Tiny Degree - Big Bucks

Education pays. Not only will you earn more, you'll also be less vulnerable to rising unemployment.

And you don't need a Bachelor's or Master's Degree to up your ante.

According to BLS, in 2008, workers over 25 with a 2-year Associate's Degree earned, on average, $736 a week. Compare that to high school graduates, who made just $591. The unemployment rate for this group is also 2% higher - a very significant gap when it comes to unemployment figures.

A 2-year degree - either online or on site - will put you on your way to a rewarding career as one of the following:

Inside Sales Consultant
Inside Sales Consultants work to maximize the sales and increase customer retention for large companies whose business is driven by independent agents. ISCs build and maintain productive relationships with agencies, find ways to maximize participation in incentives programs, coordinate education of agents on products, technology and market dynamics. They analyze regional trends, sales trends and perform financial reviews. Successful ISCs also increase agent retention and help agents increase sales.

Salary: $39,222
Degree Required: Associate's Degree in Business

Sales Worker Supervisor
As a Sales Worker Supervisor, you'll oversee the work of a sales staff - from retail salespersons and customer service representatives to sales engineers and wholesale sales reps. Your staff and responsibilities will vary, depending on the type and size of the organization, but some basic duties will include preparing work schedules and assigning workers to specific tasks. A job as a Sales Worker Supervisor can lead to a managerial position, which tends to focus more on planning and strategy.

Median Salary: $40,016
Degree Required: Associate's in Business Administration

Customer Support Representative
Are you good with people? Able to stay calm under pressure? If so, you'd probably make a great Customer Support Representative. In this role, you're the main point of contact for customers, whether they're individuals or other companies. You may be on the phone talking to customers, placing and processing orders or coordinating with other departments. You'll need to make sure customers receive adequate service, and help them with any questions or concerns. You'll also want to help build long-term customer loyalty. Some questions are routine, but others are more involved and may require in-depth research or consulting with a supervisor. Either way, communication skills will be essential to your success.

Median Salary: $39,958
Degree required: Associate's in Business Administration

http://www.robertjrussell.com

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Questions and Answer - Is the customer always right ?

Question:

Hello everyone! Recently I experienced a customer that for the first time in my, well lets just say MANY years of sales, that I honestly have an opportunity in seeing this particular client as being "right"! We all know the rules! 1) The customer is ALWAYS right. 2) When the cutomer is wrong, see rule 1. Well folks, IS a customer EVER wrong? I look at problems as opportunites, so I've never had an issue with this before. First time for everything I guess! I would like to know if anyone else has questioned this rule, what makes an exception (IF there is one) and how they handled it and themselves! Thank you!

Answer:

My father owned a plumbing supply house with a showroom for the public. He worked with contractors. Plumbing contractors and builder had the opportunity to send their clients to him and he would up sell their jobs for them. This was my first job. I was 14 at the time and worked there until I was 18. I do think most of those who read my posts and forum articles would agree that I am a very determined person and pretty straight forward. When a person was wrong I would let them know. Scratching my head I wondered why my up sells did not come close to my fathers.

He taught me that the client the majority of times is not right and it is difficult for them to accept that they are wrong. Telling the client they are wrong made my efforts more difficult. It was not until years later I became efficient with the client that is wrong. Sure you can make some sales to people informing them that they are way off base and have no idea. However it sure is much easier to know they are wrong and use their knowledge to convince them to see things in a different light.

The power of questions is amazing. Take the wrong statements add a twist and have them answer that twist. I love the question of why do you feel that is the correct statement? How did you find this information? Complimenting them on their research then I shoot my favorite statement. However if we look at it from this point of view we find this is how it performs and how it delivers for you. Would you like to know exactly how this makes your life easier? Or would you like to know the benefits to you?

I learned that most people react in a much different way when I approach wrong thinking and statements in this manner. I transform myself from an authority figure and do it my way to a consultant and educator. I have also learned that it is much easier to ask for a new decision when I have informed the client that they made a terrible decision and have a horrible point of view.

There are some people who want and need the more direct approach. What are you thinking? These are few and far between the ones who need to be nurtured to capture the sale and keep them long term.

Keep questioning the logic of the client is always right. I am betting the more it is questioned the more the sales professional thinks that it is better to lose the battle but win the war and will find ways to convince the client without informing them that they are idiots for thinking that way.

Reproduced - names have been deleted to protect the innocent

http://www.robertjrussell.com

http://www.insurancepricedright.com

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Know the Signs that your Home is about to Lose Value

Despite signs that the real estate market is bottoming out, millions of homeowners are likely to find themselves in worse shape within the next two years.

Nearly half of the nation's 52 million mortgage borrowers will have negative equity by the end of the first quarter of 2011, up from the 14 million at the end of this year's first quarter, according to estimates in an Aug. 5 report by Deutsche Bank. With so many borrowers underwater - or owing more on their home than it's worth - the risk is high that they'll default and their homes will go into foreclosure, says Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. (Moody's Economy.com estimates that 17.5 million mortgage borrowers will be underwater by early 2010.)

Negative equity is the product of several factors. The most significant weight is the broad and persistent decline in home values. A Zillow.com index of home values fell 12.1% year-over-year during the second quarter, resulting in a total drop of 22.3% since the market peaked in mid-2006, according to an Aug. 11 report by the online real estate marketplace. Many buyers who bought their home around the peak with a 20% down payment have lost that dollar amount.

"The continued decline of U.S. home prices will contribute to rapidly rising rates of negative equity," Karen Weaver, a Deutsche Bank research analyst, wrote in the report. "The most obvious implication is for mortgage defaults."

Current homeowners, or those shopping for a home and who are concerned that they'll end up underwater, should consider how long they expect to live in their house. Being underwater doesn't affect homeowners unless they plan to sell, Zandi says.

