Sunday, August 16, 2009

Inexpensive Website Design Ideas

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

They say you need a website these days to be taken seriously on the internet. There is no doubt a professional looking website establishes your credibility online for your home based business ideas website. But how can you get that done if you don't know anything about web design? There are plenty of alternatives and choices that will help you with a good looking website design.

It can cost you hundreds of dollars to have a custom built website designed by a professional designer these days. Depending on your needs, that may be the only choice you have. However, if you don't need all the bells and whistles, you have choices you can make that will give you a website design you can be proud of for your home based business ideas website. Here is a guide to making that choice:

First, look for local designers in your area by opening you phone book, doing a google search or reading your newspapaper. I found someone in my area that specialized in website design to design my blog. Make sure you shop around. Don't pay $500 for a website design from a large company. Try to find a local person that runs their business out of their home office. The won't have the overhead expenses that larger design companies would have, and would be more flexible to work with.

Choose freelancers for your home based business ideas website carefully by going to elance.com. You'll be able to post an outline of your project, and thousands of freelancers will have the opportunity to bid on it. That way, you should be able to get a great deal. You will also have the ability to chose that designer based on ratings, past projects, and experience which will give you your best bang for your buck when it's all said and done.

Be sure to check out GoDaddy.com. They offer a website design service you can do yourself called Website Tonight. You can chose from a simple template of 5 pages, all the way up to a template of 999 pages, hosted with GoDaddy.com. You would also be able to chose your domain name with them too. It's a 'one stop shopping' site for everything you would need.

You can also design your own home based business ideas website. It doesn't take much to learn the basics of website design. If all you need is 5 simple pages, go to the library or search online for the basics of designing a website. Look for programs like Microsoft Frontpage, or Macromedia Dreamweaver to help you out. Soon, you might have a side business to help others with a good website design.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

How To Live Simply

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Confucius once said, "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

If we make life complicated and fill it up with a bunch "stuff," how can we ever focus on what matters most?

Many of us are running around trying to squeeze everything we can out of life when, in fact, we'd be a whole lot happier and healthier if we savored the beauty of simplicity!

Here are some tips you can use today to simplify your life:

1. Clutter. When you eliminate the clutter around you, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the things are dearest to you.

* Ask yourself: When was the last time I read the stack of books piled up on the floor? When did I last notice the details on one of those little trinkets I got while on vacation? When did I last wear the scarf lying on the closet floor? Give this stuff to someone who needs it!

* De-cluttering will give you an opportunity to enjoy the things that truly matter to you. Plus you'll feel a sense of relief with an organized working and living space.

2. Food. Food is another aspect of your life that can be simplified in many ways. Instead of worrying about the next bite, enjoy the taste of the food that's already in your mouth. Savor it. Let it all sink in and try to taste each flavor.

* Also, consider the ingredients in your food. Take the time to use quality ingredients instead of processed or chemically enhanced foods. The end result will taste better, and your body and mind will thank you for the nourishment!

3. Gadgets. Think of all the gizmos and gadgets in your life. Do you use them all? Do you even use half of them?

* The more stuff we have to "connect" us, the more we become disconnected! Take the headphones out of your ears, turn off the car radio, and put down your cell phone. Instead of trying to be always connected, communicate with those around you. Nothing is more satisfying than a rewarding conversation or a family fun night!

4. Thinking. A cluttered mind steers you away from what's most important. The reality is that simple ideas are almost always better. By simplifying your thinking, you open your mind to new possibilities.

* A simplified mind doesn't mean you aren't thinking, it just means that you're choosing to focus on one thing with greater clarity.

* When your attention is split in several directions, it's awfully hard to make rational decisions. And if you're dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, how can you live in the moment? Release distractions from your mind and you'll not only feel better, but you'll regain a sense of peace within you.

5. Schedule. If you're trying to jam a week into a single day, you'll feel a tension that will tug you away from where you're meant to be. Instead of wondering what's next, savor the here and now.

* Eliminate some of the clutter in your hectic schedule and do what's best for you and your family, not everyone else.

Living life simply is extremely rewarding. When you do so, you eliminate many of the useless cares and are able to focus on what's really important to you. Give it a try!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Sunday, July 26, 2009

What To Look For In A Mentor

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Before deciding to seek out a mentor, you must first determine what you hope to gain from the relationship. That means you need to spend time thinking about both your short and long term goals. Once you're fully clear on where you want to be, the selection process becomes that much easier.

When people think about mentors, they often visualize a classic business setting, where everything is formal and methodical, but mentoring relationships aren't limited to business. The truth is, you may desire a mentor for any number of reasons.

Consider these types of mentors:

Life Guidance. These life mentors are often referred to as "life coaches."

Spiritual Advisors. You can look to a priest, pastor, or friend to mentor you spiritually.

Everyday Mentors. Sometimes we even have unofficial mentors who are simply people we admire in our community or peer group with great ideas on home based business.

Choosing a Mentor

When looking for a mentor, seek someone who possesses the qualities, skills, and experiences you hope to one day have yourself. A mentor should be someone who fits your idea of success, has a positive attitude, and openly shares his or her knowledge with you.

You might want a mentor who's at the pinnacle of success within your field so you can learn from the best. Alternately, you might want to select someone as a mentor who's only slightly higher ranking than you, this way you can learn what you need to help take you to the next level.

Choosing the high ranking executive helps you with long term goals, while selecting the mentor who's closer to your own experience level makes it easier to focus on a specific area of expertise so you can achieve your shorter term goals.

An ideal situation may involve both types of mentors. This way you get a well-rounded experience that allows you to benefit both in the short and long term. Either way, you should find someone who isn't afraid to challenge you to reach your true potential.

Establishing a Beneficial Relationship

When you've selected your mentor candidate, draw up a plan to present to them detailing what you hope to give and receive from the relationship. This will help the potential mentor decide if they can provide you with the experience and knowledge you desire for your home based business ideas.

It's only fair to both of you to be as upfront as possible about your expectations. If you aren't clear on what you hope to gain, the relationship has little chance for success.

Successful Mentorship Begins with You

Once the relationship has been established, actively communicate your needs to the mentor in order to take the sessions in the direction you'd like to go.

You should be in the driver's seat, even though you're the junior party in the relationship. Without providing your mentor with guidance, the mentorship may not be fruitful for you. After all, if you don't let your mentor know what you need, he can't possibly give you what you hope to gain.

It's important throughout the relationship for the mentor to be supportive of your home based business ideas. A good mentor will be patient with you. They'll create an open and welcome environment that allows for earnest questions and concerns while making you feeling safe.

A successful mentorship will enable you to feel more confident, skilled, and knowledgeable. The reward for the mentor will be seeing the results of the positive impact they were able to make on someone else's life.

Follow these tips to find great mentors in any area you'd like to strengthen and enjoy a relationship that brings fruits to your labor and greater life fulfillment to both of you.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Dealing With Job Loss

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

With the economy taking a nosedive, many people are landing in the unemployment line. If you've suffered the loss of your job, it's heartening to discover that there are specific actions you can take to cope with this challenge and get back on your feet. You might even consider a home based business idea. Opportunities are endless if you are looking online. If you think your job search will take a while, explore the benefits and advantages to having a home business.

Keep in mind that, while it's certainly distressing to lose your job, it has the potential to bring you an exciting new beginning. The right attitude can help you immensely in seeing this hardship through!

Here are some things you can do in the meantime to minimize the damage and come out on top:

1. Openly discuss your job loss with your spouse. Since this affects both of you, be sure to make plans together and agree on implementing changes in your spending habits to lessen the impact.

* Evaluate where you stand financially. Determine how much savings you can rely on and what bills are coming due around the corner.
* Draw up a short-term financial plan to follow while you figure things out.

2. Check with your employer. Even though your job has ended, the final details are important to your financial future.

* Be sure you understand your insurance options, such as COBRA, so that you and your family can remain covered without any lapses during your search for a new job.

