A lot of beginning copywriters start out by applying their skills to writing for the Internet. You must keep in mind, however, that there are some key differences between writing for the Internet and how one would work with an offline audience. Keep these ‘golden rules’ in mind while you write and you will achieve great success in your Internet writing.

There are three crucial differences between traditional publishing and writing for the Internet:

Audience

Format

Lifespan

It is important to consider each key difference while writing for the internet.

Audience

While audience is always a key consideration for any writer, audience consideration is a primary factor when writing for the Internet. While the basic considerations of audience (who do you expect to be your primary reading audience?) remain the same there are some important differences.

The first consideration is that in an offline publication, such as a newspaper or magazine, it is almost a given that you have a captive audience. Once a person has spent the money, they are most likely at least going to give the entire publication a quick once-over before tossing it aside. You have no such luxury on the Internet. The only thing keeping your reader from moving on is one click of the mouse. You must not waste time. Stay focused and stay on target. This does not mean, however, that as a writer you must go after the ‘lowest common denominator’. Please do not consider your audience stupid. What it does mean is you need to know your audience inside out and know exactly how to deliver what they want and need.

Format

A second point to consider when writing for the Internet is the fact that some online readers simply skim and don’t read every word. Quickly scanning your copy, they will only commit to reading the entire thing if you catch their attention. Therefore you must be concise and clear in your writing. Punchy headlines, accurate subheadings, and solid introductions and conclusions are important to use with “skimmers.”

Trying to mimic traditional magazine articles or offline printed documents is a common mistake that I see in new writers. Actually there are some big differences. Because a reader will read the Internet differently from ‘physical pages’, like say in a book, writing for the Internet requires some different techniques. The entry point is one of the most important. Did you know that a search engine might send readers to a point somewhere in the middle or end of your document? Now, if you wrote concise and accurate content, readers could very well go back to the beginning of your article to read it properly. There is a way to avoid this altogether though, that will keep the ’skimmers’ skimming. Try breaking longer pieces of text into a few stand-alone sections that fit together as a whole document or even separate documents if looked at in the same manner. (This article, broken into individual stand-alone segments, serves as an example.)

Lifespan

The last major difference between writing for the Internet and more ‘traditional’ publications is what I refer to as lifespan. Because the Internet operates with a very rapid nature, people often make the mistake of thinking the lifespan of online content is limited. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ‘magic’ of the Internet is that content may last for years - potentially forever - which is why many offline publications now archive their material online. But you must be careful. While your writing should always be current, you want to be wary of being too topical. This is a good way to date your material. This is not good. Your readers may be reading your words a long time off in the future and you want it to be as “fresh” as the day you wrote it.

Keep in mind the 3 Golden Keys. By concentrating on audience, format, and lifespan when writing for the Internet, you will achieve great success.

In these days with more awareness about the investment into your company, environmental aspects are of growing interest. Saving energy means saving investment. Industrial products made in China are a good source for a distributorship and make money from this trend.

AUGUST brand screw compressors are such winners in the competition game. Since the beginning of the global downturn, AUGUST was able to establish dealerships in Israel, Spain, Malaysia, UAE and developing the markets in Italy, Russia and Latin America. To meet the different requirements of such regions, the company can provide CE and ASME certification.

The combination of in-house research and development, over 36 years of production experience, high tech machinery equipment and the sense for doing the right thing at the right time have put the AUGUST brand into a strong position.

The 2 main benefits of the AUGUST VSD e-saver compressors are the highly competitive price compared to other brands. Many dealers are able to offer the Variable Speed Drive compressor at the same price as other brands can only offer the “regular” type compressor.Aware of the high quality of the AUGUST own product development, all machines are coming with a 5 year warranty on the compressor screw.

If you need to save up to 33% of your electricity bill, then the AUGUST VSD e-saver is the perfect solution for your need. Also the technology is improving the lifetime of your compressor by about 20%. Thus in consideration of your energy prices per Kw, the payback period for a VSD compressor is between 1 to 3 years. This is the best way to get your investment back in plain cash.

