car loan private money loans in texas hard money lenders for business loan corpus christi online used car loan

By John Gibb For an artist, selling something he or she has made is really gratifying. As many of them admit, its one thing to get feedback from people they know, but there is something about a complete stranger liking their art piece, design, song, painting, or idea, so much that they actually decide to pay money to acquire it. Well, before getting ready to sell your original designed t-shirts at your local flee market or through your own website, you better start by reading this simple paint-your-t-shirt guide. Regardless if you are planning to make this a family tradition or a one-time event for you and your friends, designing the layout of your t-shirt and then painting it on your own can is a fun and easy project to work on. Begin by purchasing your stock of plain cotton-polyester t-shirts from your local garment store. Cheap used white underwear t-shirts should be your first choice, especially if this is your first attempt as a fashion designer slash artist. But because most inks and paints are somewhat translucent, unless you really have to use those blue t-shirts, its better to use white ones as they are a much easier background to place your colorful palette on. An interesting idea, which might save you some money if you select to buy your t-shirts, is to ask your local t-shirt printing store if they would resell at cost price or even donate some of their white t-shirts to you; if you are a teacher and this is an idea of a school project you can argue that this actually improves their corporate social responsibility profile. Even if no freebies exist in your area, buying a pack of white underwear t-shirts costs less than you can imagine; avoid designer labels if you need those extra savings. You can also order the shirts direct from manufacturers, but then be prepared to wait a bit longer before your order goes through. Also, at this experimental stage, buy one size that will easily fit everyone. Now that you have your white t-shirts its time to select your painting method. Visit your local craft or fabric store and ask them which brands they recommend for your type of project. Check the products life expectancy once applied on the t-shirt and compare prices, colors and application methods. With a huge variety of fabric sprays, roll-on paint bottles, air-brushes, acrylics, crayons, dye paints, batiking, or iron-on transfers, it is best if you take some time to select the best possible method for your time, money and expertise. Remember that experimenting is good at any stage, but if you want to have a ready-to-wear product after 24 hours, it is best to go with the method that you find the easiest to explore. Sponge painting, for example, is a great method to teach kids how to use colors on a white surface and how their patent might differ from the original design they had on mind. On the other hand, block painting creates a less versatile outcome as paint is transferred in a thicker layer onto the fabric as you place and press wood surfaces, or even sliced potatoes, after dipping them in paint. In case crayon iron transfers which have to be designed and colored backgrounds or acrylic paints and paintbrushes seem too difficult for you to handle, you can begin by using simpler painting methods like magic markers and writing paint bottles with roller ball tips. But whichever method you select be sure to place some old rugs or think pieces of cartons between the front and the back of the t-shirts in order to avoid coloring the other side by mistake. Do you feel more confident now? Its time now to get your gear and paint away! John Gibb is the owner of T-shirt resources For more information on T-Shirts check out http://www.t-shirt-info-and-guides.info Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb http://EzineArticles.com/?Paint-Your-Own-T-Shirt&id=274755 corpus christi online used car loan temecula hard money lender christmas fast cash advance interest only real estate loans no money down

By Ronald F. Patterson What a cruel trick the weather is playing on us. WE HAVE SNOW ! ! ! A bit depressing for us outdoor types. Yet, what better time to cheer myself up by writing to you. Karen is in the kitchen right now. Pookie (Putta) is leaning on me while I give him some attention. Who knows where the cats are. Yolonda is in her room folding cloths for her mom. The feeders are busier right now with the nasty weather, too bad the windowsare closed again. Some good news for me…………. my mom is back in her apartment aftera few weeks in the hospital and therapy. I’m a mama’s boy so that was a bit taxing on me. Last week I told you about the yard where I grew up. My dad passed away 20 years ago, but my mom kept the “Ole Homestead”for another 15 years. With her kids busy raising families of their own, the yard didn’t receive a lotof attention. Yet, the yard and wildlife flourished. Mom added a humming bird garden off the back patio and would sit out thereon milder days and summer evenings and watch her little jewels. Her birds would hardly flinch when we moved. When filling her feeders, as soon as I turned my back the birds would show as fast as they left. A small wooded area sat about 75 yards from our house. I believe the yardbecame an extension of the woods. As things grew, so did the collection of birds and wildlife. HOW TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF BIRDS COMING TO YOUR YARD Remember, where you live makes a difference in what you can plant and thevarieties of birds you will attract. However, planting for birds will double the number of birds coming to your yard. Here is a small list of trees for birds: Attracting Birds: Trees Native trees work best, though not a total requirement. Some introduced specimens have been around long enough that plants and birds have adapted. Look for trees that are zone hardy where you live. Here is a zone map from USDA for North America:National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map If you need some help, talk to your local garden center or better yet - a Certified Nurseryman in your area. Speak with a professional who can assist in planting guidelines and requirements; such as sun or shade, will a tree tolerate wet feet. What about fertilizer? LET’S TAKE A WALK! It’s a nice day today, how about you and I go for a walk in a local park witha wooded area or find us an Arboretum. Do you notice the canopies of the trees? Do you see the brakes in the shaded areas? The lower growing trees and shrubs. Do you see the varieties of ground cover and under brush? The wild flowers in bloom today are food tomorrow. Can you hear the birds singing in the trees? Did you notice the chickadee following us as we went down the trail? I enjoyed this walk with you. Let’s do this again a few more times. Every couple of months just to see whatnature is offering the birds. WHAT IS NEXT Remember, now, to start with what you have. Make your current trees and shrubs a focal point for now. Backyard habitats take time and are years in the making. Do what your budget, time, and body will allow. This is a very important point, so let me say it again here: Do what your budget, time, and body will allow. Youll experience the most joy backyard birding if you use this approach. Also, look for sales. Do any of your friends have snips of bushes you could root? How about a family member or friend that has a few extra trees growing in a field? Ask if you could dig some up. Explain what you plan to do. Remember, it is illegal to dig up any wild trees or flowers on public or private land without permission first. Make a list of what you have and don’t have. Make another list of what you would like to plant for your new birdscape. You might even mention to your neighbors what you plan on doing and dare suggest it become a neighborhood event. I get excited talking to you about birds and nature. Wouldn’t it be nice to give back what we get from our surroundings? Until next time my friend. Have a blessed week and always SMILE. Ron http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/ Ronald Patterson is an avid backyard birder, going back 40plus years. Ron and his wife Karen owned a wildbird specialty store through much of the 90’s and through 2001. Ron is also a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. This aids in giving expert advice on birds and what to plant to attract wildbirds to your yard. Ron’s newsletter: Backyard Birding Tips http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/ is a FREE weekly publication Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronald_F._Patterson http://EzineArticles.com/?Gardening-For-Birds&id=35194 calculating paycheck withholding find personal loans for poor credit personal garentee loan oroville california cash advance

By John Jarmola Cocoa powder and the many different types of chocolate are all derived from cocoa beans, the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree. These small trees are native to the tropical America but are extensively cultivated elsewhere in the tropics. The tree begins to bear fruit when it is 4-5 years old. The small pink flowers and succeeding fruit pods grow directly from the trunk and main branches. On average a full grown tree may produce 6000 flowers, only twenty of which will become pods. A pod weighs about 1 pound (450g), and contains 20-40 seeds, or cocoa beans, which resemble plump almonds and are covered with a sweet white pulp. An ordinary bean has a dark brown or purple flesh, with a bitter, astringent and nutty taste. The Mayas and Aztecs of Central America, or what is known as Mexico, were the first know drinkers of chocolate. In 1519 the Spanish explorer Cortes discovered the beverage and introduced it to the Spanish court, after observing the Aztec Emperor, Montezuma consuming it. The drinking chocolate was made by drying the cocoa beans and roasting them over a fire. Water was then added and the beans pounded to a paste, often spices, nuts and powdered flowers were added. The chocolate making process is somewhat long and involved. When the cocoa beans (seeds) have been scooped from the pods, they are piled onto leaves, covered with more leaves and left for several days. The sugary pulp surrounding the beans begins to ferment. After fermentation the wet beans are dried, on mats, wooden platforms or in drying equipment. After drying, the beans are packed into bags ready for transportation to the next stage. At the factory the beans are sorted, cleaned and roasted for an hour in rotating drums at 275F (135C). The roasted beans are then kibbled, a process in which they pass between rolls of serrated cones placed at such a distance apart that the beans are cracked rather than crushed. The cracked shell is carried away by an air-blast(a process called winnowing). The broken beans or nibs are then ground between steel rollers. Because the cocoa beans are 50% fat (cocoa butter) and the grinding process generates heat, the crisp nutty cocoa nibs emerge as thick brown liquid. When cooled this solidifies to a hard block of unsweetened chocolate known as a mass. This is the basis of all chocolate products. Cocoa is made by extracting 70-80% of the butter. The hard dry cake which remains is then ground, reground and sieved. To make plain chocolate, extra cocoa butter and powdered sugar are added to the “mass”. Milk chocolate has sweetened full cream milk added which has been condensed into a rich creamy liquid. At these stages the chocolate has a rough texture. After being ground and mixed the liquid chocolate is further ground (Conched) with heavy rollers to produce a smooth velvety texture. This article was written by John Jarmola, a Consultant Food Technologist who specialises in the development of new food products. He is currently involved in a reviewing the benefits of the new “Superfood”, Acai Juice, to find out more visit http://acaijuicereview.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Jarmola http://EzineArticles.com/?The-History-and-Production-of-Chocolate&id=80608 debt consolidation loan online payday lottery win combinations personal loans done online el paso bad credit new car loan