* Ask if you can receive a severance package. If one is available, find out every detail, such as beginning and ending dates for each of the benefits. Account for every dollar closely.

3. Apply for unemployment benefits from your state. Most states offer online applications to help expedite the process and get you enrolled quickly. Unemployment benefits can bring in some much-needed income while you're job hunting.

4. Pull out your resume, dust it off and add your most recent information. Consider posting your resume online on job sites and Craigslist and print plenty of copies to drop off or mail.

* Start your job search by looking online at job boards, forums, and classified ads, as well as applying directly to companies via their websites. The internet allows you to search the entire world right from the comfort of your own home, and can open doors of opportunity that were previously unavailable to you!

5. Develop an unflagging optimism about this opportunity you've been given. Offer positive, affirming thoughts to yourself and your family to keep everyone's spirit high.

* Positive thinking can make a huge difference on how quickly you find the right job. Enthusiasm will impress prospective employers much more than if you sink into a negative outlook and carry it with you unintentionally during interviews.

6. Talk about your unemployment with your kids, too. Your children should know that times are a little tougher and that you need to cut back on spending. Reassure them that things will be okay and use age-appropriate information so as not to stress or scare them.

7. Consider all options. Many times in life, what initially appears to be negative ends up being a blessing in disguise, and losing your job is no exception.

* Perhaps you weren't completely happy with your job, but were hesitant to leave it. Now that the decision has been made for you, you finally have the opportunity to try out a new profession, company or that home based business idea you have been thinking about.

* The possibilities are endless. You can even use a layoff as an opportunity to explore a new area of the country, travel the world for a new job, or work online with one of the many home based business ideas.

You can find success in the face of adversity. As long as you think positively and work hard, don't be surprised if you come out of this entire experience better off than you were before!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Starting Your Own eZine Isn't Too Difficult

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Starting your own eZine can be a lot easier than you think for a home based business idea. This is because in the most basic necessity, all you really need to get started publishing your own paperless newsletter are a wealth of content, auto responder with broadcast feature, and a website (which is optional). You can control the content for your eZine to attract the type of reader you want to build your list. As they say, the money is in the list.
Content

You can compile weeks of content ahead in advance and slowly dispense them to your subscribers. For example, you can compile 100 short tips in one day and dispense 10 tips once a week. In other words, you can compile 10 weeks worth of content in just one day!Article network sites have many articles that you can use for your eZine newsletter.You can have tons of content at your disposal if you belong to an article publishing site.

Auto responder

Your auto responder is your asset. To store your data base of subscribers, and send out your eZine, you will need an autoresponder. Some recommended auto responders include GetResponse.com and aWeber.com.Do a search for other autoresonders and you might find some that are free.Make sure any other autoresponder can handle to traffic and do the things you'll need it to do as you grow.

Website

You may be surprised that this is actually an optional component for this home based business idea. Many publishers of eZines publish without a website! You can however have a website, which could deliver you more subscribers and index your site higher in top Search Engines.If you want to increase your sign-ups, make sure you have an attractive squeeze page or capture page. You can use this to advertise your eZine and capture the information such as name, email address and even phone number.

These are the things you need to get started on publishing your own eZine at its bare minimum. Some eZine publishers only survive with content and an autoresponder, and never use a website. And you can, too! This is your home based business idea, so you control everything. But at least keep these several components as the base that holds it all together.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Cash and Pay-per-click Affiliate Programs

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Millions are paying to get a ride on the Information Super Highway everyday. Now, it is widely known that the Internet is an accessible resource of many income-generating activities. Whether you belong to a private sales company or you are just interested in internet marketing, PPC affiliate programs can be a powerful venue to make money from the Internet. A partnership with an affiliate merchant is a win-win situation for the merchant and the affiliate: sales are soaring because of exposure and traffic while the affiliate is earning good cash.

To make things much simpler: the affiliate merchant provides a strip of advertisement and pays you when someone clicks on the ad’s link. You can get a commission of $0.10 to $0.30 for every click, but it sometimes it can go higher depending on your merchant affiliate. Sometimes, merchants require a quota ($1.4 for every 1000 clicks). Plus, you can get discounts from your merchant affiliates if you happen to like their products too. You can just kick back and relax while your website is generating cash. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?

What is PCC Affiliate Program?

PPC means pay-per-click, wherein you get in partnership with an affiliate company that literally pays you for every click. There are actually two types of PCC affiliate programs – those who pay a commission based on the number of clicks and the other based on the sales. The pay-per-click scheme is much more popular than pay-per-lead because the affiliate gets paid by just clicking the ad, regardless of whether the visitor buys from the affiliate merchant or not. Plus the chances of a visitor purchasing something from the affiliate merchant are not really that high.

In choosing an affiliate program, read the fine print carefully – some pay-per-click programs get the ratio of the number of people who went to your site and the actual people who clicked on the ad. If you have a heavily targeted website, this can hurt your earnings.

How do I start?

Of course, you need to have a website. Depending on your target audience, choose the best affiliate merchant that is most related to your topic. For example, your website is about Carpentry then you can search for affiliate programs that sell tools used in carpentry.

However, if you don’t have a website, that’s not a problem. You can put up a content site about absolutely anything under the sun like ‘Taking Care of Dogs’ or ‘Decorating your own Home.’ But wait, its not over yet. We are faced by a dilemma – on how to increase traffic! You first need to get internet surfers to see your website, then the ad.

How do I increase my traffic?

First, design your website in such a way that it will attract internet users. A user-friendly site is always recommended so that the customers will know which one to click. Take into consideration the look and feel of the advertisement. If it doesn’t look professional, most likely, users will just ignore it. Place the ad on a strategic location – one where users can see it clearly. Visibility of the ad is always important.

Another way is to post a link to your website in forums, web communities, ezine articles or bulletin boards. However, this method requires a lot of effort – that defeats your purpose of getting easy money in the first place! The key is to do something once and forget about it. It’s like putting your business on autopilot. To maintain you pay-per-click business, be sure to track down site activity, so you are updated on how much money you are making.

Can I make more money?

If you think you can go to the next level, you can try a two-tier affiliate program. This gives you the power to recruit affiliates. Other than the money you get from your website’s clicks, you will also get a percentage of what your affiliate generates. Some companies give 30% to a soaring 50% commission on all referral sales.

Remember, you should be able to manage and monitor your affiliate program. If you can recruit more affiliates, then you can get paid more without even moving a finger! Choose affiliates that can most likely attract more internet users and bring more traffic. You just have to know the right people.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

PPC Advertising Benefits and Drawbacks

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Engaging in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising has its own benefits and drawbacks. But what exactly is PPC advertising and what it can do to your business?

Business nowadays is doing different kinds of austerity measures when it comes to advertising their products and services. This is because of high rates of placing ads on print and on television. But there is a fast growing approach that businessmen can utilize to bring their services closer to the people and that is through Internet Marketing.

One tool that is causing internet marketing popularity is PPC advertising. This is a technique used in search engine marketing that requires one to pay a fee every time someone clicks an ad on your website. Usually this placement is done through a bidding process. If you are a top bidder for your keywords/phrases, you are sure to be on the number one spot on all search engines. Just be sure of the effectiveness of your ad copy to get the most number of clicks you need for your business.

Here are the benefits of PPC advertising are:

1. You need not be a genius in computer and technology to be able to run this ad campaign.
2. Immediate results are seen after a few days.
3. No need to make a website conform to the SEO rules.
4. Nothing to lose even if you do not top the pages of different search engines. You can still always choose PPC advertising.
5. You can make use any search engine available.
6. You can type in any keyword you like.

Cons of PPC advertising includes:

1. Fixed payments every month to the search engine you choose.
2. Pay for each click received by your website. At times, visitors are just competitors or people playing pranks on search engines. This hassle wastes money you put in to this advertising.
3. Inability to pay for the fees next month would mean removal of your website on the paid listings.
4. This advertising can only be used temporarily because it is difficult to handle in the long run.
5. Pay-per-click pricing can be costly for long periods of time, therefore, this should be stopped after an ad campaign.