Individuals who are staying put for at least the next five to seven years will likely recoup the lost value of their home, says Amy Bohutinsky, a Zillow.com spokeswoman. In addition, homeowners should refrain from borrowing against their mortgage, she says.

Those who find themselves underwater can turn to the federal Making Home Affordable plan, which can help you refinance or do a loan modification.

Whether you're at risk for falling behind may have more to do with the economy and your neighborhood than your job, your credit or your income. Here are four warning signs that you're heading underwater.

1. Foreclosures in Your Neighborhood

The quickest way to end up underwater is to live in a neighborhood that's plagued by foreclosures.

When one home on your block goes into foreclosure, your home's value drops by 1%, Zandi says. But that isn't a one-to-one relationship. If two homes on a block go into foreclosure, your home's value will drop by more than 2%.

As homes go into foreclosure, they create a domino effect, lowering home values throughout a neighborhood in a cascade beyond homeowners' control.

2. Homes Lingering on the Market

When "For Sale" signs linger in a neighborhood for three or more months, that may mean buyers and sellers can't agree on a price. In that environment, homes are unlikely to sell unless the seller lowers their asking price.

"The time on the market is always a good barometer of demand for homes and for the price homes are transacting at," Zandi says. "The longer it appears that neighbors are taking to sell their home the more likely it is they're not getting the price they want and that prices are falling."

Compare the time it took for homes to sell in your neighborhood three years ago vs. today; if it's taking weeks or months longer to sell, the prices homes can fetch are dropping, Zandi says.

3. Increasing Unemployment

In most cases, the cities where homes have lost the most value during the past year also possess the highest unemployment rates.

Homes in Merced, Calif., have lost 40.2% of their value year-over-year, the biggest loss of home values in the nation, according to Zillow.com. The city's unemployment rate is the fifth-worst among 372 metropolitan areas at 17.6%, according to June data from the Labor Department. El Centro, Calif., where home values plunged 37.6% year-over-year (the second-biggest drop in the country), has the worst unemployment rate at 27.5%.

Individuals living in areas battered by high unemployment are likely to see their home values drop further, especially if they live in areas dependent on dwindling industries - like Central Valley, Calif., and the mortgage lending business or Detroit and the auto industry, Zandi says.

4. Homes in Disrepair

Dented siding, peeling paint and broken porches could be signs that neighbors are having trouble making ends meet and can no longer pay to take care of their home, Zandi says. Or they may have gotten an appraisal and discovered their homes have dropped in value and are no longer worth the cost of repairs. Inevitably, as the condition of homes in your neighborhood worsens, home values are likely to drop.

"The mere fact that they're not investing in their homes will affect you too," Zandi says.

What Underwater Borrowers Have in Common

Risky Mortgages

Some 77% of option-ARM borrowers and 50% of subprime mortgage borrowers were estimated to be underwater as of the first quarter of 2009, according to the Deutsche Bank report. With option-ARMs, borrowers could make minimum monthly payments that didn't even cover the loan's interest. As the market declined, these balances grew over time. With subprime mortgages, borrowers often had poor credit scores and little documentation of their financial situation. In both cases, borrowers often ended up with a large mortgage relative to the house's price.

Date of Purchase

Individuals who bought their home between 2003 and 2008 are at risk of being underwater because they bought while prices were rising, Zandi says. The risk is greater for those who bought between 2005 and 2006, as the market approached its peak.

Excessive Borrowing

Many individuals borrowed against their home when it appreciated in value during the bubble by taking out a second mortgage or tapping into a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. This borrowing left their home with less equity to weather the drop in home values.

Home's Location

The areas that have been hit the hardest by plunging home values include the "sand states" of Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada because they brought the most speculation, easy credit and overbuilding during the bubble, Zandi says. Also hurt: the states where unemployment is especially high and manufacturing jobs have been eliminated like Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, Zandi says.

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

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Selling a Home: A Recipe for Success

If you've recently listed your home for sale, you should already have painted, cleared clutter from indoors and outdoors, and replaced any broken items that could detract from its appearance and value. So if the phone rings and your realtor needs to show the home today, you think you're ready to go. But you need to stay organized and pay attention to detail in order to give your home every possible advantage of selling in this buyer's market.

Everyday Organizing and Last Minute Primping

It's not easy to live in a house that can be shown at a moment's notice. Things will go much smoother for a last minute showing if you and your family are in the habit of making their beds everyday, picking up dirty clothes and toys and wiping down the shower. But if some things got out of order, go through the house right before the showing tossing items into a laundry bin that you can pop into the trunk of your car. Strive to keep your countertops and table tops free from mail, newspapers and clutter and keep the bathrooms and kitchens wiped down. Place dishes in the dishwasher after every meal, keep dusting wands handy for last minute run-throughs and vacuum regularly. Mop floors as often as needed and keep a sprayer mop available for last minute touch ups.

Find a Pet Sitter or Take Felix and Fido with You

Most likely you will leave your house whenever it is shown and you would be wise to take your pets with you, or arrange ahead of time for a pet sitter. For one thing, you don't want someone accidentally letting the cat out of the house and no one want to hear a barking dog while viewing your home. Worse, you don't want a scared dog biting a stranger. Not having the pets in the home gives potential buyers a chance to see every room in the house. It's ok if there is evidence of pets, such as beds or bowls, as long as there is no damage from pets and the home is clean. A buyer will be impressed with a home that is clean and fresh smelling, even though pets are part of the family; it indicates that you are responsible and that you keep a well-maintained home.

