Powerful Article Marketing Tips

If you have submitted your articles to EzineArticles.com you have made a wise choice. Out of all the ezines that I am aware of, this particular one is the most active and well maintained site. No doubt featuring your articles here will get you noticed. You can ratchet everything up a notch by taking some additional steps to promote your good works.

Most of the articles that I have penned have been viewed at least 100 times each. One of my articles, 99 High Paying Keywords: The Secret is Out!, is about to surpass 1000 page views. I cannot even begin to tell you how much the nearly 80 articles posted by me have helped me get the attention I need in order to adequately market my product: me! Without posting to this site, a lot of my newer contacts would remain unknown to me. In retrospect, I would consider that to be a tremendous loss!

Beyond placing articles here, the following steps have helped me tremendously. They can help you too!

1. Send URLs for select articles to those who might find them interesting. For example, a review I wrote on a local railroad museum was forwarded by me with a note to five members of the museum's board. I received back the nicest response from one member who thanked me for bringing attention to their organization. You can generate goodwill -- and additional business -- by sharing favorable articles directly with those whom you write about.

2. Discuss the article on related forums. Christopher Knight personally gave me a "big thumbs up" over my "99 High Paying Keywords" article and that gesture alone has brought me some very good attention. However, when I shared links to the article on a pair of SEO sites, the page views took off. Consider joining forums or sharing on existing forums you are a member of your expertise. If you post, they will click!

3. Link back to EzineArticles.com. Whether you have a website or include it within your signature, you can promote EzineArticles.com by making mention of their service to you. Several people have known that I was a writer; I received "added prestige" when they saw that I was published and syndicated through Christopher Knight's site.

4. Contact publishers directly. If someone is publishing your articles, alert them the next time an article is published by EzineArticles.com. Everyone likes fresh material and the publisher will like the custom service you provide by your direct contact.

All in all, the more you publish the more your name will "get out there" as an expert in your chosen field[s]. You can take everything a step further by actively marketing your articles to the appropriate people. You will help yourself, EzineArticles.com, and other authors. So, how does "that" maxim go? Oh, yes: a rising tide lifts all boats.

(c)2005; Matthew C. Keegan, LLC

Matt Keegan is The Article Writer who will write on mostly any topic as long as he can make it interesting to readers. In addition, Matt designs websites. For samples of his work please visit: http://www.thearticlewriter.com

Tips to Manage Your Time

Time and money are both very important in business. Yet, like me, many business people tend to give a lot more specific thought as to how to spend their money. Too often, how we spend our time is only thought of in terms of "What am I going to do today?" or "What should I do next?"

There are only 24 hours in your day, just the same as everybody else's and you need to know how to use those 24 hours to your advantage. There are so many simple ways to save time during our busy day that they are easily overlooked. Sometimes we just overlook the obvious. But being prepared with lists, notes, ongoing files, and systems will help you screen out those unwanted distractions and focus on the important matters at hand. So let's get down to business!

Here are some tips to manage your time:

First and foremost, Set priorities. Determine what is most important. Everything's not an earth-shattering emergency! Someone else's perception of a priority does not mean it is so to you. Discern what needs your attention immediately, what can be delegated, and what can be addressed later. Remember, prioritizing is the key to mastering the use of time. Regardless of how your priorities are defined, we could all use some extra time in the day. The following are some time management ideas that can help increase your productivity and improve the quality of your life. Try incorporating just a few of these ideas and see how it affects your life.

1. Plan your day the night before. List and prioritize the top five objectives you desire to accomplish when you get to the office. Start with the number one item on your list and stay with it until it is complete. Try to do the most difficult tasks first.

2. Get to the office early. You will never be successful in the sales profession if you get into the habit of coming to work at the "crack of noon."

3. Use a diary or digital organizer. With so much to organise in your busy life you need to record your appointments, things to do and goals somewhere. Preferably in a paper diary or digital organiser that you can take everywhere. This is the most effective way to get things done, plan your work and your life.

4. Get in the habit of using a To Do list every day. At the end of each day, make a list of items to complete the following day. This helps you put closure on the day so you don't leave worried about forgetting the tasks that await you tomorrow.

5. Clean out the Clutter. You will save yourself heaps of time, energy and money if you clear out your work and home environment?paperwork, books, old equipment etc. You'll be able to find things, save money because you won't have to buy what you already have hidden somewhere, plus you'll be less stressed.

6. Use the Right Tools. It's no good having the latest whiz-bang computer when the desk that you sit at is too small to accommodate it, or the chair has poor back support, or the lighting is dull causing you eyestrain and fatigue. All these factors heavily influence how you work. Invest or ask for a decent desk, purchase a desk lamp or request the light globes be changed. Don't avoid the warning signs your body gives you. Take action now before you have eye, back or neck problems.

7. Resolve to do today what you wanted to do tomorrow. Make a catch-up list of tasks you have avoided or put on the "back-burner" and rank them from the most important to the least important. Resolve to do at least one task from this list each day.

8. Do your most difficult work when you are in your peak performance state. If you're an early morning person, do that extra-effort-needed project first thing in the morning. If late evening hours are more your speed, save that high-energy project for that time.

9. Place your phone on voicemail mode at strategic times of the day. Voicemail is wonderful for those times when you're either feeling sluggish, want some quiet time, or just want to get a project done. You can access your messages later and return calls on a priority basis.

10. Learn to say NO once your priorities are set. Avoid interruptions. Set aside a period of the day as "off-limits" during which time you will not be interrupted. Use this time to work on your "A" or top priorities, or even as a designated time to handle your mail or return calls. One way to avoid interruption is to make it clear that when your door is closed you are not to be disturbed. Other way is to Let others in your home/office know when you don't want to be disturbed.

