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Are You Interested in Lowering Your Credit Card Processing Rates & Increasing Revenue?

Posted by Michelle McBride on January 8, 2009 at 1:30am

McBride Merchant Services, Inc. can show you how to significantly reduce your current credit card processing fees while maximizing revenue from your sales. If you're looking for the most advanced technology in payment processing services at an attractive rate, then your search is over!McBride Merchant Services, Inc. offers a full suite of merchant services designed to meet your budget and your industry. Our services include: Credit Card Procesing (Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Discover), Electronic Check Guarantee and Conversion Processing, "Secure WebPay" for businesses utilizing Online Stores/Shopping Carts and Charitable/Nonprofit organizations accepting online donations, "Virtual Terminal" for web-based, telephone or fax-based sales, Mobile/Wireless Credit Card Terminals, Gift & and Loyalty Cards, Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) and Merchant Loan Programs.Check our website at www.mcbridemerchantservices.com or you may contact our staff at (410) 227-6727 or (410) 698-3548 or via email at mcbride@mcbridemerchantservices.comWe have some of the most attractive (and yes low) rates in the industry whether you are a new or established business or organization.Michelle McBridePresidentMcBride Merchant Services, Inc.www.mcbridemerchantservices.com

Get Ahead - Live Well

Posted by Diane on August 31, 2008 at 8:10pm

Brought to you by Diane Williams, Silver Manager 9808, dianewilliams@warmspirit.org

$100.00 OFF

Posted by The Black Business Cafe on August 31, 2008 at 6:30pm

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A "Prescription for Peace" Tee by Gold Saturn...Soooo CUTE!

Posted by Elana Pruitt on August 31, 2008 at 5:36pm

Check out my tips on wearing this tee from morning to evening. Maybe now it's time to add some creativity to your wardrobe while making a statement. And what better statement, right?Check out what designer David Jon Acosta had to say about this tee on Diary of a Personal Shopper!Cheers,Elana

Oprah pledges $1 million to youth scholarships in Whitesboro - My Hometown

Posted by Denise Bethune on August 31, 2008 at 2:06pm

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP - She didn't give everybody a car, but talk-show host Oprah Winfrey did pledge $1 million to an educational scholarship fund for the community's youth during a visit to Whitesboro on Saturday. Winfrey, fresh from the Democratic National Convention in Colorado, breezed into town wearing a long, yellow dress, with boyfriend Stedman Graham, a Whitesboro native, by her side. She was the keynote speaker at the 20th reunion sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro.Hundreds of people braved the heat to hear Winfrey speak and cheered her as she arrived, screaming out her name. "She's been my inspiration," local resident Debbie Seppy said. Winfrey's speech included some heavy politicking for presidential candidate Barack Obama."I'm here to tell you, I know Barack Obama is the one. He's the one we've been waiting for," Winfrey said. But she also touched on her poor childhood on a farm in Mississippi, her career rise from a small television show in Chicago to the empire she now commands, the school for girls she opened in South Africa, her faith in God and many other subjects.She dropped a bombshell at the end of her speech on a day the community had earlier declared "Stedman Graham Day." She noted how Graham, who has been her partner since 1986, talked about Whitesboro when they started dating and how he wanted the town to be all it could be. She said he worked to get sidewalks, street lights, a baseball field and a community center built there."I'm committed to help him help this community. Today I'm contributing $220,000 as my first installment in a $1 million plan for the educational scholarship fund of Whitesboro. Keep dreaming ladies and gentlemen, keep dreaming," Winfrey said. Edgar Robinson, the emcee of the affair, was nearly tongue-tied. "That's unbelievable. I guarantee we will make it work for the students," he said.The scholarship fund in this black community normally collects about $15,000 per year. Earlier in the day, Sturdy Savings Bank President Gerald Reeves presented a check for $5,000. But it's kind of hard to compete with Oprah Winfrey, whose net worth has been estimated at $2.5 billion.For Whitesboro residents, it wasn't about the money. They came to see Oprah, a woman successful in movies, television, magazines and other businesses but who struggles with everyday problems just like they do. New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells had the dilemma of introducing Winfrey, whom she called "our queen Oprah Winfrey.""Of course, I can't introduce somebody who everybody already knows and loves, who is family," Wells said. Winfrey, like several speakers before her, pushed education."What is important is access to learning. We used to know that. It used to mean getting straight A's didn't mean you were trying to act white. It meant you were trying to act right," Winfrey said.Noting she normally doesn't get involved in politics, she urged the crowd to register to vote and cast a ballot for Obama, the Democrat Party candidate who is the son of black man.She also touched on religion, saying prayer worked in getting her the breakthrough role in the movie "The Color Purple," which launched her career. "With education, most things are possible. With God, everything is possible," Winfrey said.She also advocated hard work, but again said at some point that isn't always enough and God can be the difference. "Do all you can do, but then lay it down and give it to the higher power," Winfrey said.She made the crowd laugh, often joking about weight issues such as early dates with Graham when she ate less than she wanted to, usually salads, to impress him. She also recalled the time "The Color Purple" director Steven Spielberg told her to eat.Comedian Joan Rivers, she recounted, had called her fat, so she said she went to "a fat farm" to lose 50 pounds. That's when Spielberg called her to tell her she had the part in his movie. "He said, 'I hear you're at a fat farm. If you lose one pound you could lose this