Good Scents, Bad Sense

While a steaming pie set on a kitchen counter is inviting, don't overdo it with artificial air fresheners. A potential buyer could think that something's fishy and you're trying to cover it up. Make cleanliness your first priority: Empty the kitchen trash can daily and keep the kitchen smelling clean by washing sinks daily. Run a solution of baking soda and water or bleach water through the drains weekly. Keep the bathrooms as clean as possible. A basket of potpourri or unlit scented candles are fine; just don't overwhelm with fragrance.

A bright home is a spacious home

Always turn on lights and open shades before a showing. A home that appears bright, will appear more spacious and attractive to buyers. In a room that doesn't have much natural light, it may be advantageous to swap out darker colored furnishings for lighter ones ahead of time, and turn on every light in that room when showing the home. When a room appears dark, not only does it seem smaller, it gives the impression that the homeowner wants to keep buyers out of those spaces. Keep it bright and welcome potential buyers in so that the can see all the outstanding features of your home, which may now be the home of their dreams.

To find out more about selling a home - visit http://www.robertjrussell.com

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Your Guide to a Water Workout!

Go Swimming!

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There are two types of people, those who exercise on a regular basis and those who don't do it nearly enough. Regardless of the category you fit into, swimming is an exercise that can benefit everyone. So, grab your swimsuits and head for the water. We're going swimming!

Thanks to the success of Michael Phelps and the members of the United States swim team at last year's Olympics in Beijing, the popularity of swimming is at an all-time high. From their domination throughout the events to their incredible physiques, US swimmers have created a stir, inspiring many of us to hit the pool. We thought it only fitting that we chime in with some tips to get you started.

Why Swim?
Swimming is primarily an outdoor activity, something that all of us can use a little more of. There's something rejuvenating about enjoying a little sunshine and fresh air while exercising your body. The bonus is that once your workout is finished you're already at the pool or the beach. Now all you have to do is relax.

On a more scientific note, swimming is a whole-body low-impact exercise, which makes it perfect for everyone. It is a great way to increase range of motion for all the major muscle groups without placing undo stress on joints and ligaments.

Aside from building strength by moving your body through the resistance provided by the water, swimming is also a cardiovascular exercise. As long you have access to a pool, it is an inexpensive and effective way to either cross-train or rehabilitate your body.

Getting Started
As with any form of exercise, we recommend having a physical examination performed by your family physician to determine if you are healthy enough to partake. Once you've received a clean bill of health, the next step would be to procure a comfortable swimsuit, swim goggles, and earplugs. Depending on your skill level, a small foam kickboard and fins may also be a good purchase. The good news is that all of these items are relatively inexpensive and can be found at almost any sporting goods store.

For those of you looking to improve your swimming ability, you may want to find either an adult swim coach, or a Master's swimming program (a national organization dedicated to all levels of adult swimming) in your area. Both options are great for improving your technique and breathing, two of the more important aspects of swimming. YMCAs as well as aquatic centers are great places to start your search.

If swimming is your introduction to regular exercise, we recommend you start by improving your vertical strength and core strength through various exercises performed at the shallow end of the pool. Walking and jogging in waist-deep water are two such examples.

The Workout
The type of swim workout you choose should directly reflect your overall fitness level and your skill as a swimmer. There are several websites that offer personalized workouts based on this information. One that we like is Swimplan.com. Registration on this site is free, but it does require you to answer a few questions based on the aforementioned criteria.

Before finding your workout on Swimplan.com, we first recommend you measure the length of the pool where you will be doing the majority of your swimming. Since most workouts are broken down and measured in meters, having an idea of your pool's length will allow you to convert the meters into laps.

The following workout is from Swimplan.com and is just one example of a great workout for a beginning swimmer:

Duration: 30-45 minutes
Distance: 900 meters
Pool Length: 25 meters

Warm Up (repeat 2 times)
-1 x 25m Freestyle Swim (even pace)
-Rest 10 seconds

-1 x 25m Breaststroke Swim (even pace)
-Rest 10 seconds

Build Up (repeat 3 times)
-1 x 50m Single-arm with kickboard and fins (6 x left, 6 x right)
(This is a freestyle swim using one arm at a time. Complete 6 arm strokes with the left arm followed by 6 strokes with the right. The not-stroking arm holds the kickboard out front and swaps with the stroking arm every six strokes.)
- Rest 10 seconds

-1 x 50m Freestyle Kick with fins
(This is freestyle kicking using a kickboard and fins. Grip the front edge with both hands and rest your forearms on the board. Your chin should just touch the water.)
-Rest 10 seconds

Core (1 time)
-4 x 50m Freestyle DPS (Distance Per Stroke)
(Concentrate on long, efficient strokes and a high streamlined body position to reduce drag in the water. Count your strokes per lap, attempting to reduce your strokes with each lap.)
-Rest 20 seconds

-4 x 50m Freestyle Swim
-Rest 15 seconds

Warm Down (1 time)
1 x 100m Easy Stroke
(Swim your choice of stroke at a slow, relaxed pace)

A Few Last Tips…

Wear Your Sunscreen
Just because you're in the pool the entire time doesn't mean your body won't be exposed to the sun. Be sure to wear a waterproof sunscreen with at least 30 SPF while swimming.

Stretch!
Even though most swim workouts include some sort of warm-up phase, it does not mean you should just jump in the pool and start swimming. Be sure to stretch outside the pool for at least 10 minutes before starting your workout. Doing so will not only help prevent injury, it will also maximize your performance.

Swim With a Partner
Just like many other types of workouts, swimming is best when done with a partner. Swimming in pairs will increase your motivation and ensure your safety.

We've given you the tools and information to get started. All that's left is to go swimming!

