Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Send Press Releases! Get the Word Out about Your Great Work!
Instant Press Release Tool
Free On-line Press Release Creator Allows You To Instantly Create Powerful, Attention Grabbing, Perfectly Formatted Press Releases in an instant.
Now even people who have never written a press release before can crank out professional looking press releases in a matter of minutes.
Instant Press Release is the creation of a 20-year small business marketing pro and is absolutely free to use.
Click this link, create your press release and send it out to several of the following distribution sites http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/Instant-Press-Release.htm
Have a Fearless Day!
Anna D. Banks
Anna@AnnaBanks.com
www.AnnaBanks.com
www.StrictlyBusinessRadio.com
Follow me on TWITTER - www.Twitter.com/annabanks
=================================================================================
Here's a list of 20+ sites that will help you with getting your press release out in the world for FREE.
24-7PressRelease.com - Free release distribution with ad-support
1888PressRelease.com - Free distribution, paid services gives you better placement and permanent archiving.
ClickPress.com - Distributes to sites like Google News and Topix.net, Gold level will also get you to sites like LexisNexis.
EcommWire.com - Focuses on ecommerce and requires you include an image, 3 keywords and links.
Exextra.degree.effort@gmail.compress-Press-Release.com - Free Distribution Company with offices in 12 states.
Free-Press-Release.com - Easy press release distribution for free, more features for paid accounts.
Free-Press-Release-Center.info - Distributes your release, offers a web page with one keyword link to your site. Pro upgrade will give you three links, permanent archiving and more.
I-Newswire.com - Allows for free distribution to sites and search engines, premium membership differs only slightly in adding in graphics.
NewswireToday.com - All the usual free distribution tools, premium service includes logo, product picture and more.
PR.com - Not only will they distribute your press releases, but you can also set up a full company profile.
PR9.net - Ad supported press distribution site.
PR-Inside.com - European-based free press release distribution site.
PRBuzz.com - Completely free distribution to search engines, news sites, and blogs.
PRCompass.com - Distribute your press release with a free or paid version, others can vote it up ala Digg style.
PRUrgent.com - Not only distributes your release, but attempts to teach you how to write one, and even offers downloadable samples for you to work with.
Press-Base.com - Submit your release for free and get on their front page and the category of your choice.
PressMethod.com - Free press release distribution no matter what, but extra services based on the size of your contribution.
PRLeap.com - Free distribution to search engines, newswires, and RSS feeds. Fee based bumps get you better placement.
PRLog.org - Free distribution to Google News and other search engines.
TheOpenPress.com - Gives free distribution for plain formatted releases, fees for HTML-coded releases.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Have a Fearless Day!
Anna D. Banks
Anna@AnnaBanks.com
http://www.AnnaBanks.com
Host@StrictlyBusinessRadio.com
http://www.StrictlyBusinessRadio.com
Follow me on TWITTER - www.Twitter.com/annabanks
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Toye Kirkland featured guest on "An Empowered Woman" Radio Show
"Take Ten" with An Empowered Woman,
Toye Kirkland
Our own Toye Kirkland, owner of Toye Kirkland Interiors, was the featured guest on the December 7, 2008 edition of "An Empowered Woman" Radio Show hosted on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Listen as Toye Kirkland from Toye Kirkland Interiors shares quick holiday design tips, like what to do when "Oh boy...company's coming" and what could give you a "Big Bang for Little Bucks". Quick, afforable, redesign for your home or office.
Contact Toye Kirkland at Info@ToyeKirklandInteriors.com
Last Minute Holiday Touches on the Cheap!
By Kathy Wilson - The Budget Decorator
Budget Decorating Columnist
Last minute details can take a holiday home from ho ho hum to spectacular, and doesn't have to cost a lot of cash! Here are some great quick, easy, and inexpensive ideas to wow your guests and comfort your family.