But how exactly PPC advertising can increase traffic, leads and sales?

PRE-QUALIFIED TRAFFIC. All visitors of your website are already considered as a qualified consumer or buyer of your product. PPC advertising leads your customers to you for a lesser cost.

INSTANT EXPOSURE, IMMEDIATE PROFITS. PPC search engines enable you to get your desired results fast. They will have your website live within just a few hours which means immediate increase in sale.

CONSISTENT TOP LISTINGS. This is to get your website on top of the sponsored search results for free. You just have to choose the keywords related to your site and business and place them within your web pages. After this, you are done.

PPC advertising enables advertisers to control their advertising campaigns. Advertisers have effectively targeted their audience and set their own price per click. PPC advertising networks provide the platform to identify the desired audience by geographic setting, topic and industry. These networks have a list of websites of the publishers where the ads will be placed.

Tools are provided by the networks to check how the pay per click limit is working for a certain advertiser. If its still competitive, would it be even listed among the paid search lists or does it generate sales? Of course, if the advertiser made the highest bid, the better chances the ad will be seen in the search engine. These networks too provide protection for the advertisers against click fraud. This advertising set-up allows advertisers to set a daily budget for his ads, thus, less spending for unnecessary clicks. Advertiser will never go over his budget.

In PPC advertising, what are important are the keywords and phrases. You have to select at least ten "very specific" keywords that would give you the best traffic in the search. Then, write the ad creatively but straightforward. Tell the truth about your product or service and do not lie. Good thing if your product or service will not disappoint those that are relying on your ad's promise - but what if it did otherwise? Important too is the clarity of the ad. Do not use very vague languages. Include important details like the price.

You should also remember to budget your bids. Do not go overbidding because you will only lose your money and do not go so low that your ads will never get the chance to show up. Check your profit against your spending. If you see no progress then most likely you have to drop your ad campaign.

More and more advertisers have been using PPC advertising and it will continue to grow faster than any online advertising techniques. From revenues of $2.6 billion in 2004 to $5.5 billion in 2009, cost per click will dramatically go up as well from $0.29 to $0.36.

PPC advertising is new in online marketing and it is going to continue in the years to come. For advertisers, this means increase revenues with fewer advertising expenses, savings, more sales, good return of investment (ROI) and effective ad campaigns in the days to come.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

Making PPC Click For Your Website

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

PPC stands for Pay Per Click - a popular advertising technique on the Internet. Found on websites, advertising networks, and especially on search engines, PPC advertising involves sponsored links that are typically in the form of text ads. These are usually placed close to search results, where an advertiser pays a particular amount to visitors who click on these links or banners and land on the advertiser's web page.

In essence, PPC advertising is all about bidding for the top or leading position on search engine results and listings. Advertisers do this by buying or bidding on keyword phrases that are relevant to their products or services - the higher the bid, the higher the spot on the search results, the more the people will find the ad (and click on it) to go to their websites (this is why some people call it "keyword auctioning"). Advertisers would then pay the bidding price every time a visitor clicks through the website.

PPC advertising is also known under the following names/variations:

· Pay per placement
· Pay per performance
· Pay per ranking
· Pay per position
· Cost per click (CPC)

PPC advertising is usually done with the following standard procedures:

1. Setting up an account and/or deposit funds.

2. Creating a keyword list.

3. Choosing (and setting up) an account with a PPC search engine.

4. Bidding on the ad placement, including the search result words or phrases.

5. Writing out an ad copy.

6. Setting up the 'landing pages' for your ads.

7. Placing the advertisement in the search engine.

There are many benefits to Pay Per Click advertising, making it an effective way of promoting a business 'online'. Some of them are listed below:

· Get launched immediately. PPC advertisements are implemented very quickly - they can go 'online' within an hour after winning the bid and paying for it.

· Obtain specific, pre-qualified, and quality traffic. PPC provides you with a quality or a well-targeted traffic. Visitors are narrowed down into 'qualified' people who are actually looking for specific products and/or services that you offer - those who are more likely to become a 'lead' (a convert) and complete a transaction (either by buying your product or subscribing to the service that you are offering.

· Widen your reach. PPC advertising provides additional traffic to your site, aside from the natural or "organic" search engines.

· Track your investment. PPC advertising makes use of a tracking system that will determine exactly who comes to the website and what they do once they arrive - the length of their stay on the site and the number of pages (including the actual pages) that they view. These are valuable tools in determining statistics such as return on investment (ROI), acquisition cost-per-visitor, and conversion rates (the percentage of visitors who are converted into customers or leads).

Below are some important things to consider when planning on a pay per click campaign:

1. Know your product. Take an inventory of the product and/or services that you have to offer (before anything else).

2. Stay within the budget. Determine your daily or monthly budget; and stay with it. This means keeping your budget in mind, avoiding bidding wars if possible.

3. Bid just right. Know how to bid right - a bid that is too high can exhaust all of your money, while a bid that is too low can make you lose that spot.

4. Watch the bottom line. Measure your profit margin against your spending or expenses. Know when to stop and terminate your PPC program - if you spend more on advertising but have little or no sales at all.

5. Find the right keywords. Decide which keyword phrases to opt and bid for. Do some keyword research, either by actually looking at existing search terms or with the use of online keyword suggestion tools, to know which terms are mostly used when searching for items that are related to your business. Focus on specific keywords, not on general ones.

6. Write effective ads. A good PPC ad is that which can persuade and move a searcher. There are several approaches to this:

· Discount offers
· Testimonials
· Celebrity/famous endorsers
· Money-back guarantees
· Free trials or sample offers
· Freebies
· Reverse psychology
· Major benefits ("Lose weight")
· Direct instructions ("Click here")

7. Maintain a professional-looking site. Your web content should be regularly updated and checked for spelling and grammatical errors. There should be no broken links or images. The website should be simple - designed in such a way that it will be easy for visitors to navigate and load. Include contact details to create a good impression among potential customers.

Done properly, PPC advertising can be an effective marketing tool that will maximize the return on your investment.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Top 5 Ways To Be Assertive And Confident

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Self-help books fly off the shelves of bookstores. They're the most common books on request at libraries. From business people to housewives, people are looking for ways to improve their lives, and the most sought after self-help books are those on how to be assertive and confident.

During job interviews, potential employers look for essential qualities in prospective employees. Assertiveness and confidence are high on the list. People we admire in the business world are often seen as confident and assertive.

To achieve goals in life, these are two valuable character traits. While some people seem to be born assertive and confident, the rest of us can learn these coveted characteristics.

Here are the top 5 ways to become assertive and confident:

1. Overcome shyness. Shyness can range from healthy to overwhelming and debilitating. Shyness is not the same as having low self-esteem. Many shy people have a very positive image of themselves, but they lack assertiveness and confidence. If you're shy, you can practice these techniques to overcome your shyness:

* Visualization. Positively visualize situations and circumstances before experiencing them. This will give you a better "what if" scenario, and help you be better prepared for any variation.

* Practice speaking. People who are shy often dislike the sound of their own voices. Practicing speeches in front of a mirror or with trusted friends will help you gain the confidence you need.

* Reinforce the positive. This is a way of thinking yourself out of being shy. By using affirmations to assert your positive characteristics, you can convince yourself that you are brilliant and worthy of great things. After all, sometimes the hardest person to convince is you!

2. Learn the difference between being aggressive and assertive. People respond better to an assertive person rather than an aggressive person.

* Aggressive people are seen as bullies who approach a problem with harsh criticism. They would say someone is doing a project "all wrong," for example.


* An assertive person, on the other hand, approaches the same situation with concerns and ideas to improve the project.

* Your goal should be to approach people with positive attitudes and solutions to problems. If you respect others and treat them as you want to be treated, you'll have the same courtesy returned to you.

