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Five Simple Steps for Generating Sales Leads

Posted by Paradise on June 25, 2009 at 11:52am
Five Simple Steps for Generating Sales LeadsA good lead generation program can lower your sales costs and raise your revenue. Here are five simple, basic steps from Dean Rieck of Direct Creative that should help you get those quality leads pouring in.The basics of making lead generation work for your company:1. Offer something free. This is the key to any successful lead generation program. Whether you use direct mail, print ads, radio, television, or other media, you must offer something free to get prospects to raise their hands and say, “I’m interested in this.” You can offer just about anything: free booklet, free gift, free survey, free sample, free catalog, free inspection, free consultation, or anything else that’s related to your product or service.2. Help your prospect solve a problem. Forget positioning pieces and other pomp and circumstance. Give your offer value. For someone having tax problems, offering a “free tax reduction kit” is more appealing and relevant than “a free brochure about the XYZ Accounting Firm.” Try to solve particular problems.3. Stay focused on getting the lead. Don’t get carried away with the creative aspects of designing a mail piece or ad. Keep your message as simple and lean as possible. The idea is to pique your prospect’s interest in the free thing you’re offering and get a request for it. Don’t talk about your company, then tack on an offer. Focus the whole message on the freebie.4. Gather the information you need to make a sale. The only reason for offering something free is to get a name, address, phone number, and other information to build your database. So make sure your reply device asks for the necessary data. Be careful if you ask for an e-mail response, though, because the prospect may not give you everything you need. And if you want to direct a prospect to your Web site, create a special URL that will ask for contact information first, otherwise your prospect will wander around your site and leave without providing the data you want.5. Follow up fast. Hot leads cool off quickly. When you get an inquiry, send the freebie immediately. Then get the lead into the hands of your sales force pronto.---Source: Dean Rieck is a leading direct mail copywriter. For more copywriting and selling tips, sign up for Dean’s FREE direct response newsletter and get a free report, 99 Easy Ways to Boost Your Direct Mail Response.
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The Real Estate World is Your Oyster

Posted by Annetta Powell on June 24, 2009 at 10:31pm
The Real Estate world is your oyster! Invest Now!Have you watched the news lately? Have you read the Real Estate section of the newspaper today? Well if you haven’t, you may want to go and take a look. Properties are popping up everywhere at record low prices! Now you must be asking yourself the question, “How does this concern me?” I’m here to tell you that the Real Estate World is your Oyster! Invest Now! Don’t wait until the economy is back on track! Don’t wait until all the great deals are gone! Invest NOW! NOW! NOW!Although there is currently a housing crisis in various parts across the country, every indicator points out that what we are actually experiencing is a readjustment of highly inflated real estate prices. Just as prices may be dropping, in time they will undoubtedly increase. Regardless of what type of market we are in, investing in real estate guarantees a profit over time. If you are not convinced, just take a look at some reasons you should invest today!For beginning real estate investors, sometimes the only investment they can make is their time. For every real estate investor, finding a lucrative deal is as good as striking oil. There are plenty of seasoned investors with money in their pockets just ready to buy a piece of discounted property. Real estate is such a lucrative field that it opens doors to countless amateur investors everyday. There are a plethora of books and seminars everywhere teaching would-be investors ways to make huge profits in the real estate market. Overnight success is practically unheard of, but with that being true, anybody with the heart, mind and determination can make it big in real estate.Leveraging is a great advantage to Real Estate Investing. While more experienced investors can turn a quick profit by wholesaling, Buy-and-Hold investors can yield a profit by borrowing against (leveraging) their properties. Lenders can or will allow holders of owner-occupied property to borrow up to ninety-five percent of their property's value and up to eighty percent of non-owner occupied units. This means that you can either purchase property with a minimal out-of-pocket investment or acquire financing that will allow you to pull cash out of your property's equity to use for future ventures.Ultimately, owning a real estate business is the way to achieve financial freedom regardless of economic conditions. Whether you quit your job and dive right in or you work at it in your spare time, you can make it happen! There are so many worthwhile benefits, as I have mentioned above, that you have to open your eyes and see that the Real Estate world is your oyster! The first step in gaining financial freedom is attending my free seminar. To register, visit my website www.cashinonforeclosures.com or call 866-758-3555 to attend the next FREE Training Seminar. Also, join my free networking group at www.cashinonforeclosuresnetwork.com to uncover the truth about becoming successful in real estate investing and get on the path to your financial freedom!Free Training Seminars:June 24, 2009 12:30 pm, 7:00 pmDearborn HyattJune 25, 2009 2009 12:30 pm, 7:00 pmWestin Hotel - SouthfieldAnnetta PowellQueen of Real Estate