*Use those leftover bits of wrapping paper and a hole punch to make confetti. (Great job for the kids!) Use the colorful confetti to sprinkle across holiday tables for festive cheer, or save for that midnight moment!
*Invest in a large roll of wire edged ribbon in gold or silver, so that it can be used for all holidays right into New Years. Learn to tie fanciful bows, or just tie a simple bow to the backs of dining chairs, around stemware, or around your silverware. Let it ribbon through holiday centerpieces, over mantels, or stream it across doorways. Go to http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakebows.html to learn to tie several different bows!
*Use graham crackers, a little frosting, and cookies and candies from the dollar or discount store to create a wonderful Gingerbread House centerpiece in no time! This is one of those projects that make memories, so bring the kids to the table, make a replica of your own home, or make replicas of friends homes and give as gifts! The best frosting to use is a stiff one, with no ingredients that will spoil. Remember, you can color some frosting to make grass and trees.
*Have your children pitch in with holiday decorating, and ask them if they have any toys that would like to watch for Santa! Tie ribbon around the neck of a teddy and tuck onto the mantle, use wooden blocks to spell out Christmas words or sayings…create a toy wonderland from your own "backyard" so to speak!
*Drop by your dollar store and pick up some Christmas wrapping paper. (Yes, it is just a buck!) Wrap some of the pictures from your walls like gifts, add a bow, then re-hang. I like to do this just in the entryway for more impact using less dollars! You could also "wrap" your front door or window with a bow and ribbon,and some packing tape.
*Cut simple holiday shapes out of paper or felt, then hang with thread from curtain rods, hanging lamps, doorways or over the outside of a lampshade. Try your hand at paper snowflakes, and hang them in groups in your windows.
*Stamp holiday shapes on your glass windows with craft paint. Mix acrylic paint with an equal amount of dishwashing liquid soap, then use to stamp snowflakes, stockings, and santas on the inside of your windows. After the holidays, it will clean right off with window cleaner and a non abrasive scrub pad. (You know, the kind that is safe for non stick cookware, so that it doesn't scratch your windows.)
*Finally, light those candles, and bring the sparkle of the holidays right to your table each and every night, don't wait for company!
Enjoy the joy of the season, and Happy Holidays from The Budget Decorator!
===========================
Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For hundreds of free budget decorating ideas and to sign up for her free newsletter and ebook, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
Tips to Make Your Home Sparkle for the Holidays
(ARA) – Holiday entertaining requires more than artful decorations, tasty
hors d’oeuvres and some cheerful libations. Savvy hosts know that great holiday entertaining occurs in a home that sparkles as brightly as the decorations that adorn it.
The holidays can be a time to truly let your hostess skills shine, as family and friends gather to celebrate. From beautifully polished silverware on the table, to a well stocked refrigerator that is fresh and inviting when guests go looking for a soft drink, to a home filled with the aroma of just-baked confections - every detail should convey the holiday theme of bright and shiny.
To ensure you’re ready to welcome guests this holiday season, lifestyle expert Jill Cordes offers tips to make your preparations a cinch.
Holiday Aromas
Evergreen trees, the smell of fresh-baked goods and cranberry scented candles – the holidays are filled with wonderful aromas. Don’t let smelly leftovers overpower the joyful scents of the season.
* Guests will appreciate a refrigerator that is clean and odor free, and a sink area that doesn’t suffer from “stinky disposal syndrome.” Place an open box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors and prevent taste transfer between foods. Deodorize the garbage disposal and drains by pouring baking soda down them while running warm tap water.
* Get the smell of fresh garlic from all that holiday cooking off your fingers by rubbing your hands on stainless steel, either a stainless steel spatula or along the edge of your sink. Then wash with regular soap and water. The stainless steel neutralizes the odors.
Holiday Sparkle
The star atop your Christmas tree shouldn’t be the only thing in your home that shines for the holiday.
* To get your best silverware and jewelry sparkling for holiday get-togethers, make an easy, affordable silver polish with a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and rub with a cloth. For gleaming crystal, clean with vinegar and lemon juice.