3. Become informed. One of the best methods of being assertive and confident is to know your subject matter. No matter what the situation is, the more you know, the more confident you'll be.

* It doesn't matter if it's a job interview or a presentation to your peers, knowing what you're speaking about will give you that aura of confidence you desire.

* Be prepared for potential questions on your subject matter. A good idea is to have a trusted coworker help you identify common questions and answers. You will gain confidence in front of others when you first brainstorm and practice with someone you are comfortable with.

4. Speak up. Speak with confidence even if you don't feel confident. Practice speaking this way. The more you practice the more it will become second nature.

5. Model your behavior after people you admire. Chances are the people you admire have the assertiveness and confidence you're looking for in your own life.

* Observe how they do things.

* Pay attention to what they say and how they say it.

* Watch their body language.

Studying people who have the traits you crave is one of the best ways to create those very same traits in yourself.

Learning to be confident and assertive can enable you to achieve your goals with ease, whatever they may be. Practicing these and other methods will put you on the right track to success.

First and foremost, you must believe in yourself and your abilities. Keep in mind that some of our greatest leaders didn't start out assertive and confident. George Washington was too shy to talk to people growing up. He changed his ways, and so can you!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Don't Procrastinate!

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Did you ever feel like you wanted to join the Procrastinator's Club, but never quite got around to it? At some point in time, procrastination plagues us all, some more than others, but everyone at some point gets a bite from the bug.

We've all heard the quote, "Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today?" For some of us, this is the only motivation we need, while others struggle with putting things off for weeks, months, or even years.

Procrastination doesn't have to be a way of life for you; you can overcome it. With a little focus and the right attitude, coupled with some practical tips and techniques, procrastination can be a thing of the past.

Here are five strategies you can use today to help you bite the procrastination bug back:

1. Set small goals. Many times, we feel overwhelmed with a task, so we continue to put it off until we have no choice but to complete it.

Now throw on all the new projects we received while we were putting off the first project, and you have a prime equation for some serious procrastination.

Setting small, quickly achievable goals can help you avoid procrastinating in the first place so you don't get overwhelmed. Here are some tips for setting those small goals:

* Break your big project up into smaller steps. These steps can be completed systematically one at a time. Make sure you have well-defined end points for each smaller goal, that way you have something to keep you going.

* Setting small goals provides you a nonstop feeling of accomplishment as they're attained. With each individual success, you feel better about yourself, and this motivates you to continue.

* Giving yourself break points allows you to focus on each individual task and takes the overwhelming feeling out of the job. In addition, they give you a prime place to get up, move around, and refresh yourself for the next step.

2. Avoid distractions. We all do it. We sit down to start working, but have to get back up and grab some coffee. Then we sit back down and check email, then voicemail, and then email again just to make sure no one sent a message while we were checking the voicemail. How long did that take?

* Try checking your email only twice a day instead of every 5 minutes. You need to have some time to focus!


* Get everything you want, need or think you need before you sit down to start working so you can concentrate.

3. Delegate. Start giving some of your responsibilities to others instead of hogging them for yourself and creating more stress. Stress leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to tight deadlines, and tight deadlines lead to more stress; it's a vicious cycle.

4. Keep a list. A constant reminder of the things you absolutely need to do is a great way to avoid procrastination. A small pocket notebook or even a note card works wonders for list keeping.

* Keeping a list puts your daily to-dos in front of you at all times for quick reference.


* Include your small goals on your list. Get started early each day completing those small, easy goals. Doesn't it feel great to scratch through the things you've completed? Before you know it, the whole list is marked off!

5. Turn it off. When you're done for the day, shut down everything work related. Don't take it home if you can help it. Turn your brain off at the end of your workday. By giving your brain a break, you help avoid over exhaustion and keep your mind fresh for the next day.

* Spend some time doing the things you love to recharge your batteries for the next day.

Pick one or two of these techniques and try them out for three weeks. Studies have shown it takes 21 days to form a habit and if you truly want to beat procrastination, you have to make productivity a habit.

When you've made a habit of one of the strategies, pick out another one, and before you know it, you'll be the personification of productive!


William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

How To Become A Better Storyteller

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

What is the most memorable kind of communication? A good old-fashioned story, of course! Whether it's through hieroglyphics, parables, fairy tales, or fables, a good story is the deepest way to connect the mind to the soul.

Storytelling is a cherished tradition and an entertaining and effective way to convey information about almost any subject.

Walk in any classroom and you'll find teachers educating their students with stories. Walk into a major corporation and you'll find high profile CEOs expressing thoughts, opinions, and facts to their employees with stories. Wherever you go, storytelling is a powerful means of communication.

Why Should We Tell Stories?

It's been discovered that each of us has a desire, and perhaps even a need, to tell and hear stories.

By sharing stories with others, and indulging in their stories, we learn to understand one another at a much deeper level. By creating a common level of understanding, we come together as a community of individuals – appreciating both the differences and similarities we share.

You can convey your thoughts, feelings, and experiences through stories. By doing so, you're verbally expressing the things you value, the customs you take part in, and the wisdom you've acquired in life.

Have you ever felt that you didn't have anything interesting to share? Have you ever wished that you could grip audiences with the power of a good story?

If so, you'll be happy to know that there are many stories within you, just waiting to be told! And by becoming a better storyteller, you can overcome feelings of isolation and develop a stronger connection with others.

Steps to Becoming a Great Storyteller

Even if you've never told a story in your life, you can become a great storyteller! With a little effort and practice, your storytelling skills will improve and people will be drawn to what you have to say.

Here are 4 important techniques you can use to tell great stories:

1. Ensure that your presence is prominent. You must have the attention of your audience, whether it's a small group of friends or a large crowd. If you can captivate your audience, you're halfway there! In order to do so, you'll want speak clearly and deliberately with an upright posture and confident demeanor.

* Self-confidence plays a large role in making your presence prominent in a room. If you lack the confidence to step outside of your comfort zone and be confident, you'll have a hard time gaining your audience's attention.

2. Connect with and engage your audience. Connecting with your audience on an emotional level is important. If you're able to do this, you'll draw in the interest of the crowd and your story won't fall on deaf ears. This means understanding who they are, what they desire, why they're there, and how to speak to them.

* Talk and relate to your audience on an equal level. You shouldn't let your ego lead to a condescending tone of voice, nor should you let your wavering self-confidence make you timid. We're all human and we're all equal, so eliminate any negative perceptions or mental barriers from your mind.


* Match how you speak with whom you're speaking to. Your tone, language, and attire should be different when you're talking to high school students versus a group of women over 40. Try to precisely understand what the audience goes through day-in and day-out and tell that story.

3. Interact with your audience. Audience involvement is a simple technique that famous speakers use when sharing stories. You can ask questions, set up activities, or have someone share their experiences. This keeps your audience tuned in because they become part of the story.

* Humor can help you engage and interact with an audience but don't force it. Forcing humor into a story where it doesn't belong is awkward for both the storyteller and the audience.

4. Teach something. Your audience wants to learn something. They don't want to simply learn about you; they want to learn something they can apply in their own lives. Structure your story so there's both a situation and a solution or moral, that way there's a deeper meaning associated with the story that the audience can identify with.

When you gain the full attention of your audience, you can connect with them on an emotional level and interact with them, that way you can more closely identify with their personal situations and leave them on the edge of their seats. All it takes is practice!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Discover The Law Of Attraction

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

There's a pretty good chance you've heard something about the Law of Attraction in the past few years. For a while it was pretty big news and lots of people who wanted better lives jumped on the bandwagon.

While you're not hearing as much about it in the media these days, the Law of Attraction still holds true. Just what is the Law of Attraction, and how can it work to help you be happier and more successful?

The basic rule of the Law of Attraction is that like attracts like. When you're in a healthy, successful mindset, you'll be healthier and more successful. Positive thinking is a powerful tool as long as you use it correctly. So how do you do it?