Constant interruptions are annoying and distracting; they are also time-zappers. Letting people know when it's ok to interrupt and when it's not is crucial to time management.

11. Schedule your phone calls around your peak performance levels. You want to give your customers/clients your very best attention and this requires energy and enthusiasm.

12. Avoid Unnecessary Meetings. Before agreeing to attend a meeting, check if you really need to be there. Maybe a phone call or email will be just as effective.

13. When you need a swift response, send an Email or make a phone call whenever possible to avoid time delays in receiving an answer.

14. Do What You Do Best and Delegate the Rest. At work see if there are ways you can delegate tasks which would suit someone else's talents. Many office and home based workers are spending heaps of time on mundane secretarial tasks which would take a person who is trained in that area a quarter of the time to undertake. Assign tasks to another or others to give you more time to handle the tasks which only you can do. Effectively multiplying your time is the ultimate time management technique. Remember, everything that needs to be done does not have to be done by you. Delegating to another person can save you a lot of time in mundane tasking. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Avoid the temptation of doing administrative duties and paperwork. Salespeople historically tend to hide behind their paperwork. Focus your efforts on the things that you are licensed or hired to do and consider employing someone else to handle your paperwork. If you have any doubt, ask yourself "What is the best use of my time right now?"

15. Instead of a to-do list, create a goal for the day. Throw out the to-do list that never gets done, causes you stress and frustration, and makes you feel like a failure. Instead, set yourself a single goal for the day.

16. Schedule free time. Find at least one day each week during which you do no work or business at all. You will get a better perspective on your work after you have time away from it.

17. Look After Yourself First. Exercise regularly, eat healthily and be around positive people. Feed your mind by attending personal development courses. Read self-help and motivational books, listen to tapes. Do the right thing by yourself and you'll have heaps of energy, be motivated which in turn will help you be more productive.

Time management really can be easy. A fact! You are in control of your time. If you take away one time management tip, remember that good time management is about knowing what's most important and doing that the most. Don't forget the most important time management tip- make time for yourself. You're no good to anyone if you're sleep deprived and miserable. We all deserve a little downtime, even if that means you have to schedule some time for yourself into your calendar each day. Your business, family and relationships will all benefit when your priorities are in order and you have balance in your life.

By following these simple yet very effective ideas you will have more control over your work and your life, experience less stress and be more proactive. All of these factors affect your general well-being, confidence and results.

Yes, these strategies are simple and you probably already knew what you need to do, you just haven't done it yet. Isn't it time you took action?

Guy Mendelson

guyef@walla.com

http://www.great-money.net

http://www.business-oppurtunity.com

Free e-course, send blank email to networkingcourse@FreeAutobot.com

Simple Solution for Php Includes - IFrames

I have recently created my first Php program. I wanted to share with others some of the problems that I encountered, and how I finally overcame these obstacles.

My Reason for needing a Php Include

To start, my most recent website features a free classified advertising solution, a modified version of PhpBB stripped to function as an Article Bulletin Board (No replying), and a link directory. The business model of my Website offers free Classified Advertising, but charges a small fee for enhanced advertisements (Featured, Bolded, and Better Placement). The Classifieds were purchased from a developer, so I had little experience with the application. The link directory was a free resource of an old program that I modernized a bit. I choose the old link directory because the links are clean. They are not replaced with coding to count outbound traffic. I figured this would increase the value of links, to sites who exchanged links with me.

To increase revenue on the new site, I realized that I needed to increase the value of, "Featured Advertisements". To do this I wanted to randomly rotate featured advertisements, from the classifieds, across my Bulletin Board and Link Directory. Bare in mind, all three are run from a unique table, and I wanted to leave it that way. In addition, I had little experience with the development for all three applications.

I started reading tutorials and utilizing Forums to create a Php program for external pages on the site. The program would pull a random featured ad from the classified table. This program only took me about 32 hours to create, while performing research. I didn't intend to get into the schematics of the program with this post, so forgive me if you are looking for a Random generator. But I would be more than happy to share my code upon request.

The code I created was simple, it worked just the way I wanted, but I ran into one cumbersome obstacle; how do I implement this easily across two unique table driven applications? The answer was to use a Php Include

I started reading tutorials on, "Php includes and functions and classes". I realized quickly that this was a bit more confusing than creating the actual coding. In addition, I ran into parsing errors if I included the new coding in only one application.

My solution to using the, "Include ()," Php function

I found that very few people were willing to provide any feedback for such a problem, even in the most resourceful forums for Php Coding and information resources. I fumbled with the coding for over 72 hours. I thought this was a bit ridiculous, as the code itself took less time to create.

I finally came across a helpful solution that may prove beneficial, if you are in the same situation with Php Includes. The code was uploaded onto my server as a file (something.php). I removed the standard, "Php Include ()," function from all links and the PhpBB coding. I then called the Php file (page) using an Iframe tag, on pages I wanted it to appear. This proved to be a successful replacement for the Php Include.

Search Engine Results Using Iframe for Php Include

I waited until Google came around to see how the Iframe affected my sites search rankings. Finally, the other day this happened. The conclusion, my search rankings still increased due to recent link exchanges. The code is working to my needs, and it is easily included on any page that I want, even externals outside my site can call on the code, which opens more doors for advancement.

Here is the simple Iframe code I used to replace the Php Include:

iframe align=top valign=right width=600 height=105 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 hspace=0 vspace=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no src="http://your.com/file-to-include.php" width=600 height=105> /iframe

Using the Iframe tag for Php Include Conclusion

I have encountered no problems with including my PHP code on pages across external servers, using the iframe as a Php Include. As you can see, it is totally customizable. You can specify the width, height, alignment, border, scrolling, margins and more. The only obstacle that I have encountered, is the style sheet that the site, or page, with the, "Php Include," is not utilized. The page that the code is on seems to need its own unique style sheet.