By Martha Carnahan When I talk with my clients about adding testimonials to their marketing toolbox, I get a lot of nodding heads and agreement. And yet, many businesses put testimonial gathering on the back burner. It becomes one of those important but not urgent activities. Id love to see you turn up the fire on this no-brainer marketing tool that yields strong benefits at miniscule expense. Here are a few tips and compelling reasons to begin creating your inventory of client testimonials: Credibility We simply believe another persons touting of a business more than whatever the business may say on its own behalf. Testimonials provide external evidence of your success and abilities. TIP: Get your clients permission to use their full name, title and company name along with their quote. Human Interest People, and what they say and do, are always more interesting than straight-up information (well, to most of us, that is!). Your audience will read quotes from other people before they read your carefully worded marketing bullets. TIP: Put your best testimonials in prominent places on your website, brochure, proposals and other marketing materials. Trust Testimonials show your prospective customers that you are trustworthy with other clients who are willing to brag about you. TIP: Strive to create testimonials that convey specific benefits and results these are more powerful and come across as more authentic. Community Most people have a natural inclination to belong to and be part of successful ventures. By displaying your roster of happy clients, you invite new joiners into the fold. TIP: Be strategic about gathering testimonials from your ideal clients so that you attract more just like them. Heres an example from my own stash of testimonials (yes, I do follow my own advice!): Martha has a wonderful ability to bring fresh ideas to a situation, which continually helps you look at things in a new way. She is fun to work with, she makes me feel comfortable and challenges me all at the same time.” ~ K.M., Senior Engineer, Colorado Springs, CO Take these steps to get started immediately Make a list of your happy clients (okay, they are all happy, so this will be a list of ALL of your clients). Begin with those who you know are chatty and have been forthcoming with praise and positive comments in the past (some folks are just more expressive than others). Contact each client by email or phone or in person, depending on how they like being communicated with and ask if they would be willing to provide a testimonial for you. Make it easy for them to provide the kind of testimonial youd like to have by providing them with prompter questions. Examples: What have been the most notable benefits of using my services? What makes our company unique? How has your business improved as a result of the work we did for you? Make it easy for them, period. Some of your clients will zip off a quick email to you with a great testimonial. Others will take this on as a project and may be slow to get it done. They truly want to do a good job for you and may put more work into it than necessary. Take the pressure off offer to have a quick phone conversation with the client, where you can ask pointed questions and jot down notes from what they say. Then, you can write up a quote and have the client review it. This minimizes their workload and increases your ability to get a great quote from them. A win-win! No matter what, always give your client a chance to review the testimonial before you put it on any of your marketing materials. You want them to feel proud of how their comments are portrayed so they continue to be in your fan club. Going forward, be sure to collect a testimonial from each and every client after you complete an engagement the success will be fresh in their minds, which creates an even better quote. (Plus, you wont have to backtrack later.) If you provide a service that calls for discretion, or are in a highly competitive industry that requires client confidentiality, you can still make use of testimonials, but may have to use the individuals initials or skip their identity altogether. A real name is better, but not at the cost of exposing clients who want or need to remain anonymous always give them the choice. Martha Carnahan is president of MC3 Strategies, is an Atlanta-based company that champions entrepreneurs having a prosperous business AND a fabulous life. Learn more about Martha Carnahan and MC3 Strategies by visiting http://www.mc3strategies.com (which is currently under construction, but bookmark it for future reference!). Or, visit my coaching services website: http://www.YourBrilliantLife.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martha_Carnahan http://EzineArticles.com/?Testimonials:-Let-Your-Clients-Do-the-Selling-for-You&id=135967 earn extra money online loan payday loans maryland payday loan washington dc cash advance without a checking account