Here are some ways you can use the Law of Attraction to make your life more fulfilling and achieve your goals:

1. Visualize what you desire. You need to have a clear idea of what you want out of life, not just a general or vague picture. By envisioning every detail of your desire, you'll eventually receive it!

* Know exactly what your goal is and outline the path for getting there.
* Then track your progress. You'll be surprised at how much of a difference this makes!

2. Allow yourself to succeed. You may think this sounds silly. After all, you're not the one holding yourself back – or are you? Many of us keep ourselves from the success we hope for, whether it's because we feel like we don't deserve it or we're just not paying attention.

* Take a look at your life and ask yourself if you have behavior patterns or attitudes that keep you from taking advantage of opportunities that can help you succeed. Recognizing and being aware of these self-sabotaging attitudes is a big step toward change.


* Do you consistently do something that sets you back every time you're on the verge of achieving a goal? Forming a mindset that will allow you to be a success can make a huge difference.

3. Have focus. It's easy to have many desires at once. For your best results, work on one or two things at a time and give them your full attention. Without the ability to focus your energy and thoughts on your goal, the chances of failure and distraction go up.

So if you find yourself pursuing multiple goals but never get near any of them, it's time to focus. The Law of Attraction tells us that in order to achieve, we have to be in a clear, focused mindset, with a strong picture of a single goal.

* Once you've focused on a single goal and achieved it, you can turn your focus to your next goal. This way, one by one, you are realizing success.

4. Be willing to receive the bounty the universe offers you. The world is constantly giving you chances to make things better. If you maintain the right mindset, stay focused, and know what you want and how to get there, you'll reap the benefits of those opportunities.

* Every day there are opportunities that could lift you out of the rut and put you on the road to a better tomorrow. You just have to be willing to take advantage of them.

The Law of Attraction principles have helped many people change their lives for the better. Keeping a positive mindset and taking action to accomplish your goals will help you achieve the life you've always dreamed of.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

What Is PPC Advertising?

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Engaging in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising has its own benefits and drawbacks. But what exactly is PPC advertising and what it can do to your business?

Business nowadays is doing different kinds of austerity measures when it comes to advertising their products and services. This is because of high rates of placing ads on print and on television. But there is a fast growing approach that businessmen can utilize to bring their services closer to the people and that is through Internet Marketing.

One tool that is causing internet marketing popularity is PPC advertising. This is a technique used in search engine marketing that requires one to pay a fee every time someone clicks an ad on your website. Usually this placement is done through a bidding process. If you are a top bidder for your keywords/phrases, you are sure to be on the number one spot on all search engines. Just be sure of the effectiveness of your ad copy to get the most number of clicks you need for your business.

Here are the benefits of PPC advertising are:

1. You need not be a genius in computer and technology to be able to run this ad campaign.
2. Immediate results are seen after a few days.
3. No need to make a website conform to the SEO rules.
4. Nothing to lose even if you do not top the pages of different search engines. You can still always choose PPC advertising.
5. You can make use any search engine available.
6. You can type in any keyword you like.

Cons of PPC advertising includes:

1. Fixed payments every month to the search engine you choose.
2. Pay for each click received by your website. At times, visitors are just competitors or people playing pranks on search engines. This hassle wastes money you put in to this advertising.
3. Inability to pay for the fees next month would mean removal of your website on the paid listings.
4. This advertising can only be used temporarily because it is difficult to handle in the long run.
5. Pay-per-click pricing can be costly for long periods of time, therefore, this should be stopped after an ad campaign.

But how exactly PPC advertising can increase traffic, leads and sales?

PRE-QUALIFIED TRAFFIC. All visitors of your website are already considered as a qualified consumer or buyer of your product. PPC advertising leads your customers to you for a lesser cost.

INSTANT EXPOSURE, IMMEDIATE PROFITS. PPC search engines enable you to get your desired results fast. They will have your website live within just a few hours which means immediate increase in sale.

CONSISTENT TOP LISTINGS. This is to get your website on top of the sponsored search results for free. You just have to choose the keywords related to your site and business and place them within your web pages. After this, you are done.

PPC advertising enables advertisers to control their advertising campaigns. Advertisers have effectively targeted their audience and set their own price per click. PPC advertising networks provide the platform to identify the desired audience by geographic setting, topic and industry. These networks have a list of websites of the publishers where the ads will be placed.

Tools are provided by the networks to check how the pay per click limit is working for a certain advertiser. If its still competitive, would it be even listed among the paid search lists or does it generate sales? Of course, if the advertiser made the highest bid, the better chances the ad will be seen in the search engine. These networks too provide protection for the advertisers against click fraud. This advertising set-up allows advertisers to set a daily budget for his ads, thus, less spending for unnecessary clicks. Advertiser will never go over his budget.

In PPC advertising, what are important are the keywords and phrases. You have to select at least ten "very specific" keywords that would give you the best traffic in the search. Then, write the ad creatively but straightforward. Tell the truth about your product or service and do not lie. Good thing if your product or service will not disappoint those that are relying on your ad's promise - but what if it did otherwise? Important too is the clarity of the ad. Do not use very vague languages. Include important details like the price.

You should also remember to budget your bids. Do not go overbidding because you will only lose your money and do not go so low that your ads will never get the chance to show up. Check your profit against your spending. If you see no progress then most likely you have to drop your ad campaign.

More and more advertisers have been using PPC advertising and it will continue to grow faster than any online advertising techniques. From revenues of $2.6 billion in 2004 to $5.5 billion in 2009, cost per click will dramatically go up as well from $0.29 to $0.36.

PPC advertising is new in online marketing and it is going to continue in the years to come. For advertisers, this means increase revenues with fewer advertising expenses, savings, more sales, good return of investment (ROI) and effective ad campaigns in the days to come.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Monday, May 18, 2009

How To Discover Purpose In Your Life

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Do you ever feel like your life has no purpose – like you're just going from one day to the next, without really loving or hating it? If you're in this situation, boredom is your enemy.

We all experience boredom at some point in life, and it stops us from meeting our full potential. If you want to get out of this rut and onto the fast track to success and fulfillment, you're going to have to give up boredom. It's time to say you'll never be bored again!

Boredom is detrimental to your physical and mental health. It makes you feel unfulfilled, unhappy, and tired. It's a fact – inactivity leads to more inactivity, plus it leaves you feeling empty and miserable. The cycle becomes ongoing, and you've got to consciously break its path.

* If you're feeling bored and want to get out of the slump, do something – anything! It doesn't matter what. Just get moving. If you don't like your chosen activity, change to something else.

Boredom and Purpose
How does boredom relate to finding your purpose? It's simple. If you're allowing yourself to be bored, you're putting roadblocks in the way of finding the path that will lead you to the top of your personal mountain.

It's important to have a purpose, because that purpose will allow you to feel happy and give you a reason to get out of bed every day. It will keep you moving, active, and healthy.

* Your special purpose doesn't necessarily have to be a career; it could be a hobby or charitable cause.

It's also important to love what you're doing. The ideal, of course, is to turn your life's passion into a full time career. No matter what you're doing, if you don't love it, you need to find something else to pursue.

* Some people are able to pursue their passion during the time when they're not working, because some passions may not make the best careers. For example, there are few highly paid stamp collectors.

How Do You Find Your Purpose?

How can you discover your special purpose? The answer is simple, but the process might be a tough one. You need to open yourself to all new experiences and get out there and do things. You mustn't allow yourself to say you're bored anymore!

* Exploring the world around you is a great way to discover your purpose or passion.

Whether you're reading new books, exploring parts of your city you've never been to, or talking to people you've never met, you'll discover new things about yourself, learn more about your surroundings, and experience new adventures.

New experiences have a lot to offer. They get you out of the same old mindset and into one where you have more passion and interest in the world. New encounters encourage you to try new things, develop new skill sets, and find out what you excel at.

* You can find purpose in the strangest places, so don't rule out any activity. After all, if you try something and don't like it, you don't have to go back to it.