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Updates at Women of Destiny ~ Purpose-Minded to Promise. TM

Posted by Debra P. Declouet on June 24, 2009 at 8:53pm
New Book Club:Our Featured Writers for the Month of June are all Pastors:1. Dr. Bill Winston “Transform Your Thinking, Transform Your Life”.2. Apostle John Barton “It’s Time to Start Living”.3. Pastor Andre Butler “Not In My House”.***Please read the Blog Post for these Authors and buy the books... they are all phenomenal; truly life changing!New Ministry:Destiny Daughters is a branch of Women of Destiny, LLC which enhances our parenting skills and assist our daughters in healthy development and transitioning that they may grow into healthy, whole adults. Stay tuned for future meeting schedules.Website Changes:Women of Destiny, LLC “Purpose-Minded to Promise” has had a facelift. Keeping it simple and straight to the point and yet the message sounds LOUD AND CLEAR! Check us out at http://www.p-mtp.comI AM EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR UP AND COMINGBLOGTALK RADIO SHOW!!!RECLAIM YOUR LIFE! begins in July, exact date... to be determined. Stay tuned for updates and listen in for biblical ways to naturally live your life abundantly. Write me with ideas after reading the blog entitled“Reclaim Your LIFE”.LOOK FOR MY FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK OF POETRY IN 2010.~Check out Poetic Expressionism on my Poetry Page. Schedule ME for YOUR next event!~I look forward to hearing from you in all venues and thank you in advance for your continued support for truly THIS MINISTRY IS FOR YOU (US)!!!We walk in wholeness together as 1 BODY IN CHRIST!!God Bless You,Debra P. Declouet
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Special offers for writers and authors!

Posted by Dominique on June 24, 2009 at 8:23pm
Reserve your spot today to be advertised for one full edition. We are looking for authors and writers with events such as book signings, release parties, speaking engagements etc. Let From A Writers POV do an interview and ad with you on your event. Find out more details here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/authorswritersevents.htm----------------------------------------Today is the last day!!!!Do you have an event this weekend? Submit your event into our Writers VIP Weekend! http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htmThanks!
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Accepting Success

Posted by Onyx Six on June 24, 2009 at 8:00pm
Graciously accept your successes. Be thankful for every accomplishment and the achievement of goals that you have set. To achieve the true and pure feeling of gratitude you must give thanks for what it is that has come into your experience without criticism. It is often hard for us to not criticize or re-evaluate the path that has been traveled to success, and it’s especially hard to not criticize something we perceive to be a failure.Gratitude is first about the full acceptance of things, places, people and circumstances as they are. Secondly, it is about putting yourself at ease or in a state of comfort as it pertains to the object of your gratitude. When one begins to criticize the outcome of a thing they begin to mix good feelings with bad. This creates an inner turmoil that makes it impossible to be in alignment with the universe. When you are out of alignment with the universe it becomes harder to manifest that which you have asked for because your current vibration is competing with the things that you do not want.It is true that we should be grateful for all things that come into our experience. When we experience things that we do not like, it positions us to gain clarity on the things we do like and want. For this, we should be grateful. However, it is crucial that we are truly grateful for our successes because they are the “feel good” things of which we wish to have more. How can you expect to compound your successful actions if you are unable to remit your feelings happiness and gratitude for those things to the universe.Practice devoting your conscious thoughts to your success and be happy. Leave the “could haves”, “would haves” and “should haves” in the past. It is your feelings about the things that are happening today that will bring you more successes and happiness in the future. Your comfort with your success today will bring more successes in the future. Your criticisms about your success or lack there of will bring more of the same. It’s as simple as that. Graciously accept your successes and be proud of your accomplishments. After all, it is you and only you who possess the ability to call them into your life. Rejoice!
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FYI

Posted by Liz Williams on June 24, 2009 at 6:48pm
My company (NYSE listed) is looking for a few people who would like to earn extra income by working 4 to 6 hours per week.If you, or someone you know, are interested in extra income, please call or email me for more information.Liz Williams917-915-4333lizwil40@yahoo.com
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Human Hair Extensions -Brazilian Hair Lace Wigs-Weaves-Lace Wigs Call Us 805-426-5227

Posted by Ego Extensions L.A. Lace Wigs on June 24, 2009 at 6:04pm
Come and experience California's Hot Spot! A Salon and Shop mixed into one. Ego Extensions L.A. offers a Luxury Line of Remy Hair Extensions and Lace Wigs. Imagine beautiful, soft, luxurious hair that you can color, wash, straighten and style to your hearts desire. Our Lace Wigs and Extensions are made of 100% Premium Remy Hair.
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Are you on facebook?