I hope this proves beneficial to anyone having trouble with running a "Php Include" across various unique online applications.

About The Author

Michael J. Medeiros is the owner of www.Mjmls.com. He has worked as an Independent Real Estate Agent for three years, in New Jersey. He has an extensive background in Business and Marketing. Michael's latest research and attention has been devoted to online business development and the Internet.

Purity

Is being purified only for the men of the cloth? Well let's see what the Bible says. In the book of 2Samuel David sang a song to the Lord. He says at verse 25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. What a wonderful phrase, and heartfelt passage, to be able to sing about the good things the Lord has bless you with. It is also good to ask for forgiveness, in the book of Psalm 51:10 it says Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Now in Psalm 199:9 it says How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from you commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. In the book of Isaiah 52:11 it says Depart, Depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

In the book of Matthew 5:8 it says Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. It says in the book of 1Timothy 5:22 it says Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgement ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Now look in the book of Hebrews 13:4 it says Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Now look at what John wrote in 1John 3:1 it says How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear Friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

In the book of Titus 2:11 it says For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Now in the book of 1John 1:8 it says If we claim to be without sins, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

In the book of 2Corinthians 6:3 it says We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will now be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness, in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

In conclusion look at the book of Philippians 4:8 it says Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Love Always,
Your Sister in Christ,
Mellody Davis

Enjoy more reading at: http://www.hostinghelps.com/allaboutjesus/AboutJesus.hml

Positioned For Success - The Refined Art Of Taking A Chance

ARE YOU IN... OR OUT?

Are you in or out of your comfort zone, that is?

Remember a simple principle: action leads to results.

One decision.

One small action.

One step outside of the comfort zone...

Can be the beginning of a series of decisions and actions that lead to a better lifestyle, a feeling of "I can do this," and a host of other possibilities.

SO WHY NOT TAKE A "STRETCH BREAK"?

A stretch break for success.

A small "break away" from your comfort zone into the world of personal responsibilities.

Much success to you,

Josh Hinds

Josh Hinds of http://GetMotivation.com specializes in helping people to achieve maximum success and live the life of their dreams -- receive his motivation newsletter by going to http://GetMotivation.com/ezines.html.

The Crucial Role of the Salt in Our Health

Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have around 250 gr. of salt - about a cupful - working for keeping you alive. Without enough of it, muscles won't contract, blood won't circulate, food won't digest, and the heart won't beat.

Salt, the sodium chloride, is an essential part of the diet of humans and animals and is a part of our fluids, such as blood, sweat, and tears.

The two elements of salt - sodium and chloride - play a variety of very important and crucial roles in our bodies as maintaining the balance of our fluids, which carry oxygen and nutrients around our bodies.

The sodium it contains is helping maintain the fluid in the blood cells and enables the transmission of electrical impulses between our brain, nerves and muscles. It is responsible for our taste, smell and tactile senses and helps our muscles - including the heart - to contract.

The chloride is essential to our food digestion process by providing chloride for hydrochloric acid - an essential element of human digestive fluid - and helps in preserving the acid-base balance in our body. It plays an important role in absorbing potassium and helping the blood to carry carbon dioxide from respiring tissues to the lungs.

Salt is an essential element in our lives and our health. Salt is widely and abundantly distributed in nature, dissolved in sea water, salt lakes or in solid form as mineral halite that is the pure salt and can be find in large deposits around the world. In history, the salt has been used as money.

Today, researchers have rediscovered the salt benefits. They have noticed that increased salt and water intake help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. An important role it has in respiratory diseases by its anti inflammatory, bactericide, mucokinetic and hydrophilic properties, helping in cleaning and widening the airways in all respiratory diseases.

The salt therapy is based on speleotherapy, which is therapy in the conditions of the microclimate of salt mines. Being hard to reach them, people have found the way to bring the salt mines benefits in their homes with devices like Salin and Salt Pipe. Some of the effects of the salt therapy on people with respiratory diseases as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies are:

* facilitates the phlegm expulsion and ventilation of lungs of patients with chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract
* the therapy reduces the total IgE level and improves the non-specific and immunological response of the organism
* the relaxing effect of salt therapy on the nervous system makes it suitable for persons with sleep disorders, stress, etc. and the improvement of well-being and sleep is observed already after few days of use.
* in patients with allergic and vasomotor rhinitis and purulent sinusitis improves breathing through the nose and the drainage of the sinuses
* reduces snoring by clearing the airway passages in the oropharyngeal region
* facilitates an easier breathing by cleaning the airways and improving the quality of the indoor air by killing bacteria and mold.

For more information, clinical studies and testimonials kindly refer to the website.

NB: The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and by-line are included intact and the article is not used in spam.

LTiba
WebSite: www.salinetherapy.com
Phone: +1 / 519-641-SALT (7258)

Educated and motivated person, having a multicultural background with extensive knowledge about European health products and practices.

Your Wedding Invitation?s in the (e)Mail: Pros and Cons of the Virtual Wedding Invitation

From purchasing the garter to choosing the photographer, brides (and grooms!) are online and as the Internet's many advantages have begun to permeate most every aspect of wedding planning, a single question has been popping up more and more: can I use the Internet for my wedding invitations? As a wedding website designer I've answered numerous emails from brides asking if an email announcement to visit their wedding website can not just supplement their wedding invitation but actually replace it. It's an interesting idea, one with the potential to save a great deal of time and money. However, one big question remains. Is it acceptable? Considering the potential benefits, it's certainly a question worth asking, and some compelling arguments can be found on both sides.