It's having passions, and the perseverance to pursue them, that makes us stars. If you've been feeling like your life is empty, it's time to fill it with some passion!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Friday, May 15, 2009

5 Ways To Make Extra Money

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

No matter what you do for a living, there's always an incentive to make more money. Maybe you're trying to pay off credit card bills, save up for something special, or have a little cushion should something unexpected happen in your life.

It used to be that if you needed to make a bit of extra cash, you needed to pick up a second job, like bussing tables a few weekends a month or showing up early at the bakery to help with the ovens.

Now, thanks to the doors opened by the internet, and the ease of starting your own business, it's gotten easier than ever to bring in some extra money without working yourself to death in the process.

Here are five ways you can make some extra cash in a pinch:

1. Sell your unused items. Do you have books you'll never read again collecting dust on your bookshelf? Is your closet full of outgrown or embarrassing clothes? Are your old computers taking up too much space? Sell them!

* Have a yard sale.

* Sell your things to specialty shops like second hand clothing shops, used bookstores, used furniture stores, or even repair shops that need parts from what you have.

* Use eBay. Lots of things without local markets have a national or global market, and there are people who'll buy the oddest things on eBay.

In particular, if you've got some sort of fairly obscure electronic hardware, try selling it on eBay first. Chances are someone wants it and is willing to pay a premium for it.

2. Ask for a raise at your current job. There's no doubt that asking for more money is difficult, especially during a recession, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Most people are too scared to ask for a raise, so you can use this to your advantage.

* Assemble a list of the things you've accomplished at your work in the last nine months and make your case.


* Another way you may be able to make more cash at your job is to ask your boss if there's extra work you can do to gain more hours or get paid more for increased responsibilities.

3. Trade skills for cash. Are you a skilled seamstress, writer, or graphic designer? There are countless websites where you can use your expertise to earn extra money.

* If you're not sure how to get started, take a few minutes to do an Internet search. Resources abound on the ‘net that can help you find buyers for your skills.

4. Get a work from home job. There are lots of telephone based customer service jobs that you can do with just a computer and an Internet connection. Some of them pay remarkably well and all of them have relaxed dress codes to boot!

5. Start your own part-time business. Transform one of your hobbies or skills into a second business. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as turning your love for something into a business and making it profitable.

Many of these money-making ideas will work fairly quickly with little effort. You can take it one step further and significantly boost your income by creating a business you can run from the comfort of home. Take action and you can make more money!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Reprogramming Your Subconscious Mind For Success

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Many people go through their lives without understanding why they make the same mistakes, follow the same patterns, and live in the same ruts. They aren't happy with their present situation, but they seem to be unable to make any lasting changes. Are you one of these people?

Perhaps you've attend seminars, read books, and taken courses, but, in the end, fallen back into the same dysfunctional patterns you've always followed! Why does it always turn out this way?

We struggle to make permanent changes in our lives because we input information only into our conscious mind. Your behaviours and belief system is not directed and controlled by your conscious mind, which is the problem.

To change your behaviors, you must first reprogram the hard-wired center of your mind: the subconscious mind.

How Does Your Subconscious Mind Work?

The subconscious is the largest part of our mind. It contains all the messages we've received throughout our lives. Millions of thoughts which form your beliefs, mindsets, and character traits are clustered in this area.

The conscious and subconscious mind has a relationship that is solid. The conscious mind is represented by the visible tip of the iceberg, while the subconscious is represented by the gigantic lower portion of the iceberg hidden from view.

You can't see the subconscious in action, but it certainly has a major impact on the voyage you take in your life.

The subconscious is the place where all of your learned behaviors reside. Once you learn to walk, you don't need to consider how to lift and place each foot to take the next step, do you? Of course not! Your subconscious mind automatically controls your steps.

Your subconscious learns behavior through repetition and practice. Just as it learned to control your footsteps when you learned to walk, it also controls your footsteps in your life's journey based on what you've reinforced throughout your life.

The good news is you can reprogram your subconscious mind by inputting and reinforcing new thoughts and actions! By tapping into the the subconscious mind with several different techniques, you can reprogram how it works.

Here are some strategies you can use to change your mind and change your life:

1. Affirmations. Affirmations work to change your subconscious mind by using positive, personal, present tense statements to override the embedded negative thinking. By repeating these positive thoughts, you can create new pathways in your subconscious, giving it new attitudes.


Then your subconscious causes you to act in new ways that agree with these new attitudes. For example, repeating: "I choose healthy foods at each meal" can change your mindset about what you eat and why!


2. Visualization. Visualization is the act of creating detailed mental pictures that depict a desired outcome so you can see success for yourself. These images stimulate the subconscious into accepting them as reality, which then directs behavior accordingly. Top athletes around the world use this technique during game-time.


3. Hypnosis. Various types of therapy, including hypnosis, works with the subconscious mind. Hypnosis works by easing you into a state of extreme relaxation. Once you're in this state, the conscious mind releases its grip, and the subconscious mind is easier to access.

While under hypnosis, it's much easier to reprogram the subconscious into accepting new thoughts as reality.


4. Subliminal Audios. You can use subliminal audios while you sleep. The conscious mind listens to music or someone speaking on one level, but the subconscious mind hears another layer of information recorded underneath the audible portion.


When awake, the conscious mind is distracted with the audible portion of the audio, making it harder to tap into the subconscious mind.


Using techniques like these can help you reprogram your subconscious mind and remove the burden of the negative thoughts buried there. Imagine the freedom of living your life without the automatic dysfunctional behaviors you've had driving you for years!


When you transform your negative outlook into a positive one, you can accomplish so much more. In doing so, your mind will be released from negative programming, allowing you to excel and succeed throughout your life.

Will Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Goal Setting For Business or Life

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Whether you want to set goals for your business or your personal life, defining clear, concise goals is very important. Without clear goals you can end up confused about what you want to achieve, and you may be putting yourself on the path to stagnation. Clear goals can give you tremendous momentum and intense purpose in your life.

Here are five important tips to help you to define clear goals in your life:

1. Understand what you want to achieve. In order to define clear goals, your first step is to determine exactly what you want to achieve. If you don't know where you're going, you can't figure out a route to get there.

Once you know where you want to be and what you want to achieve, you'll be able to come up with the goals that will help you get there.

* Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
* Take the time to sit down and brainstorm your long-term dreams and desires.

2. Determine a timeline. Setting timelines will prevent procrastination and spur you on to action to meet your goals. Having a timeline for your goals also helps to clarify them because now you know what you want and when you want it!

* Come up with goals that you want to meet in a month, year, and even five or ten years from now.

* Make a plan that will keep you on track; however, don't etch your plan in stone! Allow for changes along the way, but keep your eye on the main goal.

3. Ensure your goals are realistic. With realistic goals, you can almost guarantee that you'll be able to achieve them, and you won't stress yourself out trying to accomplish something that's out of reach. A clear goal is a realistic one.

* Break your long-term goals into small, achievable action steps. Reaching multiple goals along your journey will give you a feeling of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.

4. Be specific. Clarify your goals with the details of exactly what you want. Avoid vague generalities. When you make a specific goal, you'll be better able to accomplish it.

* Specific goals allow you to form your timeline and define your action steps. There's no guesswork involved when dealing with specifics.(

* For example, "make more money with your business" is a vague goal. Come up with a specific goal, such as, "I will make $1,000 more per month, three months from today." This goal is specific, measurable, and realistic.

5. Refine your goals. Your goals may change as your life changes. During this process, you'll be able to make them more specific, realistic, and achievable.

* It's okay to refine your goals several times in your life! What's important now, might not be important to you six months or six years from now. Be willing to accept change. Revisit your goals from time to time and make new plans if necessary.

Some people flounder through life, unsure of their purpose or what they want to achieve. Don't let this be you! Your life will have clear meaning if you put some thought into what's important to you, what goals you want to achieve, and what actions to take to make your dreams a reality.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Reducing Stress Through Prayer And Meditation

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Is your daily routine so busy and full of activities that it's causing you stress and agitation? Too much stress results in negative health risks, but how can you reduce stress and find peace in your daily life?