10 Email Marketing Tips From Arlena The ePublicist

Posted by Jim Neusom on August 30, 2008 at 6:35pm

Greetings Family,(Contact Information At The Bottom Of The Page)As a Digital Drummer, I'm always looking for something good to put on this virtual drum line...smileArlena Richardson, is a relatively new friend, I met on We Are Creative People (see www.wacptv.ning.com) I've watched this sister selfishly put out positive, proactive and empowering information for the last year.She exemplifies what social networking is all about; sharing, supporting, and encouraging those of us in the Black online Diaspora. The sister has her act together and is quickly becoming a recognized name on the Net.Seeing her background as an established sports publicist and Dot.com entrepreneur, her rise in popularity is understandable (see http://www.arlena.com/arlena_richardson.htm) Arlena is doing big things and deserves our acknowledgement and support.Please take the time to send Arlena Richardson an email (arlenapr@sbcglobal.net) and/or public comment, thanking her for all her time and efforts to make the Net a better and more vibrant place for Blacks online.Remember, We Must Share The Knowledge (Network)... To Share The Dollars!!!***************(Advertisement)*********************Need some great ideas for corporate or personal gift-giving?Then go to City Lights Software(http://www.citylightssoftware.com )and see some of the most unique afrocentric gifts available online!We Deliver ONLINE - Direct To Your Desktop for just $14.95Please take the time to purchase one our afrocentric screen savers TODAY!Don't Just Talk the Talk...Let Your Dollars Walk the WalkIf you have any problems with purchasing online contact me direct at sales@citylightssoftware.com or call (213) 944-4176******************************************************"Top Ten Tips For Email Marketing" Republished From http://www.arlena.com/1. You need to get your email opened and read, how do you help your cause? Through the subject line! But remember, email readers cut off the subject line if it's too long so get your message across with a few short words.2. "From Label" faux pas - make sure that your email comes "from" whomever your recipients have established a relationship with. If they see that it's coming from someone with whom they aren't familiar, you're likely to see an increase in your unsubscribe rate and possibly receive some SPAM complaints.3. Personalization is key! It's a great way to get your message read and Vertical Response can help you set it up easily. Catch your recipient's attention using it in the subject line, in the introduction or even the in closing of your email. Personalization is a powerful way to bring you closer to your recipient.4. Identify with your recipients in the first paragraph "You told us you wanted to receive information on [Product X] so we're sending you this information today!" Help them remember the connection you've had with them from previous correspondence. Sparking the memory of your recipient can also help to lower your unsubscribe rate.5. Pictures, pictures, pictures. We see up to 10 times the response rate for emails using pictures vs. those with only text. Vertical Response has the tools to help you easily upload your images so why not give yourself the advantage. Just make sure the images aren't too large (i.e. file size) as it will take longer to load for your dial-up recipients. Don't run the risk of losing a potential customer because they got frustrated waiting for your images to load.6. Got a product? Make your offer up front and provide only the most pertinent information (i.e. price, model #, availability) in the email. Don't waste your customer's time by making them search for these details as this can have a negative effect on your sales. As long as you also provide them with a link to get more information about your offer they should have