VSD compressor technology has also the advantage that the compressor can be used for 50Hz and 60 Hz frequency. Thus again opening new markets and opportunities for the distributorship.

As a special promotion, AUGUST is currently scanning the field for potentional sole agents and distributors for regions that are not yet covered. If you have a strong sales force and the possibility to provide a professional after-sales service you can apply. No additional franchising or other investment is required.

According to the mentioned rules companies can contact the German Marketing manager at fax 86-574-88336161 phone 86-574-88336868 or at - export@xindaworld.com - for more information about the company and the benefits of VSD. http://xinda-lg.en.made-in-china.com

The snack food production industry may not be recession-proof but the food business is; since people have to eat. Snack food manufacturers know that people can choose not to eat their products. Likewise, manufacturers have employed a substantial amount of expenditures and resources in regards to branding, technology, and capital. These investments, coupled with high customer loyalty, have contributed to sales growth and high profit margins.

During the current recession, customers are increasingly becoming price sensitive and more likely to purchase on promotion, shift to private labels, and/or simply reduce snack spending. Fluctuating commodity costs are also a challenge for snack food manufacturers. However, strong brand loyalty coupled with aggressive marketing tactics and new product innovations should help counter the negative implications of the current crisis.

The US snack food production industry is saturated and mature and as a result competition is fierce. Likewise, the key success factors manufacturers can employ to either grow or maintain share are below.

Ability to lock-in key supply contracts - to reduce procurement costs and help production planning, manufacturers need reliable supplier contracts for key raw materials including guaranteed supplies at secured prices.

Ability to transfer price increases - manufacturers need to continuously pass on unexpected cost increases for supplies without fixed prices to preserve profitability. Due to their products high brand value, the major players have been passing on price increases to offset steep energy and commodity prices. Nevertheless, supermarkets and grocery stores (due to increasing buyer power from consolidation) could stock more of their own private label products and resist price increases to boost profitability.

Ability to secure coveted shelf space - manufacturers must continue to compete to acquire the most attractive shelf space for their products to maximize retail sales. They should also expand (or continue expansion) into other distribution channels which include drug and discount stores, convenience stores, and other locations with high foot traffic.

Ability to change via innovation and differentiation - to maintain or grow share, manufacturers must differentiate, anticipate, and respond to changes in both consumer preferences and dietary trends. Population ethnicity and demographic changes have resulted in new preferences and tastes, requiring manufacturers to alter their product lines to meet these needs; by using product, healthier ingredients, packaging, marketing, labeling, and other innovations.

For instance, consumers are becoming more health conscious and pressed for time and as a result are increasing their consumption of tasty, healthy, and convenient snacks. Likewise, the fruit and nut snack bars segment coupled with organic snack, low-fat, and low-sodium food represents a growth opportunity.

Ability to deal with consumer price sensitivity - the price sensitivity of consumers varies between product segments. Brand loyal customers are not as sensitive to price changes due to the associated high product quality, image, and reputation perceptions. Likewise, products such as Doritos and Oreo command a premium price. However, price increases for product segments that are not perceived as high quality could result in customer switching to cheaper alternatives including private labels and/or cheaper substitute products such as chocolate and muffins.

Ability to expand internationally - manufacturers should continue to expand in Mexico, Canada, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and other countries, since saturation in the US market could eventually lead to mediocre profit margins.

The effects of the recession on the snack food production industry should not inflict much damage. Nonetheless, manufacturers must continue to seek international growth, differentiate, innovate, secure coveted distribution placement, and receive desirable supplier contract terms. Thus, manufacturers will have a better chance of preserving or boosting share, sales, and/or margin over the long haul.