Foods of the Season
Meals savored with loved ones are the characteristic “flavor” of the holiday.
* Store heart-warming winter greens like Swiss chard, spinach and kale in an open container in the fridge. Cauliflower should be stored stem side down, whereas broccoli stores best standing upright on the bottom shelf. If you leave them in the plastic bags you bought them in, remember to poke holes in the bag to allow the greens to breathe so they last longer.
* Store fresh tomatoes on your counter with the stem side down to prevent bruising and softening. Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator, where they immediately begin to lose flavor; or in closed containers or sealed plastic, which cause premature ripening.
*Make sure your baked goods “rise” to the occasion this holiday season. Try this quick and easy recipe for light, moist old-fashioned corn bread:
Ingredients:
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons shortening, melted
Directions:
Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cornmeal. Combine eggs, buttermilk and melted shortening. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring only until smooth. Turn into a well-greased 8-by-8 inch pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 425 degrees. Cut into 16 squares.
Holiday Home Cleaning
From top to bottom, a clean home will tell your guests how much you value their comfort while they visit your home.
*Don’t season your fresh holiday ham with chemicals – clean your food prep area by wiping cutting boards, counters and oven tops with food safe, chemical-free cleaners.
*Since spills can happen, have cleaning supplies on hand so that guests don’t feel embarrassed or stressed about a stain on your upholstery or carpet. You can also freshen your carpet right before your friends and family arrive. Just sprinkle some baking soda, wait 15 minutes and vacuum. Your guests will be greeted by the scent of the delicious holiday meal cooking in your kitchen and not your smelly carpet.
For more ideas and tips on holiday entertaining from Jill Cordes and Arm & Hammer, the most recognized baking soda brand, visit www.ArmandHammer.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
List of Social Networking Sites
By Doug McIsaac at www.dougmcisaac.com
social marketing
When you think of social networking sites, there are some obvious candidates that may immediately come to mind. It may be surprising to know how many different social networking sites are actually out there. Here is a basic list of social networking sites online, but this list is by no means exhaustive.
Blogging - These are social networking sites that either center completely around communicating through blogging, or put a large emphasis on the concept of blogging.
- Blogger, http://www.blogger.com
- Livejournal, http://www.livejournal.com
- Twitter, http://www.twitter.com
- Windows Live Spaces, http://www.spaces.live.com/
- Wordpress, http://www.wordpress.com
- Vox, http://www.vox.com
- Xanga, http://www.xanga.com
General Social Networking - These are the core of the social networking concept, with names like MySpace, Flickr, YouTube and Facebook leading the pack.
- ClassMates, http://www.classmates.com
- Bebo, http://www.bebo.com
- Deviant Art, http://www.deviantart.com
- Facebook, http://www.facebook.com
- Flickr, http://www.flickr.com
- LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com
- Meetup, http://www.meetup.com
- MySpace, http://www.myspace.com
- YouTube, http://www.youtube.com
- Gather, http://www.gather.com
- imeem, http://www.imeem.com
- Itsmy, http://www.itsmy.com
- My Yearbook, http://www.myyearbook.com
- Webshots, http://www.webshots.com
International Social Networking - These sites are especially popular in international countries, or are intended to cater to residents of a specific country. Friendster, for example, is a worldwide social networking site but it is especially popular in countries other than the United States. Biip, on the other hand, is a social networking site designed for the Norwegian community.
- Friendster, http://www.friendster.com
- Face Party, http://www.faceparty.com
- Friends Reunited, http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/
- Biip, http://www.biip.no/
- Cloob, http://www.cloob.com/
- Cyworld, http://us.cyworld.com/
- Fotolog, http://www.fotolog.com/
- Frühstückstreff, http://www.fruehstueckstreff.org/
- Grono, http://www.grono.net
- Habbo, http://www.habbo.com
- hi5, http://www.hi5.com
- Hyves, http://www.hyves.nl
- IRC Galleria, http://www.irc-galleria.net/index.php
- iWiW, http://www.iwiw.hu/
- Profile Heaven, http://www.profileheaven.com/
Niche Interests - These are social networking sites that are geared toward certain interests like music lovers, bibliophiles, coffee enthusiasts or pop culture.