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Free Advertising Worldwide Group

This group was created for any members who are interested in receiving free advertising for their business. We welcome and encourage you to advertise on the Wall any website that you can. We will not allow any sites that are not suitable for children to see - if you post something that is offensive you will be banned from this group. Post any websites in the LINKS section! Thanks for your time and hopefully you find my methods as useful as I have. Share this group with everyone: http://groups.to/freeadvertisingworldwidegroup Group Owner - Robert J Russell - http://www.robertjrussell.com 972-679-9029

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Top Real Estate Websites

Homes for sale, rent, search, valuations, historical & comparable sales, local market information, and much more..

http://base.google.com/base/help/realestate.html
"Over 56% of all Internet searches on "real estate" and related terms are conducted on Google and our partner sites, and the majority of those searchers are actively looking for listings or referrals to brokers and agents. You can make sure that they can find your listings by submitting them to Google Base" Google.com

http://realestate.yahoo.com
"Search homes for sale, find home values, research housing markets, get a home loan, read expert real estate advice & more!" Yahoo.com

http://www.zillow.com
"Zillow is an online real estate service dedicated to helping you get an edge in real estate by providing you with valuable tools and information." Zillow.com

http://www.trulia.com
"Trulia is a real estate search engine that helps you find homes for sale and provides real estate information at the local level to help you make better decisions in the process." Trulia.com

http://www.hotpads.com
"With HotPads' innovative map-based search, we are striving to give people the best communication platform for sharing information about available housing." Hotpads.com

http://www.eppraisal.com
"Eppraisal provides free home valuations, data on comparable homes, recent sales, neighborhood details and local market trends." Eppraisal.com

http://www.homescape.com
"Homescape provides local, comprehensive property listings and rich content to home buyers and sellers nationwide, while delivering a suite of advertising solutions that offer choice and results that enable real estate professionals to grow their business." Homescape.com

http://real-estate.nextag.com
"Nextag is the leading comparison shopping site for products, financial services, travel, automobiles, real estate, education and more." Nextag.com

http://www.homegain.com
"Real estate agents and brokers use HomeGain's real estate marketing solutions and real estate lead generation tools to connect to consumers, promote their services and grow their business." Homegain.com

http://www.hoodeo.com
"As The Neighborhood Matchmaker, hoodeo learns about you - your hoodeo profile - then matches you to your top 10 'best places to live' by zip code. You are matched based on lifestyle, property type, and the price you are looking for." Hoodeo.com

http://www.condo.com
"We are the World's Largest Condo Marketplace. We were formed to help developers, builders, brokers, financial institutions and others sell or rent their condos, lofts or town homes." Condo.com

http://www.frontdoor.com
"we believe that the home searching experience should be about more than just the boards and the bricks. It should be about what it's like to live in that building, on that street, and in that neighborhood." FrontDoor.com

http://www.landwatch.com
"LandWatch helps you find investment or recreation property, land for sale, hunting land and leases, large acreages, farms and ranches for sale, waterfront properties and country homes." LandWatch.com

http://www.beatyouthere.com
"We are a real estate search engine that provides you with the most accurate listings and information possible so that you can make an educated decision based on your search." BeatYourThere.com

http://www.clrsearch.com
"CLR Choice, Inc. is a real estate information company that seeks to enhance the real estate search experience by providing the data relevant to making an informed decision." CLRSearch.com

http://www.cyberhomes.com
"Cyberhomes™ valuations give you access to most of the same information that real estate professionals use to evaluate homes." CyberHomes.com

http://www.dothomes.com
"Consumers use DotHomes to quickly search over thousands of estate agent Websites across multiple countries, with relevant search results taking consumers to property listings on these Websites." DotHomes.com

http://www.homes.com
"Homes.com is a leading provider of real estate services, including property listings, brand advertising and marketing solutions, both online and in print." Homes.com

http://www.homescout.com
"HomeScout is a comprehensive, consumer-focused real estate web site from HomeGain, the leading, online source for connecting real estate professionals with homeowners and homebuyers. " HomeScout.com

http://www.roost.com
"Roost offers two services in parallel - a consumer search engine for places to live and a technology platform for REALTORS®." Roost.com

http://www.propbot.com
"PropBot.com's goal is to provide FREE unlimited property listings to REALTORS, brokers, property managers, for sale by owners (FSBO's), and the average landlord; while advancing property search and listing technology." Propbot.com

http://www.realestate.com
"RealEstate.com is the place to begin your search for real estate, whether you are looking to buy or sell a home or property." RealEstate.com

http://www.openhouse.com
"OpenHouse.com has approximately 15,000 to 20,000 open house listings in markets across the nation on any given weekend." OpenHouse.com

http://www.myrealty.com
"MyREALTY.com is a media company that focuses solely on real estate and that which is related to the real estate industry." MyRealty.com

http://www.teardowns.com
"The Company was founded after realizing first hand that the market lacked an efficient and effective way to buy and sell redevelopment property." TearDowns.com

http://www.movoto.com
"Whether it's your first time to buy a home or you've done it many times, you can count on Movoto for complete local home market information and introductions to top-rated agents with extensive real estate experience and in-depth local expertise." Movoto.com

http://www.foreclosure.com
"We deliver the latest, most complete residential foreclosure property listings in an easy, accessible format to our customers and business partners." Foreclosure.com

http://www.propertyhookup.com
"Our real estate investment software instantly calculates the house values for every residential real estate investment property on the market. It then filters all the house values and identifies the best priced real estate listings for sale in your area." PropertyHookup.com

http://www.robertjrussell.com, http://www.InsurancePricedRight.com, http://www.FreeDFWApartments.com

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How to keep your money if you make over 100,000

If You Make Over $100,000 How Can You Keep Your Money?

The argument can be heard all the time. The IRS and the government tax everybody else and collect more money from the poor than they do from the rich. The rich are forever applying tax loopholes so that they do not have to pay any taxes. They are getting away with criminal practice!