everything they need.7. Create urgency with your offers. Apply expiration dates and enforce them. This can jump start your recipients behavior if they feel like a delay on their part will result in a missed opportunity.8. Keep it short and sweet. If you send a monthly email and have a lot to say, try to convey your message in a concise manner. Get your message across with a few sentences and then include a link where they can get more information. You might think about switching your monthly email to a bi-weekly one to prevent your newsletters from being too long.9. When you mail can be as important as what you mail. Keep in mind that certain times of the year people will be focusing more of their attention on get-togethers with friends and family than to their email inboxes. Schedule your mailings accordingly for the holiday seasons (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 4th of July) to ensure that your messages are not left unread for longer than you expected. This is especially important for any time-sensitive offers or announcements contained within your email.10. For success in the future you'll want to consult the past! Study campaign performance to learn from your achievements (and your mistakes!) by monitoring your clicks and open rate. Test, Test, Test: try different offers with your lists and compare the results. See which days of the week and especially subject lines garner the best response***************(Advertisement)*********************Looking For More Exposure, Want To Help A Good Cause, Need Money???Come on over to www.freshfaces2u.com and register to win $10,000 dollars CASH!At Fresh Faces2u it's NOT about how you look...But Who You Are!Join us in our mission to change the image of women in the mediaSign Up Today At Fresh Faces2u.com***************************************************This Online Journal was brought to you by InterServe Networks. Feel Free To Forward To Your Network Of Online FriendsWe Practice Responsible E-Commerce Marketing and Privacy Policies. We do not indulge in or encourage Spamming. We never send unsolicited emails. You are receiving this message as part of our opt-in subscriber mailing list or you are a member of an affiliated newsgroup.For comments or suggestions please contact us at the following;Jim Neusom (jneusom@yahoo.com)Executive Director/PublisherInterServe Networks/City Lights Software, Inc.www.citylightssoftware.comwww.freshfaces2u.comwww.myspace.com/jimneusomwww.myspace.com/freshfaces2uTo subscribe to our opt-in mailing list simply send an email to; The_City_Lights_Reporter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ( on Myspace go to http://blog.myspace.com/jimneusom )

Tips for the Successful Link Building

Posted by Rhonda Jai on August 30, 2008 at 6:00pm

At first I want to tell you something about link building basics. Link building is about getting inbound links to your website also known as link popularity building and it is one of the most important aspects when evaluating the quality of a website. Our intention is always to get more visibility and traffic to our website through these links. It is a part of offpage search engine optimization( SEO) and you have to do it, when onpage optimization is done correctly.With link building you will improve your link popularity and that is important because every search engine i.e. Google, MSN, Yahoo … now consider them as a part of their ranking algorithms. It is inevitable part for achievement TOP 10 position in search engines and for the good Google Page Rank as well.For those who don’t now what the page rank is, here’s the explanation. Google is measuring the importance of the websites with the scale for ranking called pagerank /it is from 1-10/. When you install the Google bar, there you see the pagerank of your website, the higher is the better.CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

Why GoChi?