First, consider the many purposes of a wedding invitation. Most obvious is the intent that the recipient understands who is invited. Also important is the inclusion of maps and directions, RSVP information, reply cards and essential wedding details. Furthermore, the wedding invitation is an expression of the couple's personal style and can serve as a memento for friends and family to remember the event. Considering all these essential functions, the question, then, is whether the traditional wedding invitation can be replaced by a simple email invitation to visit the couple's site online. Certainly, a creative and informative wedding website can serve the majority of the purposes mentioned. In fact, wedding details might be more specific and useful on a website given the amount of space that can be afforded an entire page devoted to each subject. One can easily give details and links to important wedding locations, schedules, maps, etc. Also, if the bride and groom are able to create their own site or find a designer they like, they can certainly express their own unique style and theme on a wedding website. But what about the empty space in grandma's album just waiting for her granddaughter's wedding invitation? Here is where an online invitation falls short. One solution, however, could be to purchase or make a wedding CD with the website on it. Technologically hip grandparents can treasure this memento like they would a written invitation (even if it doesn't go well in an album).

Still can't decide? Consider some of the pros and cons of the "virtual invitation":

Pros:
*Save money on wedding invitations (certainly the most compelling argument for many). The cost of an online invitation, including one designed by a reasonably priced professional, should be considerably less than sending written invitations for an average sized wedding when factoring in the cost of the printing, postage, and reply cards.
*Save the time of selecting and sending written invitations, especially if you were going to have a wedding website anyway.
*Make things a little easier for those guests who already do a great deal online.
*Receive RSVP responses via email.
*Include links to maps and directions.
*Have wedding details laid out for guests to avoid the bother of answering the same questions over and over.
*Include important links so guests can find the information they need on such things as local attractions, accommodations, and travel (particularly useful for destination weddings).

Cons:
*Compiling all of your guests' current email addresses can be a daunting task.
*Not everyone is online. Unless you know for a fact that you can get your email invitation to everyone who should receive one, this is not a good option. You never want to offend family and friends when planning a wedding.
*Etiquette, etiquette, etiquette. If etiquette is particularly important to you or the people who will be receiving your invitations, this is not the right choice for you.

For those who are thinking the whole "virtual invitation" is too drastic a change I suggest a compromise. Many couples are finding that combining the modern with the traditional is the way to go until all their friends and family have caught on to the Internet. The couple's web address can be included in the traditional invitation so their guests can have two sources for wedding information. Also, written invitations can be sent with instructions to RSVP online thus saving the couple time and money for postage and reply cards (with just a slight bend in tradition).

In the end, whether it's traditional, modern or modern-traditional, what matters most is that the bride and groom have the wedding they desire. The best advice I can give is don't worry too much about tradition and etiquette; rather, spend the time planning the wedding of your dreams and maybe make some traditions of your own along the way.

copyright 2003 Tamara Baker and Celebrate Our Lives Wedding Websites

Tamara Baker is the owner of and website designer at Celebrate Our Lives Wedding Websites. She has been hand designing couples' wedding websites since 2002.

Companion Planting

If you look closely at the natural landscape, you'll never see a large area populated by a single species. Why then would it make sense to plant a single crop in a field or in a section of your garden? It doesn't. Companion planting makes a lot of sense.

Single crops may be easier to harvest, especially for commercial purposes, but the plants and the land both suffer for it. Farmers have learned that rotating their crops and allowing fields to "rest" with plants that can be turned back into the soil can lessen their dependence on fertilizers. That is only part of the solution to a healthy ecosystem and successful crop production.

In nature plants constantly seek out symbiotic relationships with other plants and animals around them. We are only beginning to understand the workings of these relationships. Companion planting attempts to provide a more natural environment that will help your plants thrive.

Native Americans throughout the western hemisphere were practicing companion planting when the Europeans landed. Maize (corn), squash and beans were referred to as "The Three Sisters" among many of the eastern nations when the first colonists arrived. In this situation the corn provides support for the beans and the squash suppresses weeds and keeps the soil cool and moist by virtue of it's large leaves. This was the elementary school explanation and probably the first and last time most people gave companion planting much thought.

Besides shade and structure companion planting provides much more remarkable benefits. My experience has found companion planting to be an effective means of organic pest control as well. Combining vegetables with herbs and flowers in the same growing vicinity accomplishes a few things, which I can attest to with relative certainty.

By always having something in bloom in your garden you have a better chance of attracting beneficial insects into your garden. Herbs, flowers and even some weeds can deter some pests or act as trap plants to give pest insects something else to eat besides your vegetables. In some cases, companion plants are even thought to improve the flavor of their neighbors.

Some companion plants that we have had good luck with in our gardens

Radishes: Whether or not you like the taste of radishes they make good companions for many vegetables. They are a deterrent to most pest insects. We have had particular luck growing radishes with beans, cucumbers and members of the squash family. They seem to deter the various beetles that can decimate these crops. Radishes do not do well with members of the cabbage family.

Onions: Members of the onion family also tend to benefit a variety plants. Carrots, beets, members of the cabbage family, lettuce and tomatoes all do well with onions. Peas and beans however are not so compatible with onions.

Annual Herbs: Dill and basil seem to help our tomatoes. Basil is said to repel white fly and aphids. Dill seems to be one of many herbs and flowers to attract parasitic wasps. Parasitic wasps help control tomato hornworms by laying their eggs in the hornworms. The wasp larvae feed on the hornworms and kill them before they can do much damage.

In general the more diversity in your garden, the more successful your efforts will be. By creating a garden in harmony with the natural environment you will benefit all the inhabitants living nearby, including yourself and your family. Try companion planting this season and watch your garden grow.