Over the years, the system has been abused. Tax professionals can indeed determine loopholes to let people pay minimal taxes. Only people earning more than $100,000 yearly can afford them, however. There's a difference between taking advantage of a loophole and acting illegally. If you want to pay less taxes while keeping the IRS away or staying out of jail, there are various steps you must avoid and various steps you can do.

A great idea is to try to reduce your exposure as much as possible. Nearly 60% of the taxes are paid by people who are making more than $100,000 yearly. This is where the IRS exerts a considerable amount of effort. In correlation, anyone who makes over $100,000 per year has a much higher risk of getting audited. It becomes even more essential and pertinent that you save very detailed and organized records that can be used in the case of an audit and other IRS problems.

How they are cheating the IRS of taxes with offshore accounts are what most people like to show off about. Typically, these people get caught. This is because anybody who reports such offenders are rewarded by the IRS of up to 10% of the amount settled through their fraud hotline. You may have to keep your ears open for such offenders.

There are so-called 'secret' ways to pay taxes less sold to people. With the tax code free for examination for anyone who wishes to, do you truly believe these 'secret' ways exist? The IRS and the courts are most likely to reject these. And because it is a waste of the government's effort, anyone filing a fraudulent tax return can be fined up to $25,000.

A loophole that business owners like to abuse is the deduction of business expenses. The IRS has reason to audit them when they attempt to deduct personal expenses as business expenses. If you don't want IRS issues on your hands, it is best to distinguish between personal and business expenses.

http://www.robertjrussell.com

http://robertjrussellsocialnetwork.ning.com

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Facebook, Twitter, Robert J Russell Social Networking

I wanted to share just a little Trivia for you.

FACTS on FACEBOOK:

• More than 250 million active users
• More than 120 million users log on to Facebook at least once each day
• More than two-thirds of Facebook users are outside of college
• The fastest growing demographic is those 35 years old and older
• Social Media could replace email one day

Facts on Twitter:

• Twitter has approx 2 million users right now
• Twitter will allow you to post TWEETS via your telephone - simply call a number, and your message is converted to Text and posted on your Twitter page.

So - why not start your own Social Media ? Crazy ? I don't think so....

Here is what mine looks like - Sign up and see what you can do!

http://robertjrussellsocialnetwork.ning.com

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Add me to Twitter!

So your thinking of logging into Twitter huh ?

Now you can get the latest TWITTER UPDATES from Robert J Russell, REALTOR, International Real Estate Specialist, Insurance Broker and Well Known Public Speaker.

Simply visit http://twitter.com/robertjrussell - You'll be glad you did!

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How do you rank in the Search Engines ?

Google and other Big Search Engines use for years a smart method for content backlink calculation, in fact an undercover algorhitm for giving specific positions for the web sites in search results, determined by the quality of results, where the main point is the quality of the backlink resources.

A good news is as today you don`t need to be a SEO expert to obtain good results in search engines. Only you have to know what and how you have to do, to obtain a large exposure in search engines, to bring as fast possible visitors and sales on your web site or blog.

PPC, AdWords or any other method of paid advertising is a quick way to get traffic, but there are some risk factors; you have to know SEO techniques to choose the right keywords and advertising text, but even you know how to do that, you have not guarantee of your results. You have nor one control in your traffic campaigns and anytime your ROI balance may fall.

The verified and guaranteed method to get stable a targeted organic traffic with a high conversion value is to use SEO optimization techniques for your site, then to use any natural, smart or safe method to build as many quality one way backlinks you can: Video sites, Bookmarks, article marketing, Social Networks, Podcasts, Blogs etc.. It seems to be a lot of work, it is?

Well, I will show you two methods easy to follow and for sure the most effective in present:

- Free Traffic System during his 2 months prelaunch period from September 2008 helped dozens of people to reach the 1st page in Google and in other big search engines. They was real people with web sites in different niches: arts, advertising, business management, current trading, computer games, health, loans, spiritual improvement etc.

- Less than a month ago was launched Viral Media Distribution where you will find detailed explanations, tools and resources about article marketing, video presentation, setting professional of a Clickbank or any other referral link, about using all great resources of video sites, bookmarks, social networks, podcasts, blogs etc. to develop a huge free traffic resources

A lot more details and some useful free stuff you will find in Wordpress Articles Business Blog .

With these two great components: Viral Media Distribution and Free Traffic System you can be sure as only the sky will be the limit for any type of business online you could have.

For answers about Real Estate & Insurance: visit http://www.robertjrussell.com

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Don't Leave Home Without This!

Subjects to Address with Your Undergrad-To-Be

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The college fall semester is right around the corner and for most incoming freshmen it will serve as a maiden voyage for living away from mom and dad. If you're a parent who's facing this situation, here are five topics that are a must to discuss with your undergrad-to-be.

The pre-college to-do list is daunting to say the least. From setting up financial aid to securing a place for your child to live, getting ready for college is a process that takes many months to execute. As a result, there are several very important topics that many parents never get around to discussing with their child. We suggest using the next few weeks to catch up on these conversations, establishing a line of communication that will benefit all concerned.

Study Habits and Grades
Most sources state between 20 and 25 percent of all college freshmen will drop out before their sophomore year. Furthermore, it is estimated that 50 percent of college freshmen will never make it to graduation.

There are many reasons why students drop out of college, but at the top of the list is poor grades, or an inability to adapt to the demands of an advanced curriculum. One can only wonder how many of these students would have benefited from the proper intervention early on in their college careers. We suggest that you get the ball rolling NOW.

Start by clearly establishing with your child that college will be a much different experience from high school, especially considering how far away you as the primary support system may be. An effective method for accomplishing this is allowing a peer to reaffirm the message. If you have friends or extended family with a child already attending college, arrange for your child to talk to them about their experience.