There are always costs associated with doing business. This is true no matter what line of business you are in. If you’re in manufacturing, retail, or any other line of business you have costs that you have to be aware of. Today we’re going to focus on merchant account fees.

What is a Merchant Account?

Let’s first define what a merchant account is. To put it simply, a merchant account is what gives you the ability to process credit cards. Without one, you can write down all the numbers you want but you won’t be able to actually get paid for your products or services.

If you process cards at your place of business, you’ll probably need to have a terminal. If you are doing most of your business on the phone or the internet you will only need to have an internet gateway to process the cards.

What are the Different Merchant Account Fees?

As with everything, merchant accounts have their own fees as well. You’ll have to consider these to be just another cost of doing business. Keep track of what you’re paying so you know how it affects your bottom line.

Here are a few of the most common merchant account fees that you’ll see: the gateway fee, statement fee, and the discount rate. The statement and gateway fees are the flat monthly fees you’ll have when using a merchant account. They usually run $10-$15 each.

The third fee is the discount fee. This is the actual percentage the merchant account company takes for every transaction you process through them. It is usually broken up into two parts: a flat rate and a percentage. A typical breakdown could be $0.30 + 2.1% of each transaction.

Depending on the merchant account company you work with you may have other fees that you’ll need to be aware of. Some of these are a batch fee, chargeback fee, early termination fee, and others. Make sure to check the terms of your agreement for more details on these merchant account fees.

Calculate Your Costs

It’s always sad when someone comes to the realization that they aren’t making as much money as they thought because they forgot to include merchant account fees into their profit margin calculations. These fees are a necessary part of doing business, so it’s important to know what you’re paying.

The dairy product production industry’s global demand has declined since the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the world recession. A decline in world income (due to rising unemployment and falling wages) and supply increases (predominantly from milk production in New Zealand) have resulted in lower demand for world dairy products such as milk and declines in world dairy prices.

In developed countries, consumption of discretionary dairy products such as ice cream is expected to decline and consumers are expected to switch to cheaper dairy products including private labels. Consumer demand for dairy products in developing countries has declined tremendously since these products are considered more of luxuries than necessities.

For the past ten years, consumption of consumer fluid milk has decreased due to factors such as better convenience, advertising, and better packaging from substitute beverages, an increase in soy milk consumption, and a decrease in the children population.

What measures could dairy product manufacturers employ to profitably increase milk revenue in the long term? They could use product development, marketing, health campaigns, and industry consolidation.

1. Industry consolidation can yield access to milk supplies at good prices, inspire continuous investment in product technology and branding, and provide lower per unit costs and production efficiency - measures that are significant to preserve and/or acquire national retailer supply contracts.

2. Continued product development can result in increased milk sales. Flavored milk products with new flavors and energy boosters have been increasing.

3. Pull and push marketing strategies for healthier milk products such as organic milk, reduced fat milk, and value-added milk (milk with added nutrients, vitamins, or low carbs) can also result in milk sales growth by catering to the health consciousness of consumers.

These marketing measures could also reduce consumer shifts from branded organic milk to either conventional milk or private label organic milk.

4. Educating consumers such as young people (main dairy product customers) and baby boomers via more health campaigns about the significance of milk and calcium could result in an increase of daily milk consumption.

By utilizing the measures above, dairy product manufacturers can also help cushion or augment the effects of oil, energy, and raw milk price fluctuations on margin. What other measures could these manufacturers employ to help generate revenue and profit growth?

The current economic downturn has led to a decline in assets under management and a corresponding drop in revenue for firms in the financial planning and advice industry. It has also led to a reduction in new potential revenue inflows into funds under advice due to a projected decline in disposable income.

Seasoned financial advisors are currently in high demand since financial advisor productivity (for spending more time reassuring clients) and industry profitability are projected to decrease.

There is high demand for experience financial advisors since they have higher assets under management, higher productivity, and significantly lower training costs. They also are more likely to receive new business from new clients interested in better asset management and from baby boomers interested in estate planning and retirement services.