Chip Phelan, a contributing editor for Organic Gardening Review, is an organic gardener living in Rhode Island. Organic Gardening Review is a resource center for organic gardening enthusiast. Find us on the web: http://www.organic-gardening-review.com

Looking for a place to share organic gardening info? Visit our Organic Gardening Discussion Forum at: Organic Gardening Forum.

Planning Permission Tips UK - Conservatories - Dispelling a Myth

It's now well into the new year and the residential development scene has got off to a good start again. All this talk about 'slow down' certainly hasn't affected peoples desire to improve rather than move. Building Design Agents are often the first barometer within the building trade of any ups or downs in trends and I certainly haven't noticed any lessening of work.

Conservatories - lets get it straight once & for all - If you were to ask 10 home owners about the Planning requirements for a conservatory I guarantee 8 out of the 10 would say 'Conservatories don't need formal Planning consent'. When you ask them to justify that statement all weird & wonderful terms are stated such as 'its light weight' 'its not made of brick' 'you can see through it' 'its not a solid structure' etc.

For the record - MOST CONSERVATORY EXTENSIONS DO REQUIRE FORMAL PLANNING CONSENT in exactly the same criteria as if the extension was a kitchen or dining room extension for example. This urban myth that conservatories are exempt from Planning arose from the original Permitted development rights that were/are attached to some dwellings. Given the relatively modest size of most conservatories it was easy for them to fall under the strict dimensional & volume constraints applied to the 70 or 50 cubic meter Permitted Development rule.

However, what people forget is the fact that most new properties have had their Permitted Development rights removed by the Planners when the estate or dwelling was originally approved which has been the case now for at least 20 years & more and more properties have already been extended in the past ensuring that any permitted Development rights that they may have enjoyed has now been used up. There is also a whole raft of other 'catch 22' requirements that can prevent a conservatory being built under Permitted Development that I will not go into here but suffice to say play safe & always assume that your conservatory will require formal Planning and it is just a bonus if it does not require it.

Regretfully this myth that all conservatories are exempt from Planning is often perpetuated by some unscrupulous conservatory suppliers/manufacturers that simply side step the issue or place the onus back onto the client. Any reputable conservatory supplier will assess your particular site circumstances and have the situation resolved at the Council first. Prior to accepting any quote you should first see a sight of the Councils 'informal pre-application enquiry letter' from a Case Planning Officer that confirms the Conservatory suppliers opinion. WARNING - If it transpires after the conservatory was built & paid for that formal Planning Permission was required then it is the HOME OWNER THAT IS RESPONSIBLE for rectifying the breach of Planning Control - not your builder. If Planning Consent is denied and then again at appeal then you must remove it at your own cost.

More house sales collapse because of illegally built conservatories than you would ever imagine - the house purchaser simply pulls out of the deal running shy of this problem or not wanting to wait the 2 to 3 months it will take to try and rectify the problem with a retrospective application. The only slight chink of of hope in all this if you do have an illegally built conservatory is the 4 year rule - if you can get away with it for 4 year or more & can prove its age then normally the Planners are unable to insist on its removal or for you to apply for retrospective Planning approval.

Conservatories are normally fully exempt from the Building Regulations provided the glass is to a certain type and standard , it does not exceed 30 square metres & you have dividing doors between the main house & the conservatory. However, even this has a number of other criteria to comply with in order for it to be exempt but it is normally much more straight forward than the Planning issues.

The conclusion to a new conservatory is this - Always request an informal confirmation letter from the Planning Dept. if it your view or your suppliers view that the conservatory will fall under the sites permitted development allowance. Obtaining this confirmation letter can be troublesome at times if you are unable to supply the Case Planning Officer with some drawing details and a copy of the O/S map. Most good conservatory suppliers will have their in house or externally supplied agent to prepare these details for you. Most Planning Departments will not respond with an opinion unless you can lay it out on a plate for them so don't waste time trying by calling in on them and trying to verbally explain your situation - Always write in with sketch schemes & a marked up O/S plan.

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the tactics involved when developing land or a site for residential use and how to give yourself the best chance of being granted planning permission.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk

Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction

I love bargains. And there's no better place to find bargains than an auction. And there are no better auctions than government surplus auctions. My favorite government surplus auction takes place the 3rd week of September every year in the County Park. I won't tell you which county park as this is my best-kept secret! Even though the auction is advertised in the local papers (as required my law), I usually find the same 20-30 people mulling around, looking at all the lots. And many of them I know are not high-bidders!

This annual auction is the county-wide surplus auction. You will find everything and anything here as the county has various and departments. They have the typical office equipment and furniture, cars, trucks, law equipment, etc. But some more unusual things that have been auctioned off have been things like a street sign maker (for making stop signs and the like), a row of metal lockers (from the old county pool), playground equipment, 5000 plastic cafeteria trays (that sold for $8!), a stainless steel chef's cart, a chrome torpedo trash can, and a fully operational dump truck that went for several hundred dollars.

Since I have been attending for many years, I know what to expect and I know how much to pay. For example, they typically have a dozen retro office chairs that sell very well on ebay. The opening bid on the chairs is usually $5.00 each. However, by not bidding, I can usually wait (and luckily no one else knows what a gold mine these chairs are?they just look like dirty old chairs!), and the auctioneer will lower the opening bid to $3.00, then $2.00, then $1.00, then fifty cents! Still, I am patient and wait as he throws in two or three more chairs for fifty cents! My last trip to the auction, I netted seven chairs for $4.00! I turned around and sold them for $25.00 each!