You'll also want to be clear with your child about what you expect and that he or she is still accountable to you for the grades received. Let your child know you'll want to see report cards, and that you'll be asking for updates on grades throughout the semesters.

It is so important for you as the parent to make the communication process an inviting one. Think of it this way. If your child ends up having an issue with a certain class, you'll want to know about it as soon as possible. Having open channels of communication will help facilitate this.

Lastly, we suggest that you take a proactive approach by contacting your child's college, inquiring about any available study programs and student mentors. Many universities have programs like these in place, which help incoming freshmen adapt to their new academic curriculum.

Money
Addressing the subject of money with your college freshman is something that will benefit you for the next four years, and your child forever. Once again, the key is to be clear and direct regarding the money received from you, and how you expect it be spent.

Whatever your arrangement, do not send your child to college without establishing a written budget. Show your child the fixed expenses in relation to the money you're providing. Explain that the money left over is what's allocated for fun and entertainment. Not doing so can result in endless requests for more money, not to mention a poor foundation for your child's future budgeting skills.

In terms of getting your child a credit card, we suggest proceeding with extreme caution, as credit card debt among college students has become almost epidemic. According to Sallie Mae, a college financing company, the average credit card debt for college undergrads in 2009 is over $3,000, a thousand dollars more than it was in 2004. What's worse is that average balances are even higher for students in their third and fourth years of college.

Don't forget to warn your child about the high-interest cards that may be solicited to them while on campus. Talk about the responsibility that comes along with having a credit card, as well as the potential dangers. Let your child know that starting out in life with high interest debt is not the recipe for success.

Dating and Friendships
Discussing a child's personal life is different within every family. There are a couple of points, however, that we think are good for everyone to address.

Events in college students' personal lives have the potential to be a huge distraction to their education. Remind your child about the importance of good decisions, as well as maintaining a focus on education. After all, it is the primary reason for attending college.

Let your child know you wish to be kept in the loop regarding friends new and old. This is not only for your peace of mind, but also for your child's safety. Be sure to make it less about the details of the relationships than about maintaining a connection to you and the rest of your child's support system.

You may also want to use the subject of your child's personal life to address your expectations for vacations and breaks. Are you okay with your child spending the holidays with a friend, or do you expect your child to come home? How do you feel about friends or significant others coming to your home on breaks? This is a good time to let your child know how you feel.

Drugs and Alcohol
Do not kid yourself. Drugs and alcohol are readily available on and around most every college campus in America. Regardless of how your child behaved while in high school, your supervision will not be present while your child's away at college. Hopefully you've already addressed the subjects of drugs and alcohol with your child. If not, now is the time to do so.

It's one thing to set up rules while your child is living under your roof. It's a whole other story when your child is living hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Considering there is no immediate accountability to you, the parent, we suggest sharing a few statistics.

According to an Associated Press analysis of federal records, 157 college-age people (18-23) died due to alcohol poisoning over a 6-year span between 1999 and 2005. Eighty-three of these victims were under the age of 21.

What's most important to understand is the numbers quoted only reflect deaths due to alcohol poisoning, giving no consideration to traffic fatalities, homicides, injuries, or sexual assaults. Further analysis by the Associated Press revealed that college freshmen were at the greatest risk, with three quarters of the deaths occurring within the students' first semester in college.

Take the next few weeks to reemphasize the lessons you've already taught your child and to remind your child that his or her life is just beginning.

Personal Responsibility
Considering the aforementioned topics, as well as many others, the idea of personal responsibility is what ties everything together. For the first time, your child will officially reach adulthood and be held accountable for everything he or she does from this point forward. The tricky part is your child won't be living under your roof while this is happening.

Explain to your child that the idea of a "permanent record" is now in effect. How people handle themselves from this point forward will either positively or negatively affect the rest of their lives.

College can be a wonderful experience with infinite possibilities. Talk about these possibilities with your child, explaining the benefits that come with embracing them. Most importantly, let your child know that the next four years will contain some of the more memorable experiences of his or her life.

Here's to some positive memories for both you and your child.

http://www.insurancepricedright.com

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What Does the Internet Say About You?

Simple Steps to Improve Your Online Personal Info Before Potential Employers See It

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Your online persona is a lot like your credit score. It's already out there whether you check it or not. And other people-important people who make decisions about your future-can review it at any time.

The similarities don't end there. Like your credit score, you can review your online persona and work to improve it…so when people like potential employers look at it, they'll see what you want them to see.

And, trust us, they will look at it.

They're not necessarily looking for negative news or skeletons in your closet. In most cases, managers and human resource employees do Internet searches on their top pool of candidates to confirm credentials and determine why each person would be a good candidate for the position.

Just because they're not looking for dirt, though, doesn't mean they'll ignore it if they find it. The fact is, a negative online persona can get you knocked off an employer's list.

Fortunately, managing your online persona is easier than you may think. The tips below can help you take steps to not only review your online persona, but also take steps to make sure it reflects the experience and credentials you want it to.

Step One: Evaluate Your Online Persona

In order to know what your online persona looks like, you have to actually check it. So start by opening your web browser to a search website such as Google.com, Yahoo.com, Ask.com, AltaVista.com, Lycos.com, or Microsoft's new Bing.com. Then simply type in your name and hit search. Scan through the first two or three pages to see what items are coming up most often, and make note of any negative news that you'd like to get removed.

You can also do more specific searches. For example, you can type your name in quotes along with your email address, the name of your college, your job title, a hobby, or even other people's names. For example, you could type "your name + friend's name" or "your name + college name." You may be surprised what you find with some of these specific searches.

Once you've searched your name on one site, open another and do the same thing. You'll probably find a number of similarities, so you only need to check a few different sites to get an idea of what the Internet says about you.

Remember to take specific notes about false or unflattering information. You'll want to write down what it is, where it appears, and why it shouldn't be there.