Most importantly, experienced financial advisors generate large amounts of revenue from well established client bases by providing complex services to both high net worth and corporate clients - market segments that generate over 57% of the US financial planning and advice revenue.

A shortage of seasoned financial advisors exists although financial planning and advice industry’s employment has been growing. Industry recruitment cut backs in early 2000 and retirement are factors that have contributed to the shortage.

As a result, consolidation within this industry has been taking place since firms determined that it was more desirable to acquire advisors through an acquisition than hire and train more inexperienced advisors with fewer clients and lower assets under management.

Consolidation has also taken place recently to decrease costs via greater economies of scale due to the addition of call centers, online access to advisory services, and teams (or groups of advisors serving clients).

The wealth of the population is expected to take some time to recover. Since the fortunes of this industry are interlaced with the wealth of the population; what other actions could firms take to control costs and surmount a shortage of experienced financial advisors?

Sales representatives must demonstrate how their services or products will best meet potential customers’ needs relative to the competition’s offerings. As a result, this will potentially decrease price rebuttals by illustrating the value of the products.

A majority (if not all) of prospects will want the highest quality products or services at the lowest possible price. As a result, during the initial selling process they may ask a similar version of this dreaded question: “How much does it cost?”

The dreaded question is feared by many sales professionals because they know in most cases prospects will believe the product offering’s price is too high. Likewise, potential customers will either terminate the rest of the selling process or start to negotiate by asking for concessions.

Below are three common questions and answers of how to successfully overcome the dreaded question.

When sales representatives are asked the dreaded inquiry during the initial selling process, what should they do? They should not answer the question!

A sales professional can avoid answering the dreaded question by stating something similar to this: “Well it depends. Until we discuss your needs and interests, I have no way of knowing what we may recommend or what it may cost.” Then the sales professional should ask to proceed in the sales process by asking for an appointment to conduct a presentation.

If the dreaded question is asked right before the presentation the sales professional should use the same statement above. Afterwards, the sales professional should start the presentation by asking “What features, benefits, and/or solutions do you typically look for when you purchase products like these?”

What if the service or product has a specified price? A sales representative can confirm that the service or product has a specified price. Before providing the exact price (if the potential customer does not know), the sales representative can proceed in the sales process by mentioning “Let’s first discuss your interests and needs to conclude if this service or product is ideal for you.”

What if a potential customer adamantly requests an answer to the dreaded inquiry? A sales representative can provide a range and state “After we talk about your needs and interests and identify an ideal product offering, an exact price will be provided.” Then carry on to either conduct a presentation or to schedule an appointment (to conduct one).

In conclusion, the dreaded question can have negative implications on new business growth if a sales professional answers it before demonstrating the value of a suitable product offering. Likewise, a sales professional should avoid answering the question until after a presentation has been conducted and an ideal product or service has been identified.

To succeed in the sales profession, a sales professional must master prospecting. Prospecting is one of the most challenging and significant stages of the sales process. A sales professional could be the best presenter in the world but will not experience a lot of success without a pipeline filled with quality prospects. Selling is a numbers game and the more quality prospects a sales representative have, the more chances the representative will have to produce sales. Below are 7 steps to successful prospecting.

1. Locate Your Marketplace: determine a market where you can meet your prospects’ needs with your product offerings. Also by gaining a deep understanding of this niche, you can earn the trust of your prospects.

2. Target Your Promising Prospects: compile an archive of potential prospects within your niche. Lead lists, the Internet, personal contacts, and library resources are sources you can utilize.

3. Evaluate Your Potential Customers: screen your potential prospects based on having sufficient monetary resources, the authority to make a purchase decision, and a need for your product offering. During the first meeting, you may have to fully qualify your potential customers.

4. Create a Script: prepare a prospecting script to remain consistent and focused as you briefly emphasize the value you can provide by meeting your potential customers’ needs. Include answers to common rebuttals or objections you expect to confront.