Posted by Michelle James on August 30, 2008 at 4:33pm

GoChi™ delivers at least 30 percent more Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) than Himalayan Goji® Juice. We were able to increase the polysaccharides in GoChi due to our improved proprietary manufacturing processes. GoChi also contains 20 percent fewer calories and 1 gram less of total natural sugars per ounce than Himalayan Goji Juice. GoChi was developed as a direct result of FreeLife’s worldwide research efforts. It contains all the goodness of our original juice and much more! We’ve engineered scientific advances into GoChi as part of our commitment to constant and never-ending improvement. That is why GoChi is truly the next generation of Himalayan Goji Juice!GoChi is preservative free. What does this mean? Through our advanced aseptic process, we are able to ensure that only the microbes are killed, not the beneficial polysaccharides. Additionally, the preservative-free formula is guaranteed to maintain freshness, potency, and purity for the entire life of the product. How should you treat GoChi? We recommend that you treat GoChi like any other non-preserved fresh food. Keep the bottle tightly closed, refrigerate promptly after opening it, consume within 30 days of opening it, and last but not least, don’t drink GoChi from the bottle.GoChi is certified kosher and halal. In fact, the kosher classification is “pareve,” meaning that it contains neither meat nor dairy. And the kosher symbol on every bottle of GoChi guarantees that it is certified to conform to strict Jewish dietary laws for purity and quality. GoChi is certified kosher by Shatz Kosher Services (SKS), which is one of world’s leading authorities for kosher products originating in Asia. And, as a halal product, GoChi is a food that is permissible under Islamic law. The halal symbol on our product guarantees that it does not contain any ingredients that are prohibited or are suspect in any way based on those parameters. GoChi carries the “Crescent M” symbol of IFANCA, a globally respected certification authority.Tastes EVEN BETTER than our already-delicious original formula! While GoChi and Himalayan Goji Juice have a similar look, in blind taste tests, GoChi has been preferred over our original juice. How is that possible? The fresher taste and aroma of GoChi are a result of advances in our manufacturing process.Are you intrigued? Is your interest piqued? Learn more here!

I Hate Writing Articles - There Must Be A Better Way?!

Posted by Rhonda Jai on August 30, 2008 at 6:24am

If you own, run or maintain an Internet business, you probably need articles to provide you with content for your website. Users are always looking for information and if your site can provide that information, you’ll drive more traffic to your site, boosting business for you.Articles provide many benefits, but perhaps the most important thing they do is to place your site high in page rankings for search engines. This happens because your articles have keywords in them that are relevant to your site. Therefore, when someone does a search for the information they’re looking for, your site is more likely to come up if you use relevant keywords.Click Here To Read The Complete Article

Online Marketing for Beginners: 5 Ways to Promote your Web Site Without Pinching your Pocket

Posted by Rhonda Jai on August 30, 2008 at 6:22am

Increasing the visibility of your web site starts from getting a top listing in search engines which in turn increased traffic to your site which results in increase in sales.Here I shall outline 5 methods of increasing traffic and promoting your web site site without costing the earth.Create good content: On the internet Content is the king Create high quality content on something you have enough expertise on. It might be a niche are like candle making or opening a wine bottle without a cork screw or it might be on some general topic on “How to successfully run a a franchise”. Whatever your area is try stick to that. Remember you cant be everything to everyone. Select you niche audience and make sure they like you enough to keep coming back again and again. Remember the 80:20 rule in marketing. 80% of your business is generated by 20% of your visitors. Find them out and retain them like crazy.CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

Sage Jewels available online

Posted by Lisa Marie Glover on August 30, 2008 at 1:30am

I am pleased to announce the opening of my first online store for Sage Jewels. I am on Etsy.com.http://gloverette.etsy.comPlease stop by and visit my site.Respectfully,Lisa Marie Glover

Staying Motivated

Posted by Christine on August 30, 2008 at 12:07am

Do you work at home? Do you have a job in addition to your business that you are trying to get off the ground? Is your business having a mid-life crisis?Read the rest HERE.CeeCee Woolard
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Crochet Is a Great Staycationing Hobby