Finally, don't forget to search for videos and images! After all, one of your friends may have posted photos from that college party on their website and tagged you in the photo without you realizing it. You can use the same sites listed above-only this time, click the video or image search button before you search for your name. Once again, take careful notes about videos or images that cast you in a negative light.

Step Two: Remove Anything Negative

Like your credit score, if you find information on the Internet that is inaccurate or inappropriate, your first step should be to try to get it removed.

This is where those diligent notes from step one will come in handy.

First, if you found something unflattering that you actually posted in the past, remove it yourself. For example, if you posted pictures or stories on an old blog, go back and remove them.

In addition, take the time to go through any websites or social networking sites where you control the information. Maybe you have a blog, website, or social networking site that features pictures and text that you post. Go back through the information to make sure you still want people to see or read it. If not, remove it immediately…even if it didn't show up in the search you conducted.

Second, if you found information on other websites that you think should be removed, contact them right away. Start with the websites that have the worst (most egregious or most inaccurate) information. Using a polite but firm tone, explain what content you found on their site, why it's a problem, and then specifically ask them to remove that information from their site. Be as specific as possible. If the information is false, say that. If the information is private and used without permission, say that. You may even want to include a link in your email or letter to make sure they can quickly find the problematic information that you're asking them to remove.

Third, take a serious look at your usernames and email address. Often, websites and email accounts include your full name in the contact information along with your username. That can be bad for your image if you use an inappropriate nickname or double entendre as your email address or username. If that's the case, change it or delete the account and start a new, more professional one.

Finally, remember to follow up. After you've removed the information yourself or requested a site to take something down, go back to make sure it's gone. It's also a good idea to do regular searches (even specific searches using your name in quotes along with a word or two describing the content that you wanted removed). Do this a week after requesting removal of the information and then again a month later.

Step Three: Build Your Brand

Managing your online persona isn't just about getting things removed from the Internet; it's about using the Internet to build your brand.

That means changing your frame of mind from worrying about what people might see to taking a proactive role in determining what they will see.

Here are just a few simple ways you can take control of your online image by building your brand on the Internet:

Create a Profile:

One of the easiest ways to make sure positive attributes, qualifications and accomplishments stand out on the Internet is to create a profile that features those aspects. In fact, create profiles on multiple sites like ZoomInfo.com, Xing.com, and Ziggs.com. These profiles only take a matter of minutes to create and they help boost positive information about you higher in an Internet search.

One of the best profiles to start with is a Google profile. Once you create a Google profile, your name, occupation, location and a photo (if you upload one) will appear on the first page of a Google's search results for your name. When someone clicks to view your full profile, they'll see the information you input-which can include a list of employers, places you've lived, other sites you use (such as a blog or social networking page) and even a short bio that describes your experience, skills, and interests. Once you have all this information down, you can use it to quickly create profiles on other sites.

Finally, since many employers are actually searching the Internet to verify your qualifications and experience, consider setting up an account on a website for freelancers or contract employees, such as Guru.com.

Remember, there are a number of similar profile sites. You don't have to join them all, but joining a few and putting in relevant, important information about yourself can really help boost your online persona.

Participate in Social Networking:

You've no doubt heard about popular social networking sites like Facebook.com, LinkedIn.com, SpeakerSite.com as well as micro-blogging sites like Twitter.com and online photos sites like Flickr.com.

These sites offer you fun, interactive ways to connect with friends, family, and peers. In addition, they are great for improving your online persona because they often climb near the top of searches.

That said, there are few things to keep in mind.

First, notice this tip says "participate in social networking" not just "join." The more information you include in your profile and the more you participate, the more useful these sites will be in building your brand.

Second, when you do participate make sure it's relevant. Your status updates don't have to be all business and no play; it's okay to have a balance of your personal and professional life on these sites. But make sure that you keep it appropriate. That means keeping slang to a minimum, and avoiding inappropriate words, humor, photos or stories. It also means that you should write occasional posts about a professional conference you've attended or project you've finished.

Also, make sure you join groups or communities on these sites that reflect your professional aspirations and the positive image you're trying to portray. Before joining any group, ask yourself if you'd feel comfortable discussing your membership in the online group with your grandmother or during a job interview with a potential employer.

Finally, make sure you take advantage of other online communities besides these sites. Becoming active in a discussion thread or chat room hosted by a professional organization can be a powerful way to improve your online persona. Not only will your peers and potential employers get to know you on those sites, but your posts will often find their way into your search results.

Start a Blog or Website:

One of the most productive ways to control your online persona is to create new content on a blog or website that highlights or reflects your expertise.

A blog or website not only gives you the space necessary to write about your areas of expertise, but they also rank high in Internet searches if the content is updated regularly.

While this step may seem a bit overwhelming at first, a number of providers such as Wordpress.com or Blogger.com make it fast and convenient. You don't need to know how to program html or JavaScript. They do all the work for you. All you have to do is sign-in and post.

So what should you post?

The obvious answer is to make sure you post appropriate information. It's okay to have multiple blogs or sites-for example, one about your family for friends to read and one about your professional experience for peers and potential employers to read. But make sure the content on both sites is appropriate because there's no way to stop a potential employer from seeing your family site.

If you're stuck wondering what to write about, use your imagination. You don't have to write a white paper in every post. Maybe you want to post your thoughts about the top three things you learned at a professional conference and include a link to the conference website. Maybe you just received an award or professional certification… write about that and put a link to the site that awarded it. Or maybe you have ideas about the best way to write a report. As long as you're not divulging trade secrets, write about what you do, what you know, and what your job growth goals are for the future.

You may even want to take an additional step to purchase and use a domain name that's as close as possible to your name. That will solidify your professionalism and help eliminate any confusion about who you are and what you do.