- Advogato, http://www.advogato.org/
- Amie Street, http://www.amiestreet.com/
- ANobii, http://www.anobii.com/
- CafeMom, http://www.cafemom.com
- Buzznet, http://www.buzznet.com
- Broadcaster, http://www.broadcaster.com
- Cake Financial, https://www.cakefinancial.com/
- Care2, http://www.care2.com/
- Eons, http://www.eons.com
- TravBuddy, http://www.travbuddy.com/
- Travellerspoint Travel Community, http://www.travellerspoint.com/
- BlackPlanet, http://www.blackplanet.com
- Elftown, http://www.elftown.com
- Flixster, http://www.flixster.com
- Geni, http://www.geni.com
- Goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com
- Gossip Report, http://www.gossipreport.com
- Guild Café, http://www.gamerDNA.com
- Hospitality club, http://www.hospitalityclub.org
- Last.fm, http://www.last.fm
- Library Thing, http://www.librarything.com/
- Lifeknot, http://www.lifeknot.com/
- Live Mocha, http://www.livemocha.com
- One World TV, http://tv.oneworld.net/
- Plaxo, http://www.plaxo.com
- Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com
- Sci Space, http://www.scispace.net/
- WAYN, http://www.wayn.com/
Social Media - These sites specialize in sharing media and news with other members of the community.
- Digg, http://www.digg.com
- StumbleUpon, http://www.stumbleupon.com
- Del.icio.us, http://del.icio.us
- Reddit, http://www.reddit.com
- Fark, http://www.fark.com
Younger Generation - These are social networking sites that are best suited for younger generations and students.
- College Tonight, http://thequad.com/
- Gaia Online, http://www.gaiaonline.com
- NeoPets, http://www.neopets.com
- Student.com, http://www.student.com
- Reunion, http://www.reunion.com
Each one of these sites can be a good solid way to drive targeted traffic to your articles or your website. Before you ask, yes, you have to be careful not to do and outright sales pitch on your post. But with a little thinking on your part you will be able to make a useful post that is directed to your target market, without coming across as spam.
Some of the sites will not lend themselves to this marketing strategy, unless you are very creative in your post. Consequently you will find yourself being banned and your post being deleted if you violate the terms of service of those and others reflected on this list of social networking sites.
social marketing, social networking
This post was written by:
dougmcis - who has written 43 posts on dougmcisaac.com.
I've been building businesses for almost twenty years. I retired from RMTG, Inc November 2006 and started working with coaching clients within months of that retirement.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Controlling Stress and Toxic Relationships - 10 Self-Coaching Suggestions For Surviving the Holidays
By Drdeah_Curry
It's sad but true that the season extending from Thanksgiving through New Year's is often the most stressful time of year in families and close friendships. Depressions deepen, anxieties rise, and aggressions and frustrations get unleashed, causing serious emotional frustration. It can't all be blamed on global warming, the election outcome, or seasonal affective disorder.
Some stress at this time of year is predictable. We're spending more money than is sensible in a down economy on gifts for people we may not even like. We're fighting shopping crowds and endless traffic, and waiting in interminable lines at the post office. We feel pressured to attend social functions that drain our energy, where we over-eat and over-drink to the level of feeling miserable. And we call this holiday cheer? Bah humbug.
For those who long to celebrate the holidays in the true spirit of a multi-culturally meaningful season, here are some ideas for gracefully creating a stress-free inner climate of peace and good will.
Taking Control of Personal Stressors
1. Know Your Limits and Live Within Them. Whether it's saying no more often, or setting a ceiling on spending and other indulgences, pay attention to how you use your energy and resist using it out of guilt. Do only what your heart and spirit are really joyful about doing.
