12 Simple Ways to Promote Your Business with Writing - p2

Have you been looking for ways to promote your business with what you love? If you love writing, there are great ways to use your gift. I have listed a few for you. Start with a couple and incorporate into your marketing system using your passion. Here are some quick tips to get you started promoting using your gift. Let the world know about your business with writing.

6) Send best articles to your local newspaper.

Include your copyright and bio or signature box. If you are feeling a bit intimidated by big city newspaper, start local. Your suburban paper or regional papers for rural areas may be most open to new writers.

7) Use Postal Mail to publicize your writing.

Don't discount the snail mail route audience. Mail articles including a hand written note and business card to friends, family and potential clients.

8) Pass out new articles at networking meetings of all kinds.

Most people are more open to a newsletter/article format of information than a brochure. Remember everyone loves helpful information and no one likes being sold to.

9) Subscribe to electronic lists that are setup for writers to promote their work.

Find out their guidelines (word count, bio length, etc.) before submitting. Some ezines list have strict word limits on bios. For example, some welcome full short bio while others may only accept Name and one link.

10) Develop free reports related to your industry or profession.

You'd be surprised at how many people will appreciate your useful information or related lists of resources. It means its one step of research or less time they have to spend to find out what they need. Be sure to include a report "sponsor ad" in your report promoting one of your services, products or affiliates.

11) Develop an ecourse (email workshop) to post on your site.

You may write the e-course or gather several of your similar-themed (5-7) articles and easily create an e-course. Set it up on auto responder and offer it free in the signature box of your article. You will gain subscribers to your list and sales.

Are you ready to get started yet? Implement these tips and use your passion of writing to promote your business. Go ahead. You'll see your passion is contagious. You will gain more exposure, more subscribers and more business sales than you ever dreamed, all while doing what you love.

How Do I Change My IP Address?

If you want an answer to this question; then pay close attention to this article. Actually, the surge in the number of people who use the internet these days is enough to make you prioritize the issue of privacy. All it takes for an intruder to break into your system is a simple knowledge of your IP address. Once your internet protocol address is compromised; all important and personal settings on your computer can be manipulated. That is why cases of stolen passwords, and identity theft are rife these days; making it absolutely necessary to surf anonymously.

There are various techniques and programs being used by people to protect their data online. Some of these programs have advanced features to help your surf anonymously; while some do not. We will be taking a look these methods in the next few paragraphs; hopefully, you should be able to make up your mind by the time you are through with the article. Please note that none of the numerous ant-virus programs already installed on your PC is capable of shielding your IP address; they are only there for other reasons.

How Do Change My IP Address? (By a free proxy server)

A proxy server is a website specifically created to or designed to protect your unique internet protocol address. It is an indirect way of accessing various websites in order to surf anonymously. A proxy server is not really as advanced in terms of quality features needed to access HTTPS pages; however you can use it to visit a couple of websites. Free proxy servers are slow, and this could be because of the amount of ads usually displayed on their web pages. Moreover, using a free proxy server is always at your risk.

My favourite, maybe the most popular choice these days is the secure my IP software. This software has built-in features that enables you do a lot of things privately and confidently. Unlike the free proxy server, this software helps me to secure my IP address without having any fear of losing my personal data to hackers. The fact that it does not affect the speed of my server makes it safer. Though, there are different applications online these days; you will be doing yourself a lot of good by reading reviews, and finding out from other customers about the right one to install on your computer.

About Home Office Furniture

There is a wide selection of home office furniture to choose from. Many people find working from their homes is easier and more cost effective than actually having an office in a main road or in an industrial area. The great thing is that turning an empty room in your house into a office can make it look like any office you will find in a business outside your home.

If you are one that has a habit of moving things around all the time the chances of doing it when you have an office in your home are great That does not have to be a problem, because getting computer cart makes moving your computer around easier. There are also great desk available. The L-shaped desk is great if you want your desk in the corner of the room or in the center of the room.

You will definitely need a place for you hard covers and leather bound books, and in some people's opinion an office would not be an office without bookcases. This can be organized in such a way that you do not have to search through the books with your finger, but know exactly where everything is.

File cabinets are great especially for keeping personal documents. They do not stand out from other office furniture. There are designs to match the furniture you will be having in your office. The prices of these pieces are reasonable, and if it is something that you want then you would not mind paying what is asked.

These are just the basic pieces required in the office. There is a wide selection to choose from, and after finding what you really need down the line you will be pretty sure that you will have the space when the time comes.

Elle - 'The Body' and Money

It looks like the economic downturn has provided an excellent excuse for women to buy expensive lingerie. According to a recent interview with Elle 'the body' Macpherson says: "In a depressed economy, where we can't afford a new dress, we can spend £100 on a new bra and knickers that can feel like a gift."

Well thank you for that little gem of wisdom Elle but I wouldn't normally spend £100 on a new bra and knickers even in a positively buoyant economy. As for feeling like a gift...well it would certainly feel like a gift if I hadn't bought it myself (or if I had a split personality who likes shopping) but the best I have come to expect is an ill-thought out piece of tack from Ann Summers. My one seriously expensive lingerie set I bought myself has been worn only twice as it is so uncomfortable.

As an epilogue I can see where the bubble-wrapped model is coming from. It would have been advisable to reiterate it for the 'average' woman who can easily keep a whole new outfit within the £100 barometer. What she should have said is a new nail varnish or designer lipstick, which I could have understood completely apart from the 'gift part' as I am sill unsure as to what the hell she was talking about. Of course she was merely trying to plug her own lingerie designs by slipping the comment into the interview disguised as genuine insight. This could well be the literary equivalent of Clark Kent's glasses. I.e. A really rubbish disguise.