Remember, the website or blog is a reflection of you…of your brand. So make sure it's clean, organized, professional looking, and that each post is error free and edited.

Maximize Your Web Presence by Interlinking Your Sites:

Once you've created a few online profiles, started participating in social network sites, and developed a quality blog with a few posts, it's time to make sure people notice. That means promoting each of these sites in other sites by linking to them.

So, on your Facebook page, you should include links to your Twitter account and your blog or website. On your blog or website, create a Contact Information page that includes links to your online profiles, Facebook page, Twitter account, and so on. On your profile pages, include links to your blog and social networking sites.

It sounds a bit repetitive, if not overkill. But it's not. It's important. Why? The simple reason is that links are factored into Internet searches.

When someone does a search of your name on the Internet, the sites that typically rank the highest have the most sites linking to them.

That means, the more sites that link to your blog, the better chance you have of it hitting the first page of search results. And that's the ultimate goal here…getting the positive information that you create to rise to the top, so people see the online persona that you've strategically developed and that you want them to see.

Therefore, make sure you have as many sites and profiles cross-referencing each other as you can. And keep adding fresh content and information updates regularly.

Relax - One Step at a Time is Fine

This article has given you a number of easy-to-follow simple steps to improve your online persona. But even then, this can seem like a daunting task.

The trick is, don't let it be. Take it one step at a time.

Start by simply evaluating what's out there and working to remove any negative pictures or information. That alone will be helpful. Then, as you have time, follow the steps for creating a new, more professional persona using profiles, social networking sites, and a blog or website.

In no time, you'll start seeing those positive, professional websites rise to the top of Internet searches. And you'll take comfort in knowing that those are the same sites that potential employers see when they take a closer look at you on the Internet.

For More Information visit: http://www.robertjrussell.com , http://www.InsurancePricedRight.com or http://www.FreeDFWApartments.com

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Tangled in the World Wide Web? Avoid 2 Serious Online Mistakes

Reprint from: http://www.AgentsSalesJournal.com

August 2009 - Prospecting Corner

Written by Marilee Driscoll

Would you allow someone else to control the lease on your office space, your business phone number, or the renewal of your insurance license? Of course not! Being a business owner means having the responsibility to control and deploy assets that are important to your practice. And these days, your email addresses and Web site domains can be just as important to your business as a phone line. The way that you have purchased or leased these online assets may leave you vulnerable to a variety of avoidable risks. While setting up your online presence, make sure you are prepared for any later issues by avoiding two serious mistakes when it comes to establishing your Web address, your page design, and more. Mistake #1: Not owning your domain The most important thing you can do is to control your destiny by owning your domain name. The domain name is the part of a URL (uniform resource locator) that typically comes after "www." and ends with an extension such as ".com," ".net," ".org," etc. Your domain name is usually listed on your business card, as well as on any advertising you may place. People find your Web site on the Internet, by typing your URL into a browser (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox) or by conducting an Internet search on Google or some other engine and clicking on a result, which redirects their browser to a URL. The owner of a domain is called a "registrant," and that entity (it can be a person or another legal entity) controls the URL in the same way that the owner of a life insurance policy controls the policy. To keep things simple, you should be the registrant for any and all domain names you use. But here's the really important advice: Never, ever, obtain a domain through a reseller, even if they may you an offer to get your domain "on your behalf" for free when you purchase another service through them - usually a Web site and/or hosting. Why does this matter? Imagine that your Webmaster (or anyone else) purchases a domain that you use for your Web site (in this case, they are usually the registrant). You become unhappy with the service you are getting, and you want to switch to a new Webmaster or service. Well, like the insured who wants to change a policy that they don't own, they are at the mercy of the owner (in this case, the registrant). And there's no legal obligation to play nice. Your domain can effectively be held hostage while an expensive and time-consuming appeals process takes place. This type of situation is not, unfortunately, unusual. It happens all the time. A less malicious but equally difficult situation can happen when someone else acts as the registrant of your domain, and then becomes disabled or passes away. Will your domain be renewed (after all, it's the previous owner's credit card that's file)? What will their estate do with your domain? It should cost you less than $10/year to own your domain. The company that I use and recommend is www.GoDaddy.com (you've seen their ads on the Super Bowl). You can find other places to buy domains by searching for an "ICANN-accredited domain registrar." (ICANN is the worldwide organization that controls the Internet's naming system and can be found at www.ICANN.org.) Registering your domain has nothing to do with where your Web site is hosted; they are separate and distinct functions. Once you own a domain, you can have it hosted by any company, or leave it unhosted, if you like. You can also point a domain so that, when someone puts it into a browser, it points to another domain that is hosted. GoDaddy, for example, offers free pointing when you purchase a domain through them. Mistake #2: Not owning your Web site design If you hire someone to design a Web site for you, make sure that that they sign a contract before work starts and before any money changes hands stating that you own the Web site, that they are retained under what is called "work for hire," and that all copyright protection is transferred to you in exchange for the agreed-upon fee. Otherwise, like the photographer who takes a photograph, the creator/developer owns all the rights to what is created - in other words, your Web site. Also be sure to stay legal by checking the usage guidelines for clip art and any graphics you use on your site. You certainly wouldn't write a new application using someone else's name as agent. So don't make the similarly foolish mistake of abdicating ownership of the all-important online infrastructure of your business. Take the proper steps to keep everything under your name and your control, and you can avoid some unexpected but messy situations later on. Marilee Driscoll is a professional speaker and consultant, the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Long-Term Care Planning," and a principal in FollowUpSystems LLC. She can be reached at 508-830-9975 or through www.marileedriscoll.com.

For information about Insurance & Real Estate visit: http://www.robertjrussell.com or http://www.InsurancePricedRight.com

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