To achieve a sense of peace, you can turn to the gift of prayer and meditation.

There are many benefits to meditation and prayer:

1. Stress reduction. Both meditation and prayer are wonderful for reducing stress. It will teach you to get to a more peaceful state of mind, and get away from the worries of life.

* Just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference by bringing peace and relaxation to your body and mind. Taking into account the positive effects, a few minutes a day isn't all that much.

2. Improved health. Many studies have proven that prayer and meditation foster vibrant health. Healthy benefits such as decreased risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure are the result of lower stress levels.

* Physical problems are often a symptom of turmoil on the inside and prayer and meditation can help to overcome that turmoil.

3. Better control over your thoughts. Having negative thoughts from time to time is part of being human. Many people who are stressed don't believe they're able to control what they think. The stress mounts, tempers flair, and before long arguments ensue.

However, by bringing prayer and meditation into your life, it's possible to control your thoughts and stop negative thinking as soon as it happens. This helps keep your mind at peace.

4. Happiness. Both peace of mind and happiness are true benefits of meditation and prayer. Everyone is seeking happiness in their lives, and when you're able to find peace of mind through prayer and meditation, you're also welcoming happiness into your life.

By spending some time in personal reflection, you'll gain a greater wisdom of your mission in this life, and you'll be better able to appreciate all that you've been given, both good and bad. Meditation and prayer help banish those negative thoughts that threaten your peace of mind.

5. Better concentration. As you pray and meditate, you welcome peace and tranquility into your mind, which then affects how you live your life. When you alleviate the stresses in your life, you're better able to concentrate on the things that are important, such as family or work.

* Continued prayer and meditation will help you expand your focus to multiple areas of your life.

Although prayer and meditation can provide peace in your life, it can be hard to make the time at first, but it's easier than you think. Simply find a quiet place in your home and allow yourself to relax and feel at peace for 10-15 minutes. You deserve those 15 minutes of peace each day!

Although you'll find many great benefits of prayer and meditation, you may need to practice to achieve it's benefits. Over time you'll begin to experience this wonderful gift in your own life and you'll be thankful that you did!

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Will is now using Ping.fm

Friday, April 24, 2009

Using Positive Self-Talk to Conquer Any Goal

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Need More Leads For Your MLM Business?
Do you feel like you are always talking yourself out of success? As soon as you start to set goals for yourself, do you suddenly have nagging thoughts about how you aren't up to the task or how you simply aren't qualified to carry it through?

If you have ever experienced either situation, you need to change the way you respond to your inner dialogue. Instead of obeying your negative commands, you can use positive self-talk to counter the negativity and overcome nearly all anxious thoughts.

Setting Goals and Sticking to Them with Positive Self-Talk
Are you initially filled with excitement when you first set goals for yourself? Are these thoughts then followed by self-doubt and self-defeating thoughts that stop you in your tracks before you even get started?

It can be difficult to make the most of your life when you are constantly talking yourself out of being a success. It can be frustrating and discouraging to have these thoughts constantly plaguing you. Many of us, in fact, don't even realize we have them! All we know is that we don't have the confidence to stick to our plans and reach our goals.

But there's another way!

Positive self-talk is an effective way to set goals and ensure that you stick to them, even if you have never been able to do this before. The way this works is that you decide what goal is important to you, and then you plan the logistics of how you are going to attain this goal. When self-doubt starts kicking in, you will respond with affirmations that prove your success without surrendering to the negative pressure. Since you're reading this article, it's clear that you're no quitter and you're certainly not a failure, so start believing in yourself!

Re-Programming Your Mind

Affirmations are essentially positive statements that re-program your mind for the positive. The moment you have a self-defeating thought you'd be able to counter the negative with a motivating statement. An example of a positive affirmation is: "I am worthy of great success," or "I see myself in the winner's circle." What this does is replace negativity with thoughts that will help you move toward your goals instead of further away from them.

Positive self-talk is easier to implement than you might think. You may not be aware of the severity of the negative dialogue currently within your mind. However, once you begin with positive self-talk, you will suddenly realize that you are self-sabotaging the goals you set for yourself from the minute that you make them. This process can open your eyes to exactly how much this inner conversation has been interfering with your life. You'll feel hopeful that you can now set goals and surpass them.

Through positive self-talk you will be able easily set long and short-term goals for yourself. And when you use affirmations, you'll have accessible tools to help you push yourself further than ever before. Learning to quiet negativity with positive thoughts is a great move toward setting and attaining future goals with ease.

Will Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Monday, April 13, 2009

5 Tips For Setting Successful Goals

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Whether you want to set goals for your business or your personal life, defining clear, concise goals is very important. Without clear goals you can end up confused about what you want to achieve, and you may be putting yourself on the path to stagnation. Clear goals can give you tremendous momentum and intense purpose in your life.

Here are five important tips to help you to define clear goals in your life:

1. Understand what you want to achieve. In order to define clear goals, your first step is to determine exactly what you want to achieve. If you don't know where you're going, you can't figure out a route to get there.

Once you know where you want to be and what you want to achieve, you'll be able to come up with the goals that will help you get there.

* Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
* Take the time to sit down and brainstorm your long-term dreams and desires.

2. Determine a timeline. Setting timelines will prevent procrastination and spur you on to action to meet your goals. Having a timeline for your goals also helps to clarify them because now you know what you want and when you want it!

* Come up with goals that you want to meet in a month, year, and even five or ten years from now.

* Make a plan that will keep you on track; however, don't etch your plan in stone! Allow for changes along the way, but keep your eye on the main goal.

3. Ensure your goals are realistic. With realistic goals, you can almost guarantee that you'll be able to achieve them, and you won't stress yourself out trying to accomplish something that's out of reach. A clear goal is a realistic one.

* Break your long-term goals into small, achievable action steps. Reaching multiple goals along your journey will give you a feeling of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.

4. Be specific. Clarify your goals with the details of exactly what you want. Avoid vague generalities. When you make a specific goal, you'll be better able to accomplish it.

* Specific goals allow you to form your timeline and define your action steps. There's no guesswork involved when dealing with specifics.


* For example, "make more money with your business" is a vague goal. Come up with a specific goal, such as, "I will make $1,000 more per month, three months from today." This goal is specific, measurable, and realistic.

5. Refine your goals. Your goals may change as your life changes. During this process, you'll be able to make them more specific, realistic, and achievable.

* It's okay to refine your goals several times in your life! What's important now, might not be important to you six months or six years from now. Be willing to accept change. Revisit your goals from time to time and make new plans if necessary.

Some people flounder through life, unsure of their purpose or what they want to achieve. Don't let this be you! Your life will have clear meaning if you put some thought into what's important to you, what goals you want to achieve, and what actions to take to make your dreams a reality.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Monday, March 30, 2009

Creating A Marketing Plan For Your Business

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Here's a great strategy to get the most out of your time when creating a marketing plan for your business. Your target time should only be approximately 1-2 hours per day on your marketing plan.

2 press releases per week - This should be keyword driven and have the keyword in the title and in the body of the press release at least 3-4 times. It's best to try to use quotes at least 2-3 times also.

5 articles per week - These should also be keyword driven. Try not to spend more than 20 minutes per article, and make sure you are sharing value in the article rather than just fluff.

2 blog posts per week!

1-3 videos per week on YouTube, and any other video sites.

2 broadcast emails per month to your list. Make sure you write the email as if it were only going to one person so it sounds personalized.

15 minutes per day on social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

1 Squidoo lens per week. Don't spend more than 30 minutes on each lens.

By maximizing your time and your resources, you should have a well rounded marketing strategy in place for your business. You can have traffic coming to your website within days. A great marketing plan for your business is necessary in today's online atmosphere. Don't forget to link your accounts to each other to help drive traffic. This is an important piece of the puzzle that is often missed when developing and setting up your marketing plan for your business.