Posted by TurquoizBlue on August 29, 2008 at 10:30pm

With fuel and airfare costs remaining at high levels, many people are choosing to "staycation" instead of travel out of town. Staycationers choose to vacation at home or at local hotels. They look for local activities to explore, local restaurants to try, and they turn off the email, phones, etc. just like on a vacation away from home.If you plan to take a staycation holiday this year, don't forget to plan your staycation crochet projects just like you would if you were going away. When planning a getaway, crocheters usually look for projects that are quick and easy to carry around -- projects that can be worked in between vacation adventures. Take these same factors into consideration when planning your staycation projects.continue reading

The Obama Ladies at the DNC

Posted by Belle Cheveux on August 29, 2008 at 7:58pm

As you may or may not know, I am an avid Obama supporter. I've been following his campaign since he announced that he would run. I haven't been this passionate about presidency since the Clinton years. Yup, I loved me some Bill Clinton! LOL. I watched the DNC last night and loved the speech he gave. It was so inspirational! I think a tear almost came down during the speech. It was just an amazing event with all my favorite political people like Al Gore and Bill Clinton there. Anyhoo, another thing that I must say that I was paying attention to was the Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama's hair! They have some beautiful head of hair and I just had to post. Below are some pictures prior to the DNC.

Synergy, Passion, Beauty: The SpeakHers' Notes Sept 2008 now Available

Posted by THE CONFIDENCE ARCHITECT on August 29, 2008 at 7:27pm

SYNERGY, PASSION, BEAUTY!

Download your copy of the 2008 issue of The SpeakHers' Notes. Get to know the Featured Motivational Speaker this month...She is Phenomenal! Congratulations are in order!!!...Guess Who?

Entertainers Needed

Posted by Carrie Williams on August 29, 2008 at 7:21pm

Entertainers Needed

The Talent Store is looking for new entertainers...

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He's Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Posted by Shelby on August 29, 2008 at 3:45pm

One thing that is very precious to a woman is her trust. Trust is not something that most women hand out regularly or easily by any means. Men want nothing more than for a woman to trust him. When a man with good intentions senses that his lady trusts him it can make him more trustworthy. He wants his woman to be proud of him for his efforts and his integrity. Trusting him provides a great sense of security for him just as it does for her.Trust with most anyone is difficult to establish. Although when dating, the challenge is to not assume you can't trust him just because…Often the natural tendency for a woman whose trust has been broken is to withdraw it, lock it away and rarely ever release it again to another man because the last man didn’t handle her trust with honor and care. Therefore, the assumption to her is every man will mishandle her trust.That’s not true. When you get involved with someone, not trusting him from the start of things isn’t the “right” thing to do. To make him guilty before the crime is committed is a bit unfair to both of you. The “right” thing to do is to give him a chance, only if there is a genuine sense of interest from both of you.Typically when a man is trustworthy, his actions, commitment, and follow through will over shadow any doubts you may have had about trusting him. Should there be a frequency of small breaks of your trust along the way while you are seeing him, these should not go ignored. Often it's leading up to a path of the Ultimate breach of trust. It may be time for you to trust your instincts and move forward without him. At that point you should be able to do so without having experienced significant hurt but, knowing you were fair to him and most importantly to yourself.The "right" thing to do is to trust him until he gives you a reason not to trust him. You wouldln't want to risk the possibility of not having a man that can honor you with the trust you feel you deserve as well as he may feel the same.Peace is Love, Love is Infinite…Shelby M. HillDating/Relationship Empowerment CoachVISIT & Join: www.HeIstheRIGHTOne.ning.com and CELEBRATE Black Love with EVERYONE! Join Today! Tell A Friend Today!Got questions, topic suggestions or comments?Email me: ishetherightone@gmail.com

What's In a NAME?