Currently we are also being told by newspapers and financial magazines that the best thing to invest in right now is gold. Not gold as in jewellery of course, but gold as in pure unadulterated gleaming soft bullion. After these irresponsible articles there are sure to be some naïve readers out there who will now be mincing around in overpriced frilly knickers and gleaming in ornamental medallions whilst thinking they are being sensibly frugal.

I on the other hand am paying rather more attention to rising gas and oil prices. I know that underwear (unless it's thermal) will be of little use to me when the bills start to close in and my supplies start to close up. Its OK for Elle, she can afford to swan off to wherever the sun is shining but I believe that I would rather spend my £100 on a few thick woolly jumpers for the chilly British winter nights.

If you can't hold back from the spending then for goodness' sake look for bargains. Surfing the internet might not have the same instant purchase kind of feeling that 'real time' purchasing does but think of the benefits...you will not only be saving on fuel but you will be saving on plastic bags too, the environment and your wallet both reap the rewards. Now that's a real gift.

Crush It! By Gary Vaynerchuk - An Internet Wine Business Phenomenon's Grapes of Wealth Story

In 1978, Sasha and Tamara Vaynerchuk, and their three-year old son, Gennady emigrated from Belarus, in the former Soviet Union, to Queens, New York. They moved to the United States to realize the American dream. Gennady was renamed Gary; and today, is acclaimed for his Internet marketing and profits in the wine industry. In 2006, Gary Vaynerchuk began using social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to maximize his brand equity. Vaynerchuk chronicles his achievements; and defines how anyone, with enough passion, persistence and patience can realize their own dreams in Crush It! Why Now Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion (Harper Collins, 2009).

The Internet (a virtually nonexistent medium a scant 14 years ago, notes Vaynerchuck) is a game changer in the 21st century marketplace. Vaynerchuk believes most people still haven't harnessed its true power. Now, education levels, number of connections and wealth no longer determine an individual's propensity for success.

Personal branding is key to monetizing your passion online, says Vaynerchuk. Even if you're happily employed, it's essential, given the volatility of the new world economy. He presciently describes the death of resumes, as we know them today. "Developing your personal brand is the same thing as living and breathing your resume every second that you're working. Your latest tweet and comment on Facebook and most recent blog post? That's your resume now."

Vaynerchuk inherited his father's entrepreneurial DNA, quick to capitalize on business opportunities in youth; including selling baseball cards at the mall, and doing neighborhood chores. He honors DNA; noting that it's what makes each one of us unique and interesting. "I firmly believe that the path to your business success literally lies in the twists and turns of your own double helix," he says.

Vaynerchuk details today's social media juggernauts Facebook and Twitter and how to maximize them for brand development. He describes other sites too, mentioning that they're worth joining due to the extreme competition on the heavy hitters. He also emphasizes that social media tools "are only as powerful as the person who uses them." The foundation of all social media is having good content, including storytelling. He advocates delivering your message with an audio, video, or written word blog. Once you've built a community, and your brand becomes sticky you can begin to monetize your expertise. Dive into revenue ponds, including articles, seminars, and speaking engagements, to name a few.

Entrepreneurs benefit by adopting reactionary business practices, says Vaynerchuk; being able to adapt and change. Social media platforms improve your ability to be reactionary, enabling you to guide your brand and put out fires when necessary. Trendspotting is another reactionary business move.

Crush It! reads at a succinct 142 pages. One caveat however. Vaynerchuk has become so famous, that his prompts to email him will take months for a reply. He admits he's at a crossroads with his Inbox volume and ability to respond individually; and is exploring other communication options.

Think of Crush It! as Internet rock star Gary Vaynerchuk's MTV Unplugged performance. Forget his Web fame. Disregard his multi-million dollar profits from monetizing his brand online. Omit his A-list endorsements.

Vaynerchuk's raw message is clear: Ultimately, family comes first, followed by a passionate, hard work ethic. Today, it's imperative that everyone develops their own personal brand; realizing that personal and professional brand equity are inseparable. Professionally, individuals mired in a 20th century employee mentality will languish in an entrepreneurially minded new world economy.

Food for Thought: Exercise Your Mind

Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired concentration, and feelings of dejection. Some people believe that depression is normal. Hectic daily activities and the conflict between family and career cause constant stress. Yet depression and anxiety as a response to stress are not normal. They can be signs of illness, which may worsen and result in physical symptoms or an inability to function.

Life was much simpler for the last two generations. Father worked; mother stayed home. This is no longer the model. Some now view families as an "endangered species." There are more single mothers working than ever before. There is greater stress and competition for well-paying jobs. The result: long hours at work, away from the family. Children are raised with limited supervision. Thus we see more children with emotional problems derived from a lack of knowledge as to who they are and what their role is in today's society. Similarly, adults suffer from the loss of nurturing that family time should provide.

Until recently, mental health was not discussed openly. However, there is a growing awareness that choosing therapy can be helpful, even necessary, to cope with today's life. Psychiatric help is often sought for the entire family. Today, being healthy means not only having a sound body, but also a sound mind and spirit.

People exercise their bodies daily, yet they neglect to "exercise" their feelings and emotions. Young men are taught to hide and deny emotions. Women are reluctant to seek help in coping with their depression, anxiety, or distressed relationship. The same fitness fanatic who exercises daily, eats right and has two physicals a year will neglect the mind until a crisis is reached. Emotional problems don't just happen, but are cumulative and they can be avoided at times with the same "daily fitness" and "annual physical" approach we use when caring for our bodies.

The Chinese say "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Just like it's better to maintain a healthy heart than recover from a heart attack, dealing with emotional issues is easier before the chaos of a crisis breaks. Think about "exercising your emotions" and give your mental health professional a call.