This is just one of the examples of the deals that I have found at the County Auction. The secret to my success is three-fold:

1. I know what is "hot" in the market by browsing ebay, watching HGTV, and flipping through home magazines. 2. I know what the going retail prices are and keep these in mind when I am bidding. I usually arrive at the auction early with a notebook and check out all the lots that will be auctioned. I jot down the lots numbers and the highest price I am willing to pay for that lot. 3. When the bidding starts, I wait for someone else to start the bidding. I place myself so I can "read" how badly they want the item. I will wait to place my bid. I never get caught-up in the bidding. And I always bow out at my high price that I wrote in my notebook. This way I can avoid buyer's remorse!

Using these tactics, I have successfully won many items at the local auction and have made a huge profit reselling these items. If you use these techniques, you will also be successful at your local auction. I just hope you never find my gem of an auction, and never bid against me!

Dean Novosat regularly attends local government auctions and participates online. Much of what he wins, he resells. He has several informative websites including http://www.buy-sell-gov-surplus.com sell-gov-surplus.com and http://www.government-deals.com. He maintains his own blog at http://www.novosat.us/wp

Buy My Book for $27 and Ill Give You Bonuses Worth a Gazillion Dollars!

Subhead

..How to bundle for valuable results without devaluing your product

I almost clicked. Really, I did.

The ad copy was compelling, the content focused. This was exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I was convinced I had found just the eBook I needed to add to my e-library.

Credit card in hand, my mouse cursor hovered over the "order now" button ready to click. The excitement mounted. I had to have it.

Then it happened...a doubt...a discordant second thought that caused me to view the irresistible offer in an entirely different light - so much so that I put away my credit card and clicked the "back" button on my browser instead.

Sale aborted.

What the devil could possibly have persuaded me to turn my cheek the other way so abruptly?

Was the cost too high to justify the purchase?

Not at all. In fact, I would have paid twice that for the information initially presented.

Perhaps there weren't enough bonuses?

Okay. Now we're getting warmer. However, it's not what you might think.

The fact is, this guy had me completely sold until he presented his gazillionth bonus...blah, blah, blah. Yea, this guy really blew it by offering overkill on his bonuses. By the time I got to the umpteenth bonus, I was actually doubting the value of his main product.

By bundling so many bonuses (many of which had been around the Net and back hundreds of times) with his eBook, the author actually succeeded in lowering the perceived value. I began to feel that perhaps the information was not truly worth the money. I mean, why did he have to attach so many bonuses, many of which did not even directly apply to his topic?

Is it possible that bundling bonuses with your offer can actually do more harm than good?

Yes, absolutely.

Does that mean that bundling is not good.

No, absolutely not. In fact, I'm a firm believer in bundling. You simply need to learn how.

So, what's the key?

How do you know what kinds of bonuses will actually help tip the Doubting Thomas over the line and compel him to click the "order now" button? And how many bonuses will it take?

There's a very simple 2-question "Bundling Test" you can use to know whether you're adding value to your products or whether you're devaluing them.

Bundling Test

1) Do your bonuses complement, as if to complete your product? (you want to do this)

2) Do the kinds and quantity of bonuses overshadow, as if to cloud or drown out your product? (you don't want to do this)

Once your bonuses pass the Bundling Test, you simply work over your ad copy until it is a fine piece of workmanship.

Now, that makes sense, doesn't it? Then, why do so many people insist on raping the quality of their product by removing the purity of the offer?

You've got to have firmly in your mind what it is you want to sell. Is it your product or is it your bonuses? It should be your product. Your bonuses should then support the sell of your product. It's as simple as that. Non of this haphazard throwing in bonuses.

May I offer two real-life examples I recently encountered? One made me click away, the other caused me to click the "order now" button. And, yes, I did purchase the product.

I've changed the name of the authors in the examples to protect the innocent (or not-so-innocent). For the purpose of comparison, in both examples the authors are selling info products on the topic of e-publishing; nevertheless, what is gleaned from each example applies to any product for any industry.

Example #1: The Slipshod Approach

For purposes of anonymity, let's call the owner of the first info product "Joe."

Nothing wrong with the first part of Joe's ad copy. It was convincing and compelling. Where did his offer fall apart? In his bonuses.

First of all Joe's bonuses were never mentioned until the very end...well after the first, second or even third "order now" button. It was as if they were thrown in as an after-thought, and a not very-well-thought-out bonus package at that. This positioning brings to mind the shady used car salesman who tries a last-stitch effort with, "Tell ya what I'm gonna do." Tacky. No thanks.

Secondly, most of Joe's bonuses were nothing more than eBooks that you can find on any free eBook directory. Oh, and the hundreds of reports with free reprint rights? Worthless! Can you see how quickly Joe's offer is losing credibility?

Thirdly, Joe offered a total of seven bonuses containing 21 eBooks, 650 reports with reseller rights, a software toolkit, an eBook compilation service, a free email account, and free subscription to an ezine...all this for Joe's one measly little eBook and, as Joe stated, "to sweeten the deal." This sweet deal was rapidly leaving a sour taste in my mouth. What was so wrong with his eBook that he had to offer so much junk?

Furthermore, none of the bonuses directly complemented the topic of his own eBook. Why simply throw them in? Customers are looking for a nicely-put-together package, not the slipshod approach.

But, here's the straw that broke the camel's back. Joe's book was priced at $27. How much would you think his bonuses should be worth? An additional $10? $30? A doubled $54? Would you believe over $1,000? Get real! The value of the bonuses was grossly lopsided to the value of his own info product.

Now, what value do you perceive that $27 eBook to have? Most likely, not much value at all by now.

Unbelievable! Yes, quite frankly it was.

You've heard the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." My sentiments exactly. With so many slipshod bonuses thrown in, it was simply too good to be true.

In short, it turned my interest to suspicion.