Posted by LaShanda Henry on June 24, 2009 at 5:21pm
Facebook Marketing is now bigger than Google and just as big as Twitter. If you aren't seriously marketing your business on Facebook, then you need to get started. If you are on Facebook, let's stay connected. Here is my facebook profile page: http://www.facebook.com/lashanda.henry FYI: I recently did an amazing Facebook marketing webinar for the Women of Color Coaching Program. It was all about how you can optimize your facebook profile, generate more traffic to your website, and take advantage of free email marketing opportunities. If you missed it, you can join me on Business Women of Color to listen to the replay. Plus you get access to our upcoming and previous marketing webinars. Click here for details. Post your facebook link in the comment box below.
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Create Your Own Banner Rotator

Posted by LaShanda Henry on June 24, 2009 at 4:33pm
Image Rotation Script - Banner Rotation, PHP Rotator Script When you have a website like an online magazine, blog, or social network that gets decent traffic, you have an opportunity to make extra money online. Adsense is great, but it's even better when you can cut out the middle man and get all the profits for publishing ads on your website. Banner Rotators are great. You can use them to promote your own websites, feature affiliate links, and of course sell ad space to people who want to promote their business on your website. My Black Banner Rotator is on all my networks and its very popular. One of the first ways I started making money online is through my banner rotators. I realize that you might not be a techie girl like me, so I finally decided to share my banner rotator with you. Now you can get my banner rotator script, so that you can create your own banner rotators too! Check out my new website: http://www.mybannerrotator.com. Are you already selling Ad Space on Your Website? If you need more traffic or if you are looking for websites where you can advertise your business checkout: BlackAdspace.net: http://www.blackadspace.net. blackadspace_02
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InfaCity's Virtual Bridal Show

Posted by Wanda Collins on June 24, 2009 at 4:10pm
I hope you will join us at our next virtual bridal party. The purpose of the party is for us to get to know each other on a more personal level and have some fun in the process. You can say this party is informational and gives you the chance to ask questions about our site and the products we offer. We will play games, giveaway wedding favors, cake topper, and many other prizes from our vendors. We are passionate about establishing a relationship with our brides.If you are a vendor and would like to donate a prize for the event, please let me know. We will present your company at the party and provide brides a follow up email with your information.I look forward to seeing you all there:InfaCity's Virtual Bridal ShowThe next bridal show is July 1, 2009 @8pm Eastern Standard.
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The Top 5 Ways to Attract and Keep Customers in Any Economy