Posted by Debra P. Declouet on August 29, 2008 at 5:02am

(a healing poem)I said, “I don’t really know her.”Truth is, I’ve known her too well.As we’ve spent all of our life together, occupying the same human shell.Abused and confused, not understanding what was wrong.Because it persisted for such a long time;Its power had become too strong.Neglected, rejected, abandoned and let down,By those who were to love me and always be around.This healing search began long ago; but, would have never begun with me.For I constantly ignored the one identity needed to successfully set me free.Tolerated, never celebrated; I’d hidden her within myselfFocusing all my attentions on pleasing everyone else.So, bad choice after bad choice, with each one lower she would descend.The abuse was like a vicious cycle, not seeming to have an end.Until all at once and that time is NOW, I’ve decided I’ve had ENOUGH!I’m tired of living life settling while the enemy’s enjoying my stuff.So, today I’m taking back my heart and I’m declaring out loud, “I am free!”And I’m resting untangled in my Saviors arm, who’s given me this victory.For I’d come to fear the process of “LOVE”, the giving unselfishly of self;Too afraid that I’d have nothing left if I shared my heart with someone else.Now I’ve given it over to Jesus, my heart is safe in His care.It’s being healed, mended and restored; new desires are being set in there.God’s revealing His plan of Love to me;He is enlightening my eyes, enabling me to see:“Love on the Highest Degree” was my prayer;But deep within my heart I thought I’d never get there.For so long I have walked around brokenThe words were kept silent, never spoken.My eyes are refocused now that the scales have come off andI have regained some semblance of hope.I peer out in the distance at what can now be; all the love that is readily available to meAnd I sigh deeply, as if in relief.This inner healing brings with it such peace.The LOVE OF GOD is truly amazing.It is so powerful, it has set me free.I’m now liberated and able to love againAnd the first recipient of that LOVE is ME!!!Debra P. DeclouetBeloved – one who is greatly LOVED!Copyright 2008. Women of Destiny, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

“Power of 10 Gaining Empowerment in 10 minutes, 10 words, 10 people”

Posted by Holly Spence on August 28, 2008 at 11:07pm

“Power of 10 Gaining Empowerment in 10 minutes, 10 words, 10 people”is a powerful tool that will cause senior executives, middle management or anyone in a leadership capacity to evaluate how they are procuring the American dream of success. Mrs. Spence declares that the necessity to review the corporate road to success, will prevent a premature headstone with no meaning for the “dash” that separates the beginning from the end. With more then 17 years of corporate management experience, Mrs. Spence is grateful for her faith and those that have made an impact in her life and thus she is sharing it through The Power of 10 Gaining Empowerment in 10 minutes, 10 words, 10 people.RetreatThe need for work/life balance in America is among the number one problems for corporate executives and leadership teams across the county. Each workshop is conducted with a maximum of 10 leaders to ensure a positive, intimate and eventual learning environment. Training is recommended to take place off site away from participant’s usual place of business to provide a change in scenery and increase focused energy.ReflectThis positive environment fosters self-evaluation of life priorities and provides steps to regroup and bring about the very necessary need for change to life/work balance.ImplementMrs. Spence has captured steps for each executive to read and evaluate their current state. This workshop along with her book restores empowerment through small steps of 10.Over the years corporate America has changed it’s culture and environment to improve the companies focus on R.R.I. (Retreat, Reflect, Implement) with various programs to address the life/work balance and mental health of their employees. The “Power of 10” is that workshop that reinforces the corporate commitment which ultimately improves the company's R.O.I through R.R.I.

Networking Together - Making it Real

Posted by Holly Spence on August 28, 2008 at 11:04pm

Networking Together - Making It RealWe have so many avenues of technology available to us. We have free avenues to promote our books, businesses and express our inner thoughts.I am rather green to the whole social network "ring". I enjoy networking and working with others to help promote one another. It's through relationships that are businesses will grow and make the necessary contacts to take our business to the next level.Join me on Twitter http://twitter.com/monarchpubllc not certain of how productive it will be but it's the latest technology that I am really to try.Let's not just commit through joining sites, but let's really follow-up and support one another with purchases, give-a-ways (only when possible), conference invitations, reviews, passing on emails and signing guest books on websites and considering request we receive to network.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.