5. Identify Contact Medium: to convert your initial contact with prospects from “cold” to “warm”, decide whether to use personal connections, referrals, and/or possibly mail.

6. Contact Your Prospects: utilize your prospecting script to ask your potential customers for the sale by establishing meetings to present your product offering.

7. Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan: develop daily, weekly, and monthly prospecting goals and reserve time to meet these aspirations to ensure you keep a pipeline primed with qualified prospects.

You will create a solid foundation to an exciting, rewarding, and lucrative sales career by following the 7 steps to prospecting success.

Sales is the foundation of a successful business. Like Red Motley once stated, “Nothing happens until a sale is made”. Currently, consumers and businesses are reluctant to spend. Likewise, it’s of utmost importance that sales professionals steer clear of these common sales blunders.

1. Not Prospecting Consistently: to generate sustainable revenue growth, a sales professional must keep the sales pipeline primed with qualified prospects from techniques which include cold-calling and asking for referrals.

2. Disclosing the Price Before Presenting: a sales professional should discover what product/service offering could solve a potential customer’s problem and exhibit its benefits before addressing pricing inquiries.

3. Delivering the Same Pitches: a sales professional should uncover the features, benefits, and/or solutions that are critical to potential customers and afterwards give a customized presentation that focuses on these findings.

4. Presenting to Non-Decision Makers: a sales professional should make presentations to all decision makers to improve productivity and conversion.

5. Demonstrating Inadequate Product Information: a sales representative should be well versed and up to date with the weaknesses and strengths of the competition’s and respective company’s product offerings.

6. Knocking the Competition: while marketing the respective company’s product offerings, a sales representative should never criticize the competition.

7. Failing to Ask for the Sale: if a product offering will solve a potential customer’s problem(s), a sales representative should always ask for the business.

8. Taking Rejection Too Hard: a sales representative should ask questions to discover the main driver(s) behind a prospect’s hesitation and realize that rejection is not personal.

9. Not Staying in Touch with Prospects: since it’s possible that interested prospects could eventually make a purchase, a sales representative should periodically follow up with them.

10. Not Providing Adequate Support: a sales representative must provide superb after-sales support to reduce churn and generate revenue growth by cross selling or an increase in share of wallet.

Sales representatives who steer clear of these ten sales mistakes will produce sustainable revenue and profit growth for their respective firms. Consistent revenue and profit growth will take place due to their mastery of the entire selling process.

The daily chore of bells waking you and then the rush to get ready for work. The awful journey through all that traffic and then when you get there, a job you hate. The alternative could be, to awake naturally and to take your time getting out of bed.

When you are up imagine that you don’t have to go straight to your work, instead you enjoy a leisurely breakfast while reading the paper and then have a refreshing shower before you sit down in your home office to start your work.

Then when you settle down to do your work, you do so with a great feeling of knowing you only have to work as long as you want to 2 hours, 4 hours or may be 6 hours it’s your decision. No more Boss pushing you to get more work done and no more overtime.

So you may be thinking how you can give up the 9-5 and get in on the action of working at home with that great sounding lifestyle. Well you can get in on it and it is not hard to get in on it.

When is the best time to start ? Straight away. But it is not the best time to give up your job. To get to the point where you can enjoy the lifestyle mentioned takes time and hard work. But it is possible and definitely worth effort.

Making your money from working at home online has to be looked at as a business. The next step is to start your online business while still working your day job. This is easily done as you can put in the odd hour here and there and make good progress.

If you set out a good structure to your online business, with a real plan that you follow day in day out, then you will soon start to see results. The time will come when the results are getting so good that you don’t need your 9-5 anymore and you can stay at home with your business.

This is the time that you become your own Boss and the master of your own destiny. You have taken the steps and done the hard graft that has changed your life forever and now you will reap the benefits and enjoy the lifestyle you always wanted.