Posted by Paradise on June 24, 2009 at 10:00am
The Top 5 Ways to Attract and Keep Customers in Any EconomyBy Barry A. Densa, freelance marketing & sales copywriterI have a friend in Florida who owns six Subway franchises.He's rolling in dough, whole wheat and greenbacks.He loves the recession. He's remodeling his house (stimulating one South Florida contractor to keep swinging a hammer).Dollar stores are also doing a gang-buster business.The healthcare industry is thriving, too, but they're in a world of their own (as long as there's no cure for sickness and aging.)Supermarkets are packed. People are cooking, not dining out in restaurants.In fact, anyone selling a staple of life, or offering a low-ticket product or service, they're just happier than a pig in... you know what.For the rest of us...This economy sucks.But only if, during the long-gone good-times, your business had been on cruise control and you got complacent, fat and lazy, and saw your customers as dollar signs and not people.Without naming names, some marketers are clearly suffering far less than others, because they cared to look deep into their customer's eyes and not just plumb the depths of their wallets.Call it relationship building, call it caring about your customers, or just call it staying in business, making a great income, taking vacations, and buying new cars (Japanese or German) even in a recession.While I can't offer you, for obvious reasons, a precise 5-point strategy to achieve this type of recession insurance for your particular business...I can give you the general blueprint.The top 5 ways to keep your prospects loyal and their wallets openFirst, a note of caution: Reducing your prices may help, of course, and may even be prudent. But that's a short-term fix, which commoditizes your service. In fact, by reducing your prices, what you're doing is training, even forcing, your customers to price shop.Remember, price is what your customer pays, value is what your customer receives.Accent the value, and the customer will pay your price.And you do it this way...1. Allay your customer fears:Right now your customers are looking more and more like deer in the headlights. They're watching way too many doom and gloom news shows. They're hearing about once-upon-a-time giants of industry filing for bankruptcy, shutting doors and putting thousands of people out of work. They may even know a few.And, quite frankly, they're afraid they may be next.So they're holding on to their money; worried the good times will never return. Frugal and conservative defines them. Food and shelter are their biggest concern to the near exclusion of everything else.Your job then is to lift their heads, open their eyes and sing, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow."Help them understand that change is the only constant in life—and this economic melt-down, this too shall pass.Show them that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer—give them hope, and put your arm around their shoulders.Then infuse them with some good ol' time religion, lift their spirits and get them dancing in the aisles—put excitement and happiness back in their lives.2. Confirm their suspicions:Conspiracies, real and imagined, abound in times of economic stress.Your customers see danger everywhere they look, and they wonder who is really there to watch over and protect their best interests, and who is there to fleece them of their shrinking income.Don’t deny the reality your customers perceive. Don't argue with or ignore their fears. Place yourself on their side. Put yourself in their shoes.Recognize that the quickest way to bond and, most importantly, become an advocate on behalf of your customers is to first accept and validate (within reasonable limits) their viewpoint.Then, once you've shown them you understand and agree with them, you'll find it so much easier to persuade them of your viewpoint.Switch their allegiance from fear and suspicion to that of fearlessness and confidence and you'll immediately become their champion and protector.After all, it's so much easier to close a deal, make a sale, even to a skittish and suspicious customer, when they trust you—and see in you a like-minded and kindred spirit.3. Justify their failures:Don't make your customers feel like losers.If they've yet to reach their goals, pat them on the back and then show them why.There's a big difference between criticizing and critiquing. Be a coach, a mentor, help them to see why they stumbled and fell, and how they can pick themselves up and still reach the finish line.Never put the blame solely on their shoulders.Show them that many factors, often beyond their control, contributed to their failure, just as other factors, equally beyond their control will determine the shape of their eventual success.And yet with your expert help, show them how you can decrease the number of failures they will face, and how you will increase their odds of success, however defined.4. Throw rocks at their enemies:This is too easy, and a cousin of number 3, above.Indentify the immediate threat or obstacle confronting your customer's well-being, happiness and success. Join them in a justifiable hate fest. Heap scorn, ridicule and bad intentions on the perceived roadblock.And then quickly move on. Don't wallow in that shallow pool, but splash there just long enough to gain your customer's attention and confidence.Then, once you have made common cause with your customer—sharing the same enemy and holding to shared goals—and working together to achieve them—you'll be accepted on their team, and into their inner sanctum—a trusted confidant.5. Encourage their dreams:Isn't that what it's all about? Dreams and their fulfillment.Without dreams what are we? Our dreams define us. Our dreams are our life's work.Some dreams are large, some are small, but all need more than just wishful thinking. They need the mechanism to make them come true.What you market and sell are not made of metal, wood, plastic, gigabytes or an intangible service—they are dream-makers. They are magic and they are real.And for your customers, your products or services are their best chance of reaching for the stars.Do not deceive your customer into believing they can accomplish the impossible, or that the impossible is achievable.But if your product or service can indeed make your customer's dreams come true, do not hide the truth—but rather proclaim it, prove it and deliver it.And when you do all of the above, with style and grace, truth and honesty...Your business will thrive in any economy.---Source: Barry A. Densa is one of America's top freelance Marketing and Sales Copywriters. Visit WritingWithPersonality.com and see how easily and quickly Barry converts prospects into buyers using "salesmanship in print." And while there, sign up for his highly regarded FREE ezine: Marketing Wit & Wisdom!
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Get connected with positive Black people...

Posted by Patrina on June 24, 2009 at 2:07am

FYI:If you have not heard already, one of the largest and fastest growing social networks specifically designed for Black people is set to launch in a matter of weeks. The Network already stretches over 70 countries around the world and is still growing.Imagine a space for Black businesses and Black consumers worldwide. At the minimum, you want to be a free member of this Network before it goes live. Spread the word to as many positive brothers and sisters that you know can benefit.You can join for FREE by going to www.blackbusinessnetwork.com/patrina and SIGN-UPMuch love,Patrina
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Start Saving Now!

Posted by Annetta Powell on June 23, 2009 at 10:48pm
Start saving for down payment and closing costs!It’s time to start saving whatever you can toward your first home purchase. You want to try and save at least 10% of your down payment. Closing costs can be expensive, so it’s time to cut down and save, save save!Visit www.visioninvestmentcorp.com for more information!Annetta PowellQueen of Real Estate

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