Bill Drapcho
http://ProfitPalsForLife.com

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Negative People....

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Here is a funny joke I heard about negative people. Enjoy!

Negative People


This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing, and cares less, tries to make your life miserable.


A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband.. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:


" Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome . So, how are you getting there?"


"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"


"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. " That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"


"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."


"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump.


"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope.


"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant.


Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."


A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.


"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.


And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"


"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."


"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.


Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."


"Oh, really! What'd he say ?"


He said: "Where'd you get the shitty Hairdo?"

Monday, March 9, 2009

Don't Get Distracted And Lose Focus!

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

With so many different MLM and affiliate programs today, it's easy to take your eye off the program, or company you are already with. Don't get distracted from your network marketing program or you may end up short with your online success story. You need to stay focused to reach your goals with your own MLM or affiliate program that you are part of now. Otherwise, you'll be spinning your wheels trying to work several different programs at one time, never reaching the success you dreamed of.

Chances are, you already have a focus with an MLM or Affiliate program now. If you are finding online success with your current program, you probably don't want to change. However, if you are not happy with your progress, don't like the product or services, not happy with the comp plan, you may want to think about changing. But, don't change just because you saw something else and got excited. We are bombarded with offers to join something new and exciting every day. However, your current program is probably just as new and exciting! Or, at least it was at one time. Don't lose your focus.

To ensure your online success with your MLM or Affiliate program, make sure you keep in contact with your upline as much as possible. Also, do something for your business every day. Plan your day the night before, and fill your day with article marketing, blogging, setting free ads, calling prospects, and doing some videos. Having a plan will keep you on your road to network marketing success. Rediscover why you signed up for your current program in the first place. Was it the marketing plan, the products, or the upline?

Being distracted will only have you doing 10 things at one time, and being totally confused. Then, when you are not seeing online success, you'll want to blame your upline, or the business, but not yourself. If you can stay away from this huge network marketing mistake and keep your focus, you will find your online success with your MLM or affiliate program much faster.

Bill Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Social Networking 101 For Facebook And Twitter

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Connecting with others online through Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites can be lucrative. However, there is a proper way to make contact with other networkers without alienating them from your information or opportunity. Don't get in their face with your stuff right away, and you'll make long term friends!

The thing about social networking is, don't go into sites and do it just for business. Business will be a byproduct if you do it the right way. First, be careful about who you ask to be friends with. Don't just go into a site and try to become friends with everyone by clicking away for hours.

First, not everyone involved with Twitter, Facebook and MySpace are in network marketing. Many are truly there just to socialize with others. Do a search within the site to find others with the same interests as you, such as health and wellness, networking, affiliate marketing, and so on.

Second, don't make your pitch in your first email. That's just rude, and it turns people off immediately. Instead, just say hello and eventually lead them to your blog. Make sure your blog is filled with links to your business site. That way, your new social networking friend can make their way to your website, and buy your product or service at their own pace.

If it all sounds like a lot of time wasted on the computer, think again. When you connect with people all over the world, referrals come in over time. People are earning big incomes faster because of social networking from Internet referrals, and over the last couple of years, million dollar incomes are a reality. But building relationships is a key to attracting referrals and, ultimately, clients. The social networking sites are simply the way that's being done today...if you do it properly!

Bill Drapcho
http://profitpalsforlife.com

Monday, February 23, 2009

This Is My Story, And I'm Sticking With It.

CUTTING EDGE BUSINESS WITH CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

I knew I was different all of my life. Nobody could tell me what to do, or how to do it. Not my parents, my teachers, my bosses, and especially not my brother or sisters. I knew if I were a bird, I would stay south, while the others flew north. If I were a fish, I would swim upstream, while the others would swim downstream. That might be the main reason I have to work on my own, and never, ever again work for someone else. Do you understand this? I thought you would. Those of us that have a desire to own a business, and make incredible incomes in the face of high adversity, can only understand each other. This industry is not for those weak in the knees, or faint of heart. This industry is for those of us who know no boundries, or limits to succeed and achieve our goals we set for ourselves.

Approximately 10 years ago, I answered an ad that said I could make $5,000-$20,000 per month working from home. That ad was for a nutritional marketing company that I am still with. I do not promote the company, even though I love the products, and get great results from them. I just don't like the company's marketing plan, and commission payout. However, I learned a lot from my sponsor in that company, and I was completely sucked into the idea that I will make $5,000 or more per month. I spent tons of money marketing the idea to others, getting distributors, and building a foundation for a business I thought could last for years and years. Unfortunately, marketing this way was too expensive for my distributors, they eventually quit, and I was left with no business in the end. This was a tough lesson to learn. I went into debt for a while, with no business, no extra income, and back where I started. I still believed in the products, but the marketing plan just plain sucked. If you can't believe in both, you can't build a business.

A few years passed, and I decided to try again. This time, I learned from my past adversity and only took on smaller affiliate type programs and used free marketing strategies to try and build them. I made a few dollars here and there, but never enough to even think about quiting my job. But, as time went on, I learned more about this business, by jumping from business to business. I always blamed the business for my lack of success. There must be ONE company out there that is the magic bullet to take me to the top of this industry. But, I never found it.

Finally, I found something that made sense. It wasn't any one single business, but a concept of attraction marketing that led me to my current business and the rest is history! I currently work at home, make my own hours and live my own life. No more 9-5, grumpy co-workers, lousy bosses and answering to someone else. Sometimes we have to go completely out of our way before we realize where we are actually headed. That was certainly the case for me, and I'm sure many of you. But the best part of it all, is the final destination. Only when you get to your destination do you realize, the journey was an important lesson for you to take. The journey lets you enjoy your final location, so you never lose your direction again.

William Drapcho
http://ProfitpalsForLife.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Do You Twitter? Here's A FREE Tool

"What If You Could Press Just One Button & Automatically Start Getting 1000's Of Legitimate New Twitter Followers On Autopilot... Even If Nobody Knows Who You Are Now?"
... And You DON'T Have To Start Following Thousands Of People To Get Them!

Go to HTTP://TWEETERGETTER.COM/WDRAPCHO
This system is 100% FREE!

Quick and easy... we don't even need your email!

Works around-the-clock constantly bringing you new real followers!

"Viral System" ensures your following increases exponentially!

So you're looking to get a massive following on twitter?

Just ONE TWEET can make it happen, but before I show you how, answer the quick question below...

Imagine you got 1 twitter follower today, and that number doubled every day for 1 month, how many followers do you think you would have?

Answer now: 1,000 10,000 10 million

The correct answer is: Over 10 million followers!

Now, that's not likely to happen, but you can exploit this same viral phenomenon to generate thousands of real twitter followers in next to no time at all!

So how does this system work?

Go to HTTP://TWEETERGETTER.COM/WDRAPCHO
The concept is simple, when you retweet the message in the form below, you will automatically start following the 6 people in front of you in the system.

A message posted on your twitter will automatically be formated with your unique link. Meaning that when people follow through to this site, they will have to follow you in position 1 to use the system themselves.

Now when those people refer others via their link, their new followers will also follow you in position 2 and so on down 5 levels deep. By the time you reach the 5th position, you will have thousands, if not tens of thousands of new twitter followers... and it NEVER stops growing!

A quick example...

As a conservative example, lets say you refered just 5 people to this page. And each of those people referred 5 more. Here's how quickly your twitter following would grow...

Levels # of Followers
YOU 5
Level 1 25
Level 2 125
Level 3 625
Level 4 3,125
Level 5 15,625
Grand Total: 19,530

That's almost 20 thousand new twitter followers. Of course, that's only if the scenario above happens exactly as I described it. In reality, you could get less or much more!

Even if you only got a fraction of this, wouldn't it be worth it for simply retweeting 1 simple message?

Go to HTTP://TWEETERGETTER.COM/WDRAPCHO