2. Take Even Better Care of Yourself Than Usual. In periods of predictable stress, it's important to maintain daily health routines. Getting the rest, nutrition, exercise, and hydration the body needs strengthens our ability to tolerate small irritatants. If you have to get less sleep, or skip meals or workouts in order to have time for activities that are inherently stressful, you're not taking good care of yourself.
3. Believe in Your Essential Goodness. Many people are driven to take on more stress than necessary out of an erroneous belief that if they don't they will be seen as bad, flawed, uncaring, or mean. Allowing guilt, fear or anticipation of others' disapproval to dictate how we use our energy is an act of giving in to a tyrrany of toxic assumptions and dysfunctional expectations. If you are caught in this trap, start telling yourself that you are a good, kind, and caring person and that doesn't change if you decline an invitation, or refrain from sending obligatory gifts and cards.
4. Redefine, Reschedule, Resist, and Renew. Stress can be managed well by redefining priorities, rescheduling anything that doesn't have a critical deadline, resisting the impulse to "fix" others, and saving yourself enough time and resources for personal renewal.
5. Give in a Meaningful Way. The commercialized holiday scene pressures us into thinking we must buy, buy, buy to appropriately give, give, give. But mindlessness only serves meaninglessness, and leaves us feeling empty, dissatisfied, stressed out, or worse. Find a meaningful way to give to others that makes an important difference in their lives to connect yourself to the spirituality of the season -- the universally hoped for return of enLightenment, and peace to the world.
Ending Toxic Relationships
A toxic relationship is one in which you are continually emotionally abused, feel unsafe or discouraged in being fully authentic, or are disempowered and left unable to get your psychospiritual needs met. Attacks of criticism and ridicule that come out of the blue are difficult to defend against in effective ways, much less in a loving manner.
Toxic relationships do not have to be endured, no matter who they are with. We don't have to put up with cruel, sarcastic, disapproving, abusive behavior to keep the peace. I coach those who are in such relationships to give to themselves the gift of severing ties with such people, if not permanently, then especially during the holiday season. Here are a few ways to do that:
1. Decline to attend family gatherings that include abusive, critical, or shaming relatives. You do not owe anyone an explanation for choosing to keep healthy boundaries. Celebrate with friends or alone, instead.
2. Be clear, explicit and firm about your limits. Say "I can come to dinner only on Tuesday, and will need to leave by 9 pm." Keeping your own boundaries puts more control in your hands, and lowers stress levels.
3. Use the broken record technique to enforce your right to your own decisions. Repeat as necessary, "I'll be at Tuesday's dinner, but will be leaving by 9 at the latest...I'll see you at the dinner, and I'll be ending my evening by 9...Even though I will be leaving before 9, it will be good to talk to you at Tuesday's dinner." Resist others' attempts to talk you out of what you know is best for you.
4. Start stress-free traditions with friends, co-workers, neighbors or others who are not toxic. Traditions are just culturally laden habits that segments of society or family groups practice together. Decide with a new group of people what is meaningful and celebratory.
5. Take a holiday break; celebrate alone. When your world is crowded with toxic relationships, sometimes the best thing is to withdraw from all of them during the holidays. Spend the time exploring and nurturing your own spirit, dancing to your own drumbeat. Tune in to the natural world, journal, create, take a trip. Follow your own quest for meaning and be really conscious about what and why you are celebrating.
Controlling stress and toxic relationships at any time of year requires forethought, effort, and perhaps a bit of courage. The key is to let others own their own feelings about your need to take care of yourself, and for you to be mindful about how you manage your energy.
Get free tips for a Stress-Less Holiday Season for Singles, on my website http://www.EmotionalFirstAid-Coaching.com If you need coaching to help you get through the holidays, see http://www.DeahCurry.net for details on the coaching process and how it differs from counseling.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Drdeah_Curry
Monday, December 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)