Let's put example #1's offer to the "Bundling Test." Did Joe's bonuses complete his product? No. In fact, they took away from it. Did the bonuses drown out his product? Yes, grossly.

Looks like the first example failed miserably. Let's go on to the next example.

Example #2: The Seamless Approach

The owner of the info product in this second case study presents an excellent example of how bundling and presenting your bonuses should work. In this actual example, let's call the owner "Paul."

Paul's new info product was worth $97. With this he bundled three quality eBooks. Already, he established value in his offer.

Although I already had two of those eBooks, the way Paul seamlessly wove the three bonuses into his product was intriguing. He made me feel as though those three eBooks should not be read as stand-alones, rather that they were integral to his own product.

How did he do this so seamlessly?

First of all, Paul took the time to explain in detail what each bonus eBook contained. He expounded on how each eBook complemented his product, calling the bonuses "the primers" to his course. Not only this, he spoke personally about each author of the bonus eBooks and what they could offer the reader.

There was nothing presented as an after-thought. The bonuses were an important, well-thought-out, integral piece of the puzzle.

Let's put Paul's bonuses to the "Bundling Test." Did his bonuses complement his product? Yes, in fact, they completed it. Did the bonuses drown out his product? No. There were three perfectly thought out bonuses, no more. And, their value to his product was reasonable, giving value to his own product.

Bingo.

Now, I did not put out money for the cheaper $27 product. I did, however for the more expensive one. Why? Paul's example created value, and much of that value was in how the bonuses were presented. In contrasting the two above you can clearly see why.

And how did Paul end his ad copy? With these words, of course, "No $1658.97 worth of useless bonuses to waste your time. Just the stuff you need to get results."

Amen, Paul.

That is what you and I ultimately want, after all, isn't it? Results?

We online entrepreneurs are generally very busy people. Our time is limited. We don't have time to read every book or eBook that comes our way. Give us quality products only that will give us results.

Folks, there's a fine line between adding value to your products and devaluing them. Make sure you know which side of the line your bonuses are on.

Use the "Bundling Test" to help you add value to your products. If your bonuses pass the test, your readers will click.

Bundle away...but be sure you bundle for desired results.

Copyright 2004 Heidi Perry

About The Author

Seasoned entrepreneurs, Dave & Heidi Perry are founders of HomeBusinessOnline.com and PrettyGreat.com. Known for their straight-shooter style, Heidi & Dave are editors of HomeBizBytes. Receive a free issue at http://HomeBusinessOnline.com/nsl.htm?sya

Sunless Sun Tanning

With more and more of us understanding the serious consequences of sun tanning, we are looking for alternatives. Remember the first self tanners that hit the shelves many years ago ? wella you became instant carrot orange.

Well we've come along way babe! The new sunless tanning products are much more natural looking than past generations of sunless tanning products.

How do Sunless Tanning Products Work? Your skin is made up of two main layers: the outer layer called the inner layer called the dermis. In both normal sun tanning and sunless sun tanning the action occurs in the epidermis level.

The deepest layer of the epidermis is called the stratum basale and this is the layer that is affected during normal sun tanning. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis and this is the layer that is affected by most sunless-tanning products.

In today's market there are several different kinds of sunless-tanning products available. Since the early 1960s people have been able to get their tan from a bottle. Coppertone was the first to hit the market with its Quick Tanning Lotion.

What it is most remembered for is the wonderful carrot orange hue it produced. There have been many advancements in self tanning since the early years. Now a days you can purchase tanning pills, self tanners, sunless tanners, bronzers, and a host of other similar type products. Y

ou can smooth, swipe or spray on a light bronze glow or a deep, dark tan. Most of these products take 45 to 60 minutes to work, and then another couple of hours to dry properly.

The most effective sunless or self tanning products contain the active ingredient DHA [dihydroxyacetone]. DHA is a colorless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. As the sugar interacts with the dead skin cells, the skin changes color. This changes last from 3 to 7 days, and then you'll need to reapply.

Gels, lotions or sprays that contain DHA are said to be the most reliable. There are other very good products on the market as well, such as tan accelerators that contain the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine stimulates and increases the formation of melanin, thereby accelerating the tanning process. Currently there is no scientific data available to support these claims.

Tanning pills contain canthaxanthin, a color additive used in some foods. Canthaxanthin is approved by the FDA for food use, but it is not approved the use of it in tanning agents. This is because when it is used as a color additive very small amounts are needed, but when used as a tanning agent much larger quantities are needed.

After canthaxanthin is eaten, it is deposited all over your body, including in your skin, which turns an orange-brown colour. These types of tanning pills have been linked to side effects such as hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy. Canthaxanthin retinopathy is a condition in which yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye.

Bronzers are also very popular. Bronzers come in the form of powders or moisturizers. They create an instant tan that can be removed with soap and water. Bronzers are really a line of make-up, because they only tint the surface of your skin. If you're going to be outdoors make certain to still use your regular sunscreen protection.

Sunless tanning agents do not protect you from the damaging rays of the sun unless they have UVA and UVB protection. Your sunless tan will only last as long as the colored skin layer remains intact on your body, so moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more, because this will slow down the shedding process and extend the life of your sunless tan.

Tanning Mother Natures Way

When you tan, what your melanocytes produce melanin pigment in reaction to ultraviolet light in sunlight which stimulated melanin production.

The pigment is able to absorb UV radiation in sunlight, so it is able to protect the cells from UV damage.

Melanin production is slow and takes a fair bit of time, which is why people cannot get a sun tan in one day [although there is a small percentage of the population that can]. What you need to do is expose yourself to the suns UV rays for a short period of time for between 4 to 7 days. By doing this your cells will build up a level of protection.

For many races melanin production is continuous, so the skin is always pigmented to some degree, so they have a constant protection from UV radiation. Very low cancer rates are seen in these races.

Melanocytes produce two different pigments: eumelanin which is brown, and phaeomelanin which is yellow and red. Red-heads produce more phaeomelanin and less eumelanin, which is why they don't tan well.

Sunlight arrives on earth in three forms: infrared (heat), visible light and ultraviolet. Ultraviolet light is classified into three categories: UVA which causes tanning, UVB which damages the skin and causes sunburn, and UVC which is filtered out by the atmosphere and never reaches earth.

99% of the sun's UV radiation at sea level is UVA. UVB is the one the reeks havoc on our skin causing premature aging, deep wrinkles, and in the worst cases cancer.

UV radiation is reflected by different surfaces so you can amplify your exposure depending on the reflective surface. Snow reflects up to 90% of UV light and has been known to cause snow blindness and severe sunburn from skiing on a sunny day. Sand reflects up to 20% of UVB that hits it so you get extra UV exposure at the beach.

The flip to this is that some things absorb almost all the UV radiation. Glass is a perfect example ? that's why you don't burn in your car on a hot day. Sunscreens use chemicals that have UV-absorbing properties.

Sunburn Caucasian people do not have a natural built in protection as do many races. So if you are a Caucasian with no tan then your skin is not protected from the UV rays, making you susceptible to sunburn if you spend too much time in the sun. Sunburn leaves your skin red and extremely painful, and in severe cases blisters will appear.

Over the course of several hours, exposed skin turns bright red and becomes extremely painful when touched. Most times you can feel the heat radiating from the skin. When you get a sunburn you have killed skin cells. The outer epidermis are already dead skin cells, but just below these cells is a continuous supply of new cells being created to replenish the top layer of dead cells.

When you sit in the sun you expose yourself to ultraviolet light which kills cells. The ultraviolet light is able to reach the layer of living cells in the epidermis and begins to damage and kill them.

Your body knows that cells are being killed, so your immune system is activated to clean things up. Blood flow to the area is increased which opens up capillary walls so that white blood cells can come in and remove the damaged cells.

The increased blood flow makes your skin warm and red. The nerve endings for pain begin sending signals to your brain. The damaged cells release chemicals that activate pain receptors and this is the end result where your sunburn hurts or is very sensitive.

You can avoid sunburn by using a proper strength sunscreen or pace yourself getting a tan which then acts as a natural sunscreen created with its own special pigment cells in the epidermis. When you have a nice tan and go out in the sun you don't get burnt, unless you're so fair you never tan in which case you need to use sunscreen all the time.

Evidence is now showing that the massive increase in skin cancer is as a result of sun exposure that occurred, in many cases, over 20 years ago. So take care of your skin by using sunscreen, it's the only skin you've got for your lifetime.

We all seem to strive for the rich golden color of summer. It lifts our spirits and makes us feel better all over. Which ever method you decide to use to get that golden brown skin, use common sense to achieve your goals and always wear sunscreen when outside.

Your skin will thank you 20 or 30 years from now when you're not all wrinkled like a prune and not undergoing skin cancer treatments. Take care of your skin it's got to last you a lifetime!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Diseases of the Colon Caused by Constipation and Past Emotional Trauma

by: Rudy Silva

It was estimated that of all the people who died of cancer – colon, lung, prostate, and breast - in 1999 sixteen percent were attributed to colon cancer. But, how many of these other cancers originated in your colon? We do know that colon cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in the United States.

We don’t know what cancers originated in your colon because the medical profession treats symptoms not the causes. Many doctors do not go looking for the cause of your problem. They don’t have the time. In fact, they normally will not tell you what you need to do to prevent your illness. Sometimes the reason they will not tell you is they just do not know.

It is the nutritionist’s job to tell you what foods and supplements you need to prevent and to overcome specific illnesses and what to eat to eliminate or stop constipation.

Why is it that some many people are dying of various diseases at such an early age – at forty, at fifty, at sixty, even 30, or younger? They die of heart diseases, blood diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases and the list goes on. It has been know for a longtime why diseases occur and what you can do to prevent it.

These death producing illnesses are a result of our life style - the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air pollution we breathe, the thoughts we think, the toxins we are exposed to at work, and the cleaning products we use at home.

What is it that causes us to behave in a way that is harmful to others or ourselves in ways that affect our health, our relationships, and our life? Why do people smoke when they know it causes Cancer? Why do people drink coffee when they know caffeine affects their adrenal gland, which eventually leads to exhaustion? Why is it that people eat sugar when they know it has untold health effects beyond diabetes? The answer is simple but difficult to accept.

All illness originates from repressed traumatic memories resulting from early life trauma.

Dr Arthur Janov explains this clearly in his book, 1996, Why You Get Sick How You Get Well.

“Over the last thirty years I have learned a great deal about humans and what drives them. As trite as it may seem, what I have found is a single yet complex emotion called love. Not the romantic love of novels, but a fundamental love – the love of a parent for a child. When a child lacks love and nurturing, no matter how that lack is manifest, it creates pain, and if this pain is not “felt” or integrated into the system, it will in turn cause physical and emotional illness in later life.”

It takes disciple to change behavior, thought, and life style, which are good for health. This is what is necessary to reduce or eliminate illness. This is what is necessary to bring on a feeling of well-being way into your old age – at 80, at 90, at 100, and well beyond that. With the new anti-aging nutrients and supplements on the market, I can see people living well into 120 years provided they follow a good lifestyle.

How many people are willing to devote the time and money to start eating the right foods and change their lifestyle? This is the first step in reducing or eliminating constipation.

About the author:
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. Information on his packed, 262 page, constipation ebook can be seen at http://www.remedies-for-constipation.com